UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-3855
Fidelity Advisor Series VIII
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
82 Devonshire St., Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Scott C. Goebel, Secretary
82 Devonshire St.
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 617-563-7000
Date of fiscal year end: | October 31 |
| |
Date of reporting period: | October 31, 2008 |
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Diversified International
Fund - Class A, Class T, Class B
and Class C
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to the financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com(search for proxy voting results) or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com, or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow. Returns may reflect the conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after a maximum of seven years.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Life of fund A |
Class A (incl. 5.75% sales charge) | -49.06% | 1.42% | 5.08% |
Class T (incl. 3.50% sales charge) | -47.93% | 1.65% | 5.05% |
Class B (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) B | -48.74% | 1.42% | 5.08% |
Class C (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) C | -46.80% | 1.83% | 4.89% |
A From December 17, 1998.
B Class B shares' contingent deferred sales charges included in the past one year, past five years, and life of fund total return figures are 5%, 2%, and 0%, respectively.
C Class C shares' contingent deferred sales charges included in the past one year, past five years, and life of fund total return figures are 1%, 0%, and 0%, respectively.
Annual Report
$10,000 Over Life of Fund*
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Diversified International Fund - Class A on December 31, 1998, and the current 5.75% sales charge was paid. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCISM Europe, Australasia, Far East (MSCI® EAFE®) Index performed over the same period.
![fid271](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid271.gif)
* From December 31, 1998 (first date following the fund's commencement for which the life of fund return for the MSCI EAFE Index is available).
In prior years, the performance from year to year was represented by the performance of Class T. Going forward, the fund's performance will be represented by Class A for consistency with other fund materials.
Annual Report
Comments from Penny Dobkin, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Diversified International Fund
In a dramatic reversal of what had been a multiyear global growth story, international stocks fell long and hard during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, especially so during the latter stages of the period and mostly as a result of fallout from the financial crisis that emanated from the United States. The viral spread of this financial contagion - which began in the U.S. subprime mortgage market, then seized up the credit markets, hobbled major financial institutions and eventually slowed economic growth worldwide - left virtually no corner of the globe untouched. Developed international equity markets - as gauged by the MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index, which monitors established markets outside the U.S. and Canada - fell 46.54%, while the Standard & Poor's 500SM Index, a measure of U.S. stocks, dropped 36.10%. Among countries constituting at least 1% of the EAFE index, Switzerland had the "least worst" showing, falling roughly 32%, followed by Japan, where stocks slid by around 37%. Meanwhile, the weakest overall performance came from Belgium, where stocks slipped by nearly 70%. In the United Kingdom, the largest component of the index, equities were down almost 48%. Emerging markets were the weakest performers among the global economies, declining 56.22% as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
For the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares declined 45.95%, 46.04%, 46.39% and 46.33%, respectively (excluding sales charges), slightly outperforming the MSCI EAFE index. Good stock selection and our cash position were the primary drivers of the fund's outperformance versus the benchmark. In particular, good picks in financials, consumer staples and industrials helped. By contrast, the fund's relative overweighting in diversified financials as well as stock picks in energy, utilities and consumer discretionary all hurt. On a geographic basis, stock selection in Japan detracted. Looking at individual stocks, Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche Holding did well, reflecting investors' attraction to more-defensive pharmaceutical companies that could deliver positive earnings. Fellow Swiss holding and food giant Nestle also helped, getting a boost from good earnings growth. Underweighting German automaker Volkswagen, which benefited from its largest shareholder, Porsche, taking a bigger position in its stock, hurt. This stock was sold from the portfolio. Overweighting German insurer Allianz, which sold its investment-banking unit to a German bank, turned out to be a bad move, as investors shied away from bank-related stocks.
For the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, the fund's Institutional Class shares declined 45.79%, outperforming the MSCI EAFE index. Good stock selection and our cash position were the primary drivers of the fund's outperformance versus the benchmark. In particular, good picks in financials, consumer staples and industrials helped. By contrast, the fund's relative overweighting in diversified financials as well as stock picks in energy, utilities and consumer discretionary all hurt. On a geographic basis, stock selection in Japan detracted. Looking at individual stocks, Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche Holding did well, reflecting investors' attraction to more-defensive pharmaceutical companies that could deliver positive earnings. Fellow Swiss holding and food giant Nestle also helped, getting a boost from good earnings growth. Underweighting German automaker Volkswagen, which benefited from its largest shareholder, Porsche, taking a bigger position in its stock, hurt. This stock was sold from the portfolio. Overweighting German insurer Allianz, which sold its investment-banking unit to a German bank, turned out to be a bad move, as investors shied away from bank-related stocks.
Annual Report
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Annual Report
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.28% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 600.00 | $ 5.15 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,018.70 | $ 6.50 |
Class T | 1.50% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 599.40 | $ 6.03 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.60 | $ 7.61 |
Class B | 2.09% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 597.80 | $ 8.39 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.63 | $ 10.58 |
Class C | 2.03% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 597.80 | $ 8.15 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.93 | $ 10.28 |
Institutional Class | 1.00% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 601.10 | $ 4.02 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,020.11 | $ 5.08 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Five Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Roche Holding AG (participation certificate) (Switzerland, Pharmaceuticals) | 3.7 | 1.7 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC Class B (United Kingdom, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 3.2 | 2.2 |
E.ON AG (Germany, Electric Utilities) | 3.1 | 2.5 |
Vodafone Group PLC sponsored ADR (United Kingdom, Wireless Telecommunication Services) | 2.9 | 2.3 |
Total SA sponsored ADR (France, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 2.9 | 2.1 |
| 15.8 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Financials | 23.6 | 26.0 |
Energy | 15.7 | 12.2 |
Industrials | 9.2 | 13.3 |
Consumer Staples | 9.0 | 6.3 |
Health Care | 8.6 | 6.5 |
Top Five Countries as of October 31, 2008 |
(excluding cash equivalents) | % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Japan | 25.3 | 26.8 |
United Kingdom | 16.2 | 9.7 |
Germany | 12.6 | 11.5 |
Switzerland | 11.0 | 8.7 |
France | 10.9 | 14.0 |
Percentages are adjusted for the effect of open futures contracts, if applicable. |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 99.1% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 98.8% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 0.9% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 1.2% | |
![fid279](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid279.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 98.0% |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Australia - 2.5% |
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | 805,419 | | $ 9,437 |
BHP Billiton Ltd. sponsored ADR (d) | 2,804,700 | | 109,047 |
Brambles Ltd. | 1,306,661 | | 6,966 |
CSL Ltd. | 402,397 | | 9,781 |
Rio Tinto Ltd. | 200,426 | | 10,363 |
Wesfarmers Ltd. | 665,048 | | 9,553 |
TOTAL AUSTRALIA | | 155,147 |
Austria - 0.3% |
voestalpine AG | 624,700 | | 15,245 |
Belgium - 0.9% |
Delhaize Group SA | 681,500 | | 38,327 |
KBC Groupe SA | 353,400 | | 15,193 |
TOTAL BELGIUM | | 53,520 |
Bermuda - 0.1% |
Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (United Kingdom) | 1,177,100 | | 2,925 |
TPV Technology Ltd. | 15,168,000 | | 3,011 |
TOTAL BERMUDA | | 5,936 |
Brazil - 0.5% |
BM&F BOVESPA SA | 9,635,569 | | 25,600 |
Medial Saude SA | 1,952,000 | | 6,133 |
TOTAL BRAZIL | | 31,733 |
Canada - 1.5% |
EnCana Corp. | 767,608 | | 38,979 |
Nexen, Inc. | 1,419,600 | | 22,534 |
Open Text Corp. (a)(d) | 725,300 | | 18,382 |
OZ Optics Ltd. unit (f) | 5,400 | | 65 |
Talisman Energy, Inc. | 1,132,100 | | 11,182 |
TOTAL CANADA | | 91,142 |
Cayman Islands - 0.0% |
Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd. | 747,400 | | 244 |
China - 0.2% |
Bank of China (H Shares) | 12,499,000 | | 3,650 |
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China | 9,443,000 | | 4,443 |
Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd. (H Shares) | 13,346,000 | | 6,394 |
TOTAL CHINA | | 14,487 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Finland - 1.8% |
Neste Oil Oyj | 1,775,100 | | $ 28,076 |
Nokia Corp. | 1,394,750 | | 21,365 |
Nokia Corp. sponsored ADR | 4,101,900 | | 62,267 |
TOTAL FINLAND | | 111,708 |
France - 10.2% |
Alcatel-Lucent SA sponsored ADR (a) | 14,916,600 | | 38,336 |
Alstom SA | 874,800 | | 43,358 |
AXA SA | 1,066,900 | | 20,382 |
AXA SA sponsored ADR | 456,700 | | 8,545 |
BNP Paribas SA | 638,200 | | 46,079 |
Cap Gemini SA | 1,036,700 | | 33,402 |
Carrefour SA | 132,000 | | 5,576 |
Compagnie Generale de Geophysique SA (a) | 1,016,000 | | 16,428 |
GDF Suez | 1,653,640 | | 73,917 |
Groupe Danone | 46,100 | | 2,567 |
Orpea (a)(d) | 118,800 | | 3,865 |
Pernod Ricard SA | 41,480 | | 2,701 |
Renault SA | 901,100 | | 27,617 |
Sanofi-Aventis sponsored ADR | 1,095,400 | | 34,637 |
Societe Generale Series A | 38,200 | | 2,082 |
Sodexho Alliance SA | 731,800 | | 35,137 |
Total SA sponsored ADR | 3,239,600 | | 179,603 |
Unibail-Rodamco | 158,700 | | 23,803 |
Vivendi | 1,260,820 | | 32,957 |
TOTAL FRANCE | | 630,992 |
Germany - 12.4% |
Allianz AG: | | | |
(Reg.) | 491,900 | | 36,812 |
sponsored ADR | 7,777,770 | | 58,955 |
Bayer AG | 284,500 | | 15,838 |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) | 24,400 | | 633 |
Daimler AG (Reg.) | 589,600 | | 20,389 |
Deutsche Bank AG | 470,400 | | 17,863 |
Deutsche Boerse AG | 369,900 | | 29,576 |
Deutsche Telekom AG: | | | |
(Reg.) | 2,306,200 | | 34,446 |
sponsored ADR | 945,800 | | 14,045 |
E.ON AG | 883,500 | | 33,800 |
E.ON AG sponsored ADR | 4,279,300 | | 162,613 |
GFK AG | 398,756 | | 7,874 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Germany - continued |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA | 101,260 | | $ 2,513 |
K&S AG | 14,900 | | 590 |
Linde AG | 671,256 | | 56,373 |
Merck KGaA | 252,700 | | 22,679 |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG (Reg.) | 690,200 | | 91,607 |
Q-Cells AG (a)(d) | 190,000 | | 7,475 |
RWE AG | 1,015,600 | | 84,873 |
Siemens AG (Reg.) | 1,083,100 | | 64,906 |
Symrise AG | 400,100 | | 4,970 |
TOTAL GERMANY | | 768,830 |
Greece - 0.8% |
Hellenic Exchanges Holding SA | 3,149,700 | | 27,523 |
Public Power Corp. of Greece | 1,656,540 | | 20,483 |
TOTAL GREECE | | 48,006 |
Hong Kong - 0.4% |
Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd. | 1,046,000 | | 10,043 |
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. | 1,162,900 | | 11,793 |
TOTAL HONG KONG | | 21,836 |
Indonesia - 0.1% |
PT Bumi Resources Tbk | 52,085,500 | | 6,819 |
Ireland - 0.0% |
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC | 1,604,800 | | 2,864 |
Israel - 0.3% |
Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd. | 3,045,215 | | 15,808 |
Italy - 3.8% |
Edison SpA | 3,141,200 | | 4,528 |
ENI SpA | 5,787,900 | | 138,146 |
ENI SpA sponsored ADR | 289,100 | | 13,891 |
Finmeccanica SpA | 1,267,400 | | 15,506 |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 9,287,000 | | 33,971 |
Pirelli & C. Real Estate SpA | 400,000 | | 2,834 |
Prysmian SpA | 1,873,700 | | 22,730 |
UniCredit SpA | 2,336,450 | | 5,717 |
TOTAL ITALY | | 237,323 |
Japan - 25.3% |
ABC-Mart, Inc. | 172,000 | | 5,292 |
ACOM Co. Ltd. | 570,940 | | 21,808 |
Aeon Co. Ltd. | 8,894,200 | | 85,283 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Japan - continued |
Aeon Mall Co. Ltd. | 995,200 | | $ 24,566 |
Aoyama Trading Co. Ltd. | 1,633,400 | | 19,096 |
Arealink Co. Ltd. (e) | 99,519 | | 2,760 |
Asics Corp. | 922,000 | | 5,777 |
Bank of Nagoya Ltd. | 8,731,000 | | 52,556 |
Canon, Inc. | 518,100 | | 18,128 |
Chiba Bank Ltd. | 7,158,000 | | 35,378 |
Daiwa Securities Group, Inc. | 26,368,000 | | 149,065 |
DCM Japan Holdings Co. Ltd. (d) | 3,112,820 | | 22,813 |
FamilyMart Co. Ltd. | 314,000 | | 12,440 |
Fuji Machine Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 1,200,500 | | 10,366 |
Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc. | 3,732,000 | | 12,343 |
Hokuhoku Financial Group, Inc. | 6,461,000 | | 12,784 |
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. | 521,400 | | 12,964 |
Ibiden Co. Ltd. | 2,346,400 | | 43,891 |
Inpex Corp. | 1,030 | | 5,979 |
Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. | 2,140,400 | | 20,160 |
Itochu Corp. | 7,904,000 | | 41,769 |
Juroku Bank Ltd. | 9,501,000 | | 35,041 |
Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. | 831,000 | | 5,457 |
Kubota Corp. | 850,000 | | 4,266 |
Marubeni Corp. | 4,759,000 | | 18,488 |
Marui Group Co. Ltd. | 4,410,200 | | 26,957 |
Misumi Group, Inc. | 1,391,400 | | 21,284 |
Mitsubishi Corp. | 2,570,000 | | 43,076 |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | 10,253,700 | | 64,433 |
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. | 786,000 | | 21,841 |
Monex Beans Holdings, Inc. (d) | 87,262 | | 28,899 |
Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc. | 1,242,400 | | 12,775 |
NGK Insulators Ltd. | 646,000 | | 6,709 |
Nidec Corp. | 1,338,100 | | 71,964 |
Nikon Corp. | 2,474,000 | | 34,865 |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. | 7,991,000 | | 75,706 |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. sponsored ADR (d) | 4,015,900 | | 37,749 |
NSK Ltd. | 6,117,000 | | 24,965 |
Okamura Corp. (d) | 4,931,000 | | 28,557 |
OMC Card, Inc. (a)(d) | 8,470,400 | | 13,108 |
SBI Holdings, Inc. | 280,734 | | 33,687 |
Seven & I Holdings Co. Ltd. | 1,577,900 | | 44,302 |
Shinko Electric Co. Ltd. (d)(e) | 8,516,000 | | 21,759 |
SMC Corp. | 535,000 | | 50,503 |
Sumitomo Corp. | 4,361,800 | | 38,373 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Japan - continued |
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. | 1,623,000 | | $ 12,171 |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | 8,679 | | 34,791 |
THK Co. Ltd. | 220,900 | | 3,025 |
Tokai Carbon Co. Ltd. | 8,516,000 | | 44,650 |
Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc. | 275,700 | | 8,299 |
Toyota Motor Corp. | 1,187,900 | | 46,386 |
Toyota Motor Corp. sponsored ADR | 196,600 | | 14,959 |
Yamaguchi Financial Group, Inc. | 2,314,000 | | 22,132 |
TOTAL JAPAN | | 1,566,395 |
Luxembourg - 0.2% |
ArcelorMittal SA (NY Shares) Class A | 410,800 | | 10,784 |
Netherlands - 3.5% |
ASML Holding NV: | | | |
(Netherlands) | 263,400 | | 4,611 |
(NY Shares) | 454,300 | | 7,973 |
Heineken NV (Bearer) | 467,400 | | 15,767 |
ING Groep NV (Certificaten Van Aandelen) | 1,448,800 | | 13,590 |
Koninklijke KPN NV | 3,996,200 | | 56,279 |
Reed Elsevier NV sponsored ADR | 300,650 | | 8,012 |
Unilever NV: | | | |
(Certificaten Van Aandelen) | 1,934,619 | | 46,623 |
(NY Shares) | 2,709,900 | | 65,173 |
TOTAL NETHERLANDS | | 218,028 |
Norway - 0.6% |
Hafslund ASA (B Shares) | 154,363 | | 1,576 |
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (a) | 3,792,850 | | 18,886 |
Renewable Energy Corp. AS (a) | 1,386,400 | | 13,080 |
Yara International ASA | 278,400 | | 5,816 |
TOTAL NORWAY | | 39,358 |
Russia - 0.2% |
OAO Gazprom sponsored ADR | 570,800 | | 11,673 |
Singapore - 0.6% |
CapitaMall Trust | 3,846,000 | | 5,100 |
DBS Group Holdings Ltd. | 2,358,000 | | 18,000 |
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. | 2,171,000 | | 7,340 |
Singapore Exchange Ltd. | 1,875,000 | | 6,711 |
TOTAL SINGAPORE | | 37,151 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Spain - 1.9% |
Laboratorios Almirall SA | 515,400 | | $ 4,566 |
Repsol YPF SA sponsored ADR | 464,900 | | 8,889 |
Telefonica SA | 1,399,900 | | 25,919 |
Telefonica SA sponsored ADR | 1,359,200 | | 75,449 |
TOTAL SPAIN | | 114,823 |
Sweden - 0.3% |
Assa Abloy AB (B Shares) | 628,600 | | 7,017 |
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB (B Shares) (d) | 348,450 | | 12,493 |
TOTAL SWEDEN | | 19,510 |
Switzerland - 11.0% |
Actelion Ltd. (Reg.) (a) | 587,360 | | 31,022 |
Basilea Pharmaceutica AG (a) | 200,362 | | 27,162 |
Credit Suisse Group sponsored ADR | 916,300 | | 34,270 |
Credit Suisse Group (Reg.) | 315,120 | | 11,781 |
Julius Baer Holding AG | 645,406 | | 25,237 |
Nestle SA: | | | |
(Reg.) | 3,215,997 | | 125,033 |
sponsored ADR | 1,636,400 | | 62,920 |
Novartis AG (Reg.) | 724,480 | | 36,765 |
Roche Holding AG (participation certificate) | 1,475,749 | | 225,637 |
SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance Holding SA (Reg.) | 26,656 | | 26,238 |
UBS AG: | | | |
(For. Reg.) | 238,018 | | 4,038 |
(NY Shares) | 3,089,300 | | 52,209 |
Zurich Financial Services AG (Reg.) | 101,368 | | 20,561 |
TOTAL SWITZERLAND | | 682,873 |
Taiwan - 2.0% |
Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc. | 82,124,372 | | 34,967 |
MediaTek, Inc. | 552,000 | | 4,954 |
Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Ltd. sponsored ADR | 6,747,346 | | 38,055 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 13,218,016 | | 19,235 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. sponsored ADR | 3,099,690 | | 25,603 |
Wistron Corp. | 276,765 | | 221 |
TOTAL TAIWAN | | 123,035 |
United Kingdom - 16.2% |
Anglo American PLC: | | | |
ADR | 1,476,900 | | 18,535 |
(United Kingdom) | 118,900 | | 2,983 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
United Kingdom - continued |
AstraZeneca PLC: | | | |
(United Kingdom) | 568,400 | | $ 24,085 |
sponsored ADR (d) | 625,000 | | 26,538 |
BHP Billiton PLC | 2,706,500 | | 45,952 |
BP PLC | 8,389,600 | | 68,379 |
BP PLC sponsored ADR | 1,801,700 | | 89,544 |
Capita Group PLC | 2,343,800 | | 24,215 |
Dawnay Day Treveria PLC | 12,382,400 | | 1,322 |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | 2,673,600 | | 51,391 |
Greene King PLC | 1,574,600 | | 8,130 |
HBOS PLC | 6,231,900 | | 10,203 |
HSBC Holdings PLC (Hong Kong) (Reg.) | 1,101,200 | | 13,108 |
Informa PLC | 1,634,200 | | 5,536 |
Intertek Group PLC | 647,400 | | 7,666 |
JJB Sports PLC (a) | 1,467,509 | | 700 |
NETeller PLC (a) | 5,995,500 | | 4,893 |
Prudential PLC | 4,971,300 | | 24,969 |
Rio Tinto PLC (Reg.) | 747,000 | | 34,890 |
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC | 4,602,200 | | 5,069 |
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC sponsored ADR (d) | 3,000,000 | | 3,330 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC: | | | |
Class A (United Kingdom) | 1,097,900 | | 30,161 |
Class A sponsored ADR | 1,031,600 | | 57,574 |
Class B | 7,207,716 | | 195,390 |
Tesco PLC | 2,201,954 | | 12,063 |
Unilever PLC | 984,600 | | 22,117 |
Unilever PLC sponsored ADR | 17,760 | | 401 |
Vodafone Group PLC sponsored ADR | 9,388,100 | | 180,909 |
Wolseley PLC | 598,800 | | 3,277 |
Xstrata PLC | 1,677,100 | | 28,682 |
TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM | | 1,002,012 |
United States of America - 0.4% |
ENSCO International, Inc. | 175,200 | | 6,659 |
Halliburton Co. | 969,600 | | 19,188 |
TOTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | | 25,847 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $9,079,380) | 6,063,129 |
Preferred Stocks - 1.1% |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Convertible Preferred Stocks - 0.0% |
Canada - 0.0% |
MetroPhotonics, Inc. Series 2 (a)(f) | 8,500 | | $ 0 |
Nonconvertible Preferred Stocks - 1.1% |
France - 0.7% |
L'Air Liquide SA | 504,761 | | 43,820 |
Germany - 0.2% |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA | 362,700 | | 10,531 |
Italy - 0.2% |
Buzzi Unicem SpA (Risp) | 1,569,595 | | 13,110 |
Telecom Italia SpA (Risp) | 3,570,900 | | 3,005 |
TOTAL ITALY | | 16,115 |
TOTAL NONCONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS | | 70,466 |
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $89,318) | | 70,466 |
Money Market Funds - 2.0% |
| | | |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) | 4,113,361 | | 4,113 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund, 2.67% (b)(c) | 120,232,603 | | 120,233 |
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $124,346) | 124,346 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 101.1% (Cost $9,293,044) | | 6,257,941 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - (1.1)% | | (70,166) |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 6,187,775 |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities on loan. |
(d) Security or a portion of the security is on loan at period end. |
(e) Affiliated company |
(f) Restricted securities - Investment in securities not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (excluding 144A issues). At the end of the period, the value of restricted securities (excluding 144A issues) amounted to $65,000 or 0.0% of net assets. |
Additional information on each holding is as follows: |
Security | Acquisition Date | Acquisition Cost (000s) |
MetroPhotonics, Inc. Series 2 | 9/29/00 | $ 85 |
OZ Optics Ltd. unit | 8/18/00 | $ 80 |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned (Amounts in thousands) |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 8,804 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 16,603 |
Total | $ 25,407 |
Other Affiliated Issuers |
An affiliated company is a company in which the fund has ownership of at least 5% of the voting securities. Fiscal year to date transactions with companies which are or were affiliates are as follows: |
Affiliates (Amounts in thousands) | Value, beginning of period | Purchases | Sales Proceeds | Dividend Income | Value, end of period |
Arealink Co. Ltd. | $ 43,272 | $ 1,190 | $ - | $ 213 | $ 2,760 |
Dawnay Day Treveria PLC | 44,102 | 2,859 | 28,661 | 505 | - |
OMC Card, Inc. | 42,243 | 23,787 | 28,368 | - | - |
Shinko Electric Co. Ltd. | - | 45,735 | 16,607 | 606 | 21,759 |
Tokai Carbon Co. Ltd. | 116,252 | 28,721 | 31,024 | 860 | - |
Total | $ 245,869 | $ 102,292 | $ 104,660 | $ 2,184 | $ 24,519 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of $464,857,000 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Amounts in thousands (except per-share amounts) | October 31, 2008 |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value (including securities loaned of $118,624) - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $9,090,680) | $ 6,109,076 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $124,346) | 124,346 | |
Other affiliated issuers (cost $78,018) | 24,519 | |
Total Investments (cost $9,293,044) | | $ 6,257,941 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 78,185 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 17,715 |
Dividends receivable | | 19,572 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 521 |
Prepaid expenses | | 4 |
Other receivables | | 1,052 |
Total assets | | 6,374,990 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable to custodian bank | $ 407 | |
Payable for investments purchased | 40,240 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 18,338 | |
Accrued management fee | 3,805 | |
Distribution fees payable | 1,648 | |
Other affiliated payables | 1,945 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 599 | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | 120,233 | |
Total liabilities | | 187,215 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 6,187,775 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 9,668,916 |
Undistributed net investment income | | 203,893 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (649,382) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (3,035,652) |
Net Assets | | $ 6,187,775 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
Amounts in thousands (except per-share amounts) | October 31, 2008 |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($2,003,598 ÷ 159,341 shares) | | $ 12.57 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $12.57) | | $ 13.34 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($1,110,366 ÷ 89,387 shares) | | $ 12.42 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $12.42) | | $ 12.87 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($220,532 ÷ 18,450 shares)A | | $ 11.95 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($618,440 ÷ 51,617 shares)A | | $ 11.98 |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($2,234,839 ÷ 174,443 shares) | | $ 12.81 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Operations
Amounts in thousands | Year ended October 31, 2008 |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends (including $2,184 earned from other affiliated issuers) | | $ 374,388 |
Interest | | 159 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 25,407 |
| | 399,954 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (40,645) |
Total income | | 359,309 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee | $ 84,787 | |
Transfer agent fees | 27,405 | |
Distribution fees | 38,143 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 2,085 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 2,666 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 55 | |
Registration fees | 389 | |
Audit | 100 | |
Legal | 71 | |
Interest | 15 | |
Miscellaneous | 1,440 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 157,156 | |
Expense reductions | (5,122) | 152,034 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 207,275 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | (503,830) | |
Other affiliated issuers | (96,292) | |
Foreign currency transactions | 2,572 | |
Futures contracts | (504) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (598,054) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities | (5,869,475) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | 300 | |
Futures contracts | (10,753) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (5,879,928) |
Net gain (loss) | | (6,477,982) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (6,270,707) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Amounts in thousands | Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 207,275 | $ 187,123 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (598,054) | 2,210,026 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (5,879,928) | 806,084 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (6,270,707) | 3,203,233 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (134,646) | (133,151) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (1,880,749) | (974,839) |
Total distributions | (2,015,395) | (1,107,990) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | (2,367,839) | 320,019 |
Redemption fees | 414 | 467 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (10,653,527) | 2,415,729 |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 16,841,302 | 14,425,573 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $203,893 and undistributed net investment income of $152,430, respectively) | $ 6,187,775 | $ 16,841,302 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 26.62 | $ 23.42 | $ 20.30 | $ 16.97 | $ 14.60 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .36 | .31 | .30 | .19 | .08 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.15) | 4.69 | 3.91 | 3.27 | 2.41 |
Total from investment operations | (10.79) | 5.00 | 4.21 | 3.46 | 2.49 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.24) | (.23) | (.14) | (.05) | (.12) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.02) | (1.57) | (.95) | (.08) | - |
Total distributions | (3.26) | (1.80) | (1.09) | (.13) | (.12) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.57 | $ 26.62 | $ 23.42 | $ 20.30 | $ 16.97 |
Total Return A,B | (45.95)% | 22.76% | 21.54% | 20.50% | 17.15% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.26% | 1.25% | 1.26% | 1.27% | 1.31% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.26% | 1.25% | 1.26% | 1.27% | 1.31% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.22% | 1.21% | 1.20% | 1.20% | 1.27% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.80% | 1.26% | 1.33% | 1.02% | .51% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 2,004 | $ 5,774 | $ 4,694 | $ 2,792 | $ 1,294 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 88% | 105% | 83% | 59% | 72% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 26.30 | $ 23.17 | $ 20.12 | $ 16.82 | $ 14.47 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .31 | .25 | .25 | .15 | .03 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.01) | 4.63 | 3.89 | 3.23 | 2.39 |
Total from investment operations | (10.70) | 4.88 | 4.14 | 3.38 | 2.42 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.16) | (.18) | (.14) | - | (.07) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.02) | (1.57) | (.95) | (.08) | - |
Total distributions | (3.18) | (1.75) | (1.09) | (.08) | (.07) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.42 | $ 26.30 | $ 23.17 | $ 20.12 | $ 16.82 |
Total Return A,B | (46.04)% | 22.43% | 21.33% | 20.16% | 16.78% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.49% | 1.47% | 1.48% | 1.51% | 1.61% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.49% | 1.47% | 1.48% | 1.51% | 1.61% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.44% | 1.43% | 1.42% | 1.45% | 1.57% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.57% | 1.04% | 1.12% | .77% | .21% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 1,110 | $ 3,569 | $ 3,609 | $ 2,420 | $ 1,510 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 88% | 105% | 83% | 59% | 72% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 25.44 | $ 22.46 | $ 19.60 | $ 16.46 | $ 14.19 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .18 | .10 | .10 | .02 | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (10.62) | 4.50 | 3.79 | 3.16 | 2.35 |
Total from investment operations | (10.44) | 4.60 | 3.89 | 3.18 | 2.28 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.03) | (.05) | (.08) | - | (.01) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.02) | (1.57) | (.95) | (.04) | - |
Total distributions | (3.05) | (1.62) | (1.03) | (.04) | (.01) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.95 | $ 25.44 | $ 22.46 | $ 19.60 | $ 16.46 |
Total Return A,B | (46.39)% | 21.73% | 20.55% | 19.35% | 16.08% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.08% | 2.08% | 2.12% | 2.16% | 2.24% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.08% | 2.08% | 2.12% | 2.16% | 2.24% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.04% | 2.04% | 2.06% | 2.10% | 2.20% |
Net investment income (loss) | .97% | .42% | .48% | .12% | (.42)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 221 | $ 559 | $ 508 | $ 351 | $ 196 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 88% | 105% | 83% | 59% | 72% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 25.50 | $ 22.53 | $ 19.65 | $ 16.48 | $ 14.22 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .20 | .12 | .12 | .04 | (.05) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (10.64) | 4.50 | 3.79 | 3.17 | 2.35 |
Total from investment operations | (10.44) | 4.62 | 3.91 | 3.21 | 2.30 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.06) | (.08) | (.08) | - | (.04) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.02) | (1.57) | (.95) | (.04) | - |
Total distributions | (3.08) | (1.65) | (1.03) | (.04) | (.04) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.98 | $ 25.50 | $ 22.53 | $ 19.65 | $ 16.48 |
Total Return A,B | (46.33)% | 21.81% | 20.62% | 19.51% | 16.21% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.01% | 2.00% | 2.02% | 2.05% | 2.13% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.01% | 2.00% | 2.02% | 2.05% | 2.13% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.97% | 1.96% | 1.96% | 1.99% | 2.09% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.04% | .51% | .57% | .23% | (.31)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 618 | $ 1,673 | $ 1,395 | $ 758 | $ 381 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 88% | 105% | 83% | 59% | 72% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 27.06 | $ 23.78 | $ 20.56 | $ 17.18 | $ 14.74 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .41 | .38 | .37 | .25 | .13 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.34) | 4.76 | 3.98 | 3.30 | 2.44 |
Total from investment operations | (10.93) | 5.14 | 4.35 | 3.55 | 2.57 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.30) | (.29) | (.18) | (.09) | (.13) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.02) | (1.57) | (.95) | (.08) | - |
Total distributions | (3.32) | (1.86) | (1.13) | (.17) | (.13) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital B,F | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.81 | $ 27.06 | $ 23.78 | $ 20.56 | $ 17.18 |
Total Return A | (45.79)% | 23.07% | 21.96% | 20.81% | 17.54% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C,E | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | .99% | .98% | .97% | .97% | 1.03% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | .99% | .98% | .97% | .97% | 1.03% |
Expenses net of all reductions | .94% | .94% | .92% | .91% | .98% |
Net investment income (loss) | 2.07% | 1.53% | 1.62% | 1.32% | .80% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 2,235 | $ 5,266 | $ 4,220 | $ 2,213 | $ 1,185 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 88% | 105% | 83% | 59% | 72% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
F Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Diversified International Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class. The Fund's investments in emerging markets can be subject to social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties and can be extremely volatile.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price established each day by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income - continued
calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds received from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund estimates the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Fund will claim a portion of the payment made to redeeming shareholders as a distribution for income tax purposes.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to futures transactions, foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), deferred trustees compensation, capital loss carryforwards and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 218,621 |
Unrealized depreciation | (3,439,710) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (3,221,089) |
Undistributed ordinary income | 195,802 |
Capital loss carryforward | (464,857) |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 9,479,030 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 309,020 | $ 313,217 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 1,706,375 | 794,773 |
Total | $ 2,015,395 | $ 1,107,990 |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 30 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.00% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncements. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
In addition, in March 2008, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 161), was
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
New Accounting Pronouncements - continued
issued and is effective for reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2008. SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures to provide information about the reasons the Fund invests in derivative instruments, the accounting treatment and the effect derivatives have on financial performance.
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
Futures Contracts. The Fund may use futures contracts to manage its exposure to the stock market. Buying futures tends to increase a fund's exposure to the underlying instrument, while selling futures tends to decrease a fund's exposure to the underlying instrument or hedge other fund investments. Upon entering into a futures contract, a fund is required to deposit with a clearing broker, no later than the following business day, an amount ("initial margin") equal to a certain percentage of the face value of the contract. The initial margin may be in the form of cash or securities and is transferred to a segregated account on settlement date. Subsequent payments ("variation margin") are made or received by a fund depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the futures contract and are accounted for as unrealized gains or losses. Realized gains (losses) are recorded upon the expiration or closing of the futures contract. Losses may arise from changes in the value of the underlying instruments or if the counterparties do not perform under the contract's terms.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $10,395,778 and $14,383,139, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. For the period, the total annual management fee rate was .71% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | 0% | .25% | $ 10,178 | $ 474 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 11,717 | 326 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 4,108 | 3,088 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 12,140 | 1,229 |
| | | $ 38,143 | $ 5,117 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Sales Load - continued
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 419 |
Class T | 86 |
Class B* | 913 |
Class C* | 123 |
| $ 1,541 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements. For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 9,714 | .24 |
Class T | 4,981 | .21 |
Class B | 1,264 | .31 |
Class C | 2,878 | .24 |
Institutional Class | 8,568 | .22 |
| $ 27,405 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $2 for the period.
Interfund Lending Program. Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Interfund Lending Program - continued
with FMR, may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the funds to borrow from, or lend money to, other participating affiliated funds. At period end, there were no interfund loans outstanding. The Fund's activity in this program during the period for which loans were outstanding was as follows:
Borrower or Lender | Average Daily Loan Balance | Weighted Average Interest Rate | Interest Expense |
Borrower | $ 24,184 | 3.76% | $ 15 |
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $25 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. The value of loaned securities and cash collateral at period end are disclosed on the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $16,603.
Annual Report
9. Expense Reductions.
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $5,048 for the period. In addition, through arrangements with the Fund's custodian and each class' transfer agent, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses. During the period, these credits reduced the Fund's custody expenses by $3. During the period, credits reduced each class' transfer agent expense as noted in the table below.
| Transfer Agent expense reduction |
Class A | $ 30 |
Class T | 17 |
Institutional Class | 24 |
| $ 71 |
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $9, which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
10. Other - continued
of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
During the period, Lehman Brothers Holdings, lnc. and certain of its affiliates (LBHI) sought protection under the insolvency laws of their jurisdictions of organization, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. At the time LBHI'S insolvency proceedings were instituted, the Fund had outstanding securities trades with counterparties affiliated with LBHI. As a result of the insolvency proceedings, LBHI is unable to fulfill its commitments and, in certain cases, the Fund may have terminated its trades and related agreements with the relevant entities and, where appropriate, is in the process of initiating claims for damages. FMR believes that the financial impact to the Fund relating to the terminated trades and agreements is immaterial.
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 51,458 | $ 46,511 |
Class T | 20,765 | 28,116 |
Class B | 649 | 1,108 |
Class C | 3,823 | 5,232 |
Institutional Class | 57,951 | 52,184 |
Total | $ 134,646 | $ 133,151 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 650,221 | $ 316,111 |
Class T | 391,932 | 243,882 |
Class B | 65,309 | 35,514 |
Class C | 195,682 | 97,793 |
Institutional Class | 577,605 | 281,539 |
Total | $ 1,880,749 | $ 974,839 |
Annual Report
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 36,978 | 64,291 | $ 736,803 | $ 1,554,629 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 26,184 | 13,015 | 589,918 | 292,975 |
Shares redeemed | (120,763) | (60,769) | (2,301,351) | (1,466,102) |
Net increase (decrease) | (57,601) | 16,537 | $ (974,630) | $ 381,502 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 12,597 | 27,062 | $ 249,376 | $ 641,406 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 17,846 | 11,891 | 398,138 | 265,043 |
Shares redeemed | (76,733) | (59,029) | (1,486,718) | (1,416,423) |
Net increase (decrease) | (46,290) | (20,076) | $ (839,204) | $ (509,974) |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 1,517 | 3,350 | $ 29,730 | $ 77,002 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 2,657 | 1,452 | 57,330 | 31,456 |
Shares redeemed | (7,700) | (5,448) | (138,613) | (125,817) |
Net increase (decrease) | (3,526) | (646) | $ (51,553) | $ (17,359) |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 6,466 | 12,688 | $ 129,678 | $ 291,365 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 6,582 | 3,357 | 142,312 | 72,889 |
Shares redeemed | (27,030) | (12,337) | (481,929) | (287,237) |
Net increase (decrease) | (13,982) | 3,708 | $ (209,939) | $ 77,017 |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 70,399 | 71,325 | $ 1,369,597 | $ 1,740,183 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 18,926 | 9,822 | 433,411 | 224,239 |
Shares redeemed | (109,533) | (63,957) | (2,095,521) | (1,575,589) |
Net increase (decrease) | (20,208) | 17,190 | $ (292,513) | $ 388,833 |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and the Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Diversified International Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Diversified International Fund (a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fidelity Advisor Diversified International Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004-2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
Class A designates 61%, Class T designates 71%, Class B designates 96%, and Class C designates 89%, of each dividend distributed in December 2007, respectively during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Class A | 12/10/07 | $0.364 | $0.0579 |
Class T | 12/10/07 | $0.314 | $0.0579 |
Class B | 12/10/07 | $0.232 | $0.0579 |
Class C | 12/10/07 | $0.251 | $0.0579 |
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Diversified International Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a peer group of mutual funds identified by Morningstar, Inc. as having an investment style similar to that of the fund based on underlying portfolio holdings. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated.
Annual Report
Advisor Diversified International Fund
![fid281](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid281.gif)
The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the third quartile for the one- and three-year periods and the second quartile for the five-year period. The Board also stated that the investment performance of the fund was lower than its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes. The Board discussed with FMR actions that may be taken by FMR to improve the fund's more recent disappointing performance relative to its peer group and benchmark. The Board will continue to closely monitor the performance of the fund in the coming year.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG%" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG% of 14% means that 86% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Diversified International Fund
![fid283](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid283.gif)
Annual Report
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of each class ranked below its competitive median for 2007.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Annual Report
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
FIL Investment Advisors
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd.
Fidelity Management & Research
Company (Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
Company (Japan) Inc.
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Quincy, MA
ADIF-UANN-1208
1.784735.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Diversified International
Fund - Institutional Class
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to the financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting results") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Life of fund A |
Institutional Class | -45.79% | 2.93% | 6.03% |
A From December 17, 1998.
$10,000 Over Life of Fund*
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Diversified International Fund - Institutional Class on December 31, 1998. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI SM Europe, Australia, Far East (MSCI® EAFE®) Index performed over the same period.
![fid300](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid300.gif)
* From December 31, 1998 (first date following the fund's commencement for which the life of fund return for the MSCI EAFE Index is available).
Annual Report
Comments from Penny Dobkin, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Diversified International Fund
In a dramatic reversal of what had been a multiyear global growth story, international stocks fell long and hard during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, especially so during the latter stages of the period and mostly as a result of fallout from the financial crisis that emanated from the United States. The viral spread of this financial contagion - which began in the U.S. subprime mortgage market, then seized up the credit markets, hobbled major financial institutions and eventually slowed economic growth worldwide - left virtually no corner of the globe untouched. Developed international equity markets - as gauged by the MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index, which monitors established markets outside the U.S. and Canada - fell 46.54%, while the Standard & Poor's 500SM Index, a measure of U.S. stocks, dropped 36.10%. Among countries constituting at least 1% of the EAFE index, Switzerland had the "least worst" showing, falling roughly 32%, followed by Japan, where stocks slid by around 37%. Meanwhile, the weakest overall performance came from Belgium, where stocks slipped by nearly 70%. In the United Kingdom, the largest component of the index, equities were down almost 48%. Emerging markets were the weakest performers among the global economies, declining 56.22% as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
For the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares declined 45.95%, 46.04%, 46.39% and 46.33%, respectively (excluding sales charges), slightly outperforming the MSCI EAFE index. Good stock selection and our cash position were the primary drivers of the fund's outperformance versus the benchmark. In particular, good picks in financials, consumer staples and industrials helped. By contrast, the fund's relative overweighting in diversified financials as well as stock picks in energy, utilities and consumer discretionary all hurt. On a geographic basis, stock selection in Japan detracted. Looking at individual stocks, Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche Holding did well, reflecting investors' attraction to more-defensive pharmaceutical companies that could deliver positive earnings. Fellow Swiss holding and food giant Nestle also helped, getting a boost from good earnings growth. Underweighting German automaker Volkswagen, which benefited from its largest shareholder, Porsche, taking a bigger position in its stock, hurt. This stock was sold from the portfolio. Overweighting German insurer Allianz, which sold its investment-banking unit to a German bank, turned out to be a bad move, as investors shied away from bank-related stocks.
For the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, the fund's Institutional Class shares declined 45.79%, outperforming the MSCI EAFE index. Good stock selection and our cash position were the primary drivers of the fund's outperformance versus the benchmark. In particular, good picks in financials, consumer staples and industrials helped. By contrast, the fund's relative overweighting in diversified financials as well as stock picks in energy, utilities and consumer discretionary all hurt. On a geographic basis, stock selection in Japan detracted. Looking at individual stocks, Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche Holding did well, reflecting investors' attraction to more-defensive pharmaceutical companies that could deliver positive earnings. Fellow Swiss holding and food giant Nestle also helped, getting a boost from good earnings growth. Underweighting German automaker Volkswagen, which benefited from its largest shareholder, Porsche, taking a bigger position in its stock, hurt. This stock was sold from the portfolio. Overweighting German insurer Allianz, which sold its investment-banking unit to a German bank, turned out to be a bad move, as investors shied away from bank-related stocks.
Annual Report
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Annual Report
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.28% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 600.00 | $ 5.15 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,018.70 | $ 6.50 |
Class T | 1.50% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 599.40 | $ 6.03 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.60 | $ 7.61 |
Class B | 2.09% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 597.80 | $ 8.39 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.63 | $ 10.58 |
Class C | 2.03% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 597.80 | $ 8.15 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.93 | $ 10.28 |
Institutional Class | 1.00% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 601.10 | $ 4.02 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,020.11 | $ 5.08 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Five Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Roche Holding AG (participation certificate) (Switzerland, Pharmaceuticals) | 3.7 | 1.7 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC Class B (United Kingdom, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 3.2 | 2.2 |
E.ON AG (Germany, Electric Utilities) | 3.1 | 2.5 |
Vodafone Group PLC sponsored ADR (United Kingdom, Wireless Telecommunication Services) | 2.9 | 2.3 |
Total SA sponsored ADR (France, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 2.9 | 2.1 |
| 15.8 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Financials | 23.6 | 26.0 |
Energy | 15.7 | 12.2 |
Industrials | 9.2 | 13.3 |
Consumer Staples | 9.0 | 6.3 |
Health Care | 8.6 | 6.5 |
Top Five Countries as of October 31, 2008 |
(excluding cash equivalents) | % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Japan | 25.3 | 26.8 |
United Kingdom | 16.2 | 9.7 |
Germany | 12.6 | 11.5 |
Switzerland | 11.0 | 8.7 |
France | 10.9 | 14.0 |
Percentages are adjusted for the effect of open futures contracts, if applicable. |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 99.1% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 98.8% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 0.9% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 1.2% | |
![fid306](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid306.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 98.0% |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Australia - 2.5% |
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | 805,419 | | $ 9,437 |
BHP Billiton Ltd. sponsored ADR (d) | 2,804,700 | | 109,047 |
Brambles Ltd. | 1,306,661 | | 6,966 |
CSL Ltd. | 402,397 | | 9,781 |
Rio Tinto Ltd. | 200,426 | | 10,363 |
Wesfarmers Ltd. | 665,048 | | 9,553 |
TOTAL AUSTRALIA | | 155,147 |
Austria - 0.3% |
voestalpine AG | 624,700 | | 15,245 |
Belgium - 0.9% |
Delhaize Group SA | 681,500 | | 38,327 |
KBC Groupe SA | 353,400 | | 15,193 |
TOTAL BELGIUM | | 53,520 |
Bermuda - 0.1% |
Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (United Kingdom) | 1,177,100 | | 2,925 |
TPV Technology Ltd. | 15,168,000 | | 3,011 |
TOTAL BERMUDA | | 5,936 |
Brazil - 0.5% |
BM&F BOVESPA SA | 9,635,569 | | 25,600 |
Medial Saude SA | 1,952,000 | | 6,133 |
TOTAL BRAZIL | | 31,733 |
Canada - 1.5% |
EnCana Corp. | 767,608 | | 38,979 |
Nexen, Inc. | 1,419,600 | | 22,534 |
Open Text Corp. (a)(d) | 725,300 | | 18,382 |
OZ Optics Ltd. unit (f) | 5,400 | | 65 |
Talisman Energy, Inc. | 1,132,100 | | 11,182 |
TOTAL CANADA | | 91,142 |
Cayman Islands - 0.0% |
Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd. | 747,400 | | 244 |
China - 0.2% |
Bank of China (H Shares) | 12,499,000 | | 3,650 |
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China | 9,443,000 | | 4,443 |
Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd. (H Shares) | 13,346,000 | | 6,394 |
TOTAL CHINA | | 14,487 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Finland - 1.8% |
Neste Oil Oyj | 1,775,100 | | $ 28,076 |
Nokia Corp. | 1,394,750 | | 21,365 |
Nokia Corp. sponsored ADR | 4,101,900 | | 62,267 |
TOTAL FINLAND | | 111,708 |
France - 10.2% |
Alcatel-Lucent SA sponsored ADR (a) | 14,916,600 | | 38,336 |
Alstom SA | 874,800 | | 43,358 |
AXA SA | 1,066,900 | | 20,382 |
AXA SA sponsored ADR | 456,700 | | 8,545 |
BNP Paribas SA | 638,200 | | 46,079 |
Cap Gemini SA | 1,036,700 | | 33,402 |
Carrefour SA | 132,000 | | 5,576 |
Compagnie Generale de Geophysique SA (a) | 1,016,000 | | 16,428 |
GDF Suez | 1,653,640 | | 73,917 |
Groupe Danone | 46,100 | | 2,567 |
Orpea (a)(d) | 118,800 | | 3,865 |
Pernod Ricard SA | 41,480 | | 2,701 |
Renault SA | 901,100 | | 27,617 |
Sanofi-Aventis sponsored ADR | 1,095,400 | | 34,637 |
Societe Generale Series A | 38,200 | | 2,082 |
Sodexho Alliance SA | 731,800 | | 35,137 |
Total SA sponsored ADR | 3,239,600 | | 179,603 |
Unibail-Rodamco | 158,700 | | 23,803 |
Vivendi | 1,260,820 | | 32,957 |
TOTAL FRANCE | | 630,992 |
Germany - 12.4% |
Allianz AG: | | | |
(Reg.) | 491,900 | | 36,812 |
sponsored ADR | 7,777,770 | | 58,955 |
Bayer AG | 284,500 | | 15,838 |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) | 24,400 | | 633 |
Daimler AG (Reg.) | 589,600 | | 20,389 |
Deutsche Bank AG | 470,400 | | 17,863 |
Deutsche Boerse AG | 369,900 | | 29,576 |
Deutsche Telekom AG: | | | |
(Reg.) | 2,306,200 | | 34,446 |
sponsored ADR | 945,800 | | 14,045 |
E.ON AG | 883,500 | | 33,800 |
E.ON AG sponsored ADR | 4,279,300 | | 162,613 |
GFK AG | 398,756 | | 7,874 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Germany - continued |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA | 101,260 | | $ 2,513 |
K&S AG | 14,900 | | 590 |
Linde AG | 671,256 | | 56,373 |
Merck KGaA | 252,700 | | 22,679 |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG (Reg.) | 690,200 | | 91,607 |
Q-Cells AG (a)(d) | 190,000 | | 7,475 |
RWE AG | 1,015,600 | | 84,873 |
Siemens AG (Reg.) | 1,083,100 | | 64,906 |
Symrise AG | 400,100 | | 4,970 |
TOTAL GERMANY | | 768,830 |
Greece - 0.8% |
Hellenic Exchanges Holding SA | 3,149,700 | | 27,523 |
Public Power Corp. of Greece | 1,656,540 | | 20,483 |
TOTAL GREECE | | 48,006 |
Hong Kong - 0.4% |
Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd. | 1,046,000 | | 10,043 |
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. | 1,162,900 | | 11,793 |
TOTAL HONG KONG | | 21,836 |
Indonesia - 0.1% |
PT Bumi Resources Tbk | 52,085,500 | | 6,819 |
Ireland - 0.0% |
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC | 1,604,800 | | 2,864 |
Israel - 0.3% |
Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd. | 3,045,215 | | 15,808 |
Italy - 3.8% |
Edison SpA | 3,141,200 | | 4,528 |
ENI SpA | 5,787,900 | | 138,146 |
ENI SpA sponsored ADR | 289,100 | | 13,891 |
Finmeccanica SpA | 1,267,400 | | 15,506 |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 9,287,000 | | 33,971 |
Pirelli & C. Real Estate SpA | 400,000 | | 2,834 |
Prysmian SpA | 1,873,700 | | 22,730 |
UniCredit SpA | 2,336,450 | | 5,717 |
TOTAL ITALY | | 237,323 |
Japan - 25.3% |
ABC-Mart, Inc. | 172,000 | | 5,292 |
ACOM Co. Ltd. | 570,940 | | 21,808 |
Aeon Co. Ltd. | 8,894,200 | | 85,283 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Japan - continued |
Aeon Mall Co. Ltd. | 995,200 | | $ 24,566 |
Aoyama Trading Co. Ltd. | 1,633,400 | | 19,096 |
Arealink Co. Ltd. (e) | 99,519 | | 2,760 |
Asics Corp. | 922,000 | | 5,777 |
Bank of Nagoya Ltd. | 8,731,000 | | 52,556 |
Canon, Inc. | 518,100 | | 18,128 |
Chiba Bank Ltd. | 7,158,000 | | 35,378 |
Daiwa Securities Group, Inc. | 26,368,000 | | 149,065 |
DCM Japan Holdings Co. Ltd. (d) | 3,112,820 | | 22,813 |
FamilyMart Co. Ltd. | 314,000 | | 12,440 |
Fuji Machine Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 1,200,500 | | 10,366 |
Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc. | 3,732,000 | | 12,343 |
Hokuhoku Financial Group, Inc. | 6,461,000 | | 12,784 |
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. | 521,400 | | 12,964 |
Ibiden Co. Ltd. | 2,346,400 | | 43,891 |
Inpex Corp. | 1,030 | | 5,979 |
Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. | 2,140,400 | | 20,160 |
Itochu Corp. | 7,904,000 | | 41,769 |
Juroku Bank Ltd. | 9,501,000 | | 35,041 |
Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. | 831,000 | | 5,457 |
Kubota Corp. | 850,000 | | 4,266 |
Marubeni Corp. | 4,759,000 | | 18,488 |
Marui Group Co. Ltd. | 4,410,200 | | 26,957 |
Misumi Group, Inc. | 1,391,400 | | 21,284 |
Mitsubishi Corp. | 2,570,000 | | 43,076 |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | 10,253,700 | | 64,433 |
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. | 786,000 | | 21,841 |
Monex Beans Holdings, Inc. (d) | 87,262 | | 28,899 |
Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc. | 1,242,400 | | 12,775 |
NGK Insulators Ltd. | 646,000 | | 6,709 |
Nidec Corp. | 1,338,100 | | 71,964 |
Nikon Corp. | 2,474,000 | | 34,865 |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. | 7,991,000 | | 75,706 |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. sponsored ADR (d) | 4,015,900 | | 37,749 |
NSK Ltd. | 6,117,000 | | 24,965 |
Okamura Corp. (d) | 4,931,000 | | 28,557 |
OMC Card, Inc. (a)(d) | 8,470,400 | | 13,108 |
SBI Holdings, Inc. | 280,734 | | 33,687 |
Seven & I Holdings Co. Ltd. | 1,577,900 | | 44,302 |
Shinko Electric Co. Ltd. (d)(e) | 8,516,000 | | 21,759 |
SMC Corp. | 535,000 | | 50,503 |
Sumitomo Corp. | 4,361,800 | | 38,373 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Japan - continued |
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. | 1,623,000 | | $ 12,171 |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | 8,679 | | 34,791 |
THK Co. Ltd. | 220,900 | | 3,025 |
Tokai Carbon Co. Ltd. | 8,516,000 | | 44,650 |
Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc. | 275,700 | | 8,299 |
Toyota Motor Corp. | 1,187,900 | | 46,386 |
Toyota Motor Corp. sponsored ADR | 196,600 | | 14,959 |
Yamaguchi Financial Group, Inc. | 2,314,000 | | 22,132 |
TOTAL JAPAN | | 1,566,395 |
Luxembourg - 0.2% |
ArcelorMittal SA (NY Shares) Class A | 410,800 | | 10,784 |
Netherlands - 3.5% |
ASML Holding NV: | | | |
(Netherlands) | 263,400 | | 4,611 |
(NY Shares) | 454,300 | | 7,973 |
Heineken NV (Bearer) | 467,400 | | 15,767 |
ING Groep NV (Certificaten Van Aandelen) | 1,448,800 | | 13,590 |
Koninklijke KPN NV | 3,996,200 | | 56,279 |
Reed Elsevier NV sponsored ADR | 300,650 | | 8,012 |
Unilever NV: | | | |
(Certificaten Van Aandelen) | 1,934,619 | | 46,623 |
(NY Shares) | 2,709,900 | | 65,173 |
TOTAL NETHERLANDS | | 218,028 |
Norway - 0.6% |
Hafslund ASA (B Shares) | 154,363 | | 1,576 |
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (a) | 3,792,850 | | 18,886 |
Renewable Energy Corp. AS (a) | 1,386,400 | | 13,080 |
Yara International ASA | 278,400 | | 5,816 |
TOTAL NORWAY | | 39,358 |
Russia - 0.2% |
OAO Gazprom sponsored ADR | 570,800 | | 11,673 |
Singapore - 0.6% |
CapitaMall Trust | 3,846,000 | | 5,100 |
DBS Group Holdings Ltd. | 2,358,000 | | 18,000 |
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. | 2,171,000 | | 7,340 |
Singapore Exchange Ltd. | 1,875,000 | | 6,711 |
TOTAL SINGAPORE | | 37,151 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Spain - 1.9% |
Laboratorios Almirall SA | 515,400 | | $ 4,566 |
Repsol YPF SA sponsored ADR | 464,900 | | 8,889 |
Telefonica SA | 1,399,900 | | 25,919 |
Telefonica SA sponsored ADR | 1,359,200 | | 75,449 |
TOTAL SPAIN | | 114,823 |
Sweden - 0.3% |
Assa Abloy AB (B Shares) | 628,600 | | 7,017 |
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB (B Shares) (d) | 348,450 | | 12,493 |
TOTAL SWEDEN | | 19,510 |
Switzerland - 11.0% |
Actelion Ltd. (Reg.) (a) | 587,360 | | 31,022 |
Basilea Pharmaceutica AG (a) | 200,362 | | 27,162 |
Credit Suisse Group sponsored ADR | 916,300 | | 34,270 |
Credit Suisse Group (Reg.) | 315,120 | | 11,781 |
Julius Baer Holding AG | 645,406 | | 25,237 |
Nestle SA: | | | |
(Reg.) | 3,215,997 | | 125,033 |
sponsored ADR | 1,636,400 | | 62,920 |
Novartis AG (Reg.) | 724,480 | | 36,765 |
Roche Holding AG (participation certificate) | 1,475,749 | | 225,637 |
SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance Holding SA (Reg.) | 26,656 | | 26,238 |
UBS AG: | | | |
(For. Reg.) | 238,018 | | 4,038 |
(NY Shares) | 3,089,300 | | 52,209 |
Zurich Financial Services AG (Reg.) | 101,368 | | 20,561 |
TOTAL SWITZERLAND | | 682,873 |
Taiwan - 2.0% |
Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc. | 82,124,372 | | 34,967 |
MediaTek, Inc. | 552,000 | | 4,954 |
Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Ltd. sponsored ADR | 6,747,346 | | 38,055 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 13,218,016 | | 19,235 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. sponsored ADR | 3,099,690 | | 25,603 |
Wistron Corp. | 276,765 | | 221 |
TOTAL TAIWAN | | 123,035 |
United Kingdom - 16.2% |
Anglo American PLC: | | | |
ADR | 1,476,900 | | 18,535 |
(United Kingdom) | 118,900 | | 2,983 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
United Kingdom - continued |
AstraZeneca PLC: | | | |
(United Kingdom) | 568,400 | | $ 24,085 |
sponsored ADR (d) | 625,000 | | 26,538 |
BHP Billiton PLC | 2,706,500 | | 45,952 |
BP PLC | 8,389,600 | | 68,379 |
BP PLC sponsored ADR | 1,801,700 | | 89,544 |
Capita Group PLC | 2,343,800 | | 24,215 |
Dawnay Day Treveria PLC | 12,382,400 | | 1,322 |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | 2,673,600 | | 51,391 |
Greene King PLC | 1,574,600 | | 8,130 |
HBOS PLC | 6,231,900 | | 10,203 |
HSBC Holdings PLC (Hong Kong) (Reg.) | 1,101,200 | | 13,108 |
Informa PLC | 1,634,200 | | 5,536 |
Intertek Group PLC | 647,400 | | 7,666 |
JJB Sports PLC (a) | 1,467,509 | | 700 |
NETeller PLC (a) | 5,995,500 | | 4,893 |
Prudential PLC | 4,971,300 | | 24,969 |
Rio Tinto PLC (Reg.) | 747,000 | | 34,890 |
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC | 4,602,200 | | 5,069 |
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC sponsored ADR (d) | 3,000,000 | | 3,330 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC: | | | |
Class A (United Kingdom) | 1,097,900 | | 30,161 |
Class A sponsored ADR | 1,031,600 | | 57,574 |
Class B | 7,207,716 | | 195,390 |
Tesco PLC | 2,201,954 | | 12,063 |
Unilever PLC | 984,600 | | 22,117 |
Unilever PLC sponsored ADR | 17,760 | | 401 |
Vodafone Group PLC sponsored ADR | 9,388,100 | | 180,909 |
Wolseley PLC | 598,800 | | 3,277 |
Xstrata PLC | 1,677,100 | | 28,682 |
TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM | | 1,002,012 |
United States of America - 0.4% |
ENSCO International, Inc. | 175,200 | | 6,659 |
Halliburton Co. | 969,600 | | 19,188 |
TOTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | | 25,847 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $9,079,380) | 6,063,129 |
Preferred Stocks - 1.1% |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Convertible Preferred Stocks - 0.0% |
Canada - 0.0% |
MetroPhotonics, Inc. Series 2 (a)(f) | 8,500 | | $ 0 |
Nonconvertible Preferred Stocks - 1.1% |
France - 0.7% |
L'Air Liquide SA | 504,761 | | 43,820 |
Germany - 0.2% |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA | 362,700 | | 10,531 |
Italy - 0.2% |
Buzzi Unicem SpA (Risp) | 1,569,595 | | 13,110 |
Telecom Italia SpA (Risp) | 3,570,900 | | 3,005 |
TOTAL ITALY | | 16,115 |
TOTAL NONCONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS | | 70,466 |
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $89,318) | | 70,466 |
Money Market Funds - 2.0% |
| | | |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) | 4,113,361 | | 4,113 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund, 2.67% (b)(c) | 120,232,603 | | 120,233 |
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $124,346) | 124,346 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 101.1% (Cost $9,293,044) | | 6,257,941 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - (1.1)% | | (70,166) |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 6,187,775 |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities on loan. |
(d) Security or a portion of the security is on loan at period end. |
(e) Affiliated company |
(f) Restricted securities - Investment in securities not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (excluding 144A issues). At the end of the period, the value of restricted securities (excluding 144A issues) amounted to $65,000 or 0.0% of net assets. |
Additional information on each holding is as follows: |
Security | Acquisition Date | Acquisition Cost (000s) |
MetroPhotonics, Inc. Series 2 | 9/29/00 | $ 85 |
OZ Optics Ltd. unit | 8/18/00 | $ 80 |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned (Amounts in thousands) |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 8,804 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 16,603 |
Total | $ 25,407 |
Other Affiliated Issuers |
An affiliated company is a company in which the fund has ownership of at least 5% of the voting securities. Fiscal year to date transactions with companies which are or were affiliates are as follows: |
Affiliates (Amounts in thousands) | Value, beginning of period | Purchases | Sales Proceeds | Dividend Income | Value, end of period |
Arealink Co. Ltd. | $ 43,272 | $ 1,190 | $ - | $ 213 | $ 2,760 |
Dawnay Day Treveria PLC | 44,102 | 2,859 | 28,661 | 505 | - |
OMC Card, Inc. | 42,243 | 23,787 | 28,368 | - | - |
Shinko Electric Co. Ltd. | - | 45,735 | 16,607 | 606 | 21,759 |
Tokai Carbon Co. Ltd. | 116,252 | 28,721 | 31,024 | 860 | - |
Total | $ 245,869 | $ 102,292 | $ 104,660 | $ 2,184 | $ 24,519 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of $464,857,000 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Amounts in thousands (except per-share amounts) | October 31, 2008 |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value (including securities loaned of $118,624) - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $9,090,680) | $ 6,109,076 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $124,346) | 124,346 | |
Other affiliated issuers (cost $78,018) | 24,519 | |
Total Investments (cost $9,293,044) | | $ 6,257,941 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 78,185 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 17,715 |
Dividends receivable | | 19,572 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 521 |
Prepaid expenses | | 4 |
Other receivables | | 1,052 |
Total assets | | 6,374,990 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable to custodian bank | $ 407 | |
Payable for investments purchased | 40,240 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 18,338 | |
Accrued management fee | 3,805 | |
Distribution fees payable | 1,648 | |
Other affiliated payables | 1,945 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 599 | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | 120,233 | |
Total liabilities | | 187,215 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 6,187,775 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 9,668,916 |
Undistributed net investment income | | 203,893 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (649,382) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (3,035,652) |
Net Assets | | $ 6,187,775 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
Amounts in thousands (except per-share amounts) | October 31, 2008 |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($2,003,598 ÷ 159,341 shares) | | $ 12.57 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $12.57) | | $ 13.34 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($1,110,366 ÷ 89,387 shares) | | $ 12.42 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $12.42) | | $ 12.87 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($220,532 ÷ 18,450 shares)A | | $ 11.95 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($618,440 ÷ 51,617 shares)A | | $ 11.98 |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($2,234,839 ÷ 174,443 shares) | | $ 12.81 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Operations
Amounts in thousands | Year ended October 31, 2008 |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends (including $2,184 earned from other affiliated issuers) | | $ 374,388 |
Interest | | 159 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 25,407 |
| | 399,954 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (40,645) |
Total income | | 359,309 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee | $ 84,787 | |
Transfer agent fees | 27,405 | |
Distribution fees | 38,143 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 2,085 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 2,666 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 55 | |
Registration fees | 389 | |
Audit | 100 | |
Legal | 71 | |
Interest | 15 | |
Miscellaneous | 1,440 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 157,156 | |
Expense reductions | (5,122) | 152,034 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 207,275 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | (503,830) | |
Other affiliated issuers | (96,292) | |
Foreign currency transactions | 2,572 | |
Futures contracts | (504) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (598,054) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities | (5,869,475) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | 300 | |
Futures contracts | (10,753) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (5,879,928) |
Net gain (loss) | | (6,477,982) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (6,270,707) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Amounts in thousands | Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 207,275 | $ 187,123 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (598,054) | 2,210,026 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (5,879,928) | 806,084 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (6,270,707) | 3,203,233 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (134,646) | (133,151) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (1,880,749) | (974,839) |
Total distributions | (2,015,395) | (1,107,990) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | (2,367,839) | 320,019 |
Redemption fees | 414 | 467 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (10,653,527) | 2,415,729 |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 16,841,302 | 14,425,573 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $203,893 and undistributed net investment income of $152,430, respectively) | $ 6,187,775 | $ 16,841,302 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 26.62 | $ 23.42 | $ 20.30 | $ 16.97 | $ 14.60 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .36 | .31 | .30 | .19 | .08 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.15) | 4.69 | 3.91 | 3.27 | 2.41 |
Total from investment operations | (10.79) | 5.00 | 4.21 | 3.46 | 2.49 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.24) | (.23) | (.14) | (.05) | (.12) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.02) | (1.57) | (.95) | (.08) | - |
Total distributions | (3.26) | (1.80) | (1.09) | (.13) | (.12) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.57 | $ 26.62 | $ 23.42 | $ 20.30 | $ 16.97 |
Total Return A,B | (45.95)% | 22.76% | 21.54% | 20.50% | 17.15% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.26% | 1.25% | 1.26% | 1.27% | 1.31% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.26% | 1.25% | 1.26% | 1.27% | 1.31% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.22% | 1.21% | 1.20% | 1.20% | 1.27% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.80% | 1.26% | 1.33% | 1.02% | .51% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 2,004 | $ 5,774 | $ 4,694 | $ 2,792 | $ 1,294 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 88% | 105% | 83% | 59% | 72% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 26.30 | $ 23.17 | $ 20.12 | $ 16.82 | $ 14.47 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .31 | .25 | .25 | .15 | .03 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.01) | 4.63 | 3.89 | 3.23 | 2.39 |
Total from investment operations | (10.70) | 4.88 | 4.14 | 3.38 | 2.42 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.16) | (.18) | (.14) | - | (.07) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.02) | (1.57) | (.95) | (.08) | - |
Total distributions | (3.18) | (1.75) | (1.09) | (.08) | (.07) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.42 | $ 26.30 | $ 23.17 | $ 20.12 | $ 16.82 |
Total Return A,B | (46.04)% | 22.43% | 21.33% | 20.16% | 16.78% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.49% | 1.47% | 1.48% | 1.51% | 1.61% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.49% | 1.47% | 1.48% | 1.51% | 1.61% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.44% | 1.43% | 1.42% | 1.45% | 1.57% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.57% | 1.04% | 1.12% | .77% | .21% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 1,110 | $ 3,569 | $ 3,609 | $ 2,420 | $ 1,510 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 88% | 105% | 83% | 59% | 72% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 25.44 | $ 22.46 | $ 19.60 | $ 16.46 | $ 14.19 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .18 | .10 | .10 | .02 | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (10.62) | 4.50 | 3.79 | 3.16 | 2.35 |
Total from investment operations | (10.44) | 4.60 | 3.89 | 3.18 | 2.28 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.03) | (.05) | (.08) | - | (.01) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.02) | (1.57) | (.95) | (.04) | - |
Total distributions | (3.05) | (1.62) | (1.03) | (.04) | (.01) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.95 | $ 25.44 | $ 22.46 | $ 19.60 | $ 16.46 |
Total Return A,B | (46.39)% | 21.73% | 20.55% | 19.35% | 16.08% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.08% | 2.08% | 2.12% | 2.16% | 2.24% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.08% | 2.08% | 2.12% | 2.16% | 2.24% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.04% | 2.04% | 2.06% | 2.10% | 2.20% |
Net investment income (loss) | .97% | .42% | .48% | .12% | (.42)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 221 | $ 559 | $ 508 | $ 351 | $ 196 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 88% | 105% | 83% | 59% | 72% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 25.50 | $ 22.53 | $ 19.65 | $ 16.48 | $ 14.22 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .20 | .12 | .12 | .04 | (.05) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (10.64) | 4.50 | 3.79 | 3.17 | 2.35 |
Total from investment operations | (10.44) | 4.62 | 3.91 | 3.21 | 2.30 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.06) | (.08) | (.08) | - | (.04) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.02) | (1.57) | (.95) | (.04) | - |
Total distributions | (3.08) | (1.65) | (1.03) | (.04) | (.04) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 11.98 | $ 25.50 | $ 22.53 | $ 19.65 | $ 16.48 |
Total Return A,B | (46.33)% | 21.81% | 20.62% | 19.51% | 16.21% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.01% | 2.00% | 2.02% | 2.05% | 2.13% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.01% | 2.00% | 2.02% | 2.05% | 2.13% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.97% | 1.96% | 1.96% | 1.99% | 2.09% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.04% | .51% | .57% | .23% | (.31)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 618 | $ 1,673 | $ 1,395 | $ 758 | $ 381 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 88% | 105% | 83% | 59% | 72% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 27.06 | $ 23.78 | $ 20.56 | $ 17.18 | $ 14.74 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .41 | .38 | .37 | .25 | .13 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.34) | 4.76 | 3.98 | 3.30 | 2.44 |
Total from investment operations | (10.93) | 5.14 | 4.35 | 3.55 | 2.57 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.30) | (.29) | (.18) | (.09) | (.13) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.02) | (1.57) | (.95) | (.08) | - |
Total distributions | (3.32) | (1.86) | (1.13) | (.17) | (.13) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital B,F | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.81 | $ 27.06 | $ 23.78 | $ 20.56 | $ 17.18 |
Total Return A | (45.79)% | 23.07% | 21.96% | 20.81% | 17.54% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C,E | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | .99% | .98% | .97% | .97% | 1.03% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | .99% | .98% | .97% | .97% | 1.03% |
Expenses net of all reductions | .94% | .94% | .92% | .91% | .98% |
Net investment income (loss) | 2.07% | 1.53% | 1.62% | 1.32% | .80% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 2,235 | $ 5,266 | $ 4,220 | $ 2,213 | $ 1,185 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 88% | 105% | 83% | 59% | 72% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
F Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Diversified International Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class. The Fund's investments in emerging markets can be subject to social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties and can be extremely volatile.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price established each day by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income - continued
calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds received from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund estimates the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Fund will claim a portion of the payment made to redeeming shareholders as a distribution for income tax purposes.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to futures transactions, foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), deferred trustees compensation, capital loss carryforwards and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 218,621 |
Unrealized depreciation | (3,439,710) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (3,221,089) |
Undistributed ordinary income | 195,802 |
Capital loss carryforward | (464,857) |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 9,479,030 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 309,020 | $ 313,217 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 1,706,375 | 794,773 |
Total | $ 2,015,395 | $ 1,107,990 |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 30 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.00% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncements. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
In addition, in March 2008, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 161), was
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
New Accounting Pronouncements - continued
issued and is effective for reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2008. SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures to provide information about the reasons the Fund invests in derivative instruments, the accounting treatment and the effect derivatives have on financial performance.
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
Futures Contracts. The Fund may use futures contracts to manage its exposure to the stock market. Buying futures tends to increase a fund's exposure to the underlying instrument, while selling futures tends to decrease a fund's exposure to the underlying instrument or hedge other fund investments. Upon entering into a futures contract, a fund is required to deposit with a clearing broker, no later than the following business day, an amount ("initial margin") equal to a certain percentage of the face value of the contract. The initial margin may be in the form of cash or securities and is transferred to a segregated account on settlement date. Subsequent payments ("variation margin") are made or received by a fund depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the futures contract and are accounted for as unrealized gains or losses. Realized gains (losses) are recorded upon the expiration or closing of the futures contract. Losses may arise from changes in the value of the underlying instruments or if the counterparties do not perform under the contract's terms.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $10,395,778 and $14,383,139, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. For the period, the total annual management fee rate was .71% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | 0% | .25% | $ 10,178 | $ 474 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 11,717 | 326 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 4,108 | 3,088 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 12,140 | 1,229 |
| | | $ 38,143 | $ 5,117 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Sales Load - continued
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 419 |
Class T | 86 |
Class B* | 913 |
Class C* | 123 |
| $ 1,541 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements. For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 9,714 | .24 |
Class T | 4,981 | .21 |
Class B | 1,264 | .31 |
Class C | 2,878 | .24 |
Institutional Class | 8,568 | .22 |
| $ 27,405 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $2 for the period.
Interfund Lending Program. Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Interfund Lending Program - continued
with FMR, may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the funds to borrow from, or lend money to, other participating affiliated funds. At period end, there were no interfund loans outstanding. The Fund's activity in this program during the period for which loans were outstanding was as follows:
Borrower or Lender | Average Daily Loan Balance | Weighted Average Interest Rate | Interest Expense |
Borrower | $ 24,184 | 3.76% | $ 15 |
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $25 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. The value of loaned securities and cash collateral at period end are disclosed on the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $16,603.
Annual Report
9. Expense Reductions.
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $5,048 for the period. In addition, through arrangements with the Fund's custodian and each class' transfer agent, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses. During the period, these credits reduced the Fund's custody expenses by $3. During the period, credits reduced each class' transfer agent expense as noted in the table below.
| Transfer Agent expense reduction |
Class A | $ 30 |
Class T | 17 |
Institutional Class | 24 |
| $ 71 |
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $9, which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
10. Other - continued
of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
During the period, Lehman Brothers Holdings, lnc. and certain of its affiliates (LBHI) sought protection under the insolvency laws of their jurisdictions of organization, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. At the time LBHI'S insolvency proceedings were instituted, the Fund had outstanding securities trades with counterparties affiliated with LBHI. As a result of the insolvency proceedings, LBHI is unable to fulfill its commitments and, in certain cases, the Fund may have terminated its trades and related agreements with the relevant entities and, where appropriate, is in the process of initiating claims for damages. FMR believes that the financial impact to the Fund relating to the terminated trades and agreements is immaterial.
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 51,458 | $ 46,511 |
Class T | 20,765 | 28,116 |
Class B | 649 | 1,108 |
Class C | 3,823 | 5,232 |
Institutional Class | 57,951 | 52,184 |
Total | $ 134,646 | $ 133,151 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 650,221 | $ 316,111 |
Class T | 391,932 | 243,882 |
Class B | 65,309 | 35,514 |
Class C | 195,682 | 97,793 |
Institutional Class | 577,605 | 281,539 |
Total | $ 1,880,749 | $ 974,839 |
Annual Report
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 36,978 | 64,291 | $ 736,803 | $ 1,554,629 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 26,184 | 13,015 | 589,918 | 292,975 |
Shares redeemed | (120,763) | (60,769) | (2,301,351) | (1,466,102) |
Net increase (decrease) | (57,601) | 16,537 | $ (974,630) | $ 381,502 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 12,597 | 27,062 | $ 249,376 | $ 641,406 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 17,846 | 11,891 | 398,138 | 265,043 |
Shares redeemed | (76,733) | (59,029) | (1,486,718) | (1,416,423) |
Net increase (decrease) | (46,290) | (20,076) | $ (839,204) | $ (509,974) |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 1,517 | 3,350 | $ 29,730 | $ 77,002 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 2,657 | 1,452 | 57,330 | 31,456 |
Shares redeemed | (7,700) | (5,448) | (138,613) | (125,817) |
Net increase (decrease) | (3,526) | (646) | $ (51,553) | $ (17,359) |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 6,466 | 12,688 | $ 129,678 | $ 291,365 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 6,582 | 3,357 | 142,312 | 72,889 |
Shares redeemed | (27,030) | (12,337) | (481,929) | (287,237) |
Net increase (decrease) | (13,982) | 3,708 | $ (209,939) | $ 77,017 |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 70,399 | 71,325 | $ 1,369,597 | $ 1,740,183 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 18,926 | 9,822 | 433,411 | 224,239 |
Shares redeemed | (109,533) | (63,957) | (2,095,521) | (1,575,589) |
Net increase (decrease) | (20,208) | 17,190 | $ (292,513) | $ 388,833 |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and the Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Diversified International Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Diversified International Fund (a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fidelity Advisor Diversified International Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004-2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
The Institutional Class designates 55% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Institutional Class | 12/10/2007 | $0.405 | $0.0579 |
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Diversified International Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a peer group of mutual funds identified by Morningstar, Inc. as having an investment style similar to that of the fund based on underlying portfolio holdings. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated.
Annual Report
Advisor Diversified International Fund
![fid308](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid308.gif)
The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the third quartile for the one- and three-year periods and the second quartile for the five-year period. The Board also stated that the investment performance of the fund was lower than its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes. The Board discussed with FMR actions that may be taken by FMR to improve the fund's more recent disappointing performance relative to its peer group and benchmark. The Board will continue to closely monitor the performance of the fund in the coming year.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG%" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG% of 14% means that 86% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Diversified International Fund
![fid310](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid310.gif)
Annual Report
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of each class ranked below its competitive median for 2007.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Annual Report
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
FIL Investment Advisors
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd.
Fidelity Management & Research
Company (Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
Company (Japan) Inc.
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Quincy, MA
ADIFI-UANN-1208
1.784736.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Emerging Asia
Fund - Class A, Class T, Class B
and Class C
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow. Returns reflect the conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after a maximum of seven years.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Past 10 years |
Class A (incl. 5.75% sales charge) A | -56.33% | 8.37% | 7.35% |
Class T (incl. 3.50% sales charge) B | -55.41% | 8.61% | 7.35% |
Class B (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) C | -56.09% | 8.54% | 7.41% |
Class C (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) D | -54.44% | 8.83% | 7.23% |
A Class A's 12b-1 fee may have ranged over time between 0.25% and 0.35%, as an equivalent amount of brokerage commissions of up to 0.10% of the class's average net assets may have been used to promote the sale of class shares. This practice has been discontinued and no commissions incurred after June 30, 2003 have been used to pay distribution expenses. Class A's 12b-1 plan currently authorizes a 0.25% 12b-1 fee. The initial offering of Class A shares took place on June 16, 1999. Returns prior to June 16, 1999 are those of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund, Inc., (the Closed-End Fund). At the close of business on June 15, 1999, the Closed-End Fund reorganized as an open-end fund through a transfer of all its assets and liabilities to Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund (the fund). Shareholders of the Closed-End Fund received Class A shares of the fund in exchange for their shares of the Closed-End Fund. If Class A shares' total expenses, including its 12b-1 fee, had been reflected in the Closed-End Fund's performance, Class A's returns prior to June 16,1999 may have been lower.
B Class T's 12b-1 fee may have ranged over time between 0.50% and 0.60%, as an equivalent amount of brokerage commissions of up to 0.10% of the class's average net assets may have been used to promote the sale of class shares. This practice has been discontinued and no commissions incurred after June 30, 2003 have been used to pay distribution expenses. Class T's 12b-1 plan currently authorizes a 0.50% 12b-1 fee. The initial offering of Class T shares took place on June 16, 1999. Returns prior to June 16, 1999 are those of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund, Inc., (the Closed-End Fund). At the close of business on June 15, 1999, the Closed-End Fund reorganized as an open-end fund through a transfer of all its assets and liabilities to Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund (the fund). Shareholders of the Closed-End Fund received Class A shares of the fund in exchange for their shares of the Closed-End Fund. If Class T shares total expenses, including its 12b-1 fee, had been reflected in the Closed-End Fund's performance, Class T's returns prior to June 16, 1999 may have been lower.
C Class B shares bear a 1.00% 12b-1 fee that is reflected in returns after June 16, 1999. The initial offering of Class B shares took place on June 16, 1999. Returns prior to June 16, 1999 are those of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund, Inc., (the Closed-End Fund). At the close of business on June 15, 1999, the Closed-End Fund reorganized as an open-end fund through a transfer of all its assets and liabilities to Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund (the fund). Shareholders of the Closed-End Fund received Class A shares of the fund in exchange for their shares of the Closed-End Fund. If Class B shares' total expenses, including its 1.00% 12b-1 fee, had been reflected in the Closed-End Fund's performance, Class B's returns, prior to June 16, 1999, may have been lower. Class B shares' contingent deferred sales charges included in the past one year, past five years, and past 10 years total return figures are 5%, 2%, and 0%, respectively.
D Class C shares bear a 1.00% 12b-1 fee that is reflected in returns after June 16, 1999. The initial offering of Class C shares took place on June 16, 1999. Returns prior to June 16, 1999 are those of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund, Inc., (the Closed-End Fund). At the close of business on June 15, 1999, the Closed-End Fund reorganized as an open-end fund through a transfer of all its assets and liabilities to Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund (the fund). Shareholders of the Closed-End Fund received Class A shares of the fund in exchange for their shares of the Closed-End Fund. If Class C shares' total expenses, including its 1.00% 12b-1 fee, had been reflected in the Closed-End Fund's performance, Class C's returns, prior to June 16, 1999, may have been lower. Class C shares' contingent deferred sales charge included in the past one year, past five years, and past 10 years total return figures are 1%, 0%, and 0%, respectively.
Annual Report
$10,000 Over 10 Years
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Emerging Asia Fund - Class A on October 31, 1998, and the current 5.75% sales charge was paid. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI® All Country (MSCI AC) Asia ex Japan Index performed over the same period. The initial offering of Class A took place on June 16, 1999. See the previous page for additional information regarding the performance of Class A.
![fid326](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid326.gif)
In prior years, the performance from year to year was represented by the performance of Class T. Going forward, the fund's performance will be represented by Class A for consistency with other fund materials.
Annual Report
Comments from Kevin Chang, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Emerging Asia Fund
As the U.S. credit crisis went from bad to worse, stocks in emerging Asia suffered steep losses, shattering investors' hopes that the region's markets might "decouple" from those in developed nations. For the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, the MSCI® All Country Asia ex Japan Index - a measure of the equity market performance in Asia, except for Japan - fell 57.90%. China took a particularly hard hit, down roughly 67%, despite the continued strong - though slowing - growth of the Chinese economy. South Korea, the largest benchmark component, on average, during the period, experienced a drop of nearly 60%, while Hong Kong and India fell roughly 56% and 62%, respectively. Taiwan, another important benchmark constituent, managed to hold its loss to approximately 49%. The region's markets suffered from concerns about slowing exports in the wake of decelerating economic growth in the United States and Europe. Sluggish Asian real estate markets, especially in the second half of the period, further contributed to the pessimistic outlook of equity investors.
During the past year, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares returned -53.66%, -53.79%, -54.01% and -54.02%, respectively (excluding sales charges), topping the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index. Security selection in financials boosted performance, as did an overweighting in telecommunication services, an underweighting in industrials and an above-average cash position. On a geographical basis, my picks in Hong Kong and China proved the most beneficial. Wing Lung Bank, a mid-sized Hong Kong bank, saw its share price rise after receiving a buyout offer from another bank. I sold the stock to lock in profits. Other contributors included CLP Holdings, a Hong Kong-based utility, which was prized by the market for its defensive characteristics; Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan's incumbent telecom operator; and LG Household & Health Care, a leading home and personal care products manufacturer based in Korea. Conversely, the materials sector detracted modestly from performance due to an underweighting and weak stock picks. From a country perspective, stock selection in Taiwan was mildly unrewarding. Taiwan Fertilizer, that nation's largest fertilizer producer, was a detractor. While I liked this name for its large land holdings, the deteriorating economic outlook hindered near-term property sentiment and hurt the company's share price, so I sold the position. Also detracting were China's Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, a China-based, Singapore-listed out-of-index position. Both of the last two holdings were sold.
During the past year, the fund's Institutional Class shares returned -53.53%, topping the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index. Security selection in financials boosted performance, as did an overweighting in telecommunication services, an underweighting in industrials and an above-average cash position. On a geographical basis, my picks in Hong Kong and China proved the most beneficial. Wing Lung Bank, a mid-sized Hong Kong bank, saw its share price rise after receiving a buyout offer from another bank. I sold the stock to lock in profits. Other contributors included CLP Holdings, a Hong Kong-based utility, which was prized by the market for its defensive characteristics; Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan's incumbent telecom operator; and LG Household & Health Care, a leading home and personal care products manufacturer based in Korea. Conversely, the materials sector detracted modestly from performance due to an underweighting and weak stock picks. From a country perspective, stock selection in Taiwan was mildly unrewarding. Taiwan Fertilizer, that nation's largest fertilizer producer, was a detractor. While I liked this name for its large land holdings, the deteriorating economic outlook hindered near-term property sentiment and hurt the company's share price, so I sold the position. Also detracting were China's Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, a China-based, Singapore-listed out-of-index position. Both of the last two holdings were sold.
Annual Report
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example - continued
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.50% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 564.60 | $ 5.90 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.60 | $ 7.61 |
Class T | 1.75% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 563.80 | $ 6.88 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,016.34 | $ 8.87 |
Class B | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 562.40 | $ 8.84 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Class C | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 562.30 | $ 8.84 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Institutional Class | 1.21% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 565.20 | $ 4.76 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,019.05 | $ 6.14 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Ten Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Ltd. | 5.7 | 6.5 |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | 5.2 | 3.9 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 4.5 | 0.7 |
CLP Holdings Ltd. | 4.1 | 2.0 |
Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd. | 3.9 | 1.4 |
China Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (H Shares) | 3.7 | 2.0 |
Bharti Airtel Ltd. | 2.4 | 1.0 |
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. | 2.3 | 0.0 |
PetroChina Co. Ltd. (H Shares) | 2.3 | 1.8 |
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (H Shares) | 2.2 | 0.0 |
| 36.3 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Telecommunication Services | 23.6 | 11.9 |
Information Technology | 18.6 | 10.4 |
Financials | 17.1 | 33.3 |
Energy | 7.7 | 6.9 |
Utilities | 7.1 | 2.9 |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks and Investment Companies 89.6% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 93.8% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 10.4% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 6.2% | |
![fid332](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid332.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 88.9% |
| Shares | | Value |
Australia - 0.1% |
QBE Insurance Group Ltd. | 11,112 | | $ 189,482 |
Cayman Islands - 1.8% |
Hutchison China Meditech Ltd. (a) | 3 | | 4 |
New World Department Store China Ltd. | 2,090,000 | | 1,158,169 |
Stella International Holdings Ltd. | 1,682,500 | | 1,418,549 |
TCC International Holdings Ltd. (a) | 1,084,000 | | 134,096 |
TOTAL CAYMAN ISLANDS | | 2,710,818 |
China - 16.0% |
Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd. (H Shares) (a) | 296,000 | | 942,713 |
China Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (H Shares) | 2,089,000 | | 5,582,596 |
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (H Shares) | 5,096,000 | | 3,346,350 |
China Telecom Corp. Ltd. (H Shares) | 3,766,000 | | 1,340,320 |
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China | 4,763,000 | | 2,241,075 |
Li Ning Co. Ltd. | 696,500 | | 861,948 |
PetroChina Co. Ltd. (H Shares) | 4,524,000 | | 3,401,534 |
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd. (H Shares) | 216,500 | | 925,905 |
Tencent Holdings Ltd. | 390,800 | | 2,844,989 |
Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Co. (B Shares) | 821,240 | | 2,551,986 |
TOTAL CHINA | | 24,039,416 |
Hong Kong - 15.5% |
Bank of East Asia Ltd. | 222,800 | | 449,427 |
Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd. | 234,000 | | 2,246,742 |
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Ltd. | 974,000 | | 8,574,372 |
China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd. | 1,034,000 | | 2,020,792 |
CLP Holdings Ltd. | 910,000 | | 6,136,973 |
CNOOC Ltd. | 1,090,500 | | 895,382 |
Fairwood Holdings Ltd. (c) | 721,500 | | 543,633 |
Hong Kong Electric Holdings Ltd. | 200,000 | | 1,077,970 |
Hopewell Holdings Ltd. | 305,000 | | 948,264 |
Li & Fung Ltd. | 70,000 | | 140,490 |
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. | 38,000 | | 332,920 |
TOTAL HONG KONG | | 23,366,965 |
India - 7.0% |
Bajaj Auto Ltd. | 94,198 | | 1,063,522 |
Bharti Airtel Ltd. (a) | 269,941 | | 3,655,053 |
Cipla Ltd. | 122,406 | | 446,462 |
Indiabulls Real Estate Ltd. | 239,988 | | 597,864 |
Infosys Technologies Ltd. | 61,893 | | 1,804,142 |
Lupin Ltd. | 19,963 | | 273,267 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
India - continued |
Max India Ltd. (a) | 111,250 | | $ 224,130 |
Reliance Industries Ltd. | 75,526 | | 2,146,831 |
Satyam Computer Services Ltd. | 54,346 | | 343,590 |
TOTAL INDIA | | 10,554,861 |
Indonesia - 3.3% |
PT Indosat Tbk | 5,649,000 | | 2,734,637 |
PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk Series B | 11,682,200 | | 1,484,774 |
PT Telkomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Series B | 1,354,500 | | 683,916 |
TOTAL INDONESIA | | 4,903,327 |
Korea (South) - 15.1% |
Amorepacific Corp. | 6,179 | | 2,724,286 |
Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. Ltd. | 6,911 | | 595,170 |
KB Financial Group, Inc. (a) | 11,140 | | 279,755 |
KT Corp. | 17,360 | | 443,266 |
KT Freetel Co. Ltd. (a) | 25,610 | | 538,682 |
LG Household & Health Care Ltd. | 14,810 | | 2,122,202 |
NHN Corp. (a) | 25,248 | | 2,695,253 |
POSCO | 4,537 | | 1,253,459 |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | 18,512 | | 7,828,683 |
Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd. | 95,536 | | 2,331,412 |
SK Telecom Co. Ltd. | 8,000 | | 1,273,649 |
Taewoong Co. Ltd. | 14,006 | | 684,156 |
TOTAL KOREA (SOUTH) | | 22,769,973 |
Malaysia - 4.3% |
DiGi.com Bhd | 348,700 | | 1,814,238 |
Parkson Holdings Bhd | 1,670,200 | | 1,584,061 |
Public Bank Bhd (For. Reg.) | 1,300,000 | | 3,078,517 |
TOTAL MALAYSIA | | 6,476,816 |
Papua New Guinea - 1.5% |
Lihir Gold Ltd. (a) | 706,463 | | 881,045 |
Oil Search Ltd. | 445,131 | | 1,347,858 |
TOTAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA | | 2,228,903 |
Philippines - 1.9% |
Jollibee Food Corp. | 857,100 | | 807,508 |
Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. | 48,080 | | 1,964,559 |
TOTAL PHILIPPINES | | 2,772,067 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Singapore - 4.5% |
DBS Group Holdings Ltd. | 149,000 | | $ 1,137,391 |
Raffles Medical Group Ltd. | 730,000 | | 326,090 |
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. | 2,100,000 | | 3,534,126 |
United Overseas Bank Ltd. | 193,000 | | 1,744,866 |
TOTAL SINGAPORE | | 6,742,473 |
Taiwan - 13.5% |
Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc. | 1,445,000 | | 615,252 |
Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | 623,800 | | 666,635 |
Cathay Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. | 1,944,000 | | 426,696 |
Chinatrust Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | 2,676,576 | | 766,011 |
Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd. | 3,511,420 | | 5,791,155 |
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. (Foxconn) | 1,231,150 | | 2,985,963 |
HTC Corp. | 51,000 | | 608,413 |
Hung Poo Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. | 209,420 | | 110,154 |
Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Ltd. | 1,514,000 | | 1,555,998 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 4,699,183 | | 6,838,284 |
TOTAL TAIWAN | | 20,364,561 |
Thailand - 4.4% |
Advanced Info Service PCL (For. Reg.) | 809,200 | | 1,714,003 |
Minor International PCL (For. Reg.) | 2,804,569 | | 614,393 |
PTT Exploration & Production PCL (For. Reg.) | 156,000 | | 389,275 |
Robinson Department Store PCL (For. Reg.) | 3,006,700 | | 580,156 |
Siam Commercial Bank PCL (For. Reg.) | 1,213,300 | | 1,883,454 |
Total Access Communication PCL unit | 2,040,568 | | 1,458,431 |
TOTAL THAILAND | | 6,639,712 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $177,286,139) | 133,759,374 |
Investment Companies - 0.7% |
| | | |
Hong Kong - 0.7% |
iShares FTSE/Xinhua A50 China Tracker ETF (a) (Cost $1,913,181) | 1,025,100 | | 1,067,297 |
Money Market Funds - 7.3% |
| Shares | | Value |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) (Cost $11,022,994) | 11,022,994 | | $ 11,022,994 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 96.9% (Cost $190,222,314) | | 145,849,665 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - 3.1% | | 4,626,906 |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 150,476,571 |
Security Abbreviations ETF - Exchange Traded Fund | |
|
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At the end of the period, the value of these securities amounted to $543,633 or 0.4% of net assets. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 456,439 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 21,091 |
Total | $ 477,530 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $24,592,822 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $179,199,320) | $ 134,826,671 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $11,022,994) | 11,022,994 | |
Total Investments (cost $190,222,314) | | $ 145,849,665 |
Foreign currency held at value (cost $1,131,681) | | 1,127,932 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 4,650,363 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 173,293 |
Dividends receivable | | 288,961 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 15,318 |
Prepaid expenses | | 84 |
Receivable from investment adviser for expense reductions | | 9,556 |
Other receivables | | 349,825 |
Total assets | | 152,464,997 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 1,009,912 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 605,821 | |
Accrued management fee | 95,750 | |
Distribution fees payable | 70,205 | |
Other affiliated payables | 60,639 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 146,099 | |
Total liabilities | | 1,988,426 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 150,476,571 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 219,503,316 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (24,640,406) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (44,386,339) |
Net Assets | | $ 150,476,571 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($71,722,040 ÷ 4,557,198 shares) | | $ 15.74 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $15.74) | | $ 16.70 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($25,204,881 ÷ 1,633,337 shares) | | $ 15.43 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $15.43) | | $ 15.99 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($17,040,283 ÷ 1,149,898 shares) A | | $ 14.82 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($30,576,544 ÷ 2,071,474 shares) A | | $ 14.76 |
| | |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($5,932,823 ÷ 369,158 shares) | | $ 16.07 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 6,587,287 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 477,530 |
| | 7,064,817 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (764,769) |
Total income | | 6,300,048 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee | $ 2,095,191 | |
Transfer agent fees | 838,024 | |
Distribution fees | 1,561,679 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 153,748 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 356,929 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 1,371 | |
Registration fees | 77,242 | |
Audit | 116,385 | |
Legal | 7,363 | |
Miscellaneous | 58,239 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 5,266,171 | |
Expense reductions | (305,377) | 4,960,794 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 1,339,254 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | (24,608,037) | |
Foreign currency transactions | (1,223,603) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (25,831,640) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities | (181,329,724) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (60,859) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (181,390,583) |
Net gain (loss) | | (207,222,223) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (205,882,969) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 1,339,254 | $ 1,260,602 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (25,831,640) | 35,123,899 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (181,390,583) | 100,752,376 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (205,882,969) | 137,136,877 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (1,388,486) | (705,473) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (30,115,090) | (11,219,115) |
Total distributions | (31,503,576) | (11,924,588) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | 31,129,987 | 89,486,791 |
Redemption fees | 145,533 | 131,185 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (206,111,025) | 214,830,265 |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 356,587,596 | 141,757,331 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $0 and undistributed net investment income of $1,229,931, respectively) | $ 150,476,571 | $ 356,587,596 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 37.55 | $ 22.48 | $ 17.70 | $ 13.96 | $ 13.07 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .19 | .24 | .22 | .18 | .03 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (18.72) | 16.64 | 6.10 | 3.61 | 1.00 I |
Total from investment operations | (18.53) | 16.88 | 6.32 | 3.79 | 1.03 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.23) | (.15) | (.16) | - | (.15) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.06) | (1.68) | (1.39) | (.05) | - |
Total distributions | (3.29) | (1.83) | (1.55) | (.05) | (.15) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C | .01 | .02 | .01 | - H | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 15.74 | $ 37.55 | $ 22.48 | $ 17.70 | $ 13.96 |
Total Return A, B | (53.66)% | 80.43% | 38.02% | 27.23% | 8.01% I |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.50% | 1.47% | 1.73% | 1.90% | 2.24% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.50% | 1.47% | 1.50% | 1.61% | 2.00% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.41% | 1.40% | 1.39% | 1.55% | 1.99% |
Net investment income (loss) | .73% | .88% | 1.08% | 1.08% | .21% |
Supplemental Data | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 71,722 | $ 152,630 | $ 55,790 | $ 30,782 | $ 21,099 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 92% G | 66% | 77% | 66% | 232% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G The portfolio turnover rate does not include the assets acquired in the merger.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
I In 2004 the Fund received a favorable ruling in India which entitles the Fund to a refund of capital gains taxes paid in the current and prior years. The impact to the Fund was an increase in realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share of $.51. Excluding this benefit, the total return would have been 4.18%. The realized and unrealized gains were allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 36.88 | $ 22.13 | $ 17.45 | $ 13.80 | $ 12.92 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .12 | .16 | .17 | .14 | - H |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (18.38) | 16.37 | 6.01 | 3.56 | .99 I |
Total from investment operations | (18.26) | 16.53 | 6.18 | 3.70 | .99 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.14) | (.12) | (.12) | - | (.12) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.06) | (1.68) | (1.39) | (.05) | - |
Total distributions | (3.20) | (1.80) | (1.51) | (.05) | (.12) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C | .01 | .02 | .01 | - H | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 15.43 | $ 36.88 | $ 22.13 | $ 17.45 | $ 13.80 |
Total Return A, B | (53.79)% | 79.98% | 37.69% | 26.89% | 7.78% I |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.80% | 1.79% | 2.07% | 2.27% | 2.76% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.84% | 2.25% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.66% | 1.67% | 1.64% | 1.79% | 2.24% |
Net investment income (loss) | .48% | .61% | .83% | .85% | (.04)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 25,205 | $ 64,813 | $ 28,850 | $ 14,074 | $ 7,658 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 92% G | 66% | 77% | 66% | 232% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G The portfolio turnover rate does not include the assets acquired in the merger.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
I In 2004 the Fund received a favorable ruling in India which entitles the Fund to a refund of capital gains taxes paid in the current and prior years. The impact to the Fund was an increase in realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share of $.50. Excluding this benefit, the total return would have been 3.95%. The realized and unrealized gains were allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 35.55 | $ 21.42 | $ 16.94 | $ 13.46 | $ 12.64 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | (.01) | .03 | .06 | .06 | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (17.68) | 15.79 | 5.84 | 3.47 | .96 I |
Total from investment operations | (17.69) | 15.82 | 5.90 | 3.53 | .89 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | (.03) | (.04) | - | (.08) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.05) | (1.68) | (1.39) | (.05) | - |
Total distributions | (3.05) | (1.71) | (1.43) | (.05) | (.08) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C | .01 | .02 | .01 | - H | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 14.82 | $ 35.55 | $ 21.42 | $ 16.94 | $ 13.46 |
Total Return A, B | (54.01)% | 79.01% | 36.99% | 26.31% | 7.14% I |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.29% | 2.28% | 2.59% | 2.75% | 3.19% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.35% | 2.75% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.16% | 2.17% | 2.14% | 2.29% | 2.74% |
Net investment income (loss) | (.02)% | .11% | .33% | .34% | (.54)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 17,040 | $ 40,775 | $ 18,985 | $ 11,504 | $ 7,065 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 92% G | 66% | 77% | 66% | 232% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G The portfolio turnover rate does not include the assets acquired in the merger.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
I In 2004 the Fund received a favorable ruling in India which entitles the Fund to a refund of capital gains taxes paid in the current and prior years. The impact to the Fund was an increase in realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share of $.49. Excluding this benefit, the total return would have been 3.31%. The realized and unrealized gains were allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 35.48 | $ 21.39 | $ 16.94 | $ 13.46 | $ 12.65 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | - H | .04 | .06 | .06 | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (17.63) | 15.76 | 5.84 | 3.47 | .96 I |
Total from investment operations | (17.63) | 15.80 | 5.90 | 3.53 | .89 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.04) | (.05) | (.07) | - | (.09) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.06) | (1.68) | (1.39) | (.05) | - |
Total distributions | (3.10) | (1.73) | (1.46) | (.05) | (.09) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C | .01 | .02 | .01 | - H | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 14.76 | $ 35.48 | $ 21.39 | $ 16.94 | $ 13.46 |
Total Return A, B | (54.02)% | 79.05% | 37.02% | 26.31% | 7.14% I |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.25% | 2.21% | 2.46% | 2.67% | 3.02% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.21% | 2.25% | 2.34% | 2.75% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.16% | 2.13% | 2.14% | 2.28% | 2.74% |
Net investment income (loss) | (.02)% | .14% | .33% | .35% | (.54)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 30,577 | $ 82,070 | $ 33,047 | $ 13,291 | $ 6,484 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 92% G | 66% | 77% | 66% | 232% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G The portfolio turnover rate does not include the assets acquired in the merger.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
I In 2004 the Fund received a favorable ruling in India which entitles the Fund to a refund of capital gains taxes paid in the current and prior years. The impact to the Fund was an increase in realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share of $.49. Excluding this benefit, the total return would have been 3.31%. The realized and unrealized gains were allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 38.25 | $ 22.84 | $ 17.97 | $ 14.13 | $ 13.20 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .27 | .34 | .27 | .24 | .06 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (19.09) | 16.92 | 6.19 | 3.65 | 1.01 H |
Total from investment operations | (18.82) | 17.26 | 6.46 | 3.89 | 1.07 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.31) | (.19) | (.21) | - | (.15) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.06) | (1.68) | (1.39) | (.05) | - |
Total distributions | (3.37) | (1.87) | (1.60) | (.05) | (.15) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital B | .01 | .02 | .01 | - G | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 16.07 | $ 38.25 | $ 22.84 | $ 17.97 | $ 14.13 |
Total Return A | (53.53)% | 80.97% | 38.28% | 27.61% | 8.24% H |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C, E | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.20% | 1.16% | 1.41% | 1.52% | 2.11% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.20% | 1.16% | 1.25% | 1.29% | 1.75% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.11% | 1.08% | 1.14% | 1.24% | 1.74% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.03% | 1.20% | 1.33% | 1.40% | .46% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 5,933 | $ 16,300 | $ 5,086 | $ 4,791 | $ 452 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 92% F | 66% | 77% | 66% | 232% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
F The portfolio turnover rate does not include the assets acquired in the merger.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
H In 2004 the Fund received a favorable ruling in India which entitles the Fund to a refund of capital gains taxes paid in the current and prior years. The impact to the Fund was an increase in realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share of $.51. Excluding this benefit, the total return would have been 4.41%. The realized and unrealized gains were allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class. The Fund's investments in emerging markets can be subject to social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties and can be extremely volatile.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Foreign Currency - continued
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds received from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund estimates the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests. The
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
Fund received a final ruling from the Authority for Advance Ruling in India regarding the applicability of taxes imposed by the country on realized capital gains under the US/India tax treaty. The ruling entitled the Fund to a refund of capital gains taxes paid in prior years and exempts the Fund from taxes on future realized gains. The per-share and total return impacts are disclosed on the Financial Highlights. The India Central Board of Direct Taxation may challenge the ruling at any time which could result in the reversal of some or all of the benefits recorded by the Fund.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC) and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 11,006,758 |
Unrealized depreciation | (55,440,697) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (44,433,939) |
Capital loss carryforward | (24,592,822) |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 190,283,604 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 17,818,648 | $ 6,114,690 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 13,684,928 | 5,809,898 |
Total | $ 31,503,576 | $ 11,924,588 |
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 90 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.50% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $253,013,691 and $315,789,935, respectively.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. For the period, the total annual management fee rate was .71% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | 0% | .25% | $ 336,064 | $ 22,942 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 247,947 | 2,849 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 340,535 | 257,420 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 637,133 | 156,646 |
| | | $ 1,561,679 | $ 439,857 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Sales Load - continued
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 102,082 |
Class T | 20,935 |
Class B * | 78,361 |
Class C * | 40,974 |
| $ 242,352 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements. For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 373,095 | .28 |
Class T | 157,733 | .32 |
Class B | 105,264 | .31 |
Class C | 169,523 | .27 |
Institutional Class | 32,409 | .22 |
| $ 838,024 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $607 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. At period end, there were no security loans outstanding. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $21,091.
9. Expense Reductions.
FMR voluntarily agreed to reimburse each class to the extent annual operating expenses exceeded certain levels of average net assets as noted in the table below. Some expenses, for example interest expense, including commitment fees, are excluded from this reimbursement.
Annual Report
9. Expense Reductions - continued
The following classes were in reimbursement during the period:
| Expense Limitations | Reimbursement from adviser |
| | |
Class A | 1.50% | $ 101 |
Class T | 1.75% | 21,401 |
Class B | 2.25% | 11,993 |
| | $ 33,495 |
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $270,394 for the period. In addition, through arrangements with the Fund's custodian and each class' transfer agent, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses. During the period, these credits reduced the Fund's custody expenses by $1,473. During the period, credits reduced each class' transfer agent expense as noted in the table below.
| Transfer Agent expense reduction |
| |
Institutional Class | $ 15 |
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 933,093 | $ 394,476 |
Class T | 241,193 | 160,784 |
Class B | - | 30,252 |
Class C | 82,276 | 75,200 |
Institutional Class | 131,924 | 44,761 |
Total | $ 1,388,486 | $ 705,473 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 12,682,581 | $ 4,331,516 |
Class T | 5,427,293 | 2,269,882 |
Class B | 3,491,350 | 1,540,071 |
Class C | 7,194,625 | 2,688,016 |
Institutional Class | 1,319,241 | 389,630 |
Total | $ 30,115,090 | $ 11,219,115 |
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 1,417,438 | 2,498,533 | $ 39,489,573 | $ 69,396,605 |
Issued in exchange for shares of Fidelity Advisor Korea Fund | 1,036,440 | - | 32,482,019 | - |
Reinvestment of distributions | 367,601 | 162,468 | 11,447,101 | 3,714,012 |
Shares redeemed | (2,329,223) | (1,077,457) | (57,258,940) | (29,208,159) |
Net increase (decrease) | 492,256 | 1,583,544 | $ 26,159,753 | $ 43,902,458 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 494,150 | 905,528 | $ 12,981,063 | $ 24,631,491 |
Issued in exchange for shares of Fidelity Advisor Korea Fund | 234,931 | - | 7,235,880 | - |
Reinvestment of distributions | 168,831 | 96,625 | 5,167,912 | 2,174,062 |
Shares redeemed | (1,022,047) | (548,117) | (25,065,963) | (14,491,120) |
Net increase (decrease) | (124,135) | 454,036 | $ 318,892 | $ 12,314,433 |
Annual Report
12. Share Transactions - continued
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 242,096 | 582,754 | $ 6,467,358 | $ 15,102,929 |
Issued in exchange for shares of Fidelity Advisor Korea Fund | 293,838 | - | 8,726,975 | - |
Reinvestment of distributions | 105,630 | 65,401 | 3,118,188 | 1,425,750 |
Shares redeemed | (638,527) | (387,524) | (14,729,354) | (9,787,762) |
Net increase (decrease) | 3,037 | 260,631 | $ 3,583,167 | $ 6,740,917 |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 544,685 | 1,281,274 | $ 14,847,636 | $ 34,698,003 |
Issued in exchange for shares of Fidelity Advisor Korea Fund | 365,248 | - | 10,807,681 | - |
Reinvestment of distributions | 196,711 | 105,026 | 5,785,281 | 2,283,267 |
Shares redeemed | (1,348,573) | (618,089) | (31,070,040) | (16,150,431) |
Net increase (decrease) | (241,929) | 768,211 | $ 370,558 | $ 20,830,839 |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 297,341 | 368,744 | $ 8,430,661 | $ 10,529,830 |
Issued in exchange for shares of Fidelity Advisor Korea Fund | 131,266 | - | 4,188,699 | - |
Reinvestment of distributions | 20,222 | 9,931 | 641,235 | 230,692 |
Shares redeemed | (505,846) | (175,119) | (12,562,978) | (5,062,378) |
Net increase (decrease) | (57,017) | 203,556 | $ 697,617 | $ 5,698,144 |
13. Merger Information.
On December 7, 2007, the Fund acquired all of the assets and assumed all of the liabilities of Fidelity Advisor Korea Fund ("Target Fund") pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization approved by the Target Fund shareholders on November 14, 2007. The acquisition was accomplished by an exchange of 1,036,440; 234,931; 293,838; 365,248, and 131,266 shares of Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C and Institutional Class of the Fund, respectively, for 1,446,656; 331,148; 420,027; 517,942; and 182,483 shares then outstanding of Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C and Institutional Class (valued at $22.45, $21.85, $20.78, $20.87, and $22.95, per share for Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C and Institutional Class, respectively) of the Target Fund. The reorganization qualified as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes with no gain or loss recognized by the Funds or their shareholders.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
13. Merger Information - continued
The Target Fund's net assets, including $10,759,371 of unrealized appreciation, were combined with the Fund's net assets of $334,365,132 for total net assets after the acquisition of $397,806,387.
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and the Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund (a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004-2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
Class A designates 10%, Class T designates 11%, Class B designates 11%, and Class C designates 11%, of the dividends distributed in December 2007, as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Class A | 12/05/07 | $ 0.376 | $ 0.0414 |
Class T | 12/05/07 | $ 0.358 | $ 0.0414 |
Class B | 12/05/07 | $ 0.330 | $ 0.0414 |
Class C | 12/05/07 | $ 0.339 | $ 0.0414 |
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Emerging Asia Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against a broad-based securities market index over multiple periods. The Board noted that FMR does not believe that a meaningful peer group exists against which to compare the fund's performance. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B of the fund and the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"). The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance).
Annual Report
Advisor Emerging Asia Fund
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The Board stated that the investment performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund compared favorably to its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 9% means that 91% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Emerging Asia Fund
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The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
Annual Report
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of each class ranked below its competitive median for 2007.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Annual Report
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
FIL Investment Advisors
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd.
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research (Japan), Inc.
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Boston, MA
AEA-UANN-1208
1.784737.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Emerging Asia
Fund - Institutional Class
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Past 10 years |
Institutional Class A | -53.53% | 9.94% | 8.23% |
A Institutional Class shares are sold to eligible investors without a sales load or 12b-1 fee. The initial offering of Institutional Class shares took place on June 16, 1999. Returns prior to June 16, 1999 are those of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund, Inc., (the Closed-End Fund). At the close of business on June 15, 1999, the Closed-End Fund reorganized as an open-end fund through a transfer of all its assets and liabilities to Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund (the fund). Shareholders of the Closed-End Fund received Class A shares of the fund in exchange for their shares of the Closed-End Fund. If the effect of Institutional Class expenses was reflected, returns may be lower than shown because Institutional Class shares of the fund may have higher total expenses than the Closed-End Fund.
$10,000 Over 10 Years
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Emerging Asia Fund - Institutional Class on October 31, 1998. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI® All Country (MSCI AC) Asia ex Japan Index performed over the same period. The initial offering of Institutional Class took place on June 16, 1999. See above for additional information regarding the performance of Institutional Class.
![fid352](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid352.gif)
Annual Report
Comments from Kevin Chang, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Emerging Asia Fund
As the U.S. credit crisis went from bad to worse, stocks in emerging Asia suffered steep losses, shattering investors' hopes that the region's markets might "decouple" from those in developed nations. For the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, the MSCI® All Country Asia ex Japan Index - a measure of the equity market performance in Asia, except for Japan - fell 57.90%. China took a particularly hard hit, down roughly 67%, despite the continued strong - though slowing - growth of the Chinese economy. South Korea, the largest benchmark component, on average, during the period, experienced a drop of nearly 60%, while Hong Kong and India fell roughly 56% and 62%, respectively. Taiwan, another important benchmark constituent, managed to hold its loss to approximately 49%. The region's markets suffered from concerns about slowing exports in the wake of decelerating economic growth in the United States and Europe. Sluggish Asian real estate markets, especially in the second half of the period, further contributed to the pessimistic outlook of equity investors.
During the past year, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares returned -53.66%, -53.79%, -54.01% and -54.02%, respectively (excluding sales charges), topping the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index. Security selection in financials boosted performance, as did an overweighting in telecommunication services, an underweighting in industrials and an above-average cash position. On a geographical basis, my picks in Hong Kong and China proved the most beneficial. Wing Lung Bank, a mid-sized Hong Kong bank, saw its share price rise after receiving a buyout offer from another bank. I sold the stock to lock in profits. Other contributors included CLP Holdings, a Hong Kong-based utility, which was prized by the market for its defensive characteristics; Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan's incumbent telecom operator; and LG Household & Health Care, a leading home and personal care products manufacturer based in Korea. Conversely, the materials sector detracted modestly from performance due to an underweighting and weak stock picks. From a country perspective, stock selection in Taiwan was mildly unrewarding. Taiwan Fertilizer, that nation's largest fertilizer producer, was a detractor. While I liked this name for its large land holdings, the deteriorating economic outlook hindered near-term property sentiment and hurt the company's share price, so I sold the position. Also detracting were China's Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, a China-based, Singapore-listed out-of-index position. Both of the last two holdings were sold.
During the past year, the fund's Institutional Class shares returned -53.53%, topping the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index. Security selection in financials boosted performance, as did an overweighting in telecommunication services, an underweighting in industrials and an above-average cash position. On a geographical basis, my picks in Hong Kong and China proved the most beneficial. Wing Lung Bank, a mid-sized Hong Kong bank, saw its share price rise after receiving a buyout offer from another bank. I sold the stock to lock in profits. Other contributors included CLP Holdings, a Hong Kong-based utility, which was prized by the market for its defensive characteristics; Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan's incumbent telecom operator; and LG Household & Health Care, a leading home and personal care products manufacturer based in Korea. Conversely, the materials sector detracted modestly from performance due to an underweighting and weak stock picks. From a country perspective, stock selection in Taiwan was mildly unrewarding. Taiwan Fertilizer, that nation's largest fertilizer producer, was a detractor. While I liked this name for its large land holdings, the deteriorating economic outlook hindered near-term property sentiment and hurt the company's share price, so I sold the position. Also detracting were China's Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, a China-based, Singapore-listed out-of-index position. Both of the last two holdings were sold.
Annual Report
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Annual Report
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.50% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 564.60 | $ 5.90 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.60 | $ 7.61 |
Class T | 1.75% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 563.80 | $ 6.88 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,016.34 | $ 8.87 |
Class B | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 562.40 | $ 8.84 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Class C | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 562.30 | $ 8.84 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Institutional Class | 1.21% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 565.20 | $ 4.76 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,019.05 | $ 6.14 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Ten Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Ltd. | 5.7 | 6.5 |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | 5.2 | 3.9 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 4.5 | 0.7 |
CLP Holdings Ltd. | 4.1 | 2.0 |
Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd. | 3.9 | 1.4 |
China Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (H Shares) | 3.7 | 2.0 |
Bharti Airtel Ltd. | 2.4 | 1.0 |
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. | 2.3 | 0.0 |
PetroChina Co. Ltd. (H Shares) | 2.3 | 1.8 |
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (H Shares) | 2.2 | 0.0 |
| 36.3 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Telecommunication Services | 23.6 | 11.9 |
Information Technology | 18.6 | 10.4 |
Financials | 17.1 | 33.3 |
Energy | 7.7 | 6.9 |
Utilities | 7.1 | 2.9 |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks and Investment Companies 89.6% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 93.8% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 10.4% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 6.2% | |
![fid358](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid358.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 88.9% |
| Shares | | Value |
Australia - 0.1% |
QBE Insurance Group Ltd. | 11,112 | | $ 189,482 |
Cayman Islands - 1.8% |
Hutchison China Meditech Ltd. (a) | 3 | | 4 |
New World Department Store China Ltd. | 2,090,000 | | 1,158,169 |
Stella International Holdings Ltd. | 1,682,500 | | 1,418,549 |
TCC International Holdings Ltd. (a) | 1,084,000 | | 134,096 |
TOTAL CAYMAN ISLANDS | | 2,710,818 |
China - 16.0% |
Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd. (H Shares) (a) | 296,000 | | 942,713 |
China Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (H Shares) | 2,089,000 | | 5,582,596 |
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (H Shares) | 5,096,000 | | 3,346,350 |
China Telecom Corp. Ltd. (H Shares) | 3,766,000 | | 1,340,320 |
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China | 4,763,000 | | 2,241,075 |
Li Ning Co. Ltd. | 696,500 | | 861,948 |
PetroChina Co. Ltd. (H Shares) | 4,524,000 | | 3,401,534 |
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd. (H Shares) | 216,500 | | 925,905 |
Tencent Holdings Ltd. | 390,800 | | 2,844,989 |
Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Co. (B Shares) | 821,240 | | 2,551,986 |
TOTAL CHINA | | 24,039,416 |
Hong Kong - 15.5% |
Bank of East Asia Ltd. | 222,800 | | 449,427 |
Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd. | 234,000 | | 2,246,742 |
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Ltd. | 974,000 | | 8,574,372 |
China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd. | 1,034,000 | | 2,020,792 |
CLP Holdings Ltd. | 910,000 | | 6,136,973 |
CNOOC Ltd. | 1,090,500 | | 895,382 |
Fairwood Holdings Ltd. (c) | 721,500 | | 543,633 |
Hong Kong Electric Holdings Ltd. | 200,000 | | 1,077,970 |
Hopewell Holdings Ltd. | 305,000 | | 948,264 |
Li & Fung Ltd. | 70,000 | | 140,490 |
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. | 38,000 | | 332,920 |
TOTAL HONG KONG | | 23,366,965 |
India - 7.0% |
Bajaj Auto Ltd. | 94,198 | | 1,063,522 |
Bharti Airtel Ltd. (a) | 269,941 | | 3,655,053 |
Cipla Ltd. | 122,406 | | 446,462 |
Indiabulls Real Estate Ltd. | 239,988 | | 597,864 |
Infosys Technologies Ltd. | 61,893 | | 1,804,142 |
Lupin Ltd. | 19,963 | | 273,267 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
India - continued |
Max India Ltd. (a) | 111,250 | | $ 224,130 |
Reliance Industries Ltd. | 75,526 | | 2,146,831 |
Satyam Computer Services Ltd. | 54,346 | | 343,590 |
TOTAL INDIA | | 10,554,861 |
Indonesia - 3.3% |
PT Indosat Tbk | 5,649,000 | | 2,734,637 |
PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk Series B | 11,682,200 | | 1,484,774 |
PT Telkomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Series B | 1,354,500 | | 683,916 |
TOTAL INDONESIA | | 4,903,327 |
Korea (South) - 15.1% |
Amorepacific Corp. | 6,179 | | 2,724,286 |
Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. Ltd. | 6,911 | | 595,170 |
KB Financial Group, Inc. (a) | 11,140 | | 279,755 |
KT Corp. | 17,360 | | 443,266 |
KT Freetel Co. Ltd. (a) | 25,610 | | 538,682 |
LG Household & Health Care Ltd. | 14,810 | | 2,122,202 |
NHN Corp. (a) | 25,248 | | 2,695,253 |
POSCO | 4,537 | | 1,253,459 |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | 18,512 | | 7,828,683 |
Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd. | 95,536 | | 2,331,412 |
SK Telecom Co. Ltd. | 8,000 | | 1,273,649 |
Taewoong Co. Ltd. | 14,006 | | 684,156 |
TOTAL KOREA (SOUTH) | | 22,769,973 |
Malaysia - 4.3% |
DiGi.com Bhd | 348,700 | | 1,814,238 |
Parkson Holdings Bhd | 1,670,200 | | 1,584,061 |
Public Bank Bhd (For. Reg.) | 1,300,000 | | 3,078,517 |
TOTAL MALAYSIA | | 6,476,816 |
Papua New Guinea - 1.5% |
Lihir Gold Ltd. (a) | 706,463 | | 881,045 |
Oil Search Ltd. | 445,131 | | 1,347,858 |
TOTAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA | | 2,228,903 |
Philippines - 1.9% |
Jollibee Food Corp. | 857,100 | | 807,508 |
Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. | 48,080 | | 1,964,559 |
TOTAL PHILIPPINES | | 2,772,067 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Singapore - 4.5% |
DBS Group Holdings Ltd. | 149,000 | | $ 1,137,391 |
Raffles Medical Group Ltd. | 730,000 | | 326,090 |
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. | 2,100,000 | | 3,534,126 |
United Overseas Bank Ltd. | 193,000 | | 1,744,866 |
TOTAL SINGAPORE | | 6,742,473 |
Taiwan - 13.5% |
Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc. | 1,445,000 | | 615,252 |
Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | 623,800 | | 666,635 |
Cathay Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. | 1,944,000 | | 426,696 |
Chinatrust Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | 2,676,576 | | 766,011 |
Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd. | 3,511,420 | | 5,791,155 |
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. (Foxconn) | 1,231,150 | | 2,985,963 |
HTC Corp. | 51,000 | | 608,413 |
Hung Poo Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. | 209,420 | | 110,154 |
Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Ltd. | 1,514,000 | | 1,555,998 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 4,699,183 | | 6,838,284 |
TOTAL TAIWAN | | 20,364,561 |
Thailand - 4.4% |
Advanced Info Service PCL (For. Reg.) | 809,200 | | 1,714,003 |
Minor International PCL (For. Reg.) | 2,804,569 | | 614,393 |
PTT Exploration & Production PCL (For. Reg.) | 156,000 | | 389,275 |
Robinson Department Store PCL (For. Reg.) | 3,006,700 | | 580,156 |
Siam Commercial Bank PCL (For. Reg.) | 1,213,300 | | 1,883,454 |
Total Access Communication PCL unit | 2,040,568 | | 1,458,431 |
TOTAL THAILAND | | 6,639,712 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $177,286,139) | 133,759,374 |
Investment Companies - 0.7% |
| | | |
Hong Kong - 0.7% |
iShares FTSE/Xinhua A50 China Tracker ETF (a) (Cost $1,913,181) | 1,025,100 | | 1,067,297 |
Money Market Funds - 7.3% |
| Shares | | Value |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) (Cost $11,022,994) | 11,022,994 | | $ 11,022,994 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 96.9% (Cost $190,222,314) | | 145,849,665 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - 3.1% | | 4,626,906 |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 150,476,571 |
Security Abbreviations ETF - Exchange Traded Fund | |
|
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At the end of the period, the value of these securities amounted to $543,633 or 0.4% of net assets. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 456,439 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 21,091 |
Total | $ 477,530 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $24,592,822 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $179,199,320) | $ 134,826,671 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $11,022,994) | 11,022,994 | |
Total Investments (cost $190,222,314) | | $ 145,849,665 |
Foreign currency held at value (cost $1,131,681) | | 1,127,932 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 4,650,363 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 173,293 |
Dividends receivable | | 288,961 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 15,318 |
Prepaid expenses | | 84 |
Receivable from investment adviser for expense reductions | | 9,556 |
Other receivables | | 349,825 |
Total assets | | 152,464,997 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 1,009,912 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 605,821 | |
Accrued management fee | 95,750 | |
Distribution fees payable | 70,205 | |
Other affiliated payables | 60,639 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 146,099 | |
Total liabilities | | 1,988,426 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 150,476,571 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 219,503,316 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (24,640,406) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (44,386,339) |
Net Assets | | $ 150,476,571 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($71,722,040 ÷ 4,557,198 shares) | | $ 15.74 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $15.74) | | $ 16.70 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($25,204,881 ÷ 1,633,337 shares) | | $ 15.43 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $15.43) | | $ 15.99 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($17,040,283 ÷ 1,149,898 shares) A | | $ 14.82 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($30,576,544 ÷ 2,071,474 shares) A | | $ 14.76 |
| | |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($5,932,823 ÷ 369,158 shares) | | $ 16.07 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 6,587,287 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 477,530 |
| | 7,064,817 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (764,769) |
Total income | | 6,300,048 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee | $ 2,095,191 | |
Transfer agent fees | 838,024 | |
Distribution fees | 1,561,679 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 153,748 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 356,929 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 1,371 | |
Registration fees | 77,242 | |
Audit | 116,385 | |
Legal | 7,363 | |
Miscellaneous | 58,239 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 5,266,171 | |
Expense reductions | (305,377) | 4,960,794 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 1,339,254 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | (24,608,037) | |
Foreign currency transactions | (1,223,603) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (25,831,640) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities | (181,329,724) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (60,859) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (181,390,583) |
Net gain (loss) | | (207,222,223) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (205,882,969) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 1,339,254 | $ 1,260,602 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (25,831,640) | 35,123,899 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (181,390,583) | 100,752,376 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (205,882,969) | 137,136,877 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (1,388,486) | (705,473) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (30,115,090) | (11,219,115) |
Total distributions | (31,503,576) | (11,924,588) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | 31,129,987 | 89,486,791 |
Redemption fees | 145,533 | 131,185 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (206,111,025) | 214,830,265 |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 356,587,596 | 141,757,331 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $0 and undistributed net investment income of $1,229,931, respectively) | $ 150,476,571 | $ 356,587,596 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 37.55 | $ 22.48 | $ 17.70 | $ 13.96 | $ 13.07 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .19 | .24 | .22 | .18 | .03 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (18.72) | 16.64 | 6.10 | 3.61 | 1.00 I |
Total from investment operations | (18.53) | 16.88 | 6.32 | 3.79 | 1.03 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.23) | (.15) | (.16) | - | (.15) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.06) | (1.68) | (1.39) | (.05) | - |
Total distributions | (3.29) | (1.83) | (1.55) | (.05) | (.15) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C | .01 | .02 | .01 | - H | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 15.74 | $ 37.55 | $ 22.48 | $ 17.70 | $ 13.96 |
Total Return A, B | (53.66)% | 80.43% | 38.02% | 27.23% | 8.01% I |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.50% | 1.47% | 1.73% | 1.90% | 2.24% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.50% | 1.47% | 1.50% | 1.61% | 2.00% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.41% | 1.40% | 1.39% | 1.55% | 1.99% |
Net investment income (loss) | .73% | .88% | 1.08% | 1.08% | .21% |
Supplemental Data | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 71,722 | $ 152,630 | $ 55,790 | $ 30,782 | $ 21,099 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 92% G | 66% | 77% | 66% | 232% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G The portfolio turnover rate does not include the assets acquired in the merger.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
I In 2004 the Fund received a favorable ruling in India which entitles the Fund to a refund of capital gains taxes paid in the current and prior years. The impact to the Fund was an increase in realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share of $.51. Excluding this benefit, the total return would have been 4.18%. The realized and unrealized gains were allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 36.88 | $ 22.13 | $ 17.45 | $ 13.80 | $ 12.92 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .12 | .16 | .17 | .14 | - H |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (18.38) | 16.37 | 6.01 | 3.56 | .99 I |
Total from investment operations | (18.26) | 16.53 | 6.18 | 3.70 | .99 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.14) | (.12) | (.12) | - | (.12) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.06) | (1.68) | (1.39) | (.05) | - |
Total distributions | (3.20) | (1.80) | (1.51) | (.05) | (.12) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C | .01 | .02 | .01 | - H | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 15.43 | $ 36.88 | $ 22.13 | $ 17.45 | $ 13.80 |
Total Return A, B | (53.79)% | 79.98% | 37.69% | 26.89% | 7.78% I |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.80% | 1.79% | 2.07% | 2.27% | 2.76% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.84% | 2.25% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.66% | 1.67% | 1.64% | 1.79% | 2.24% |
Net investment income (loss) | .48% | .61% | .83% | .85% | (.04)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 25,205 | $ 64,813 | $ 28,850 | $ 14,074 | $ 7,658 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 92% G | 66% | 77% | 66% | 232% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G The portfolio turnover rate does not include the assets acquired in the merger.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
I In 2004 the Fund received a favorable ruling in India which entitles the Fund to a refund of capital gains taxes paid in the current and prior years. The impact to the Fund was an increase in realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share of $.50. Excluding this benefit, the total return would have been 3.95%. The realized and unrealized gains were allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 35.55 | $ 21.42 | $ 16.94 | $ 13.46 | $ 12.64 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | (.01) | .03 | .06 | .06 | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (17.68) | 15.79 | 5.84 | 3.47 | .96 I |
Total from investment operations | (17.69) | 15.82 | 5.90 | 3.53 | .89 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | (.03) | (.04) | - | (.08) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.05) | (1.68) | (1.39) | (.05) | - |
Total distributions | (3.05) | (1.71) | (1.43) | (.05) | (.08) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C | .01 | .02 | .01 | - H | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 14.82 | $ 35.55 | $ 21.42 | $ 16.94 | $ 13.46 |
Total Return A, B | (54.01)% | 79.01% | 36.99% | 26.31% | 7.14% I |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.29% | 2.28% | 2.59% | 2.75% | 3.19% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.35% | 2.75% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.16% | 2.17% | 2.14% | 2.29% | 2.74% |
Net investment income (loss) | (.02)% | .11% | .33% | .34% | (.54)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 17,040 | $ 40,775 | $ 18,985 | $ 11,504 | $ 7,065 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 92% G | 66% | 77% | 66% | 232% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G The portfolio turnover rate does not include the assets acquired in the merger.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
I In 2004 the Fund received a favorable ruling in India which entitles the Fund to a refund of capital gains taxes paid in the current and prior years. The impact to the Fund was an increase in realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share of $.49. Excluding this benefit, the total return would have been 3.31%. The realized and unrealized gains were allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 35.48 | $ 21.39 | $ 16.94 | $ 13.46 | $ 12.65 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | - H | .04 | .06 | .06 | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (17.63) | 15.76 | 5.84 | 3.47 | .96 I |
Total from investment operations | (17.63) | 15.80 | 5.90 | 3.53 | .89 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.04) | (.05) | (.07) | - | (.09) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.06) | (1.68) | (1.39) | (.05) | - |
Total distributions | (3.10) | (1.73) | (1.46) | (.05) | (.09) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C | .01 | .02 | .01 | - H | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 14.76 | $ 35.48 | $ 21.39 | $ 16.94 | $ 13.46 |
Total Return A, B | (54.02)% | 79.05% | 37.02% | 26.31% | 7.14% I |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.25% | 2.21% | 2.46% | 2.67% | 3.02% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.21% | 2.25% | 2.34% | 2.75% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.16% | 2.13% | 2.14% | 2.28% | 2.74% |
Net investment income (loss) | (.02)% | .14% | .33% | .35% | (.54)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 30,577 | $ 82,070 | $ 33,047 | $ 13,291 | $ 6,484 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 92% G | 66% | 77% | 66% | 232% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G The portfolio turnover rate does not include the assets acquired in the merger.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
I In 2004 the Fund received a favorable ruling in India which entitles the Fund to a refund of capital gains taxes paid in the current and prior years. The impact to the Fund was an increase in realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share of $.49. Excluding this benefit, the total return would have been 3.31%. The realized and unrealized gains were allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 38.25 | $ 22.84 | $ 17.97 | $ 14.13 | $ 13.20 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .27 | .34 | .27 | .24 | .06 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (19.09) | 16.92 | 6.19 | 3.65 | 1.01 H |
Total from investment operations | (18.82) | 17.26 | 6.46 | 3.89 | 1.07 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.31) | (.19) | (.21) | - | (.15) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.06) | (1.68) | (1.39) | (.05) | - |
Total distributions | (3.37) | (1.87) | (1.60) | (.05) | (.15) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital B | .01 | .02 | .01 | - G | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 16.07 | $ 38.25 | $ 22.84 | $ 17.97 | $ 14.13 |
Total Return A | (53.53)% | 80.97% | 38.28% | 27.61% | 8.24% H |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C, E | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.20% | 1.16% | 1.41% | 1.52% | 2.11% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.20% | 1.16% | 1.25% | 1.29% | 1.75% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.11% | 1.08% | 1.14% | 1.24% | 1.74% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.03% | 1.20% | 1.33% | 1.40% | .46% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 5,933 | $ 16,300 | $ 5,086 | $ 4,791 | $ 452 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 92% F | 66% | 77% | 66% | 232% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
F The portfolio turnover rate does not include the assets acquired in the merger.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
H In 2004 the Fund received a favorable ruling in India which entitles the Fund to a refund of capital gains taxes paid in the current and prior years. The impact to the Fund was an increase in realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share of $.51. Excluding this benefit, the total return would have been 4.41%. The realized and unrealized gains were allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class. The Fund's investments in emerging markets can be subject to social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties and can be extremely volatile.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Foreign Currency - continued
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds received from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund estimates the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests. The
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
Fund received a final ruling from the Authority for Advance Ruling in India regarding the applicability of taxes imposed by the country on realized capital gains under the US/India tax treaty. The ruling entitled the Fund to a refund of capital gains taxes paid in prior years and exempts the Fund from taxes on future realized gains. The per-share and total return impacts are disclosed on the Financial Highlights. The India Central Board of Direct Taxation may challenge the ruling at any time which could result in the reversal of some or all of the benefits recorded by the Fund.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC) and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 11,006,758 |
Unrealized depreciation | (55,440,697) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (44,433,939) |
Capital loss carryforward | (24,592,822) |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 190,283,604 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 17,818,648 | $ 6,114,690 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 13,684,928 | 5,809,898 |
Total | $ 31,503,576 | $ 11,924,588 |
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 90 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.50% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $253,013,691 and $315,789,935, respectively.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. For the period, the total annual management fee rate was .71% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | 0% | .25% | $ 336,064 | $ 22,942 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 247,947 | 2,849 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 340,535 | 257,420 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 637,133 | 156,646 |
| | | $ 1,561,679 | $ 439,857 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Sales Load - continued
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 102,082 |
Class T | 20,935 |
Class B * | 78,361 |
Class C * | 40,974 |
| $ 242,352 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements. For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 373,095 | .28 |
Class T | 157,733 | .32 |
Class B | 105,264 | .31 |
Class C | 169,523 | .27 |
Institutional Class | 32,409 | .22 |
| $ 838,024 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Annual Report
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $607 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. At period end, there were no security loans outstanding. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $21,091.
9. Expense Reductions.
FMR voluntarily agreed to reimburse each class to the extent annual operating expenses exceeded certain levels of average net assets as noted in the table below. Some expenses, for example interest expense, including commitment fees, are excluded from this reimbursement.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
9. Expense Reductions - continued
The following classes were in reimbursement during the period:
| Expense Limitations | Reimbursement from adviser |
| | |
Class A | 1.50% | $ 101 |
Class T | 1.75% | 21,401 |
Class B | 2.25% | 11,993 |
| | $ 33,495 |
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $270,394 for the period. In addition, through arrangements with the Fund's custodian and each class' transfer agent, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses. During the period, these credits reduced the Fund's custody expenses by $1,473. During the period, credits reduced each class' transfer agent expense as noted in the table below.
| Transfer Agent expense reduction |
| |
Institutional Class | $ 15 |
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Annual Report
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 933,093 | $ 394,476 |
Class T | 241,193 | 160,784 |
Class B | - | 30,252 |
Class C | 82,276 | 75,200 |
Institutional Class | 131,924 | 44,761 |
Total | $ 1,388,486 | $ 705,473 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 12,682,581 | $ 4,331,516 |
Class T | 5,427,293 | 2,269,882 |
Class B | 3,491,350 | 1,540,071 |
Class C | 7,194,625 | 2,688,016 |
Institutional Class | 1,319,241 | 389,630 |
Total | $ 30,115,090 | $ 11,219,115 |
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 1,417,438 | 2,498,533 | $ 39,489,573 | $ 69,396,605 |
Issued in exchange for shares of Fidelity Advisor Korea Fund | 1,036,440 | - | 32,482,019 | - |
Reinvestment of distributions | 367,601 | 162,468 | 11,447,101 | 3,714,012 |
Shares redeemed | (2,329,223) | (1,077,457) | (57,258,940) | (29,208,159) |
Net increase (decrease) | 492,256 | 1,583,544 | $ 26,159,753 | $ 43,902,458 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 494,150 | 905,528 | $ 12,981,063 | $ 24,631,491 |
Issued in exchange for shares of Fidelity Advisor Korea Fund | 234,931 | - | 7,235,880 | - |
Reinvestment of distributions | 168,831 | 96,625 | 5,167,912 | 2,174,062 |
Shares redeemed | (1,022,047) | (548,117) | (25,065,963) | (14,491,120) |
Net increase (decrease) | (124,135) | 454,036 | $ 318,892 | $ 12,314,433 |
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
12. Share Transactions - continued
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 242,096 | 582,754 | $ 6,467,358 | $ 15,102,929 |
Issued in exchange for shares of Fidelity Advisor Korea Fund | 293,838 | - | 8,726,975 | - |
Reinvestment of distributions | 105,630 | 65,401 | 3,118,188 | 1,425,750 |
Shares redeemed | (638,527) | (387,524) | (14,729,354) | (9,787,762) |
Net increase (decrease) | 3,037 | 260,631 | $ 3,583,167 | $ 6,740,917 |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 544,685 | 1,281,274 | $ 14,847,636 | $ 34,698,003 |
Issued in exchange for shares of Fidelity Advisor Korea Fund | 365,248 | - | 10,807,681 | - |
Reinvestment of distributions | 196,711 | 105,026 | 5,785,281 | 2,283,267 |
Shares redeemed | (1,348,573) | (618,089) | (31,070,040) | (16,150,431) |
Net increase (decrease) | (241,929) | 768,211 | $ 370,558 | $ 20,830,839 |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 297,341 | 368,744 | $ 8,430,661 | $ 10,529,830 |
Issued in exchange for shares of Fidelity Advisor Korea Fund | 131,266 | - | 4,188,699 | - |
Reinvestment of distributions | 20,222 | 9,931 | 641,235 | 230,692 |
Shares redeemed | (505,846) | (175,119) | (12,562,978) | (5,062,378) |
Net increase (decrease) | (57,017) | 203,556 | $ 697,617 | $ 5,698,144 |
13. Merger Information.
On December 7, 2007, the Fund acquired all of the assets and assumed all of the liabilities of Fidelity Advisor Korea Fund ("Target Fund") pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization approved by the Target Fund shareholders on November 14, 2007. The acquisition was accomplished by an exchange of 1,036,440; 234,931; 293,838; 365,248, and 131,266 shares of Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C and Institutional Class of the Fund, respectively, for 1,446,656; 331,148; 420,027; 517,942; and 182,483 shares then outstanding of Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C and Institutional Class (valued at $22.45, $21.85, $20.78, $20.87, and $22.95, per share for Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C and Institutional Class, respectively) of the Target Fund. The reorganization qualified as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes with no gain or loss recognized by the Funds or their shareholders.
Annual Report
13. Merger Information - continued
The Target Fund's net assets, including $10,759,371 of unrealized appreciation, were combined with the Fund's net assets of $334,365,132 for total net assets after the acquisition of $397,806,387.
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and the Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund (a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004-2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
Institutional Class designates 10% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are $0.391 and $0.0414 for the dividend paid 12/05/07.
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Emerging Asia Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
Annual Report
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against a broad-based securities market index over multiple periods. The Board noted that FMR does not believe that a meaningful peer group exists against which to compare the fund's performance. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B of the fund and the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"). The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance).
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor Emerging Asia Fund
![fid360](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid360.gif)
The Board stated that the investment performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund compared favorably to its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 9% means that 91% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Emerging Asia Fund
![fid362](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid362.gif)
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of each class ranked below its competitive median for 2007.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
Annual Report
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
FIL Investment Advisors
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd.
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research (Japan), Inc.
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Boston, MA
AEAI-UANN-1208
1.784738.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Emerging Markets
Fund - Class A, Class T, Class B
and Class C
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to the financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Life of fundA |
Class A (incl. 5.75% sales charge) | -62.82% | 4.57% |
Class T (incl. 3.50% sales charge) | -62.03% | 4.83% |
Class B (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) B | -62.74% | 4.76% |
Class C (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) C | -61.23% | 5.13% |
A From March 29, 2004.
B Class B shares' contingent deferred sales charges included in the past one year and life of fund total return figures are 5% and 2%, respectively.
C Class C shares' contingent deferred sales charge included in the past one year and life of fund total return figures are 1% and 0%, respectively.
Annual Report
$10,000 Over Life of Fund
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Emerging Markets Fund - Class A on March 29, 2004, when the fund started, and the current 5.75% sales charge was paid. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI® Emerging Markets Index performed over the same period.
![fid378](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid378.gif)
In prior years, the performance from year to year was represented by the performance of Class T. Going forward, the fund's performance will be represented by Class A for consistency with other fund materials.
Annual Report
Comments from Robert von Rekowsky, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Emerging Markets Fund
Stocks across the emerging-markets universe suffered steep losses during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008. In that time, the MSCI® Emerging Markets Index fell 56.22%. All three of the benchmark's primary regions - Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), Latin America, and Asia ex Australia and New Zealand - declined by more than 50%. In EMEA, major benchmark component Russia saw its market tumble by more than 62%, while Brazil - representing the benchmark's largest weighting during the period, on average, at almost 15% - finished with a setback of more than 53%. In both cases, falling commodity prices triggered by slowing global economies had a negative impact on share prices. Meanwhile, South Korea, the second-largest benchmark component, experienced a nearly 60% drop. Chinese stocks also were hard-hit, down roughly 67%. Asian emerging markets suffered in part due to concerns about slowing exports in the wake of decelerating economic growth in the United States and Europe, as the U.S. credit crisis continued to worsen and expand its reach abroad.
During the past year, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares returned -60.55%, -60.66%, -60.83% and -60.84%, respectively (excluding sales charges), trailing the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Stock selection detracted, particularly in Taiwan, South Korea, Brazil and Mexico. On a sector basis, the most damage was done through stock picking in consumer discretionary, financials, telecommunication services, energy and materials. Underweighting Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, a benchmark component, detracted from the fund's results. An industry leader in a defensive sector, Teva was more resistant to the selling pressure than most other stocks. Similar comments apply to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Other detractors included Brazilian steel producer Siderurgica Nacional; Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom, a benchmark constituent the fund didn't own that actually posted a small gain; wireless carrier China Mobile; and Russian natural gas producer and distributor Gazprom. Conversely, an above-average cash position was beneficial. Although fertilizer holding Israel Chemicals posted a loss, it managed to significantly outperform the benchmark. Another fertilizer stock, Russia-based Uralkali, also helped, as did underweighting and ultimately selling weak-performing benchmark component PetroChina. Egypt-based Orascom Construction, an out-of-benchmark holding, contributed as well. Many stocks I've mentioned were sold by period end.
During the past year, the fund's Institutional Class shares returned -60.42%, trailing the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Stock selection detracted, particularly in Taiwan, South Korea, Brazil and Mexico. On a sector basis, the most damage was done through stock picking in consumer discretionary, financials, telecommunication services, energy and materials. Underweighting Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, a benchmark component, detracted from the fund's results. An industry leader in a defensive sector, Teva was more resistant to the selling pressure than most other stocks. Similar comments apply to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Other detractors included Brazilian steel producer Siderurgica Nacional; Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom, a benchmark constituent the fund didn't own that actually posted a small gain; wireless carrier China Mobile; and Russian natural gas producer and distributor Gazprom. Conversely, an above-average cash position was beneficial. Although fertilizer holding Israel Chemicals posted a loss, it managed to significantly outperform the benchmark. Another fertilizer stock, Russia-based Uralkali, also helped, as did underweighting and ultimately selling weak-performing benchmark component PetroChina. Egypt-based Orascom Construction, an out-of-benchmark holding, contributed as well. Many stocks I've mentioned were sold by period end.
Annual Report
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Annual Report
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.58% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 446.60 | $ 5.75 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.19 | $ 8.01 |
Class T | 1.83% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 445.90 | $ 6.65 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,015.94 | $ 9.27 |
Class B | 2.35% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 445.00 | $ 8.54 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.32 | $ 11.89 |
Class C | 2.34% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 445.00 | $ 8.50 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.37 | $ 11.84 |
Institutional Class | 1.27% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 447.20 | $ 4.62 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,018.75 | $ 6.44 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Five Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras (PN) (non-vtg.) (Brazil, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 3.8 | 4.7 |
OAO Gazprom sponsored ADR (Russia, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 3.2 | 3.9 |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (PN-A) sponsored ADR (Brazil, Metals & Mining) | 2.9 | 3.3 |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Korea (South), Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment) | 2.7 | 3.1 |
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Ltd. (Hong Kong, Wireless Telecommunication Services) | 2.2 | 3.5 |
| 14.8 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Financials | 23.5 | 21.0 |
Energy | 16.3 | 20.0 |
Materials | 11.5 | 16.9 |
Information Technology | 10.1 | 8.3 |
Telecommunication Services | 10.1 | 9.0 |
Top Five Countries as of October 31, 2008 |
(excluding cash equivalents) | % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Brazil | 14.9 | 13.9 |
South Africa | 9.7 | 6.6 |
Russia | 8.8 | 12.6 |
Korea (South) | 8.2 | 11.3 |
China | 6.3 | 5.1 |
Percentages are adjusted for the effect of open futures contracts, if applicable. |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks and Investment Companies 94.3% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks and Investment Companies 94.8% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 5.7% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 5.2% | |
![fid384](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid384.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 94.2% |
| Shares | | Value |
Australia - 0.1% |
Sino Gold Mining Ltd. (a) | 98,494 | | $ 226,742 |
Austria - 0.3% |
Erste Bank AG | 15,200 | | 405,232 |
Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG (d) | 11,774 | | 370,497 |
TOTAL AUSTRIA | | 775,729 |
Bahrain - 0.5% |
Gulf Finance House BSC: | | | |
(Reg. S) unit | 50,000 | | 850,000 |
GDR (e) | 32,010 | | 544,170 |
TOTAL BAHRAIN | | 1,394,170 |
Bermuda - 1.3% |
Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (Australia) | 183,258 | | 362,190 |
Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. Class A (a) | 14,800 | | 395,308 |
Credicorp Ltd. (NY Shares) | 36,000 | | 1,413,720 |
Dufry South America Ltd. unit | 60,747 | | 373,318 |
Ports Design Ltd. | 558,500 | | 649,299 |
West Siberian Resources Ltd. SDR (a) | 910,000 | | 367,974 |
TOTAL BERMUDA | | 3,561,809 |
Brazil - 14.8% |
America Latina Logistica SA unit | 144,100 | | 664,503 |
Anhanguera Educacional Participacoes SA unit | 52,371 | | 387,180 |
Banco Bradesco SA: | | | |
(PN) | 189,600 | | 2,177,045 |
(PN) sponsored ADR | 231,800 | | 2,712,060 |
Banco Daycoval SA (PN) | 114,500 | | 285,694 |
Banco do Brasil SA | 260,100 | | 1,718,617 |
Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais | 1,600 | | 10,128 |
Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais (CEMIG) (PN) sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 122,700 | | 1,866,267 |
Companhia Siderurgica Nacional SA (CSN) sponsored ADR | 166,200 | | 2,260,320 |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (PN-A) sponsored ADR | 702,800 | | 8,229,788 |
GVT Holding SA (a) | 82,200 | | 894,469 |
Localiza Rent a Car SA | 284,800 | | 1,105,406 |
MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA | 86,400 | | 447,530 |
Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA (a) | 49,400 | | 248,575 |
Net Servicos de Comunicacao SA sponsored ADR | 272,166 | | 1,779,966 |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras: | | | |
(PN) (non-vtg.) | 540,400 | | 5,827,990 |
(PN) sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 221,300 | | 4,884,091 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Brazil - continued |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras: - continued | | | |
sponsored ADR | 27,800 | | $ 747,542 |
Redecard SA | 139,500 | | 1,515,408 |
SLC Agricola SA | 300 | | 1,553 |
Uniao de Bancos Brasileiros SA (Unibanco): | | | |
unit | 115,500 | | 715,137 |
GDR | 27,730 | | 1,749,208 |
Votorantim Celulose e Papel SA sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 121,800 | | 1,228,962 |
TOTAL BRAZIL | | 41,457,439 |
British Virgin Islands - 0.0% |
Thunderbird Resorts, Inc. (a)(e) | 27,300 | | 95,550 |
Titanium Resources Group Ltd. (a) | 31,700 | | 4,285 |
TOTAL BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS | | 99,835 |
Canada - 0.2% |
Addax Petroleum, Inc. | 7,900 | | 117,930 |
Addax Petroleum, Inc. (e) | 4,700 | | 70,161 |
SouthGobi Energy Resources Ltd. (a) | 42,400 | | 295,372 |
TOTAL CANADA | | 483,463 |
Cayman Islands - 1.1% |
Chaoda Modern Agriculture (Holdings) Ltd. | 2,365,218 | | 1,666,348 |
China Aoyuan Property Group Ltd. | 45,000 | | 4,142 |
China Dongxiang Group Co. Ltd. | 2,101,000 | | 618,097 |
Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. sponsored ADR (a) | 19,600 | | 343,000 |
The United Laboratories International Holdings Ltd. | 916,000 | | 217,439 |
Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. ADR (a)(d) | 71,400 | | 376,278 |
TOTAL CAYMAN ISLANDS | | 3,225,304 |
China - 6.3% |
China Coal Energy Co. Ltd. (H Shares) | 1,400,300 | | 849,283 |
China Construction Bank Corp. (H Shares) | 9,901,000 | | 4,911,648 |
China Gas Holdings Ltd. | 2,432,000 | | 200,189 |
China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd. (H Shares) | 1,459,000 | | 2,235,243 |
China South Locomotive & Rolling Stock Corp. Ltd. (H Shares) | 1,967,000 | | 712,111 |
China Yurun Food Group Ltd. | 497,000 | | 590,713 |
Golden Eagle Retail Group Ltd. (H Shares) | 1,077,000 | | 563,081 |
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China | 10,968,000 | | 5,160,636 |
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd. (H Shares) | 390,500 | | 1,670,051 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
China - continued |
Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Co. (B Shares) | 54,990 | | $ 170,880 |
ZTE Corp. (H Shares) | 229,200 | | 518,264 |
TOTAL CHINA | | 17,582,099 |
Cyprus - 0.1% |
Mirland Development Corp. PLC (a) | 116,815 | | 150,714 |
XXI Century Investments Public Ltd. (a) | 54,500 | | 28,387 |
TOTAL CYPRUS | | 179,101 |
Czech Republic - 2.5% |
Ceske Energeticke Zavody AS | 90,800 | | 3,929,252 |
Komercni Banka AS | 12,893 | | 1,933,556 |
Philip Morris CR AS | 3,894 | | 1,081,638 |
TOTAL CZECH REPUBLIC | | 6,944,446 |
Egypt - 1.3% |
Commercial International Bank Ltd. sponsored GDR | 255,133 | | 1,135,342 |
Eastern Tobacco Co. | 23,500 | | 909,180 |
Orascom Construction Industries SAE GDR | 16,744 | | 1,121,848 |
Telecom Egypt SAE | 145,400 | | 351,680 |
TOTAL EGYPT | | 3,518,050 |
Georgia - 0.1% |
Bank of Georgia unit (a) | 27,800 | | 193,210 |
Hong Kong - 4.7% |
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Ltd. | 689,700 | | 6,071,608 |
China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd. | 1,085,700 | | 2,121,832 |
CNOOC Ltd. | 3,887,000 | | 3,191,516 |
CNOOC Ltd. sponsored ADR (d) | 6,000 | | 490,140 |
CNPC (Hong Kong) Ltd. | 4,001,000 | | 1,226,725 |
REXCAPITAL Financial Holdings Ltd. (a) | 6,970,000 | | 128,797 |
TOTAL HONG KONG | | 13,230,618 |
India - 6.3% |
Axis Bank Ltd. | 61,800 | | 717,800 |
Axis Bank Ltd. GDR (Reg. S) | 48,700 | | 584,400 |
Bank of India | 191,000 | | 949,688 |
Bharti Airtel Ltd. (a) | 92,625 | | 1,254,160 |
Educomp Solutions Ltd. | 12,200 | | 570,761 |
Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd. | 76,954 | | 2,801,022 |
Indian Overseas Bank | 393,954 | | 604,940 |
Infosys Technologies Ltd. sponsored ADR (d) | 115,200 | | 3,377,664 |
Larsen & Toubro Ltd. | 78,830 | | 1,317,655 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
India - continued |
Reliance Industries Ltd. | 35,268 | | $ 1,002,495 |
Rolta India Ltd. | 276,737 | | 1,061,149 |
Satyam Computer Services Ltd. | 205,229 | | 1,297,513 |
Sintex Industries Ltd. | 150,364 | | 457,444 |
Tata Power Co. Ltd. | 108,229 | | 1,544,710 |
TOTAL INDIA | | 17,541,401 |
Indonesia - 2.3% |
PT Bayan Resources Tbk | 1,756,500 | | 271,263 |
PT Astra International Tbk | 1,236,000 | | 1,038,380 |
PT Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk | 2,375,500 | | 343,906 |
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk | 5,007,500 | | 1,546,317 |
PT Bumi Resources Tbk | 9,438,500 | | 1,235,750 |
PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk Series B | 13,635,200 | | 1,732,995 |
PT Telkomunikasi Indonesia Tbk: | | | |
Series B | 323,000 | | 163,090 |
sponsored ADR (d) | 11,000 | | 220,440 |
TOTAL INDONESIA | | 6,552,141 |
Ireland - 0.1% |
Dragon Oil PLC (a) | 75,515 | | 195,361 |
Israel - 4.3% |
Cellcom Israel Ltd. | 45,100 | | 1,328,646 |
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (a) | 115,700 | | 2,339,454 |
Israel Chemicals Ltd. | 389,100 | | 3,771,722 |
Orpak Systems Ltd. | 19,400 | | 31,797 |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. sponsored ADR | 105,800 | | 4,536,704 |
TOTAL ISRAEL | | 12,008,323 |
Kazakhstan - 0.5% |
JSC Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan unit | 102,990 | | 437,708 |
KazMunaiGas Exploration & Production JSC (Reg. S) GDR | 74,077 | | 1,037,078 |
TOTAL KAZAKHSTAN | | 1,474,786 |
Korea (South) - 8.2% |
CJ CheilJedang Corp. (a) | 5,284 | | 617,141 |
Doosan Co. Ltd. (a) | 19,911 | | 1,448,661 |
KB Financial Group, Inc. (a) | 24,249 | | 608,957 |
Korea Gas Corp. | 40,551 | | 1,531,766 |
KT&G Corp. | 35,076 | | 2,258,217 |
LG Household & Health Care Ltd. | 8,540 | | 1,223,741 |
LIG Non-Life Insurance Co. Ltd. | 25,280 | | 295,282 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Korea (South) - continued |
MegaStudy Co. Ltd. | 10,727 | | $ 1,209,551 |
Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd. | 276,710 | | 1,018,977 |
NHN Corp. (a) | 16,102 | | 1,718,907 |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | 17,651 | | 7,464,568 |
Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd. | 86,860 | | 2,119,688 |
Taewoong Co. Ltd. | 29,639 | | 1,447,788 |
TOTAL KOREA (SOUTH) | | 22,963,244 |
Lebanon - 0.2% |
Solidere GDR | 31,800 | | 675,750 |
Luxembourg - 0.6% |
Evraz Group SA GDR | 36,093 | | 555,832 |
MHP SA: | | | |
GDR (a)(e) | 58,900 | | 235,600 |
GDR (Reg. S) | 23,000 | | 92,000 |
Millicom International Cellular SA | 23,400 | | 936,000 |
TOTAL LUXEMBOURG | | 1,819,432 |
Malaysia - 1.2% |
DiGi.com Bhd | 314,700 | | 1,637,341 |
KNM Group Bhd | 2,487,750 | | 421,839 |
Parkson Holdings Bhd | 1,190 | | 1,129 |
Public Bank Bhd | 561,400 | | 1,334,079 |
TOTAL MALAYSIA | | 3,394,388 |
Mexico - 3.4% |
America Movil SAB de CV Series L sponsored ADR | 171,900 | | 5,318,586 |
Banco Compartamos SA de CV | 131,800 | | 223,896 |
Cemex SA de CV sponsored ADR (d) | 165,400 | | 1,250,424 |
Fomento Economico Mexicano SA de CV sponsored ADR | 10,800 | | 273,132 |
Grupo Financiero Banorte SA de CV Series O | 964,800 | | 1,767,052 |
Urbi, Desarrollos Urbanos, SA de CV (a) | 509,500 | | 763,459 |
TOTAL MEXICO | | 9,596,549 |
Netherlands - 0.1% |
New World Resources BV | 32,200 | | 159,643 |
Nigeria - 0.2% |
Guaranty Trust Bank PLC: | | | |
(Reg. S) unit | 88,363 | | 485,997 |
sponsored GDR (e) | 34,472 | | 189,596 |
TOTAL NIGERIA | | 675,593 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Oman - 0.4% |
BankMuscat SAOG sponsored GDR | 128,270 | | $ 1,180,084 |
Panama - 0.2% |
Intergroup Financial Services Corp. | 34,997 | | 384,967 |
Intergroup Financial Services Corp. (a)(e) | 16,076 | | 176,836 |
TOTAL PANAMA | | 561,803 |
Papua New Guinea - 0.3% |
Oil Search Ltd. | 257,719 | | 780,374 |
Peru - 0.4% |
Compania de Minas Buenaventura SA sponsored ADR | 83,689 | | 1,057,829 |
Philippines - 0.3% |
Ayala Corp. | 62,496 | | 298,240 |
Megaworld Corp. | 4,353,000 | | 69,541 |
Security Bank Corp. | 230,000 | | 183,717 |
SM Investments Corp. | 101,094 | | 409,966 |
TOTAL PHILIPPINES | | 961,464 |
Poland - 0.8% |
Kopex SA (a) | 1,234 | | 5,356 |
Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank SA | 172,700 | | 1,936,449 |
Trakcja Polska SA | 100,053 | | 167,919 |
TOTAL POLAND | | 2,109,724 |
Romania - 0.0% |
Banca Transilvania SA (a) | 18 | | 16 |
Russia - 8.8% |
Bank St. Petersburg OJSC | 263,700 | | 329,625 |
Comstar United TeleSystems OJSC GDR (Reg. S) | 71,400 | | 199,206 |
LSR Group OJSC (a) | 10,200 | | 91,800 |
Lukoil Oil Co. sponsored ADR | 78,853 | | 3,059,496 |
Magnit OJSC GDR (Reg. S) (a) | 46,400 | | 208,800 |
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC sponsored ADR | 46,700 | | 1,828,305 |
OAO Gazprom sponsored ADR | 433,084 | | 8,856,570 |
OAO NOVATEK GDR | 27,807 | | 1,098,377 |
OAO Raspadskaya | 202,000 | | 424,200 |
OAO TMK | 96,800 | | 193,600 |
OJSC Rosneft unit | 154,800 | | 712,080 |
Pharmstandard OJSC unit (a) | 26,200 | | 419,200 |
Rosinter Restaurants Holding (a) | 13,200 | | 369,600 |
Sberbank (Savings Bank of the Russian Federation) | 1,239,700 | | 1,289,288 |
Sberbank (Savings Bank of the Russian Federation) GDR | 3,300 | | 605,272 |
Uralkali JSC | 185,600 | | 853,760 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Russia - continued |
Uralkali JSC GDR (Reg. S) | 38,200 | | $ 797,998 |
Vimpel Communications sponsored ADR | 151,300 | | 2,193,850 |
VSMPO-Avisma Corp. | 900 | | 49,500 |
Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods OJSC sponsored ADR (a)(d) | 25,925 | | 1,139,145 |
TOTAL RUSSIA | | 24,719,672 |
Singapore - 0.2% |
Straits Asia Resources Ltd. | 854,000 | | 568,961 |
Slovenia - 0.1% |
Nova Kreditna banka Maribor d.d. | 8,959 | | 160,725 |
South Africa - 9.7% |
African Bank Investments Ltd. | 540,247 | | 1,470,887 |
African Rainbow Minerals Ltd. | 101,226 | | 1,025,729 |
Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd. | 487,035 | | 1,694,902 |
Aveng Ltd. | 278,100 | | 1,366,020 |
Bell Equipment Ltd. | 91,637 | | 131,312 |
Exxaro Resources Ltd. | 229,512 | | 1,512,853 |
FirstRand Ltd. | 1,312,873 | | 1,879,948 |
Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. sponsored ADR (a) | 151,200 | | 1,105,272 |
Illovo Sugar Ltd. | 329,200 | | 727,812 |
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. | 161,164 | | 1,664,427 |
Mr. Price Group Ltd. | 619,300 | | 1,521,310 |
MTN Group Ltd. | 451,802 | | 5,040,575 |
Murray & Roberts Holdings Ltd. | 267,128 | | 1,804,003 |
Northam Platinum Ltd. | 107,950 | | 336,998 |
Raubex Group Ltd. | 476,960 | | 1,232,676 |
Sasol Ltd. | 52,000 | | 1,535,517 |
Sasol Ltd. sponsored ADR | 67,800 | | 1,961,454 |
Shoprite Holdings Ltd. | 209,900 | | 1,106,433 |
TOTAL SOUTH AFRICA | | 27,118,128 |
Switzerland - 0.2% |
Orascom Development Holding AG | 16,833 | | 483,855 |
Taiwan - 5.4% |
Acer, Inc. | 732,000 | | 953,142 |
Asia Cement Corp. | 857,540 | | 504,359 |
China Steel Corp. | 2,555,767 | | 1,863,459 |
First Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | 4,424,784 | | 2,085,960 |
Fubon Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | 2,702,000 | | 1,638,320 |
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. (Foxconn) | 1,305,716 | | 3,166,812 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Taiwan - continued |
HTC Corp. | 249,900 | | $ 2,981,223 |
Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Ltd. | 1,988,379 | | 2,043,536 |
TOTAL TAIWAN | | 15,236,811 |
Thailand - 1.8% |
Mermaid Maritime PLC | 56,000 | | 12,108 |
Minor International PCL (For. Reg.) | 4,644,694 | | 1,017,506 |
PTT Exploration & Production PCL (For. Reg.) | 603,000 | | 1,504,696 |
Siam Commercial Bank PCL (For. Reg.) | 1,250,700 | | 1,941,511 |
Total Access Communication PCL: | | | |
unit | 234,100 | | 167,316 |
(For. Reg.) | 447,100 | | 317,836 |
TOTAL THAILAND | | 4,960,973 |
Turkey - 3.4% |
Anadolu Efes Biracilik ve Malt Sanyii AS | 313,646 | | 2,641,572 |
Asya Katilim Bankasi AS | 1,351,632 | | 1,182,147 |
Bagfas Bandirma Gubre Fabrikalari AS | 14,609 | | 700,376 |
Enka Insaat ve Sanayi AS | 318,253 | | 1,185,549 |
Tupras-Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS | 157,650 | | 1,991,626 |
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS (a) | 1,090,375 | | 1,780,146 |
TOTAL TURKEY | | 9,481,416 |
United Arab Emirates - 0.0% |
Depa Ltd. GDR (a)(e) | 23,200 | | 74,240 |
United Kingdom - 0.7% |
Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. PLC | 85,900 | | 429,569 |
Randgold Resources Ltd. sponsored ADR | 30,500 | | 945,805 |
Sibir Energy PLC (a) | 128,286 | | 510,413 |
TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM | | 1,885,787 |
United States of America - 0.8% |
Central European Distribution Corp. (a)(d) | 28,500 | | 820,515 |
CTC Media, Inc. (a) | 122,796 | | 908,690 |
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. Class B | 19,500 | | 567,450 |
TOTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | | 2,296,655 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $428,449,237) | 263,567,143 |
Nonconvertible Preferred Stocks - 0.1% |
| Shares | | Value |
Brazil - 0.1% |
Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA - Usiminas (PN-A) (non-vtg.) (Cost $1,210,046) | 29,400 | | $ 376,296 |
Convertible Bonds - 0.0% |
| Principal Amount (h) | | |
Brazil - 0.0% |
Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais 8.55% 6/1/13 (f)(g) (Cost $35,369) | BRL | 555 | | 14,053 |
Money Market Funds - 7.1% |
| Shares | | |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) | 12,246,623 | | 12,246,623 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund, 2.67% (b)(c) | 7,617,448 | | 7,617,448 |
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $19,864,071) | 19,864,071 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 101.4% (Cost $449,558,723) | | 283,821,563 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - (1.4)% | | (3,869,102) |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 279,952,461 |
Currency Abbreviation |
BRL | - | Brazilian real |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities on loan. |
(d) Security or a portion of the security is on loan at period end. |
(e) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At the end of the period, the value of these securities amounted to $1,386,153 or 0.5% of net assets. |
(f) The coupon rate shown on floating or adjustable rate securities represents the rate at period end. |
(g) Restricted securities - Investment in securities not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (excluding 144A issues). At the end of the period, the value of restricted securities (excluding 144A issues) amounted to $14,053 or 0.0% of net assets. |
Additional information on each holding is as follows: |
Security | Acquisition Date | Acquisition Cost |
Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais 8.55% 6/1/13 | 8/22/07 | $ 35,369 |
(h) Principal amount is stated in United States dollar unless otherwise noted. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 760,590 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 74,665 |
Total | $ 835,255 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $85,343,420 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value (including securities loaned of $7,479,369) - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $429,694,652) | $ 263,957,492 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $19,864,071) | 19,864,071 | |
Total Investments (cost $449,558,723) | | $ 283,821,563 |
Foreign currency held at value (cost $59,160) | | 59,358 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 2,549,164 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 1,305,269 |
Dividends receivable | | 1,078,374 |
Interest receivable | | 8 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 27,701 |
Prepaid expenses | | 121 |
Receivable from investment adviser for expense reductions | | 644 |
Other receivables | | 137,903 |
Total assets | | 288,980,105 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 73,675 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 721,085 | |
Accrued management fee | 202,441 | |
Distribution fees payable | 104,187 | |
Other affiliated payables | 126,613 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 182,195 | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | 7,617,448 | |
Total liabilities | | 9,027,644 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 279,952,461 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 534,668,370 |
Undistributed net investment income | | 2,102,934 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (91,004,265) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (165,814,578) |
Net Assets | | $ 279,952,461 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($122,910,990 ÷ 9,762,992 shares) | | $ 12.59 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $12.59) | | $ 13.36 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($47,300,423 ÷ 3,786,917 shares) | | $ 12.49 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $12.49) | | $ 12.94 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($17,306,824 ÷ 1,412,106 shares)A | | $ 12.26 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($44,877,660 ÷ 3,661,454 shares)A | | $ 12.26 |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($47,556,564 ÷ 3,741,801 shares) | | $ 12.71 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 13,695,630 |
Interest | | 7,995 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 835,255 |
| | 14,538,880 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (1,281,372) |
Total income | | 13,257,508 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee | $ 4,337,958 | |
Transfer agent fees | 1,602,439 | |
Distribution fees | 2,447,696 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 274,258 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 592,592 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 2,361 | |
Registration fees | 130,171 | |
Audit | 80,413 | |
Legal | 2,445 | |
Miscellaneous | 96,017 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 9,566,350 | |
Expense reductions | (292,166) | 9,274,184 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 3,983,324 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes of $147,836) | (90,430,495) | |
Foreign currency transactions | (277,313) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (90,707,808) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities (net of decrease in deferred foreign taxes of $1,018,814) | (350,426,749) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (119,718) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (350,546,467) |
Net gain (loss) | | (441,254,275) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (437,270,951) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 3,983,324 | $ 283,224 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (90,707,808) | 14,302,889 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (350,546,467) | 159,302,591 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (437,270,951) | 173,888,704 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (301,021) | (135,949) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (13,232,310) | - |
Total distributions | (13,533,331) | (135,949) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | 193,633,537 | 182,659,550 |
Redemption fees | 397,808 | 114,351 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (256,772,937) | 356,526,656 |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 536,725,398 | 180,198,742 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $2,102,934 and undistributed net investment income of $147,275, respectively) | $ 279,952,461 | $ 536,725,398 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 H |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 32.75 | $ 19.22 | $ 13.75 | $ 9.87 | $ 10.00 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) E | .24 | .09 | .09 | .12 | .02 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (19.61) | 13.46 | 5.47 | 3.75 | (.16) |
Total from investment operations | (19.37) | 13.55 | 5.56 | 3.87 | (.14) |
Distributions from net investment income | (.02) | (.03) | (.11) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.79) | - | - | - | - |
Total distributions | (.81) | (.03) | (.11) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital E | .02 | .01 | .02 | .01 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.59 | $ 32.75 | $ 19.22 | $ 13.75 | $ 9.87 |
Total Return B,C,D | (60.55)% | 70.63% | 40.75% | 39.31% | (1.30)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets F,I | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.59% | 1.59% | 1.84% | 3.15% | 10.75% A |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.59% | 1.59% | 1.60% | 1.63% | 2.00% A |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.53% | 1.54% | 1.49% | 1.52% | 1.91% A |
Net investment income (loss) | .94% | .36% | .51% | .95% | .28% A |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 122,911 | $ 218,836 | $ 68,232 | $ 9,617 | $ 1,178 |
Portfolio turnover rate G | 61% | 48% | 48% | 54% | 101% A |
A Annualized
B Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
C Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
D Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
E Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
F Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
G Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
H For the period March 29, 2004 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2004.
I Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expense ratios before reductions for start-up periods may not be representative of longer-term operating periods. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 H |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 32.52 | $ 19.10 | $ 13.69 | $ 9.86 | $ 10.00 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) E | .17 | .03 | .05 | .09 | - J |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (19.48) | 13.38 | 5.43 | 3.73 | (.15) |
Total from investment operations | (19.31) | 13.41 | 5.48 | 3.82 | (.15) |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.09) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.74) | - | - | - | - |
Total distributions | (.74) | - | (.09) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital E | .02 | .01 | .02 | .01 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.49 | $ 32.52 | $ 19.10 | $ 13.69 | $ 9.86 |
Total Return B,C,D | (60.66)% | 70.26% | 40.32% | 38.84% | (1.40)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets F,I | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.84% | 1.86% | 2.12% | 3.53% | 11.13% A |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.84% | 1.85% | 1.85% | 1.89% | 2.25% A |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.79% | 1.79% | 1.74% | 1.77% | 2.16% A |
Net investment income (loss) | .69% | .11% | .26% | .70% | .03% A |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 47,300 | $ 119,952 | $ 41,369 | $ 6,801 | $ 889 |
Portfolio turnover rate G | 61% | 48% | 48% | 54% | 101% A |
A Annualized
B Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
C Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
D Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
E Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
F Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
G Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
H For the period March 29, 2004 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2004.
I Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expense ratios before reductions for start-up periods may not be representative of longer-term operating periods. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
J Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 H |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 32.03 | $ 18.91 | $ 13.58 | $ 9.83 | $ 10.00 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) E | .04 | (.09) | (.04) | .02 | (.03) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (19.13) | 13.20 | 5.40 | 3.72 | (.15) |
Total from investment operations | (19.09) | 13.11 | 5.36 | 3.74 | (.18) |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.05) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.70) | - | - | - | - |
Total distributions | (.70) | - | (.05) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital E | .02 | .01 | .02 | .01 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.26 | $ 32.03 | $ 18.91 | $ 13.58 | $ 9.83 |
Total Return B,C,D | (60.83)% | 69.38% | 39.67% | 38.15% | (1.70)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets F,I | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.35% | 2.37% | 2.66% | 4.00% | 11.49% A |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.35% | 2.35% | 2.35% | 2.39% | 2.75% A |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.30% | 2.29% | 2.24% | 2.27% | 2.67% A |
Net investment income (loss) | .18% | (.39)% | (.24)% | .20% | (.47)% A |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 17,307 | $ 41,042 | $ 18,622 | $ 4,997 | $ 719 |
Portfolio turnover rate G | 61% | 48% | 48% | 54% | 101% A |
A Annualized
B Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
C Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
D Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
E Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
F Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
G Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
H For the period March 29, 2004 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2004.
I Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expense ratios before reductions for start-up periods may not be representative of longer-term operating periods. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 H |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 32.04 | $ 18.91 | $ 13.59 | $ 9.83 | $ 10.00 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) E | .05 | (.09) | (.04) | .02 | (.03) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (19.15) | 13.21 | 5.39 | 3.73 | (.15) |
Total from investment operations | (19.10) | 13.12 | 5.35 | 3.75 | (.18) |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.05) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.70) | - | - | - | - |
Total distributions | (.70) | - | (.05) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital E | .02 | .01 | .02 | .01 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.26 | $ 32.04 | $ 18.91 | $ 13.59 | $ 9.83 |
Total Return B,C,D | (60.84)% | 69.43% | 39.59% | 38.25% | (1.70)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets F,I | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.34% | 2.34% | 2.58% | 4.09% | 11.58% A |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.34% | 2.34% | 2.35% | 2.39% | 2.75% A |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.29% | 2.29% | 2.24% | 2.28% | 2.66% A |
Net investment income (loss) | .19% | (.39)% | (.24)% | .19% | (.47)% A |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 44,878 | $ 104,885 | $ 42,805 | $ 5,890 | $ 1,105 |
Portfolio turnover rate G | 61% | 48% | 48% | 54% | 101% A |
A Annualized
B Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
C Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
D Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
E Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
F Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
G Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
H For the period March 29, 2004 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2004.
I Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expense ratios before reductions for start-up periods may not be representative of longer-term operating periods. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 G |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 33.02 | $ 19.34 | $ 13.80 | $ 9.89 | $ 10.00 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) D | .31 | .18 | .14 | .14 | .03 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (19.76) | 13.55 | 5.49 | 3.76 | (.15) |
Total from investment operations | (19.45) | 13.73 | 5.63 | 3.90 | (.12) |
Distributions from net investment income | (.09) | (.06) | (.11) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.79) | - | - | - | - |
Total distributions | (.88) | (.06) | (.11) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital D | .02 | .01 | .02 | .01 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.71 | $ 33.02 | $ 19.34 | $ 13.80 | $ 9.89 |
Total Return B,C | (60.42)% | 71.23% | 41.11% | 39.53% | (1.10)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets E,H | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.27% | 1.25% | 1.47% | 3.05% | 10.37% A |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.27% | 1.25% | 1.35% | 1.41% | 1.75% A |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.21% | 1.19% | 1.24% | 1.30% | 1.66% A |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.26% | .71% | .75% | 1.17% | .53% A |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 47,557 | $ 52,011 | $ 9,172 | $ 1,610 | $ 529 |
Portfolio turnover rate F | 61% | 48% | 48% | 54% | 101% A |
A Annualized
B Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
C Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
D Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
E Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
G For the period March 29, 2004 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2004.
H Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expense ratios before reductions for start-up periods may not be representative of longer-term operating periods. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class. The Fund's investments in emerging markets can be subject to social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties and can be extremely volatile.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Debt securities, including restricted securities, are valued by independent pricing services or by dealers who make markets in such securities. Pricing services consider yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type as well as dealer supplied prices. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund estimates the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Fund will claim a portion of the payment made to redeeming shareholders as a distribution for income tax purposes.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, certain foreign taxes, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC) and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 11,012,947 |
Unrealized depreciation | (182,488,363) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (171,475,416) |
Undistributed ordinary income | 2,100,770 |
Capital loss carryforward | (85,343,420) |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 455,296,979 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 1,228,381 | $ 135,949 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 12,304,950 | - |
Total | $ 13,533,331 | $ 135,949 |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 90 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.50% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $495,956,697 and $310,101,583, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .55% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. For the period, the total annual management fee rate was .81% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period,
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Distribution and Service Plan - continued
the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | -% | .25% | $ 577,261 | $ 83,160 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 523,140 | 23,399 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 361,407 | 271,724 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 985,888 | 382,984 |
| | | $ 2,447,696 | $ 761,267 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 221,505 |
Class T | 41,780 |
Class B* | 84,675 |
Class C* | 50,250 |
| $ 398,210 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Transfer Agent Fees - continued
For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 702,757 | .31 |
Class T | 322,353 | .31 |
Class B | 115,214 | .32 |
Class C | 302,107 | .31 |
Institutional Class | 160,008 | .24 |
| $ 1,602,439 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $68 for the period.
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $1,078 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation
Annual Report
8. Security Lending - continued
to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. The value of loaned securities and cash collateral at period end are disclosed on the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $74,665.
9. Expense Reductions.
FMR voluntarily agreed to reimburse each class to the extent annual operating expenses exceeded certain levels of average net assets as noted in the table below. Some expenses, for example interest expense, including commitment fees, are excluded from this reimbursement.
The following classes were in reimbursement during the period:
| Expense Limitations | Reimbursement from adviser |
| | |
Class B | 2.35% | $ 644 |
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $290,686 for the period. In addition, through arrangements with the Fund's custodian and each class' transfer agent, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses. During the period, these credits reduced the Fund's custody expenses by $168. During the period, credits reduced each class' transfer agent expense as noted in the table below.
| Transfer Agent expense reduction |
| |
Institutional Class | $ 668 |
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
10. Other - continued
performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $3, which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 145,463 | $ 107,461 |
Institutional Class | 155,558 | 28,488 |
Total | $ 301,021 | $ 135,949 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 5,708,988 | $ - |
Class T | 2,804,174 | - |
Class B | 932,421 | - |
Class C | 2,429,913 | - |
Institutional Class | 1,356,814 | - |
Total | $ 13,232,310 | $ - |
Annual Report
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 7,504,990 | 4,642,561 | $ 195,725,070 | $ 115,951,246 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 176,530 | 4,531 | 5,408,863 | 93,931 |
Shares redeemed | (4,599,563) | (1,516,681) | (103,530,172) | (35,427,581) |
Net increase (decrease) | 3,081,957 | 3,130,411 | $ 97,603,761 | $ 80,617,596 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 2,371,937 | 2,453,317 | $ 61,265,742 | $ 60,760,054 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 87,947 | - | 2,678,879 | - |
Shares redeemed | (2,361,671) | (930,237) | (55,099,385) | (21,865,345) |
Net increase (decrease) | 98,213 | 1,523,080 | $ 8,845,236 | $ 38,894,709 |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 592,288 | 569,930 | $ 15,528,094 | $ 13,827,872 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 27,094 | - | 813,622 | - |
Shares redeemed | (488,434) | (273,651) | (11,089,482) | (6,330,619) |
Net increase (decrease) | 130,948 | 296,279 | $ 5,252,234 | $ 7,497,253 |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 2,148,857 | 1,627,896 | $ 56,222,968 | $ 39,785,213 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 66,964 | - | 2,010,918 | - |
Shares redeemed | (1,828,365) | (617,626) | (38,999,955) | (14,265,294) |
Net increase (decrease) | 387,456 | 1,010,270 | $ 19,233,931 | $ 25,519,919 |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 4,063,163 | 1,365,554 | $ 98,616,483 | $ 36,368,938 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 30,004 | 877 | 925,013 | 18,267 |
Shares redeemed | (1,926,467) | (265,597) | (36,843,121) | (6,257,132) |
Net increase (decrease) | 2,166,700 | 1,100,834 | $ 62,698,375 | $ 30,130,073 |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Fund (the Fund), a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII, including the schedule of investments, as of October 31, 2008, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended and for the period from March 29, 2004 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2004. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2008, by correspondence with the custodians and brokers where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Fund as of October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended and for the period from March 29, 2004 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 19, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008- present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004-2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
Class A & T designate 100% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Class A | 12/10/2007 | $.155 | $.0496 |
Class T | 12/10/2007 | $.093 | $.0496 |
Shareholder Notification:
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Emerging Markets Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. Because the fund had been in existence less than five calendar years, the following charts considered by the Board show, over the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class C of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a peer group of mutual funds identified by Morningstar, Inc. as having an investment style similar to that of the fund based on underlying portfolio holdings. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class C show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor Emerging Markets Fund
![fid386](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid386.gif)
The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the first quartile for all the periods shown. The Board also stated that the investment performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund compared favorably to its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month (or shorter) periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG%" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG% of 15% means that 85% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Emerging Markets Fund
![fid388](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid388.gif)
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of each of Class A, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class ranked below its competitive median for 2007, and the total expenses of Class T ranked above its competitive median for 2007. The Board considered that the total expenses for Class T were above the median primarily because its 12b-1 fee is higher than the typical front-end load class. The Board noted that the fund offers multiple classes, each of which has a different sales load and 12b-1 fee structure, and that the multiple structures are intended to offer a range of pricing options for the intermediary market. The Board also noted that the total expenses of the classes vary primarily by the level of their 12b-1 fees, although differences in transfer agent fees may also cause expenses to vary from class to class.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable, although in one case above the median of the universe presented for comparison, in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
Annual Report
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd.
FIL Investment Advisors
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
JPMorgan Chase Bank
New York, NY
FAEM-UANN-1208
1.809005.104
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Emerging Markets
Fund - Institutional Class
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to the financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Life of FundA |
Institutional Class | -60.42% | 6.23% |
A From March 29, 2004.
$10,000 Over Life of Fund
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Emerging Markets Fund - Institutional Class on March 29, 2004, when the fund started. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI® Emerging Markets Index performed over the same period.
![fid404](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid404.gif)
Annual Report
Comments from Robert von Rekowsky, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Emerging Markets Fund
Stocks across the emerging-markets universe suffered steep losses during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008. In that time, the MSCI® Emerging Markets Index fell 56.22%. All three of the benchmark's primary regions - Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), Latin America, and Asia ex Australia and New Zealand - declined by more than 50%. In EMEA, major benchmark component Russia saw its market tumble by more than 62%, while Brazil - representing the benchmark's largest weighting during the period, on average, at almost 15% - finished with a setback of more than 53%. In both cases, falling commodity prices triggered by slowing global economies had a negative impact on share prices. Meanwhile, South Korea, the second-largest benchmark component, experienced a nearly 60% drop. Chinese stocks also were hard-hit, down roughly 67%. Asian emerging markets suffered in part due to concerns about slowing exports in the wake of decelerating economic growth in the United States and Europe, as the U.S. credit crisis continued to worsen and expand its reach abroad.
During the past year, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares returned -60.55%, -60.66%, -60.83% and -60.84%, respectively (excluding sales charges), trailing the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Stock selection detracted, particularly in Taiwan, South Korea, Brazil and Mexico. On a sector basis, the most damage was done through stock picking in consumer discretionary, financials, telecommunication services, energy and materials. Underweighting Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, a benchmark component, detracted from the fund's results. An industry leader in a defensive sector, Teva was more resistant to the selling pressure than most other stocks. Similar comments apply to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Other detractors included Brazilian steel producer Siderurgica Nacional; Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom, a benchmark constituent the fund didn't own that actually posted a small gain; wireless carrier China Mobile; and Russian natural gas producer and distributor Gazprom. Conversely, an above-average cash position was beneficial. Although fertilizer holding Israel Chemicals posted a loss, it managed to significantly outperform the benchmark. Another fertilizer stock, Russia-based Uralkali, also helped, as did underweighting and ultimately selling weak-performing benchmark component PetroChina. Egypt-based Orascom Construction, an out-of-benchmark holding, contributed as well. Many stocks I've mentioned were sold by period end.
During the past year, the fund's Institutional Class shares returned -60.42%, trailing the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Stock selection detracted, particularly in Taiwan, South Korea, Brazil and Mexico. On a sector basis, the most damage was done through stock picking in consumer discretionary, financials, telecommunication services, energy and materials. Underweighting Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, a benchmark component, detracted from the fund's results. An industry leader in a defensive sector, Teva was more resistant to the selling pressure than most other stocks. Similar comments apply to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Other detractors included Brazilian steel producer Siderurgica Nacional; Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom, a benchmark constituent the fund didn't own that actually posted a small gain; wireless carrier China Mobile; and Russian natural gas producer and distributor Gazprom. Conversely, an above-average cash position was beneficial. Although fertilizer holding Israel Chemicals posted a loss, it managed to significantly outperform the benchmark. Another fertilizer stock, Russia-based Uralkali, also helped, as did underweighting and ultimately selling weak-performing benchmark component PetroChina. Egypt-based Orascom Construction, an out-of-benchmark holding, contributed as well. Many stocks I've mentioned were sold by period end.
Annual Report
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Annual Report
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.58% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 446.60 | $ 5.75 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.19 | $ 8.01 |
Class T | 1.83% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 445.90 | $ 6.65 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,015.94 | $ 9.27 |
Class B | 2.35% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 445.00 | $ 8.54 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.32 | $ 11.89 |
Class C | 2.34% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 445.00 | $ 8.50 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.37 | $ 11.84 |
Institutional Class | 1.27% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 447.20 | $ 4.62 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,018.75 | $ 6.44 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Five Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras (PN) (non-vtg.) (Brazil, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 3.8 | 4.7 |
OAO Gazprom sponsored ADR (Russia, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 3.2 | 3.9 |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (PN-A) sponsored ADR (Brazil, Metals & Mining) | 2.9 | 3.3 |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Korea (South), Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment) | 2.7 | 3.1 |
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Ltd. (Hong Kong, Wireless Telecommunication Services) | 2.2 | 3.5 |
| 14.8 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Financials | 23.5 | 21.0 |
Energy | 16.3 | 20.0 |
Materials | 11.5 | 16.9 |
Information Technology | 10.1 | 8.3 |
Telecommunication Services | 10.1 | 9.0 |
Top Five Countries as of October 31, 2008 |
(excluding cash equivalents) | % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Brazil | 14.9 | 13.9 |
South Africa | 9.7 | 6.6 |
Russia | 8.8 | 12.6 |
Korea (South) | 8.2 | 11.3 |
China | 6.3 | 5.1 |
Percentages are adjusted for the effect of open futures contracts, if applicable. |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks and Investment Companies 94.3% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks and Investment Companies 94.8% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 5.7% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 5.2% | |
![fid410](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid410.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 94.2% |
| Shares | | Value |
Australia - 0.1% |
Sino Gold Mining Ltd. (a) | 98,494 | | $ 226,742 |
Austria - 0.3% |
Erste Bank AG | 15,200 | | 405,232 |
Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG (d) | 11,774 | | 370,497 |
TOTAL AUSTRIA | | 775,729 |
Bahrain - 0.5% |
Gulf Finance House BSC: | | | |
(Reg. S) unit | 50,000 | | 850,000 |
GDR (e) | 32,010 | | 544,170 |
TOTAL BAHRAIN | | 1,394,170 |
Bermuda - 1.3% |
Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (Australia) | 183,258 | | 362,190 |
Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. Class A (a) | 14,800 | | 395,308 |
Credicorp Ltd. (NY Shares) | 36,000 | | 1,413,720 |
Dufry South America Ltd. unit | 60,747 | | 373,318 |
Ports Design Ltd. | 558,500 | | 649,299 |
West Siberian Resources Ltd. SDR (a) | 910,000 | | 367,974 |
TOTAL BERMUDA | | 3,561,809 |
Brazil - 14.8% |
America Latina Logistica SA unit | 144,100 | | 664,503 |
Anhanguera Educacional Participacoes SA unit | 52,371 | | 387,180 |
Banco Bradesco SA: | | | |
(PN) | 189,600 | | 2,177,045 |
(PN) sponsored ADR | 231,800 | | 2,712,060 |
Banco Daycoval SA (PN) | 114,500 | | 285,694 |
Banco do Brasil SA | 260,100 | | 1,718,617 |
Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais | 1,600 | | 10,128 |
Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais (CEMIG) (PN) sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 122,700 | | 1,866,267 |
Companhia Siderurgica Nacional SA (CSN) sponsored ADR | 166,200 | | 2,260,320 |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (PN-A) sponsored ADR | 702,800 | | 8,229,788 |
GVT Holding SA (a) | 82,200 | | 894,469 |
Localiza Rent a Car SA | 284,800 | | 1,105,406 |
MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA | 86,400 | | 447,530 |
Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA (a) | 49,400 | | 248,575 |
Net Servicos de Comunicacao SA sponsored ADR | 272,166 | | 1,779,966 |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras: | | | |
(PN) (non-vtg.) | 540,400 | | 5,827,990 |
(PN) sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 221,300 | | 4,884,091 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Brazil - continued |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras: - continued | | | |
sponsored ADR | 27,800 | | $ 747,542 |
Redecard SA | 139,500 | | 1,515,408 |
SLC Agricola SA | 300 | | 1,553 |
Uniao de Bancos Brasileiros SA (Unibanco): | | | |
unit | 115,500 | | 715,137 |
GDR | 27,730 | | 1,749,208 |
Votorantim Celulose e Papel SA sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 121,800 | | 1,228,962 |
TOTAL BRAZIL | | 41,457,439 |
British Virgin Islands - 0.0% |
Thunderbird Resorts, Inc. (a)(e) | 27,300 | | 95,550 |
Titanium Resources Group Ltd. (a) | 31,700 | | 4,285 |
TOTAL BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS | | 99,835 |
Canada - 0.2% |
Addax Petroleum, Inc. | 7,900 | | 117,930 |
Addax Petroleum, Inc. (e) | 4,700 | | 70,161 |
SouthGobi Energy Resources Ltd. (a) | 42,400 | | 295,372 |
TOTAL CANADA | | 483,463 |
Cayman Islands - 1.1% |
Chaoda Modern Agriculture (Holdings) Ltd. | 2,365,218 | | 1,666,348 |
China Aoyuan Property Group Ltd. | 45,000 | | 4,142 |
China Dongxiang Group Co. Ltd. | 2,101,000 | | 618,097 |
Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. sponsored ADR (a) | 19,600 | | 343,000 |
The United Laboratories International Holdings Ltd. | 916,000 | | 217,439 |
Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. ADR (a)(d) | 71,400 | | 376,278 |
TOTAL CAYMAN ISLANDS | | 3,225,304 |
China - 6.3% |
China Coal Energy Co. Ltd. (H Shares) | 1,400,300 | | 849,283 |
China Construction Bank Corp. (H Shares) | 9,901,000 | | 4,911,648 |
China Gas Holdings Ltd. | 2,432,000 | | 200,189 |
China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd. (H Shares) | 1,459,000 | | 2,235,243 |
China South Locomotive & Rolling Stock Corp. Ltd. (H Shares) | 1,967,000 | | 712,111 |
China Yurun Food Group Ltd. | 497,000 | | 590,713 |
Golden Eagle Retail Group Ltd. (H Shares) | 1,077,000 | | 563,081 |
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China | 10,968,000 | | 5,160,636 |
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd. (H Shares) | 390,500 | | 1,670,051 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
China - continued |
Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Co. (B Shares) | 54,990 | | $ 170,880 |
ZTE Corp. (H Shares) | 229,200 | | 518,264 |
TOTAL CHINA | | 17,582,099 |
Cyprus - 0.1% |
Mirland Development Corp. PLC (a) | 116,815 | | 150,714 |
XXI Century Investments Public Ltd. (a) | 54,500 | | 28,387 |
TOTAL CYPRUS | | 179,101 |
Czech Republic - 2.5% |
Ceske Energeticke Zavody AS | 90,800 | | 3,929,252 |
Komercni Banka AS | 12,893 | | 1,933,556 |
Philip Morris CR AS | 3,894 | | 1,081,638 |
TOTAL CZECH REPUBLIC | | 6,944,446 |
Egypt - 1.3% |
Commercial International Bank Ltd. sponsored GDR | 255,133 | | 1,135,342 |
Eastern Tobacco Co. | 23,500 | | 909,180 |
Orascom Construction Industries SAE GDR | 16,744 | | 1,121,848 |
Telecom Egypt SAE | 145,400 | | 351,680 |
TOTAL EGYPT | | 3,518,050 |
Georgia - 0.1% |
Bank of Georgia unit (a) | 27,800 | | 193,210 |
Hong Kong - 4.7% |
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Ltd. | 689,700 | | 6,071,608 |
China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd. | 1,085,700 | | 2,121,832 |
CNOOC Ltd. | 3,887,000 | | 3,191,516 |
CNOOC Ltd. sponsored ADR (d) | 6,000 | | 490,140 |
CNPC (Hong Kong) Ltd. | 4,001,000 | | 1,226,725 |
REXCAPITAL Financial Holdings Ltd. (a) | 6,970,000 | | 128,797 |
TOTAL HONG KONG | | 13,230,618 |
India - 6.3% |
Axis Bank Ltd. | 61,800 | | 717,800 |
Axis Bank Ltd. GDR (Reg. S) | 48,700 | | 584,400 |
Bank of India | 191,000 | | 949,688 |
Bharti Airtel Ltd. (a) | 92,625 | | 1,254,160 |
Educomp Solutions Ltd. | 12,200 | | 570,761 |
Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd. | 76,954 | | 2,801,022 |
Indian Overseas Bank | 393,954 | | 604,940 |
Infosys Technologies Ltd. sponsored ADR (d) | 115,200 | | 3,377,664 |
Larsen & Toubro Ltd. | 78,830 | | 1,317,655 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
India - continued |
Reliance Industries Ltd. | 35,268 | | $ 1,002,495 |
Rolta India Ltd. | 276,737 | | 1,061,149 |
Satyam Computer Services Ltd. | 205,229 | | 1,297,513 |
Sintex Industries Ltd. | 150,364 | | 457,444 |
Tata Power Co. Ltd. | 108,229 | | 1,544,710 |
TOTAL INDIA | | 17,541,401 |
Indonesia - 2.3% |
PT Bayan Resources Tbk | 1,756,500 | | 271,263 |
PT Astra International Tbk | 1,236,000 | | 1,038,380 |
PT Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk | 2,375,500 | | 343,906 |
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk | 5,007,500 | | 1,546,317 |
PT Bumi Resources Tbk | 9,438,500 | | 1,235,750 |
PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk Series B | 13,635,200 | | 1,732,995 |
PT Telkomunikasi Indonesia Tbk: | | | |
Series B | 323,000 | | 163,090 |
sponsored ADR (d) | 11,000 | | 220,440 |
TOTAL INDONESIA | | 6,552,141 |
Ireland - 0.1% |
Dragon Oil PLC (a) | 75,515 | | 195,361 |
Israel - 4.3% |
Cellcom Israel Ltd. | 45,100 | | 1,328,646 |
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (a) | 115,700 | | 2,339,454 |
Israel Chemicals Ltd. | 389,100 | | 3,771,722 |
Orpak Systems Ltd. | 19,400 | | 31,797 |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. sponsored ADR | 105,800 | | 4,536,704 |
TOTAL ISRAEL | | 12,008,323 |
Kazakhstan - 0.5% |
JSC Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan unit | 102,990 | | 437,708 |
KazMunaiGas Exploration & Production JSC (Reg. S) GDR | 74,077 | | 1,037,078 |
TOTAL KAZAKHSTAN | | 1,474,786 |
Korea (South) - 8.2% |
CJ CheilJedang Corp. (a) | 5,284 | | 617,141 |
Doosan Co. Ltd. (a) | 19,911 | | 1,448,661 |
KB Financial Group, Inc. (a) | 24,249 | | 608,957 |
Korea Gas Corp. | 40,551 | | 1,531,766 |
KT&G Corp. | 35,076 | | 2,258,217 |
LG Household & Health Care Ltd. | 8,540 | | 1,223,741 |
LIG Non-Life Insurance Co. Ltd. | 25,280 | | 295,282 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Korea (South) - continued |
MegaStudy Co. Ltd. | 10,727 | | $ 1,209,551 |
Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd. | 276,710 | | 1,018,977 |
NHN Corp. (a) | 16,102 | | 1,718,907 |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | 17,651 | | 7,464,568 |
Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd. | 86,860 | | 2,119,688 |
Taewoong Co. Ltd. | 29,639 | | 1,447,788 |
TOTAL KOREA (SOUTH) | | 22,963,244 |
Lebanon - 0.2% |
Solidere GDR | 31,800 | | 675,750 |
Luxembourg - 0.6% |
Evraz Group SA GDR | 36,093 | | 555,832 |
MHP SA: | | | |
GDR (a)(e) | 58,900 | | 235,600 |
GDR (Reg. S) | 23,000 | | 92,000 |
Millicom International Cellular SA | 23,400 | | 936,000 |
TOTAL LUXEMBOURG | | 1,819,432 |
Malaysia - 1.2% |
DiGi.com Bhd | 314,700 | | 1,637,341 |
KNM Group Bhd | 2,487,750 | | 421,839 |
Parkson Holdings Bhd | 1,190 | | 1,129 |
Public Bank Bhd | 561,400 | | 1,334,079 |
TOTAL MALAYSIA | | 3,394,388 |
Mexico - 3.4% |
America Movil SAB de CV Series L sponsored ADR | 171,900 | | 5,318,586 |
Banco Compartamos SA de CV | 131,800 | | 223,896 |
Cemex SA de CV sponsored ADR (d) | 165,400 | | 1,250,424 |
Fomento Economico Mexicano SA de CV sponsored ADR | 10,800 | | 273,132 |
Grupo Financiero Banorte SA de CV Series O | 964,800 | | 1,767,052 |
Urbi, Desarrollos Urbanos, SA de CV (a) | 509,500 | | 763,459 |
TOTAL MEXICO | | 9,596,549 |
Netherlands - 0.1% |
New World Resources BV | 32,200 | | 159,643 |
Nigeria - 0.2% |
Guaranty Trust Bank PLC: | | | |
(Reg. S) unit | 88,363 | | 485,997 |
sponsored GDR (e) | 34,472 | | 189,596 |
TOTAL NIGERIA | | 675,593 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Oman - 0.4% |
BankMuscat SAOG sponsored GDR | 128,270 | | $ 1,180,084 |
Panama - 0.2% |
Intergroup Financial Services Corp. | 34,997 | | 384,967 |
Intergroup Financial Services Corp. (a)(e) | 16,076 | | 176,836 |
TOTAL PANAMA | | 561,803 |
Papua New Guinea - 0.3% |
Oil Search Ltd. | 257,719 | | 780,374 |
Peru - 0.4% |
Compania de Minas Buenaventura SA sponsored ADR | 83,689 | | 1,057,829 |
Philippines - 0.3% |
Ayala Corp. | 62,496 | | 298,240 |
Megaworld Corp. | 4,353,000 | | 69,541 |
Security Bank Corp. | 230,000 | | 183,717 |
SM Investments Corp. | 101,094 | | 409,966 |
TOTAL PHILIPPINES | | 961,464 |
Poland - 0.8% |
Kopex SA (a) | 1,234 | | 5,356 |
Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank SA | 172,700 | | 1,936,449 |
Trakcja Polska SA | 100,053 | | 167,919 |
TOTAL POLAND | | 2,109,724 |
Romania - 0.0% |
Banca Transilvania SA (a) | 18 | | 16 |
Russia - 8.8% |
Bank St. Petersburg OJSC | 263,700 | | 329,625 |
Comstar United TeleSystems OJSC GDR (Reg. S) | 71,400 | | 199,206 |
LSR Group OJSC (a) | 10,200 | | 91,800 |
Lukoil Oil Co. sponsored ADR | 78,853 | | 3,059,496 |
Magnit OJSC GDR (Reg. S) (a) | 46,400 | | 208,800 |
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC sponsored ADR | 46,700 | | 1,828,305 |
OAO Gazprom sponsored ADR | 433,084 | | 8,856,570 |
OAO NOVATEK GDR | 27,807 | | 1,098,377 |
OAO Raspadskaya | 202,000 | | 424,200 |
OAO TMK | 96,800 | | 193,600 |
OJSC Rosneft unit | 154,800 | | 712,080 |
Pharmstandard OJSC unit (a) | 26,200 | | 419,200 |
Rosinter Restaurants Holding (a) | 13,200 | | 369,600 |
Sberbank (Savings Bank of the Russian Federation) | 1,239,700 | | 1,289,288 |
Sberbank (Savings Bank of the Russian Federation) GDR | 3,300 | | 605,272 |
Uralkali JSC | 185,600 | | 853,760 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Russia - continued |
Uralkali JSC GDR (Reg. S) | 38,200 | | $ 797,998 |
Vimpel Communications sponsored ADR | 151,300 | | 2,193,850 |
VSMPO-Avisma Corp. | 900 | | 49,500 |
Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods OJSC sponsored ADR (a)(d) | 25,925 | | 1,139,145 |
TOTAL RUSSIA | | 24,719,672 |
Singapore - 0.2% |
Straits Asia Resources Ltd. | 854,000 | | 568,961 |
Slovenia - 0.1% |
Nova Kreditna banka Maribor d.d. | 8,959 | | 160,725 |
South Africa - 9.7% |
African Bank Investments Ltd. | 540,247 | | 1,470,887 |
African Rainbow Minerals Ltd. | 101,226 | | 1,025,729 |
Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd. | 487,035 | | 1,694,902 |
Aveng Ltd. | 278,100 | | 1,366,020 |
Bell Equipment Ltd. | 91,637 | | 131,312 |
Exxaro Resources Ltd. | 229,512 | | 1,512,853 |
FirstRand Ltd. | 1,312,873 | | 1,879,948 |
Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. sponsored ADR (a) | 151,200 | | 1,105,272 |
Illovo Sugar Ltd. | 329,200 | | 727,812 |
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. | 161,164 | | 1,664,427 |
Mr. Price Group Ltd. | 619,300 | | 1,521,310 |
MTN Group Ltd. | 451,802 | | 5,040,575 |
Murray & Roberts Holdings Ltd. | 267,128 | | 1,804,003 |
Northam Platinum Ltd. | 107,950 | | 336,998 |
Raubex Group Ltd. | 476,960 | | 1,232,676 |
Sasol Ltd. | 52,000 | | 1,535,517 |
Sasol Ltd. sponsored ADR | 67,800 | | 1,961,454 |
Shoprite Holdings Ltd. | 209,900 | | 1,106,433 |
TOTAL SOUTH AFRICA | | 27,118,128 |
Switzerland - 0.2% |
Orascom Development Holding AG | 16,833 | | 483,855 |
Taiwan - 5.4% |
Acer, Inc. | 732,000 | | 953,142 |
Asia Cement Corp. | 857,540 | | 504,359 |
China Steel Corp. | 2,555,767 | | 1,863,459 |
First Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | 4,424,784 | | 2,085,960 |
Fubon Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | 2,702,000 | | 1,638,320 |
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. (Foxconn) | 1,305,716 | | 3,166,812 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Taiwan - continued |
HTC Corp. | 249,900 | | $ 2,981,223 |
Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Ltd. | 1,988,379 | | 2,043,536 |
TOTAL TAIWAN | | 15,236,811 |
Thailand - 1.8% |
Mermaid Maritime PLC | 56,000 | | 12,108 |
Minor International PCL (For. Reg.) | 4,644,694 | | 1,017,506 |
PTT Exploration & Production PCL (For. Reg.) | 603,000 | | 1,504,696 |
Siam Commercial Bank PCL (For. Reg.) | 1,250,700 | | 1,941,511 |
Total Access Communication PCL: | | | |
unit | 234,100 | | 167,316 |
(For. Reg.) | 447,100 | | 317,836 |
TOTAL THAILAND | | 4,960,973 |
Turkey - 3.4% |
Anadolu Efes Biracilik ve Malt Sanyii AS | 313,646 | | 2,641,572 |
Asya Katilim Bankasi AS | 1,351,632 | | 1,182,147 |
Bagfas Bandirma Gubre Fabrikalari AS | 14,609 | | 700,376 |
Enka Insaat ve Sanayi AS | 318,253 | | 1,185,549 |
Tupras-Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS | 157,650 | | 1,991,626 |
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS (a) | 1,090,375 | | 1,780,146 |
TOTAL TURKEY | | 9,481,416 |
United Arab Emirates - 0.0% |
Depa Ltd. GDR (a)(e) | 23,200 | | 74,240 |
United Kingdom - 0.7% |
Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. PLC | 85,900 | | 429,569 |
Randgold Resources Ltd. sponsored ADR | 30,500 | | 945,805 |
Sibir Energy PLC (a) | 128,286 | | 510,413 |
TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM | | 1,885,787 |
United States of America - 0.8% |
Central European Distribution Corp. (a)(d) | 28,500 | | 820,515 |
CTC Media, Inc. (a) | 122,796 | | 908,690 |
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. Class B | 19,500 | | 567,450 |
TOTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | | 2,296,655 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $428,449,237) | 263,567,143 |
Nonconvertible Preferred Stocks - 0.1% |
| Shares | | Value |
Brazil - 0.1% |
Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA - Usiminas (PN-A) (non-vtg.) (Cost $1,210,046) | 29,400 | | $ 376,296 |
Convertible Bonds - 0.0% |
| Principal Amount (h) | | |
Brazil - 0.0% |
Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais 8.55% 6/1/13 (f)(g) (Cost $35,369) | BRL | 555 | | 14,053 |
Money Market Funds - 7.1% |
| Shares | | |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) | 12,246,623 | | 12,246,623 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund, 2.67% (b)(c) | 7,617,448 | | 7,617,448 |
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $19,864,071) | 19,864,071 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 101.4% (Cost $449,558,723) | | 283,821,563 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - (1.4)% | | (3,869,102) |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 279,952,461 |
Currency Abbreviation |
BRL | - | Brazilian real |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities on loan. |
(d) Security or a portion of the security is on loan at period end. |
(e) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At the end of the period, the value of these securities amounted to $1,386,153 or 0.5% of net assets. |
(f) The coupon rate shown on floating or adjustable rate securities represents the rate at period end. |
(g) Restricted securities - Investment in securities not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (excluding 144A issues). At the end of the period, the value of restricted securities (excluding 144A issues) amounted to $14,053 or 0.0% of net assets. |
Additional information on each holding is as follows: |
Security | Acquisition Date | Acquisition Cost |
Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais 8.55% 6/1/13 | 8/22/07 | $ 35,369 |
(h) Principal amount is stated in United States dollar unless otherwise noted. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 760,590 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 74,665 |
Total | $ 835,255 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $85,343,420 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value (including securities loaned of $7,479,369) - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $429,694,652) | $ 263,957,492 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $19,864,071) | 19,864,071 | |
Total Investments (cost $449,558,723) | | $ 283,821,563 |
Foreign currency held at value (cost $59,160) | | 59,358 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 2,549,164 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 1,305,269 |
Dividends receivable | | 1,078,374 |
Interest receivable | | 8 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 27,701 |
Prepaid expenses | | 121 |
Receivable from investment adviser for expense reductions | | 644 |
Other receivables | | 137,903 |
Total assets | | 288,980,105 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 73,675 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 721,085 | |
Accrued management fee | 202,441 | |
Distribution fees payable | 104,187 | |
Other affiliated payables | 126,613 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 182,195 | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | 7,617,448 | |
Total liabilities | | 9,027,644 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 279,952,461 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 534,668,370 |
Undistributed net investment income | | 2,102,934 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (91,004,265) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (165,814,578) |
Net Assets | | $ 279,952,461 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($122,910,990 ÷ 9,762,992 shares) | | $ 12.59 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $12.59) | | $ 13.36 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($47,300,423 ÷ 3,786,917 shares) | | $ 12.49 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $12.49) | | $ 12.94 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($17,306,824 ÷ 1,412,106 shares)A | | $ 12.26 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($44,877,660 ÷ 3,661,454 shares)A | | $ 12.26 |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($47,556,564 ÷ 3,741,801 shares) | | $ 12.71 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 13,695,630 |
Interest | | 7,995 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 835,255 |
| | 14,538,880 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (1,281,372) |
Total income | | 13,257,508 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee | $ 4,337,958 | |
Transfer agent fees | 1,602,439 | |
Distribution fees | 2,447,696 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 274,258 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 592,592 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 2,361 | |
Registration fees | 130,171 | |
Audit | 80,413 | |
Legal | 2,445 | |
Miscellaneous | 96,017 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 9,566,350 | |
Expense reductions | (292,166) | 9,274,184 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 3,983,324 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes of $147,836) | (90,430,495) | |
Foreign currency transactions | (277,313) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (90,707,808) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities (net of decrease in deferred foreign taxes of $1,018,814) | (350,426,749) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (119,718) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (350,546,467) |
Net gain (loss) | | (441,254,275) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (437,270,951) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 3,983,324 | $ 283,224 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (90,707,808) | 14,302,889 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (350,546,467) | 159,302,591 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (437,270,951) | 173,888,704 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (301,021) | (135,949) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (13,232,310) | - |
Total distributions | (13,533,331) | (135,949) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | 193,633,537 | 182,659,550 |
Redemption fees | 397,808 | 114,351 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (256,772,937) | 356,526,656 |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 536,725,398 | 180,198,742 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $2,102,934 and undistributed net investment income of $147,275, respectively) | $ 279,952,461 | $ 536,725,398 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 H |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 32.75 | $ 19.22 | $ 13.75 | $ 9.87 | $ 10.00 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) E | .24 | .09 | .09 | .12 | .02 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (19.61) | 13.46 | 5.47 | 3.75 | (.16) |
Total from investment operations | (19.37) | 13.55 | 5.56 | 3.87 | (.14) |
Distributions from net investment income | (.02) | (.03) | (.11) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.79) | - | - | - | - |
Total distributions | (.81) | (.03) | (.11) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital E | .02 | .01 | .02 | .01 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.59 | $ 32.75 | $ 19.22 | $ 13.75 | $ 9.87 |
Total Return B,C,D | (60.55)% | 70.63% | 40.75% | 39.31% | (1.30)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets F,I | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.59% | 1.59% | 1.84% | 3.15% | 10.75% A |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.59% | 1.59% | 1.60% | 1.63% | 2.00% A |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.53% | 1.54% | 1.49% | 1.52% | 1.91% A |
Net investment income (loss) | .94% | .36% | .51% | .95% | .28% A |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 122,911 | $ 218,836 | $ 68,232 | $ 9,617 | $ 1,178 |
Portfolio turnover rate G | 61% | 48% | 48% | 54% | 101% A |
A Annualized
B Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
C Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
D Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
E Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
F Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
G Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
H For the period March 29, 2004 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2004.
I Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expense ratios before reductions for start-up periods may not be representative of longer-term operating periods. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 H |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 32.52 | $ 19.10 | $ 13.69 | $ 9.86 | $ 10.00 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) E | .17 | .03 | .05 | .09 | - J |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (19.48) | 13.38 | 5.43 | 3.73 | (.15) |
Total from investment operations | (19.31) | 13.41 | 5.48 | 3.82 | (.15) |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.09) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.74) | - | - | - | - |
Total distributions | (.74) | - | (.09) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital E | .02 | .01 | .02 | .01 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.49 | $ 32.52 | $ 19.10 | $ 13.69 | $ 9.86 |
Total Return B,C,D | (60.66)% | 70.26% | 40.32% | 38.84% | (1.40)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets F,I | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.84% | 1.86% | 2.12% | 3.53% | 11.13% A |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.84% | 1.85% | 1.85% | 1.89% | 2.25% A |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.79% | 1.79% | 1.74% | 1.77% | 2.16% A |
Net investment income (loss) | .69% | .11% | .26% | .70% | .03% A |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 47,300 | $ 119,952 | $ 41,369 | $ 6,801 | $ 889 |
Portfolio turnover rate G | 61% | 48% | 48% | 54% | 101% A |
A Annualized
B Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
C Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
D Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
E Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
F Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
G Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
H For the period March 29, 2004 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2004.
I Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expense ratios before reductions for start-up periods may not be representative of longer-term operating periods. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
J Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 H |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 32.03 | $ 18.91 | $ 13.58 | $ 9.83 | $ 10.00 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) E | .04 | (.09) | (.04) | .02 | (.03) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (19.13) | 13.20 | 5.40 | 3.72 | (.15) |
Total from investment operations | (19.09) | 13.11 | 5.36 | 3.74 | (.18) |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.05) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.70) | - | - | - | - |
Total distributions | (.70) | - | (.05) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital E | .02 | .01 | .02 | .01 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.26 | $ 32.03 | $ 18.91 | $ 13.58 | $ 9.83 |
Total Return B,C,D | (60.83)% | 69.38% | 39.67% | 38.15% | (1.70)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets F,I | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.35% | 2.37% | 2.66% | 4.00% | 11.49% A |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.35% | 2.35% | 2.35% | 2.39% | 2.75% A |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.30% | 2.29% | 2.24% | 2.27% | 2.67% A |
Net investment income (loss) | .18% | (.39)% | (.24)% | .20% | (.47)% A |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 17,307 | $ 41,042 | $ 18,622 | $ 4,997 | $ 719 |
Portfolio turnover rate G | 61% | 48% | 48% | 54% | 101% A |
A Annualized
B Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
C Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
D Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
E Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
F Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
G Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
H For the period March 29, 2004 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2004.
I Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expense ratios before reductions for start-up periods may not be representative of longer-term operating periods. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 H |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 32.04 | $ 18.91 | $ 13.59 | $ 9.83 | $ 10.00 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) E | .05 | (.09) | (.04) | .02 | (.03) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (19.15) | 13.21 | 5.39 | 3.73 | (.15) |
Total from investment operations | (19.10) | 13.12 | 5.35 | 3.75 | (.18) |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.05) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.70) | - | - | - | - |
Total distributions | (.70) | - | (.05) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital E | .02 | .01 | .02 | .01 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.26 | $ 32.04 | $ 18.91 | $ 13.59 | $ 9.83 |
Total Return B,C,D | (60.84)% | 69.43% | 39.59% | 38.25% | (1.70)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets F,I | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.34% | 2.34% | 2.58% | 4.09% | 11.58% A |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.34% | 2.34% | 2.35% | 2.39% | 2.75% A |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.29% | 2.29% | 2.24% | 2.28% | 2.66% A |
Net investment income (loss) | .19% | (.39)% | (.24)% | .19% | (.47)% A |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 44,878 | $ 104,885 | $ 42,805 | $ 5,890 | $ 1,105 |
Portfolio turnover rate G | 61% | 48% | 48% | 54% | 101% A |
A Annualized
B Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
C Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
D Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
E Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
F Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
G Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
H For the period March 29, 2004 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2004.
I Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expense ratios before reductions for start-up periods may not be representative of longer-term operating periods. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 G |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 33.02 | $ 19.34 | $ 13.80 | $ 9.89 | $ 10.00 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) D | .31 | .18 | .14 | .14 | .03 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (19.76) | 13.55 | 5.49 | 3.76 | (.15) |
Total from investment operations | (19.45) | 13.73 | 5.63 | 3.90 | (.12) |
Distributions from net investment income | (.09) | (.06) | (.11) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.79) | - | - | - | - |
Total distributions | (.88) | (.06) | (.11) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital D | .02 | .01 | .02 | .01 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 12.71 | $ 33.02 | $ 19.34 | $ 13.80 | $ 9.89 |
Total Return B,C | (60.42)% | 71.23% | 41.11% | 39.53% | (1.10)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets E,H | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.27% | 1.25% | 1.47% | 3.05% | 10.37% A |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.27% | 1.25% | 1.35% | 1.41% | 1.75% A |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.21% | 1.19% | 1.24% | 1.30% | 1.66% A |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.26% | .71% | .75% | 1.17% | .53% A |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 47,557 | $ 52,011 | $ 9,172 | $ 1,610 | $ 529 |
Portfolio turnover rate F | 61% | 48% | 48% | 54% | 101% A |
A Annualized
B Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
C Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
D Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
E Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
G For the period March 29, 2004 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2004.
H Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expense ratios before reductions for start-up periods may not be representative of longer-term operating periods. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class. The Fund's investments in emerging markets can be subject to social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties and can be extremely volatile.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Debt securities, including restricted securities, are valued by independent pricing services or by dealers who make markets in such securities. Pricing services consider yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type as well as dealer supplied prices. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund estimates the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Fund will claim a portion of the payment made to redeeming shareholders as a distribution for income tax purposes.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, certain foreign taxes, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC) and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 11,012,947 |
Unrealized depreciation | (182,488,363) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (171,475,416) |
Undistributed ordinary income | 2,100,770 |
Capital loss carryforward | (85,343,420) |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 455,296,979 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 1,228,381 | $ 135,949 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 12,304,950 | - |
Total | $ 13,533,331 | $ 135,949 |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 90 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.50% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $495,956,697 and $310,101,583, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .55% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. For the period, the total annual management fee rate was .81% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period,
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Distribution and Service Plan - continued
the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | -% | .25% | $ 577,261 | $ 83,160 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 523,140 | 23,399 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 361,407 | 271,724 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 985,888 | 382,984 |
| | | $ 2,447,696 | $ 761,267 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 221,505 |
Class T | 41,780 |
Class B* | 84,675 |
Class C* | 50,250 |
| $ 398,210 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Transfer Agent Fees - continued
For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 702,757 | .31 |
Class T | 322,353 | .31 |
Class B | 115,214 | .32 |
Class C | 302,107 | .31 |
Institutional Class | 160,008 | .24 |
| $ 1,602,439 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $68 for the period.
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $1,078 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation
Annual Report
8. Security Lending - continued
to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. The value of loaned securities and cash collateral at period end are disclosed on the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $74,665.
9. Expense Reductions.
FMR voluntarily agreed to reimburse each class to the extent annual operating expenses exceeded certain levels of average net assets as noted in the table below. Some expenses, for example interest expense, including commitment fees, are excluded from this reimbursement.
The following classes were in reimbursement during the period:
| Expense Limitations | Reimbursement from adviser |
| | |
Class B | 2.35% | $ 644 |
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $290,686 for the period. In addition, through arrangements with the Fund's custodian and each class' transfer agent, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses. During the period, these credits reduced the Fund's custody expenses by $168. During the period, credits reduced each class' transfer agent expense as noted in the table below.
| Transfer Agent expense reduction |
| |
Institutional Class | $ 668 |
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
10. Other - continued
performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $3, which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 145,463 | $ 107,461 |
Institutional Class | 155,558 | 28,488 |
Total | $ 301,021 | $ 135,949 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 5,708,988 | $ - |
Class T | 2,804,174 | - |
Class B | 932,421 | - |
Class C | 2,429,913 | - |
Institutional Class | 1,356,814 | - |
Total | $ 13,232,310 | $ - |
Annual Report
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 7,504,990 | 4,642,561 | $ 195,725,070 | $ 115,951,246 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 176,530 | 4,531 | 5,408,863 | 93,931 |
Shares redeemed | (4,599,563) | (1,516,681) | (103,530,172) | (35,427,581) |
Net increase (decrease) | 3,081,957 | 3,130,411 | $ 97,603,761 | $ 80,617,596 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 2,371,937 | 2,453,317 | $ 61,265,742 | $ 60,760,054 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 87,947 | - | 2,678,879 | - |
Shares redeemed | (2,361,671) | (930,237) | (55,099,385) | (21,865,345) |
Net increase (decrease) | 98,213 | 1,523,080 | $ 8,845,236 | $ 38,894,709 |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 592,288 | 569,930 | $ 15,528,094 | $ 13,827,872 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 27,094 | - | 813,622 | - |
Shares redeemed | (488,434) | (273,651) | (11,089,482) | (6,330,619) |
Net increase (decrease) | 130,948 | 296,279 | $ 5,252,234 | $ 7,497,253 |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 2,148,857 | 1,627,896 | $ 56,222,968 | $ 39,785,213 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 66,964 | - | 2,010,918 | - |
Shares redeemed | (1,828,365) | (617,626) | (38,999,955) | (14,265,294) |
Net increase (decrease) | 387,456 | 1,010,270 | $ 19,233,931 | $ 25,519,919 |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 4,063,163 | 1,365,554 | $ 98,616,483 | $ 36,368,938 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 30,004 | 877 | 925,013 | 18,267 |
Shares redeemed | (1,926,467) | (265,597) | (36,843,121) | (6,257,132) |
Net increase (decrease) | 2,166,700 | 1,100,834 | $ 62,698,375 | $ 30,130,073 |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Fund (the Fund), a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII, including the schedule of investments, as of October 31, 2008, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended and for the period from March 29, 2004 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2004. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2008, by correspondence with the custodians and brokers where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Fund as of October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended and for the period from March 29, 2004 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 19, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008- present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004-2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
Institutional Class designates 100% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Institutional Class | 12/10/07 | $.225 | $.0496 |
Shareholder Notification:
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Emerging Markets Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. Because the fund had been in existence less than five calendar years, the following charts considered by the Board show, over the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class C of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a peer group of mutual funds identified by Morningstar, Inc. as having an investment style similar to that of the fund based on underlying portfolio holdings. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class C show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor Emerging Markets Fund
![fid412](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid412.gif)
The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the first quartile for all the periods shown. The Board also stated that the investment performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund compared favorably to its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month (or shorter) periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG%" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG% of 15% means that 85% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Emerging Markets Fund
![fid414](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid414.gif)
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of each of Class A, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class ranked below its competitive median for 2007, and the total expenses of Class T ranked above its competitive median for 2007. The Board considered that the total expenses for Class T were above the median primarily because its 12b-1 fee is higher than the typical front-end load class. The Board noted that the fund offers multiple classes, each of which has a different sales load and 12b-1 fee structure, and that the multiple structures are intended to offer a range of pricing options for the intermediary market. The Board also noted that the total expenses of the classes vary primarily by the level of their 12b-1 fees, although differences in transfer agent fees may also cause expenses to vary from class to class.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable, although in one case above the median of the universe presented for comparison, in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
Annual Report
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd.
FIL Investment Advisors
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
JPMorgan Chase Bank
New York, NY
FAEMI-UANN-1208
1.809006.104
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(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Europe Capital Appreciation
Fund - Class A, Class T, Class B
and Class C
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow. Returns reflect the conversion of Class B to Class A shares after a maximum of seven years.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Life of fund A |
Class A (incl. 5.75% sales charge) | -52.66% | 2.02% | 1.11% |
Class T (incl. 3.50% sales charge) | -51.66% | 2.27% | 1.13% |
Class B (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) B | -52.27% | 2.21% | 1.18% |
Class C (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) C | -50.53% | 2.50% | 0.98% |
A From December 17, 1998.
B Class B shares' contingent deferred sales charges included in the past one year, past five years, and life of fund total return figures are 5%, 2%, and 0%, respectively.
C Class C shares' contingent deferred sales charges included in the past one year, past five years, and life of fund total return figures are 1%, 0%, and 0%, respectively.
Annual Report
$10,000 Over Life of Fund *
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund - Class A on December 31, 1998, and the current 5.75% sales charge was paid. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI® Europe Index performed over the same period.
![fid430](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid430.gif)
* From December 31, 1998 (first date following the fund's commencement for which the life of fund return for the MSCI Europe Index is available).
In prior years, the performance from year to year was represented by the performance of Class T. Going forward, the fund's performance will be represented by Class A for consistency with other fund materials.
Annual Report
Comments from Melissa Reilly, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund
In a dramatic reversal of what had been a multiyear global growth story, international stocks fell long and hard during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, especially so during the latter stages of the period and mostly as a result of fallout from the financial crisis that emanated from the United States. The viral spread of this financial contagion - which began in the U.S. subprime mortgage market, then seized up the credit markets, hobbled major financial institutions and eventually slowed economic growth worldwide - left virtually no corner of the globe untouched. Developed international equity markets - as gauged by the MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index, which monitors established markets outside the U.S. and Canada - fell 46.54%, while the Standard & Poor's 500SM Index, a measure of U.S. stocks, dropped 36.10%. Among countries constituting at least 1% of the EAFE index, Switzerland had the "least worst" showing, falling roughly 32%, followed by Japan, where stocks slid by around 37%. Meanwhile, the weakest overall performance came from Belgium, where stocks slipped by nearly 70%. In the United Kingdom, the largest component of the index, equities were down almost 48%. Emerging markets were the weakest performers among the global economies, declining 56.22% as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
During the year, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares were down 49.77%, 49.91%, 50.13% and 50.11%, respectively (excluding sales charges), lagging the 47.89% decline of the MSCI Europe Index. Stock and market selection in consumer discretionary, energy, utilities and materials hurt the most relative to the index. Avoiding German car manufacturer Volkswagen was the biggest individual detractor. Underweighting British oil company BP hurt, while U.K. mining company Rio Tinto fell when energy prices began to slide. Underweighting pharmaceutical giants Novartis in Switzerland and U.K.-based GlaxoSmithKline - the latter of which I sold - detracted. Not owning another pharmaceutical heavyweight, AstraZeneca, also in the U.K., proved detrimental as well. On the upside, the fund benefited from strong stock selection in financials and, to a lesser extent, telecommunication services. Underweighting Royal Bank of Scotland, which I sold, gave the fund its biggest boost. Not owning global insurance company ING, based in the Netherlands, also was a positive. Three Swiss stocks - food and beverage manufacturer Nestle, pharmaceutical company Roche Holding and diversified mining firm Xstrata, the latter of which I sold by period end - benefited performance. Lastly, a modest position in cash helped as well.
During the year, the fund's Institutional Class shares were down 49.63%, lagging the 47.89% decline of the MSCI Europe Index. Stock and market selection in consumer discretionary, energy, utilities and materials hurt the most relative to the index. Avoiding German car manufacturer Volkswagen was the biggest individual detractor. Underweighting British oil company BP hurt, while U.K. mining company Rio Tinto fell when energy prices began to slide. Underweighting pharmaceutical giants Novartis in Switzerland and U.K.-based GlaxoSmithKline - the latter of which I sold - detracted. Not owning another pharmaceutical heavyweight, AstraZeneca, also in the U.K., proved detrimental as well. On the upside, the fund benefited from strong stock selection in financials and, to a lesser extent, telecommunication services. Underweighting Royal Bank of Scotland, which I sold, gave the fund its biggest boost. Not owning global insurance company ING, based in the Netherlands, also was a positive. Three Swiss stocks - food and beverage manufacturer Nestle, pharmaceutical company Roche Holding and diversified mining firm Xstrata, the latter of which I sold by period end - benefited performance. Lastly, a modest position in cash helped as well.
Annual Report
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Annual Report
|
Annualized Expense Ratio
| Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008
| Ending Account Value October 31, 2008
| Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.50% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 558.80 | $ 5.88 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.60 | $ 7.61 |
Class T | 1.75% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 558.20 | $ 6.85 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,016.34 | $ 8.87 |
Class B | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 556.90 | $ 8.81 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Class C | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 557.10 | $ 8.81 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Institutional Class | 1.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 559.80 | $ 4.90 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,018.85 | $ 6.34 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Five Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Nestle SA (Reg.) (Switzerland, Food Products) | 4.6 | 3.1 |
Roche Holding AG (participation certificate) (Switzerland, Pharmaceuticals) | 2.9 | 1.1 |
Total SA sponsored ADR (France, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 2.8 | 2.0 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC Class A (United Kingdom) (United Kingdom, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 2.6 | 3.5 |
HSBC Holdings PLC sponsored ADR (United Kingdom, Commercial Banks) | 2.5 | 2.9 |
| 15.4 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Financials | 21.8 | 22.9 |
Health Care | 16.8 | 6.1 |
Consumer Staples | 13.7 | 12.5 |
Energy | 10.8 | 14.2 |
Consumer Discretionary | 10.1 | 8.4 |
Top Five Countries as of October 31, 2008 |
(excluding cash equivalents) | % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
United Kingdom | 29.2 | 26.4 |
Switzerland | 17.9 | 13.1 |
Germany | 14.2 | 14.4 |
France | 11.8 | 12.2 |
Italy | 4.7 | 7.0 |
Percentages are adjusted for the effect of open futures contracts, if applicable. |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 96.9% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks and Investment Companies 97.7% | |
![fid434](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid434.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 3.1% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 2.3% | |
![fid437](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid437.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 96.9% |
| Shares | | Value |
Australia - 1.0% |
CSL Ltd. | 10,860 | | $ 263,974 |
Belgium - 1.3% |
InBev SA | 3,800 | | 153,266 |
KBC Groupe SA | 1,300 | | 55,890 |
Umicore SA | 7,300 | | 130,548 |
TOTAL BELGIUM | | 339,704 |
Canada - 1.5% |
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. | 2,000 | | 100,879 |
EnCana Corp. | 2,500 | | 126,949 |
Petrobank Energy & Resources Ltd. (a) | 4,400 | | 83,928 |
Silver Wheaton Corp. (a) | 18,900 | | 65,832 |
TOTAL CANADA | | 377,588 |
Denmark - 1.2% |
Genmab AS (a) | 2,000 | | 90,326 |
Novo Nordisk AS Series B | 4,300 | | 230,492 |
TOTAL DENMARK | | 320,818 |
Finland - 0.6% |
Nokia Corp. sponsored ADR | 10,500 | | 159,390 |
France - 11.8% |
AXA SA | 16,100 | | 307,575 |
BNP Paribas SA | 5,900 | | 425,988 |
Cap Gemini SA | 5,900 | | 190,096 |
Credit Agricole SA | 7,600 | | 109,949 |
Essilor International SA | 1,600 | | 71,773 |
Pernod Ricard SA | 3,500 | | 227,915 |
Pinault Printemps-Redoute SA | 4,300 | | 274,041 |
Sanofi-Aventis | 6,000 | | 380,143 |
Societe Generale Series A | 2,475 | | 134,900 |
Suez Environnement SA (a) | 1,275 | | 24,668 |
Total SA sponsored ADR | 13,100 | | 726,264 |
Unibail-Rodamco | 1,100 | | 165,530 |
TOTAL FRANCE | | 3,038,842 |
Germany - 14.2% |
Adidas-Salomon AG | 7,000 | | 248,566 |
Bayer AG | 6,700 | | 372,987 |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) | 10,500 | | 272,425 |
Commerzbank AG | 4,100 | | 44,581 |
E.ON AG | 16,400 | | 627,411 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Germany - continued |
ESCADA AG (a) | 3,100 | | $ 15,874 |
Fresenius AG | 5,300 | | 314,464 |
GEA Group AG | 5,900 | | 86,222 |
Linde AG | 3,300 | | 277,140 |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG (Reg.) | 3,400 | | 451,265 |
RWE AG | 5,100 | | 426,202 |
SAP AG | 4,700 | | 167,349 |
SAP AG sponsored ADR | 1,500 | | 52,995 |
Siemens AG (Reg.) | 3,000 | | 179,779 |
Symrise AG | 10,100 | | 125,454 |
TOTAL GERMANY | | 3,662,714 |
Hong Kong - 1.0% |
Esprit Holdings Ltd. | 47,100 | | 267,625 |
Ireland - 1.3% |
Allied Irish Banks PLC | 8,700 | | 46,342 |
CRH PLC | 8,300 | | 183,976 |
Ryanair Holdings PLC sponsored ADR (a) | 4,500 | | 100,215 |
TOTAL IRELAND | | 330,533 |
Italy - 4.7% |
ENI SpA sponsored ADR | 11,900 | | 571,795 |
Fiat SpA | 13,900 | | 110,474 |
IFIL Finanziaria di Partecipazioni SpA | 8,264 | | 25,621 |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 82,800 | | 302,879 |
Prysmian SpA | 2,600 | | 31,541 |
UniCredit SpA | 70,400 | | 172,249 |
TOTAL ITALY | | 1,214,559 |
Luxembourg - 0.2% |
ArcelorMittal SA (France) | 2,300 | | 59,822 |
Netherlands - 3.8% |
ASML Holding NV (Netherlands) | 2,900 | | 50,768 |
Koninklijke KPN NV | 30,900 | | 435,171 |
Unilever NV (Certificaten Van Aandelen) | 21,000 | | 506,089 |
TOTAL NETHERLANDS | | 992,028 |
Norway - 0.6% |
Pronova BioPharma ASA | 63,100 | | 163,928 |
Papua New Guinea - 0.5% |
Lihir Gold Ltd. (a) | 98,696 | | 123,086 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Russia - 0.2% |
OAO Gazprom sponsored ADR | 3,100 | | $ 63,395 |
Spain - 3.2% |
Banco Santander SA | 18,300 | | 197,917 |
Inditex SA | 1,700 | | 57,464 |
Telefonica SA sponsored ADR | 10,300 | | 571,753 |
TOTAL SPAIN | | 827,134 |
Sweden - 0.6% |
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB (B Shares) | 4,100 | | 146,995 |
Switzerland - 17.9% |
Actelion Ltd. (Reg.) (a) | 5,522 | | 291,652 |
Credit Suisse Group (Reg.) | 10,547 | | 394,308 |
EFG International | 6,590 | | 141,836 |
Julius Baer Holding AG | 4,353 | | 170,210 |
Lindt & Spruengli AG | 4 | | 97,019 |
Lonza Group AG | 894 | | 74,180 |
Nestle SA (Reg.) | 30,872 | | 1,200,259 |
Nobel Biocare Holding AG (Switzerland) | 3,148 | | 54,067 |
Novartis AG (Reg.) | 11,527 | | 584,962 |
Roche Holding AG (participation certificate) | 4,897 | | 748,721 |
Sonova Holding AG | 2,796 | | 116,150 |
UBS AG: | | | |
(For. Reg.) | 13,185 | | 223,665 |
(NY Shares) | 7,580 | | 128,102 |
Zurich Financial Services AG (Reg.) | 1,976 | | 400,800 |
TOTAL SWITZERLAND | | 4,625,931 |
United Kingdom - 29.2% |
Aegis Group PLC | 61,800 | | 65,122 |
Anglo American PLC (United Kingdom) | 3,100 | | 77,773 |
Autonomy Corp. PLC (a) | 5,500 | | 87,195 |
Barclays PLC | 29,200 | | 83,694 |
Bellway PLC | 24,300 | | 211,670 |
BG Group PLC | 13,900 | | 204,360 |
Bovis Homes Group PLC | 37,700 | | 206,050 |
BP PLC | 32,100 | | 261,630 |
British American Tobacco PLC (United Kingdom) | 15,500 | | 425,102 |
Capita Group PLC | 22,600 | | 233,497 |
Centrica PLC | 47,800 | | 234,852 |
easyJet PLC (a) | 37,300 | | 186,051 |
Experian PLC | 57,100 | | 314,866 |
Hammerson PLC | 9,900 | | 114,089 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
United Kingdom - continued |
HBOS PLC | 41,700 | | $ 68,272 |
HSBC Holdings PLC sponsored ADR | 10,900 | | 643,100 |
Informa PLC | 40,400 | | 136,857 |
Kesa Electricals PLC | 108,800 | | 139,696 |
Kingfisher PLC | 79,100 | | 145,980 |
Lloyds TSB Group PLC | 38,800 | | 125,390 |
Man Group PLC | 32,400 | | 187,038 |
National Grid PLC | 15,100 | | 170,082 |
Persimmon PLC | 22,100 | | 106,978 |
Prudential PLC | 41,300 | | 207,438 |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | 11,900 | | 503,306 |
Redrow PLC | 30,200 | | 100,993 |
Rio Tinto PLC (Reg.) | 4,200 | | 196,167 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC Class A (United Kingdom) | 24,800 | | 681,290 |
SSL International PLC | 32,800 | | 221,499 |
Standard Chartered PLC (United Kingdom) | 17,500 | | 289,187 |
Tesco PLC | 65,200 | | 357,194 |
Vodafone Group PLC | 158,500 | | 304,871 |
Vodafone Group PLC sponsored ADR | 13,550 | | 261,109 |
TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM | | 7,552,398 |
United States of America - 2.1% |
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. | 1,000 | | 62,030 |
Genentech, Inc. (a) | 3,400 | | 281,996 |
Synthes, Inc. | 860 | | 110,953 |
Virgin Media, Inc. | 13,600 | | 78,336 |
TOTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | | 533,315 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $36,018,073) | 25,063,779 |
Money Market Funds - 1.3% |
| | | |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) (Cost $332,446) | 332,446 | | 332,446 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 98.2% (Cost $36,350,519) | | 25,396,225 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - 1.8% | | 461,936 |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 25,858,161 |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 46,224 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 18,572 |
Total | $ 64,796 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $11,538,731 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $36,018,073) | $ 25,063,779 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $332,446) | 332,446 | |
Total Investments (cost $36,350,519) | | $ 25,396,225 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 1,345,643 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 9,881 |
Dividends receivable | | 73,833 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 668 |
Prepaid expenses | | 20 |
Receivable from investment adviser for expense reductions | | 13,012 |
Other receivables | | 5,835 |
Total assets | | 26,845,117 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 827,115 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 70,176 | |
Accrued management fee | 16,596 | |
Distribution fees payable | 12,514 | |
Other affiliated payables | 11,229 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 49,326 | |
Total liabilities | | 986,956 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 25,858,161 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 48,055,770 |
Undistributed net investment income | | 650,599 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (11,887,276) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (10,960,932) |
Net Assets | | $ 25,858,161 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($10,285,758 ÷ 1,144,920 shares) | | $ 8.98 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $8.98) | | $ 9.53 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($7,865,878 ÷ 881,440 shares) | | $ 8.92 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $8.92) | | $ 9.24 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($2,806,372 ÷ 325,935 shares)A | | $ 8.61 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($4,522,106 ÷ 527,260 shares)A | | $ 8.58 |
| | |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($378,047 ÷ 41,407 shares) | | $ 9.13 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 1,859,589 |
Interest | | 57 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 64,796 |
| | 1,924,442 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (188,658) |
Total income | | 1,735,784 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee | $ 397,038 | |
Transfer agent fees | 173,192 | |
Distribution fees | 309,089 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 30,105 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 48,531 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 257 | |
Registration fees | 55,110 | |
Audit | 47,955 | |
Legal | 352 | |
Miscellaneous | 15,231 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 1,076,860 | |
Expense reductions | (94,602) | 982,258 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 753,526 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | (11,799,788) | |
Foreign currency transactions | (36,458) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (11,836,246) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities | (20,353,714) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (9,051) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (20,362,765) |
Net gain (loss) | | (32,199,011) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (31,445,485) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 753,526 | $ 1,150,432 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (11,836,246) | 14,763,852 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (20,362,765) | 3,567,591 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (31,445,485) | 19,481,875 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (842,961) | (305,480) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (10,296,581) | (4,668,174) |
Total distributions | (11,139,542) | (4,973,654) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | (11,216,725) | 2,498,409 |
Redemption fees | 1,666 | 3,169 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (53,800,086) | 17,009,799 |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 79,658,247 | 62,648,448 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $650,599 and undistributed net investment income of $1,144,523, respectively) | $ 25,858,161 | $ 79,658,247 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 20.94 | $ 17.49 | $ 13.47 | $ 11.30 | $ 10.00 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .25 | .32 | .19 F | .12 | .01 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (9.22) | 4.48 | 4.18 | 2.05 | 1.37 |
Total from investment operations | (8.97) | 4.80 | 4.37 | 2.17 | 1.38 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.31) | (.12) | (.13) | - | (.08) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (2.68) | (1.23) | (.22) | - | - |
Total distributions | (2.99) | (1.35) | (.35) | - | (.08) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.98 | $ 20.94 | $ 17.49 | $ 13.47 | $ 11.30 |
Total Return A, B | (49.77)% | 29.16% | 33.17% | 19.20% | 13.87% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.63% | 1.53% | 1.81% | 2.16% | 2.41% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.55% | 1.75% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.46% | 1.46% | 1.40% | 1.44% | 1.68% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.65% | 1.69% | 1.16% F | .95% | .07% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 10,286 | $ 29,273 | $ 18,972 | $ 4,544 | $ 2,905 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 112% | 173% | 173% | 135% | 123% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.08 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .68%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 20.75 | $ 17.35 | $ 13.34 | $ 11.21 | $ 9.93 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .21 | .27 | .14 F | .09 | (.02) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (9.17) | 4.44 | 4.17 | 2.04 | 1.36 |
Total from investment operations | (8.96) | 4.71 | 4.31 | 2.13 | 1.34 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.19) | (.08) | (.08) | - | (.06) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (2.68) | (1.23) | (.22) | - | - |
Total distributions | (2.87) | (1.31) | (.30) | - | (.06) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.92 | $ 20.75 | $ 17.35 | $ 13.34 | $ 11.21 |
Total Return A, B | (49.91)% | 28.86% | 32.95% | 19.00% | 13.54% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.88% | 1.80% | 2.07% | 2.45% | 2.70% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.81% | 2.00% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.71% | 1.71% | 1.65% | 1.70% | 1.93% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.40% | 1.44% | .91% F | .70% | (.18)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 7,866 | $ 21,357 | $ 24,643 | $ 8,893 | $ 8,102 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 112% | 173% | 173% | 135% | 123% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.08 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .43%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 20.16 | $ 16.91 | $ 12.98 | $ 10.97 | $ 9.72 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .13 | .17 | .06 F | .02 | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (8.86) | 4.34 | 4.10 | 1.99 | 1.33 |
Total from investment operations | (8.73) | 4.51 | 4.16 | 2.01 | 1.26 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.14) | (.03) | (.01) | - | (.01) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (2.68) | (1.23) | (.22) | - | - |
Total distributions | (2.82) | (1.26) | (.23) | - | (.01) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.61 | $ 20.16 | $ 16.91 | $ 12.98 | $ 10.97 |
Total Return A, B | (50.13)% | 28.29% | 32.49% | 18.32% | 12.97% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.39% | 2.31% | 2.69% | 2.94% | 3.20% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.32% | 2.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.21% | 2.21% | 2.15% | 2.20% | 2.43% |
Net investment income (loss) | .90% | .94% | .41% F | .19% | (.68)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 2,806 | $ 11,206 | $ 8,529 | $ 6,415 | $ 6,288 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 112% | 173% | 173% | 135% | 123% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.07 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been (.07)%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 20.10 | $ 16.89 | $ 13.00 | $ 10.98 | $ 9.73 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .13 | .17 | .06 F | .03 | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (8.82) | 4.32 | 4.07 | 1.99 | 1.33 |
Total from investment operations | (8.69) | 4.49 | 4.13 | 2.02 | 1.26 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.15) | (.05) | (.02) | - | (.01) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (2.68) | (1.23) | (.22) | - | - |
Total distributions | (2.83) | (1.28) | (.24) | - | (.01) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.58 | $ 20.10 | $ 16.89 | $ 13.00 | $ 10.98 |
Total Return A, B | (50.11)% | 28.21% | 32.25% | 18.40% | 12.96% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.38% | 2.26% | 2.57% | 2.86% | 3.08% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.30% | 2.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.21% | 2.21% | 2.15% | 2.19% | 2.43% |
Net investment income (loss) | .90% | .94% | .41% F | .20% | (.68)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 4,522 | $ 16,084 | $ 9,173 | $ 4,566 | $ 3,234 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 112% | 173% | 173% | 135% | 123% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.07 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been (.07)%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 21.27 | $ 17.72 | $ 13.63 | $ 11.40 | $ 10.07 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .30 | .38 | .23 E | .16 | .04 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (9.38) | 4.54 | 4.25 | 2.07 | 1.37 |
Total from investment operations | (9.08) | 4.92 | 4.48 | 2.23 | 1.41 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.38) | (.14) | (.17) | - | (.08) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (2.68) | (1.23) | (.22) | - | - |
Total distributions | (3.06) | (1.37) | (.39) | - | (.08) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital B,G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.13 | $ 21.27 | $ 17.72 | $ 13.63 | $ 11.40 |
Total Return A | (49.63)% | 29.57% | 33.68% | 19.56% | 14.07% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.27% | 1.19% | 1.46% | 1.73% | 1.95% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.25% | 1.19% | 1.25% | 1.31% | 1.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.21% | 1.15% | 1.15% | 1.20% | 1.43% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.90% | 2.00% | 1.41% E | 1.20% | .32% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 378 | $ 1,738 | $ 1,331 | $ 566 | $ 457 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 112% | 173% | 173% | 135% | 123% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.08 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .93%.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income - continued
4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds received from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Fund will claim a portion of the payment made to redeeming shareholders as a distribution for income tax purposes.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), capital loss carryforwards and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 402,956 |
Unrealized depreciation | (11,712,390) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (11,309,434) |
Undistributed ordinary income | 649,136 |
Capital loss carryforward | (11,538,731) |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 36,705,659 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 3,647,627 | $ 912,722 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 7,491,915 | 4,060,932 |
Total | $ 11,139,542 | $ 4,973,654 |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 30 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.00% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily
Annual Report
4. Operating Policies - continued
Repurchase Agreements - continued
basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $62,006,183 and $82,476,724, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. For the period, the total annual management fee rate was .71% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | -% | .25% | $ 52,223 | $ 1,388 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 81,093 | 189 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 69,757 | 52,431 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 106,016 | 19,276 |
| | | $ 309,089 | $ 73,284 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Sales Load - continued
sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 11,020 |
Class T | 4,088 |
Class B* | 18,341 |
Class C* | 3,082 |
| $ 36,531 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements. For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 64,359 | .31 |
Class T | 51,717 | .32 |
Class B | 21,795 | .31 |
Class C | 32,173 | .31 |
Institutional Class | 3,148 | .22 |
| $ 173,192 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $53 for the period.
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $117 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. At period end, there were no security loans outstanding. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $18,572.
9. Expense Reductions.
FMR voluntarily agreed to reimburse each class to the extent annual operating expenses exceeded certain levels of average net assets as noted in the table below. Some expenses, for example interest expense, including commitment fees, are excluded from this reimbursement.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
9. Expense Reductions - continued
The following classes were in reimbursement during the period:
| Expense Limitations | Reimbursement from adviser |
| | |
Class A | 1.50% | $ 25,453 |
Class T | 1.75% | 21,126 |
Class B | 2.25% | 9,630 |
Class C | 2.25% | 13,344 |
Institutional Class | 1.25% | 296 |
| | $ 69,849 |
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $24,753 for the period.
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $108 which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
Annual Report
10. Other - continued
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
During the period, Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (LBHI) sought protection under the insolvency laws of their jurisdictions of organization, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. At the time LBHI's insolvency proceedings were instituted, the Fund had outstanding securities trades with counterparties affiliated with LBHI. As a result of the insolvency proceedings, LBHI is unable to fulfill its commitments and, in certain cases, the Fund may have terminated its trades and related agreements with the relevant entities and, where appropriate, is in the process of initiating claims for damages. FMR believes that the financial impact to the Fund relating to the terminated trades and agreements is immaterial.
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 422,203 | $ 131,953 |
Class T | 191,381 | 120,031 |
Class B | 74,344 | 14,114 |
Class C | 114,566 | 27,366 |
Institutional Class | 40,467 | 12,016 |
Total | $ 842,961 | $ 305,480 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 3,709,850 | $ 1,411,320 |
Class T | 2,757,536 | 1,778,779 |
Class B | 1,443,769 | 642,980 |
Class C | 2,102,997 | 731,741 |
Institutional Class | 282,429 | 103,354 |
Total | $ 10,296,581 | $ 4,668,174 |
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 333,539 | 887,671 | $ 5,175,019 | $ 16,290,832 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 215,972 | 81,628 | 3,762,228 | 1,393,387 |
Shares redeemed | (802,475) | (655,962) | (11,977,580) | (12,453,019) |
Net increase (decrease) | (252,964) | 313,337 | $ (3,040,333) | $ 5,231,200 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 117,825 | 628,131 | $ 1,822,740 | $ 11,365,875 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 164,143 | 110,301 | 2,846,246 | 1,869,603 |
Shares redeemed | (429,996) | (1,129,336) | (6,075,451) | (21,225,724) |
Net increase (decrease) | (148,028) | (390,904) | $ (1,406,465) | $ (7,990,246) |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 61,747 | 290,925 | $ 969,843 | $ 5,134,606 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 80,186 | 36,910 | 1,347,923 | 610,124 |
Shares redeemed | (371,964) | (276,174) | (5,340,611) | (4,941,749) |
Net increase (decrease) | (230,031) | 51,661 | $ (3,022,845) | $ 802,981 |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 111,450 | 555,549 | $ 1,775,025 | $ 9,727,989 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 110,014 | 36,928 | 1,841,634 | 608,950 |
Shares redeemed | (494,555) | (335,147) | (7,013,919) | (6,006,565) |
Net increase (decrease) | (273,091) | 257,330 | $ (3,397,260) | $ 4,330,374 |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 43,138 | 50,928 | $ 796,320 | $ 962,437 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 11,953 | 3,929 | 211,086 | 67,898 |
Shares redeemed | (95,399) | (48,267) | (1,357,228) | (906,235) |
Net increase (decrease) | (40,308) | 6,590 | $ (349,822) | $ 124,100 |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Fidelity Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund (the Fund), a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII, including the schedule of investments, as of October 31, 2008, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2008, by correspondence with the custodians and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund as of October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 23, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004- 2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
The Board of Trustees of Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation fund voted to pay to shareholders of record at the opening of business on record date, the following distributions per share derived from capital gains realized from sales of portfolio securities, and dividends derived from net investment income:
| Pay Date | Record Date | Dividends | Capital Gains |
Class A | 12/08/08 | 12/05/08 | $0.304 | $0.00 |
Class T | 12/08/08 | 12/05/08 | $0.262 | $0.00 |
Class B | 12/08/08 | 12/05/08 | $0.161 | $0.00 |
Class C | 12/08/08 | 12/05/08 | $0.167 | $0.00 |
Class A designates 44%; Class B designates 52%; Class C designates 52%; and Class T designates 49%; of the dividends distributed in December during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Class A | 12/10/07 | $0.398 | $0.051 |
Class T | 12/10/07 | $0.355 | $0.051 |
Class B | 12/10/07 | $0.337 | $0.051 |
Class C | 12/10/07 | $0.340 | $0.051 |
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class C of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a peer group of mutual funds identified by Morningstar, Inc. as having an investment style similar to that of the fund based on underlying portfolio holdings. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class C show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund
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The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the second quartile for all the periods shown. The Board also stated that the investment performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund compared favorably to its benchmark for the one and three-year periods, although the fund's five-year cumulative total return was lower than its benchmark. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 14% means that 86% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund
![fid441](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid441.gif)
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of Class A ranked equal to its competitive median for 2007, and the total expenses of each of Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class ranked above its competitive median for 2007. The Board considered that the total expenses for Class T were above the median primarily because its 12b-1 fee is higher than the typical front-end load class. The Board noted that the fund offers multiple classes, each of which has a different sales load and 12b-1 fee structure, and that the multiple structures are intended to offer a range of pricing options for the intermediary market. The Board also noted that the total expenses of the classes vary primarily by the level of their 12b-1 fees, although differences in transfer agent fees may also cause expenses to vary from class to class.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable, although in some cases above the median of the universe presented for comparison, in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
Annual Report
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
Fidelity Investment Advisors
Fidelity Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd.
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Quincy, MA
AEUR-UANN-1208
1.784739.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Europe Capital Appreciation
Fund - Institutional Class
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Life of fundA |
Institutional Class | -49.63% | 3.54% | 1.98% |
A From December 17, 1998.
$10,000 Over Life of Fund *
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund - Institutional Class on December 31, 1998. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI® Europe Index performed over the same period.
![fid457](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid457.gif)
* From December 31, 1998 (first date following the fund's commencement for which the life of fund return for the MSCI Europe Index is available).
Annual Report
Comments from Melissa Reilly, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund
In a dramatic reversal of what had been a multiyear global growth story, international stocks fell long and hard during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, especially so during the latter stages of the period and mostly as a result of fallout from the financial crisis that emanated from the United States. The viral spread of this financial contagion - which began in the U.S. subprime mortgage market, then seized up the credit markets, hobbled major financial institutions and eventually slowed economic growth worldwide - left virtually no corner of the globe untouched. Developed international equity markets - as gauged by the MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index, which monitors established markets outside the U.S. and Canada - fell 46.54%, while the Standard & Poor's 500SM Index, a measure of U.S. stocks, dropped 36.10%. Among countries constituting at least 1% of the EAFE index, Switzerland had the "least worst" showing, falling roughly 32%, followed by Japan, where stocks slid by around 37%. Meanwhile, the weakest overall performance came from Belgium, where stocks slipped by nearly 70%. In the United Kingdom, the largest component of the index, equities were down almost 48%. Emerging markets were the weakest performers among the global economies, declining 56.22% as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
During the year, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares were down 49.77%, 49.91%, 50.13% and 50.11%, respectively (excluding sales charges), lagging the 47.89% decline of the MSCI Europe Index. Stock and market selection in consumer discretionary, energy, utilities and materials hurt the most relative to the index. Avoiding German car manufacturer Volkswagen was the biggest individual detractor. Underweighting British oil company BP hurt, while U.K. mining company Rio Tinto fell when energy prices began to slide. Underweighting pharmaceutical giants Novartis in Switzerland and U.K.-based GlaxoSmithKline - the latter of which I sold - detracted. Not owning another pharmaceutical heavyweight, AstraZeneca, also in the U.K., proved detrimental as well. On the upside, the fund benefited from strong stock selection in financials and, to a lesser extent, telecommunication services. Underweighting Royal Bank of Scotland, which I sold, gave the fund its biggest boost. Not owning global insurance company ING, based in the Netherlands, also was a positive. Three Swiss stocks - food and beverage manufacturer Nestle, pharmaceutical company Roche Holding and diversified mining firm Xstrata, the latter of which I sold by period end - benefited performance. Lastly, a modest position in cash helped as well.
During the year, the fund's Institutional Class shares were down 49.63%, lagging the 47.89% decline of the MSCI Europe Index. Stock and market selection in consumer discretionary, energy, utilities and materials hurt the most relative to the index. Avoiding German car manufacturer Volkswagen was the biggest individual detractor. Underweighting British oil company BP hurt, while U.K. mining company Rio Tinto fell when energy prices began to slide. Underweighting pharmaceutical giants Novartis in Switzerland and U.K.-based GlaxoSmithKline - the latter of which I sold - detracted. Not owning another pharmaceutical heavyweight, AstraZeneca, also in the U.K., proved detrimental as well. On the upside, the fund benefited from strong stock selection in financials and, to a lesser extent, telecommunication services. Underweighting Royal Bank of Scotland, which I sold, gave the fund its biggest boost. Not owning global insurance company ING, based in the Netherlands, also was a positive. Three Swiss stocks - food and beverage manufacturer Nestle, pharmaceutical company Roche Holding and diversified mining firm Xstrata, the latter of which I sold by period end - benefited performance. Lastly, a modest position in cash helped as well.
Annual Report
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Annual Report
|
Annualized Expense Ratio
| Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008
| Ending Account Value October 31, 2008
| Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.50% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 558.80 | $ 5.88 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.60 | $ 7.61 |
Class T | 1.75% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 558.20 | $ 6.85 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,016.34 | $ 8.87 |
Class B | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 556.90 | $ 8.81 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Class C | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 557.10 | $ 8.81 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Institutional Class | 1.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 559.80 | $ 4.90 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,018.85 | $ 6.34 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Five Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Nestle SA (Reg.) (Switzerland, Food Products) | 4.6 | 3.1 |
Roche Holding AG (participation certificate) (Switzerland, Pharmaceuticals) | 2.9 | 1.1 |
Total SA sponsored ADR (France, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 2.8 | 2.0 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC Class A (United Kingdom) (United Kingdom, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 2.6 | 3.5 |
HSBC Holdings PLC sponsored ADR (United Kingdom, Commercial Banks) | 2.5 | 2.9 |
| 15.4 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Financials | 21.8 | 22.9 |
Health Care | 16.8 | 6.1 |
Consumer Staples | 13.7 | 12.5 |
Energy | 10.8 | 14.2 |
Consumer Discretionary | 10.1 | 8.4 |
Top Five Countries as of October 31, 2008 |
(excluding cash equivalents) | % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
United Kingdom | 29.2 | 26.4 |
Switzerland | 17.9 | 13.1 |
Germany | 14.2 | 14.4 |
France | 11.8 | 12.2 |
Italy | 4.7 | 7.0 |
Percentages are adjusted for the effect of open futures contracts, if applicable. |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 96.9% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks and Investment Companies 97.7% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 3.1% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 2.3% | |
![fid463](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid463.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 96.9% |
| Shares | | Value |
Australia - 1.0% |
CSL Ltd. | 10,860 | | $ 263,974 |
Belgium - 1.3% |
InBev SA | 3,800 | | 153,266 |
KBC Groupe SA | 1,300 | | 55,890 |
Umicore SA | 7,300 | | 130,548 |
TOTAL BELGIUM | | 339,704 |
Canada - 1.5% |
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. | 2,000 | | 100,879 |
EnCana Corp. | 2,500 | | 126,949 |
Petrobank Energy & Resources Ltd. (a) | 4,400 | | 83,928 |
Silver Wheaton Corp. (a) | 18,900 | | 65,832 |
TOTAL CANADA | | 377,588 |
Denmark - 1.2% |
Genmab AS (a) | 2,000 | | 90,326 |
Novo Nordisk AS Series B | 4,300 | | 230,492 |
TOTAL DENMARK | | 320,818 |
Finland - 0.6% |
Nokia Corp. sponsored ADR | 10,500 | | 159,390 |
France - 11.8% |
AXA SA | 16,100 | | 307,575 |
BNP Paribas SA | 5,900 | | 425,988 |
Cap Gemini SA | 5,900 | | 190,096 |
Credit Agricole SA | 7,600 | | 109,949 |
Essilor International SA | 1,600 | | 71,773 |
Pernod Ricard SA | 3,500 | | 227,915 |
Pinault Printemps-Redoute SA | 4,300 | | 274,041 |
Sanofi-Aventis | 6,000 | | 380,143 |
Societe Generale Series A | 2,475 | | 134,900 |
Suez Environnement SA (a) | 1,275 | | 24,668 |
Total SA sponsored ADR | 13,100 | | 726,264 |
Unibail-Rodamco | 1,100 | | 165,530 |
TOTAL FRANCE | | 3,038,842 |
Germany - 14.2% |
Adidas-Salomon AG | 7,000 | | 248,566 |
Bayer AG | 6,700 | | 372,987 |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) | 10,500 | | 272,425 |
Commerzbank AG | 4,100 | | 44,581 |
E.ON AG | 16,400 | | 627,411 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Germany - continued |
ESCADA AG (a) | 3,100 | | $ 15,874 |
Fresenius AG | 5,300 | | 314,464 |
GEA Group AG | 5,900 | | 86,222 |
Linde AG | 3,300 | | 277,140 |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG (Reg.) | 3,400 | | 451,265 |
RWE AG | 5,100 | | 426,202 |
SAP AG | 4,700 | | 167,349 |
SAP AG sponsored ADR | 1,500 | | 52,995 |
Siemens AG (Reg.) | 3,000 | | 179,779 |
Symrise AG | 10,100 | | 125,454 |
TOTAL GERMANY | | 3,662,714 |
Hong Kong - 1.0% |
Esprit Holdings Ltd. | 47,100 | | 267,625 |
Ireland - 1.3% |
Allied Irish Banks PLC | 8,700 | | 46,342 |
CRH PLC | 8,300 | | 183,976 |
Ryanair Holdings PLC sponsored ADR (a) | 4,500 | | 100,215 |
TOTAL IRELAND | | 330,533 |
Italy - 4.7% |
ENI SpA sponsored ADR | 11,900 | | 571,795 |
Fiat SpA | 13,900 | | 110,474 |
IFIL Finanziaria di Partecipazioni SpA | 8,264 | | 25,621 |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 82,800 | | 302,879 |
Prysmian SpA | 2,600 | | 31,541 |
UniCredit SpA | 70,400 | | 172,249 |
TOTAL ITALY | | 1,214,559 |
Luxembourg - 0.2% |
ArcelorMittal SA (France) | 2,300 | | 59,822 |
Netherlands - 3.8% |
ASML Holding NV (Netherlands) | 2,900 | | 50,768 |
Koninklijke KPN NV | 30,900 | | 435,171 |
Unilever NV (Certificaten Van Aandelen) | 21,000 | | 506,089 |
TOTAL NETHERLANDS | | 992,028 |
Norway - 0.6% |
Pronova BioPharma ASA | 63,100 | | 163,928 |
Papua New Guinea - 0.5% |
Lihir Gold Ltd. (a) | 98,696 | | 123,086 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Russia - 0.2% |
OAO Gazprom sponsored ADR | 3,100 | | $ 63,395 |
Spain - 3.2% |
Banco Santander SA | 18,300 | | 197,917 |
Inditex SA | 1,700 | | 57,464 |
Telefonica SA sponsored ADR | 10,300 | | 571,753 |
TOTAL SPAIN | | 827,134 |
Sweden - 0.6% |
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB (B Shares) | 4,100 | | 146,995 |
Switzerland - 17.9% |
Actelion Ltd. (Reg.) (a) | 5,522 | | 291,652 |
Credit Suisse Group (Reg.) | 10,547 | | 394,308 |
EFG International | 6,590 | | 141,836 |
Julius Baer Holding AG | 4,353 | | 170,210 |
Lindt & Spruengli AG | 4 | | 97,019 |
Lonza Group AG | 894 | | 74,180 |
Nestle SA (Reg.) | 30,872 | | 1,200,259 |
Nobel Biocare Holding AG (Switzerland) | 3,148 | | 54,067 |
Novartis AG (Reg.) | 11,527 | | 584,962 |
Roche Holding AG (participation certificate) | 4,897 | | 748,721 |
Sonova Holding AG | 2,796 | | 116,150 |
UBS AG: | | | |
(For. Reg.) | 13,185 | | 223,665 |
(NY Shares) | 7,580 | | 128,102 |
Zurich Financial Services AG (Reg.) | 1,976 | | 400,800 |
TOTAL SWITZERLAND | | 4,625,931 |
United Kingdom - 29.2% |
Aegis Group PLC | 61,800 | | 65,122 |
Anglo American PLC (United Kingdom) | 3,100 | | 77,773 |
Autonomy Corp. PLC (a) | 5,500 | | 87,195 |
Barclays PLC | 29,200 | | 83,694 |
Bellway PLC | 24,300 | | 211,670 |
BG Group PLC | 13,900 | | 204,360 |
Bovis Homes Group PLC | 37,700 | | 206,050 |
BP PLC | 32,100 | | 261,630 |
British American Tobacco PLC (United Kingdom) | 15,500 | | 425,102 |
Capita Group PLC | 22,600 | | 233,497 |
Centrica PLC | 47,800 | | 234,852 |
easyJet PLC (a) | 37,300 | | 186,051 |
Experian PLC | 57,100 | | 314,866 |
Hammerson PLC | 9,900 | | 114,089 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
United Kingdom - continued |
HBOS PLC | 41,700 | | $ 68,272 |
HSBC Holdings PLC sponsored ADR | 10,900 | | 643,100 |
Informa PLC | 40,400 | | 136,857 |
Kesa Electricals PLC | 108,800 | | 139,696 |
Kingfisher PLC | 79,100 | | 145,980 |
Lloyds TSB Group PLC | 38,800 | | 125,390 |
Man Group PLC | 32,400 | | 187,038 |
National Grid PLC | 15,100 | | 170,082 |
Persimmon PLC | 22,100 | | 106,978 |
Prudential PLC | 41,300 | | 207,438 |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | 11,900 | | 503,306 |
Redrow PLC | 30,200 | | 100,993 |
Rio Tinto PLC (Reg.) | 4,200 | | 196,167 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC Class A (United Kingdom) | 24,800 | | 681,290 |
SSL International PLC | 32,800 | | 221,499 |
Standard Chartered PLC (United Kingdom) | 17,500 | | 289,187 |
Tesco PLC | 65,200 | | 357,194 |
Vodafone Group PLC | 158,500 | | 304,871 |
Vodafone Group PLC sponsored ADR | 13,550 | | 261,109 |
TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM | | 7,552,398 |
United States of America - 2.1% |
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. | 1,000 | | 62,030 |
Genentech, Inc. (a) | 3,400 | | 281,996 |
Synthes, Inc. | 860 | | 110,953 |
Virgin Media, Inc. | 13,600 | | 78,336 |
TOTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | | 533,315 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $36,018,073) | 25,063,779 |
Money Market Funds - 1.3% |
| | | |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) (Cost $332,446) | 332,446 | | 332,446 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 98.2% (Cost $36,350,519) | | 25,396,225 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - 1.8% | | 461,936 |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 25,858,161 |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 46,224 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 18,572 |
Total | $ 64,796 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $11,538,731 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $36,018,073) | $ 25,063,779 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $332,446) | 332,446 | |
Total Investments (cost $36,350,519) | | $ 25,396,225 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 1,345,643 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 9,881 |
Dividends receivable | | 73,833 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 668 |
Prepaid expenses | | 20 |
Receivable from investment adviser for expense reductions | | 13,012 |
Other receivables | | 5,835 |
Total assets | | 26,845,117 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 827,115 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 70,176 | |
Accrued management fee | 16,596 | |
Distribution fees payable | 12,514 | |
Other affiliated payables | 11,229 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 49,326 | |
Total liabilities | | 986,956 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 25,858,161 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 48,055,770 |
Undistributed net investment income | | 650,599 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (11,887,276) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (10,960,932) |
Net Assets | | $ 25,858,161 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($10,285,758 ÷ 1,144,920 shares) | | $ 8.98 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $8.98) | | $ 9.53 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($7,865,878 ÷ 881,440 shares) | | $ 8.92 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $8.92) | | $ 9.24 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($2,806,372 ÷ 325,935 shares)A | | $ 8.61 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($4,522,106 ÷ 527,260 shares)A | | $ 8.58 |
| | |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($378,047 ÷ 41,407 shares) | | $ 9.13 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 1,859,589 |
Interest | | 57 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 64,796 |
| | 1,924,442 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (188,658) |
Total income | | 1,735,784 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee | $ 397,038 | |
Transfer agent fees | 173,192 | |
Distribution fees | 309,089 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 30,105 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 48,531 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 257 | |
Registration fees | 55,110 | |
Audit | 47,955 | |
Legal | 352 | |
Miscellaneous | 15,231 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 1,076,860 | |
Expense reductions | (94,602) | 982,258 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 753,526 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | (11,799,788) | |
Foreign currency transactions | (36,458) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (11,836,246) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities | (20,353,714) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (9,051) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (20,362,765) |
Net gain (loss) | | (32,199,011) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (31,445,485) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 753,526 | $ 1,150,432 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (11,836,246) | 14,763,852 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (20,362,765) | 3,567,591 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (31,445,485) | 19,481,875 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (842,961) | (305,480) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (10,296,581) | (4,668,174) |
Total distributions | (11,139,542) | (4,973,654) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | (11,216,725) | 2,498,409 |
Redemption fees | 1,666 | 3,169 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (53,800,086) | 17,009,799 |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 79,658,247 | 62,648,448 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $650,599 and undistributed net investment income of $1,144,523, respectively) | $ 25,858,161 | $ 79,658,247 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 20.94 | $ 17.49 | $ 13.47 | $ 11.30 | $ 10.00 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .25 | .32 | .19 F | .12 | .01 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (9.22) | 4.48 | 4.18 | 2.05 | 1.37 |
Total from investment operations | (8.97) | 4.80 | 4.37 | 2.17 | 1.38 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.31) | (.12) | (.13) | - | (.08) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (2.68) | (1.23) | (.22) | - | - |
Total distributions | (2.99) | (1.35) | (.35) | - | (.08) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.98 | $ 20.94 | $ 17.49 | $ 13.47 | $ 11.30 |
Total Return A, B | (49.77)% | 29.16% | 33.17% | 19.20% | 13.87% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.63% | 1.53% | 1.81% | 2.16% | 2.41% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.55% | 1.75% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.46% | 1.46% | 1.40% | 1.44% | 1.68% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.65% | 1.69% | 1.16% F | .95% | .07% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 10,286 | $ 29,273 | $ 18,972 | $ 4,544 | $ 2,905 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 112% | 173% | 173% | 135% | 123% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.08 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .68%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 20.75 | $ 17.35 | $ 13.34 | $ 11.21 | $ 9.93 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .21 | .27 | .14 F | .09 | (.02) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (9.17) | 4.44 | 4.17 | 2.04 | 1.36 |
Total from investment operations | (8.96) | 4.71 | 4.31 | 2.13 | 1.34 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.19) | (.08) | (.08) | - | (.06) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (2.68) | (1.23) | (.22) | - | - |
Total distributions | (2.87) | (1.31) | (.30) | - | (.06) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.92 | $ 20.75 | $ 17.35 | $ 13.34 | $ 11.21 |
Total Return A, B | (49.91)% | 28.86% | 32.95% | 19.00% | 13.54% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.88% | 1.80% | 2.07% | 2.45% | 2.70% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.81% | 2.00% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.71% | 1.71% | 1.65% | 1.70% | 1.93% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.40% | 1.44% | .91% F | .70% | (.18)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 7,866 | $ 21,357 | $ 24,643 | $ 8,893 | $ 8,102 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 112% | 173% | 173% | 135% | 123% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.08 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .43%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 20.16 | $ 16.91 | $ 12.98 | $ 10.97 | $ 9.72 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .13 | .17 | .06 F | .02 | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (8.86) | 4.34 | 4.10 | 1.99 | 1.33 |
Total from investment operations | (8.73) | 4.51 | 4.16 | 2.01 | 1.26 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.14) | (.03) | (.01) | - | (.01) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (2.68) | (1.23) | (.22) | - | - |
Total distributions | (2.82) | (1.26) | (.23) | - | (.01) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.61 | $ 20.16 | $ 16.91 | $ 12.98 | $ 10.97 |
Total Return A, B | (50.13)% | 28.29% | 32.49% | 18.32% | 12.97% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.39% | 2.31% | 2.69% | 2.94% | 3.20% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.32% | 2.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.21% | 2.21% | 2.15% | 2.20% | 2.43% |
Net investment income (loss) | .90% | .94% | .41% F | .19% | (.68)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 2,806 | $ 11,206 | $ 8,529 | $ 6,415 | $ 6,288 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 112% | 173% | 173% | 135% | 123% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.07 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been (.07)%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 20.10 | $ 16.89 | $ 13.00 | $ 10.98 | $ 9.73 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .13 | .17 | .06 F | .03 | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (8.82) | 4.32 | 4.07 | 1.99 | 1.33 |
Total from investment operations | (8.69) | 4.49 | 4.13 | 2.02 | 1.26 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.15) | (.05) | (.02) | - | (.01) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (2.68) | (1.23) | (.22) | - | - |
Total distributions | (2.83) | (1.28) | (.24) | - | (.01) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.58 | $ 20.10 | $ 16.89 | $ 13.00 | $ 10.98 |
Total Return A, B | (50.11)% | 28.21% | 32.25% | 18.40% | 12.96% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.38% | 2.26% | 2.57% | 2.86% | 3.08% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.30% | 2.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.21% | 2.21% | 2.15% | 2.19% | 2.43% |
Net investment income (loss) | .90% | .94% | .41% F | .20% | (.68)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 4,522 | $ 16,084 | $ 9,173 | $ 4,566 | $ 3,234 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 112% | 173% | 173% | 135% | 123% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.07 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been (.07)%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 21.27 | $ 17.72 | $ 13.63 | $ 11.40 | $ 10.07 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .30 | .38 | .23 E | .16 | .04 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (9.38) | 4.54 | 4.25 | 2.07 | 1.37 |
Total from investment operations | (9.08) | 4.92 | 4.48 | 2.23 | 1.41 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.38) | (.14) | (.17) | - | (.08) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (2.68) | (1.23) | (.22) | - | - |
Total distributions | (3.06) | (1.37) | (.39) | - | (.08) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital B,G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.13 | $ 21.27 | $ 17.72 | $ 13.63 | $ 11.40 |
Total Return A | (49.63)% | 29.57% | 33.68% | 19.56% | 14.07% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.27% | 1.19% | 1.46% | 1.73% | 1.95% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.25% | 1.19% | 1.25% | 1.31% | 1.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.21% | 1.15% | 1.15% | 1.20% | 1.43% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.90% | 2.00% | 1.41% E | 1.20% | .32% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 378 | $ 1,738 | $ 1,331 | $ 566 | $ 457 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 112% | 173% | 173% | 135% | 123% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.08 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .93%.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income - continued
4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds received from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Fund will claim a portion of the payment made to redeeming shareholders as a distribution for income tax purposes.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), capital loss carryforwards and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 402,956 |
Unrealized depreciation | (11,712,390) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (11,309,434) |
Undistributed ordinary income | 649,136 |
Capital loss carryforward | (11,538,731) |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 36,705,659 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 3,647,627 | $ 912,722 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 7,491,915 | 4,060,932 |
Total | $ 11,139,542 | $ 4,973,654 |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 30 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.00% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily
Annual Report
4. Operating Policies - continued
Repurchase Agreements - continued
basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $62,006,183 and $82,476,724, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. For the period, the total annual management fee rate was .71% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | -% | .25% | $ 52,223 | $ 1,388 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 81,093 | 189 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 69,757 | 52,431 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 106,016 | 19,276 |
| | | $ 309,089 | $ 73,284 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Sales Load - continued
sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 11,020 |
Class T | 4,088 |
Class B* | 18,341 |
Class C* | 3,082 |
| $ 36,531 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements. For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 64,359 | .31 |
Class T | 51,717 | .32 |
Class B | 21,795 | .31 |
Class C | 32,173 | .31 |
Institutional Class | 3,148 | .22 |
| $ 173,192 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $53 for the period.
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $117 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. At period end, there were no security loans outstanding. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $18,572.
9. Expense Reductions.
FMR voluntarily agreed to reimburse each class to the extent annual operating expenses exceeded certain levels of average net assets as noted in the table below. Some expenses, for example interest expense, including commitment fees, are excluded from this reimbursement.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
9. Expense Reductions - continued
The following classes were in reimbursement during the period:
| Expense Limitations | Reimbursement from adviser |
| | |
Class A | 1.50% | $ 25,453 |
Class T | 1.75% | 21,126 |
Class B | 2.25% | 9,630 |
Class C | 2.25% | 13,344 |
Institutional Class | 1.25% | 296 |
| | $ 69,849 |
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $24,753 for the period.
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $108 which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
Annual Report
10. Other - continued
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
During the period, Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (LBHI) sought protection under the insolvency laws of their jurisdictions of organization, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. At the time LBHI's insolvency proceedings were instituted, the Fund had outstanding securities trades with counterparties affiliated with LBHI. As a result of the insolvency proceedings, LBHI is unable to fulfill its commitments and, in certain cases, the Fund may have terminated its trades and related agreements with the relevant entities and, where appropriate, is in the process of initiating claims for damages. FMR believes that the financial impact to the Fund relating to the terminated trades and agreements is immaterial.
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 422,203 | $ 131,953 |
Class T | 191,381 | 120,031 |
Class B | 74,344 | 14,114 |
Class C | 114,566 | 27,366 |
Institutional Class | 40,467 | 12,016 |
Total | $ 842,961 | $ 305,480 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 3,709,850 | $ 1,411,320 |
Class T | 2,757,536 | 1,778,779 |
Class B | 1,443,769 | 642,980 |
Class C | 2,102,997 | 731,741 |
Institutional Class | 282,429 | 103,354 |
Total | $ 10,296,581 | $ 4,668,174 |
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 333,539 | 887,671 | $ 5,175,019 | $ 16,290,832 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 215,972 | 81,628 | 3,762,228 | 1,393,387 |
Shares redeemed | (802,475) | (655,962) | (11,977,580) | (12,453,019) |
Net increase (decrease) | (252,964) | 313,337 | $ (3,040,333) | $ 5,231,200 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 117,825 | 628,131 | $ 1,822,740 | $ 11,365,875 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 164,143 | 110,301 | 2,846,246 | 1,869,603 |
Shares redeemed | (429,996) | (1,129,336) | (6,075,451) | (21,225,724) |
Net increase (decrease) | (148,028) | (390,904) | $ (1,406,465) | $ (7,990,246) |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 61,747 | 290,925 | $ 969,843 | $ 5,134,606 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 80,186 | 36,910 | 1,347,923 | 610,124 |
Shares redeemed | (371,964) | (276,174) | (5,340,611) | (4,941,749) |
Net increase (decrease) | (230,031) | 51,661 | $ (3,022,845) | $ 802,981 |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 111,450 | 555,549 | $ 1,775,025 | $ 9,727,989 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 110,014 | 36,928 | 1,841,634 | 608,950 |
Shares redeemed | (494,555) | (335,147) | (7,013,919) | (6,006,565) |
Net increase (decrease) | (273,091) | 257,330 | $ (3,397,260) | $ 4,330,374 |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 43,138 | 50,928 | $ 796,320 | $ 962,437 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 11,953 | 3,929 | 211,086 | 67,898 |
Shares redeemed | (95,399) | (48,267) | (1,357,228) | (906,235) |
Net increase (decrease) | (40,308) | 6,590 | $ (349,822) | $ 124,100 |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Fidelity Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund (the Fund), a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII, including the schedule of investments, as of October 31, 2008, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2008, by correspondence with the custodians and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund as of October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 23, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004- 2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
The Board of Trustees of Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation fund voted to pay to shareholders of record at the opening of business on record date, the following distributions per share derived from capital gains realized from sales of portfolio securities, and dividends derived from net investment income:
| Pay Date | Record Date | Dividends | Capital Gains |
Institutional Class | 12/08/08 | 12/05/08 | $0.307 | $0.00 |
Institutional Class designates 41% of the dividends distributed in December during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Institutional Class | 12/10/07 | $0.427 | $0.051 |
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class C of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a peer group of mutual funds identified by Morningstar, Inc. as having an investment style similar to that of the fund based on underlying portfolio holdings. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class C show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund
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The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the second quartile for all the periods shown. The Board also stated that the investment performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund compared favorably to its benchmark for the one and three-year periods, although the fund's five-year cumulative total return was lower than its benchmark. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 14% means that 86% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund
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The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of Class A ranked equal to its competitive median for 2007, and the total expenses of each of Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class ranked above its competitive median for 2007. The Board considered that the total expenses for Class T were above the median primarily because its 12b-1 fee is higher than the typical front-end load class. The Board noted that the fund offers multiple classes, each of which has a different sales load and 12b-1 fee structure, and that the multiple structures are intended to offer a range of pricing options for the intermediary market. The Board also noted that the total expenses of the classes vary primarily by the level of their 12b-1 fees, although differences in transfer agent fees may also cause expenses to vary from class to class.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable, although in some cases above the median of the universe presented for comparison, in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
Annual Report
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
Fidelity Investment Advisors
Fidelity Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd.
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Quincy, MA
AEURI-UANN-1208
1.784740.105
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(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Global Capital Appreciation
Fund - Class A, Class T, Class B
and Class C
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Managements' Discussion | <Click Here> | The managers' review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow. Returns reflect the conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after a maximum of seven years.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Life of fund A |
Class A (incl. 5.75% sales charge) | -51.93% | -4.26% | -1.27% |
Class T (incl. 3.50% sales charge) | -50.91% | -4.05% | -1.29% |
Class B (incl. contingent deferred sales charge)B | -51.55% | -4.12% | -1.21% |
Class C (incl. contingent deferred sales charge)C | -49.79% | -3.85% | -1.41% |
A From December 17, 1998.
B Class B shares' contingent deferred sales charges included in the past one year, past five years, and life of fund total return figures are 5%, 2%, and 0%, respectively.
C Class C shares' contingent deferred sales charges included in the past one year, past five years, and life of fund total return figures are 1%, 0%, and 0%, respectively.
Annual Report
$10,000 Over Life of Fund
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund - Class A on December 17, 1998, when the fund started, and the current 5.75% sales charge was paid. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI® All Country World (MSCI ACWI) Index performed over the same period.
![fid483](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid483.gif)
In prior years, the performance from year to year was represented by the performance of Class T. Going forward, the fund's performance will be represented by Class A for consistency with other fund materials.
Annual Report
Comments from Sammy Simnegar and Victor Thay, Co-Portfolio Managers of Fidelity Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund
In a dramatic reversal of what had been a multiyear global growth story, international stocks fell long and hard during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, especially so during the latter stages of the period and mostly as a result of fallout from the financial crisis that emanated from the United States. The viral spread of this financial contagion - which began in the U.S. subprime mortgage market, then seized up the credit markets, hobbled major financial institutions and eventually slowed economic growth worldwide - left virtually no corner of the globe untouched. Developed international equity markets - as gauged by the MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index, which monitors established markets outside the U.S. and Canada - fell 46.54%, while the Standard & Poor's 500SM Index, a measure of U.S. stocks, dropped 36.10%. Among countries constituting at least 1% of the EAFE index, Switzerland had the "least worst" showing, falling roughly 32%, followed by Japan, where stocks slid by around 37%. Meanwhile, the weakest overall performance came from Belgium, where stocks slipped by nearly 70%. In the United Kingdom, the largest component of the index, equities were down almost 48%. Emerging markets were the weakest performers among the global economies, declining 56.22% as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
During a disappointing year for international stocks, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares fell 48.99%, 49.12%, 49.33% and 49.35%, respectively (excluding sales charges), compared with a 43.37% decline for the MSCI All Country World Index. Ineffective stock picking in both the international and U.S. equities subportfolios accounted for all of our underperformance, although a nearly 4% average position in cash did offer a small bit of upside. In the international sleeve, the fund lost the most ground from its picks in the deflated materials sector, with out-of-index names such as Canadian miner Mercator Minerals and U.S.-listed paper and pulp firm AbitibiBower, no longer held at period end, among the worst performers. Russian natural gas producer Gazprom also detracted. In the U.S. equity sleeve, poor stock picks in the energy and telecommunication services sectors were among the biggest detractors, including such names as independent refiner Valero Energy and telecom company Cogent Communications. On the plus side, the stocks contributing the most to relative performance were U.S.-based, including Genentech, a big biopharmaceutical company that rose on a take-over bid; Southwestern Energy, a natural gas producer; and Norfolk Southern, a national rail-transport company. Several of the stocks we've mentioned were not components of their respective indexes.
During a disappointing year for international stocks, the fund's Institutional Class shares fell 48.89%, compared with a 43.37% decline for the MSCI All Country World Index. Ineffective stock picking in both the international and U.S. equities subportfolios accounted for all of our underperformance, although a nearly 4% average position in cash did offer a small bit of upside. In the international sleeve, the fund lost the most ground from its picks in the deflated materials sector, with out-of-index names such as Canadian miner Mercator Minerals and U.S.-listed paper and pulp firm AbitibiBower, no longer held at period end, among the worst performers. Russian natural gas producer Gazprom also detracted. In the U.S. equity sleeve, poor stock picks in the energy and telecommunication services sectors were among the biggest detractors, including such names as independent refiner Valero Energy and telecom company Cogent Communications. On the plus side, the stocks contributing the most to relative performance were U.S.-based, including Genentech, a big biopharmaceutical company that rose on a take-over bid; Southwestern Energy, a natural gas producer; and Norfolk Southern, a national rail-transport company. Several of the stocks we've mentioned were not components of their respective indexes.
Annual Report
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Annual Report
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.50% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 579.10 | $ 5.95 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.60 | $ 7.61 |
Class T | 1.75% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 578.30 | $ 6.94 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,016.34 | $ 8.87 |
Class B | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 577.50 | $ 8.92 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Class C | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 577.00 | $ 8.92 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Institutional Class | 1.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 579.50 | $ 4.96 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,018.85 | $ 6.34 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Five Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Genentech, Inc. (United States of America, Biotechnology) | 2.2 | 1.2 |
Philip Morris International, Inc. (United States of America, Tobacco) | 2.2 | 0.3 |
Google, Inc. Class A (sub. vtg.) (United States of America, Internet Software & Services) | 2.1 | 2.3 |
Landstar System, Inc. (United States of America, Road & Rail) | 2.1 | 1.7 |
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B (United States of America, Insurance) | 2.0 | 1.9 |
| 10.6 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Financials | 21.3 | 20.1 |
Energy | 14.4 | 15.5 |
Industrials | 11.8 | 11.4 |
Information Technology | 10.1 | 10.8 |
Health Care | 9.9 | 5.7 |
Top Five Countries as of October 31, 2008 |
(excluding cash equivalents) | % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
United States of America | 45.7 | 39.8 |
United Kingdom | 7.8 | 8.2 |
Japan | 5.4 | 6.8 |
Switzerland | 5.1 | 2.3 |
Canada | 4.7 | 5.0 |
Percentages are adjusted for the effect of open futures contracts, if applicable. |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 94.0% | | ![fid486](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid486.gif) | Stocks 97.1% | |
![fid488](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid488.gif) | Bonds 2.6% | | ![fid488](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid488.gif) | Bonds 0.0% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 3.4% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 2.9% | |
![fid493](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid493.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 94.0% |
| Shares | | Value |
Australia - 0.6% |
CSL Ltd. | 4,750 | | $ 115,458 |
Bermuda - 1.7% |
Arch Capital Group Ltd. (a) | 1,800 | | 125,550 |
Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. Class A (a) | 2,800 | | 74,788 |
Cooper Industries Ltd. Class A | 4,800 | | 148,560 |
TOTAL BERMUDA | | 348,898 |
Brazil - 1.4% |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (PN-A) sponsored ADR | 12,700 | | 148,717 |
MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA | 12,600 | | 65,265 |
Uniao de Bancos Brasileiros SA (Unibanco) GDR | 1,200 | | 75,696 |
TOTAL BRAZIL | | 289,678 |
Canada - 4.7% |
Absolute Software Corp. (a) | 20,400 | | 65,981 |
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. | 3,400 | | 93,783 |
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. | 2,800 | | 141,231 |
Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Ltd. (a) | 36,900 | | 59,674 |
EnCana Corp. | 2,900 | | 147,261 |
Goldcorp, Inc. | 14,300 | | 267,310 |
Mercator Minerals Ltd. (a) | 45,200 | | 90,340 |
Suncor Energy, Inc. | 4,600 | | 110,441 |
TOTAL CANADA | | 976,021 |
Cayman Islands - 0.6% |
Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. sponsored ADR (a) | 6,500 | | 113,750 |
China - 0.4% |
Focus Media Holding Ltd. ADR (a) | 4,800 | | 88,944 |
Czech Republic - 0.6% |
Ceske Energeticke Zavody AS | 3,100 | | 134,148 |
Denmark - 0.6% |
Vestas Wind Systems AS (a) | 3,000 | | 122,879 |
France - 3.6% |
Alstom SA | 2,300 | | 113,996 |
AXA SA | 6,400 | | 122,266 |
BNP Paribas SA | 2,200 | | 158,843 |
GDF Suez | 4,500 | | 201,148 |
Saft Groupe SA | 2,800 | | 81,803 |
Societe Generale Series A | 1,300 | | 70,857 |
TOTAL FRANCE | | 748,913 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Germany - 4.0% |
Allianz AG (Reg.) | 1,600 | | $ 119,739 |
E.ON AG | 5,400 | | 206,587 |
Q-Cells AG (a) | 3,200 | | 125,889 |
RWE AG | 2,500 | | 208,923 |
Siemens AG sponsored ADR | 2,700 | | 162,405 |
TOTAL GERMANY | | 823,543 |
Greece - 0.5% |
Public Power Corp. of Greece | 9,100 | | 112,523 |
Hong Kong - 0.5% |
CNOOC Ltd. | 119,000 | | 97,708 |
India - 0.3% |
ICICI Bank Ltd. sponsored ADR | 3,400 | | 58,106 |
Rural Electrification Corp. Ltd. | 1,056 | | 1,445 |
TOTAL INDIA | | 59,551 |
Ireland - 0.8% |
CRH PLC sponsored ADR | 5,100 | | 107,916 |
Dragon Oil PLC (a) | 22,199 | | 57,430 |
TOTAL IRELAND | | 165,346 |
Israel - 1.8% |
Israel Chemicals Ltd. | 9,700 | | 94,026 |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. sponsored ADR | 6,600 | | 283,008 |
TOTAL ISRAEL | | 377,034 |
Italy - 1.1% |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 31,800 | | 116,323 |
UniCredit SpA | 47,900 | | 117,198 |
TOTAL ITALY | | 233,521 |
Japan - 5.4% |
East Japan Railway Co. | 26 | | 185,007 |
Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc. | 2,300 | | 95,858 |
Mitsubishi Corp. | 8,000 | | 134,088 |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. sponsored ADR | 26,237 | | 164,506 |
Mitsui & Co. Ltd. | 12,000 | | 116,268 |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. sponsored ADR | 11,800 | | 110,920 |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | 33 | | 132,286 |
Terumo Corp. | 2,700 | | 112,522 |
Tsumura & Co. | 3,100 | | 79,332 |
TOTAL JAPAN | | 1,130,787 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Mexico - 0.1% |
Desarrolladora Homex Sab de CV (a) | 7,600 | | $ 29,143 |
Netherlands - 0.7% |
Unilever NV (NY Shares) | 5,737 | | 137,975 |
Netherlands Antilles - 0.7% |
Schlumberger Ltd. (NY Shares) | 2,800 | | 144,620 |
Norway - 0.4% |
Renewable Energy Corp. AS (a) | 7,900 | | 74,535 |
Russia - 2.5% |
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC sponsored ADR | 2,500 | | 97,875 |
OAO Gazprom sponsored ADR | 15,676 | | 320,574 |
OJSC Rosneft unit | 22,400 | | 103,040 |
TOTAL RUSSIA | | 521,489 |
South Africa - 1.0% |
FirstRand Ltd. | 53,000 | | 75,893 |
MTN Group Ltd. | 11,300 | | 126,070 |
TOTAL SOUTH AFRICA | | 201,963 |
Spain - 1.6% |
Grifols SA | 5,550 | | 110,449 |
Telefonica SA | 12,300 | | 227,734 |
TOTAL SPAIN | | 338,183 |
Switzerland - 5.1% |
ACE Ltd. | 4,900 | | 281,064 |
Alcon, Inc. | 600 | | 52,872 |
Credit Suisse Group sponsored ADR | 3,200 | | 119,680 |
Nestle SA (Reg.) | 8,132 | | 316,161 |
UBS AG (NY Shares) | 10,000 | | 169,000 |
Zurich Financial Services AG (Reg.) | 564 | | 114,398 |
TOTAL SWITZERLAND | | 1,053,175 |
Taiwan - 0.8% |
HTC Corp. | 5,000 | | 59,648 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. sponsored ADR | 14,100 | | 116,466 |
TOTAL TAIWAN | | 176,114 |
Turkey - 0.9% |
Tupras-Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS | 7,000 | | 88,433 |
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS (a) | 62,000 | | 101,221 |
TOTAL TURKEY | | 189,654 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
United Kingdom - 7.8% |
BAE Systems PLC | 22,500 | | $ 126,456 |
BG Group PLC | 11,400 | | 167,604 |
BHP Billiton PLC | 12,800 | | 217,324 |
British American Tobacco PLC (United Kingdom) | 5,100 | | 139,872 |
HSBC Holdings PLC sponsored ADR | 4,200 | | 247,800 |
Imperial Tobacco Group PLC | 6,700 | | 179,548 |
Man Group PLC | 20,600 | | 118,919 |
Prudential PLC | 19,300 | | 96,938 |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | 3,000 | | 126,884 |
Vedanta Resources PLC | 7,200 | | 99,700 |
Xstrata PLC | 6,400 | | 109,454 |
TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM | | 1,630,499 |
United States of America - 43.8% |
Amazon.com, Inc. (a) | 5,400 | | 309,096 |
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. | 1,600 | | 99,248 |
Applied Materials, Inc. | 14,500 | | 187,195 |
Ascent Media Corp. (a) | 4,600 | | 116,334 |
athenahealth, Inc. (a) | 800 | | 24,480 |
Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a) | 1,500 | | 96,390 |
Baxter International, Inc. | 1,700 | | 102,833 |
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B (a) | 110 | | 422,400 |
C.R. Bard, Inc. | 1,200 | | 105,900 |
Charles Schwab Corp. | 5,300 | | 101,336 |
Citigroup, Inc. | 3,700 | | 50,505 |
CME Group, Inc. | 400 | | 112,860 |
Cogent Communications Group, Inc. (a) | 8,705 | | 41,610 |
Equinix, Inc. (a) | 1,700 | | 106,114 |
Genentech, Inc. (a) | 5,590 | | 463,633 |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 2,300 | | 212,750 |
Google, Inc. Class A (sub. vtg.) (a) | 1,230 | | 442,013 |
Hess Corp. | 3,600 | | 216,756 |
Hewlett-Packard Co. | 5,400 | | 206,712 |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 6,600 | | 272,250 |
Juniper Networks, Inc. (a) | 10,000 | | 187,400 |
Landstar System, Inc. | 11,100 | | 428,349 |
Lockheed Martin Corp. | 1,800 | | 153,090 |
MasterCard, Inc. Class A | 700 | | 103,474 |
Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (a) | 3,230 | | 122,579 |
Meritage Homes Corp. (a) | 5,600 | | 76,888 |
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. | 2,900 | | 53,911 |
Microchip Technology, Inc. | 8,750 | | 215,513 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
United States of America - continued |
National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (a) | 3,900 | | $ 116,571 |
Noble Energy, Inc. | 6,330 | | 328,021 |
Norfolk Southern Corp. | 5,800 | | 347,652 |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | 10,500 | | 456,435 |
Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. Class A | 4,000 | | 188,680 |
Procter & Gamble Co. | 6,000 | | 387,240 |
ProLogis Trust | 4,000 | | 56,000 |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | 2,700 | | 103,302 |
Quicksilver Gas Services LP | 6,400 | | 72,000 |
SL Green Realty Corp. | 1,400 | | 58,856 |
Southwestern Energy Co. (a) | 11,550 | | 411,411 |
Texas Instruments, Inc. | 5,700 | | 111,492 |
The Walt Disney Co. | 15,400 | | 398,860 |
Valero Energy Corp. | 2,600 | | 53,508 |
VCA Antech, Inc. (a) | 14,500 | | 262,450 |
Visa, Inc. | 4,100 | | 226,935 |
Wells Fargo & Co. | 11,000 | | 374,550 |
Williams Companies, Inc. | 5,500 | | 115,335 |
TOTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | | 9,100,917 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $25,977,392) | 19,536,969 |
Corporate Bonds - 2.6% |
| Principal Amount | | |
Convertible Bonds - 1.9% |
United States of America - 1.9% |
Chesapeake Energy Corp. 2.5% 5/15/37 | | $ 430,000 | | 266,815 |
Cogent Communications Group, Inc. 1% 6/15/27 | | 70,000 | | 30,154 |
Lamar Advertising Co. 2.875% 12/31/10 | | 150,000 | | 102,000 |
TOTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | | 398,969 |
Nonconvertible Bonds - 0.7% |
Luxembourg - 0.7% |
Evraz Group SA 8.875% 4/24/13 (c) | | 100,000 | | 42,500 |
Corporate Bonds - continued |
| Principal Amount | | Value |
Nonconvertible Bonds - continued |
Luxembourg - continued |
TNK-BP Finance SA 7.5% 3/13/13 (Reg. S) | | $ 100,000 | | $ 50,000 |
Vimpel Communications 8.375% 4/30/13 (Issued by VIP Finance Ireland Ltd. for Vimpel Communications) (c) | | 100,000 | | 59,000 |
TOTAL LUXEMBOURG | | 151,500 |
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS (Cost $523,755) | 550,469 |
Money Market Funds - 4.4% |
| Shares | | |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) (Cost $906,175) | 906,175 | | 906,175 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 101.0% (Cost $27,407,322) | | 20,993,613 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - (1.0)% | | (204,456) |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 20,789,157 |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At the end of the period, the value of these securities amounted to $101,500 or 0.5% of net assets. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 52,061 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 8,891 |
Total | $ 60,952 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $9,459,490 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $26,501,147) | $ 20,087,438 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $906,175) | 906,175 | |
Total Investments (cost $27,407,322) | | $ 20,993,613 |
Foreign currency held at value (cost $43,057) | | 43,057 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 415,059 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 17,153 |
Dividends receivable | | 40,331 |
Interest receivable | | 7,862 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 1,705 |
Prepaid expenses | | 12 |
Receivable from investment adviser for expense reductions | | 12,052 |
Other receivables | | 20,475 |
Total assets | | 21,551,319 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable to custodian bank | $ 69,492 | |
Payable for investments purchased | 526,155 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 94,023 | |
Accrued management fee | 7,361 | |
Distribution fees payable | 8,795 | |
Other affiliated payables | 7,859 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 48,477 | |
Total liabilities | | 762,162 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 20,789,157 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 36,909,001 |
Undistributed net investment income | | 924 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (9,709,560) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (6,411,208) |
Net Assets | | $ 20,789,157 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($6,904,000 ÷ 1,003,142 shares) | | $ 6.88 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $6.88) | | $ 7.30 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($8,103,738 ÷ 1,205,333 shares) | | $ 6.72 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $6.72) | | $ 6.96 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($1,918,273 ÷ 301,312 shares)A | | $ 6.37 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($2,696,691 ÷ 423,404 shares)A | | $ 6.37 |
| | |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($1,166,455 ÷ 164,915 shares) | | $ 7.07 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 624,655 |
Interest | | 3,463 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 60,952 |
| | 689,070 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (47,209) |
Total income | | 641,861 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee Basic fee | $ 254,653 | |
Performance adjustment | (21,756) | |
Transfer agent fees | 113,030 | |
Distribution fees | 183,122 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 19,771 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 107,486 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 163 | |
Registration fees | 49,880 | |
Audit | 54,819 | |
Legal | 215 | |
Miscellaneous | 11,445 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 772,828 | |
Expense reductions | (174,470) | 598,358 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 43,503 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | (9,057,825) | |
Foreign currency transactions | (32,148) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (9,089,973) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities (net of decrease in deferred foreign taxes of $11,650) | (12,199,458) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (22,055) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (12,221,513) |
Net gain (loss) | | (21,311,486) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (21,267,983) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 43,503 | $ (104,872) |
Net realized gain (loss) | (9,089,973) | 5,836,387 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (12,221,513) | 3,378,282 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (21,267,983) | 9,109,797 |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (5,633,988) | (7,528,976) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | (1,207,232) | (4,022,385) |
Redemption fees | 3,644 | 1,520 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (28,105,559) | (2,440,044) |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 48,894,716 | 51,334,760 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $924 and undistributed net investment income of $12,210, respectively) | $ 20,789,157 | $ 48,894,716 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 15.38 | $ 14.83 | $ 13.68 | $ 11.88 | $ 10.73 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .04 | .01 | .01 | .05 | (.04) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.74) | 2.69 | 1.20 | 1.75 | 1.19 |
Total from investment operations | (6.70) | 2.70 | 1.21 | 1.80 | 1.15 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.04) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.80) | (2.15) | (.02) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.80) | (2.15) | (.06) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 6.88 | $ 15.38 | $ 14.83 | $ 13.68 | $ 11.88 |
Total Return A, B | (48.99)% | 20.55% | 8.86% | 15.15% | 10.72% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.90% | 1.81% | 1.69% | 1.76% | 1.97% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.56% | 1.75% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.41% | 1.45% | 1.46% | 1.54% | 1.72% |
Net investment income (loss) | .38% | .06% | .06% | .39% | (.33)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 6,904 | $ 14,000 | $ 10,956 | $ 10,101 | $ 8,450 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 257% | 102% | 251% | 52% | 59% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 15.05 | $ 14.59 | $ 13.46 | $ 11.71 | $ 10.61 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .01 | (.03) | (.03) | .02 | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.59) | 2.64 | 1.19 | 1.73 | 1.17 |
Total from investment operations | (6.58) | 2.61 | 1.16 | 1.75 | 1.10 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.01) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.75) | (2.15) | (.02) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.75) | (2.15) | (.03) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 6.72 | $ 15.05 | $ 14.59 | $ 13.46 | $ 11.71 |
Total Return A, B | (49.12)% | 20.24% | 8.62% | 14.94% | 10.37% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.17% | 2.08% | 1.99% | 2.09% | 2.39% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.81% | 2.00% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.66% | 1.71% | 1.71% | 1.79% | 1.97% |
Net investment income (loss) | .13% | (.19)% | (.19)% | .14% | (.58)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 8,104 | $ 22,039 | $ 26,780 | $ 28,786 | $ 20,966 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 257% | 102% | 251% | 52% | 59% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 14.34 | $ 14.06 | $ 13.01 | $ 11.38 | $ 10.36 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | (.04) | (.09) | (.10) | (.04) | (.12) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.25) | 2.52 | 1.15 | 1.67 | 1.14 |
Total from investment operations | (6.29) | 2.43 | 1.05 | 1.63 | 1.02 |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.68) | (2.15) | - | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 6.37 | $ 14.34 | $ 14.06 | $ 13.01 | $ 11.38 |
Total Return A, B | (49.33)% | 19.65% | 8.07% | 14.32% | 9.85% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.66% | 2.57% | 2.52% | 2.61% | 3.00% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.31% | 2.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.16% | 2.20% | 2.22% | 2.29% | 2.47% |
Net investment income (loss) | (.37)% | (.69)% | (.69)% | (.36)% | (1.08)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 1,918 | $ 5,029 | $ 5,788 | $ 6,464 | $ 5,575 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 257% | 102% | 251% | 52% | 59% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 14.36 | $ 14.08 | $ 13.02 | $ 11.39 | $ 10.38 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | (.04) | (.09) | (.10) | (.05) | (.12) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.26) | 2.52 | 1.16 | 1.68 | 1.13 |
Total from investment operations | (6.30) | 2.43 | 1.06 | 1.63 | 1.01 |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.69) | (2.15) | - | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 6.37 | $ 14.36 | $ 14.08 | $ 13.02 | $ 11.39 |
Total Return A, B | (49.35)% | 19.62% | 8.14% | 14.31% | 9.73% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.63% | 2.57% | 2.50% | 2.59% | 2.87% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.31% | 2.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.16% | 2.20% | 2.21% | 2.29% | 2.47% |
Net investment income (loss) | (.37)% | (.69)% | (.69)% | (.36)% | (1.08)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 2,697 | $ 5,352 | $ 5,348 | $ 5,396 | $ 3,959 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 257% | 102% | 251% | 52% | 59% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 15.76 | $ 15.11 | $ 13.93 | $ 12.06 | $ 10.88 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .07 | .05 | .05 | .09 | (.01) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.93) | 2.75 | 1.22 | 1.78 | 1.19 |
Total from investment operations | (6.86) | 2.80 | 1.27 | 1.87 | 1.18 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.07) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.83) | (2.15) | (.02) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.83) | (2.15) | (.09) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital B, F | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 7.07 | $ 15.76 | $ 15.11 | $ 13.93 | $ 12.06 |
Total Return A | (48.89)% | 20.88% | 9.15% | 15.51% | 10.85% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C, E | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.51% | 1.43% | 1.29% | 1.42% | 1.55% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.31% | 1.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.16% | 1.20% | 1.21% | 1.29% | 1.47% |
Net investment income (loss) | .63% | .31% | .31% | .64% | (.08)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 1,166 | $ 2,476 | $ 2,464 | $ 1,800 | $ 1,187 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 257% | 102% | 251% | 52% | 59% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
F Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class. The Fund's investments in emerging markets can be subject to social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties and can be extremely volatile.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Debt securities, including restricted securities, are valued by independent pricing services or by dealers who make markets in such securities. Pricing services consider yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type as well as dealer supplied prices. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds received from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), market discount, partnerships, capital loss carryforwards, certain foreign taxes and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 664,712 |
Unrealized depreciation | (7,325,065) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (6,660,353) |
Capital loss carryforward | (9,459,490) |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 27,653,966 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 4,443,400 | $ - |
Long-term Capital Gains | 1,190,588 | 7,528,976 |
Total | $ 5,633,988 | $ 7,528,976 |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 30 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.00% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to
Annual Report
4. Operating Policies - continued
Repurchase Agreements - continued
ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $89,455,780 and $92,423,215, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease.
In addition, the management fee is subject to a performance adjustment (up to a maximum of ± .20% of the Fund's average net assets over the performance period). The upward or downward adjustment to the management fee is based on the relative investment performance of the Institutional class of the Fund, as compared to an appropriate benchmark index. The Fund's performance period began on July 1, 2007 and subsequent months will be added until the performance period includes 36 months. The Fund's performance adjustment took effect in June 2008. For the period, the total annual management fee rate, including the performance adjustment, was .65% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Distribution and Service Plan - continued
of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | -% | .25% | $ 27,604 | $ 1,114 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 75,522 | 118 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 35,991 | 26,995 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 44,005 | 4,833 |
| | | $ 183,122 | $ 33,060 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 2,716 |
Class T | 4,083 |
Class B* | 6,426 |
Class C* | 386 |
| $ 13,611 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Transfer Agent Fees - continued
For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 34,045 | .31 |
Class T | 50,395 | .34 |
Class B | 11,299 | .32 |
Class C | 13,785 | .31 |
Institutional Class | 3,506 | .19 |
| $ 113,030 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $384 for the period.
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro-rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $74 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
8. Security Lending - continued
the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. At period end, there were no security loans outstanding. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $8,891.
9. Expense Reductions.
FMR voluntarily agreed to reimburse each class to the extent annual operating expenses exceeded certain levels of average net assets as noted in the table below. Some expenses, for example interest expense, including commitment fees, are excluded from this reimbursement.
The following classes were in reimbursement during the period:
| Expense Limitations | Reimbursement from adviser |
| | |
Class A | 1.50% | $ 43,281 |
Class T | 1.75% | 62,261 |
Class B | 2.25% | 14,527 |
Class C | 2.25% | 16,603 |
Institutional Class | 1.25% | 4,738 |
| | $ 141,410 |
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $33,060 for the period.
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Annual Report
10. Other - continued
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $2,363, which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 1,564,268 | $ 1,605,953 |
Class T | 2,554,809 | 3,892,392 |
Class B | 579,670 | 859,727 |
Class C | 647,099 | 818,416 |
Institutional Class | 288,142 | 352,488 |
Total | $ 5,633,988 | $ 7,528,976 |
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 418,198 | 317,426 | $ 4,437,285 | $ 4,551,831 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 119,266 | 117,030 | 1,527,791 | 1,549,483 |
Shares redeemed | (444,363) | (262,944) | (5,018,995) | (3,684,586) |
Net increase (decrease) | 93,101 | 171,512 | $ 946,081 | $ 2,416,728 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 231,838 | 275,123 | $ 2,533,231 | $ 3,836,949 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 200,342 | 296,053 | 2,512,291 | 3,842,771 |
Shares redeemed | (690,912) | (942,615) | (7,517,985) | (13,037,243) |
Net increase (decrease) | (258,732) | (371,439) | $ (2,472,463) | $ (5,357,523) |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 43,331 | 54,071 | $ 444,725 | $ 718,841 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 43,292 | 62,934 | 516,478 | 781,643 |
Shares redeemed | (135,936) | (178,017) | (1,380,376) | (2,365,148) |
Net increase (decrease) | (49,313) | (61,012) | $ (419,173) | $ (864,664) |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 101,121 | 79,702 | $ 1,020,088 | $ 1,057,436 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 50,878 | 60,320 | 606,979 | 750,384 |
Shares redeemed | (101,263) | (147,310) | (997,298) | (1,939,803) |
Net increase (decrease) | 50,736 | (7,288) | $ 629,769 | $ (131,983) |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 14,690 | 10,485 | $ 163,737 | $ 151,256 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 10,610 | 13,152 | 139,410 | 177,952 |
Shares redeemed | (17,519) | (29,545) | (194,593) | (414,151) |
Net increase (decrease) | 7,781 | (5,908) | $ 108,554 | $ (84,943) |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and the Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund (a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fidelity Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004- 2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
Class A designates 12%, Class T designates 12%, Class B designates 13%, and Class C designates 13%, of the dividends distributed in December 2007, as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a peer group of mutual funds identified by Morningstar, Inc. as having an investment style similar to that of the fund based on underlying portfolio holdings. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund
![fid495](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid495.gif)
The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the third quartile for the one-year period and the fourth quartile for the three- and five-year periods. The Board also stated that the investment performance of the fund was lower than its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes. The Board discussed with FMR actions that may be taken by FMR to improve the fund's disappointing performance relative to its peer group and benchmark. The Board will continue to closely monitor the performance of the fund in the coming year.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 14% means that 86% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund
![fid497](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid497.gif)
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Furthermore, the Board considered that the fund's management fee includes a performance adjustment component (that is, the fund's management fee will be subject to upward or downward adjustment depending upon whether, and to what extent, the fund's investment performance for the performance period exceeds, or is exceeded by, the record (over the same period) of a Board-approved performance adjustment index). The performance adjustment took effect on June 1, 2008, after the periods shown in the chart above.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of Class A ranked equal to its competitive median for 2007, and the total expenses of each of Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class ranked above its competitive median for 2007. The Board considered that the total expenses for Class T were above the median primarily because its 12b-1 fee is higher than the typical front-end load class. The Board noted that the fund offers multiple classes, each of which has a different sales load and 12b-1 fee structure, and that the multiple structures are intended to offer a range of pricing options for the intermediary market. The Board also noted that the total expenses of the classes vary primarily by the level of their 12b-1 fees, although differences in transfer agent fees may also cause expenses to vary from class to class.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable, although in some cases above the median of the universe presented for comparison, in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Annual Report
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
FIL Investment Advisors
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd.
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Quincy, MA
AGLO-UANN-1208
1.784744.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Global Capital Appreciation
Fund - Institutional Class
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Managements' Discussion | <Click Here> | The managers' review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Life of fund A |
Institutional Class | -48.89% | -2.89% | -0.41% |
A From December 17, 1998.
$10,000 Over Life of Fund
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund - Institutional Class on December 17, 1998, when the fund started. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI® All Country World (MSCI ACWI) Index performed over the same period.
![fid513](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid513.gif)
Annual Report
Comments from Sammy Simnegar and Victor Thay, Co-Portfolio Managers of Fidelity Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund
In a dramatic reversal of what had been a multiyear global growth story, international stocks fell long and hard during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, especially so during the latter stages of the period and mostly as a result of fallout from the financial crisis that emanated from the United States. The viral spread of this financial contagion - which began in the U.S. subprime mortgage market, then seized up the credit markets, hobbled major financial institutions and eventually slowed economic growth worldwide - left virtually no corner of the globe untouched. Developed international equity markets - as gauged by the MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index, which monitors established markets outside the U.S. and Canada - fell 46.54%, while the Standard & Poor's 500SM Index, a measure of U.S. stocks, dropped 36.10%. Among countries constituting at least 1% of the EAFE index, Switzerland had the "least worst" showing, falling roughly 32%, followed by Japan, where stocks slid by around 37%. Meanwhile, the weakest overall performance came from Belgium, where stocks slipped by nearly 70%. In the United Kingdom, the largest component of the index, equities were down almost 48%. Emerging markets were the weakest performers among the global economies, declining 56.22% as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
During a disappointing year for international stocks, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares fell 48.99%, 49.12%, 49.33% and 49.35%, respectively (excluding sales charges), compared with a 43.37% decline for the MSCI All Country World Index. Ineffective stock picking in both the international and U.S. equities subportfolios accounted for all of our underperformance, although a nearly 4% average position in cash did offer a small bit of upside. In the international sleeve, the fund lost the most ground from its picks in the deflated materials sector, with out-of-index names such as Canadian miner Mercator Minerals and U.S.-listed paper and pulp firm AbitibiBower, no longer held at period end, among the worst performers. Russian natural gas producer Gazprom also detracted. In the U.S. equity sleeve, poor stock picks in the energy and telecommunication services sectors were among the biggest detractors, including such names as independent refiner Valero Energy and telecom company Cogent Communications. On the plus side, the stocks contributing the most to relative performance were U.S.-based, including Genentech, a big biopharmaceutical company that rose on a take-over bid; Southwestern Energy, a natural gas producer; and Norfolk Southern, a national rail-transport company. Several of the stocks we've mentioned were not components of their respective indexes.
During a disappointing year for international stocks, the fund's Institutional Class shares fell 48.89%, compared with a 43.37% decline for the MSCI All Country World Index. Ineffective stock picking in both the international and U.S. equities subportfolios accounted for all of our underperformance, although a nearly 4% average position in cash did offer a small bit of upside. In the international sleeve, the fund lost the most ground from its picks in the deflated materials sector, with out-of-index names such as Canadian miner Mercator Minerals and U.S.-listed paper and pulp firm AbitibiBower, no longer held at period end, among the worst performers. Russian natural gas producer Gazprom also detracted. In the U.S. equity sleeve, poor stock picks in the energy and telecommunication services sectors were among the biggest detractors, including such names as independent refiner Valero Energy and telecom company Cogent Communications. On the plus side, the stocks contributing the most to relative performance were U.S.-based, including Genentech, a big biopharmaceutical company that rose on a take-over bid; Southwestern Energy, a natural gas producer; and Norfolk Southern, a national rail-transport company. Several of the stocks we've mentioned were not components of their respective indexes.
Annual Report
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example - continued
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.50% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 579.10 | $ 5.95 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.60 | $ 7.61 |
Class T | 1.75% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 578.30 | $ 6.94 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,016.34 | $ 8.87 |
Class B | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 577.50 | $ 8.92 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Class C | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 577.00 | $ 8.92 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Institutional Class | 1.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 579.50 | $ 4.96 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,018.85 | $ 6.34 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Five Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Genentech, Inc. (United States of America, Biotechnology) | 2.2 | 1.2 |
Philip Morris International, Inc. (United States of America, Tobacco) | 2.2 | 0.3 |
Google, Inc. Class A (sub. vtg.) (United States of America, Internet Software & Services) | 2.1 | 2.3 |
Landstar System, Inc. (United States of America, Road & Rail) | 2.1 | 1.7 |
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B (United States of America, Insurance) | 2.0 | 1.9 |
| 10.6 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Financials | 21.3 | 20.1 |
Energy | 14.4 | 15.5 |
Industrials | 11.8 | 11.4 |
Information Technology | 10.1 | 10.8 |
Health Care | 9.9 | 5.7 |
Top Five Countries as of October 31, 2008 |
(excluding cash equivalents) | % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
United States of America | 45.7 | 39.8 |
United Kingdom | 7.8 | 8.2 |
Japan | 5.4 | 6.8 |
Switzerland | 5.1 | 2.3 |
Canada | 4.7 | 5.0 |
Percentages are adjusted for the effect of open futures contracts, if applicable. |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 94.0% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 97.1% | |
![fid488](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid488.gif) | Bonds 2.6% | | ![fid488](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid488.gif) | Bonds 0.0% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 3.4% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 2.9% | |
![fid521](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid521.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 94.0% |
| Shares | | Value |
Australia - 0.6% |
CSL Ltd. | 4,750 | | $ 115,458 |
Bermuda - 1.7% |
Arch Capital Group Ltd. (a) | 1,800 | | 125,550 |
Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. Class A (a) | 2,800 | | 74,788 |
Cooper Industries Ltd. Class A | 4,800 | | 148,560 |
TOTAL BERMUDA | | 348,898 |
Brazil - 1.4% |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (PN-A) sponsored ADR | 12,700 | | 148,717 |
MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA | 12,600 | | 65,265 |
Uniao de Bancos Brasileiros SA (Unibanco) GDR | 1,200 | | 75,696 |
TOTAL BRAZIL | | 289,678 |
Canada - 4.7% |
Absolute Software Corp. (a) | 20,400 | | 65,981 |
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. | 3,400 | | 93,783 |
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. | 2,800 | | 141,231 |
Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Ltd. (a) | 36,900 | | 59,674 |
EnCana Corp. | 2,900 | | 147,261 |
Goldcorp, Inc. | 14,300 | | 267,310 |
Mercator Minerals Ltd. (a) | 45,200 | | 90,340 |
Suncor Energy, Inc. | 4,600 | | 110,441 |
TOTAL CANADA | | 976,021 |
Cayman Islands - 0.6% |
Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. sponsored ADR (a) | 6,500 | | 113,750 |
China - 0.4% |
Focus Media Holding Ltd. ADR (a) | 4,800 | | 88,944 |
Czech Republic - 0.6% |
Ceske Energeticke Zavody AS | 3,100 | | 134,148 |
Denmark - 0.6% |
Vestas Wind Systems AS (a) | 3,000 | | 122,879 |
France - 3.6% |
Alstom SA | 2,300 | | 113,996 |
AXA SA | 6,400 | | 122,266 |
BNP Paribas SA | 2,200 | | 158,843 |
GDF Suez | 4,500 | | 201,148 |
Saft Groupe SA | 2,800 | | 81,803 |
Societe Generale Series A | 1,300 | | 70,857 |
TOTAL FRANCE | | 748,913 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Germany - 4.0% |
Allianz AG (Reg.) | 1,600 | | $ 119,739 |
E.ON AG | 5,400 | | 206,587 |
Q-Cells AG (a) | 3,200 | | 125,889 |
RWE AG | 2,500 | | 208,923 |
Siemens AG sponsored ADR | 2,700 | | 162,405 |
TOTAL GERMANY | | 823,543 |
Greece - 0.5% |
Public Power Corp. of Greece | 9,100 | | 112,523 |
Hong Kong - 0.5% |
CNOOC Ltd. | 119,000 | | 97,708 |
India - 0.3% |
ICICI Bank Ltd. sponsored ADR | 3,400 | | 58,106 |
Rural Electrification Corp. Ltd. | 1,056 | | 1,445 |
TOTAL INDIA | | 59,551 |
Ireland - 0.8% |
CRH PLC sponsored ADR | 5,100 | | 107,916 |
Dragon Oil PLC (a) | 22,199 | | 57,430 |
TOTAL IRELAND | | 165,346 |
Israel - 1.8% |
Israel Chemicals Ltd. | 9,700 | | 94,026 |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. sponsored ADR | 6,600 | | 283,008 |
TOTAL ISRAEL | | 377,034 |
Italy - 1.1% |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 31,800 | | 116,323 |
UniCredit SpA | 47,900 | | 117,198 |
TOTAL ITALY | | 233,521 |
Japan - 5.4% |
East Japan Railway Co. | 26 | | 185,007 |
Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc. | 2,300 | | 95,858 |
Mitsubishi Corp. | 8,000 | | 134,088 |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. sponsored ADR | 26,237 | | 164,506 |
Mitsui & Co. Ltd. | 12,000 | | 116,268 |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. sponsored ADR | 11,800 | | 110,920 |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | 33 | | 132,286 |
Terumo Corp. | 2,700 | | 112,522 |
Tsumura & Co. | 3,100 | | 79,332 |
TOTAL JAPAN | | 1,130,787 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Mexico - 0.1% |
Desarrolladora Homex Sab de CV (a) | 7,600 | | $ 29,143 |
Netherlands - 0.7% |
Unilever NV (NY Shares) | 5,737 | | 137,975 |
Netherlands Antilles - 0.7% |
Schlumberger Ltd. (NY Shares) | 2,800 | | 144,620 |
Norway - 0.4% |
Renewable Energy Corp. AS (a) | 7,900 | | 74,535 |
Russia - 2.5% |
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC sponsored ADR | 2,500 | | 97,875 |
OAO Gazprom sponsored ADR | 15,676 | | 320,574 |
OJSC Rosneft unit | 22,400 | | 103,040 |
TOTAL RUSSIA | | 521,489 |
South Africa - 1.0% |
FirstRand Ltd. | 53,000 | | 75,893 |
MTN Group Ltd. | 11,300 | | 126,070 |
TOTAL SOUTH AFRICA | | 201,963 |
Spain - 1.6% |
Grifols SA | 5,550 | | 110,449 |
Telefonica SA | 12,300 | | 227,734 |
TOTAL SPAIN | | 338,183 |
Switzerland - 5.1% |
ACE Ltd. | 4,900 | | 281,064 |
Alcon, Inc. | 600 | | 52,872 |
Credit Suisse Group sponsored ADR | 3,200 | | 119,680 |
Nestle SA (Reg.) | 8,132 | | 316,161 |
UBS AG (NY Shares) | 10,000 | | 169,000 |
Zurich Financial Services AG (Reg.) | 564 | | 114,398 |
TOTAL SWITZERLAND | | 1,053,175 |
Taiwan - 0.8% |
HTC Corp. | 5,000 | | 59,648 |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. sponsored ADR | 14,100 | | 116,466 |
TOTAL TAIWAN | | 176,114 |
Turkey - 0.9% |
Tupras-Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS | 7,000 | | 88,433 |
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS (a) | 62,000 | | 101,221 |
TOTAL TURKEY | | 189,654 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
United Kingdom - 7.8% |
BAE Systems PLC | 22,500 | | $ 126,456 |
BG Group PLC | 11,400 | | 167,604 |
BHP Billiton PLC | 12,800 | | 217,324 |
British American Tobacco PLC (United Kingdom) | 5,100 | | 139,872 |
HSBC Holdings PLC sponsored ADR | 4,200 | | 247,800 |
Imperial Tobacco Group PLC | 6,700 | | 179,548 |
Man Group PLC | 20,600 | | 118,919 |
Prudential PLC | 19,300 | | 96,938 |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | 3,000 | | 126,884 |
Vedanta Resources PLC | 7,200 | | 99,700 |
Xstrata PLC | 6,400 | | 109,454 |
TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM | | 1,630,499 |
United States of America - 43.8% |
Amazon.com, Inc. (a) | 5,400 | | 309,096 |
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. | 1,600 | | 99,248 |
Applied Materials, Inc. | 14,500 | | 187,195 |
Ascent Media Corp. (a) | 4,600 | | 116,334 |
athenahealth, Inc. (a) | 800 | | 24,480 |
Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a) | 1,500 | | 96,390 |
Baxter International, Inc. | 1,700 | | 102,833 |
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B (a) | 110 | | 422,400 |
C.R. Bard, Inc. | 1,200 | | 105,900 |
Charles Schwab Corp. | 5,300 | | 101,336 |
Citigroup, Inc. | 3,700 | | 50,505 |
CME Group, Inc. | 400 | | 112,860 |
Cogent Communications Group, Inc. (a) | 8,705 | | 41,610 |
Equinix, Inc. (a) | 1,700 | | 106,114 |
Genentech, Inc. (a) | 5,590 | | 463,633 |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 2,300 | | 212,750 |
Google, Inc. Class A (sub. vtg.) (a) | 1,230 | | 442,013 |
Hess Corp. | 3,600 | | 216,756 |
Hewlett-Packard Co. | 5,400 | | 206,712 |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 6,600 | | 272,250 |
Juniper Networks, Inc. (a) | 10,000 | | 187,400 |
Landstar System, Inc. | 11,100 | | 428,349 |
Lockheed Martin Corp. | 1,800 | | 153,090 |
MasterCard, Inc. Class A | 700 | | 103,474 |
Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (a) | 3,230 | | 122,579 |
Meritage Homes Corp. (a) | 5,600 | | 76,888 |
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. | 2,900 | | 53,911 |
Microchip Technology, Inc. | 8,750 | | 215,513 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
United States of America - continued |
National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (a) | 3,900 | | $ 116,571 |
Noble Energy, Inc. | 6,330 | | 328,021 |
Norfolk Southern Corp. | 5,800 | | 347,652 |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | 10,500 | | 456,435 |
Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. Class A | 4,000 | | 188,680 |
Procter & Gamble Co. | 6,000 | | 387,240 |
ProLogis Trust | 4,000 | | 56,000 |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | 2,700 | | 103,302 |
Quicksilver Gas Services LP | 6,400 | | 72,000 |
SL Green Realty Corp. | 1,400 | | 58,856 |
Southwestern Energy Co. (a) | 11,550 | | 411,411 |
Texas Instruments, Inc. | 5,700 | | 111,492 |
The Walt Disney Co. | 15,400 | | 398,860 |
Valero Energy Corp. | 2,600 | | 53,508 |
VCA Antech, Inc. (a) | 14,500 | | 262,450 |
Visa, Inc. | 4,100 | | 226,935 |
Wells Fargo & Co. | 11,000 | | 374,550 |
Williams Companies, Inc. | 5,500 | | 115,335 |
TOTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | | 9,100,917 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $25,977,392) | 19,536,969 |
Corporate Bonds - 2.6% |
| Principal Amount | | |
Convertible Bonds - 1.9% |
United States of America - 1.9% |
Chesapeake Energy Corp. 2.5% 5/15/37 | | $ 430,000 | | 266,815 |
Cogent Communications Group, Inc. 1% 6/15/27 | | 70,000 | | 30,154 |
Lamar Advertising Co. 2.875% 12/31/10 | | 150,000 | | 102,000 |
TOTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | | 398,969 |
Nonconvertible Bonds - 0.7% |
Luxembourg - 0.7% |
Evraz Group SA 8.875% 4/24/13 (c) | | 100,000 | | 42,500 |
Corporate Bonds - continued |
| Principal Amount | | Value |
Nonconvertible Bonds - continued |
Luxembourg - continued |
TNK-BP Finance SA 7.5% 3/13/13 (Reg. S) | | $ 100,000 | | $ 50,000 |
Vimpel Communications 8.375% 4/30/13 (Issued by VIP Finance Ireland Ltd. for Vimpel Communications) (c) | | 100,000 | | 59,000 |
TOTAL LUXEMBOURG | | 151,500 |
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS (Cost $523,755) | 550,469 |
Money Market Funds - 4.4% |
| Shares | | |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) (Cost $906,175) | 906,175 | | 906,175 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 101.0% (Cost $27,407,322) | | 20,993,613 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - (1.0)% | | (204,456) |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 20,789,157 |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At the end of the period, the value of these securities amounted to $101,500 or 0.5% of net assets. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 52,061 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 8,891 |
Total | $ 60,952 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $9,459,490 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $26,501,147) | $ 20,087,438 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $906,175) | 906,175 | |
Total Investments (cost $27,407,322) | | $ 20,993,613 |
Foreign currency held at value (cost $43,057) | | 43,057 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 415,059 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 17,153 |
Dividends receivable | | 40,331 |
Interest receivable | | 7,862 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 1,705 |
Prepaid expenses | | 12 |
Receivable from investment adviser for expense reductions | | 12,052 |
Other receivables | | 20,475 |
Total assets | | 21,551,319 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable to custodian bank | $ 69,492 | |
Payable for investments purchased | 526,155 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 94,023 | |
Accrued management fee | 7,361 | |
Distribution fees payable | 8,795 | |
Other affiliated payables | 7,859 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 48,477 | |
Total liabilities | | 762,162 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 20,789,157 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 36,909,001 |
Undistributed net investment income | | 924 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (9,709,560) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (6,411,208) |
Net Assets | | $ 20,789,157 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($6,904,000 ÷ 1,003,142 shares) | | $ 6.88 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $6.88) | | $ 7.30 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($8,103,738 ÷ 1,205,333 shares) | | $ 6.72 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $6.72) | | $ 6.96 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($1,918,273 ÷ 301,312 shares)A | | $ 6.37 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($2,696,691 ÷ 423,404 shares)A | | $ 6.37 |
| | |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($1,166,455 ÷ 164,915 shares) | | $ 7.07 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 624,655 |
Interest | | 3,463 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 60,952 |
| | 689,070 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (47,209) |
Total income | | 641,861 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee Basic fee | $ 254,653 | |
Performance adjustment | (21,756) | |
Transfer agent fees | 113,030 | |
Distribution fees | 183,122 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 19,771 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 107,486 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 163 | |
Registration fees | 49,880 | |
Audit | 54,819 | |
Legal | 215 | |
Miscellaneous | 11,445 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 772,828 | |
Expense reductions | (174,470) | 598,358 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 43,503 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | (9,057,825) | |
Foreign currency transactions | (32,148) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (9,089,973) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities (net of decrease in deferred foreign taxes of $11,650) | (12,199,458) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (22,055) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (12,221,513) |
Net gain (loss) | | (21,311,486) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (21,267,983) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 43,503 | $ (104,872) |
Net realized gain (loss) | (9,089,973) | 5,836,387 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (12,221,513) | 3,378,282 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (21,267,983) | 9,109,797 |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (5,633,988) | (7,528,976) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | (1,207,232) | (4,022,385) |
Redemption fees | 3,644 | 1,520 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (28,105,559) | (2,440,044) |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 48,894,716 | 51,334,760 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $924 and undistributed net investment income of $12,210, respectively) | $ 20,789,157 | $ 48,894,716 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 15.38 | $ 14.83 | $ 13.68 | $ 11.88 | $ 10.73 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .04 | .01 | .01 | .05 | (.04) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.74) | 2.69 | 1.20 | 1.75 | 1.19 |
Total from investment operations | (6.70) | 2.70 | 1.21 | 1.80 | 1.15 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.04) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.80) | (2.15) | (.02) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.80) | (2.15) | (.06) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 6.88 | $ 15.38 | $ 14.83 | $ 13.68 | $ 11.88 |
Total Return A, B | (48.99)% | 20.55% | 8.86% | 15.15% | 10.72% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.90% | 1.81% | 1.69% | 1.76% | 1.97% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.56% | 1.75% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.41% | 1.45% | 1.46% | 1.54% | 1.72% |
Net investment income (loss) | .38% | .06% | .06% | .39% | (.33)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 6,904 | $ 14,000 | $ 10,956 | $ 10,101 | $ 8,450 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 257% | 102% | 251% | 52% | 59% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 15.05 | $ 14.59 | $ 13.46 | $ 11.71 | $ 10.61 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .01 | (.03) | (.03) | .02 | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.59) | 2.64 | 1.19 | 1.73 | 1.17 |
Total from investment operations | (6.58) | 2.61 | 1.16 | 1.75 | 1.10 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.01) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.75) | (2.15) | (.02) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.75) | (2.15) | (.03) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 6.72 | $ 15.05 | $ 14.59 | $ 13.46 | $ 11.71 |
Total Return A, B | (49.12)% | 20.24% | 8.62% | 14.94% | 10.37% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.17% | 2.08% | 1.99% | 2.09% | 2.39% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.81% | 2.00% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.66% | 1.71% | 1.71% | 1.79% | 1.97% |
Net investment income (loss) | .13% | (.19)% | (.19)% | .14% | (.58)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 8,104 | $ 22,039 | $ 26,780 | $ 28,786 | $ 20,966 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 257% | 102% | 251% | 52% | 59% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 14.34 | $ 14.06 | $ 13.01 | $ 11.38 | $ 10.36 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | (.04) | (.09) | (.10) | (.04) | (.12) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.25) | 2.52 | 1.15 | 1.67 | 1.14 |
Total from investment operations | (6.29) | 2.43 | 1.05 | 1.63 | 1.02 |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.68) | (2.15) | - | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 6.37 | $ 14.34 | $ 14.06 | $ 13.01 | $ 11.38 |
Total Return A, B | (49.33)% | 19.65% | 8.07% | 14.32% | 9.85% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.66% | 2.57% | 2.52% | 2.61% | 3.00% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.31% | 2.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.16% | 2.20% | 2.22% | 2.29% | 2.47% |
Net investment income (loss) | (.37)% | (.69)% | (.69)% | (.36)% | (1.08)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 1,918 | $ 5,029 | $ 5,788 | $ 6,464 | $ 5,575 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 257% | 102% | 251% | 52% | 59% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 14.36 | $ 14.08 | $ 13.02 | $ 11.39 | $ 10.38 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | (.04) | (.09) | (.10) | (.05) | (.12) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.26) | 2.52 | 1.16 | 1.68 | 1.13 |
Total from investment operations | (6.30) | 2.43 | 1.06 | 1.63 | 1.01 |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.69) | (2.15) | - | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 6.37 | $ 14.36 | $ 14.08 | $ 13.02 | $ 11.39 |
Total Return A, B | (49.35)% | 19.62% | 8.14% | 14.31% | 9.73% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.63% | 2.57% | 2.50% | 2.59% | 2.87% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.31% | 2.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.16% | 2.20% | 2.21% | 2.29% | 2.47% |
Net investment income (loss) | (.37)% | (.69)% | (.69)% | (.36)% | (1.08)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 2,697 | $ 5,352 | $ 5,348 | $ 5,396 | $ 3,959 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 257% | 102% | 251% | 52% | 59% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 15.76 | $ 15.11 | $ 13.93 | $ 12.06 | $ 10.88 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .07 | .05 | .05 | .09 | (.01) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.93) | 2.75 | 1.22 | 1.78 | 1.19 |
Total from investment operations | (6.86) | 2.80 | 1.27 | 1.87 | 1.18 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.07) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.83) | (2.15) | (.02) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.83) | (2.15) | (.09) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital B, F | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 7.07 | $ 15.76 | $ 15.11 | $ 13.93 | $ 12.06 |
Total Return A | (48.89)% | 20.88% | 9.15% | 15.51% | 10.85% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C, E | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.51% | 1.43% | 1.29% | 1.42% | 1.55% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.31% | 1.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.16% | 1.20% | 1.21% | 1.29% | 1.47% |
Net investment income (loss) | .63% | .31% | .31% | .64% | (.08)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 1,166 | $ 2,476 | $ 2,464 | $ 1,800 | $ 1,187 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 257% | 102% | 251% | 52% | 59% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
F Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class. The Fund's investments in emerging markets can be subject to social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties and can be extremely volatile.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Debt securities, including restricted securities, are valued by independent pricing services or by dealers who make markets in such securities. Pricing services consider yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type as well as dealer supplied prices. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds received from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), market discount, partnerships, capital loss carryforwards, certain foreign taxes and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 664,712 |
Unrealized depreciation | (7,325,065) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (6,660,353) |
Capital loss carryforward | (9,459,490) |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 27,653,966 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 4,443,400 | $ - |
Long-term Capital Gains | 1,190,588 | 7,528,976 |
Total | $ 5,633,988 | $ 7,528,976 |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 30 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.00% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to
Annual Report
4. Operating Policies - continued
Repurchase Agreements - continued
ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $89,455,780 and $92,423,215, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease.
In addition, the management fee is subject to a performance adjustment (up to a maximum of ± .20% of the Fund's average net assets over the performance period). The upward or downward adjustment to the management fee is based on the relative investment performance of the Institutional class of the Fund, as compared to an appropriate benchmark index. The Fund's performance period began on July 1, 2007 and subsequent months will be added until the performance period includes 36 months. The Fund's performance adjustment took effect in June 2008. For the period, the total annual management fee rate, including the performance adjustment, was .65% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Distribution and Service Plan - continued
of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | -% | .25% | $ 27,604 | $ 1,114 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 75,522 | 118 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 35,991 | 26,995 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 44,005 | 4,833 |
| | | $ 183,122 | $ 33,060 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 2,716 |
Class T | 4,083 |
Class B* | 6,426 |
Class C* | 386 |
| $ 13,611 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Transfer Agent Fees - continued
For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 34,045 | .31 |
Class T | 50,395 | .34 |
Class B | 11,299 | .32 |
Class C | 13,785 | .31 |
Institutional Class | 3,506 | .19 |
| $ 113,030 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $384 for the period.
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro-rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $74 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
8. Security Lending - continued
the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. At period end, there were no security loans outstanding. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $8,891.
9. Expense Reductions.
FMR voluntarily agreed to reimburse each class to the extent annual operating expenses exceeded certain levels of average net assets as noted in the table below. Some expenses, for example interest expense, including commitment fees, are excluded from this reimbursement.
The following classes were in reimbursement during the period:
| Expense Limitations | Reimbursement from adviser |
| | |
Class A | 1.50% | $ 43,281 |
Class T | 1.75% | 62,261 |
Class B | 2.25% | 14,527 |
Class C | 2.25% | 16,603 |
Institutional Class | 1.25% | 4,738 |
| | $ 141,410 |
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $33,060 for the period.
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Annual Report
10. Other - continued
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $2,363, which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 1,564,268 | $ 1,605,953 |
Class T | 2,554,809 | 3,892,392 |
Class B | 579,670 | 859,727 |
Class C | 647,099 | 818,416 |
Institutional Class | 288,142 | 352,488 |
Total | $ 5,633,988 | $ 7,528,976 |
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 418,198 | 317,426 | $ 4,437,285 | $ 4,551,831 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 119,266 | 117,030 | 1,527,791 | 1,549,483 |
Shares redeemed | (444,363) | (262,944) | (5,018,995) | (3,684,586) |
Net increase (decrease) | 93,101 | 171,512 | $ 946,081 | $ 2,416,728 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 231,838 | 275,123 | $ 2,533,231 | $ 3,836,949 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 200,342 | 296,053 | 2,512,291 | 3,842,771 |
Shares redeemed | (690,912) | (942,615) | (7,517,985) | (13,037,243) |
Net increase (decrease) | (258,732) | (371,439) | $ (2,472,463) | $ (5,357,523) |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 43,331 | 54,071 | $ 444,725 | $ 718,841 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 43,292 | 62,934 | 516,478 | 781,643 |
Shares redeemed | (135,936) | (178,017) | (1,380,376) | (2,365,148) |
Net increase (decrease) | (49,313) | (61,012) | $ (419,173) | $ (864,664) |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 101,121 | 79,702 | $ 1,020,088 | $ 1,057,436 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 50,878 | 60,320 | 606,979 | 750,384 |
Shares redeemed | (101,263) | (147,310) | (997,298) | (1,939,803) |
Net increase (decrease) | 50,736 | (7,288) | $ 629,769 | $ (131,983) |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 14,690 | 10,485 | $ 163,737 | $ 151,256 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 10,610 | 13,152 | 139,410 | 177,952 |
Shares redeemed | (17,519) | (29,545) | (194,593) | (414,151) |
Net increase (decrease) | 7,781 | (5,908) | $ 108,554 | $ (84,943) |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and the Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund (a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fidelity Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004- 2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
Class I designates 12% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a peer group of mutual funds identified by Morningstar, Inc. as having an investment style similar to that of the fund based on underlying portfolio holdings. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund
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The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the third quartile for the one-year period and the fourth quartile for the three- and five-year periods. The Board also stated that the investment performance of the fund was lower than its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes. The Board discussed with FMR actions that may be taken by FMR to improve the fund's disappointing performance relative to its peer group and benchmark. The Board will continue to closely monitor the performance of the fund in the coming year.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 14% means that 86% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund
![fid525](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid525.gif)
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Furthermore, the Board considered that the fund's management fee includes a performance adjustment component (that is, the fund's management fee will be subject to upward or downward adjustment depending upon whether, and to what extent, the fund's investment performance for the performance period exceeds, or is exceeded by, the record (over the same period) of a Board-approved performance adjustment index). The performance adjustment took effect on June 1, 2008, after the periods shown in the chart above.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of Class A ranked equal to its competitive median for 2007, and the total expenses of each of Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class ranked above its competitive median for 2007. The Board considered that the total expenses for Class T were above the median primarily because its 12b-1 fee is higher than the typical front-end load class. The Board noted that the fund offers multiple classes, each of which has a different sales load and 12b-1 fee structure, and that the multiple structures are intended to offer a range of pricing options for the intermediary market. The Board also noted that the total expenses of the classes vary primarily by the level of their 12b-1 fees, although differences in transfer agent fees may also cause expenses to vary from class to class.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable, although in some cases above the median of the universe presented for comparison, in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Annual Report
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
FIL Investment Advisors
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd.
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Quincy, MA
AGLOI-UANN-1208
1.784745.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
International
Capital Appreciation
Fund - Class A, Class T, Class B
and Class C
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to the financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow. Returns reflect the conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after a maximum of seven years.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Past 10 years |
Class A (incl. 5.75% sales charge) | -58.25% | -5.95% | 1.25% |
Class T (incl. 3.50% sales charge) | -57.34% | -5.73% | 1.30% |
Class B (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) A | -57.70% | -5.81% | 1.29% |
Class C (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) B | -56.29% | -5.50% | 1.16% |
A Class B shares' contingent deferred sales charges included in the past one year, past five years, and past ten years total return figures are 5%, 2%, and 0%, respectively.
B Class C shares' contingent deferred sales charge included in the past one year, past five years, and past ten years total return figures are 1%, 0%, and 0%, respectively.
Annual Report
$10,000 Over 10 Years
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund - Class A on October 31, 1998, and the current 5.75% sales charge was paid. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI® AC World ex USA Index performed over the same period.
![fid541](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid541.gif)
In prior years, the performance from year to year was represented by the performance of Class T. Going forward, the fund's performance will be represented by Class A for consistency with other fund materials.
Annual Report
Comments from Sammy Simnegar, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund
In a dramatic reversal of what had been a multiyear global growth story, international stocks fell long and hard during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, especially so during the latter stages of the period and mostly as a result of fallout from the financial crisis that emanated from the United States. The viral spread of this financial contagion - which began in the U.S. subprime mortgage market, then seized up the credit markets, hobbled major financial institutions and eventually slowed economic growth worldwide - left virtually no corner of the globe untouched. Developed international equity markets - as gauged by the MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index, which monitors established markets outside the U.S. and Canada - fell 46.54%, while the Standard & Poor's 500SM Index, a measure of U.S. stocks, dropped 36.10%. Among countries constituting at least 1% of the EAFE index, Switzerland had the "least worst" showing, falling roughly 32%, followed by Japan, where stocks slid by around 37%. Meanwhile, the weakest overall performance came from Belgium, where stocks slipped by nearly 70%. In the United Kingdom, the largest component of the index, equities were down almost 48%. Emerging markets were the weakest performers among the global economies, declining 56.22% as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
The fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares were down 55.70%, 55.79%, 56.02% and 55.95%, respectively (excluding sales charges), for the year, compared with a 48.46% decline for the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index. Ineffective stock picks accounted for all of this underperformance and easily offset the small gain achieved versus the index through our overweightings in the traditionally defensive health care and consumer staples sectors, as well as an underweighting in the weak financials group and maintaining an average cash position of around 3%. Several of the fund's worst performers were in the hard-hit materials sector, including out-of-index holdings in Mercator Minerals, a Canadian mining company, and U.S.-listed paper and pulp producer AbitibiBowater, the latter of which was sold by period end. Several of our holdings in energy, consumer discretionary, financials and information technology also took significant body blows, among them Babcock & Brown, an Australian asset management company that was no longer held at period end, and Gazprom, the big Russian natural gas producer. On the plus side, our best results came from Tokyo-based Shinsei Bank, which was sold from the portfolio at a nice profit, Swiss consumer staples giant Nestle and out-of-index tobacco retailer Philip Morris International.
The fund's Institutional Class shares were down 55.51% for the year, compared with a 48.46% decline for the MSCI® All Country World ex USA Index. Ineffective stock picks accounted for all of this underperformance and easily offset the small gain achieved versus the index through our overweightings in the traditionally defensive health care and consumer staples sectors, as well as an underweighting in the weak financials group and maintaining an average cash position of around 3%. Several of the fund's worst performers were in the hard-hit materials sector, including out-of-index holdings in Mercator Minerals, a Canadian mining company, and U.S.-listed paper and pulp producer AbitibiBowater, the latter of which was sold by period end. Several of our holdings in energy, consumer discretionary, financials and information technology also took significant body blows, among them Babcock & Brown, an Australian asset management company that was no longer held at period end, and Gazprom, the big Russian natural gas producer. On the plus side, our best results came from Tokyo-based Shinsei Bank, which was sold from the portfolio at a nice profit, Swiss consumer staples giant Nestle and out-of-index tobacco retailer Philip Morris International.
Annual Report
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Annual Report
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
|
Annualized Expense Ratio
| Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008
| Ending Account Value October 31, 2008
| Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.30% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 516.20 | $ 4.95 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,018.60 | $ 6.60 |
Class T | 1.54% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 515.60 | $ 5.87 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.39 | $ 7.81 |
Class B | 2.04% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 514.50 | $ 7.77 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.88 | $ 10.33 |
Class C | 2.05% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 514.90 | $ 7.81 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.83 | $ 10.38 |
Institutional Class | 1.00% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 517.20 | $ 3.81 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,020.11 | $ 5.08 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Five Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
OAO Gazprom sponsored ADR (Russia, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 3.0 | 1.9 |
Nestle SA (Reg.) (Switzerland, Food Products) | 3.0 | 1.9 |
HSBC Holdings PLC sponsored ADR (United Kingdom, Commercial Banks) | 2.4 | 0.0 |
Telefonica SA (Spain, Diversified Telecommunication Services) | 2.2 | 1.6 |
BHP Billiton PLC (United Kingdom, Metals & Mining) | 2.1 | 0.0 |
| 12.7 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Financials | 24.6 | 22.8 |
Industrials | 12.9 | 12.7 |
Energy | 11.9 | 9.8 |
Materials | 11.2 | 10.2 |
Consumer Staples | 9.9 | 7.7 |
Top Five Countries as of October 31, 2008 |
(excluding cash equivalents) | % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
United Kingdom | 15.5 | 14.2 |
Japan | 10.7 | 12.0 |
United States of America | 7.9 | 0.5 |
Germany | 7.8 | 8.8 |
Canada | 7.8 | 7.9 |
Percentages are adjusted for the effect of open futures contracts, if applicable. |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 96.6% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 95.9% | |
![fid488](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid488.gif) | Bonds 1.1% | | ![fid488](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid488.gif) | Bonds 0.0% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 2.3% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 4.1% | |
![fid549](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid549.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 96.6% |
| Shares | | Value |
Australia - 1.1% |
CSL Ltd. | 57,941 | | $ 1,408,371 |
Bermuda - 0.7% |
Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. Class A (a) | 33,900 | | 905,469 |
Brazil - 2.8% |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (PN-A) sponsored ADR | 155,100 | | 1,816,221 |
MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA | 153,600 | | 795,609 |
Uniao de Bancos Brasileiros SA (Unibanco) GDR | 14,900 | | 939,892 |
TOTAL BRAZIL | | 3,551,722 |
Canada - 7.8% |
Absolute Software Corp. (a) | 253,700 | | 820,559 |
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. | 41,800 | | 1,152,984 |
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. | 33,800 | | 1,704,857 |
Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Ltd. (a) | 452,200 | | 731,290 |
EnCana Corp. | 34,900 | | 1,772,207 |
Goldcorp, Inc. | 70,800 | | 1,323,463 |
Mercator Minerals Ltd. (a) | 552,400 | | 1,104,067 |
Suncor Energy, Inc. | 55,300 | | 1,327,695 |
TOTAL CANADA | | 9,937,122 |
Cayman Islands - 1.1% |
Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. sponsored ADR (a)(d) | 79,000 | | 1,382,500 |
China - 0.8% |
Focus Media Holding Ltd. ADR (a)(d) | 58,600 | | 1,085,858 |
Czech Republic - 1.3% |
Ceske Energeticke Zavody AS | 38,400 | | 1,661,710 |
Denmark - 1.2% |
Vestas Wind Systems AS (a) | 37,000 | | 1,515,509 |
France - 7.2% |
Alstom SA | 28,500 | | 1,412,565 |
AXA SA | 78,200 | | 1,493,936 |
BNP Paribas SA | 27,200 | | 1,963,875 |
GDF Suez | 54,600 | | 2,440,596 |
Saft Groupe SA | 34,700 | | 1,013,771 |
Societe Generale Series A | 15,800 | | 861,179 |
TOTAL FRANCE | | 9,185,922 |
Germany - 7.8% |
Allianz AG (Reg.) | 19,000 | | 1,421,899 |
E.ON AG | 65,800 | | 2,517,297 |
Q-Cells AG (a)(d) | 39,325 | | 1,547,056 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Germany - continued |
RWE AG | 30,100 | | $ 2,515,428 |
Siemens AG sponsored ADR (d) | 33,200 | | 1,996,980 |
TOTAL GERMANY | | 9,998,660 |
Greece - 1.1% |
Public Power Corp. of Greece | 111,100 | | 1,373,770 |
Hong Kong - 0.9% |
CNOOC Ltd. | 1,451,000 | | 1,191,379 |
India - 0.6% |
ICICI Bank Ltd. sponsored ADR | 40,900 | | 698,981 |
Rural Electrification Corp. Ltd. | 15,167 | | 20,754 |
TOTAL INDIA | | 719,735 |
Ireland - 1.6% |
CRH PLC sponsored ADR (d) | 62,100 | | 1,314,036 |
Dragon Oil PLC (a) | 270,600 | | 700,057 |
TOTAL IRELAND | | 2,014,093 |
Israel - 2.3% |
Israel Chemicals Ltd. | 119,100 | | 1,154,490 |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. sponsored ADR (d) | 41,500 | | 1,779,520 |
TOTAL ISRAEL | | 2,934,010 |
Italy - 2.2% |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 388,800 | | 1,422,215 |
UniCredit SpA | 586,000 | | 1,433,781 |
TOTAL ITALY | | 2,855,996 |
Japan - 10.7% |
East Japan Railway Co. | 309 | | 2,198,733 |
Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc. | 27,800 | | 1,158,631 |
Mitsubishi Corp. | 97,600 | | 1,635,874 |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. sponsored ADR | 321,300 | | 2,014,551 |
Mitsui & Co. Ltd. | 144,000 | | 1,395,218 |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. sponsored ADR (d) | 143,500 | | 1,348,900 |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | 409 | | 1,639,543 |
Terumo Corp. | 32,200 | | 1,341,930 |
Tsumura & Co. | 38,300 | | 980,132 |
TOTAL JAPAN | | 13,713,512 |
Mexico - 0.3% |
Desarrolladora Homex Sab de CV (a) | 91,900 | | 352,402 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Netherlands - 1.3% |
Unilever NV (NY Shares) | 69,900 | | $ 1,681,095 |
Norway - 0.7% |
Renewable Energy Corp. AS (a)(d) | 96,500 | | 910,462 |
Russia - 4.9% |
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC sponsored ADR | 30,584 | | 1,197,364 |
OAO Gazprom sponsored ADR | 189,343 | | 3,872,063 |
OJSC Rosneft unit | 277,200 | | 1,275,120 |
TOTAL RUSSIA | | 6,344,547 |
South Africa - 1.9% |
FirstRand Ltd. | 647,800 | | 927,607 |
MTN Group Ltd. | 137,500 | | 1,534,033 |
TOTAL SOUTH AFRICA | | 2,461,640 |
Spain - 3.2% |
Grifols SA | 67,172 | | 1,336,776 |
Telefonica SA | 149,700 | | 2,771,686 |
TOTAL SPAIN | | 4,108,462 |
Switzerland - 7.3% |
Alcon, Inc. | 7,100 | | 625,652 |
Credit Suisse Group sponsored ADR | 38,300 | | 1,432,420 |
Nestle SA (Reg.) | 98,525 | | 3,830,515 |
UBS AG (NY Shares) | 122,400 | | 2,068,560 |
Zurich Financial Services AG (Reg.) | 6,817 | | 1,382,719 |
TOTAL SWITZERLAND | | 9,339,866 |
Taiwan - 0.5% |
HTC Corp. | 59,000 | | 703,850 |
Turkey - 1.9% |
Tupras-Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS | 91,759 | | 1,159,211 |
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS (a) | 753,000 | | 1,229,348 |
TOTAL TURKEY | | 2,388,559 |
United Kingdom - 15.5% |
BAE Systems PLC | 275,600 | | 1,548,946 |
BG Group PLC | 139,000 | | 2,043,597 |
BHP Billiton PLC | 154,888 | | 2,629,758 |
British American Tobacco PLC (United Kingdom) | 62,300 | | 1,708,635 |
HSBC Holdings PLC sponsored ADR (d) | 51,400 | | 3,032,600 |
Imperial Tobacco Group PLC | 81,800 | | 2,192,094 |
Man Group PLC | 251,500 | | 1,451,851 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
United Kingdom - continued |
Prudential PLC | 236,440 | | $ 1,187,572 |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | 36,700 | | 1,552,211 |
Vedanta Resources PLC (d) | 87,800 | | 1,215,784 |
Xstrata PLC | 77,700 | | 1,328,841 |
TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM | | 19,891,889 |
United States of America - 7.9% |
Baxter International, Inc. | 20,300 | | 1,227,947 |
Citigroup, Inc. | 44,900 | | 612,885 |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 8,900 | | 823,250 |
MasterCard, Inc. Class A | 8,500 | | 1,256,470 |
Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (a) | 38,700 | | 1,468,665 |
Meritage Homes Corp. (a) | 67,700 | | 929,521 |
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. | 35,700 | | 663,663 |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | 40,000 | | 1,738,800 |
ProLogis Trust | 48,000 | | 672,000 |
SL Green Realty Corp. | 17,100 | | 718,884 |
TOTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | | 10,112,085 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $190,501,648) | 123,730,195 |
Nonconvertible Bonds - 1.1% |
| Principal Amount | | |
Luxembourg - 1.1% |
Evraz Group SA 8.875% 4/24/13 (e) | | $ 1,270,000 | | 539,750 |
TNK-BP Finance SA 7.5% 3/13/13 (Reg. S) | | 540,000 | | 270,000 |
Vimpel Communications 8.375% 4/30/13 (Issued by VIP Finance Ireland Ltd. for Vimpel Communications) (e) | | 1,040,000 | | 613,600 |
TOTAL NONCONVERTIBLE BONDS (Cost $1,311,150) | 1,423,350 |
Money Market Funds - 11.0% |
| Shares | | Value |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) | 2,415,182 | | $ 2,415,182 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund, 2.67% (b)(c) | 11,691,843 | | 11,691,843 |
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $14,107,025) | 14,107,025 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 108.7% (Cost $205,919,823) | | 139,260,570 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - (8.7)% | | (11,190,669) |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 128,069,901 |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities on loan. |
(d) Security or a portion of the security is on loan at period end. |
(e) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At the end of the period, the value of these securities amounted to $1,153,350 or 0.9% of net assets. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 342,193 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 263,718 |
Total | $ 605,911 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $100,610,801 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value (including securities loaned of $11,545,521) - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $191,812,798) | $ 125,153,545 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $14,107,025) | 14,107,025 | |
Total Investments (cost $205,919,823) | | $ 139,260,570 |
Cash | | 522,892 |
Foreign currency held at value (cost $541,374) | | 541,374 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 4,745,477 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 63,946 |
Dividends receivable | | 385,008 |
Interest receivable | | 7,881 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 16,321 |
Prepaid expenses | | 106 |
Other receivables | | 300,476 |
Total assets | | 145,844,051 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 5,376,237 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 462,556 | |
Accrued management fee | 29,709 | |
Distribution fees payable | 61,467 | |
Other affiliated payables | 55,952 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 96,386 | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | 11,691,843 | |
Total liabilities | | 17,774,150 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 128,069,901 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 296,971,710 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (102,291,006) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (66,610,803) |
Net Assets | | $ 128,069,901 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($35,516,819 ÷ 5,553,895 shares) | | $ 6.39 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $6.39) | | $ 6.78 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($57,603,310 ÷ 9,167,916 shares) | | $ 6.28 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $6.28) | | $ 6.51 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($10,356,196 ÷ 1,766,793 shares)A | | $ 5.86 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($20,973,234 ÷ 3,575,990 shares)A | | $ 5.87 |
| | |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($3,620,342 ÷ 534,987 shares) | | $ 6.77 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 6,178,028 |
Interest | | 29,128 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 605,911 |
| | 6,813,067 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (639,766) |
Total income | | 6,173,301 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee Basic fee | $ 2,000,954 | |
Performance adjustment | (216,229) | |
Transfer agent fees | 835,809 | |
Distribution fees | 1,518,146 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 148,930 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 278,560 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 1,303 | |
Registration fees | 71,891 | |
Audit | 70,908 | |
Legal | 1,885 | |
Interest | 5,270 | |
Miscellaneous | 46,740 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 4,764,167 | |
Expense reductions | (470,920) | 4,293,247 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 1,880,054 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes of $1,319) | (91,743,017) | |
Foreign currency transactions | (409,163) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (92,152,180) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities (net of decrease in deferred foreign taxes of $173,283) | (99,119,494) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (240,778) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (99,360,272) |
Net gain (loss) | | (191,512,452) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (189,632,398) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 1,880,054 | $ 543,494 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (92,152,180) | 89,635,932 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (99,360,272) | 6,279,776 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (189,632,398) | 96,459,202 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (449,119) | (1,726,224) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (86,586,412) | (71,372,564) |
Total distributions | (87,035,531) | (73,098,788) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | (12,610,728) | (47,012,739) |
Redemption fees | 6,208 | 75,033 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (289,272,449) | (23,577,292) |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 417,342,350 | 440,919,642 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $0 and undistributed net investment income of $315,878, respectively) | $ 128,069,901 | $ 417,342,350 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 18.64 | $ 17.79 | $ 17.38 | $ 15.40 | $ 14.47 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .11 | .07 | .12 | .12 | .01 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (8.42) | 3.81 | 2.73 | 1.86 | .92 |
Total from investment operations | (8.31) | 3.88 | 2.85 | 1.98 | .93 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.05) | (.12) | (.20) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.89) | (2.90) | (2.24) | - | - |
Total distributions | (3.94) | (3.03) H | (2.44) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 6.39 | $ 18.64 | $ 17.79 | $ 17.38 | $ 15.40 |
Total Return A, B | (55.70)% | 24.76% | 17.62% | 12.86% | 6.43% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.42% | 1.47% | 1.43% | 1.44% | 1.48% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.42% | 1.47% | 1.43% | 1.44% | 1.48% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.25% | 1.39% | 1.32% | 1.30% | 1.40% |
Net investment income (loss) | .95% | .39% | .70% | .71% | .06% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 35,517 | $ 113,579 | $ 110,240 | $ 113,809 | $ 103,606 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 394% | 146% | 170% | 176% | 170% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
H Total distributions of $3.026 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.123 and distributions from net realized gain of $2.903 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 18.38 | $ 17.57 | $ 17.18 | $ 15.26 | $ 14.38 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .08 | .03 | .08 | .08 | (.03) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (8.28) | 3.76 | 2.70 | 1.84 | .91 |
Total from investment operations | (8.20) | 3.79 | 2.78 | 1.92 | .88 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.01) | (.07) | (.15) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.89) | (2.90) | (2.24) | - | - |
Total distributions | (3.90) | (2.98) H | (2.39) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 6.28 | $ 18.38 | $ 17.57 | $ 17.18 | $ 15.26 |
Total Return A, B | (55.79)% | 24.47% | 17.38% | 12.58% | 6.12% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.65% | 1.69% | 1.65% | 1.67% | 1.74% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.65% | 1.69% | 1.65% | 1.67% | 1.74% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.48% | 1.61% | 1.54% | 1.53% | 1.66% |
Net investment income (loss) | .71% | .18% | .48% | .47% | (.20)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 57,603 | $ 179,990 | $ 188,320 | $ 216,717 | $ 216,588 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 394% | 146% | 170% | 176% | 170% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
H Total distributions of $2.977 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.074 and distributions from net realized gain of $2.903 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 17.36 | $ 16.72 | $ 16.46 | $ 14.70 | $ 13.94 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .02 | (.06) | (.02) | (.02) | (.12) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (7.75) | 3.57 | 2.57 | 1.78 | .88 |
Total from investment operations | (7.73) | 3.51 | 2.55 | 1.76 | .76 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.05) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.77) | (2.87) | (2.24) | - | - |
Total distributions | (3.77) | (2.87) H | (2.29) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 5.86 | $ 17.36 | $ 16.72 | $ 16.46 | $ 14.70 |
Total Return A, B | (56.02)% | 23.85% | 16.58% | 11.97% | 5.45% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.17% | 2.24% | 2.26% | 2.27% | 2.35% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.17% | 2.24% | 2.25% | 2.27% | 2.35% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.01% | 2.17% | 2.14% | 2.13% | 2.27% |
Net investment income (loss) | .19% | (.38)% | (.13)% | (.13)% | (.80)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 10,356 | $ 40,013 | $ 51,661 | $ 57,168 | $ 59,985 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 394% | 146% | 170% | 176% | 170% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
H Total distributions of $2.869 per share is comprised of distributions from net realized gain of $2.869 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 17.42 | $ 16.80 | $ 16.52 | $ 14.74 | $ 13.96 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .02 | (.05) | (.01) | - G | (.10) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (7.75) | 3.57 | 2.60 | 1.78 | .88 |
Total from investment operations | (7.73) | 3.52 | 2.59 | 1.78 | .78 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.07) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.82) | (2.90) | (2.24) | - | - |
Total distributions | (3.82) | (2.90) H | (2.31) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 5.87 | $ 17.42 | $ 16.80 | $ 16.52 | $ 14.74 |
Total Return A, B | (55.95)% | 23.85% | 16.75% | 12.08% | 5.59% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.16% | 2.19% | 2.16% | 2.17% | 2.21% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.16% | 2.19% | 2.16% | 2.17% | 2.21% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.00% | 2.12% | 2.05% | 2.04% | 2.12% |
Net investment income (loss) | .20% | (.33)% | (.03)% | (.03)% | (.66)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 20,973 | $ 66,298 | $ 66,162 | $ 67,429 | $ 76,412 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 394% | 146% | 170% | 176% | 170% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
H Total distributions of $2.903 per share is comprised of distributions from net realized gain of $2.903 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 19.49 | $ 18.46 | $ 17.70 | $ 15.65 | $ 14.70 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .16 | .13 | .20 | .16 | .05 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (8.88) | 3.97 | 2.80 | 1.89 | .94 |
Total from investment operations | (8.72) | 4.10 | 3.00 | 2.05 | .99 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.11) | (.17) | - | - | (.04) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.89) | (2.90) | (2.24) | - | - |
Total distributions | (4.00) | (3.07) G | (2.24) | - | (.04) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital B, F | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 6.77 | $ 19.49 | $ 18.46 | $ 17.70 | $ 15.65 |
Total Return A | (55.51)% | 25.16% | 18.09% | 13.10% | 6.75% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C, E | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.12% | 1.14% | 1.04% | 1.23% | 1.21% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.12% | 1.14% | 1.04% | 1.23% | 1.21% |
Expenses net of all reductions | .95% | 1.07% | .93% | 1.09% | 1.13% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.24% | .72% | 1.08% | .92% | .34% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 3,620 | $ 17,463 | $ 24,536 | $ 209,278 | $ 210,160 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 394% | 146% | 170% | 176% | 170% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
F Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
G Total distributions of $3.069 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.166 and distributions from net realized gain of $2.903 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class. The Fund's investments in emerging markets can be subject to social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties and can be extremely volatile.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
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Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Debt securities, including restricted securities, are valued by independent pricing services or by dealers who make markets in such securities. Pricing services consider yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type as well as dealer supplied prices. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
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3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds received from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
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Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, certain foreign taxes, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 2,789,191 |
Unrealized depreciation | (71,080,202) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (68,291,011) |
Capital loss carryforward | (100,610,801) |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 207,551,581 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 61,767,784 | $ 8,592,674 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 25,267,747 | 64,506,114 |
Total | $ 87,035,531 | $ 73,098,788 |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 30 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.00% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncements. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
In addition, in March 2008, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 161), was issued and is effective for reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2008. SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures to provide information about the reasons the Fund invests in derivative instruments, the accounting treatment and the effect derivatives have on financial performance.
4. Operating Policies.
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts. The Fund generally uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities and to manage the Fund's currency exposure. Contracts to sell generally are used to hedge the Fund's investments against currency fluctuations, while contracts to buy generally are used to offset a previous contract to sell. Also, a contract to buy can be used to acquire exposure to foreign currencies and a contract to sell can be used to offset a previous contract to buy. Losses may arise from
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4. Operating Policies - continued
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts - continued
changes in the value of foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Purchases and sales of forward foreign currency contracts having the same settlement date and broker are offset and any realized gain (loss) recognized on the date of offset: otherwise, gain (loss) is recognized on settlement date.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities other than short-term securities, aggregated $1,072,336,083 and $1,136,219,132, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. In addition, the management fee is subject to a performance adjustment (up to a maximum of ±.20% of the Fund's average net assets over the performance period). The upward or downward adjustment to the management fee is based on the relative investment performance of the Institutional Class of the Fund as compared to an
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Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Management Fee - continued
appropriate benchmark index. The Fund's performance period began on August 1, 2007 and subsequent months will be added until the performance period includes 36 months. The Fund's performance adjustment took effect in July 2008. For the period, the total annual management fee rate, including the performance adjustment, was .63% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | 0% | .25% | $ 197,567 | $ 5,620 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 621,172 | 6,718 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 245,555 | 184,670 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 453,852 | 15,699 |
| | | $ 1,518,146 | $ 212,707 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 10,824 |
Class T | 7,166 |
Class B* | 50,859 |
Class C* | 2,330 |
| $ 71,179 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
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6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements. For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 241,296 | .31 |
Class T | 358,575 | .29 |
Class B | 75,348 | .31 |
Class C | 135,240 | .30 |
Institutional Class | 25,350 | .26 |
| $ 835,809 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $1,041 for the period.
Interfund Lending Program. Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts with FMR, may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the funds to borrow from, or lend money to, other participating affiliated funds. At period end, there were no interfund loans outstanding. The Fund's activity in this program during the period for which loans were outstanding was as follows:
Borrower or Lender | Average Daily Loan Balance | Weighted Average Interest Rate | Interest Expense |
Borrower | $ 7,268,000 | 4.35% | $ 5,270 |
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $595 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
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Notes to Financial Statements - continued
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. The value of loaned securities and cash collateral at period end are disclosed on the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $263,718.
9. Expense Reductions.
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $464,935 for the period. In addition, through arrangements with the Fund's custodian and each class' transfer agent, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses. During the period, these credits reduced the Fund's custody expenses by $3,436. During the period, credits reduced each class' transfer agent expense as noted in the table below.
| Transfer Agent expense reduction |
Class A | $ 1,597 |
Class T | 944 |
Institutional Class | 8 |
| $ 2,549 |
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
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10. Other - continued
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $1,302, which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 287,025 | $ 741,807 |
Class T | 77,076 | 779,904 |
Institutional Class | 85,018 | 204,513 |
Total | $ 449,119 | $ 1,726,224 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 23,298,138 | $ 17,507,820 |
Class T | 37,538,694 | 30,595,453 |
Class B | 8,239,219 | 8,539,459 |
Class C | 14,357,087 | 11,153,317 |
Institutional Class | 3,153,274 | 3,576,515 |
Total | $ 86,586,412 | $ 71,372,564 |
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Notes to Financial Statements - continued
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 1,431,300 | 2,473,487 | $ 17,317,299 | $ 42,784,764 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 1,636,300 | 1,076,085 | 22,086,470 | 17,077,468 |
Shares redeemed | (3,607,367) | (3,652,624) | (41,159,063) | (63,819,065) |
Net increase (decrease) | (539,767) | (103,052) | $ (1,755,294) | $ (3,956,833) |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 1,551,828 | 1,816,120 | $ 17,883,865 | $ 30,886,267 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 2,762,616 | 1,951,860 | 36,709,081 | 30,605,163 |
Shares redeemed | (4,939,378) | (4,694,918) | (56,071,739) | (80,369,952) |
Net increase (decrease) | (624,934) | (926,938) | $ (1,478,793) | $ (18,878,522) |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 180,465 | 202,050 | $ 2,040,117 | $ 3,191,835 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 561,875 | 474,419 | 6,999,729 | 7,059,355 |
Shares redeemed | (1,280,800) | (1,460,360) | (14,130,453) | (23,561,432) |
Net increase (decrease) | (538,460) | (783,891) | $ (5,090,607) | $ (13,310,242) |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 410,295 | 408,629 | $ 4,723,686 | $ 6,500,495 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 998,851 | 649,627 | 12,453,463 | 9,698,929 |
Shares redeemed | (1,638,733) | (1,190,743) | (17,110,227) | (19,242,229) |
Net increase (decrease) | (229,587) | (132,487) | $ 66,922 | $ (3,042,805) |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 76,928 | 112,415 | $ 984,464 | $ 1,997,164 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 166,560 | 179,235 | 2,373,119 | 2,966,333 |
Shares redeemed | (604,322) | (724,750) | (7,710,539) | (12,787,834) |
Net increase (decrease) | (360,834) | (433,100) | $ (4,352,956) | $ (7,824,337) |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Fidelity Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund (the Fund), a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII, including the schedule of investments, as of October 31, 2008, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2008, by correspondence with the custodians and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund as of October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 19, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004-2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
A total of .70% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year was derived from interest on U.S. Government securities which is generally exempt from state income tax.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Class A | 12/10/07 | $0.178 | $0.0337 |
| 12/31/07 | $0.001 | $0.0000 |
Class T | 12/10/07 | $0.175 | $0.0337 |
| 12/31/07 | $0.001 | $0.0000 |
Class B | 12/10/07 | $0.167 | $0.0337 |
| 12/31/07 | $0.001 | $0.0000 |
Class C | 12/10/07 | $0.170 | $0.0337 |
| 12/31/07 | $0.001 | $0.0000 |
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a custom peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a custom peer group of mutual funds defined by FMR based on categories assigned by Morningstar, Inc. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated. The fund's custom peer group, defined by FMR, is a peer group that FMR believes provides a more meaningful performance comparison than the peer group assigned by Morningstar, Inc., which assigns mutual funds to categories based on their investment styles as measured by their underlying portfolio holdings.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund
![fid551](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid551.gif)
The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the fourth quartile for all the periods shown. The Board also stated that the investment performance of the fund was lower than its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes. The Board discussed with FMR actions that may be taken by FMR to improve the fund's disappointing performance relative to its peer group and benchmark. The Board will continue to closely monitor the performance of the fund in the coming year and discuss with FMR other appropriate actions to address the performance of the fund.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 14% means that 86% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund
![fid553](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid553.gif)
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Furthermore, the Board considered that the fund's management fee includes a performance adjustment component (that is, the fund's management fee will be subject to upward or downward adjustment depending upon whether, and to what extent, the fund's investment performance for the performance period exceeds, or is exceeded by, the record (over the same period) of a Board-approved performance adjustment index). The performance adjustment took effect on July 1, 2008, after the periods shown in the chart above.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of each of Class A, Class B, and Class C ranked below its competitive median for 2007, the total expenses of Institutional Class ranked equal to its competitive median for 2007, and the total expenses of Class T ranked above its competitive median for 2007. The Board considered that the total expenses for Class T were above the median primarily because its 12b-1 fee is higher than the typical front-end load class. The Board noted that the fund offers multiple classes, each of which has a different sales load and 12b-1 fee structure, and that the multiple structures are intended to offer a range of pricing options for the intermediary market. The Board also noted that the total expenses of the classes vary primarily by the level of their 12b-1 fees, although differences in transfer agent fees may also cause expenses to vary from class to class.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable, although in one case above the median of the universe presented for comparison, in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Annual Report
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
FIL Investment Advisors
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited
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Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Boston, MA
AICAP-UANN-1208
1.784754.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
International
Capital Appreciation
Fund - Institutional Class
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to the financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Past 10 years |
Institutional Class | | -55.51% | -4.51% | 2.21% |
$10,000 Over 10 Years
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund - Institutional Class on October 31, 1998. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI® AC World ex USA Index performed over the same period.
![fid569](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid569.gif)
Annual Report
Comments from Sammy Simnegar, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund
In a dramatic reversal of what had been a multiyear global growth story, international stocks fell long and hard during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, especially so during the latter stages of the period and mostly as a result of fallout from the financial crisis that emanated from the United States. The viral spread of this financial contagion - which began in the U.S. subprime mortgage market, then seized up the credit markets, hobbled major financial institutions and eventually slowed economic growth worldwide - left virtually no corner of the globe untouched. Developed international equity markets - as gauged by the MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index, which monitors established markets outside the U.S. and Canada - fell 46.54%, while the Standard & Poor's 500SM Index, a measure of U.S. stocks, dropped 36.10%. Among countries constituting at least 1% of the EAFE index, Switzerland had the "least worst" showing, falling roughly 32%, followed by Japan, where stocks slid by around 37%. Meanwhile, the weakest overall performance came from Belgium, where stocks slipped by nearly 70%. In the United Kingdom, the largest component of the index, equities were down almost 48%. Emerging markets were the weakest performers among the global economies, declining 56.22% as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
The fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares were down 55.70%, 55.79%, 56.02% and 55.95%, respectively (excluding sales charges), for the year, compared with a 48.46% decline for the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index. Ineffective stock picks accounted for all of this underperformance and easily offset the small gain achieved versus the index through our overweightings in the traditionally defensive health care and consumer staples sectors, as well as an underweighting in the weak financials group and maintaining an average cash position of around 3%. Several of the fund's worst performers were in the hard-hit materials sector, including out-of-index holdings in Mercator Minerals, a Canadian mining company, and U.S.-listed paper and pulp producer AbitibiBowater, the latter of which was sold by period end. Several of our holdings in energy, consumer discretionary, financials and information technology also took significant body blows, among them Babcock & Brown, an Australian asset management company that was no longer held at period end, and Gazprom, the big Russian natural gas producer. On the plus side, our best results came from Tokyo-based Shinsei Bank, which was sold from the portfolio at a nice profit, Swiss consumer staples giant Nestle and out-of-index tobacco retailer Philip Morris International.
The fund's Institutional Class shares were down 55.51% for the year, compared with a 48.46% decline for the MSCI® All Country World ex USA Index. Ineffective stock picks accounted for all of this underperformance and easily offset the small gain achieved versus the index through our overweightings in the traditionally defensive health care and consumer staples sectors, as well as an underweighting in the weak financials group and maintaining an average cash position of around 3%. Several of the fund's worst performers were in the hard-hit materials sector, including out-of-index holdings in Mercator Minerals, a Canadian mining company, and U.S.-listed paper and pulp producer AbitibiBowater, the latter of which was sold by period end. Several of our holdings in energy, consumer discretionary, financials and information technology also took significant body blows, among them Babcock & Brown, an Australian asset management company that was no longer held at period end, and Gazprom, the big Russian natural gas producer. On the plus side, our best results came from Tokyo-based Shinsei Bank, which was sold from the portfolio at a nice profit, Swiss consumer staples giant Nestle and out-of-index tobacco retailer Philip Morris International.
Annual Report
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Annual Report
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
|
Annualized Expense Ratio
| Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008
| Ending Account Value October 31, 2008
| Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.30% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 516.20 | $ 4.95 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,018.60 | $ 6.60 |
Class T | 1.54% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 515.60 | $ 5.87 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.39 | $ 7.81 |
Class B | 2.04% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 514.50 | $ 7.77 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.88 | $ 10.33 |
Class C | 2.05% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 514.90 | $ 7.81 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.83 | $ 10.38 |
Institutional Class | 1.00% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 517.20 | $ 3.81 |
Hypothetical A | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,020.11 | $ 5.08 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Five Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
OAO Gazprom sponsored ADR (Russia, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 3.0 | 1.9 |
Nestle SA (Reg.) (Switzerland, Food Products) | 3.0 | 1.9 |
HSBC Holdings PLC sponsored ADR (United Kingdom, Commercial Banks) | 2.4 | 0.0 |
Telefonica SA (Spain, Diversified Telecommunication Services) | 2.2 | 1.6 |
BHP Billiton PLC (United Kingdom, Metals & Mining) | 2.1 | 0.0 |
| 12.7 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Financials | 24.6 | 22.8 |
Industrials | 12.9 | 12.7 |
Energy | 11.9 | 9.8 |
Materials | 11.2 | 10.2 |
Consumer Staples | 9.9 | 7.7 |
Top Five Countries as of October 31, 2008 |
(excluding cash equivalents) | % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
United Kingdom | 15.5 | 14.2 |
Japan | 10.7 | 12.0 |
United States of America | 7.9 | 0.5 |
Germany | 7.8 | 8.8 |
Canada | 7.8 | 7.9 |
Percentages are adjusted for the effect of open futures contracts, if applicable. |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 96.6% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 95.9% | |
![fid488](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid488.gif) | Bonds 1.1% | | ![fid488](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid488.gif) | Bonds 0.0% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 2.3% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 4.1% | |
![fid577](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid577.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 96.6% |
| Shares | | Value |
Australia - 1.1% |
CSL Ltd. | 57,941 | | $ 1,408,371 |
Bermuda - 0.7% |
Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. Class A (a) | 33,900 | | 905,469 |
Brazil - 2.8% |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (PN-A) sponsored ADR | 155,100 | | 1,816,221 |
MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA | 153,600 | | 795,609 |
Uniao de Bancos Brasileiros SA (Unibanco) GDR | 14,900 | | 939,892 |
TOTAL BRAZIL | | 3,551,722 |
Canada - 7.8% |
Absolute Software Corp. (a) | 253,700 | | 820,559 |
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. | 41,800 | | 1,152,984 |
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. | 33,800 | | 1,704,857 |
Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Ltd. (a) | 452,200 | | 731,290 |
EnCana Corp. | 34,900 | | 1,772,207 |
Goldcorp, Inc. | 70,800 | | 1,323,463 |
Mercator Minerals Ltd. (a) | 552,400 | | 1,104,067 |
Suncor Energy, Inc. | 55,300 | | 1,327,695 |
TOTAL CANADA | | 9,937,122 |
Cayman Islands - 1.1% |
Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. sponsored ADR (a)(d) | 79,000 | | 1,382,500 |
China - 0.8% |
Focus Media Holding Ltd. ADR (a)(d) | 58,600 | | 1,085,858 |
Czech Republic - 1.3% |
Ceske Energeticke Zavody AS | 38,400 | | 1,661,710 |
Denmark - 1.2% |
Vestas Wind Systems AS (a) | 37,000 | | 1,515,509 |
France - 7.2% |
Alstom SA | 28,500 | | 1,412,565 |
AXA SA | 78,200 | | 1,493,936 |
BNP Paribas SA | 27,200 | | 1,963,875 |
GDF Suez | 54,600 | | 2,440,596 |
Saft Groupe SA | 34,700 | | 1,013,771 |
Societe Generale Series A | 15,800 | | 861,179 |
TOTAL FRANCE | | 9,185,922 |
Germany - 7.8% |
Allianz AG (Reg.) | 19,000 | | 1,421,899 |
E.ON AG | 65,800 | | 2,517,297 |
Q-Cells AG (a)(d) | 39,325 | | 1,547,056 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Germany - continued |
RWE AG | 30,100 | | $ 2,515,428 |
Siemens AG sponsored ADR (d) | 33,200 | | 1,996,980 |
TOTAL GERMANY | | 9,998,660 |
Greece - 1.1% |
Public Power Corp. of Greece | 111,100 | | 1,373,770 |
Hong Kong - 0.9% |
CNOOC Ltd. | 1,451,000 | | 1,191,379 |
India - 0.6% |
ICICI Bank Ltd. sponsored ADR | 40,900 | | 698,981 |
Rural Electrification Corp. Ltd. | 15,167 | | 20,754 |
TOTAL INDIA | | 719,735 |
Ireland - 1.6% |
CRH PLC sponsored ADR (d) | 62,100 | | 1,314,036 |
Dragon Oil PLC (a) | 270,600 | | 700,057 |
TOTAL IRELAND | | 2,014,093 |
Israel - 2.3% |
Israel Chemicals Ltd. | 119,100 | | 1,154,490 |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. sponsored ADR (d) | 41,500 | | 1,779,520 |
TOTAL ISRAEL | | 2,934,010 |
Italy - 2.2% |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 388,800 | | 1,422,215 |
UniCredit SpA | 586,000 | | 1,433,781 |
TOTAL ITALY | | 2,855,996 |
Japan - 10.7% |
East Japan Railway Co. | 309 | | 2,198,733 |
Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc. | 27,800 | | 1,158,631 |
Mitsubishi Corp. | 97,600 | | 1,635,874 |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. sponsored ADR | 321,300 | | 2,014,551 |
Mitsui & Co. Ltd. | 144,000 | | 1,395,218 |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. sponsored ADR (d) | 143,500 | | 1,348,900 |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | 409 | | 1,639,543 |
Terumo Corp. | 32,200 | | 1,341,930 |
Tsumura & Co. | 38,300 | | 980,132 |
TOTAL JAPAN | | 13,713,512 |
Mexico - 0.3% |
Desarrolladora Homex Sab de CV (a) | 91,900 | | 352,402 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Netherlands - 1.3% |
Unilever NV (NY Shares) | 69,900 | | $ 1,681,095 |
Norway - 0.7% |
Renewable Energy Corp. AS (a)(d) | 96,500 | | 910,462 |
Russia - 4.9% |
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC sponsored ADR | 30,584 | | 1,197,364 |
OAO Gazprom sponsored ADR | 189,343 | | 3,872,063 |
OJSC Rosneft unit | 277,200 | | 1,275,120 |
TOTAL RUSSIA | | 6,344,547 |
South Africa - 1.9% |
FirstRand Ltd. | 647,800 | | 927,607 |
MTN Group Ltd. | 137,500 | | 1,534,033 |
TOTAL SOUTH AFRICA | | 2,461,640 |
Spain - 3.2% |
Grifols SA | 67,172 | | 1,336,776 |
Telefonica SA | 149,700 | | 2,771,686 |
TOTAL SPAIN | | 4,108,462 |
Switzerland - 7.3% |
Alcon, Inc. | 7,100 | | 625,652 |
Credit Suisse Group sponsored ADR | 38,300 | | 1,432,420 |
Nestle SA (Reg.) | 98,525 | | 3,830,515 |
UBS AG (NY Shares) | 122,400 | | 2,068,560 |
Zurich Financial Services AG (Reg.) | 6,817 | | 1,382,719 |
TOTAL SWITZERLAND | | 9,339,866 |
Taiwan - 0.5% |
HTC Corp. | 59,000 | | 703,850 |
Turkey - 1.9% |
Tupras-Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS | 91,759 | | 1,159,211 |
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS (a) | 753,000 | | 1,229,348 |
TOTAL TURKEY | | 2,388,559 |
United Kingdom - 15.5% |
BAE Systems PLC | 275,600 | | 1,548,946 |
BG Group PLC | 139,000 | | 2,043,597 |
BHP Billiton PLC | 154,888 | | 2,629,758 |
British American Tobacco PLC (United Kingdom) | 62,300 | | 1,708,635 |
HSBC Holdings PLC sponsored ADR (d) | 51,400 | | 3,032,600 |
Imperial Tobacco Group PLC | 81,800 | | 2,192,094 |
Man Group PLC | 251,500 | | 1,451,851 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
United Kingdom - continued |
Prudential PLC | 236,440 | | $ 1,187,572 |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | 36,700 | | 1,552,211 |
Vedanta Resources PLC (d) | 87,800 | | 1,215,784 |
Xstrata PLC | 77,700 | | 1,328,841 |
TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM | | 19,891,889 |
United States of America - 7.9% |
Baxter International, Inc. | 20,300 | | 1,227,947 |
Citigroup, Inc. | 44,900 | | 612,885 |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 8,900 | | 823,250 |
MasterCard, Inc. Class A | 8,500 | | 1,256,470 |
Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (a) | 38,700 | | 1,468,665 |
Meritage Homes Corp. (a) | 67,700 | | 929,521 |
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. | 35,700 | | 663,663 |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | 40,000 | | 1,738,800 |
ProLogis Trust | 48,000 | | 672,000 |
SL Green Realty Corp. | 17,100 | | 718,884 |
TOTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | | 10,112,085 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $190,501,648) | 123,730,195 |
Nonconvertible Bonds - 1.1% |
| Principal Amount | | |
Luxembourg - 1.1% |
Evraz Group SA 8.875% 4/24/13 (e) | | $ 1,270,000 | | 539,750 |
TNK-BP Finance SA 7.5% 3/13/13 (Reg. S) | | 540,000 | | 270,000 |
Vimpel Communications 8.375% 4/30/13 (Issued by VIP Finance Ireland Ltd. for Vimpel Communications) (e) | | 1,040,000 | | 613,600 |
TOTAL NONCONVERTIBLE BONDS (Cost $1,311,150) | 1,423,350 |
Money Market Funds - 11.0% |
| Shares | | Value |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) | 2,415,182 | | $ 2,415,182 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund, 2.67% (b)(c) | 11,691,843 | | 11,691,843 |
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $14,107,025) | 14,107,025 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 108.7% (Cost $205,919,823) | | 139,260,570 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - (8.7)% | | (11,190,669) |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 128,069,901 |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities on loan. |
(d) Security or a portion of the security is on loan at period end. |
(e) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At the end of the period, the value of these securities amounted to $1,153,350 or 0.9% of net assets. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 342,193 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 263,718 |
Total | $ 605,911 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $100,610,801 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value (including securities loaned of $11,545,521) - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $191,812,798) | $ 125,153,545 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $14,107,025) | 14,107,025 | |
Total Investments (cost $205,919,823) | | $ 139,260,570 |
Cash | | 522,892 |
Foreign currency held at value (cost $541,374) | | 541,374 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 4,745,477 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 63,946 |
Dividends receivable | | 385,008 |
Interest receivable | | 7,881 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 16,321 |
Prepaid expenses | | 106 |
Other receivables | | 300,476 |
Total assets | | 145,844,051 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 5,376,237 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 462,556 | |
Accrued management fee | 29,709 | |
Distribution fees payable | 61,467 | |
Other affiliated payables | 55,952 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 96,386 | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | 11,691,843 | |
Total liabilities | | 17,774,150 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 128,069,901 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 296,971,710 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (102,291,006) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (66,610,803) |
Net Assets | | $ 128,069,901 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($35,516,819 ÷ 5,553,895 shares) | | $ 6.39 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $6.39) | | $ 6.78 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($57,603,310 ÷ 9,167,916 shares) | | $ 6.28 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $6.28) | | $ 6.51 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($10,356,196 ÷ 1,766,793 shares)A | | $ 5.86 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($20,973,234 ÷ 3,575,990 shares)A | | $ 5.87 |
| | |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($3,620,342 ÷ 534,987 shares) | | $ 6.77 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 6,178,028 |
Interest | | 29,128 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 605,911 |
| | 6,813,067 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (639,766) |
Total income | | 6,173,301 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee Basic fee | $ 2,000,954 | |
Performance adjustment | (216,229) | |
Transfer agent fees | 835,809 | |
Distribution fees | 1,518,146 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 148,930 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 278,560 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 1,303 | |
Registration fees | 71,891 | |
Audit | 70,908 | |
Legal | 1,885 | |
Interest | 5,270 | |
Miscellaneous | 46,740 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 4,764,167 | |
Expense reductions | (470,920) | 4,293,247 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 1,880,054 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes of $1,319) | (91,743,017) | |
Foreign currency transactions | (409,163) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (92,152,180) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities (net of decrease in deferred foreign taxes of $173,283) | (99,119,494) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (240,778) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (99,360,272) |
Net gain (loss) | | (191,512,452) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (189,632,398) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 1,880,054 | $ 543,494 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (92,152,180) | 89,635,932 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (99,360,272) | 6,279,776 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (189,632,398) | 96,459,202 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (449,119) | (1,726,224) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (86,586,412) | (71,372,564) |
Total distributions | (87,035,531) | (73,098,788) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | (12,610,728) | (47,012,739) |
Redemption fees | 6,208 | 75,033 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (289,272,449) | (23,577,292) |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 417,342,350 | 440,919,642 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $0 and undistributed net investment income of $315,878, respectively) | $ 128,069,901 | $ 417,342,350 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 18.64 | $ 17.79 | $ 17.38 | $ 15.40 | $ 14.47 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .11 | .07 | .12 | .12 | .01 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (8.42) | 3.81 | 2.73 | 1.86 | .92 |
Total from investment operations | (8.31) | 3.88 | 2.85 | 1.98 | .93 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.05) | (.12) | (.20) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.89) | (2.90) | (2.24) | - | - |
Total distributions | (3.94) | (3.03) H | (2.44) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 6.39 | $ 18.64 | $ 17.79 | $ 17.38 | $ 15.40 |
Total Return A, B | (55.70)% | 24.76% | 17.62% | 12.86% | 6.43% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.42% | 1.47% | 1.43% | 1.44% | 1.48% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.42% | 1.47% | 1.43% | 1.44% | 1.48% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.25% | 1.39% | 1.32% | 1.30% | 1.40% |
Net investment income (loss) | .95% | .39% | .70% | .71% | .06% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 35,517 | $ 113,579 | $ 110,240 | $ 113,809 | $ 103,606 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 394% | 146% | 170% | 176% | 170% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
H Total distributions of $3.026 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.123 and distributions from net realized gain of $2.903 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 18.38 | $ 17.57 | $ 17.18 | $ 15.26 | $ 14.38 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .08 | .03 | .08 | .08 | (.03) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (8.28) | 3.76 | 2.70 | 1.84 | .91 |
Total from investment operations | (8.20) | 3.79 | 2.78 | 1.92 | .88 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.01) | (.07) | (.15) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.89) | (2.90) | (2.24) | - | - |
Total distributions | (3.90) | (2.98) H | (2.39) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 6.28 | $ 18.38 | $ 17.57 | $ 17.18 | $ 15.26 |
Total Return A, B | (55.79)% | 24.47% | 17.38% | 12.58% | 6.12% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.65% | 1.69% | 1.65% | 1.67% | 1.74% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.65% | 1.69% | 1.65% | 1.67% | 1.74% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.48% | 1.61% | 1.54% | 1.53% | 1.66% |
Net investment income (loss) | .71% | .18% | .48% | .47% | (.20)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 57,603 | $ 179,990 | $ 188,320 | $ 216,717 | $ 216,588 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 394% | 146% | 170% | 176% | 170% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
H Total distributions of $2.977 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.074 and distributions from net realized gain of $2.903 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 17.36 | $ 16.72 | $ 16.46 | $ 14.70 | $ 13.94 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .02 | (.06) | (.02) | (.02) | (.12) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (7.75) | 3.57 | 2.57 | 1.78 | .88 |
Total from investment operations | (7.73) | 3.51 | 2.55 | 1.76 | .76 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.05) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.77) | (2.87) | (2.24) | - | - |
Total distributions | (3.77) | (2.87) H | (2.29) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 5.86 | $ 17.36 | $ 16.72 | $ 16.46 | $ 14.70 |
Total Return A, B | (56.02)% | 23.85% | 16.58% | 11.97% | 5.45% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.17% | 2.24% | 2.26% | 2.27% | 2.35% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.17% | 2.24% | 2.25% | 2.27% | 2.35% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.01% | 2.17% | 2.14% | 2.13% | 2.27% |
Net investment income (loss) | .19% | (.38)% | (.13)% | (.13)% | (.80)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 10,356 | $ 40,013 | $ 51,661 | $ 57,168 | $ 59,985 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 394% | 146% | 170% | 176% | 170% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
H Total distributions of $2.869 per share is comprised of distributions from net realized gain of $2.869 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 17.42 | $ 16.80 | $ 16.52 | $ 14.74 | $ 13.96 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .02 | (.05) | (.01) | - G | (.10) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (7.75) | 3.57 | 2.60 | 1.78 | .88 |
Total from investment operations | (7.73) | 3.52 | 2.59 | 1.78 | .78 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | (.07) | - | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.82) | (2.90) | (2.24) | - | - |
Total distributions | (3.82) | (2.90) H | (2.31) | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C, G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 5.87 | $ 17.42 | $ 16.80 | $ 16.52 | $ 14.74 |
Total Return A, B | (55.95)% | 23.85% | 16.75% | 12.08% | 5.59% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.16% | 2.19% | 2.16% | 2.17% | 2.21% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.16% | 2.19% | 2.16% | 2.17% | 2.21% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.00% | 2.12% | 2.05% | 2.04% | 2.12% |
Net investment income (loss) | .20% | (.33)% | (.03)% | (.03)% | (.66)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 20,973 | $ 66,298 | $ 66,162 | $ 67,429 | $ 76,412 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 394% | 146% | 170% | 176% | 170% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
H Total distributions of $2.903 per share is comprised of distributions from net realized gain of $2.903 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 19.49 | $ 18.46 | $ 17.70 | $ 15.65 | $ 14.70 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .16 | .13 | .20 | .16 | .05 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (8.88) | 3.97 | 2.80 | 1.89 | .94 |
Total from investment operations | (8.72) | 4.10 | 3.00 | 2.05 | .99 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.11) | (.17) | - | - | (.04) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (3.89) | (2.90) | (2.24) | - | - |
Total distributions | (4.00) | (3.07) G | (2.24) | - | (.04) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital B, F | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 6.77 | $ 19.49 | $ 18.46 | $ 17.70 | $ 15.65 |
Total Return A | (55.51)% | 25.16% | 18.09% | 13.10% | 6.75% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C, E | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.12% | 1.14% | 1.04% | 1.23% | 1.21% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.12% | 1.14% | 1.04% | 1.23% | 1.21% |
Expenses net of all reductions | .95% | 1.07% | .93% | 1.09% | 1.13% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.24% | .72% | 1.08% | .92% | .34% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 3,620 | $ 17,463 | $ 24,536 | $ 209,278 | $ 210,160 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 394% | 146% | 170% | 176% | 170% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
F Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
G Total distributions of $3.069 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.166 and distributions from net realized gain of $2.903 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class. The Fund's investments in emerging markets can be subject to social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties and can be extremely volatile.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Debt securities, including restricted securities, are valued by independent pricing services or by dealers who make markets in such securities. Pricing services consider yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type as well as dealer supplied prices. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds received from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, certain foreign taxes, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 2,789,191 |
Unrealized depreciation | (71,080,202) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (68,291,011) |
Capital loss carryforward | (100,610,801) |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 207,551,581 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 61,767,784 | $ 8,592,674 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 25,267,747 | 64,506,114 |
Total | $ 87,035,531 | $ 73,098,788 |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 30 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.00% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncements. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
In addition, in March 2008, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 161), was issued and is effective for reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2008. SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures to provide information about the reasons the Fund invests in derivative instruments, the accounting treatment and the effect derivatives have on financial performance.
4. Operating Policies.
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts. The Fund generally uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities and to manage the Fund's currency exposure. Contracts to sell generally are used to hedge the Fund's investments against currency fluctuations, while contracts to buy generally are used to offset a previous contract to sell. Also, a contract to buy can be used to acquire exposure to foreign currencies and a contract to sell can be used to offset a previous contract to buy. Losses may arise from
Annual Report
4. Operating Policies - continued
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts - continued
changes in the value of foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Purchases and sales of forward foreign currency contracts having the same settlement date and broker are offset and any realized gain (loss) recognized on the date of offset: otherwise, gain (loss) is recognized on settlement date.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities other than short-term securities, aggregated $1,072,336,083 and $1,136,219,132, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. In addition, the management fee is subject to a performance adjustment (up to a maximum of ±.20% of the Fund's average net assets over the performance period). The upward or downward adjustment to the management fee is based on the relative investment performance of the Institutional Class of the Fund as compared to an
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Management Fee - continued
appropriate benchmark index. The Fund's performance period began on August 1, 2007 and subsequent months will be added until the performance period includes 36 months. The Fund's performance adjustment took effect in July 2008. For the period, the total annual management fee rate, including the performance adjustment, was .63% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | 0% | .25% | $ 197,567 | $ 5,620 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 621,172 | 6,718 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 245,555 | 184,670 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 453,852 | 15,699 |
| | | $ 1,518,146 | $ 212,707 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 10,824 |
Class T | 7,166 |
Class B* | 50,859 |
Class C* | 2,330 |
| $ 71,179 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements. For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 241,296 | .31 |
Class T | 358,575 | .29 |
Class B | 75,348 | .31 |
Class C | 135,240 | .30 |
Institutional Class | 25,350 | .26 |
| $ 835,809 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $1,041 for the period.
Interfund Lending Program. Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts with FMR, may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the funds to borrow from, or lend money to, other participating affiliated funds. At period end, there were no interfund loans outstanding. The Fund's activity in this program during the period for which loans were outstanding was as follows:
Borrower or Lender | Average Daily Loan Balance | Weighted Average Interest Rate | Interest Expense |
Borrower | $ 7,268,000 | 4.35% | $ 5,270 |
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $595 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. The value of loaned securities and cash collateral at period end are disclosed on the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $263,718.
9. Expense Reductions.
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $464,935 for the period. In addition, through arrangements with the Fund's custodian and each class' transfer agent, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses. During the period, these credits reduced the Fund's custody expenses by $3,436. During the period, credits reduced each class' transfer agent expense as noted in the table below.
| Transfer Agent expense reduction |
Class A | $ 1,597 |
Class T | 944 |
Institutional Class | 8 |
| $ 2,549 |
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Annual Report
10. Other - continued
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $1,302, which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 287,025 | $ 741,807 |
Class T | 77,076 | 779,904 |
Institutional Class | 85,018 | 204,513 |
Total | $ 449,119 | $ 1,726,224 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 23,298,138 | $ 17,507,820 |
Class T | 37,538,694 | 30,595,453 |
Class B | 8,239,219 | 8,539,459 |
Class C | 14,357,087 | 11,153,317 |
Institutional Class | 3,153,274 | 3,576,515 |
Total | $ 86,586,412 | $ 71,372,564 |
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 1,431,300 | 2,473,487 | $ 17,317,299 | $ 42,784,764 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 1,636,300 | 1,076,085 | 22,086,470 | 17,077,468 |
Shares redeemed | (3,607,367) | (3,652,624) | (41,159,063) | (63,819,065) |
Net increase (decrease) | (539,767) | (103,052) | $ (1,755,294) | $ (3,956,833) |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 1,551,828 | 1,816,120 | $ 17,883,865 | $ 30,886,267 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 2,762,616 | 1,951,860 | 36,709,081 | 30,605,163 |
Shares redeemed | (4,939,378) | (4,694,918) | (56,071,739) | (80,369,952) |
Net increase (decrease) | (624,934) | (926,938) | $ (1,478,793) | $ (18,878,522) |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 180,465 | 202,050 | $ 2,040,117 | $ 3,191,835 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 561,875 | 474,419 | 6,999,729 | 7,059,355 |
Shares redeemed | (1,280,800) | (1,460,360) | (14,130,453) | (23,561,432) |
Net increase (decrease) | (538,460) | (783,891) | $ (5,090,607) | $ (13,310,242) |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 410,295 | 408,629 | $ 4,723,686 | $ 6,500,495 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 998,851 | 649,627 | 12,453,463 | 9,698,929 |
Shares redeemed | (1,638,733) | (1,190,743) | (17,110,227) | (19,242,229) |
Net increase (decrease) | (229,587) | (132,487) | $ 66,922 | $ (3,042,805) |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 76,928 | 112,415 | $ 984,464 | $ 1,997,164 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 166,560 | 179,235 | 2,373,119 | 2,966,333 |
Shares redeemed | (604,322) | (724,750) | (7,710,539) | (12,787,834) |
Net increase (decrease) | (360,834) | (433,100) | $ (4,352,956) | $ (7,824,337) |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Fidelity Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund (the Fund), a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII, including the schedule of investments, as of October 31, 2008, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2008, by correspondence with the custodians and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund as of October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 19, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004-2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
A total of .70% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year was derived from interest on U.S. Government securities which is generally exempt from state income tax.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Institutional Class | 12/10/07 | $0.181 | $0.0337 |
| 12/31/07 | $0.001 | $0.0000 |
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a custom peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a custom peer group of mutual funds defined by FMR based on categories assigned by Morningstar, Inc. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated. The fund's custom peer group, defined by FMR, is a peer group that FMR believes provides a more meaningful performance comparison than the peer group assigned by Morningstar, Inc., which assigns mutual funds to categories based on their investment styles as measured by their underlying portfolio holdings.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund
![fid579](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid579.gif)
The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the fourth quartile for all the periods shown. The Board also stated that the investment performance of the fund was lower than its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes. The Board discussed with FMR actions that may be taken by FMR to improve the fund's disappointing performance relative to its peer group and benchmark. The Board will continue to closely monitor the performance of the fund in the coming year and discuss with FMR other appropriate actions to address the performance of the fund.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 14% means that 86% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund
![fid581](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid581.gif)
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Furthermore, the Board considered that the fund's management fee includes a performance adjustment component (that is, the fund's management fee will be subject to upward or downward adjustment depending upon whether, and to what extent, the fund's investment performance for the performance period exceeds, or is exceeded by, the record (over the same period) of a Board-approved performance adjustment index). The performance adjustment took effect on July 1, 2008, after the periods shown in the chart above.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of each of Class A, Class B, and Class C ranked below its competitive median for 2007, the total expenses of Institutional Class ranked equal to its competitive median for 2007, and the total expenses of Class T ranked above its competitive median for 2007. The Board considered that the total expenses for Class T were above the median primarily because its 12b-1 fee is higher than the typical front-end load class. The Board noted that the fund offers multiple classes, each of which has a different sales load and 12b-1 fee structure, and that the multiple structures are intended to offer a range of pricing options for the intermediary market. The Board also noted that the total expenses of the classes vary primarily by the level of their 12b-1 fees, although differences in transfer agent fees may also cause expenses to vary from class to class.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable, although in one case above the median of the universe presented for comparison, in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Annual Report
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
FIL Investment Advisors
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Boston, MA
AICAPI-UANN-1208
1.784755.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Japan
Fund - Class A, Class T, Class B
and Class C
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow. Returns reflect the conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after a maximum of seven years.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Life of fund A |
Class A (incl. 5.75% sales charge) | -45.97% | -5.53% | -0.23% |
Class T (incl. 3.50% sales charge) | -44.82% | -5.31% | -0.27% |
Class B (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) B | -45.94% | -5.48% | -0.18% |
Class C (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) C | -43.65% | -5.07% | -0.35% |
A From December 17, 1998.
B Class B shares' contingent deferred sales charges included in the past one year, past five years, and life of fund total return figures are 5%, 2%, and 0%, respectively.
C Class C shares' contingent deferred sales charge included in the past one year, past five years, and life of fund total return figures are 1%, 0%, and 0%, respectively.
Annual Report
$10,000 Over Life of Fund
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity Advisor Japan Fund - Class A on December 17, 1998, when the fund started, and the current 5.75% sales charge was paid. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the Tokyo Stock Exchange Stock Price Index (TOPIX) performed over the same period.
![fid597](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid597.gif)
In prior years, the performance from year to year was represented by the performance of Class T. Going forward, the fund's performance will be represented by Class A for consistency with other fund materials.
Annual Report
Comments from Robert Rowland, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Japan Fund
Japanese stocks got walloped during the 12-month period ending October 31, 2008, a fate shared by most other stock markets globally. As measured by the Tokyo Stock Exchange Stock Price Index (TOPIX), Japanese share prices fell 36.04%, almost dead-even with the 36.10% setback sustained by the Standard & Poor's 500SM Index, a widely followed benchmark of U.S. stocks. By comparison, the MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index - - a gauge of developed stock markets outside the United States and Canada - recorded a loss of 46.54%. An intensifying U.S. credit crisis was partly to blame, as a number of well-known firms in the U.S. financials sector declared bankruptcy, required government assistance or arranged to be purchased by a stronger competitor. The deteriorating economies of Japan's trading partners hurt the revenues and earnings of Japanese exporters. An appreciating yen aided the returns earned by U.S. investors but undermined exporters' ability to compete successfully with non-Japanese rivals. Meanwhile, economic growth in Japan continued to be disappointing, with gross domestic product (GDP) there contracting during the second quarter of 2008.
During the past year, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares returned -42.68%, -42.82%, -43.10% and -43.08%, respectively (excluding sales charges), trailing the TOPIX. An overweighting and poor stock selection in industrials - specifically, the capital goods industry - partially explains the performance shortfall. Underweighting defensive sectors, such as utilities - where we had no exposure at all - and consumer staples, also hurt, as did overweighting information technology. Unrewarding picks in financials further detracted. Yaskawa Electric, a global maker of industrial control and automation products, was hurt by lower earnings expectations driven by yen appreciation and a slowdown in order growth from China. Other detractors included Dainippon Screen Manufacturing, a maker of semiconductor capital equipment; Yamaha Motor, the world's second-largest motorcycle maker; and image equipment maker Konica Minolta. Not owning benchmark component Tokyo Electric Power, a defensive holding that outperformed, had a negative impact as well. Conversely, stock picking in materials and a small cash position helped curb our losses. The fund's top contributor was also its largest holding at period end: automaker Toyota Motor. Further contributing were Canon, a maker of imaging equipment and digital cameras, Sekisui House, a leading house builder in Japan, and Shin-Etsu Chemical, the world's largest manufacturer of semiconductor wafers and PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
During the past year, the fund's Institutional Class shares returned -42.45%, trailing the TOPIX. An overweighting and poor stock selection in industrials - specifically, the capital goods industry - partially explains the performance shortfall. Underweighting defensive sectors, such as utilities - where we had no exposure at all - and consumer staples, also hurt, as did overweighting information technology. Unrewarding picks in financials further detracted. Yaskawa Electric, a global maker of industrial control and automation products, was hurt by lower earnings expectations driven by yen appreciation and a slowdown in order growth from China. Other detractors included Dainippon Screen Manufacturing, a maker of semiconductor capital equipment; Yamaha Motor, the world's second-largest motorcycle maker; and image equipment maker Konica Minolta. Not owning benchmark component Tokyo Electric Power, a defensive holding that outperformed, had a negative impact as well. Conversely, stock picking in materials and a small cash position helped curb our losses. The fund's top contributor was also its largest holding at period end: automaker Toyota Motor. Further contributing were Canon, a maker of imaging equipment and digital cameras, Sekisui House, a leading house builder in Japan, and Shin-Etsu Chemical, the world's largest manufacturer of semiconductor wafers and PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
Annual Report
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Annual Report
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.50% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 624.30 | $ 6.12 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.60 | $ 7.61 |
Class T | 1.75% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 623.60 | $ 7.14 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,016.34 | $ 8.87 |
Class B | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 622.00 | $ 9.17 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Class C | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 622.30 | $ 9.18 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Institutional Class | 1.06% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 625.90 | $ 4.33 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,019.81 | $ 5.38 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Ten Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Toyota Motor Corp. | 8.5 | 7.3 |
Canon, Inc. | 7.9 | 5.8 |
Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. | 4.1 | 1.2 |
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. | 4.1 | 3.5 |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | 3.7 | 4.1 |
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. | 2.2 | 1.9 |
Sekisui House Ltd. | 2.1 | 1.0 |
Tokyo Electron Ltd. | 2.0 | 1.8 |
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. | 1.9 | 1.4 |
Asahi Glass Co. Ltd. | 1.9 | 2.5 |
| 38.4 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Consumer Discretionary | 28.0 | 22.2 |
Industrials | 19.7 | 22.3 |
Information Technology | 19.6 | 20.4 |
Financials | 19.0 | 24.1 |
Materials | 6.4 | 6.0 |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 95.9% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 99.0% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 4.1% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 1.0% | |
![fid603](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid603.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 95.9% |
| Shares | | Value |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY - 28.0% |
Auto Components - 4.2% |
Denso Corp. | 25,200 | | $ 491,138 |
NOK Corp. | 21,000 | | 199,931 |
Stanley Electric Co. Ltd. | 53,200 | | 668,820 |
Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. | 22,000 | | 308,856 |
| | 1,668,745 |
Automobiles - 16.7% |
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. | 64,100 | | 1,593,791 |
Toyota Motor Corp. | 86,100 | | 3,362,114 |
Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. | 145,400 | | 1,607,454 |
| | 6,563,359 |
Household Durables - 2.3% |
Haseko Corp. | 109,000 | | 98,632 |
Sekisui House Ltd. | 82,000 | | 822,217 |
| | 920,849 |
Leisure Equipment & Products - 0.7% |
Nikon Corp. | 20,000 | | 281,849 |
Media - 1.4% |
Fuji Media Holdings, Inc. | 442 | | 529,172 |
Multiline Retail - 2.4% |
Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. | 18,700 | | 176,135 |
J Front Retailing Co. Ltd. | 23,000 | | 102,559 |
Marui Group Co. Ltd. | 44,500 | | 272,006 |
Takashimaya Co. Ltd. | 53,000 | | 408,452 |
| | 959,152 |
Specialty Retail - 0.3% |
Yamada Denki Co. Ltd. | 2,030 | | 110,488 |
TOTAL CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY | | 11,033,614 |
CONSUMER STAPLES - 1.1% |
Food & Staples Retailing - 0.7% |
Aeon Co. Ltd. | 26,700 | | 256,015 |
Food Products - 0.4% |
Nissin Food Holdings Co. Ltd. | 5,900 | | 168,640 |
TOTAL CONSUMER STAPLES | | 424,655 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
FINANCIALS - 19.0% |
Capital Markets - 2.5% |
Daiwa Securities Group, Inc. | 45,000 | | $ 254,396 |
Matsui Securities Co. Ltd. (c) | 30,000 | | 194,516 |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. | 57,000 | | 540,010 |
| | 988,922 |
Commercial Banks - 9.5% |
Chiba Bank Ltd. | 42,000 | | 207,580 |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | 234,300 | | 1,472,307 |
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. | 264 | | 644,603 |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | 174 | | 697,507 |
Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co. Ltd. | 160,000 | | 740,935 |
| | 3,762,932 |
Consumer Finance - 0.8% |
Credit Saison Co. Ltd. | 12,800 | | 135,833 |
Promise Co. Ltd. | 10,350 | | 185,764 |
| | 321,597 |
Insurance - 3.0% |
Sompo Japan Insurance, Inc. | 84,000 | | 588,739 |
T&D Holdings, Inc. | 15,400 | | 588,270 |
| | 1,177,009 |
Real Estate Investment Trusts - 1.0% |
Japan Real Estate Investment Corp. | 28 | | 247,930 |
Kenedix Realty Investment Corp. | 12 | | 17,391 |
Nomura Real Estate Office Fund, Inc. | 23 | | 130,753 |
| | 396,074 |
Real Estate Management & Development - 2.2% |
Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd. | 33,000 | | 589,461 |
Tokyo Tatemono Co. Ltd. | 37,000 | | 152,403 |
Tokyu Land Corp. | 38,000 | | 107,536 |
| | 849,400 |
TOTAL FINANCIALS | | 7,495,934 |
HEALTH CARE - 0.5% |
Pharmaceuticals - 0.5% |
Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. | 9,700 | | 198,888 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
INDUSTRIALS - 19.7% |
Building Products - 2.8% |
Asahi Glass Co. Ltd. | 118,000 | | $ 741,448 |
Daikin Industries Ltd. | 16,700 | | 375,605 |
| | 1,117,053 |
Commercial Services & Supplies - 0.2% |
Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd. | 5,000 | | 59,073 |
Secom Co. Ltd. | 300 | | 11,442 |
| | 70,515 |
Construction & Engineering - 0.7% |
JGC Corp. | 24,000 | | 257,266 |
Electrical Equipment - 3.6% |
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. | 90,000 | | 557,911 |
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. | 105,000 | | 850,094 |
| | 1,408,005 |
Machinery - 5.6% |
Daifuku Co. Ltd. | 28,000 | | 150,628 |
Fanuc Ltd. | 2,200 | | 146,576 |
Kubota Corp. | 132,000 | | 662,521 |
NGK Insulators Ltd. | 32,000 | | 332,356 |
NSK Ltd. | 80,000 | | 326,496 |
THK Co. Ltd. | 34,200 | | 468,320 |
Toshiba Machine Co. Ltd. | 39,000 | | 111,873 |
| | 2,198,770 |
Road & Rail - 1.2% |
East Japan Railway Co. | 67 | | 476,748 |
Trading Companies & Distributors - 4.0% |
Mitsubishi Corp. | 28,200 | | 472,660 |
Mitsui & Co. Ltd. | 62,000 | | 600,719 |
Sumitomo Corp. | 58,400 | | 513,780 |
| | 1,587,159 |
Transportation Infrastructure - 1.6% |
The Sumitomo Warehouse Co. Ltd. | 160,000 | | 648,109 |
TOTAL INDUSTRIALS | | 7,763,625 |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - 19.6% |
Electronic Equipment & Components - 7.1% |
Dainippon Screen Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 140,000 | | 298,478 |
Horiba Ltd. | 12,100 | | 179,160 |
Ibiden Co. Ltd. | 27,400 | | 512,532 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - continued |
Electronic Equipment & Components - continued |
Nidec Sankyo Corp. | 45,000 | | $ 210,063 |
Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd. | 56,500 | | 339,830 |
Topcon Corp. | 37,500 | | 211,058 |
Yamatake Corp. | 10,400 | | 198,407 |
Yaskawa Electric Corp. | 117,000 | | 513,417 |
Yokogawa Electric Corp. | 65,600 | | 303,760 |
| | 2,766,705 |
Office Electronics - 9.4% |
Canon, Inc. | 88,700 | | 3,103,601 |
Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. | 92,500 | | 607,445 |
| | 3,711,046 |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 3.1% |
Advantest Corp. | 8,500 | | 122,123 |
Disco Corp. | 7,600 | | 182,139 |
Rohm Co. Ltd. | 2,800 | | 134,913 |
Tokyo Electron Ltd. | 23,700 | | 790,209 |
| | 1,229,384 |
TOTAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | | 7,707,135 |
MATERIALS - 6.4% |
Chemicals - 4.5% |
JSR Corp. | 47,500 | | 535,766 |
Nissan Chemical Industries Co. Ltd. | 22,000 | | 177,875 |
Nitto Denko Corp. | 12,800 | | 283,469 |
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. | 14,200 | | 754,769 |
| | 1,751,879 |
Metals & Mining - 1.9% |
Hitachi Metals Ltd. | 21,000 | | 157,893 |
Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd. | 233,000 | | 599,231 |
| | 757,124 |
TOTAL MATERIALS | | 2,509,003 |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES - 1.6% |
Wireless Telecommunication Services - 1.6% |
KDDI Corp. | 57 | | 341,500 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES - continued |
Wireless Telecommunication Services - continued |
NTT DoCoMo, Inc. | 172 | | $ 272,769 |
Softbank Corp. | 1,900 | | 18,709 |
| | 632,978 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $58,620,188) | 37,765,832 |
Money Market Funds - 5.0% |
| | | |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (a) | 1,819,789 | | 1,819,789 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund, 2.67% (a)(b) | 148,500 | | 148,500 |
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $1,968,289) | 1,968,289 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 100.9% (Cost $60,588,477) | 39,734,121 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - (0.9)% | | (338,104) |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 39,396,017 |
Legend |
(a) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(b) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities on loan. |
(c) Security or a portion of the security is on loan at period end. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 27,710 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 8,829 |
Total | $ 36,539 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $20,552,172 of which $6,193,464, $6,651,966 and $7,706,742 will expire on October 31, 2010, 2015 and 2016, respectively. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value (including securities loaned of $143,351) - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $58,620,188) | $ 37,765,832 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $1,968,289) | 1,968,289 | |
Total Investments (cost $60,588,477) | | $ 39,734,121 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 1,698,695 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 84,019 |
Dividends receivable | | 371,833 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 3,554 |
Prepaid expenses | | 25 |
Receivable from investment adviser for expense reductions | | 5,868 |
Other receivables | | 2,534 |
Total assets | | 41,900,649 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 2,124,912 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 138,516 | |
Accrued management fee | 12,264 | |
Distribution fees payable | 18,077 | |
Other affiliated payables | 14,071 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 48,292 | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | 148,500 | |
Total liabilities | | 2,504,632 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 39,396,017 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 81,506,862 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (21,279,126) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (20,831,719) |
Net Assets | | $ 39,396,017 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($14,132,730 ÷ 1,507,876 shares) | | $ 9.37 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $9.37) | | $ 9.94 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($6,752,354 ÷ 732,824 shares) | | $ 9.21 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $9.21) | | $ 9.54 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($3,079,004 ÷ 349,042 shares)A | | $ 8.82 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($11,611,866 ÷ 1,307,911 shares)A | | $ 8.88 |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($3,820,063 ÷ 397,077 shares) | | $ 9.62 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 1,223,422 |
Interest | | 40 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 36,539 |
| | 1,260,001 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (85,640) |
Total income | | 1,174,361 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee Basic fee | $ 483,555 | |
Performance adjustment | (16,365) | |
Transfer agent fees | 196,610 | |
Distribution fees | 393,955 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 36,387 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 38,346 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 313 | |
Registration fees | 49,485 | |
Audit | 49,984 | |
Legal | 432 | |
Miscellaneous | 25,554 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 1,258,256 | |
Expense reductions | (29,893) | 1,228,363 |
Net investment income (loss) | | (54,002) |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | (7,786,521) | |
Foreign currency transactions | 1,702 | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (7,784,819) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities | (26,365,205) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | 24,940 | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (26,340,265) |
Net gain (loss) | | (34,125,084) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (34,179,086) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ (54,002) | $ (691,985) |
Net realized gain (loss) | (7,784,819) | (5,160,896) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (26,340,265) | 3,048,941 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (34,179,086) | (2,803,940) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (176,687) | - |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | (23,791,941) | (46,358,208) |
Redemption fees | 25,266 | 26,649 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (58,122,448) | (49,135,499) |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 97,518,465 | 146,653,964 |
End of period | $ 39,396,017 | $ 97,518,465 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.41 | $ 16.72 | $ 15.61 | $ 12.64 | $ 11.78 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .03 | (.04) | (.07) | (.08) | (.11) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (7.02) | (.27) | 1.17 | 3.04 | .95 |
Total from investment operations | (6.99) | (.31) | 1.10 | 2.96 | .84 |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.06) | - | - | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capitalC | .01 | - G | .01 | .01 | .02 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.37 | $ 16.41 | $ 16.72 | $ 15.61 | $ 12.64 |
Total Return A, B | (42.68)% | (1.85)% | 7.11% | 23.50% | 7.30% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.54% | 1.70% | 1.52% | 1.62% | 1.80% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.56% | 1.75% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.49% | 1.48% | 1.48% | 1.55% | 1.75% |
Net investment income (loss) | .24% | (.22)% | (.42)% | (.54)% | (.89)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 14,133 | $ 32,945 | $ 41,876 | $ 26,169 | $ 17,884 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 63% | 138% | 83% | 89% | 83% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.11 | $ 16.46 | $ 15.41 | $ 12.51 | $ 11.68 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | - G | (.08) | (.12) | (.11) | (.14) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.91) | (.27) | 1.16 | 3.00 | .95 |
Total from investment operations | (6.91) | (.35) | 1.04 | 2.89 | .81 |
Distributions from net realized gain | - G | - | - | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C | .01 | - G | .01 | .01 | .02 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.21 | $ 16.11 | $ 16.46 | $ 15.41 | $ 12.51 |
Total Return A, B | (42.82)% | (2.13)% | 6.81% | 23.18% | 7.11% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.81% | 1.96% | 1.82% | 1.97% | 2.19% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.81% | 2.00% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.74% | 1.73% | 1.73% | 1.80% | 2.00% |
Net investment income (loss) | (.01)% | (.47)% | (.67)% | (.79)% | (1.14)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 6,752 | $ 14,303 | $ 21,039 | $ 15,610 | $ 11,493 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 63% | 138% | 83% | 89% | 83% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 15.50 | $ 15.91 | $ 14.96 | $ 12.21 | $ 11.46 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | (.07) | (.15) | (.20) | (.17) | (.20) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.61) | (.26) | 1.14 | 2.91 | .93 |
Total from investment operations | (6.68) | (.41) | .94 | 2.74 | .73 |
Redemption fees added to paid in capitalC | - G | - G | .01 | .01 | .02 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.82 | $ 15.50 | $ 15.91 | $ 14.96 | $ 12.21 |
Total Return A, B | (43.10)% | (2.58)% | 6.35% | 22.52% | 6.54% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.29% | 2.45% | 2.33% | 2.43% | 2.62% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.31% | 2.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.24% | 2.23% | 2.23% | 2.30% | 2.50% |
Net investment income (loss) | (.51)% | (.97)% | (1.17)% | (1.30)% | (1.64)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 3,079 | $ 7,874 | $ 16,120 | $ 18,916 | $ 18,218 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 63% | 138% | 83% | 89% | 83% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 15.60 | $ 16.01 | $ 15.05 | $ 12.28 | $ 11.52 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | (.07) | (.15) | (.18) | (.17) | (.19) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.65) | (.26) | 1.13 | 2.93 | .93 |
Total from investment operations | (6.72) | (.41) | .95 | 2.76 | .74 |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C | - G | - G | .01 | .01 | .02 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.88 | $ 15.60 | $ 16.01 | $ 15.05 | $ 12.28 |
Total Return A, B | (43.08)% | (2.56)% | 6.38% | 22.56% | 6.60% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.26% | 2.37% | 2.18% | 2.27% | 2.44% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.18% | 2.27% | 2.44% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.24% | 2.23% | 2.16% | 2.26% | 2.44% |
Net investment income (loss) | (.51)% | (.97)% | (1.10)% | (1.25)% | (1.58)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 11,612 | $ 33,957 | $ 53,846 | $ 34,144 | $ 21,564 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 63% | 138% | 83% | 89% | 83% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.82 | $ 17.10 | $ 15.90 | $ 12.83 | $ 11.91 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .08 | .01 | (.01) | (.02) | (.06) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (7.19) | (.29) | 1.19 | 3.08 | .96 |
Total from investment operations | (7.11) | (.28) | 1.18 | 3.06 | .90 |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.10) | - | - | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital B | .01 | - F | .02 | .01 | .02 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.62 | $ 16.82 | $ 17.10 | $ 15.90 | $ 12.83 |
Total Return A | (42.45)% | (1.64)% | 7.55% | 23.93% | 7.72% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C, E | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.16% | 1.31% | 1.12% | 1.19% | 1.36% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.16% | 1.25% | 1.12% | 1.19% | 1.36% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.15% | 1.23% | 1.10% | 1.17% | 1.36% |
Net investment income (loss) | .58% | .03% | (.04)% | (.17)% | (.50)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 3,820 | $ 8,440 | $ 13,773 | $ 8,399 | $ 3,919 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 63% | 138% | 83% | 89% | 83% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
F Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Japan Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price.
Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), net operating losses, capital loss carryforwards and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 259,325 |
Unrealized depreciation | (21,817,972) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (21,558,647) |
Capital loss carryforward | (20,552,172) |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 61,292,768 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 176,687 | $ - |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 90 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.50% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in
Annual Report
4. Operating Policies - continued
Repurchase Agreements - continued
segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities and U.S. government securities aggregated $42,959,606 and $66,685,404, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. In addition, the management fee is subject to a performance adjustment (up to a maximum of ± .20% of the Fund's average net assets over the performance period). The upward or downward adjustment to the management fee is based on the relative investment performance of the Institutional class of the Fund, as compared to an appropriate benchmark index. The Fund's performance period began on October 1, 2007 and subsequent months will be added until the performance period includes 36 months. The Fund's performance adjustment took effect in September 2008. For the period, the total annual management fee rate, including the performance adjustment, was .69% of the Fund's average net assets.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | -% | .25% | $ 57,627 | $ 4,369 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 54,984 | 308 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 55,177 | 41,442 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 226,167 | 18,291 |
| | | $ 393,955 | $ 64,410 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 5,062 |
Class T | 2,323 |
Class B* | 27,077 |
Class C* | 8,176 |
| $ 42,638 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements. For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 70,504 | .31 |
Class T | 36,262 | .33 |
Class B | 16,925 | .31 |
Class C | 61,069 | .27 |
Institutional Class | 11,850 | .19 |
| $ 196,610 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $143 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
8. Security Lending - continued
to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. The value of loaned securities and cash collateral at period end are disclosed on the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $8,829.
9. Expense Reductions.
FMR voluntarily agreed to reimburse each class to the extent annual operating expenses exceeded certain levels of average net assets as noted in the table below. Some expenses, for example interest expense, including commitment fees, are excluded from this reimbursement.
The following classes were in reimbursement during the period:
| Expense Limitations | Reimbursement from adviser |
| | |
Class A | 1.50% | $ 8,922 |
Class T | 1.75% | 5,971 |
Class B | 2.25% | 2,226 |
Class C | 2.25% | 1,806 |
| | $ 18,925 |
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $10,968 for the period.
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Annual Report
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 124,132 | $ - |
Class T | 3,460 | - |
Institutional Class | 49,095 | - |
Total | $ 176,687 | $ - |
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 496,908 | 880,882 | $ 6,070,543 | $ 14,621,774 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 5,585 | - | 90,031 | - |
Shares redeemed | (1,002,463) | (1,378,099) | (13,279,810) | (22,819,285) |
Net increase (decrease) | (499,970) | (497,217) | $ (7,119,236) | $ (8,197,511) |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 160,164 | 210,578 | $ 2,217,320 | $ 3,439,343 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 190 | - | 3,018 | - |
Shares redeemed | (315,254) | (601,386) | (4,273,944) | (9,800,348) |
Net increase (decrease) | (154,900) | (390,808) | $ (2,053,606) | $ (6,361,005) |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 48,150 | 60,581 | $ 645,026 | $ 947,979 |
Shares redeemed | (207,114) | (565,912) | (2,703,004) | (8,855,704) |
Net increase (decrease) | (158,964) | (505,331) | $ (2,057,978) | $ (7,907,725) |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 199,230 | 404,623 | $ 2,333,839 | $ 6,455,208 |
Shares redeemed | (1,068,271) | (1,590,835) | (13,487,743) | (25,190,493) |
Net increase (decrease) | (869,041) | (1,186,212) | $ (11,153,904) | $ (18,735,285) |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 64,303 | 174,093 | $ 941,434 | $ 2,974,426 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 496 | - | 8,183 | - |
Shares redeemed | (169,354) | (477,947) | (2,356,834) | (8,131,108) |
Net increase (decrease) | (104,555) | (303,854) | $ (1,407,217) | $ (5,156,682) |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and the Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Japan Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Japan Fund (a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fidelity Advisor Japan Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of the Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004- 2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
Class A and Class T, designate 100% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Class A | 12/10/07 | $.096 | $.033 |
Class T | 12/10/07 | $.037 | $.033 |
Class B | 12/10/07 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Class C | 12/10/07 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Japan Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a peer group of mutual funds identified by Lipper Inc. as having an investment objective similar to that of the fund. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated.
Annual Report
Advisor Japan Fund
![fid605](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid605.gif)
The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the third quartile for all the periods shown. The Board also stated that the investment performance of the fund was lower than its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes. The Board discussed with FMR actions that may be taken by FMR to improve the fund's disappointing performance relative to its peer group and benchmark. The Board will continue to closely monitor the performance of the fund in the coming year.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group" and, for the reasons explained above, is broader than the Lipper peer group used by the Board for performance comparisons. The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 14% means that 86% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Japan Fund
![fid607](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid607.gif)
Annual Report
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Furthermore, the Board considered that, on September 19, 2007, shareholders approved an amended management contract for the fund that will add a performance adjustment component to the management fee paid by the fund (that is, the fund's management fee will be subject to upward or downward adjustment depending upon whether, and to what extent, the fund's investment performance for the performance period exceeds, or is exceeded by, the record (over the same period) of a Board-approved performance adjustment index). The performance period for the fund commenced on October 1, 2007. Starting with the twelfth month, the performance adjustment takes effect.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of Class A ranked equal to its competitive median for 2007, and the total expenses of each of Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class ranked above its competitive median for 2007. The Board considered that the total expenses for Class T were above the median primarily because its 12b-1 fee is higher than the typical front-end load class. The Board noted that the fund offers multiple classes, each of which has a different sales load and 12b-1 fee structure, and that the multiple structures are intended to offer a range of pricing options for the intermediary market. The Board also noted that the total expenses of the classes vary primarily by the level of their 12b-1 fees, although differences in transfer agent fees may also cause expenses to vary from class to class.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable, although in some cases above the median of the universe presented for comparison, in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
Annual Report
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
FIL Investment Advisors
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Quincy, MA
AJAF-UANN-1208
1.784756.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Japan
Fund - Institutional Class
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Life of fund A |
Institutional Class A | -42.45% | -4.06% | 0.70% |
A From December 17, 1998.
$10,000 Over Life of Fund
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity Advisor Japan Fund - Institutional Class on December 17, 1998, when the fund started. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the Tokyo Stock Exchange Stock Price Index (TOPIX) performed over the same period.
![fid623](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid623.gif)
Annual Report
Comments from Robert Rowland, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Japan Fund
Japanese stocks got walloped during the 12-month period ending October 31, 2008, a fate shared by most other stock markets globally. As measured by the Tokyo Stock Exchange Stock Price Index (TOPIX), Japanese share prices fell 36.04%, almost dead-even with the 36.10% setback sustained by the Standard & Poor's 500SM Index, a widely followed benchmark of U.S. stocks. By comparison, the MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index - - a gauge of developed stock markets outside the United States and Canada - recorded a loss of 46.54%. An intensifying U.S. credit crisis was partly to blame, as a number of well-known firms in the U.S. financials sector declared bankruptcy, required government assistance or arranged to be purchased by a stronger competitor. The deteriorating economies of Japan's trading partners hurt the revenues and earnings of Japanese exporters. An appreciating yen aided the returns earned by U.S. investors but undermined exporters' ability to compete successfully with non-Japanese rivals. Meanwhile, economic growth in Japan continued to be disappointing, with gross domestic product (GDP) there contracting during the second quarter of 2008.
During the past year, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares returned -42.68%, -42.82%, -43.10% and -43.08%, respectively (excluding sales charges), trailing the TOPIX. An overweighting and poor stock selection in industrials - specifically, the capital goods industry - partially explains the performance shortfall. Underweighting defensive sectors, such as utilities - where we had no exposure at all - and consumer staples, also hurt, as did overweighting information technology. Unrewarding picks in financials further detracted. Yaskawa Electric, a global maker of industrial control and automation products, was hurt by lower earnings expectations driven by yen appreciation and a slowdown in order growth from China. Other detractors included Dainippon Screen Manufacturing, a maker of semiconductor capital equipment; Yamaha Motor, the world's second-largest motorcycle maker; and image equipment maker Konica Minolta. Not owning benchmark component Tokyo Electric Power, a defensive holding that outperformed, had a negative impact as well. Conversely, stock picking in materials and a small cash position helped curb our losses. The fund's top contributor was also its largest holding at period end: automaker Toyota Motor. Further contributing were Canon, a maker of imaging equipment and digital cameras, Sekisui House, a leading house builder in Japan, and Shin-Etsu Chemical, the world's largest manufacturer of semiconductor wafers and PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
During the past year, the fund's Institutional Class shares returned -42.45%, trailing the TOPIX. An overweighting and poor stock selection in industrials - specifically, the capital goods industry - partially explains the performance shortfall. Underweighting defensive sectors, such as utilities - where we had no exposure at all - and consumer staples, also hurt, as did overweighting information technology. Unrewarding picks in financials further detracted. Yaskawa Electric, a global maker of industrial control and automation products, was hurt by lower earnings expectations driven by yen appreciation and a slowdown in order growth from China. Other detractors included Dainippon Screen Manufacturing, a maker of semiconductor capital equipment; Yamaha Motor, the world's second-largest motorcycle maker; and image equipment maker Konica Minolta. Not owning benchmark component Tokyo Electric Power, a defensive holding that outperformed, had a negative impact as well. Conversely, stock picking in materials and a small cash position helped curb our losses. The fund's top contributor was also its largest holding at period end: automaker Toyota Motor. Further contributing were Canon, a maker of imaging equipment and digital cameras, Sekisui House, a leading house builder in Japan, and Shin-Etsu Chemical, the world's largest manufacturer of semiconductor wafers and PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
Annual Report
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Annual Report
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.50% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 624.30 | $ 6.12 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.60 | $ 7.61 |
Class T | 1.75% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 623.60 | $ 7.14 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,016.34 | $ 8.87 |
Class B | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 622.00 | $ 9.17 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Class C | 2.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 622.30 | $ 9.18 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,013.83 | $ 11.39 |
Institutional Class | 1.06% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 625.90 | $ 4.33 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,019.81 | $ 5.38 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Ten Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Toyota Motor Corp. | 8.5 | 7.3 |
Canon, Inc. | 7.9 | 5.8 |
Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. | 4.1 | 1.2 |
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. | 4.1 | 3.5 |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | 3.7 | 4.1 |
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. | 2.2 | 1.9 |
Sekisui House Ltd. | 2.1 | 1.0 |
Tokyo Electron Ltd. | 2.0 | 1.8 |
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. | 1.9 | 1.4 |
Asahi Glass Co. Ltd. | 1.9 | 2.5 |
| 38.4 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Consumer Discretionary | 28.0 | 22.2 |
Industrials | 19.7 | 22.3 |
Information Technology | 19.6 | 20.4 |
Financials | 19.0 | 24.1 |
Materials | 6.4 | 6.0 |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 95.9% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 99.0% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 4.1% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 1.0% | |
![fid629](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid629.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 95.9% |
| Shares | | Value |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY - 28.0% |
Auto Components - 4.2% |
Denso Corp. | 25,200 | | $ 491,138 |
NOK Corp. | 21,000 | | 199,931 |
Stanley Electric Co. Ltd. | 53,200 | | 668,820 |
Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. | 22,000 | | 308,856 |
| | 1,668,745 |
Automobiles - 16.7% |
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. | 64,100 | | 1,593,791 |
Toyota Motor Corp. | 86,100 | | 3,362,114 |
Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. | 145,400 | | 1,607,454 |
| | 6,563,359 |
Household Durables - 2.3% |
Haseko Corp. | 109,000 | | 98,632 |
Sekisui House Ltd. | 82,000 | | 822,217 |
| | 920,849 |
Leisure Equipment & Products - 0.7% |
Nikon Corp. | 20,000 | | 281,849 |
Media - 1.4% |
Fuji Media Holdings, Inc. | 442 | | 529,172 |
Multiline Retail - 2.4% |
Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. | 18,700 | | 176,135 |
J Front Retailing Co. Ltd. | 23,000 | | 102,559 |
Marui Group Co. Ltd. | 44,500 | | 272,006 |
Takashimaya Co. Ltd. | 53,000 | | 408,452 |
| | 959,152 |
Specialty Retail - 0.3% |
Yamada Denki Co. Ltd. | 2,030 | | 110,488 |
TOTAL CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY | | 11,033,614 |
CONSUMER STAPLES - 1.1% |
Food & Staples Retailing - 0.7% |
Aeon Co. Ltd. | 26,700 | | 256,015 |
Food Products - 0.4% |
Nissin Food Holdings Co. Ltd. | 5,900 | | 168,640 |
TOTAL CONSUMER STAPLES | | 424,655 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
FINANCIALS - 19.0% |
Capital Markets - 2.5% |
Daiwa Securities Group, Inc. | 45,000 | | $ 254,396 |
Matsui Securities Co. Ltd. (c) | 30,000 | | 194,516 |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. | 57,000 | | 540,010 |
| | 988,922 |
Commercial Banks - 9.5% |
Chiba Bank Ltd. | 42,000 | | 207,580 |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | 234,300 | | 1,472,307 |
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. | 264 | | 644,603 |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | 174 | | 697,507 |
Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co. Ltd. | 160,000 | | 740,935 |
| | 3,762,932 |
Consumer Finance - 0.8% |
Credit Saison Co. Ltd. | 12,800 | | 135,833 |
Promise Co. Ltd. | 10,350 | | 185,764 |
| | 321,597 |
Insurance - 3.0% |
Sompo Japan Insurance, Inc. | 84,000 | | 588,739 |
T&D Holdings, Inc. | 15,400 | | 588,270 |
| | 1,177,009 |
Real Estate Investment Trusts - 1.0% |
Japan Real Estate Investment Corp. | 28 | | 247,930 |
Kenedix Realty Investment Corp. | 12 | | 17,391 |
Nomura Real Estate Office Fund, Inc. | 23 | | 130,753 |
| | 396,074 |
Real Estate Management & Development - 2.2% |
Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd. | 33,000 | | 589,461 |
Tokyo Tatemono Co. Ltd. | 37,000 | | 152,403 |
Tokyu Land Corp. | 38,000 | | 107,536 |
| | 849,400 |
TOTAL FINANCIALS | | 7,495,934 |
HEALTH CARE - 0.5% |
Pharmaceuticals - 0.5% |
Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. | 9,700 | | 198,888 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
INDUSTRIALS - 19.7% |
Building Products - 2.8% |
Asahi Glass Co. Ltd. | 118,000 | | $ 741,448 |
Daikin Industries Ltd. | 16,700 | | 375,605 |
| | 1,117,053 |
Commercial Services & Supplies - 0.2% |
Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd. | 5,000 | | 59,073 |
Secom Co. Ltd. | 300 | | 11,442 |
| | 70,515 |
Construction & Engineering - 0.7% |
JGC Corp. | 24,000 | | 257,266 |
Electrical Equipment - 3.6% |
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. | 90,000 | | 557,911 |
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. | 105,000 | | 850,094 |
| | 1,408,005 |
Machinery - 5.6% |
Daifuku Co. Ltd. | 28,000 | | 150,628 |
Fanuc Ltd. | 2,200 | | 146,576 |
Kubota Corp. | 132,000 | | 662,521 |
NGK Insulators Ltd. | 32,000 | | 332,356 |
NSK Ltd. | 80,000 | | 326,496 |
THK Co. Ltd. | 34,200 | | 468,320 |
Toshiba Machine Co. Ltd. | 39,000 | | 111,873 |
| | 2,198,770 |
Road & Rail - 1.2% |
East Japan Railway Co. | 67 | | 476,748 |
Trading Companies & Distributors - 4.0% |
Mitsubishi Corp. | 28,200 | | 472,660 |
Mitsui & Co. Ltd. | 62,000 | | 600,719 |
Sumitomo Corp. | 58,400 | | 513,780 |
| | 1,587,159 |
Transportation Infrastructure - 1.6% |
The Sumitomo Warehouse Co. Ltd. | 160,000 | | 648,109 |
TOTAL INDUSTRIALS | | 7,763,625 |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - 19.6% |
Electronic Equipment & Components - 7.1% |
Dainippon Screen Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 140,000 | | 298,478 |
Horiba Ltd. | 12,100 | | 179,160 |
Ibiden Co. Ltd. | 27,400 | | 512,532 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - continued |
Electronic Equipment & Components - continued |
Nidec Sankyo Corp. | 45,000 | | $ 210,063 |
Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd. | 56,500 | | 339,830 |
Topcon Corp. | 37,500 | | 211,058 |
Yamatake Corp. | 10,400 | | 198,407 |
Yaskawa Electric Corp. | 117,000 | | 513,417 |
Yokogawa Electric Corp. | 65,600 | | 303,760 |
| | 2,766,705 |
Office Electronics - 9.4% |
Canon, Inc. | 88,700 | | 3,103,601 |
Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. | 92,500 | | 607,445 |
| | 3,711,046 |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 3.1% |
Advantest Corp. | 8,500 | | 122,123 |
Disco Corp. | 7,600 | | 182,139 |
Rohm Co. Ltd. | 2,800 | | 134,913 |
Tokyo Electron Ltd. | 23,700 | | 790,209 |
| | 1,229,384 |
TOTAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | | 7,707,135 |
MATERIALS - 6.4% |
Chemicals - 4.5% |
JSR Corp. | 47,500 | | 535,766 |
Nissan Chemical Industries Co. Ltd. | 22,000 | | 177,875 |
Nitto Denko Corp. | 12,800 | | 283,469 |
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. | 14,200 | | 754,769 |
| | 1,751,879 |
Metals & Mining - 1.9% |
Hitachi Metals Ltd. | 21,000 | | 157,893 |
Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd. | 233,000 | | 599,231 |
| | 757,124 |
TOTAL MATERIALS | | 2,509,003 |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES - 1.6% |
Wireless Telecommunication Services - 1.6% |
KDDI Corp. | 57 | | 341,500 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES - continued |
Wireless Telecommunication Services - continued |
NTT DoCoMo, Inc. | 172 | | $ 272,769 |
Softbank Corp. | 1,900 | | 18,709 |
| | 632,978 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $58,620,188) | 37,765,832 |
Money Market Funds - 5.0% |
| | | |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (a) | 1,819,789 | | 1,819,789 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund, 2.67% (a)(b) | 148,500 | | 148,500 |
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $1,968,289) | 1,968,289 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 100.9% (Cost $60,588,477) | 39,734,121 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - (0.9)% | | (338,104) |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 39,396,017 |
Legend |
(a) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(b) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities on loan. |
(c) Security or a portion of the security is on loan at period end. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 27,710 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 8,829 |
Total | $ 36,539 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $20,552,172 of which $6,193,464, $6,651,966 and $7,706,742 will expire on October 31, 2010, 2015 and 2016, respectively. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value (including securities loaned of $143,351) - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $58,620,188) | $ 37,765,832 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $1,968,289) | 1,968,289 | |
Total Investments (cost $60,588,477) | | $ 39,734,121 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 1,698,695 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 84,019 |
Dividends receivable | | 371,833 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 3,554 |
Prepaid expenses | | 25 |
Receivable from investment adviser for expense reductions | | 5,868 |
Other receivables | | 2,534 |
Total assets | | 41,900,649 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 2,124,912 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 138,516 | |
Accrued management fee | 12,264 | |
Distribution fees payable | 18,077 | |
Other affiliated payables | 14,071 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 48,292 | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | 148,500 | |
Total liabilities | | 2,504,632 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 39,396,017 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 81,506,862 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (21,279,126) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (20,831,719) |
Net Assets | | $ 39,396,017 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($14,132,730 ÷ 1,507,876 shares) | | $ 9.37 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $9.37) | | $ 9.94 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($6,752,354 ÷ 732,824 shares) | | $ 9.21 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $9.21) | | $ 9.54 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($3,079,004 ÷ 349,042 shares)A | | $ 8.82 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($11,611,866 ÷ 1,307,911 shares)A | | $ 8.88 |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($3,820,063 ÷ 397,077 shares) | | $ 9.62 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 1,223,422 |
Interest | | 40 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 36,539 |
| | 1,260,001 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (85,640) |
Total income | | 1,174,361 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee Basic fee | $ 483,555 | |
Performance adjustment | (16,365) | |
Transfer agent fees | 196,610 | |
Distribution fees | 393,955 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 36,387 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 38,346 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 313 | |
Registration fees | 49,485 | |
Audit | 49,984 | |
Legal | 432 | |
Miscellaneous | 25,554 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 1,258,256 | |
Expense reductions | (29,893) | 1,228,363 |
Net investment income (loss) | | (54,002) |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | (7,786,521) | |
Foreign currency transactions | 1,702 | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (7,784,819) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities | (26,365,205) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | 24,940 | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (26,340,265) |
Net gain (loss) | | (34,125,084) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (34,179,086) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ (54,002) | $ (691,985) |
Net realized gain (loss) | (7,784,819) | (5,160,896) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (26,340,265) | 3,048,941 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (34,179,086) | (2,803,940) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (176,687) | - |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | (23,791,941) | (46,358,208) |
Redemption fees | 25,266 | 26,649 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (58,122,448) | (49,135,499) |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 97,518,465 | 146,653,964 |
End of period | $ 39,396,017 | $ 97,518,465 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.41 | $ 16.72 | $ 15.61 | $ 12.64 | $ 11.78 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .03 | (.04) | (.07) | (.08) | (.11) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (7.02) | (.27) | 1.17 | 3.04 | .95 |
Total from investment operations | (6.99) | (.31) | 1.10 | 2.96 | .84 |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.06) | - | - | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capitalC | .01 | - G | .01 | .01 | .02 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.37 | $ 16.41 | $ 16.72 | $ 15.61 | $ 12.64 |
Total Return A, B | (42.68)% | (1.85)% | 7.11% | 23.50% | 7.30% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.54% | 1.70% | 1.52% | 1.62% | 1.80% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.56% | 1.75% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.49% | 1.48% | 1.48% | 1.55% | 1.75% |
Net investment income (loss) | .24% | (.22)% | (.42)% | (.54)% | (.89)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 14,133 | $ 32,945 | $ 41,876 | $ 26,169 | $ 17,884 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 63% | 138% | 83% | 89% | 83% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.11 | $ 16.46 | $ 15.41 | $ 12.51 | $ 11.68 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | - G | (.08) | (.12) | (.11) | (.14) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.91) | (.27) | 1.16 | 3.00 | .95 |
Total from investment operations | (6.91) | (.35) | 1.04 | 2.89 | .81 |
Distributions from net realized gain | - G | - | - | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C | .01 | - G | .01 | .01 | .02 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.21 | $ 16.11 | $ 16.46 | $ 15.41 | $ 12.51 |
Total Return A, B | (42.82)% | (2.13)% | 6.81% | 23.18% | 7.11% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.81% | 1.96% | 1.82% | 1.97% | 2.19% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.81% | 2.00% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.74% | 1.73% | 1.73% | 1.80% | 2.00% |
Net investment income (loss) | (.01)% | (.47)% | (.67)% | (.79)% | (1.14)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 6,752 | $ 14,303 | $ 21,039 | $ 15,610 | $ 11,493 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 63% | 138% | 83% | 89% | 83% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 15.50 | $ 15.91 | $ 14.96 | $ 12.21 | $ 11.46 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | (.07) | (.15) | (.20) | (.17) | (.20) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.61) | (.26) | 1.14 | 2.91 | .93 |
Total from investment operations | (6.68) | (.41) | .94 | 2.74 | .73 |
Redemption fees added to paid in capitalC | - G | - G | .01 | .01 | .02 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.82 | $ 15.50 | $ 15.91 | $ 14.96 | $ 12.21 |
Total Return A, B | (43.10)% | (2.58)% | 6.35% | 22.52% | 6.54% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.29% | 2.45% | 2.33% | 2.43% | 2.62% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.31% | 2.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.24% | 2.23% | 2.23% | 2.30% | 2.50% |
Net investment income (loss) | (.51)% | (.97)% | (1.17)% | (1.30)% | (1.64)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 3,079 | $ 7,874 | $ 16,120 | $ 18,916 | $ 18,218 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 63% | 138% | 83% | 89% | 83% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 15.60 | $ 16.01 | $ 15.05 | $ 12.28 | $ 11.52 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | (.07) | (.15) | (.18) | (.17) | (.19) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.65) | (.26) | 1.13 | 2.93 | .93 |
Total from investment operations | (6.72) | (.41) | .95 | 2.76 | .74 |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C | - G | - G | .01 | .01 | .02 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.88 | $ 15.60 | $ 16.01 | $ 15.05 | $ 12.28 |
Total Return A, B | (43.08)% | (2.56)% | 6.38% | 22.56% | 6.60% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.26% | 2.37% | 2.18% | 2.27% | 2.44% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.18% | 2.27% | 2.44% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.24% | 2.23% | 2.16% | 2.26% | 2.44% |
Net investment income (loss) | (.51)% | (.97)% | (1.10)% | (1.25)% | (1.58)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 11,612 | $ 33,957 | $ 53,846 | $ 34,144 | $ 21,564 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 63% | 138% | 83% | 89% | 83% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.82 | $ 17.10 | $ 15.90 | $ 12.83 | $ 11.91 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .08 | .01 | (.01) | (.02) | (.06) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (7.19) | (.29) | 1.19 | 3.08 | .96 |
Total from investment operations | (7.11) | (.28) | 1.18 | 3.06 | .90 |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.10) | - | - | - | - |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital B | .01 | - F | .02 | .01 | .02 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.62 | $ 16.82 | $ 17.10 | $ 15.90 | $ 12.83 |
Total Return A | (42.45)% | (1.64)% | 7.55% | 23.93% | 7.72% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C, E | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.16% | 1.31% | 1.12% | 1.19% | 1.36% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.16% | 1.25% | 1.12% | 1.19% | 1.36% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.15% | 1.23% | 1.10% | 1.17% | 1.36% |
Net investment income (loss) | .58% | .03% | (.04)% | (.17)% | (.50)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 3,820 | $ 8,440 | $ 13,773 | $ 8,399 | $ 3,919 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 63% | 138% | 83% | 89% | 83% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
F Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Japan Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price.
Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), net operating losses, capital loss carryforwards and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 259,325 |
Unrealized depreciation | (21,817,972) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (21,558,647) |
Capital loss carryforward | (20,552,172) |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 61,292,768 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 176,687 | $ - |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 90 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.50% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in
Annual Report
4. Operating Policies - continued
Repurchase Agreements - continued
segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities and U.S. government securities aggregated $42,959,606 and $66,685,404, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. In addition, the management fee is subject to a performance adjustment (up to a maximum of ± .20% of the Fund's average net assets over the performance period). The upward or downward adjustment to the management fee is based on the relative investment performance of the Institutional class of the Fund, as compared to an appropriate benchmark index. The Fund's performance period began on October 1, 2007 and subsequent months will be added until the performance period includes 36 months. The Fund's performance adjustment took effect in September 2008. For the period, the total annual management fee rate, including the performance adjustment, was .69% of the Fund's average net assets.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | -% | .25% | $ 57,627 | $ 4,369 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 54,984 | 308 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 55,177 | 41,442 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 226,167 | 18,291 |
| | | $ 393,955 | $ 64,410 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 5,062 |
Class T | 2,323 |
Class B* | 27,077 |
Class C* | 8,176 |
| $ 42,638 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements. For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 70,504 | .31 |
Class T | 36,262 | .33 |
Class B | 16,925 | .31 |
Class C | 61,069 | .27 |
Institutional Class | 11,850 | .19 |
| $ 196,610 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $143 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
8. Security Lending - continued
to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. The value of loaned securities and cash collateral at period end are disclosed on the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $8,829.
9. Expense Reductions.
FMR voluntarily agreed to reimburse each class to the extent annual operating expenses exceeded certain levels of average net assets as noted in the table below. Some expenses, for example interest expense, including commitment fees, are excluded from this reimbursement.
The following classes were in reimbursement during the period:
| Expense Limitations | Reimbursement from adviser |
| | |
Class A | 1.50% | $ 8,922 |
Class T | 1.75% | 5,971 |
Class B | 2.25% | 2,226 |
Class C | 2.25% | 1,806 |
| | $ 18,925 |
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $10,968 for the period.
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Annual Report
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 124,132 | $ - |
Class T | 3,460 | - |
Institutional Class | 49,095 | - |
Total | $ 176,687 | $ - |
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 496,908 | 880,882 | $ 6,070,543 | $ 14,621,774 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 5,585 | - | 90,031 | - |
Shares redeemed | (1,002,463) | (1,378,099) | (13,279,810) | (22,819,285) |
Net increase (decrease) | (499,970) | (497,217) | $ (7,119,236) | $ (8,197,511) |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 160,164 | 210,578 | $ 2,217,320 | $ 3,439,343 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 190 | - | 3,018 | - |
Shares redeemed | (315,254) | (601,386) | (4,273,944) | (9,800,348) |
Net increase (decrease) | (154,900) | (390,808) | $ (2,053,606) | $ (6,361,005) |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 48,150 | 60,581 | $ 645,026 | $ 947,979 |
Shares redeemed | (207,114) | (565,912) | (2,703,004) | (8,855,704) |
Net increase (decrease) | (158,964) | (505,331) | $ (2,057,978) | $ (7,907,725) |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 199,230 | 404,623 | $ 2,333,839 | $ 6,455,208 |
Shares redeemed | (1,068,271) | (1,590,835) | (13,487,743) | (25,190,493) |
Net increase (decrease) | (869,041) | (1,186,212) | $ (11,153,904) | $ (18,735,285) |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 64,303 | 174,093 | $ 941,434 | $ 2,974,426 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 496 | - | 8,183 | - |
Shares redeemed | (169,354) | (477,947) | (2,356,834) | (8,131,108) |
Net increase (decrease) | (104,555) | (303,854) | $ (1,407,217) | $ (5,156,682) |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and the Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Japan Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Japan Fund (a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fidelity Advisor Japan Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of the Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004- 2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
Institutional class designates 100% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Class I | 12/10/07 | $.137 | $.033 |
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Japan Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a peer group of mutual funds identified by Lipper Inc. as having an investment objective similar to that of the fund. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated.
Annual Report
Advisor Japan Fund
![fid631](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid631.gif)
The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the third quartile for all the periods shown. The Board also stated that the investment performance of the fund was lower than its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes. The Board discussed with FMR actions that may be taken by FMR to improve the fund's disappointing performance relative to its peer group and benchmark. The Board will continue to closely monitor the performance of the fund in the coming year.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group" and, for the reasons explained above, is broader than the Lipper peer group used by the Board for performance comparisons. The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 14% means that 86% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Japan Fund
![fid633](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid633.gif)
Annual Report
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Furthermore, the Board considered that, on September 19, 2007, shareholders approved an amended management contract for the fund that will add a performance adjustment component to the management fee paid by the fund (that is, the fund's management fee will be subject to upward or downward adjustment depending upon whether, and to what extent, the fund's investment performance for the performance period exceeds, or is exceeded by, the record (over the same period) of a Board-approved performance adjustment index). The performance period for the fund commenced on October 1, 2007. Starting with the twelfth month, the performance adjustment takes effect.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of Class A ranked equal to its competitive median for 2007, and the total expenses of each of Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class ranked above its competitive median for 2007. The Board considered that the total expenses for Class T were above the median primarily because its 12b-1 fee is higher than the typical front-end load class. The Board noted that the fund offers multiple classes, each of which has a different sales load and 12b-1 fee structure, and that the multiple structures are intended to offer a range of pricing options for the intermediary market. The Board also noted that the total expenses of the classes vary primarily by the level of their 12b-1 fees, although differences in transfer agent fees may also cause expenses to vary from class to class.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable, although in some cases above the median of the universe presented for comparison, in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
Annual Report
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
FIL Investment Advisors
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Quincy, MA
AJAFI-UANN-1208
1.784757.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Latin America
Fund - Class A, Class T, Class B
and Class C
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow. Returns reflect the conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after a maximum of seven years.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Life of fund A |
Class A (incl. 5.75% sales charge) | -58.64% | 17.15% | 11.14% |
Class T (incl. 3.50% sales charge) | -57.76% | 17.39% | 11.14% |
Class B (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) B | -58.60% | 17.42% | 11.25% |
Class C (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) C | -56.87% | 17.66% | 10.99% |
A From December 21, 1998.
B Class B shares' contingent deferred sales charges included in the past one year, past five year, and life of fund total return figures are 5%, 2%, and 0%, respectively.
C Class C shares' contingent deferred sales charge included in the past one year, past five year, and life of fund total return figures are 1%, 0%, and 0%, respectively.
Annual Report
$10,000 Over Life of Fund
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Latin America Fund - Class A on December 21, 1998, when the fund started, and the current 5.75% sales charge was paid. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI® Emerging Markets - Latin America Index performed over the same period.
![fid649](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid649.gif)
In prior years, the performance from year to year was represented by the performance of Class T. Going forward, the fund's performance will be represented by Class A for consistency with other fund materials.
Annual Report
Comments from Brent Bottamini, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Latin America Fund
Stocks across the emerging-markets universe suffered steep losses during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008. In that time, the MSCI® Emerging Markets Index fell 56.22%. All three of the benchmark's primary regions - Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), Latin America, and Asia ex Australia and New Zealand - declined by more than 50%. In EMEA, major benchmark component Russia saw its market tumble by more than 62%, while Brazil - representing the benchmark's largest weighting during the period, on average, at almost 15% - finished with a setback of more than 53%. In both cases, falling commodity prices triggered by slowing global economies had a negative impact on share prices. Meanwhile, South Korea, the second-largest benchmark component, experienced a nearly 60% drop. Chinese stocks also were hard-hit, down roughly 67%. Asian emerging markets suffered in part due to concerns about slowing exports in the wake of decelerating economic growth in the United States and Europe, as the U.S. credit crisis continued to worsen and expand its reach abroad.
During the year, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares returned -56.11%, -56.23%, -56.46% and -56.44%, respectively (excluding sales charges), versus -51.77% for the MSCI Emerging Markets - Latin America Index. Unfavorable security selection in consumer discretionary, telecommunication services, materials and utilities hurt, as did underweightings in consumer staples, utilities and telecom services. Overweighting media stocks helped, as did our positioning within diversified financials and carrying a modest cash position. Geographically, unsuccessful security selection in Mexico and Brazil hurt. Underweighting a U.S. stock included in the index (Southern Copper) and an out-of-benchmark stake in Panama helped. Detractors included not owning two index components, Brazilian electric utility Eletrobras and Mexican telecom firm Telmex. An out-of-benchmark position in Bermuda-listed Dufry South America, which operates duty free shops in Brazilian airports, also hurt. Overweighting Brazilian materials firm Companhia Vale do Rio Doce detracted further. A contribution came from underweighting Brazilian energy firm OGX Petroleo e Gas.
Note to shareholders: Fidelity Advisor Latin America Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in any industry that represents more than 20% of the Latin American market. As of October 31, 2008, the fund did not have more than 25% of its total assets invested in any one industry.
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Annual Report
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.43% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 433.30 | $ 5.15 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.95 | $ 7.25 |
Class T | 1.70% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 432.70 | $ 6.12 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,016.59 | $ 8.62 |
Class B | 2.20% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 431.60 | $ 7.92 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.08 | $ 11.14 |
Class C | 2.18% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 431.60 | $ 7.84 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.18 | $ 11.04 |
Institutional Class | 1.14% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 433.90 | $ 4.11 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,019.41 | $ 5.79 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Five Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras (Brazil, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 16.7 | 18.6 |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (Brazil, Metals & Mining) | 11.1 | 14.1 |
America Movil SAB de CV Series L sponsored ADR (Mexico, Wireless Telecommunication Services) | 7.5 | 7.1 |
Banco Bradesco SA (PN) (Brazil, Commercial Banks) | 4.0 | 4.2 |
Grupo Televisa SA de CV (CPO) (Mexico, Media) | 3.7 | 2.7 |
| 43.0 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Materials | 21.3 | 29.0 |
Energy | 17.0 | 20.6 |
Financials | 16.8 | 14.8 |
Telecommunication Services | 13.8 | 11.1 |
Consumer Discretionary | 10.6 | 8.3 |
Top Five Countries as of October 31, 2008 |
(excluding cash equivalents) | % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Brazil | 67.1 | 67.9 |
Mexico | 21.8 | 19.5 |
Bermuda | 2.9 | 1.7 |
Chile | 2.6 | 2.0 |
Panama | 1.1 | 0.6 |
Percentages are adjusted for the effect of open futures contracts, if applicable. |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 96.9% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 95.7% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 3.1% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 4.3% | |
![fid655](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid655.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 93.0% |
| Shares | | Value |
Argentina - 0.1% |
Grupo Clarin SA GDR (c) | 41,600 | | $ 160,160 |
Bermuda - 2.9% |
Credicorp Ltd. (NY Shares) | 54,400 | | 2,136,288 |
Dufry South America Ltd. unit | 167,715 | | 1,030,685 |
GP Investments, Ltd. unit | 130,392 | | 451,871 |
TOTAL BERMUDA | | 3,618,844 |
Brazil - 63.2% |
Acucar Guarani SA (a) | 97,500 | | 105,420 |
AES Tiete SA (PN) (non-vtg.) | 198,745 | | 1,241,582 |
America Latina Logistica SA unit | 146,000 | | 673,265 |
B2W Companhia Global Do Varejo | 45,600 | | 585,750 |
Banco Bradesco SA: | | | |
(PN) | 109,684 | | 1,259,425 |
(PN) sponsored ADR | 328,000 | | 3,837,600 |
Banco do Brasil SA | 226,500 | | 1,496,604 |
Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul SA (c) | 152,053 | | 351,994 |
Banco Indusval SA | 23,060 | | 51,145 |
Banco Itau Holding Financeira SA sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 216,425 | | 2,393,661 |
BM&F BOVESPA SA | 349,000 | | 927,248 |
Brasil Telecom SA (PN) | 59,200 | | 352,869 |
Companhia Brasileira de Desenvolvimento Imobiliario Turistico (a) | 2,100 | | 392,986 |
Companhia de Bebidas das Americas (AmBev): | | | |
(PN) sponsored ADR | 60,900 | | 2,588,250 |
sponsored ADR | 3,260 | | 117,653 |
Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais | 53,800 | | 340,569 |
Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais (CEMIG) (PN) sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 136,400 | | 2,074,644 |
Companhia Siderurgica Nacional SA (CSN) sponsored ADR | 65,100 | | 885,360 |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce: | | | |
(PN-A) sponsored ADR | 797,500 | | 9,338,725 |
sponsored ADR | 363,200 | | 4,765,184 |
Cyrela Brazil Realty SA | 103,000 | | 491,156 |
Eletropaulo Metropolitana SA (PN-B) | 82,060 | | 1,008,593 |
Equatorial Energia SA | 73,000 | | 411,515 |
Gerdau SA sponsored ADR | 253,900 | | 1,627,499 |
GVT Holding SA (a) | 210,600 | | 2,291,669 |
LLX Logistica SA | 79,600 | | 27,953 |
Localiza Rent a Car SA | 127,500 | | 494,871 |
MPX Mineracao e Energia SA | 1,900 | | 102,717 |
MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA | 100,900 | | 522,636 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Brazil - continued |
Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA (a) | 79,100 | | $ 398,022 |
Net Servicos de Comunicacao SA: | | | |
sponsored ADR | 7,500 | | 49,050 |
(PN) (a) | 327,900 | | 2,086,306 |
OGX Petroleo e Gas Participacoes SA | 2,900 | | 363,820 |
PDG Realty S.A. Empreendimentos e Participacoes | 121,800 | | 621,888 |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras: | | | |
(ON) | 19,800 | | 262,390 |
(PN) (non-vtg.) | 337,800 | | 3,643,033 |
(PN) sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 438,600 | | 9,679,902 |
sponsored ADR | 282,500 | | 7,596,425 |
Porto Seguro SA | 54,300 | | 269,719 |
Profarma Distribuidora de Produtos Farmaceuticos SA | 58,100 | | 255,037 |
Redecard SA | 61,300 | | 665,910 |
Tegma Gestao Logistica | 120,500 | | 278,394 |
Tele Norte Leste Participacoes SA | 35,200 | | 528,602 |
Tele Norte Leste Participacoes SA sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 172,300 | | 2,339,834 |
Terna Participacoes SA unit | 70,800 | | 546,327 |
TIM Participacoes SA | 83,300 | | 118,934 |
TIM Participacoes SA sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 43,000 | | 621,780 |
Totvs SA | 88,600 | | 1,535,209 |
Tractebel Energia SA | 112,400 | | 882,913 |
Uniao de Bancos Brasileiros SA (Unibanco): | | | |
unit | 21,700 | | 134,359 |
GDR | 46,300 | | 2,920,604 |
Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA - Usiminas | 30,750 | | 352,370 |
Vivo Participacoes SA: | | | |
(PN) | 6,450 | | 70,276 |
sponsored ADR | 121,846 | | 1,332,995 |
Votorantim Celulose e Papel SA: | | | |
(PN) (non-vtg.) | 4,980 | | 49,013 |
sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 177,950 | | 1,795,516 |
TOTAL BRAZIL | | 80,157,171 |
Chile - 2.6% |
Banco Santander Chile sponsored ADR | 17,725 | | 634,555 |
CAP SA | 121,834 | | 1,467,643 |
Empresa Nacional de Electricidad SA sponsored ADR | 20,671 | | 768,961 |
Vina Concha y Toro SA sponsored ADR | 16,685 | | 458,003 |
TOTAL CHILE | | 3,329,162 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Luxembourg - 0.3% |
Ternium SA sponsored ADR | 38,300 | | $ 337,423 |
Mexico - 21.8% |
Alsea SAB de CV | 1,016,886 | | 550,287 |
America Movil SAB de CV Series L sponsored ADR | 308,000 | | 9,529,520 |
Cemex SA de CV sponsored ADR | 151,444 | | 1,144,917 |
Controladora Commercial Mexicana SA unit | 211,962 | | 58,421 |
Corporacion Geo SA de CV Series B (a) | 680,200 | | 942,668 |
Desarrolladora Homex Sab de CV (a) | 51,900 | | 199,017 |
Desarrolladora Homex Sab de CV sponsored ADR (a) | 24,400 | | 568,032 |
Empresas ICA Sociedad Controladora SA de CV (a) | 305,200 | | 438,370 |
Fomento Economico Mexicano SA de CV sponsored ADR | 75,163 | | 1,900,872 |
Genomma Lab Internacional SA de CV | 182,800 | | 184,503 |
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SA de CV sponsored ADR | 63,500 | | 1,160,145 |
Grupo Aeroportuario Norte Sab de CV ADR | 61,253 | | 518,813 |
Grupo Financiero Banorte SA de CV Series O | 439,000 | | 804,038 |
Grupo Mexico SA de CV Series B | 1,699,921 | | 1,326,414 |
Grupo Televisa SA de CV | 73,000 | | 255,613 |
Grupo Televisa SA de CV (CPO) sponsored ADR | 253,056 | | 4,468,969 |
Urbi, Desarrollos Urbanos, SA de CV (a) | 616,000 | | 923,043 |
Wal-Mart de Mexico SA de CV Series V | 1,010,869 | | 2,715,533 |
TOTAL MEXICO | | 27,689,175 |
Panama - 1.1% |
Copa Holdings SA Class A | 22,700 | | 575,899 |
Intergroup Financial Services Corp. | 61,649 | | 678,139 |
Intergroup Financial Services Corp. (c) | 11,123 | | 122,353 |
TOTAL PANAMA | | 1,376,391 |
Peru - 0.8% |
Compania de Minas Buenaventura SA sponsored ADR | 83,348 | | 1,053,519 |
United States of America - 0.2% |
NII Holdings, Inc. (a) | 10,700 | | 275,632 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $159,067,905) | 117,997,477 |
Nonconvertible Preferred Stocks - 3.9% |
| Shares | | Value |
Brazil - 3.9% |
Banco Itau Holding Financeira SA (non-vtg.) | 196,100 | | $ 2,120,294 |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (PN-A) | 81,700 | | 948,674 |
Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA - Usiminas (PN-A) (non-vtg.) | 142,200 | | 1,820,044 |
TOTAL NONCONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $3,247,098) | 4,889,012 |
Convertible Bonds - 0.0% |
| Principal Amount | | |
Brazil - 0.0% |
Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais 8.55% 6/1/13 (d)(e) (Cost $43,301) | BRL | 691 | | 17,497 |
Money Market Funds - 1.8% |
| Shares | | |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) (Cost $2,316,912) | 2,316,912 | | 2,316,912 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 98.7% (Cost $164,675,216) | | 125,220,898 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - 1.3% | | 1,611,589 |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 126,832,487 |
BRL - Brazilian real |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At the end of the period, the value of these securities amounted to $634,507 or 0.5% of net assets. |
(d) The coupon rate shown on floating or adjustable rate securities represents the rate at period end. |
(e) Restricted securities - Investment in securities not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (excluding 144A issues). At the end of the period, the value of restricted securities (excluding 144A issues) amounted to $17,497 or 0.0% of net assets. |
Additional information on each holding is as follows: |
Security | Acquisition Date | Acquisition Cost |
Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais 8.55% 6/1/13 | 8/20/07 | $ 43,301 |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 323,597 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 33,106 |
Total | $ 356,703 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $31,501,550 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $162,358,304) | $ 122,903,986 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $2,316,912) | 2,316,912 | |
Total Investments (cost $164,675,216) | | $ 125,220,898 |
Cash | | 1,114 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 2,535,059 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 212,791 |
Dividends receivable | | 569,768 |
Interest receivable | | 10 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 6,272 |
Prepaid expenses | | 70 |
Other receivables | | 15,421 |
Total assets | | 128,561,403 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 1,171,097 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 264,040 | |
Accrued management fee | 81,524 | |
Distribution fees payable | 56,575 | |
Other affiliated payables | 66,818 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 88,862 | |
Total liabilities | | 1,728,916 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 126,832,487 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 198,433,752 |
Undistributed net investment income | | 1,369,261 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (33,481,923) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (39,488,603) |
Net Assets | | $ 126,832,487 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($62,701,527 ÷ 2,371,239 shares) | | $ 26.44 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $26.44) | | $ 28.05 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($19,708,835 ÷ 751,878 shares) | | $ 26.21 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $26.21) | | $ 27.16 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($12,622,883 ÷ 492,025 shares)A | | $ 25.65 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($24,610,641 ÷ 963,526 shares)A | | $ 25.54 |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($7,188,601 ÷ 266,054 shares) | | $ 27.02 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 6,340,294 |
Special dividends | | 738,403 |
Interest | | 12,237 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 356,703 |
| | 7,447,637 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (406,129) |
Total income | | 7,041,508 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee | $ 2,072,818 | |
Transfer agent fees | 846,138 | |
Distribution fees | 1,454,526 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 157,206 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 201,486 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 1,303 | |
Registration fees | 80,608 | |
Audit | 50,578 | |
Legal | 1,365 | |
Miscellaneous | 44,406 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 4,910,434 | |
Expense reductions | (45,941) | 4,864,493 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 2,177,015 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | (31,885,031) | |
Foreign currency transactions | (216,848) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (32,101,879) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities | (169,232,171) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (32,871) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (169,265,042) |
Net gain (loss) | | (201,366,921) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (199,189,906) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 2,177,015 | $ 1,188,565 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (32,101,879) | 5,028,865 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (169,265,042) | 95,314,077 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (199,189,906) | 101,531,507 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (1,251,485) | (1,338,713) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (4,625,712) | (2,827,380) |
Total distributions | (5,877,197) | (4,166,093) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | 40,641,905 | 60,112,145 |
Redemption fees | 320,135 | 149,278 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (164,105,063) | 157,626,837 |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 290,937,550 | 133,310,713 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,369,261 and undistributed net investment income of $787,106, respectively) | $ 126,832,487 | $ 290,937,550 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 61.60 | $ 37.85 | $ 27.16 | $ 16.72 | $ 12.49 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)C | .53F | .42 | .58 | .42 | .24 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (34.41) | 24.52 | 10.94 | 10.14 | 4.09 |
Total from investment operations | (33.88) | 24.94 | 11.52 | 10.56 | 4.33 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.39) | (.46) | (.34) | (.17) | (.11) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.95) | (.77) | (.55) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.34) | (1.23) | (.89) | (.17) | (.11) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capitalC | .06 | .04 | .06 | .05 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 26.44 | $ 61.60 | $ 37.85 | $ 27.16 | $ 16.72 |
Total ReturnA, B | (56.11)% | 67.94% | 43.54% | 63.94% | 34.98% |
Ratios to Average Net AssetsD, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.43% | 1.45% | 1.62% | 1.93% | 3.07% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.43% | 1.45% | 1.50% | 1.56% | 2.02% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.41% | 1.43% | 1.47% | 1.50% | 1.98% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.00% F | .88% | 1.70% | 1.88% | 1.63% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 62,702 | $ 132,524 | $ 56,662 | $ 13,736 | $ 1,954 |
Portfolio turnover rateE | 48% | 49% | 50% | 42% | 71% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.14 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .74%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 61.09 | $ 37.56 | $ 26.98 | $ 16.63 | $ 12.44 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)C | .38F | .28 | .49 | .36 | .20 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (34.13) | 24.35 | 10.86 | 10.09 | 4.07 |
Total from investment operations | (33.75) | 24.63 | 11.35 | 10.45 | 4.27 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.24) | (.37) | (.28) | (.15) | (.09) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.95) | (.77) | (.55) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.19) | (1.14) | (.83) | (.15) | (.09) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capitalC | .06 | .04 | .06 | .05 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 26.21 | $ 61.09 | $ 37.56 | $ 26.98 | $ 16.63 |
Total ReturnA, B | (56.23)% | 67.50% | 43.11% | 63.57% | 34.59% |
Ratios to Average Net AssetsD, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.71% | 1.72% | 1.89% | 2.26% | 3.47% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.71% | 1.72% | 1.75% | 1.82% | 2.27% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.69% | 1.71% | 1.72% | 1.77% | 2.23% |
Net investment income (loss) | .72%F | .61% | 1.45% | 1.61% | 1.38% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 19,709 | $ 46,960 | $ 23,723 | $ 9,144 | $ 2,585 |
Portfolio turnover rateE | 48% | 49% | 50% | 42% | 71% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.14 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .47%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 59.87 | $ 36.87 | $ 26.54 | $ 16.40 | $ 12.29 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)C | .11F | .05 | .31 | .24 | .13 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (33.44) | 23.91 | 10.68 | 9.95 | 4.02 |
Total from investment operations | (33.33) | 23.96 | 10.99 | 10.19 | 4.15 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | (.22) | (.17) | (.10) | (.05) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.95) | (.77) | (.55) | - | - |
Total distributions | (.95) | (.99) | (.72) | (.10) | (.05) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capitalC | .06 | .03 | .06 | .05 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 25.65 | $ 59.87 | $ 36.87 | $ 26.54 | $ 16.40 |
Total ReturnA, B | (56.46)% | 66.68% | 42.36% | 62.73% | 33.95% |
Ratios to Average Net AssetsD, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.21% | 2.22% | 2.42% | 2.73% | 3.67% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.21% | 2.22% | 2.25% | 2.34% | 2.77% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.20% | 2.20% | 2.22% | 2.28% | 2.73% |
Net investment income (loss) | .21%F | .11% | .95% | 1.10% | .88% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 12,623 | $ 32,143 | $ 17,402 | $ 8,998 | $ 3,222 |
Portfolio turnover rateE | 48% | 49% | 50% | 42% | 71% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.14 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been (.04)%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 59.63 | $ 36.74 | $ 26.48 | $ 16.35 | $ 12.25 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)C | .13F | .07 | .31 | .24 | .13 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (33.30) | 23.80 | 10.65 | 9.94 | 4.01 |
Total from investment operations | (33.17) | 23.87 | 10.96 | 10.18 | 4.14 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.03) | (.24) | (.21) | (.10) | (.05) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.95) | (.77) | (.55) | - | - |
Total distributions | (.98) | (1.01) | (.76) | (.10) | (.05) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capitalC | .06 | .03 | .06 | .05 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 25.54 | $ 59.63 | $ 36.74 | $ 26.48 | $ 16.35 |
Total ReturnA, B | (56.44)% | 66.66% | 42.38% | 62.86% | 33.98% |
Ratios to Average Net AssetsD, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.18% | 2.18% | 2.34% | 2.69% | 3.83% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.18% | 2.18% | 2.25% | 2.32% | 2.77% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.17% | 2.17% | 2.22% | 2.26% | 2.73% |
Net investment income (loss) | .24%F | .14% | .95% | 1.12% | .88% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 24,611 | $ 60,415 | $ 29,189 | $ 9,252 | $ 2,167 |
Portfolio turnover rateE | 48% | 49% | 50% | 42% | 71% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.14 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been (.01)%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 62.89 | $ 38.56 | $ 27.64 | $ 16.97 | $ 12.64 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)B | .71E | .58 | .66 | .46 | .28 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (35.14) | 25.01 | 11.13 | 10.33 | 4.15 |
Total from investment operations | (34.43) | 25.59 | 11.79 | 10.79 | 4.43 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.55) | (.53) | (.38) | (.17) | (.11) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.95) | (.77) | (.55) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.50) | (1.30) | (.93) | (.17) | (.11) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capitalB | .06 | .04 | .06 | .05 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 27.02 | $ 62.89 | $ 38.56 | $ 27.64 | $ 16.97 |
Total ReturnA | (55.97)% | 68.51% | 43.79% | 64.36% | 35.36% |
Ratios to Average Net AssetsC, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.14% | 1.12% | 1.26% | 1.59% | 2.14% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.14% | 1.12% | 1.25% | 1.36% | 1.77% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.12% | 1.11% | 1.23% | 1.30% | 1.73% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.29%E | 1.21% | 1.94% | 2.08% | 1.88% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 7,189 | $ 18,897 | $ 6,335 | $ 4,810 | $ 3,440 |
Portfolio turnover rateD | 48% | 49% | 50% | 42% | 71% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.14 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been 1.03%.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Latin America Fund (the Fund) is a non-diversified fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Debt securities, including restricted securities, are valued by independent pricing services or by dealers who make markets in such securities. Pricing services consider yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type as well as dealer supplied prices. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund estimates the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Large, non-recurring dividends recognized by the Fund are presented separately on the Statement of Operations as "Special Dividends" and the impact of these dividends is presented in the Financial Highlights. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Fund will claim a portion of the payment made to redeeming shareholders as a distribution for income tax purposes.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), capital loss carryforwards and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 19,662,033 |
Unrealized depreciation | (61,131,028) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (41,468,995) |
Undistributed ordinary income | 1,367,016 |
Capital loss carryforward | (31,501,550) |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 166,689,893 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 1,251,485 | $ 1,338,713 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 4,625,712 | 2,827,380 |
Total | $ 5,877,197 | $ 4,166,093 |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 90 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.50% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $181,731,655 and $135,804,327, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase an increases as assets under management decrease. For the period, the total annual management fee rate was .71% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Distribution and Service Plan - continued
selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | -% | .25% | $ 348,884 | $ 16,859 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 229,928 | 1,268 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 297,183 | 224,250 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 578,531 | 205,553 |
| | | $ 1,454,526 | $ 447,930 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 245,309 |
Class T | 24,460 |
Class B* | 88,082 |
Class C* | 48,069 |
| $ 405,920 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements. For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Transfer Agent Fees - continued
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 396,130 | .28 |
Class T | 142,168 | .31 |
Class B | 93,149 | .31 |
Class C | 165,853 | .29 |
Institutional Class | 48,838 | .24 |
| $ 846,138 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $253 for the period.
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $593 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending
Annual Report
8. Security Lending - continued
Cash Central Fund. At period end, there were no security loans outstanding. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $33,106.
9. Expense Reductions.
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $42,651 for the period. In addition, through arrangements with the Fund's custodian and each class' transfer agent, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses. During the period, these credits reduced the Fund's custody expenses by $1,766. During the period, credits reduced each class' transfer agent expense as noted in the table below.
| Transfer Agent expense reduction |
Class C | 1,524 |
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
10. Other - continued
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $16, which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 858,859 | $ 709,973 |
Class T | 187,433 | 240,940 |
Class B | - | 107,563 |
Class C | 31,775 | 191,630 |
Institutional Class | 173,418 | 88,607 |
Total | $ 1,251,485 | $ 1,338,713 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 2,092,092 | $ 1,198,858 |
Class T | 742,575 | 501,417 |
Class B | 516,624 | 369,748 |
Class C | 973,748 | 627,893 |
Institutional Class | 300,673 | 129,464 |
Total | $ 4,625,712 | $ 2,827,380 |
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 1,804,080 | 1,393,391 | $ 103,513,609 | $ 65,803,104 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 44,760 | 43,952 | 2,663,650 | 1,688,203 |
Shares redeemed | (1,629,019) | (782,832) | (76,716,074) | (35,128,744) |
Net increase (decrease) | 219,821 | 654,511 | $ 29,461,185 | $ 32,362,563 |
Annual Report
12. Share Transactions - continued
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 455,941 | 455,916 | $ 25,880,888 | $ 21,240,936 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 15,156 | 18,830 | 896,344 | 718,933 |
Shares redeemed | (487,974) | (337,584) | (22,726,188) | (15,355,363) |
Net increase (decrease) | (16,877) | 137,162 | $ 4,051,044 | $ 6,604,506 |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 230,078 | 237,976 | $ 12,689,809 | $ 10,853,846 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 8,122 | 11,564 | 472,231 | 434,710 |
Shares redeemed | (283,070) | (184,610) | (12,786,098) | (7,992,057) |
Net increase (decrease) | (44,870) | 64,930 | $ 375,942 | $ 3,296,499 |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 559,295 | 583,666 | $ 31,685,538 | $ 27,131,346 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 14,808 | 19,005 | 856,928 | 711,556 |
Shares redeemed | (623,778) | (384,050) | (28,689,395) | (16,675,013) |
Net increase (decrease) | (49,675) | 218,621 | $ 3,853,071 | $ 11,167,889 |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 361,455 | 223,683 | $ 21,471,831 | $ 11,037,917 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 5,443 | 3,561 | 330,045 | 139,192 |
Shares redeemed | (401,317) | (91,047) | (18,901,213) | (4,496,421) |
Net increase (decrease) | (34,419) | 136,197 | $ 2,900,663 | $ 6,680,688 |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and the Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Latin America Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Latin America Fund (a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fidelity Advisor Latin America Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004- 2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
Class A, Class T, and Class C designates 100% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Class A | 12/10/2007 | $0.501 | $0.1106 |
| | | |
Class T | 12/10/2007 | $0.351 | $0.1106 |
| | | |
Class C | 12/10/2007 | $0.142 | $0.1106 |
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Latin America Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against a broad-based securities market index over multiple periods. The Board noted that FMR does not believe that a meaningful peer group exists against which to compare the fund's performance. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B of the fund and the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"). The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance).
Annual Report
Advisor Latin America Fund
![fid657](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid657.gif)
The Board stated that the investment performance of the fund was lower than its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes. The Board discussed with FMR actions that will be taken by FMR to attempt to improve the fund's below-benchmark performance. The Board will continue to closely monitor the performance of the fund in the coming year.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 9% means that 91% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Latin America Fund
![fid659](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid659.gif)
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
Annual Report
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of each class ranked below its competitive median for 2007.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Annual Report
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
FIL Investment Advisors
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
FIL Investment Advisors
(U.K.) Ltd.
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Quincy, MA
ALAF-UANN-1208
1.784760.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Latin America
Fund - Institutional Class
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Life of fund A |
Institutional Class | -55.97% | 18.87% | 12.13% |
A From December 21, 1998.
$10,000 Over Life of Fund
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Latin America Fund - Institutional Class on December 21, 1998, when the fund started. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI® Emerging Markets - Latin America Index performed over the same period.
![fid675](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid675.gif)
Annual Report
Comments from Brent Bottamini, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Latin America Fund
Stocks across the emerging-markets universe suffered steep losses during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008. In that time, the MSCI® Emerging Markets Index fell 56.22%. All three of the benchmark's primary regions - Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), Latin America, and Asia ex Australia and New Zealand - declined by more than 50%. In EMEA, major benchmark component Russia saw its market tumble by more than 62%, while Brazil - representing the benchmark's largest weighting during the period, on average, at almost 15% - finished with a setback of more than 53%. In both cases, falling commodity prices triggered by slowing global economies had a negative impact on share prices. Meanwhile, South Korea, the second-largest benchmark component, experienced a nearly 60% drop. Chinese stocks also were hard-hit, down roughly 67%. Asian emerging markets suffered in part due to concerns about slowing exports in the wake of decelerating economic growth in the United States and Europe, as the U.S. credit crisis continued to worsen and expand its reach abroad.
During the year, the fund's Institutional Class shares returned -55.97%, versus -51.77% for the MSCI Emerging Markets - Latin America Index. Unfavorable security selection in consumer discretionary, telecommunication services, materials and utilities hurt, as did underweightings in consumer staples, utilities and telecom services. Overweighting media stocks helped, as did our positioning within diversified financials and carrying a modest cash position. Geographically, unsuccessful security selection in Mexico and Brazil hurt. Underweighting a U.S. stock included in the index (Southern Copper) and an out-of-benchmark stake in Panama helped. Detractors included not owning two index components, Brazilian electric utility Eletrobras and Mexican telecom firm Telmex. An out-of-benchmark position in Bermuda-listed Dufry South America, which operates duty free shops in Brazilian airports, also hurt. Overweighting Brazilian materials firm Companhia Vale do Rio Doce detracted further. A contribution came from underweighting Brazilian energy firm OGX Petroleo e Gas.
Note to shareholders: Fidelity Advisor Latin America Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in any industry that represents more than 20% of the Latin American market. As of October 31, 2008, the fund did not have more than 25% of its total assets invested in any one industry.
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Annual Report
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.43% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 433.30 | $ 5.15 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.95 | $ 7.25 |
Class T | 1.70% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 432.70 | $ 6.12 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,016.59 | $ 8.62 |
Class B | 2.20% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 431.60 | $ 7.92 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.08 | $ 11.14 |
Class C | 2.18% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 431.60 | $ 7.84 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.18 | $ 11.04 |
Institutional Class | 1.14% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 433.90 | $ 4.11 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,019.41 | $ 5.79 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Five Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras (Brazil, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 16.7 | 18.6 |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (Brazil, Metals & Mining) | 11.1 | 14.1 |
America Movil SAB de CV Series L sponsored ADR (Mexico, Wireless Telecommunication Services) | 7.5 | 7.1 |
Banco Bradesco SA (PN) (Brazil, Commercial Banks) | 4.0 | 4.2 |
Grupo Televisa SA de CV (CPO) (Mexico, Media) | 3.7 | 2.7 |
| 43.0 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Materials | 21.3 | 29.0 |
Energy | 17.0 | 20.6 |
Financials | 16.8 | 14.8 |
Telecommunication Services | 13.8 | 11.1 |
Consumer Discretionary | 10.6 | 8.3 |
Top Five Countries as of October 31, 2008 |
(excluding cash equivalents) | % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Brazil | 67.1 | 67.9 |
Mexico | 21.8 | 19.5 |
Bermuda | 2.9 | 1.7 |
Chile | 2.6 | 2.0 |
Panama | 1.1 | 0.6 |
Percentages are adjusted for the effect of open futures contracts, if applicable. |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 96.9% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 95.7% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 3.1% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 4.3% | |
![fid681](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid681.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 93.0% |
| Shares | | Value |
Argentina - 0.1% |
Grupo Clarin SA GDR (c) | 41,600 | | $ 160,160 |
Bermuda - 2.9% |
Credicorp Ltd. (NY Shares) | 54,400 | | 2,136,288 |
Dufry South America Ltd. unit | 167,715 | | 1,030,685 |
GP Investments, Ltd. unit | 130,392 | | 451,871 |
TOTAL BERMUDA | | 3,618,844 |
Brazil - 63.2% |
Acucar Guarani SA (a) | 97,500 | | 105,420 |
AES Tiete SA (PN) (non-vtg.) | 198,745 | | 1,241,582 |
America Latina Logistica SA unit | 146,000 | | 673,265 |
B2W Companhia Global Do Varejo | 45,600 | | 585,750 |
Banco Bradesco SA: | | | |
(PN) | 109,684 | | 1,259,425 |
(PN) sponsored ADR | 328,000 | | 3,837,600 |
Banco do Brasil SA | 226,500 | | 1,496,604 |
Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul SA (c) | 152,053 | | 351,994 |
Banco Indusval SA | 23,060 | | 51,145 |
Banco Itau Holding Financeira SA sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 216,425 | | 2,393,661 |
BM&F BOVESPA SA | 349,000 | | 927,248 |
Brasil Telecom SA (PN) | 59,200 | | 352,869 |
Companhia Brasileira de Desenvolvimento Imobiliario Turistico (a) | 2,100 | | 392,986 |
Companhia de Bebidas das Americas (AmBev): | | | |
(PN) sponsored ADR | 60,900 | | 2,588,250 |
sponsored ADR | 3,260 | | 117,653 |
Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais | 53,800 | | 340,569 |
Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais (CEMIG) (PN) sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 136,400 | | 2,074,644 |
Companhia Siderurgica Nacional SA (CSN) sponsored ADR | 65,100 | | 885,360 |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce: | | | |
(PN-A) sponsored ADR | 797,500 | | 9,338,725 |
sponsored ADR | 363,200 | | 4,765,184 |
Cyrela Brazil Realty SA | 103,000 | | 491,156 |
Eletropaulo Metropolitana SA (PN-B) | 82,060 | | 1,008,593 |
Equatorial Energia SA | 73,000 | | 411,515 |
Gerdau SA sponsored ADR | 253,900 | | 1,627,499 |
GVT Holding SA (a) | 210,600 | | 2,291,669 |
LLX Logistica SA | 79,600 | | 27,953 |
Localiza Rent a Car SA | 127,500 | | 494,871 |
MPX Mineracao e Energia SA | 1,900 | | 102,717 |
MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA | 100,900 | | 522,636 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Brazil - continued |
Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA (a) | 79,100 | | $ 398,022 |
Net Servicos de Comunicacao SA: | | | |
sponsored ADR | 7,500 | | 49,050 |
(PN) (a) | 327,900 | | 2,086,306 |
OGX Petroleo e Gas Participacoes SA | 2,900 | | 363,820 |
PDG Realty S.A. Empreendimentos e Participacoes | 121,800 | | 621,888 |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras: | | | |
(ON) | 19,800 | | 262,390 |
(PN) (non-vtg.) | 337,800 | | 3,643,033 |
(PN) sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 438,600 | | 9,679,902 |
sponsored ADR | 282,500 | | 7,596,425 |
Porto Seguro SA | 54,300 | | 269,719 |
Profarma Distribuidora de Produtos Farmaceuticos SA | 58,100 | | 255,037 |
Redecard SA | 61,300 | | 665,910 |
Tegma Gestao Logistica | 120,500 | | 278,394 |
Tele Norte Leste Participacoes SA | 35,200 | | 528,602 |
Tele Norte Leste Participacoes SA sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 172,300 | | 2,339,834 |
Terna Participacoes SA unit | 70,800 | | 546,327 |
TIM Participacoes SA | 83,300 | | 118,934 |
TIM Participacoes SA sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 43,000 | | 621,780 |
Totvs SA | 88,600 | | 1,535,209 |
Tractebel Energia SA | 112,400 | | 882,913 |
Uniao de Bancos Brasileiros SA (Unibanco): | | | |
unit | 21,700 | | 134,359 |
GDR | 46,300 | | 2,920,604 |
Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA - Usiminas | 30,750 | | 352,370 |
Vivo Participacoes SA: | | | |
(PN) | 6,450 | | 70,276 |
sponsored ADR | 121,846 | | 1,332,995 |
Votorantim Celulose e Papel SA: | | | |
(PN) (non-vtg.) | 4,980 | | 49,013 |
sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) | 177,950 | | 1,795,516 |
TOTAL BRAZIL | | 80,157,171 |
Chile - 2.6% |
Banco Santander Chile sponsored ADR | 17,725 | | 634,555 |
CAP SA | 121,834 | | 1,467,643 |
Empresa Nacional de Electricidad SA sponsored ADR | 20,671 | | 768,961 |
Vina Concha y Toro SA sponsored ADR | 16,685 | | 458,003 |
TOTAL CHILE | | 3,329,162 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
Luxembourg - 0.3% |
Ternium SA sponsored ADR | 38,300 | | $ 337,423 |
Mexico - 21.8% |
Alsea SAB de CV | 1,016,886 | | 550,287 |
America Movil SAB de CV Series L sponsored ADR | 308,000 | | 9,529,520 |
Cemex SA de CV sponsored ADR | 151,444 | | 1,144,917 |
Controladora Commercial Mexicana SA unit | 211,962 | | 58,421 |
Corporacion Geo SA de CV Series B (a) | 680,200 | | 942,668 |
Desarrolladora Homex Sab de CV (a) | 51,900 | | 199,017 |
Desarrolladora Homex Sab de CV sponsored ADR (a) | 24,400 | | 568,032 |
Empresas ICA Sociedad Controladora SA de CV (a) | 305,200 | | 438,370 |
Fomento Economico Mexicano SA de CV sponsored ADR | 75,163 | | 1,900,872 |
Genomma Lab Internacional SA de CV | 182,800 | | 184,503 |
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SA de CV sponsored ADR | 63,500 | | 1,160,145 |
Grupo Aeroportuario Norte Sab de CV ADR | 61,253 | | 518,813 |
Grupo Financiero Banorte SA de CV Series O | 439,000 | | 804,038 |
Grupo Mexico SA de CV Series B | 1,699,921 | | 1,326,414 |
Grupo Televisa SA de CV | 73,000 | | 255,613 |
Grupo Televisa SA de CV (CPO) sponsored ADR | 253,056 | | 4,468,969 |
Urbi, Desarrollos Urbanos, SA de CV (a) | 616,000 | | 923,043 |
Wal-Mart de Mexico SA de CV Series V | 1,010,869 | | 2,715,533 |
TOTAL MEXICO | | 27,689,175 |
Panama - 1.1% |
Copa Holdings SA Class A | 22,700 | | 575,899 |
Intergroup Financial Services Corp. | 61,649 | | 678,139 |
Intergroup Financial Services Corp. (c) | 11,123 | | 122,353 |
TOTAL PANAMA | | 1,376,391 |
Peru - 0.8% |
Compania de Minas Buenaventura SA sponsored ADR | 83,348 | | 1,053,519 |
United States of America - 0.2% |
NII Holdings, Inc. (a) | 10,700 | | 275,632 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $159,067,905) | 117,997,477 |
Nonconvertible Preferred Stocks - 3.9% |
| Shares | | Value |
Brazil - 3.9% |
Banco Itau Holding Financeira SA (non-vtg.) | 196,100 | | $ 2,120,294 |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (PN-A) | 81,700 | | 948,674 |
Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA - Usiminas (PN-A) (non-vtg.) | 142,200 | | 1,820,044 |
TOTAL NONCONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $3,247,098) | 4,889,012 |
Convertible Bonds - 0.0% |
| Principal Amount | | |
Brazil - 0.0% |
Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais 8.55% 6/1/13 (d)(e) (Cost $43,301) | BRL | 691 | | 17,497 |
Money Market Funds - 1.8% |
| Shares | | |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) (Cost $2,316,912) | 2,316,912 | | 2,316,912 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 98.7% (Cost $164,675,216) | | 125,220,898 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - 1.3% | | 1,611,589 |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 126,832,487 |
BRL - Brazilian real |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At the end of the period, the value of these securities amounted to $634,507 or 0.5% of net assets. |
(d) The coupon rate shown on floating or adjustable rate securities represents the rate at period end. |
(e) Restricted securities - Investment in securities not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (excluding 144A issues). At the end of the period, the value of restricted securities (excluding 144A issues) amounted to $17,497 or 0.0% of net assets. |
Additional information on each holding is as follows: |
Security | Acquisition Date | Acquisition Cost |
Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais 8.55% 6/1/13 | 8/20/07 | $ 43,301 |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 323,597 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 33,106 |
Total | $ 356,703 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $31,501,550 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $162,358,304) | $ 122,903,986 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $2,316,912) | 2,316,912 | |
Total Investments (cost $164,675,216) | | $ 125,220,898 |
Cash | | 1,114 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 2,535,059 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 212,791 |
Dividends receivable | | 569,768 |
Interest receivable | | 10 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 6,272 |
Prepaid expenses | | 70 |
Other receivables | | 15,421 |
Total assets | | 128,561,403 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 1,171,097 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 264,040 | |
Accrued management fee | 81,524 | |
Distribution fees payable | 56,575 | |
Other affiliated payables | 66,818 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 88,862 | |
Total liabilities | | 1,728,916 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 126,832,487 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 198,433,752 |
Undistributed net investment income | | 1,369,261 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (33,481,923) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (39,488,603) |
Net Assets | | $ 126,832,487 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($62,701,527 ÷ 2,371,239 shares) | | $ 26.44 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $26.44) | | $ 28.05 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($19,708,835 ÷ 751,878 shares) | | $ 26.21 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $26.21) | | $ 27.16 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($12,622,883 ÷ 492,025 shares)A | | $ 25.65 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($24,610,641 ÷ 963,526 shares)A | | $ 25.54 |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($7,188,601 ÷ 266,054 shares) | | $ 27.02 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 6,340,294 |
Special dividends | | 738,403 |
Interest | | 12,237 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 356,703 |
| | 7,447,637 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (406,129) |
Total income | | 7,041,508 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee | $ 2,072,818 | |
Transfer agent fees | 846,138 | |
Distribution fees | 1,454,526 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 157,206 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 201,486 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 1,303 | |
Registration fees | 80,608 | |
Audit | 50,578 | |
Legal | 1,365 | |
Miscellaneous | 44,406 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 4,910,434 | |
Expense reductions | (45,941) | 4,864,493 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 2,177,015 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | (31,885,031) | |
Foreign currency transactions | (216,848) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (32,101,879) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities | (169,232,171) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (32,871) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (169,265,042) |
Net gain (loss) | | (201,366,921) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (199,189,906) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 2,177,015 | $ 1,188,565 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (32,101,879) | 5,028,865 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (169,265,042) | 95,314,077 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (199,189,906) | 101,531,507 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (1,251,485) | (1,338,713) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (4,625,712) | (2,827,380) |
Total distributions | (5,877,197) | (4,166,093) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | 40,641,905 | 60,112,145 |
Redemption fees | 320,135 | 149,278 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (164,105,063) | 157,626,837 |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 290,937,550 | 133,310,713 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,369,261 and undistributed net investment income of $787,106, respectively) | $ 126,832,487 | $ 290,937,550 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 61.60 | $ 37.85 | $ 27.16 | $ 16.72 | $ 12.49 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)C | .53F | .42 | .58 | .42 | .24 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (34.41) | 24.52 | 10.94 | 10.14 | 4.09 |
Total from investment operations | (33.88) | 24.94 | 11.52 | 10.56 | 4.33 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.39) | (.46) | (.34) | (.17) | (.11) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.95) | (.77) | (.55) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.34) | (1.23) | (.89) | (.17) | (.11) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capitalC | .06 | .04 | .06 | .05 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 26.44 | $ 61.60 | $ 37.85 | $ 27.16 | $ 16.72 |
Total ReturnA, B | (56.11)% | 67.94% | 43.54% | 63.94% | 34.98% |
Ratios to Average Net AssetsD, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.43% | 1.45% | 1.62% | 1.93% | 3.07% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.43% | 1.45% | 1.50% | 1.56% | 2.02% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.41% | 1.43% | 1.47% | 1.50% | 1.98% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.00% F | .88% | 1.70% | 1.88% | 1.63% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 62,702 | $ 132,524 | $ 56,662 | $ 13,736 | $ 1,954 |
Portfolio turnover rateE | 48% | 49% | 50% | 42% | 71% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.14 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .74%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 61.09 | $ 37.56 | $ 26.98 | $ 16.63 | $ 12.44 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)C | .38F | .28 | .49 | .36 | .20 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (34.13) | 24.35 | 10.86 | 10.09 | 4.07 |
Total from investment operations | (33.75) | 24.63 | 11.35 | 10.45 | 4.27 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.24) | (.37) | (.28) | (.15) | (.09) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.95) | (.77) | (.55) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.19) | (1.14) | (.83) | (.15) | (.09) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capitalC | .06 | .04 | .06 | .05 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 26.21 | $ 61.09 | $ 37.56 | $ 26.98 | $ 16.63 |
Total ReturnA, B | (56.23)% | 67.50% | 43.11% | 63.57% | 34.59% |
Ratios to Average Net AssetsD, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.71% | 1.72% | 1.89% | 2.26% | 3.47% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.71% | 1.72% | 1.75% | 1.82% | 2.27% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.69% | 1.71% | 1.72% | 1.77% | 2.23% |
Net investment income (loss) | .72%F | .61% | 1.45% | 1.61% | 1.38% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 19,709 | $ 46,960 | $ 23,723 | $ 9,144 | $ 2,585 |
Portfolio turnover rateE | 48% | 49% | 50% | 42% | 71% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.14 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .47%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 59.87 | $ 36.87 | $ 26.54 | $ 16.40 | $ 12.29 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)C | .11F | .05 | .31 | .24 | .13 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (33.44) | 23.91 | 10.68 | 9.95 | 4.02 |
Total from investment operations | (33.33) | 23.96 | 10.99 | 10.19 | 4.15 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | (.22) | (.17) | (.10) | (.05) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.95) | (.77) | (.55) | - | - |
Total distributions | (.95) | (.99) | (.72) | (.10) | (.05) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capitalC | .06 | .03 | .06 | .05 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 25.65 | $ 59.87 | $ 36.87 | $ 26.54 | $ 16.40 |
Total ReturnA, B | (56.46)% | 66.68% | 42.36% | 62.73% | 33.95% |
Ratios to Average Net AssetsD, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.21% | 2.22% | 2.42% | 2.73% | 3.67% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.21% | 2.22% | 2.25% | 2.34% | 2.77% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.20% | 2.20% | 2.22% | 2.28% | 2.73% |
Net investment income (loss) | .21%F | .11% | .95% | 1.10% | .88% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 12,623 | $ 32,143 | $ 17,402 | $ 8,998 | $ 3,222 |
Portfolio turnover rateE | 48% | 49% | 50% | 42% | 71% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.14 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been (.04)%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 59.63 | $ 36.74 | $ 26.48 | $ 16.35 | $ 12.25 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)C | .13F | .07 | .31 | .24 | .13 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (33.30) | 23.80 | 10.65 | 9.94 | 4.01 |
Total from investment operations | (33.17) | 23.87 | 10.96 | 10.18 | 4.14 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.03) | (.24) | (.21) | (.10) | (.05) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.95) | (.77) | (.55) | - | - |
Total distributions | (.98) | (1.01) | (.76) | (.10) | (.05) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capitalC | .06 | .03 | .06 | .05 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 25.54 | $ 59.63 | $ 36.74 | $ 26.48 | $ 16.35 |
Total ReturnA, B | (56.44)% | 66.66% | 42.38% | 62.86% | 33.98% |
Ratios to Average Net AssetsD, G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.18% | 2.18% | 2.34% | 2.69% | 3.83% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.18% | 2.18% | 2.25% | 2.32% | 2.77% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.17% | 2.17% | 2.22% | 2.26% | 2.73% |
Net investment income (loss) | .24%F | .14% | .95% | 1.12% | .88% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 24,611 | $ 60,415 | $ 29,189 | $ 9,252 | $ 2,167 |
Portfolio turnover rateE | 48% | 49% | 50% | 42% | 71% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.14 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been (.01)%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 62.89 | $ 38.56 | $ 27.64 | $ 16.97 | $ 12.64 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)B | .71E | .58 | .66 | .46 | .28 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (35.14) | 25.01 | 11.13 | 10.33 | 4.15 |
Total from investment operations | (34.43) | 25.59 | 11.79 | 10.79 | 4.43 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.55) | (.53) | (.38) | (.17) | (.11) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.95) | (.77) | (.55) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.50) | (1.30) | (.93) | (.17) | (.11) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capitalB | .06 | .04 | .06 | .05 | .01 |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 27.02 | $ 62.89 | $ 38.56 | $ 27.64 | $ 16.97 |
Total ReturnA | (55.97)% | 68.51% | 43.79% | 64.36% | 35.36% |
Ratios to Average Net AssetsC, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.14% | 1.12% | 1.26% | 1.59% | 2.14% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.14% | 1.12% | 1.25% | 1.36% | 1.77% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.12% | 1.11% | 1.23% | 1.30% | 1.73% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.29%E | 1.21% | 1.94% | 2.08% | 1.88% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 7,189 | $ 18,897 | $ 6,335 | $ 4,810 | $ 3,440 |
Portfolio turnover rateD | 48% | 49% | 50% | 42% | 71% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Investment income per share reflects a special dividend which amounted to $.14 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been 1.03%.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Latin America Fund (the Fund) is a non-diversified fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Debt securities, including restricted securities, are valued by independent pricing services or by dealers who make markets in such securities. Pricing services consider yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type as well as dealer supplied prices. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund estimates the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Large, non-recurring dividends recognized by the Fund are presented separately on the Statement of Operations as "Special Dividends" and the impact of these dividends is presented in the Financial Highlights. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Fund will claim a portion of the payment made to redeeming shareholders as a distribution for income tax purposes.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), capital loss carryforwards and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 19,662,033 |
Unrealized depreciation | (61,131,028) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (41,468,995) |
Undistributed ordinary income | 1,367,016 |
Capital loss carryforward | (31,501,550) |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 166,689,893 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 1,251,485 | $ 1,338,713 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 4,625,712 | 2,827,380 |
Total | $ 5,877,197 | $ 4,166,093 |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 90 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.50% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $181,731,655 and $135,804,327, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase an increases as assets under management decrease. For the period, the total annual management fee rate was .71% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Distribution and Service Plan - continued
selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | -% | .25% | $ 348,884 | $ 16,859 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 229,928 | 1,268 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 297,183 | 224,250 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 578,531 | 205,553 |
| | | $ 1,454,526 | $ 447,930 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 245,309 |
Class T | 24,460 |
Class B* | 88,082 |
Class C* | 48,069 |
| $ 405,920 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements. For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Transfer Agent Fees - continued
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 396,130 | .28 |
Class T | 142,168 | .31 |
Class B | 93,149 | .31 |
Class C | 165,853 | .29 |
Institutional Class | 48,838 | .24 |
| $ 846,138 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $253 for the period.
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $593 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending
Annual Report
8. Security Lending - continued
Cash Central Fund. At period end, there were no security loans outstanding. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $33,106.
9. Expense Reductions.
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $42,651 for the period. In addition, through arrangements with the Fund's custodian and each class' transfer agent, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses. During the period, these credits reduced the Fund's custody expenses by $1,766. During the period, credits reduced each class' transfer agent expense as noted in the table below.
| Transfer Agent expense reduction |
Class C | 1,524 |
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
10. Other - continued
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $16, which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 858,859 | $ 709,973 |
Class T | 187,433 | 240,940 |
Class B | - | 107,563 |
Class C | 31,775 | 191,630 |
Institutional Class | 173,418 | 88,607 |
Total | $ 1,251,485 | $ 1,338,713 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 2,092,092 | $ 1,198,858 |
Class T | 742,575 | 501,417 |
Class B | 516,624 | 369,748 |
Class C | 973,748 | 627,893 |
Institutional Class | 300,673 | 129,464 |
Total | $ 4,625,712 | $ 2,827,380 |
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 1,804,080 | 1,393,391 | $ 103,513,609 | $ 65,803,104 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 44,760 | 43,952 | 2,663,650 | 1,688,203 |
Shares redeemed | (1,629,019) | (782,832) | (76,716,074) | (35,128,744) |
Net increase (decrease) | 219,821 | 654,511 | $ 29,461,185 | $ 32,362,563 |
Annual Report
12. Share Transactions - continued
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 455,941 | 455,916 | $ 25,880,888 | $ 21,240,936 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 15,156 | 18,830 | 896,344 | 718,933 |
Shares redeemed | (487,974) | (337,584) | (22,726,188) | (15,355,363) |
Net increase (decrease) | (16,877) | 137,162 | $ 4,051,044 | $ 6,604,506 |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 230,078 | 237,976 | $ 12,689,809 | $ 10,853,846 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 8,122 | 11,564 | 472,231 | 434,710 |
Shares redeemed | (283,070) | (184,610) | (12,786,098) | (7,992,057) |
Net increase (decrease) | (44,870) | 64,930 | $ 375,942 | $ 3,296,499 |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 559,295 | 583,666 | $ 31,685,538 | $ 27,131,346 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 14,808 | 19,005 | 856,928 | 711,556 |
Shares redeemed | (623,778) | (384,050) | (28,689,395) | (16,675,013) |
Net increase (decrease) | (49,675) | 218,621 | $ 3,853,071 | $ 11,167,889 |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 361,455 | 223,683 | $ 21,471,831 | $ 11,037,917 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 5,443 | 3,561 | 330,045 | 139,192 |
Shares redeemed | (401,317) | (91,047) | (18,901,213) | (4,496,421) |
Net increase (decrease) | (34,419) | 136,197 | $ 2,900,663 | $ 6,680,688 |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and the Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Latin America Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Latin America Fund (a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fidelity Advisor Latin America Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004- 2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
Class I designates 100% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Institutional Class | 12/10/2007 | $0.661 | $0.1106 |
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Latin America Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against a broad-based securities market index over multiple periods. The Board noted that FMR does not believe that a meaningful peer group exists against which to compare the fund's performance. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B of the fund and the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"). The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance).
Annual Report
Advisor Latin America Fund
![fid683](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid683.gif)
The Board stated that the investment performance of the fund was lower than its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes. The Board discussed with FMR actions that will be taken by FMR to attempt to improve the fund's below-benchmark performance. The Board will continue to closely monitor the performance of the fund in the coming year.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 9% means that 91% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Latin America Fund
![fid685](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid685.gif)
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
Annual Report
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of each class ranked below its competitive median for 2007.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Annual Report
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
FIL Investment Advisors
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd.
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Quincy, MA
ALAFI-UANN-1208
1.784761.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Overseas
Fund - Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to the financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow. Returns may reflect the conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after a maximum of seven years.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Past 10 years |
Class A (incl. 5.75% sales charge) | -48.24% | 1.28% | 1.23% |
Class T (incl. 3.50% sales charge) | -47.09% | 1.60% | 1.30% |
Class B (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) A | -48.02% | 1.32% | 1.24% |
Class C (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) B | -46.00% | 1.72% | 1.07% |
A Class B shares bear a 1.00% 12b-1 fee. Class B shares' contingent deferred sales charges included in the past one year, past five year, and past ten year total return figures are 5%, 2% and 0%, respectively.
B Class C shares' contingent deferred sales charge included in the past one year, past five year, and past ten year total return figures are 1%, 0%, and 0%, respectively.
Annual Report
$10,000 Over 10 Years
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Overseas Fund - Class A on October 31, 1998, and the current 5.75% sales charge was paid. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index performed over the same period.
![fid701](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid701.gif)
In prior years, the performance from year to year was represented by the performance of Class T. Going forward, the fund's performance will be represented by Class A for consistency with other fund materials.
Annual Report
Comments from Graeme Rockett, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Overseas Fund
In a dramatic reversal of what had been a multiyear global growth story, international stocks fell long and hard during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, especially so during the latter stages of the period and mostly as a result of fallout from the financial crisis that emanated from the United States. The viral spread of this financial contagion - which began in the U.S. subprime mortgage market, then seized up the credit markets, hobbled major financial institutions and eventually slowed economic growth worldwide - left virtually no corner of the globe untouched. Developed international equity markets - as gauged by the MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index, which monitors established markets outside the U.S. and Canada - fell 46.54%, while the Standard & Poor's 500SM Index, a measure of U.S. stocks, dropped 36.10%. Among countries constituting at least 1% of the EAFE index, Switzerland had the "least worst" showing, falling roughly 32%, followed by Japan, where stocks slid by around 37%. Meanwhile, the weakest overall performance came from Belgium, where stocks slipped by nearly 70%. In the United Kingdom, the largest component of the index, equities were down almost 48%. Emerging markets were the weakest performers among the global economies, declining 56.22% as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
For the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares returned -45.08%, -45.18%, -45.50% and -45.50%, respectively (excluding sales charges) - outpacing the performance of the MSCI EAFE index. A large cash position contributed to this outperformance, as did country allocations within Europe and exposure to the United States, but an underweighting in Japan hurt. Stock picking was strong in the financials sector, including Japanese consumer finance company ACOM, and in the materials sector - particularly Calgon Carbon, an out-of-index U.S. producer of activated carbon. CSL Ltd., an Australian biopharmaceutical company, also helped the fund. However, unfavorable stock choices in the utilities and energy sectors were harmful. Other detractors included Alstom, a French producer of power generation equipment, and Irish Life and Permanent, an insurance company combined with a weak-performing bank. We did not own Volkswagen, a stock in the benchmark index that appreciated for technical reasons connected with the company's major shareholder, Porsche AG, and hurt our relative performance. We sold our position in Irish Life and Permanent prior to period end.
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Annual Report
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.36% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 607.80 | $ 5.50 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,018.30 | $ 6.90 |
Class T | 1.53% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 607.00 | $ 6.18 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.44 | $ 7.76 |
Class B | 2.12% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 605.30 | $ 8.55 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.48 | $ 10.74 |
Class C | 2.12% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 605.30 | $ 8.55 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.48 | $ 10.74 |
Institutional Class | 1.03% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 608.40 | $ 4.16 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,019.96 | $ 5.23 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Five Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Nestle SA (Reg.) (Switzerland, Food Products) | 2.8 | 1.1 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC Class A (United Kingdom, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 2.4 | 1.9 |
Man Group PLC (United Kingdom, Capital Markets) | 2.3 | 2.0 |
Alstom SA (France, Electrical Equipment) | 2.3 | 3.6 |
CSL Ltd. (Australia, Biotechnology) | 2.0 | 1.9 |
| 11.8 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Financials | 24.3 | 22.5 |
Consumer Staples | 13.7 | 10.5 |
Health Care | 11.9 | 5.8 |
Consumer Discretionary | 9.0 | 6.8 |
Energy | 9.0 | 9.3 |
Top Five Countries as of October 31, 2008 |
(excluding cash equivalents) | % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
United Kingdom | 29.0 | 25.2 |
Japan | 13.5 | 9.8 |
France | 12.8 | 14.2 |
Switzerland | 9.2 | 4.7 |
Germany | 9.2 | 8.2 |
Percentages are adjusted for the effect of open futures contracts, if applicable. |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 98.5% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 93.6% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 1.5% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 6.4% | |
![fid707](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid707.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 98.5% |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Australia - 5.4% |
AMP Ltd. | 545,475 | | $ 1,983 |
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | 254,800 | | 2,985 |
Australian Wealth Management Ltd. | 953,300 | | 505 |
BHP Billiton Ltd. | 340,619 | | 6,540 |
Charter Hall Group unit | 899,034 | | 267 |
Commonwealth Bank of Australia | 154,949 | | 4,233 |
CSL Ltd. | 832,221 | | 20,229 |
HFA Holdings Ltd. | 1,532,013 | | 411 |
Lion Nathan Ltd. | 599,527 | | 3,541 |
McGuigan Simeon Wines Ltd. (a) | 614,691 | | 246 |
National Australia Bank Ltd. | 177,950 | | 2,886 |
Navitas Ltd. | 635,200 | | 896 |
Newcrest Mining Ltd. | 57,443 | | 789 |
Rio Tinto Ltd. | 30,300 | | 1,567 |
Seek Ltd. (d) | 226,300 | | 500 |
Telstra Corp. Ltd. | 1,979,910 | | 5,447 |
Wesfarmers Ltd. | 38,398 | | 552 |
Woodside Petroleum Ltd. | 26,569 | | 750 |
TOTAL AUSTRALIA | | 54,327 |
Belgium - 0.7% |
Hamon & Compagnie International SA | 60,300 | | 1,890 |
KBC Groupe SA | 115,500 | | 4,966 |
TOTAL BELGIUM | | 6,856 |
Bermuda - 0.4% |
Signet Jewelers Ltd. (United Kingdom) | 157,905 | | 1,547 |
Willis Group Holdings Ltd. | 101,400 | | 2,661 |
TOTAL BERMUDA | | 4,208 |
Brazil - 0.8% |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (ON) | 78,300 | | 1,006 |
TIM Participacoes SA sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) (d) | 483,200 | | 6,987 |
TOTAL BRAZIL | | 7,993 |
Canada - 0.0% |
TimberWest Forest Corp. | 74,200 | | 420 |
Cayman Islands - 0.1% |
China Dongxiang Group Co. Ltd. | 3,490,000 | | 1,027 |
Denmark - 1.6% |
Carlsberg AS Series B | 47,600 | | 1,874 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Denmark - continued |
Novo Nordisk AS: | | | |
Series B | 109,300 | | $ 5,859 |
Series B sponsored ADR | 94,500 | | 5,057 |
Novozymes AS Series B (d) | 45,900 | | 3,240 |
TOTAL DENMARK | | 16,030 |
Finland - 0.8% |
Fortum Oyj | 81,000 | | 1,991 |
Nokia Corp. | 312,300 | | 4,784 |
Nokia Corp. sponsored ADR | 71,900 | | 1,091 |
TOTAL FINLAND | | 7,866 |
France - 12.8% |
Accor SA | 47,800 | | 1,860 |
Alstom SA | 457,600 | | 22,680 |
AXA SA | 165,973 | | 3,171 |
AXA SA sponsored ADR | 71,700 | | 1,342 |
BNP Paribas SA | 85,381 | | 6,165 |
Carrefour SA | 54,100 | | 2,285 |
CNP Assurances | 32,800 | | 2,643 |
Credit Agricole SA | 42,500 | | 615 |
Essilor International SA | 11,900 | | 534 |
France Telecom SA | 93,300 | | 2,353 |
France Telecom SA sponsored ADR | 164,300 | | 4,160 |
GDF Suez | 62,412 | | 2,790 |
Groupe Danone | 69,700 | | 3,881 |
Ingenico SA | 245,300 | | 3,831 |
Ipsos SA | 58,500 | | 1,471 |
L'Air Liquide SA | 92,358 | | 7,970 |
L'Oreal SA | 75,934 | | 5,750 |
Meetic (a) | 33,500 | | 472 |
Pernod Ricard SA | 16,900 | | 1,101 |
Sanofi-Aventis sponsored ADR | 185,100 | | 5,853 |
Seche Environment SA (d) | 8,400 | | 324 |
Societe Generale Series A | 107,300 | | 5,848 |
Sodexho Alliance SA | 115,600 | | 5,550 |
Suez Environnement SA (a) | 16,350 | | 316 |
Total SA: | | | |
Series B | 153,388 | | 8,438 |
sponsored ADR | 159,800 | | 8,859 |
Unibail-Rodamco | 86,200 | | 12,972 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
France - continued |
Veolia Environnement | 47,400 | | $ 1,175 |
Vivendi | 142,145 | | 3,716 |
TOTAL FRANCE | | 128,125 |
Germany - 9.2% |
Allianz AG (Reg.) | 27,100 | | 2,028 |
BASF AG | 33,800 | | 1,137 |
Bayer AG | 92,900 | | 5,172 |
Beiersdorf AG | 171,700 | | 9,102 |
Commerzbank AG | 176,100 | | 1,915 |
Daimler AG | 41,500 | | 1,432 |
Daimler AG (Reg.) | 31,600 | | 1,093 |
Deutsche Bank AG | 38,200 | | 1,451 |
Deutsche Bank AG (NY Shares) | 4,900 | | 186 |
Deutsche Boerse AG | 41,600 | | 3,326 |
Deutsche Postbank AG (d) | 99,700 | | 2,046 |
Deutsche Telekom AG: | | | |
(Reg.) | 115,600 | | 1,727 |
sponsored ADR | 116,500 | | 1,730 |
E.ON AG | 445,937 | | 17,060 |
Fresenius AG | 84,500 | | 5,014 |
GFK AG | 60,193 | | 1,189 |
Linde AG | 17,200 | | 1,444 |
Metro AG | 50,600 | | 1,637 |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG (Reg.) | 40,000 | | 5,309 |
Q-Cells AG (a)(d) | 38,900 | | 1,530 |
RWE AG | 135,100 | | 11,290 |
SAP AG | 90,500 | | 3,222 |
SAP AG sponsored ADR (d) | 165,500 | | 5,847 |
Siemens AG sponsored ADR | 14,000 | | 842 |
Symrise AG | 75,600 | | 939 |
Vossloh AG | 53,800 | | 4,157 |
TOTAL GERMANY | | 91,825 |
Hong Kong - 1.3% |
China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd. | 4,592,000 | | 6,556 |
China Unicom Ltd. sponsored ADR | 36,200 | | 522 |
Dynasty Fine Wines Group Ltd. | 714,000 | | 93 |
Hang Lung Properties Ltd. | 243,000 | | 594 |
Hang Seng Bank Ltd. | 77,200 | | 963 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Hong Kong - continued |
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. | 251,500 | | $ 2,550 |
Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. | 257,000 | | 1,372 |
TOTAL HONG KONG | | 12,650 |
India - 0.1% |
Satyam Computer Services Ltd. sponsored ADR | 72,800 | | 1,145 |
Indonesia - 0.2% |
PT Bumi Resources Tbk | 4,592,500 | | 601 |
PT Indosat Tbk sponsored ADR | 63,400 | | 1,540 |
TOTAL INDONESIA | | 2,141 |
Ireland - 0.4% |
CRH PLC | 119,400 | | 2,647 |
Ryanair Holdings PLC (a) | 299,400 | | 1,049 |
TOTAL IRELAND | | 3,696 |
Israel - 0.4% |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. sponsored ADR | 90,500 | | 3,881 |
Italy - 2.8% |
A2A SpA | 474,200 | | 864 |
Assicurazioni Generali SpA | 204,950 | | 5,176 |
Edison SpA | 1,075,800 | | 1,551 |
Enel SpA | 141,000 | | 943 |
ENI SpA | 293,591 | | 7,007 |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 1,621,100 | | 5,930 |
MARR SpA | 122,400 | | 662 |
UniCredit SpA | 2,526,700 | | 6,182 |
TOTAL ITALY | | 28,315 |
Japan - 13.5% |
ACOM Co. Ltd. | 130 | | 5 |
Canon, Inc. | 107,600 | | 3,765 |
Canon, Inc. sponsored ADR | 119,100 | | 4,082 |
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. | 17,900 | | 469 |
East Japan Railway Co. | 468 | | 3,330 |
Hitachi Ltd. | 214,000 | | 1,005 |
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. | 83,600 | | 2,079 |
Iino Kaiun Kaisha Ltd. | 164,700 | | 842 |
JFE Holdings, Inc. | 72,700 | | 1,855 |
Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. | 18,200 | | 456 |
KDDI Corp. | 374 | | 2,241 |
Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. | 16,000 | | 177 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Japan - continued |
Matsui Securities Co. Ltd. (d) | 251,700 | | $ 1,632 |
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. | 128,000 | | 2,061 |
Mitsubishi Corp. | 98,100 | | 1,644 |
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. | 140,000 | | 868 |
Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd. | 243,000 | | 4,341 |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | 2,397,500 | | 15,066 |
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. | 178,000 | | 929 |
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. | 42,100 | | 1,170 |
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. | 1,978 | | 4,830 |
Nafco Co. Ltd. | 61,100 | | 643 |
Nintendo Co. Ltd. | 6,500 | | 2,028 |
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. | 602 | | 2,456 |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. | 689,900 | | 6,536 |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. sponsored ADR | 304,200 | | 2,859 |
NTT DoCoMo, Inc. | 1,955 | | 3,100 |
ORIX Corp. | 8,380 | | 861 |
Point, Inc. | 45,360 | | 2,228 |
Promise Co. Ltd. | 234,250 | | 4,204 |
Rakuten, Inc. (d) | 7,928 | | 3,930 |
Ricoh Co. Ltd. | 388,000 | | 4,175 |
Seven & I Holdings Co. Ltd. | 131,000 | | 3,678 |
Sony Corp. | 37,700 | | 893 |
Sony Corp. sponsored ADR | 45,100 | | 1,048 |
Sugi Holdings Co. Ltd. | 38,500 | | 926 |
Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd. | 425,000 | | 1,093 |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | 1,746 | | 6,999 |
Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co. Ltd. | 864,000 | | 4,001 |
T&D Holdings, Inc. | 186,450 | | 7,122 |
Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. | 38,500 | | 865 |
Tokyo Electric Power Co. | 146,500 | | 4,149 |
Tokyo Electron Ltd. | 22,800 | | 760 |
Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd. | 216,000 | | 929 |
Toyota Motor Corp. | 258,700 | | 10,102 |
Toyota Motor Corp. sponsored ADR | 46,500 | | 3,538 |
USS Co. Ltd. | 52,900 | | 3,240 |
TOTAL JAPAN | | 135,210 |
Luxembourg - 0.9% |
ArcelorMittal SA: | | | |
(France) | 62,700 | | 1,631 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Luxembourg - continued |
ArcelorMittal SA: - continued | | | |
(NY Shares) Class A | 81,300 | | $ 2,134 |
SES SA (A Shares) FDR unit | 286,204 | | 4,904 |
TOTAL LUXEMBOURG | | 8,669 |
Netherlands - 2.3% |
Akzo Nobel NV | 29,600 | | 1,230 |
ASML Holding NV (NY Shares) | 58,300 | | 1,023 |
Gemalto NV (a) | 46,200 | | 1,294 |
Heineken NV (Bearer) | 22,500 | | 759 |
ING Groep NV (Certificaten Van Aandelen) | 32,146 | | 302 |
Koninklijke Ahold NV | 35,100 | | 377 |
Koninklijke KPN NV | 477,500 | | 6,725 |
Royal DSM NV | 24,100 | | 671 |
Unilever NV: | | | |
(Certificaten Van Aandelen) | 185,900 | | 4,480 |
(NY Shares) | 246,600 | | 5,931 |
Wolters Kluwer NV (Certificaten Van Aandelen) | 27,300 | | 483 |
TOTAL NETHERLANDS | | 23,275 |
Netherlands Antilles - 0.2% |
Schlumberger Ltd. (NY Shares) | 37,500 | | 1,937 |
Norway - 0.6% |
Lighthouse Caledonia ASA | 26,435 | | 15 |
Norwegian Property ASA | 225,400 | | 336 |
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (a) | 291,250 | | 1,450 |
Pronova BioPharma ASA | 463,300 | | 1,204 |
StatoilHydro ASA | 119,200 | | 2,398 |
StatoilHydro ASA sponsored ADR | 43,200 | | 868 |
TOTAL NORWAY | | 6,271 |
Panama - 0.1% |
McDermott International, Inc. (a) | 51,800 | | 887 |
Papua New Guinea - 0.1% |
Lihir Gold Ltd. (a) | 904,218 | | 1,128 |
Spain - 1.6% |
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA | 81,200 | | 942 |
Banco Santander SA | 74,800 | | 809 |
Iberdrola SA | 149,200 | | 1,080 |
Repsol YPF SA sponsored ADR | 79,600 | | 1,522 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Spain - continued |
Telefonica SA | 569,948 | | $ 10,553 |
Telefonica SA sponsored ADR | 25,000 | | 1,388 |
TOTAL SPAIN | | 16,294 |
Sweden - 0.6% |
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (A Shares) | 111,800 | | 1,108 |
Swedish Match Co. | 259,800 | | 3,607 |
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (B Shares) sponsored ADR (d) | 127,800 | | 904 |
TOTAL SWEDEN | | 5,619 |
Switzerland - 9.2% |
Adecco SA (Reg.) | 112,121 | | 3,900 |
Credit Suisse Group sponsored ADR | 48,900 | | 1,829 |
Credit Suisse Group (Reg.) | 64,604 | | 2,415 |
Julius Baer Holding AG | 64,465 | | 2,521 |
Nestle SA (Reg.) | 710,533 | | 27,621 |
Nobel Biocare Holding AG (Switzerland) | 28,902 | | 496 |
Novartis AG: | | | |
(Reg.) | 31,264 | | 1,587 |
sponsored ADR | 349,300 | | 17,811 |
Roche Holding AG (participation certificate) | 119,888 | | 18,330 |
SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance Holding SA (Reg.) | 3,259 | | 3,208 |
Swisscom AG (Reg.) | 19,554 | | 5,974 |
UBS AG: | | | |
(For. Reg.) | 173,709 | | 2,947 |
(NY Shares) | 87,977 | | 1,487 |
Zurich Financial Services AG (Reg.) | 9,468 | | 1,920 |
TOTAL SWITZERLAND | | 92,046 |
Taiwan - 0.1% |
HTC Corp. | 70,000 | | 835 |
United Kingdom - 29.0% |
Aegis Group PLC | 5,944,500 | | 6,264 |
Anglo American PLC: | | | |
ADR | 161,046 | | 2,021 |
(United Kingdom) | 113,659 | | 2,851 |
AstraZeneca PLC: | | | |
(United Kingdom) | 12,500 | | 530 |
sponsored ADR | 85,600 | | 3,635 |
BAE Systems PLC | 458,900 | | 2,579 |
Barclays PLC | 497,300 | | 1,425 |
Benfield Group PLC | 186,900 | | 1,026 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
United Kingdom - continued |
BG Group PLC | 678,300 | | $ 9,972 |
BHP Billiton PLC | 299,902 | | 5,092 |
BlueBay Asset Management (d) | 352,600 | | 1,145 |
BP PLC | 1,472,608 | | 12,002 |
BP PLC sponsored ADR | 126,300 | | 6,277 |
British American Tobacco PLC (United Kingdom) | 141,500 | | 3,881 |
British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC (BSkyB) | 1,125,000 | | 6,845 |
Cadbury PLC sponsored ADR | 37,696 | | 1,394 |
Centrica PLC | 1,110,000 | | 5,454 |
Compass Group PLC | 1,135,000 | | 5,277 |
Diageo PLC | 720,100 | | 10,988 |
Diageo PLC sponsored ADR | 28,600 | | 1,779 |
DSG International PLC | 916,400 | | 481 |
Experian PLC | 411,400 | | 2,269 |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | 754,400 | | 14,501 |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC sponsored ADR | 54,000 | | 2,090 |
Hammerson PLC | 323,300 | | 3,726 |
HBOS PLC | 430,167 | | 704 |
HSBC Holdings PLC: | | | |
(Hong Kong) (Reg.) | 182,800 | | 2,176 |
(United Kingdom) (Reg.) | 343,567 | | 4,069 |
sponsored ADR (d) | 245,600 | | 14,490 |
Imperial Tobacco Group PLC | 94,000 | | 2,519 |
Informa PLC | 704,200 | | 2,386 |
Intertek Group PLC | 274,600 | | 3,252 |
Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group PLC | 1,837,600 | | 13,106 |
Lloyds TSB Group PLC | 295,100 | | 954 |
Lloyds TSB Group PLC sponsored ADR | 24,800 | | 313 |
M&C Saatchi | 500,100 | | 689 |
Man Group PLC | 4,003,471 | | 23,111 |
Marks & Spencer Group PLC | 883,100 | | 3,130 |
NDS Group PLC sponsored ADR (a) | 81,100 | | 3,868 |
Pearson PLC | 104,000 | | 1,036 |
Prudential PLC | 192,000 | | 964 |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | 39,000 | | 1,649 |
Reed Elsevier PLC | 1,194,077 | | 10,476 |
Rio Tinto PLC: | | | |
(Reg.) | 50,118 | | 2,341 |
sponsored ADR | 7,200 | | 1,338 |
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC | 1,460,540 | | 1,609 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC: | | | |
Class A (United Kingdom) | 312,900 | | 8,596 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
United Kingdom - continued |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC: - continued | | | |
Class A sponsored ADR | 266,000 | | $ 14,845 |
Class B | 136,000 | | 3,687 |
Scottish & Southern Energy PLC | 246,300 | | 4,827 |
Shanks Group PLC | 1,079,000 | | 2,181 |
Smith & Nephew PLC | 46,300 | | 424 |
Smith & Nephew PLC sponsored ADR | 40,100 | | 1,851 |
Spice PLC | 1,206,000 | | 1,835 |
SSL International PLC | 189,600 | | 1,280 |
Standard Chartered PLC (United Kingdom) | 178,700 | | 2,953 |
Tesco PLC | 2,036,800 | | 11,158 |
Vodafone Group PLC | 6,495,569 | | 12,494 |
Vodafone Group PLC sponsored ADR | 286,500 | | 5,521 |
William Morrison Supermarkets PLC | 2,442,600 | | 10,399 |
WPP Group PLC | 94,100 | | 563 |
TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM | | 290,298 |
United States of America - 3.3% |
ADA-ES, Inc. (a) | 71,200 | | 390 |
Aon Corp. | 64,800 | | 2,741 |
Calgon Carbon Corp. (a) | 483,600 | | 6,442 |
Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (a) | 28,272 | | 647 |
Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. Class A | 332,500 | | 11,983 |
Franklin Resources, Inc. | 28,400 | | 1,931 |
Fuel Tech, Inc. (a) | 106,100 | | 1,247 |
Genentech, Inc. (a) | 6,500 | | 539 |
Hypercom Corp. (a) | 258,800 | | 505 |
Stryker Corp. | 49,900 | | 2,668 |
Sunpower Corp. Class A (a)(d) | 42,100 | | 1,644 |
Visa, Inc. | 46,900 | | 2,596 |
TOTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | | 33,333 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $1,279,782) | 986,307 |
Money Market Funds - 8.7% |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) | 71,721,325 | | $ 71,721 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund, 2.67% (b)(c) | 15,196,539 | | 15,197 |
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $86,918) | 86,918 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 107.2% (Cost $1,366,700) | | 1,073,225 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - (7.2)% | | (72,220) |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 1,001,005 |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities on loan. |
(d) Security or a portion of the security is on loan at period end. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned (Amounts in thousands) |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 2,175 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 1,436 |
Total | $ 3,611 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $84,650,000 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Amounts in thousands (except per-share amounts) | October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value (including securities loaned of $14,427) - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $1,279,782) | $ 986,307 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $86,918) | 86,918 | |
Total Investments (cost $1,366,700) | | $ 1,073,225 |
Foreign currency held at value (cost $2,560) | | 2,547 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 6,171 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 790 |
Dividends receivable | | 2,452 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 140 |
Other receivables | | 198 |
Total assets | | 1,085,523 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 67,181 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 925 | |
Accrued management fee | 627 | |
Distribution fees payable | 195 | |
Other affiliated payables | 280 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 113 | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | 15,197 | |
Total liabilities | | 84,518 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 1,001,005 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 1,368,636 |
Undistributed net investment income | | 21,971 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (96,149) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (293,453) |
Net Assets | | $ 1,001,005 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
Amounts in thousands (except per-share amounts) | October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($72,669 ÷ 5,359 shares) | | $ 13.56 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $13.56) | | $ 14.39 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($345,474 ÷ 24,959 shares) | | $ 13.84 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $13.84) | | $ 14.34 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($9,957 ÷ 765 shares)A | | $ 13.02 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($22,057 ÷ 1,668 shares)A | | $ 13.22 |
| | |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($550,848 ÷ 39,817 shares) | | $ 13.83 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Operations
Amounts in thousands | Year ended October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 42,779 |
Interest | | 4 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 3,611 |
| | 46,394 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (3,361) |
Total income | | 43,033 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee Basic fee | $ 9,688 | |
Performance adjustment | (74) | |
Transfer agent fees | 3,139 | |
Distribution fees | 3,717 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 629 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 237 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 6 | |
Registration fees | 81 | |
Audit | 80 | |
Legal | 7 | |
Miscellaneous | 133 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 17,643 | |
Expense reductions | (382) | 17,261 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 25,772 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes of $2) | (90,118) | |
Foreign currency transactions | (775) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (90,893) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities (net of decrease in deferred foreign taxes of $31) | (690,483) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | 53 | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (690,430) |
Net gain (loss) | | (781,323) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (755,551) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Amounts in thousands | Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 25,772 | $ 17,399 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (90,893) | 114,203 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (690,430) | 232,103 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (755,551) | 363,705 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (18,269) | (11,581) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (100,839) | (55,423) |
Total distributions | (119,108) | (67,004) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | 336,340 | 96,150 |
Redemption fees | 56 | 58 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (538,263) | 392,909 |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 1,539,268 | 1,146,359 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $21,971 and undistributed net investment income of $16,730, respectively) | $ 1,001,005 | $ 1,539,268 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 26.85 | $ 21.67 | $ 18.36 | $ 15.86 | $ 14.41 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .38 | .31 | .27 | .13 | .04 F |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.56) | 6.16 | 3.53 | 2.47 | 1.54 |
Total from investment operations | (11.18) | 6.47 | 3.80 | 2.60 | 1.58 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.33) | (.23) | (.19) | (.04) | (.13) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.78) | (1.06) | (.30) | (.06) | - |
Total distributions | (2.11) | (1.29) | (.49) | (.10) | (.13) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 13.56 | $ 26.85 | $ 21.67 | $ 18.36 | $ 15.86 |
Total Return A,B | (45.08)% | 31.44% | 21.12% | 16.44% | 11.03% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.35% | 1.17% | 1.24% | 1.24% | 1.36% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.35% | 1.17% | 1.24% | 1.24% | 1.36% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.32% | 1.13% | 1.17% | 1.15% | 1.32% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.83% | 1.34% | 1.31% | .76% | .24% F |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 73 | $ 147 | $ 113 | $ 133 | $ 115 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 79% | 66% | 65% | 120% | 85% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Net investment income per share includes approximately $.01 per share received as a result of a reorganization of an issuer that was in bankruptcy. Excluding this non-recurring amount, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .21%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 27.35 | $ 22.05 | $ 18.64 | $ 16.09 | $ 14.61 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .36 | .28 | .24 | .11 | .02 F |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.82) | 6.27 | 3.59 | 2.51 | 1.56 |
Total from investment operations | (11.46) | 6.55 | 3.83 | 2.62 | 1.58 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.27) | (.19) | (.12) | (.01) | (.10) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.78) | (1.06) | (.30) | (.06) | - |
Total distributions | (2.05) | (1.25) | (.42) | (.07) | (.10) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 13.84 | $ 27.35 | $ 22.05 | $ 18.64 | $ 16.09 |
Total Return A,B | (45.18)% | 31.24% | 20.92% | 16.31% | 10.86% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.51% | 1.33% | 1.39% | 1.36% | 1.48% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.51% | 1.33% | 1.39% | 1.36% | 1.48% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.48% | 1.30% | 1.33% | 1.27% | 1.43% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.67% | 1.17% | 1.15% | .64% | .12% F |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 345 | $ 710 | $ 602 | $ 582 | $ 1,181 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 79% | 66% | 65% | 120% | 85% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Net investment income per share includes approximately $.01 per share received as a result of a reorganization of an issuer that was in bankruptcy. Excluding this non-recurring amount, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .09%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 25.79 | $ 20.81 | $ 17.63 | $ 15.26 | $ 13.87 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .22 | .12 | .10 | (.01) | (.10) F |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.14) | 5.94 | 3.40 | 2.38 | 1.50 |
Total from investment operations | (10.92) | 6.06 | 3.50 | 2.37 | 1.40 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.07) | (.02) | (.02) | - | (.01) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.78) | (1.06) | (.30) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.85) | (1.08) | (.32) | - | (.01) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 13.02 | $ 25.79 | $ 20.81 | $ 17.63 | $ 15.26 |
Total Return A,B | (45.50)% | 30.45% | 20.12% | 15.53% | 10.10% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.10% | 1.94% | 2.05% | 2.04% | 2.25% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.10% | 1.94% | 2.05% | 2.04% | 2.25% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.08% | 1.91% | 1.99% | 1.95% | 2.21% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.07% | .56% | .49% | (.04)% | (.65)% F |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 10 | $ 27 | $ 37 | $ 47 | $ 57 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 79% | 66% | 65% | 120% | 85% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Net investment income per share includes approximately $.01 per share received as a result of a reorganization of an issuer that was in bankruptcy. Excluding this non-recurring amount, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been (.68)%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 26.22 | $ 21.19 | $ 17.95 | $ 15.53 | $ 14.11 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .22 | .14 | .11 | - H | (.08) F |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.31) | 6.02 | 3.47 | 2.42 | 1.52 |
Total from investment operations | (11.09) | 6.16 | 3.58 | 2.42 | 1.44 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.13) | (.07) | (.04) | - | (.02) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.78) | (1.06) | (.30) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.91) | (1.13) | (.34) | - | (.02) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 13.22 | $ 26.22 | $ 21.19 | $ 17.95 | $ 15.53 |
Total Return A,B | (45.50)% | 30.48% | 20.22% | 15.58% | 10.21% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.09% | 1.91% | 1.98% | 2.00% | 2.14% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.09% | 1.91% | 1.98% | 2.00% | 2.14% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.07% | 1.87% | 1.92% | 1.90% | 2.10% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.08% | .60% | .56% | .01% | (.54)% F |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 22 | $ 46 | $ 41 | $ 38 | $ 40 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 79% | 66% | 65% | 120% | 85% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Net investment income per share includes approximately $.01 per share received as a result of a reorganization of an issuer that was in bankruptcy. Excluding this non-recurring amount, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been (.57)%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 27.35 | $ 22.06 | $ 18.64 | $ 16.09 | $ 14.60 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .45 | .40 | .35 | .21 | .10 E |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.78) | 6.26 | 3.58 | 2.50 | 1.56 |
Total from investment operations | (11.33) | 6.66 | 3.93 | 2.71 | 1.66 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.41) | (.31) | (.21) | (.10) | (.17) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.78) | (1.06) | (.30) | (.06) | - |
Total distributions | (2.19) | (1.37) | (.51) | (.16) | (.17) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital B,G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 13.83 | $ 27.35 | $ 22.06 | $ 18.64 | $ 16.09 |
Total Return A | (44.92)% | 31.88% | 21.55% | 16.91% | 11.46% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C,F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.01% | .84% | .87% | .83% | .98% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.01% | .84% | .87% | .83% | .98% |
Expenses net of all reductions | .98% | .81% | .81% | .73% | .93% |
Net investment income (loss) | 2.17% | 1.66% | 1.67% | 1.18% | .62% E |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 551 | $ 609 | $ 354 | $ 287 | $ 194 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 79% | 66% | 65% | 120% | 85% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Net investment income per share includes approximately $.01 per share received as a result of a reorganization of an issuer that was in bankruptcy. Excluding this non-recurring amount, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .59%.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class. The Fund's investments in emerging markets can be subject to social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties and can be extremely volatile.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds received from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Fund will claim a portion of the payment made to redeeming shareholders as a distribution for income tax purposes.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, certain foreign taxes, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), deferred trustees compensation, capital loss carryforwards and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 39,449 |
Unrealized depreciation | (344,401) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | 304,952 |
Undistributed ordinary income | 15,978 |
Capital loss carryforward | 84,650 |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 1,378,177 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 27,900 | $ 40,861 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 91,208 | 26,143 |
Total | $ 119,108 | $ 67,004 |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 30 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.00% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which
Annual Report
4. Operating Policies - continued
Repurchase Agreements - continued
are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $1,311,058 and $1,034,947, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. In addition, the management fee is subject to a performance adjustment (up to a maximum of ±.20% of the Fund's average net assets over a 36 month performance period). The upward or downward adjustment to the management fee is based on the investment performance of the asset-weighted return of all classes as compared to an appropriate benchmark index. For the period, the total annual management fee rate, including the performance adjustment, was .70% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Distribution and Service Plan - continued
For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | 0% | .25% | $ 292 | $ 12 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 2,865 | 48 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 191 | 143 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 369 | 22 |
| | | $ 3,717 | $ 225 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to.50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 18 |
Class T | 11 |
Class B* | 25 |
Class C* | 3 |
| $ 57 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Transfer Agent Fees - continued
For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 356 | .31 |
Class T | 1,231 | .22 |
Class B | 58 | .31 |
Class C | 110 | .30 |
Institutional Class | 1,384 | .22 |
| $ 3,139 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $3 for the period.
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $3 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
8. Security Lending - continued
experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. The value of loaned securities and cash collateral at period end are disclosed on the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $1,436.
9. Expense Reductions.
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $357 for the period. In addition, through arrangements with the Fund's custodian and each class' transfer agent, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses. During the period, these credits reduced the Fund's custody expenses by $3. During the period, credits reduced each class' transfer agent expense as noted in the table below.
| Transfer Agent expense reduction |
Class A | $ 3 |
Institutional Class | 19 |
| $ 22 |
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
At the end of the period, the Fidelity Advisor Freedom Funds were the owners of record, in the aggregate, of approximately 39% of the total outstanding shares of the Fund.
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's
Annual Report
10. Other - continued
domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $22, which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 1,785 | $ 1,166 |
Class T | 6,979 | 5,197 |
Class B | 73 | 26 |
Class C | 230 | 137 |
Institutional Class | 9,202 | 5,055 |
Total | $ 18,269 | $ 11,581 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 9,778 | $ 5,467 |
Class T | 45,838 | 28,690 |
Class B | 1,798 | 1,858 |
Class C | 3,080 | 2,010 |
Institutional Class | 40,345 | 17,398 |
Total | $ 100,839 | $ 55,423 |
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 1,631 | 2,109 | $ 33,994 | $ 49,321 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 416 | 268 | 10,008 | 5,668 |
Shares redeemed | (2,149) | (2,108) | (44,943) | (48,883) |
Net increase (decrease) | (102) | 269 | $ (941) | $ 6,106 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 5,968 | 6,427 | $ 128,327 | $ 152,753 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 2,092 | 1,529 | 51,444 | 32,968 |
Shares redeemed | (9,064) | (9,269) | (188,310) | (220,331) |
Net increase (decrease) | (1,004) | (1,313) | $ (8,539) | $ (34,610) |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 133 | 108 | $ 2,720 | $ 2,422 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 73 | 84 | 1,689 | 1,716 |
Shares redeemed | (492) | (936) | (9,923) | (20,830) |
Net increase (decrease) | (286) | (744) | $ (5,514) | $ (16,692) |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 294 | 248 | $ 5,937 | $ 5,644 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 124 | 92 | 2,937 | 1,908 |
Shares redeemed | (501) | (512) | (9,667) | (11,719) |
Net increase (decrease) | (83) | (172) | $ (793) | $ (4,167) |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 18,688 | 6,884 | $ 367,938 | $ 164,033 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 1,898 | 1,020 | 46,435 | 21,884 |
Shares redeemed | (3,050) | (1,676) | (62,246) | (40,404) |
Net increase (decrease) | 17,536 | 6,228 | $ 352,127 | $ 145,513 |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and the Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund (a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004- 2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
A total of .80% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year was derived from interest on U.S. Government securities which is generally exempt from state income tax.
Class A designates 92%, Class T designates 100%, Class B designates 100%, and Class C designates 100% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Class A | 12/07/07 | $0.286 | $0.0439 |
Class T | 12/07/07 | $0.257 | $0.0439 |
Class B | 12/07/07 | $0.152 | $0.0439 |
Class C | 12/07/07 | $0.184 | $0.0439 |
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Overseas Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a peer group of mutual funds identified by Morningstar, Inc. as having an investment style similar to that of the fund based on underlying portfolio holdings. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor Overseas Fund
![fid709](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid709.gif)
The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the first quartile for the one-year period and the second quartile for the three- and five-year periods. The Board also stated that the investment performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund compared favorably to its benchmark for the one- and three-year periods, although the fund's five-year cumulative total return was lower than its benchmark. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes.
The Board also considered that the fund's management fee is subject to upward or downward adjustment depending upon whether, and to what extent, the fund's investment performance for the performance period exceeds, or is exceeded by, the record (over the same period) of a Board-approved performance adjustment index. The Board realizes that the performance adjustment provides FMR with a strong economic incentive to seek to achieve superior performance for the fund's shareholders and helps to more closely align the interests of FMR and the fund's shareholders.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Annual Report
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps, and without giving effect to the fund's performance adjustment. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 14% means that 86% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked and the impact of the fund's performance adjustment, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor Overseas Fund
![fid711](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid711.gif)
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007. The Board also noted the effect of the fund's negative performance adjustment on the fund's management fee ranking. The Board noted that the performance adjustment for each year represents calculations for performance periods that differ from the periods shown in the performance charts above.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses, as well as the impact of the fund's performance adjustment. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of each class ranked below its competitive median for 2007.
Annual Report
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd.
FIL Investment Advisors
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional
Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
The Northern Trust Company
Chicago, IL
OS-UANN-1208
1.784767.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Overseas
Fund - Institutional Class
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to the financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Past 10 years |
Institutional Class | | -44.92% | 2.85% | 2.19% |
$10,000 Over 10 Years
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Overseas Fund - Institutional Class on October 31, 1998. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index performed over the same period.
![fid727](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid727.gif)
Annual Report
Comments from Graeme Rockett, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Overseas Fund
In a dramatic reversal of what had been a multiyear global growth story, international stocks fell long and hard during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, especially so during the latter stages of the period and mostly as a result of fallout from the financial crisis that emanated from the United States. The viral spread of this financial contagion - which began in the U.S. subprime mortgage market, then seized up the credit markets, hobbled major financial institutions and eventually slowed economic growth worldwide - left virtually no corner of the globe untouched. Developed international equity markets - as gauged by the MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index, which monitors established markets outside the U.S. and Canada - fell 46.54%, while the Standard & Poor's 500SM Index, a measure of U.S. stocks, dropped 36.10%. Among countries constituting at least 1% of the EAFE index, Switzerland had the "least worst" showing, falling roughly 32%, followed by Japan, where stocks slid by around 37%. Meanwhile, the weakest overall performance came from Belgium, where stocks slipped by nearly 70%. In the United Kingdom, the largest component of the index, equities were down almost 48%. Emerging markets were the weakest performers among the global economies, declining 56.22% as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
For the 12 months ending October 31, 2008, the fund's Institutional Class shares returned -44.92%, outpacing the performance of the MSCI EAFE index. A large cash position contributed to this outperformance, as did country weightings within Europe and exposure to the United States, but an underweighting in Japan hurt. Stock picking was strong in the financials sector, including Japanese consumer finance company ACOM, and in the materials sector - particularly Calgon Carbon, an out-of-index U.S. producer of activated carbon. CSL Ltd., an Australian biopharmaceutical company, also helped the fund. However, unfavorable stock choices in the utilities and energy sectors were harmful. Other detractors included Alstom, a French producer of power generation equipment, and Irish Life and Permanent, an insurance company combined with a weak-performing bank. We did not own Volkswagen, a stock in the benchmark index that appreciated for technical reasons connected with the company's major shareholder, Porsche AG, and hurt our relative performance. We sold our position in Irish Life and Permanent prior to period end.
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Annual Report
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.36% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 607.80 | $ 5.50 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,018.30 | $ 6.90 |
Class T | 1.53% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 607.00 | $ 6.18 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.44 | $ 7.76 |
Class B | 2.12% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 605.30 | $ 8.55 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.48 | $ 10.74 |
Class C | 2.12% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 605.30 | $ 8.55 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,014.48 | $ 10.74 |
Institutional Class | 1.03% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 608.40 | $ 4.16 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,019.96 | $ 5.23 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Five Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Nestle SA (Reg.) (Switzerland, Food Products) | 2.8 | 1.1 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC Class A (United Kingdom, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) | 2.4 | 1.9 |
Man Group PLC (United Kingdom, Capital Markets) | 2.3 | 2.0 |
Alstom SA (France, Electrical Equipment) | 2.3 | 3.6 |
CSL Ltd. (Australia, Biotechnology) | 2.0 | 1.9 |
| 11.8 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Financials | 24.3 | 22.5 |
Consumer Staples | 13.7 | 10.5 |
Health Care | 11.9 | 5.8 |
Consumer Discretionary | 9.0 | 6.8 |
Energy | 9.0 | 9.3 |
Top Five Countries as of October 31, 2008 |
(excluding cash equivalents) | % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
United Kingdom | 29.0 | 25.2 |
Japan | 13.5 | 9.8 |
France | 12.8 | 14.2 |
Switzerland | 9.2 | 4.7 |
Germany | 9.2 | 8.2 |
Percentages are adjusted for the effect of open futures contracts, if applicable. |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 | As of April 30, 2008 |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 98.5% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks 93.6% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 1.5% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 6.4% | |
![fid733](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid733.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 98.5% |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Australia - 5.4% |
AMP Ltd. | 545,475 | | $ 1,983 |
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | 254,800 | | 2,985 |
Australian Wealth Management Ltd. | 953,300 | | 505 |
BHP Billiton Ltd. | 340,619 | | 6,540 |
Charter Hall Group unit | 899,034 | | 267 |
Commonwealth Bank of Australia | 154,949 | | 4,233 |
CSL Ltd. | 832,221 | | 20,229 |
HFA Holdings Ltd. | 1,532,013 | | 411 |
Lion Nathan Ltd. | 599,527 | | 3,541 |
McGuigan Simeon Wines Ltd. (a) | 614,691 | | 246 |
National Australia Bank Ltd. | 177,950 | | 2,886 |
Navitas Ltd. | 635,200 | | 896 |
Newcrest Mining Ltd. | 57,443 | | 789 |
Rio Tinto Ltd. | 30,300 | | 1,567 |
Seek Ltd. (d) | 226,300 | | 500 |
Telstra Corp. Ltd. | 1,979,910 | | 5,447 |
Wesfarmers Ltd. | 38,398 | | 552 |
Woodside Petroleum Ltd. | 26,569 | | 750 |
TOTAL AUSTRALIA | | 54,327 |
Belgium - 0.7% |
Hamon & Compagnie International SA | 60,300 | | 1,890 |
KBC Groupe SA | 115,500 | | 4,966 |
TOTAL BELGIUM | | 6,856 |
Bermuda - 0.4% |
Signet Jewelers Ltd. (United Kingdom) | 157,905 | | 1,547 |
Willis Group Holdings Ltd. | 101,400 | | 2,661 |
TOTAL BERMUDA | | 4,208 |
Brazil - 0.8% |
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (ON) | 78,300 | | 1,006 |
TIM Participacoes SA sponsored ADR (non-vtg.) (d) | 483,200 | | 6,987 |
TOTAL BRAZIL | | 7,993 |
Canada - 0.0% |
TimberWest Forest Corp. | 74,200 | | 420 |
Cayman Islands - 0.1% |
China Dongxiang Group Co. Ltd. | 3,490,000 | | 1,027 |
Denmark - 1.6% |
Carlsberg AS Series B | 47,600 | | 1,874 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Denmark - continued |
Novo Nordisk AS: | | | |
Series B | 109,300 | | $ 5,859 |
Series B sponsored ADR | 94,500 | | 5,057 |
Novozymes AS Series B (d) | 45,900 | | 3,240 |
TOTAL DENMARK | | 16,030 |
Finland - 0.8% |
Fortum Oyj | 81,000 | | 1,991 |
Nokia Corp. | 312,300 | | 4,784 |
Nokia Corp. sponsored ADR | 71,900 | | 1,091 |
TOTAL FINLAND | | 7,866 |
France - 12.8% |
Accor SA | 47,800 | | 1,860 |
Alstom SA | 457,600 | | 22,680 |
AXA SA | 165,973 | | 3,171 |
AXA SA sponsored ADR | 71,700 | | 1,342 |
BNP Paribas SA | 85,381 | | 6,165 |
Carrefour SA | 54,100 | | 2,285 |
CNP Assurances | 32,800 | | 2,643 |
Credit Agricole SA | 42,500 | | 615 |
Essilor International SA | 11,900 | | 534 |
France Telecom SA | 93,300 | | 2,353 |
France Telecom SA sponsored ADR | 164,300 | | 4,160 |
GDF Suez | 62,412 | | 2,790 |
Groupe Danone | 69,700 | | 3,881 |
Ingenico SA | 245,300 | | 3,831 |
Ipsos SA | 58,500 | | 1,471 |
L'Air Liquide SA | 92,358 | | 7,970 |
L'Oreal SA | 75,934 | | 5,750 |
Meetic (a) | 33,500 | | 472 |
Pernod Ricard SA | 16,900 | | 1,101 |
Sanofi-Aventis sponsored ADR | 185,100 | | 5,853 |
Seche Environment SA (d) | 8,400 | | 324 |
Societe Generale Series A | 107,300 | | 5,848 |
Sodexho Alliance SA | 115,600 | | 5,550 |
Suez Environnement SA (a) | 16,350 | | 316 |
Total SA: | | | |
Series B | 153,388 | | 8,438 |
sponsored ADR | 159,800 | | 8,859 |
Unibail-Rodamco | 86,200 | | 12,972 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
France - continued |
Veolia Environnement | 47,400 | | $ 1,175 |
Vivendi | 142,145 | | 3,716 |
TOTAL FRANCE | | 128,125 |
Germany - 9.2% |
Allianz AG (Reg.) | 27,100 | | 2,028 |
BASF AG | 33,800 | | 1,137 |
Bayer AG | 92,900 | | 5,172 |
Beiersdorf AG | 171,700 | | 9,102 |
Commerzbank AG | 176,100 | | 1,915 |
Daimler AG | 41,500 | | 1,432 |
Daimler AG (Reg.) | 31,600 | | 1,093 |
Deutsche Bank AG | 38,200 | | 1,451 |
Deutsche Bank AG (NY Shares) | 4,900 | | 186 |
Deutsche Boerse AG | 41,600 | | 3,326 |
Deutsche Postbank AG (d) | 99,700 | | 2,046 |
Deutsche Telekom AG: | | | |
(Reg.) | 115,600 | | 1,727 |
sponsored ADR | 116,500 | | 1,730 |
E.ON AG | 445,937 | | 17,060 |
Fresenius AG | 84,500 | | 5,014 |
GFK AG | 60,193 | | 1,189 |
Linde AG | 17,200 | | 1,444 |
Metro AG | 50,600 | | 1,637 |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG (Reg.) | 40,000 | | 5,309 |
Q-Cells AG (a)(d) | 38,900 | | 1,530 |
RWE AG | 135,100 | | 11,290 |
SAP AG | 90,500 | | 3,222 |
SAP AG sponsored ADR (d) | 165,500 | | 5,847 |
Siemens AG sponsored ADR | 14,000 | | 842 |
Symrise AG | 75,600 | | 939 |
Vossloh AG | 53,800 | | 4,157 |
TOTAL GERMANY | | 91,825 |
Hong Kong - 1.3% |
China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd. | 4,592,000 | | 6,556 |
China Unicom Ltd. sponsored ADR | 36,200 | | 522 |
Dynasty Fine Wines Group Ltd. | 714,000 | | 93 |
Hang Lung Properties Ltd. | 243,000 | | 594 |
Hang Seng Bank Ltd. | 77,200 | | 963 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Hong Kong - continued |
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. | 251,500 | | $ 2,550 |
Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. | 257,000 | | 1,372 |
TOTAL HONG KONG | | 12,650 |
India - 0.1% |
Satyam Computer Services Ltd. sponsored ADR | 72,800 | | 1,145 |
Indonesia - 0.2% |
PT Bumi Resources Tbk | 4,592,500 | | 601 |
PT Indosat Tbk sponsored ADR | 63,400 | | 1,540 |
TOTAL INDONESIA | | 2,141 |
Ireland - 0.4% |
CRH PLC | 119,400 | | 2,647 |
Ryanair Holdings PLC (a) | 299,400 | | 1,049 |
TOTAL IRELAND | | 3,696 |
Israel - 0.4% |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. sponsored ADR | 90,500 | | 3,881 |
Italy - 2.8% |
A2A SpA | 474,200 | | 864 |
Assicurazioni Generali SpA | 204,950 | | 5,176 |
Edison SpA | 1,075,800 | | 1,551 |
Enel SpA | 141,000 | | 943 |
ENI SpA | 293,591 | | 7,007 |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 1,621,100 | | 5,930 |
MARR SpA | 122,400 | | 662 |
UniCredit SpA | 2,526,700 | | 6,182 |
TOTAL ITALY | | 28,315 |
Japan - 13.5% |
ACOM Co. Ltd. | 130 | | 5 |
Canon, Inc. | 107,600 | | 3,765 |
Canon, Inc. sponsored ADR | 119,100 | | 4,082 |
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. | 17,900 | | 469 |
East Japan Railway Co. | 468 | | 3,330 |
Hitachi Ltd. | 214,000 | | 1,005 |
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. | 83,600 | | 2,079 |
Iino Kaiun Kaisha Ltd. | 164,700 | | 842 |
JFE Holdings, Inc. | 72,700 | | 1,855 |
Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. | 18,200 | | 456 |
KDDI Corp. | 374 | | 2,241 |
Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. | 16,000 | | 177 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Japan - continued |
Matsui Securities Co. Ltd. (d) | 251,700 | | $ 1,632 |
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. | 128,000 | | 2,061 |
Mitsubishi Corp. | 98,100 | | 1,644 |
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. | 140,000 | | 868 |
Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd. | 243,000 | | 4,341 |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | 2,397,500 | | 15,066 |
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. | 178,000 | | 929 |
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. | 42,100 | | 1,170 |
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. | 1,978 | | 4,830 |
Nafco Co. Ltd. | 61,100 | | 643 |
Nintendo Co. Ltd. | 6,500 | | 2,028 |
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. | 602 | | 2,456 |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. | 689,900 | | 6,536 |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. sponsored ADR | 304,200 | | 2,859 |
NTT DoCoMo, Inc. | 1,955 | | 3,100 |
ORIX Corp. | 8,380 | | 861 |
Point, Inc. | 45,360 | | 2,228 |
Promise Co. Ltd. | 234,250 | | 4,204 |
Rakuten, Inc. (d) | 7,928 | | 3,930 |
Ricoh Co. Ltd. | 388,000 | | 4,175 |
Seven & I Holdings Co. Ltd. | 131,000 | | 3,678 |
Sony Corp. | 37,700 | | 893 |
Sony Corp. sponsored ADR | 45,100 | | 1,048 |
Sugi Holdings Co. Ltd. | 38,500 | | 926 |
Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd. | 425,000 | | 1,093 |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | 1,746 | | 6,999 |
Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co. Ltd. | 864,000 | | 4,001 |
T&D Holdings, Inc. | 186,450 | | 7,122 |
Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. | 38,500 | | 865 |
Tokyo Electric Power Co. | 146,500 | | 4,149 |
Tokyo Electron Ltd. | 22,800 | | 760 |
Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd. | 216,000 | | 929 |
Toyota Motor Corp. | 258,700 | | 10,102 |
Toyota Motor Corp. sponsored ADR | 46,500 | | 3,538 |
USS Co. Ltd. | 52,900 | | 3,240 |
TOTAL JAPAN | | 135,210 |
Luxembourg - 0.9% |
ArcelorMittal SA: | | | |
(France) | 62,700 | | 1,631 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Luxembourg - continued |
ArcelorMittal SA: - continued | | | |
(NY Shares) Class A | 81,300 | | $ 2,134 |
SES SA (A Shares) FDR unit | 286,204 | | 4,904 |
TOTAL LUXEMBOURG | | 8,669 |
Netherlands - 2.3% |
Akzo Nobel NV | 29,600 | | 1,230 |
ASML Holding NV (NY Shares) | 58,300 | | 1,023 |
Gemalto NV (a) | 46,200 | | 1,294 |
Heineken NV (Bearer) | 22,500 | | 759 |
ING Groep NV (Certificaten Van Aandelen) | 32,146 | | 302 |
Koninklijke Ahold NV | 35,100 | | 377 |
Koninklijke KPN NV | 477,500 | | 6,725 |
Royal DSM NV | 24,100 | | 671 |
Unilever NV: | | | |
(Certificaten Van Aandelen) | 185,900 | | 4,480 |
(NY Shares) | 246,600 | | 5,931 |
Wolters Kluwer NV (Certificaten Van Aandelen) | 27,300 | | 483 |
TOTAL NETHERLANDS | | 23,275 |
Netherlands Antilles - 0.2% |
Schlumberger Ltd. (NY Shares) | 37,500 | | 1,937 |
Norway - 0.6% |
Lighthouse Caledonia ASA | 26,435 | | 15 |
Norwegian Property ASA | 225,400 | | 336 |
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (a) | 291,250 | | 1,450 |
Pronova BioPharma ASA | 463,300 | | 1,204 |
StatoilHydro ASA | 119,200 | | 2,398 |
StatoilHydro ASA sponsored ADR | 43,200 | | 868 |
TOTAL NORWAY | | 6,271 |
Panama - 0.1% |
McDermott International, Inc. (a) | 51,800 | | 887 |
Papua New Guinea - 0.1% |
Lihir Gold Ltd. (a) | 904,218 | | 1,128 |
Spain - 1.6% |
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA | 81,200 | | 942 |
Banco Santander SA | 74,800 | | 809 |
Iberdrola SA | 149,200 | | 1,080 |
Repsol YPF SA sponsored ADR | 79,600 | | 1,522 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Spain - continued |
Telefonica SA | 569,948 | | $ 10,553 |
Telefonica SA sponsored ADR | 25,000 | | 1,388 |
TOTAL SPAIN | | 16,294 |
Sweden - 0.6% |
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (A Shares) | 111,800 | | 1,108 |
Swedish Match Co. | 259,800 | | 3,607 |
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (B Shares) sponsored ADR (d) | 127,800 | | 904 |
TOTAL SWEDEN | | 5,619 |
Switzerland - 9.2% |
Adecco SA (Reg.) | 112,121 | | 3,900 |
Credit Suisse Group sponsored ADR | 48,900 | | 1,829 |
Credit Suisse Group (Reg.) | 64,604 | | 2,415 |
Julius Baer Holding AG | 64,465 | | 2,521 |
Nestle SA (Reg.) | 710,533 | | 27,621 |
Nobel Biocare Holding AG (Switzerland) | 28,902 | | 496 |
Novartis AG: | | | |
(Reg.) | 31,264 | | 1,587 |
sponsored ADR | 349,300 | | 17,811 |
Roche Holding AG (participation certificate) | 119,888 | | 18,330 |
SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance Holding SA (Reg.) | 3,259 | | 3,208 |
Swisscom AG (Reg.) | 19,554 | | 5,974 |
UBS AG: | | | |
(For. Reg.) | 173,709 | | 2,947 |
(NY Shares) | 87,977 | | 1,487 |
Zurich Financial Services AG (Reg.) | 9,468 | | 1,920 |
TOTAL SWITZERLAND | | 92,046 |
Taiwan - 0.1% |
HTC Corp. | 70,000 | | 835 |
United Kingdom - 29.0% |
Aegis Group PLC | 5,944,500 | | 6,264 |
Anglo American PLC: | | | |
ADR | 161,046 | | 2,021 |
(United Kingdom) | 113,659 | | 2,851 |
AstraZeneca PLC: | | | |
(United Kingdom) | 12,500 | | 530 |
sponsored ADR | 85,600 | | 3,635 |
BAE Systems PLC | 458,900 | | 2,579 |
Barclays PLC | 497,300 | | 1,425 |
Benfield Group PLC | 186,900 | | 1,026 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
United Kingdom - continued |
BG Group PLC | 678,300 | | $ 9,972 |
BHP Billiton PLC | 299,902 | | 5,092 |
BlueBay Asset Management (d) | 352,600 | | 1,145 |
BP PLC | 1,472,608 | | 12,002 |
BP PLC sponsored ADR | 126,300 | | 6,277 |
British American Tobacco PLC (United Kingdom) | 141,500 | | 3,881 |
British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC (BSkyB) | 1,125,000 | | 6,845 |
Cadbury PLC sponsored ADR | 37,696 | | 1,394 |
Centrica PLC | 1,110,000 | | 5,454 |
Compass Group PLC | 1,135,000 | | 5,277 |
Diageo PLC | 720,100 | | 10,988 |
Diageo PLC sponsored ADR | 28,600 | | 1,779 |
DSG International PLC | 916,400 | | 481 |
Experian PLC | 411,400 | | 2,269 |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | 754,400 | | 14,501 |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC sponsored ADR | 54,000 | | 2,090 |
Hammerson PLC | 323,300 | | 3,726 |
HBOS PLC | 430,167 | | 704 |
HSBC Holdings PLC: | | | |
(Hong Kong) (Reg.) | 182,800 | | 2,176 |
(United Kingdom) (Reg.) | 343,567 | | 4,069 |
sponsored ADR (d) | 245,600 | | 14,490 |
Imperial Tobacco Group PLC | 94,000 | | 2,519 |
Informa PLC | 704,200 | | 2,386 |
Intertek Group PLC | 274,600 | | 3,252 |
Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group PLC | 1,837,600 | | 13,106 |
Lloyds TSB Group PLC | 295,100 | | 954 |
Lloyds TSB Group PLC sponsored ADR | 24,800 | | 313 |
M&C Saatchi | 500,100 | | 689 |
Man Group PLC | 4,003,471 | | 23,111 |
Marks & Spencer Group PLC | 883,100 | | 3,130 |
NDS Group PLC sponsored ADR (a) | 81,100 | | 3,868 |
Pearson PLC | 104,000 | | 1,036 |
Prudential PLC | 192,000 | | 964 |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | 39,000 | | 1,649 |
Reed Elsevier PLC | 1,194,077 | | 10,476 |
Rio Tinto PLC: | | | |
(Reg.) | 50,118 | | 2,341 |
sponsored ADR | 7,200 | | 1,338 |
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC | 1,460,540 | | 1,609 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC: | | | |
Class A (United Kingdom) | 312,900 | | 8,596 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
United Kingdom - continued |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC: - continued | | | |
Class A sponsored ADR | 266,000 | | $ 14,845 |
Class B | 136,000 | | 3,687 |
Scottish & Southern Energy PLC | 246,300 | | 4,827 |
Shanks Group PLC | 1,079,000 | | 2,181 |
Smith & Nephew PLC | 46,300 | | 424 |
Smith & Nephew PLC sponsored ADR | 40,100 | | 1,851 |
Spice PLC | 1,206,000 | | 1,835 |
SSL International PLC | 189,600 | | 1,280 |
Standard Chartered PLC (United Kingdom) | 178,700 | | 2,953 |
Tesco PLC | 2,036,800 | | 11,158 |
Vodafone Group PLC | 6,495,569 | | 12,494 |
Vodafone Group PLC sponsored ADR | 286,500 | | 5,521 |
William Morrison Supermarkets PLC | 2,442,600 | | 10,399 |
WPP Group PLC | 94,100 | | 563 |
TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM | | 290,298 |
United States of America - 3.3% |
ADA-ES, Inc. (a) | 71,200 | | 390 |
Aon Corp. | 64,800 | | 2,741 |
Calgon Carbon Corp. (a) | 483,600 | | 6,442 |
Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (a) | 28,272 | | 647 |
Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. Class A | 332,500 | | 11,983 |
Franklin Resources, Inc. | 28,400 | | 1,931 |
Fuel Tech, Inc. (a) | 106,100 | | 1,247 |
Genentech, Inc. (a) | 6,500 | | 539 |
Hypercom Corp. (a) | 258,800 | | 505 |
Stryker Corp. | 49,900 | | 2,668 |
Sunpower Corp. Class A (a)(d) | 42,100 | | 1,644 |
Visa, Inc. | 46,900 | | 2,596 |
TOTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | | 33,333 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $1,279,782) | 986,307 |
Money Market Funds - 8.7% |
| Shares | | Value (000s) |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) | 71,721,325 | | $ 71,721 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund, 2.67% (b)(c) | 15,196,539 | | 15,197 |
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $86,918) | 86,918 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 107.2% (Cost $1,366,700) | | 1,073,225 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - (7.2)% | | (72,220) |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 1,001,005 |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities on loan. |
(d) Security or a portion of the security is on loan at period end. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned (Amounts in thousands) |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 2,175 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 1,436 |
Total | $ 3,611 |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $84,650,000 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Amounts in thousands (except per-share amounts) | October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value (including securities loaned of $14,427) - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $1,279,782) | $ 986,307 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $86,918) | 86,918 | |
Total Investments (cost $1,366,700) | | $ 1,073,225 |
Foreign currency held at value (cost $2,560) | | 2,547 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 6,171 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 790 |
Dividends receivable | | 2,452 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 140 |
Other receivables | | 198 |
Total assets | | 1,085,523 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 67,181 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 925 | |
Accrued management fee | 627 | |
Distribution fees payable | 195 | |
Other affiliated payables | 280 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 113 | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | 15,197 | |
Total liabilities | | 84,518 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 1,001,005 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 1,368,636 |
Undistributed net investment income | | 21,971 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (96,149) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (293,453) |
Net Assets | | $ 1,001,005 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
Amounts in thousands (except per-share amounts) | October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($72,669 ÷ 5,359 shares) | | $ 13.56 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $13.56) | | $ 14.39 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($345,474 ÷ 24,959 shares) | | $ 13.84 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $13.84) | | $ 14.34 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($9,957 ÷ 765 shares)A | | $ 13.02 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($22,057 ÷ 1,668 shares)A | | $ 13.22 |
| | |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($550,848 ÷ 39,817 shares) | | $ 13.83 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Operations
Amounts in thousands | Year ended October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 42,779 |
Interest | | 4 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 3,611 |
| | 46,394 |
Less foreign taxes withheld | | (3,361) |
Total income | | 43,033 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee Basic fee | $ 9,688 | |
Performance adjustment | (74) | |
Transfer agent fees | 3,139 | |
Distribution fees | 3,717 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 629 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 237 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 6 | |
Registration fees | 81 | |
Audit | 80 | |
Legal | 7 | |
Miscellaneous | 133 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 17,643 | |
Expense reductions | (382) | 17,261 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 25,772 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes of $2) | (90,118) | |
Foreign currency transactions | (775) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (90,893) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities (net of decrease in deferred foreign taxes of $31) | (690,483) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | 53 | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (690,430) |
Net gain (loss) | | (781,323) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (755,551) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Amounts in thousands | Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 25,772 | $ 17,399 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (90,893) | 114,203 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (690,430) | 232,103 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (755,551) | 363,705 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (18,269) | (11,581) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (100,839) | (55,423) |
Total distributions | (119,108) | (67,004) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | 336,340 | 96,150 |
Redemption fees | 56 | 58 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (538,263) | 392,909 |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 1,539,268 | 1,146,359 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $21,971 and undistributed net investment income of $16,730, respectively) | $ 1,001,005 | $ 1,539,268 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 26.85 | $ 21.67 | $ 18.36 | $ 15.86 | $ 14.41 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .38 | .31 | .27 | .13 | .04 F |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.56) | 6.16 | 3.53 | 2.47 | 1.54 |
Total from investment operations | (11.18) | 6.47 | 3.80 | 2.60 | 1.58 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.33) | (.23) | (.19) | (.04) | (.13) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.78) | (1.06) | (.30) | (.06) | - |
Total distributions | (2.11) | (1.29) | (.49) | (.10) | (.13) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 13.56 | $ 26.85 | $ 21.67 | $ 18.36 | $ 15.86 |
Total Return A,B | (45.08)% | 31.44% | 21.12% | 16.44% | 11.03% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.35% | 1.17% | 1.24% | 1.24% | 1.36% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.35% | 1.17% | 1.24% | 1.24% | 1.36% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.32% | 1.13% | 1.17% | 1.15% | 1.32% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.83% | 1.34% | 1.31% | .76% | .24% F |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 73 | $ 147 | $ 113 | $ 133 | $ 115 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 79% | 66% | 65% | 120% | 85% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Net investment income per share includes approximately $.01 per share received as a result of a reorganization of an issuer that was in bankruptcy. Excluding this non-recurring amount, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .21%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 27.35 | $ 22.05 | $ 18.64 | $ 16.09 | $ 14.61 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .36 | .28 | .24 | .11 | .02 F |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.82) | 6.27 | 3.59 | 2.51 | 1.56 |
Total from investment operations | (11.46) | 6.55 | 3.83 | 2.62 | 1.58 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.27) | (.19) | (.12) | (.01) | (.10) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.78) | (1.06) | (.30) | (.06) | - |
Total distributions | (2.05) | (1.25) | (.42) | (.07) | (.10) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 13.84 | $ 27.35 | $ 22.05 | $ 18.64 | $ 16.09 |
Total Return A,B | (45.18)% | 31.24% | 20.92% | 16.31% | 10.86% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.51% | 1.33% | 1.39% | 1.36% | 1.48% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.51% | 1.33% | 1.39% | 1.36% | 1.48% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.48% | 1.30% | 1.33% | 1.27% | 1.43% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.67% | 1.17% | 1.15% | .64% | .12% F |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 345 | $ 710 | $ 602 | $ 582 | $ 1,181 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 79% | 66% | 65% | 120% | 85% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Net investment income per share includes approximately $.01 per share received as a result of a reorganization of an issuer that was in bankruptcy. Excluding this non-recurring amount, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .09%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 25.79 | $ 20.81 | $ 17.63 | $ 15.26 | $ 13.87 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .22 | .12 | .10 | (.01) | (.10) F |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.14) | 5.94 | 3.40 | 2.38 | 1.50 |
Total from investment operations | (10.92) | 6.06 | 3.50 | 2.37 | 1.40 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.07) | (.02) | (.02) | - | (.01) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.78) | (1.06) | (.30) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.85) | (1.08) | (.32) | - | (.01) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 13.02 | $ 25.79 | $ 20.81 | $ 17.63 | $ 15.26 |
Total Return A,B | (45.50)% | 30.45% | 20.12% | 15.53% | 10.10% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.10% | 1.94% | 2.05% | 2.04% | 2.25% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.10% | 1.94% | 2.05% | 2.04% | 2.25% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.08% | 1.91% | 1.99% | 1.95% | 2.21% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.07% | .56% | .49% | (.04)% | (.65)% F |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 10 | $ 27 | $ 37 | $ 47 | $ 57 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 79% | 66% | 65% | 120% | 85% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Net investment income per share includes approximately $.01 per share received as a result of a reorganization of an issuer that was in bankruptcy. Excluding this non-recurring amount, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been (.68)%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 26.22 | $ 21.19 | $ 17.95 | $ 15.53 | $ 14.11 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .22 | .14 | .11 | - H | (.08) F |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.31) | 6.02 | 3.47 | 2.42 | 1.52 |
Total from investment operations | (11.09) | 6.16 | 3.58 | 2.42 | 1.44 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.13) | (.07) | (.04) | - | (.02) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.78) | (1.06) | (.30) | - | - |
Total distributions | (1.91) | (1.13) | (.34) | - | (.02) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital C,H | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 13.22 | $ 26.22 | $ 21.19 | $ 17.95 | $ 15.53 |
Total Return A,B | (45.50)% | 30.48% | 20.22% | 15.58% | 10.21% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D,G | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.09% | 1.91% | 1.98% | 2.00% | 2.14% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.09% | 1.91% | 1.98% | 2.00% | 2.14% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.07% | 1.87% | 1.92% | 1.90% | 2.10% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.08% | .60% | .56% | .01% | (.54)% F |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 22 | $ 46 | $ 41 | $ 38 | $ 40 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 79% | 66% | 65% | 120% | 85% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Net investment income per share includes approximately $.01 per share received as a result of a reorganization of an issuer that was in bankruptcy. Excluding this non-recurring amount, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been (.57)%.
G Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
H Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 27.35 | $ 22.06 | $ 18.64 | $ 16.09 | $ 14.60 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .45 | .40 | .35 | .21 | .10 E |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (11.78) | 6.26 | 3.58 | 2.50 | 1.56 |
Total from investment operations | (11.33) | 6.66 | 3.93 | 2.71 | 1.66 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.41) | (.31) | (.21) | (.10) | (.17) |
Distributions from net realized gain | (1.78) | (1.06) | (.30) | (.06) | - |
Total distributions | (2.19) | (1.37) | (.51) | (.16) | (.17) |
Redemption fees added to paid in capital B,G | - | - | - | - | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 13.83 | $ 27.35 | $ 22.06 | $ 18.64 | $ 16.09 |
Total Return A | (44.92)% | 31.88% | 21.55% | 16.91% | 11.46% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C,F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.01% | .84% | .87% | .83% | .98% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.01% | .84% | .87% | .83% | .98% |
Expenses net of all reductions | .98% | .81% | .81% | .73% | .93% |
Net investment income (loss) | 2.17% | 1.66% | 1.67% | 1.18% | .62% E |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 551 | $ 609 | $ 354 | $ 287 | $ 194 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 79% | 66% | 65% | 120% | 85% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Net investment income per share includes approximately $.01 per share received as a result of a reorganization of an issuer that was in bankruptcy. Excluding this non-recurring amount, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been .59%.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Amount represents less than $.01 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class. The Fund's investments in emerging markets can be subject to social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties and can be extremely volatile.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds received from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Fund will claim a portion of the payment made to redeeming shareholders as a distribution for income tax purposes.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to foreign currency transactions, certain foreign taxes, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), deferred trustees compensation, capital loss carryforwards and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 39,449 |
Unrealized depreciation | (344,401) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | 304,952 |
Undistributed ordinary income | 15,978 |
Capital loss carryforward | 84,650 |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 1,378,177 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 27,900 | $ 40,861 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 91,208 | 26,143 |
Total | $ 119,108 | $ 67,004 |
Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees. Shares held in the Fund less than 30 days are subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.00% of the proceeds of the redeemed shares. All redemption fees, including any estimated redemption fees paid by FMR, are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital.
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which
Annual Report
4. Operating Policies - continued
Repurchase Agreements - continued
are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $1,311,058 and $1,034,947, respectively.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .45% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. In addition, the management fee is subject to a performance adjustment (up to a maximum of ±.20% of the Fund's average net assets over a 36 month performance period). The upward or downward adjustment to the management fee is based on the investment performance of the asset-weighted return of all classes as compared to an appropriate benchmark index. For the period, the total annual management fee rate, including the performance adjustment, was .70% of the Fund's average net assets.
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Distribution and Service Plan - continued
For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | 0% | .25% | $ 292 | $ 12 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 2,865 | 48 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 191 | 143 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 369 | 22 |
| | | $ 3,717 | $ 225 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to.50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 18 |
Class T | 11 |
Class B* | 25 |
Class C* | 3 |
| $ 57 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Transfer Agent Fees - continued
For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 356 | .31 |
Class T | 1,231 | .22 |
Class B | 58 | .31 |
Class C | 110 | .30 |
Institutional Class | 1,384 | .22 |
| $ 3,139 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $3 for the period.
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $3 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
8. Security Lending - continued
experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. The value of loaned securities and cash collateral at period end are disclosed on the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $1,436.
9. Expense Reductions.
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $357 for the period. In addition, through arrangements with the Fund's custodian and each class' transfer agent, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses. During the period, these credits reduced the Fund's custody expenses by $3. During the period, credits reduced each class' transfer agent expense as noted in the table below.
| Transfer Agent expense reduction |
Class A | $ 3 |
Institutional Class | 19 |
| $ 22 |
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
At the end of the period, the Fidelity Advisor Freedom Funds were the owners of record, in the aggregate, of approximately 39% of the total outstanding shares of the Fund.
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's
Annual Report
10. Other - continued
domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $22, which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 1,785 | $ 1,166 |
Class T | 6,979 | 5,197 |
Class B | 73 | 26 |
Class C | 230 | 137 |
Institutional Class | 9,202 | 5,055 |
Total | $ 18,269 | $ 11,581 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 9,778 | $ 5,467 |
Class T | 45,838 | 28,690 |
Class B | 1,798 | 1,858 |
Class C | 3,080 | 2,010 |
Institutional Class | 40,345 | 17,398 |
Total | $ 100,839 | $ 55,423 |
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
(Amounts in thousands except ratios)
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 1,631 | 2,109 | $ 33,994 | $ 49,321 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 416 | 268 | 10,008 | 5,668 |
Shares redeemed | (2,149) | (2,108) | (44,943) | (48,883) |
Net increase (decrease) | (102) | 269 | $ (941) | $ 6,106 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 5,968 | 6,427 | $ 128,327 | $ 152,753 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 2,092 | 1,529 | 51,444 | 32,968 |
Shares redeemed | (9,064) | (9,269) | (188,310) | (220,331) |
Net increase (decrease) | (1,004) | (1,313) | $ (8,539) | $ (34,610) |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 133 | 108 | $ 2,720 | $ 2,422 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 73 | 84 | 1,689 | 1,716 |
Shares redeemed | (492) | (936) | (9,923) | (20,830) |
Net increase (decrease) | (286) | (744) | $ (5,514) | $ (16,692) |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 294 | 248 | $ 5,937 | $ 5,644 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 124 | 92 | 2,937 | 1,908 |
Shares redeemed | (501) | (512) | (9,667) | (11,719) |
Net increase (decrease) | (83) | (172) | $ (793) | $ (4,167) |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 18,688 | 6,884 | $ 367,938 | $ 164,033 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 1,898 | 1,020 | 46,435 | 21,884 |
Shares redeemed | (3,050) | (1,676) | (62,246) | (40,404) |
Net increase (decrease) | 17,536 | 6,228 | $ 352,127 | $ 145,513 |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and the Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund (a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965- 2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002- 2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Eric M. Wetlaufer (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's International Equity Funds. Mr. Wetlaufer also serves as Group Chief Investment Officer of FMR. Mr. Wetlaufer is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2007-present) and President and a Director (2006-present) of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and President and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2006-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments in 2005, Mr. Wetlaufer was a partner in Oxhead Capital Management (2004-2005) and a Chief Investment Officer of Putnam Investments (1997-2003). |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004- 2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005- present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
A total of .80% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year was derived from interest on U.S. Government securities which is generally exempt from state income tax.
Institutional Class designates 80% of the dividend distributed during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts per share which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:
| Pay Date | Income | Taxes |
Institutional Class | 12/07/07 | $0.329 | $0.0439 |
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Overseas Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. The following charts considered by the Board show, over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a peer group of mutual funds identified by Morningstar, Inc. as having an investment style similar to that of the fund based on underlying portfolio holdings. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class B show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor Overseas Fund
![fid735](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid735.gif)
The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the first quartile for the one-year period and the second quartile for the three- and five-year periods. The Board also stated that the investment performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund compared favorably to its benchmark for the one- and three-year periods, although the fund's five-year cumulative total return was lower than its benchmark. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes.
The Board also considered that the fund's management fee is subject to upward or downward adjustment depending upon whether, and to what extent, the fund's investment performance for the performance period exceeds, or is exceeded by, the record (over the same period) of a Board-approved performance adjustment index. The Board realizes that the performance adjustment provides FMR with a strong economic incentive to seek to achieve superior performance for the fund's shareholders and helps to more closely align the interests of FMR and the fund's shareholders.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Annual Report
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps, and without giving effect to the fund's performance adjustment. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 14% means that 86% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked and the impact of the fund's performance adjustment, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor Overseas Fund
![fid737](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid737.gif)
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007. The Board also noted the effect of the fund's negative performance adjustment on the fund's management fee ranking. The Board noted that the performance adjustment for each year represents calculations for performance periods that differ from the periods shown in the performance charts above.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses, as well as the impact of the fund's performance adjustment. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of each class ranked below its competitive median for 2007.
Annual Report
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited
Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc.
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd.
FIL Investment Advisors
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
The Northern Trust Company
Chicago, IL
OSI-UANN-1208
1.784768.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Value Leaders
Fund - Class A, Class T, Class B
and Class C
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to the financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Life of fund A |
Class A (incl. 5.75% sales charge) | -47.62% | -2.08% | -1.27% |
Class T (incl. 3.50% sales charge) | -46.51% | -1.87% | -1.10% |
Class B (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) B | -47.44% | -2.00% | -1.09% |
Class C (incl. contingent deferred sales charge) C | -45.36% | -1.67% | -0.94% |
A From June 17, 2003.
B Class B shares' contingent deferred sales charge included in the past one year, past 5 years, and life of fund total return figures are 5%, 2%, and 1%, respectively.
C Class C shares' contingent deferred sales charge included in the past one year, past 5 years, and life of fund total return figures are 1%, 0%, and 0%, respectively.
Annual Report
$10,000 Over Life of Fund
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Value Leaders Fund - Class A on June 17, 2003, when the fund started, and the current 5.75% sales charge was paid. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the Russell 1000® Value Index performed over the same period.
![fid753](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid753.gif)
In prior years, the performance from year to year was represented by the performance of Class T. Going forward, the fund's performance will be represented by Class A for consistency with other fund materials.
Annual Report
Comments from Charles Hebard, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Value Leaders Fund
The U.S. equity markets quaked under the rising pressure of a global credit crisis during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008. As home values sunk, credit availability decreased and liquidity became increasingly scarce, the Standard & Poor's 500SM Index fell 36.10%. All 10 sectors in the S&P 500® were negative, led by a roughly 52% decline in financials. Information technology and materials both fell more than 40%, while the historically defensive consumer staples and health care sectors performed the best, dropping slightly more than 11% and 23%, respectively. In the last two months of the period, the U.S. economy took a turn for the worse, as several large financial institutions went bankrupt, were forced into acquisitions or were taken over by the U.S. government. The Federal Reserve Board facilitated many of these and other transactions, and also lowered the federal funds target rate twice in October, on top of the other rate cuts during the year, leaving it at 1.00%. The markets continued to perform erratically, however, and the U.S. unemployment rate reached a 14-year high in the last month of the period. The Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM declined 31.24% for the 12-month period - including its worst single-day point loss in September - while the technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite® Index dropped 39.35%.
For the 12-month period ending October 31, 2008, the fund's Class A, Class T, Class B and Class C shares returned -44.43%, -44.57%, -44.80% and - -44.84%, respectively (excluding sales charges), significantly underperforming the -36.80% return of the Russell 1000® Value Index. I misjudged how deep and severe the economic slowdown would become, and that misjudgment led to some poor stock picking on my part. Top detractors included financial companies that didn't survive the credit crisis, such as investment company Lehman Brothers and banking firm Wachovia, or were transformed by it, such as insurer American International Group (AIG) and mortgage lender Fannie Mae. Underweighting Exxon Mobil and Chevron, two large oil companies whose stocks declined less than the overall index, also detracted. By period end, the fund no longer owned AIG, Lehman or Fannie. On the positive side, overweighting JPMorgan Chase aided performance because its stock fell modestly while most financial services firms suffered significant declines. Underweighting Sprint Nextel and selling our shares early in the period also helped results, as the cellular service provider later declined sharply. Property and casualty insurer ACE Ltd. benefited from AIG's woes, taking business from its larger competitor.
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Annual Report
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 620.40 | $ 5.09 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,018.85 | $ 6.34 |
Class T | 1.46% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 619.50 | $ 5.94 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.80 | $ 7.41 |
Class B | 2.00% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 618.20 | $ 8.14 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,015.08 | $ 10.13 |
Class C | 2.00% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 617.90 | $ 8.13 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,015.08 | $ 10.13 |
Institutional Class | .97% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 621.40 | $ 3.95 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,020.26 | $ 4.93 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Ten Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 5.3 | 3.3 |
Bank of America Corp. | 4.6 | 4.2 |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | 3.5 | 2.6 |
AT&T, Inc. | 3.4 | 3.7 |
ConocoPhillips | 2.3 | 4.9 |
Chevron Corp. | 2.2 | 0.0 |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | 2.2 | 2.1 |
General Electric Co. | 1.9 | 2.6 |
Procter & Gamble Co. | 1.8 | 1.8 |
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. | 1.7 | 0.0 |
| 28.9 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Financials | 28.3 | 30.6 |
Energy | 15.8 | 18.4 |
Health Care | 10.9 | 5.7 |
Consumer Discretionary | 9.0 | 7.6 |
Industrials | 8.5 | 8.7 |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 * | As of April 30, 2008 ** |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks and Investment Companies 99.7% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks and Investment Companies 98.3% | |
![fid488](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid488.gif) | Convertible Securities 0.1% | | ![fid488](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid488.gif) | Convertible Securities 1.3% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 0.2% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 0.4% | |
* Foreign investments | 11.4% | | ** Foreign investments | 12.5% | |
![fid761](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid761.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 99.5% |
| Shares | | Value |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY - 9.0% |
Auto Components - 0.4% |
Johnson Controls, Inc. | 14,200 | | $ 251,766 |
Automobiles - 0.2% |
Renault SA | 3,700 | | 113,397 |
Diversified Consumer Services - 0.5% |
H&R Block, Inc. | 18,300 | | 360,876 |
Household Durables - 2.7% |
Black & Decker Corp. | 6,700 | | 339,154 |
Centex Corp. | 41,900 | | 513,275 |
KB Home (d) | 41,200 | | 687,628 |
Pulte Homes, Inc. | 14,600 | | 162,644 |
Whirlpool Corp. | 3,100 | | 144,615 |
| | 1,847,316 |
Leisure Equipment & Products - 0.1% |
Brunswick Corp. | 10,400 | | 36,088 |
Media - 1.9% |
Comcast Corp.: | | | |
Class A | 25,500 | | 401,880 |
Class A (special) (non-vtg.) | 1,400 | | 21,588 |
News Corp. Class A | 32,700 | | 347,928 |
Time Warner, Inc. | 52,000 | | 524,680 |
| | 1,296,076 |
Specialty Retail - 3.1% |
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. | 6,900 | | 215,280 |
Home Depot, Inc. | 12,050 | | 284,260 |
Lowe's Companies, Inc. | 17,000 | | 368,900 |
PetSmart, Inc. | 8,600 | | 169,334 |
Ross Stores, Inc. | 11,400 | | 372,666 |
Staples, Inc. | 29,400 | | 571,242 |
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. | 15,700 | | 129,996 |
| | 2,111,678 |
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 0.1% |
Liz Claiborne, Inc. | 11,000 | | 89,650 |
TOTAL CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY | | 6,106,847 |
CONSUMER STAPLES - 8.4% |
Beverages - 1.0% |
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. | 4,300 | | 266,729 |
Carlsberg AS Series B | 2,700 | | 106,294 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
CONSUMER STAPLES - continued |
Beverages - continued |
Molson Coors Brewing Co. Class B | 5,900 | | $ 220,424 |
The Coca-Cola Co. | 2,200 | | 96,932 |
| | 690,379 |
Food & Staples Retailing - 2.0% |
CVS Caremark Corp. | 14,800 | | 453,620 |
Kroger Co. | 12,500 | | 343,250 |
Sysco Corp. | 8,700 | | 227,940 |
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (a) | 21,100 | | 316,922 |
| | 1,341,732 |
Food Products - 1.9% |
Cermaq ASA | 12,600 | | 49,505 |
Marine Harvest ASA (a)(d) | 298,000 | | 48,135 |
Nestle SA (Reg.) | 28,629 | | 1,113,056 |
Tyson Foods, Inc. Class A | 10,900 | | 95,266 |
| | 1,305,962 |
Household Products - 2.2% |
Energizer Holdings, Inc. (a) | 4,700 | | 229,642 |
Procter & Gamble Co. | 18,800 | | 1,213,352 |
| | 1,442,994 |
Tobacco - 1.3% |
Altria Group, Inc. | 17,900 | | 343,501 |
British American Tobacco PLC sponsored ADR | 9,900 | | 538,164 |
| | 881,665 |
TOTAL CONSUMER STAPLES | | 5,662,732 |
ENERGY - 15.8% |
Energy Equipment & Services - 2.2% |
ENSCO International, Inc. | 4,700 | | 178,647 |
Nabors Industries Ltd. (a) | 35,368 | | 508,592 |
National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (a) | 13,764 | | 411,406 |
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (a) | 9,600 | | 47,802 |
Weatherford International Ltd. (a) | 20,800 | | 351,104 |
| | 1,497,551 |
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 13.6% |
Chesapeake Energy Corp. | 30,600 | | 672,282 |
Chevron Corp. | 20,200 | | 1,506,920 |
ConocoPhillips | 30,200 | | 1,571,004 |
EOG Resources, Inc. | 3,200 | | 258,944 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
ENERGY - continued |
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - continued |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | 31,770 | | $ 2,354,792 |
Hess Corp. | 4,400 | | 264,924 |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | 17,600 | | 977,504 |
Petrohawk Energy Corp. (a) | 14,700 | | 278,565 |
Plains Exploration & Production Co. (a) | 6,300 | | 177,660 |
Quicksilver Resources, Inc. (a) | 15,800 | | 165,426 |
Range Resources Corp. | 2,900 | | 122,438 |
Ultra Petroleum Corp. (a) | 12,400 | | 577,220 |
Uranium One, Inc. (a) | 16,100 | | 13,619 |
Valero Energy Corp. | 11,000 | | 226,380 |
| | 9,167,678 |
TOTAL ENERGY | | 10,665,229 |
FINANCIALS - 28.2% |
Capital Markets - 7.2% |
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. | 35,600 | | 1,160,560 |
Charles Schwab Corp. | 22,700 | | 434,024 |
Franklin Resources, Inc. | 7,000 | | 476,000 |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 4,500 | | 416,250 |
Julius Baer Holding AG | 5,612 | | 219,439 |
KKR Private Equity Investors, LP (a) | 26,683 | | 131,547 |
KKR Private Equity Investors, LP Restricted Depositary Units (a)(e) | 1,300 | | 6,409 |
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. | 32,400 | | 602,316 |
Morgan Stanley | 20,300 | | 354,641 |
State Street Corp. | 16,000 | | 693,600 |
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (d) | 9,200 | | 363,768 |
| | 4,858,554 |
Commercial Banks - 4.2% |
Associated Banc-Corp. | 5,505 | | 121,440 |
Fifth Third Bancorp (d) | 15,100 | | 163,835 |
Huntington Bancshares, Inc. | 51,300 | | 484,785 |
National City Corp. | 27,100 | | 73,170 |
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. | 6,900 | | 460,023 |
SunTrust Banks, Inc. | 3,200 | | 128,448 |
Wachovia Corp. | 42,200 | | 270,502 |
Wells Fargo & Co. | 20,900 | | 711,645 |
Zions Bancorp (d) | 10,900 | | 415,399 |
| | 2,829,247 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
FINANCIALS - continued |
Consumer Finance - 0.9% |
Capital One Financial Corp. | 11,100 | | $ 434,232 |
Discover Financial Services | 13,700 | | 167,825 |
| | 602,057 |
Diversified Financial Services - 10.2% |
Bank of America Corp. | 128,614 | | 3,108,600 |
CIT Group, Inc. (d) | 24,200 | | 100,188 |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 86,540 | | 3,569,775 |
KKR Financial Holdings LLC | 31,000 | | 119,660 |
| | 6,898,223 |
Insurance - 4.3% |
ACE Ltd. | 15,300 | | 877,608 |
Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (a) | 6,291 | | 200,683 |
Everest Re Group Ltd. | 7,900 | | 590,130 |
Genworth Financial, Inc. Class A (non-vtg.) | 14,800 | | 71,632 |
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. | 11,350 | | 117,132 |
Loews Corp. | 6,700 | | 222,507 |
MetLife, Inc. | 12,300 | | 408,606 |
Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. | 7,400 | | 105,894 |
PartnerRe Ltd. | 1,700 | | 115,073 |
XL Capital Ltd. Class A | 19,100 | | 185,270 |
| | 2,894,535 |
Real Estate Investment Trusts - 1.0% |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | 4,600 | | 319,792 |
CapitalSource, Inc. | 23,800 | | 176,120 |
General Growth Properties, Inc. | 22,250 | | 92,115 |
Simon Property Group, Inc. | 1,800 | | 120,654 |
| | 708,681 |
Real Estate Management & Development - 0.4% |
CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. Class A (a) | 43,000 | | 301,430 |
TOTAL FINANCIALS | | 19,092,727 |
HEALTH CARE - 10.9% |
Biotechnology - 2.2% |
Amgen, Inc. (a) | 17,700 | | 1,060,053 |
Biogen Idec, Inc. (a) | 5,100 | | 217,005 |
Cephalon, Inc. (a) | 2,500 | | 179,300 |
| | 1,456,358 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
HEALTH CARE - continued |
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 2.8% |
Baxter International, Inc. | 6,300 | | $ 381,087 |
Boston Scientific Corp. (a) | 35,400 | | 319,662 |
Covidien Ltd. | 18,575 | | 822,687 |
Medtronic, Inc. | 9,600 | | 387,168 |
| | 1,910,604 |
Health Care Providers & Services - 0.9% |
Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. | 14,100 | | 121,542 |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | 19,300 | | 457,989 |
| | 579,531 |
Life Sciences Tools & Services - 0.3% |
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (a) | 4,750 | | 192,850 |
Pharmaceuticals - 4.7% |
Allergan, Inc. | 4,400 | | 174,548 |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 8,739 | | 179,586 |
Johnson & Johnson | 6,400 | | 392,576 |
Merck & Co., Inc. | 36,800 | | 1,138,960 |
Pfizer, Inc. | 30,900 | | 547,239 |
Sepracor, Inc. (a) | 11,870 | | 158,108 |
Wyeth | 18,850 | | 606,593 |
| | 3,197,610 |
TOTAL HEALTH CARE | | 7,336,953 |
INDUSTRIALS - 8.5% |
Aerospace & Defense - 2.4% |
Honeywell International, Inc. | 25,440 | | 774,648 |
Raytheon Co. | 8,100 | | 413,991 |
The Boeing Co. | 4,100 | | 214,307 |
United Technologies Corp. | 3,400 | | 186,864 |
| | 1,589,810 |
Air Freight & Logistics - 0.6% |
United Parcel Service, Inc. Class B | 8,000 | | 422,240 |
Airlines - 0.2% |
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (a)(d) | 11,700 | | 128,466 |
Building Products - 0.8% |
Masco Corp. | 37,850 | | 384,178 |
Owens Corning (a) | 9,500 | | 149,435 |
| | 533,613 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
INDUSTRIALS - continued |
Commercial Services & Supplies - 0.6% |
Allied Waste Industries, Inc. (a) | 27,400 | | $ 285,508 |
The Brink's Co. | 2,550 | | 123,650 |
| | 409,158 |
Electrical Equipment - 0.2% |
SolarWorld AG | 4,700 | | 118,457 |
Industrial Conglomerates - 2.5% |
General Electric Co. | 66,880 | | 1,304,829 |
Siemens AG sponsored ADR | 6,700 | | 403,005 |
| | 1,707,834 |
Machinery - 1.0% |
Cummins, Inc. | 6,000 | | 155,100 |
Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | 4,900 | | 163,611 |
Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd. Class A | 10,200 | | 188,190 |
Sulzer AG (Reg.) | 2,575 | | 151,995 |
| | 658,896 |
Road & Rail - 0.2% |
Con-way, Inc. | 4,800 | | 163,392 |
TOTAL INDUSTRIALS | | 5,731,866 |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - 6.2% |
Communications Equipment - 0.9% |
Cisco Systems, Inc. (a) | 25,600 | | 454,912 |
Motorola, Inc. | 26,400 | | 141,768 |
| | 596,680 |
Computers & Peripherals - 1.9% |
Hewlett-Packard Co. | 16,850 | | 645,018 |
International Business Machines Corp. | 4,100 | | 381,177 |
NCR Corp. (a) | 15,800 | | 288,824 |
| | 1,315,019 |
Electronic Equipment & Components - 1.3% |
Amphenol Corp. Class A | 1,900 | | 54,435 |
Arrow Electronics, Inc. (a) | 10,500 | | 183,225 |
Avnet, Inc. (a) | 18,400 | | 308,016 |
Flextronics International Ltd. (a) | 28,100 | | 117,458 |
Tyco Electronics Ltd. | 12,175 | | 236,682 |
| | 899,816 |
Internet Software & Services - 0.3% |
VeriSign, Inc. (a) | 9,600 | | 203,520 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - continued |
IT Services - 0.2% |
The Western Union Co. | 7,000 | | $ 106,820 |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 1.6% |
Applied Materials, Inc. | 21,000 | | 271,110 |
ASML Holding NV (NY Shares) | 6,000 | | 105,300 |
Atmel Corp. (a) | 31,050 | | 128,858 |
Lam Research Corp. (a) | 9,000 | | 201,240 |
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. | 8,900 | | 121,040 |
MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (a) | 4,300 | | 79,034 |
Novellus Systems, Inc. (a) | 11,000 | | 173,800 |
ON Semiconductor Corp. (a) | 4,500 | | 22,995 |
| | 1,103,377 |
TOTAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | | 4,225,232 |
MATERIALS - 2.0% |
Chemicals - 0.3% |
Albemarle Corp. | 9,000 | | 219,150 |
Containers & Packaging - 0.3% |
Owens-Illinois, Inc. (a) | 6,600 | | 151,008 |
Temple-Inland, Inc. | 8,600 | | 50,998 |
| | 202,006 |
Metals & Mining - 1.4% |
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. | 2,800 | | 77,233 |
Alcoa, Inc. | 7,000 | | 80,570 |
ArcelorMittal SA (NY Shares) Class A | 7,100 | | 186,375 |
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. Class B | 6,200 | | 180,420 |
Lihir Gold Ltd. (a) | 50,080 | | 62,456 |
Newcrest Mining Ltd. | 10,863 | | 149,249 |
Randgold Resources Ltd. sponsored ADR | 5,700 | | 176,757 |
| | 913,060 |
TOTAL MATERIALS | | 1,334,216 |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES - 6.1% |
Diversified Telecommunication Services - 6.1% |
AT&T, Inc. | 86,237 | | 2,308,564 |
Cincinnati Bell, Inc. (a) | 61,900 | | 147,941 |
Qwest Communications International, Inc. | 65,200 | | 186,472 |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | 49,150 | | 1,458,281 |
| | 4,101,258 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
UTILITIES - 4.4% |
Electric Utilities - 2.4% |
Edison International | 7,600 | | $ 270,484 |
Entergy Corp. | 9,900 | | 772,695 |
Exelon Corp. | 7,200 | | 390,528 |
PPL Corp. | 6,300 | | 206,766 |
| | 1,640,473 |
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders - 0.9% |
AES Corp. (a) | 20,900 | | 166,573 |
NRG Energy, Inc. (a) | 13,100 | | 304,575 |
Reliant Energy, Inc. (a) | 21,500 | | 112,875 |
| | 584,023 |
Multi-Utilities - 1.1% |
CMS Energy Corp. | 21,500 | | 220,375 |
Sempra Energy | 7,300 | | 310,907 |
Wisconsin Energy Corp. | 5,800 | | 252,300 |
| | 783,582 |
TOTAL UTILITIES | | 3,008,078 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $89,838,469) | 67,265,138 |
Convertible Preferred Stocks - 0.1% |
| | | |
FINANCIALS - 0.1% |
Commercial Banks - 0.1% |
Fifth Third Bancorp 8.50% | 400 | | 40,096 |
Diversified Financial Services - 0.0% |
CIT Group, Inc. Series C, 8.75% | 1,000 | | 20,900 |
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $88,126) | 60,996 |
Investment Companies - 0.2% |
| | | |
Ares Capital Corp. (Cost $302,811) | 17,867 | | 140,435 |
Money Market Funds - 3.1% |
| Shares | | Value |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) | 435,986 | | $ 435,986 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund, 2.67% (b)(c) | 1,641,900 | | 1,641,900 |
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $2,077,886) | 2,077,886 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 102.9% (Cost $92,307,292) | | 69,544,455 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - (2.9)% | | (1,965,650) |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 67,578,805 |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities on loan. |
(d) Security or a portion of the security is on loan at period end. |
(e) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At the end of the period, the value of these securities amounted to $6,409 or 0.0% of net assets. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 27,028 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 32,617 |
Total | $ 59,645 |
Other Information |
Distribution of investments by country of issue, as a percentage of total net assets, is as follows: (Unaudited) |
United States of America | 88.6% |
Switzerland | 3.4% |
Bermuda | 3.3% |
United Kingdom | 1.3% |
Canada | 1.0% |
Others (individually less than 1%) | 2.4% |
| 100.0% |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $22,284,598 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value (including securities loaned of $1,683,041) - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $90,229,406) | $ 67,466,569 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $2,077,886) | 2,077,886 | |
Total Investments (cost $92,307,292) | | $ 69,544,455 |
Cash | | 400 |
Foreign currency held at value (cost $14,236) | | 14,183 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 601,129 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 45,382 |
Dividends receivable | | 137,124 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 6,237 |
Prepaid expenses | | 36 |
Receivable from investment adviser for expense reductions | | 193 |
Other receivables | | 39 |
Total assets | | 70,349,178 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 815,600 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 205,919 | |
Accrued management fee | 20,318 | |
Distribution fees payable | 23,442 | |
Other affiliated payables | 24,922 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 38,272 | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | 1,641,900 | |
Total liabilities | | 2,770,373 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 67,578,805 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 113,956,543 |
Undistributed net investment income | | 873,758 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (24,487,430) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (22,764,066) |
Net Assets | | $ 67,578,805 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($34,864,133 ÷ 4,038,992 shares) | | $ 8.63 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $8.63) | | $ 9.16 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($22,720,385 ÷ 2,646,585 shares) | | $ 8.58 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $8.58) | | $ 8.89 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($2,614,941 ÷ 308,773 shares)A | | $ 8.47 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($5,358,395 ÷ 634,582 shares)A | | $ 8.44 |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($2,020,951 ÷ 232,405 shares) | | $ 8.70 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 2,665,835 |
Interest | | 334 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 59,645 |
Total income | | 2,725,814 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee Basic fee | $ 621,629 | |
Performance adjustment | (28,232) | |
Transfer agent fees | 322,346 | |
Distribution fees | 459,939 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 43,888 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 23,787 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 503 | |
Registration fees | 57,847 | |
Audit | 48,899 | |
Legal | 594 | |
Miscellaneous | 22,814 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 1,574,014 | |
Expense reductions | (11,878) | 1,562,136 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 1,163,678 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | (24,293,811) | |
Payment from investment advisor for loss on investment not meeting investment restrictions | 400 | |
Investments not meeting investment restrictions | 56 | |
Foreign currency transactions | (7,157) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (24,300,512) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities | (35,318,787) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (1,368) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (35,320,155) |
Net gain (loss) | | (59,620,667) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (58,456,989) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 1,163,678 | $ 708,191 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (24,300,512) | 7,019,812 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (35,320,155) | 5,194,437 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (58,456,989) | 12,922,440 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (766,736) | (203,521) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (6,300,337) | (3,080,270) |
Total distributions | (7,067,073) | (3,283,791) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | (8,614,048) | 71,133,838 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (74,138,110) | 80,772,487 |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 141,716,915 | 60,944,428 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $873,758 and undistributed net investment income of $592,692, respectively) | $ 67,578,805 | $ 141,716,915 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.40 | $ 15.08 | $ 13.22 | $ 11.70 | $ 10.37 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .16 | .13 | .08 | .06 | .01 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (7.09) | 1.99 | 2.15 | 1.51 | 1.32 |
Total from investment operations | (6.93) | 2.12 | 2.23 | 1.57 | 1.33 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.12) | (.09) | (.04) | (.04) | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.72) | (.71) | (.33) | (.01) | - |
Total distributions | (.84) G | (.80) | (.37) | (.05) | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.63 | $ 16.40 | $ 15.08 | $ 13.22 | $ 11.70 |
Total Return A, B | (44.43)% | 14.64% | 17.20% | 13.40% | 12.83% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.26% | 1.28% | 1.41% | 1.50% | 3.39% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.30% | 1.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.25% | 1.24% | 1.24% | 1.26% | 1.47% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.21% | .85% | .54% | .48% | .11% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 34,864 | $ 67,434 | $ 15,398 | $ 7,121 | $ 4,000 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 74% | 76% | 91% | 86% | 111% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Total distributions of $.839 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.117 and distributions from net realized gain of $.722 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.30 | $ 14.99 | $ 13.14 | $ 11.67 | $ 10.36 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .13 | .09 | .04 | .03 | (.02) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (7.06) | 1.97 | 2.15 | 1.48 | 1.33 |
Total from investment operations | (6.93) | 2.06 | 2.19 | 1.51 | 1.31 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.07) | (.04) | (.01) | (.03) | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.72) | (.71) | (.33) | (.01) | - |
Total distributions | (.79) G | (.75) | (.34) | (.04) | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.58 | $ 16.30 | $ 14.99 | $ 13.14 | $ 11.67 |
Total Return A, B | (44.57)% | 14.31% | 16.93% | 12.96% | 12.64% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.49% | 1.53% | 1.65% | 1.72% | 3.30% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.49% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.55% | 1.75% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.49% | 1.49% | 1.49% | 1.51% | 1.72% |
Net investment income (loss) | .97% | .60% | .29% | .23% | (.14)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 22,720 | $ 50,998 | $ 30,607 | $ 21,580 | $ 13,340 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 74% | 76% | 91% | 86% | 111% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Total distributions of $.790 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.068 and distributions from net realized gain of $.722 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.07 | $ 14.81 | $ 12.99 | $ 11.59 | $ 10.34 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .06 | .01 | (.03) | (.03) | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.96) | 1.95 | 2.13 | 1.46 | 1.32 |
Total from investment operations | (6.90) | 1.96 | 2.10 | 1.43 | 1.25 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | - | (.02) | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.70) | (.70) | (.28) | (.01) | - |
Total distributions | (.70) G | (.70) | (.28) | (.03) | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.47 | $ 16.07 | $ 14.81 | $ 12.99 | $ 11.59 |
Total Return A, B | (44.80)% | 13.74% | 16.38% | 12.35% | 12.09% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.03% | 2.10% | 2.23% | 2.31% | 4.33% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.00% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 2.05% | 2.25% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.00% | 1.99% | 1.99% | 2.01% | 2.22% |
Net investment income (loss) | .45% | .10% | (.21)% | (.27)% | (.64)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 2,615 | $ 6,734 | $ 5,734 | $ 4,240 | $ 2,560 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 74% | 76% | 91% | 86% | 111% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Total distributions of $.698 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.000 and distributions from net realized gain of $.698 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.04 | $ 14.80 | $ 12.99 | $ 11.58 | $ 10.34 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .06 | .02 | (.03) | (.03) | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.95) | 1.93 | 2.13 | 1.47 | 1.31 |
Total from investment operations | (6.89) | 1.95 | 2.10 | 1.44 | 1.24 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | - | (.02) | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.71) | (.71) | (.29) | (.01) | - |
Total distributions | (.71) G | (.71) | (.29) | (.03) | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.44 | $ 16.04 | $ 14.80 | $ 12.99 | $ 11.58 |
Total Return A, B | (44.84)% | 13.69% | ��16.38% | 12.45% | 11.99% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.03% | 2.09% | 2.22% | 2.30% | 4.39% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.00% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 2.05% | 2.25% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.00% | 1.99% | 1.99% | 2.01% | 2.22% |
Net investment income (loss) | .45% | .10% | (.21)% | (.27)% | (.64)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 5,358 | $ 9,718 | $ 7,004 | $ 3,892 | $ 1,815 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 74% | 76% | 91% | 86% | 111% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Total distributions of $.712 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.000 and distributions from net realized gain of $.712 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.51 | $ 15.17 | $ 13.28 | $ 11.75 | $ 10.38 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .20 | .17 | .11 | .09 | .04 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (7.13) | 1.99 | 2.18 | 1.49 | 1.33 |
Total from investment operations | (6.93) | 2.16 | 2.29 | 1.58 | 1.37 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.15) | (.11) | (.07) | (.04) | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.72) | (.71) | (.33) | (.01) | - |
Total distributions | (.88) F | (.82) | (.40) | (.05) | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.70 | $ 16.51 | $ 15.17 | $ 13.28 | $ 11.75 |
Total Return A | (44.24)% | 14.89% | 17.58% | 13.47% | 13.20% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C, E | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | .98% | 1.00% | 1.04% | 1.14% | 3.41% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | .98% | 1.00% | 1.00% | 1.06% | 1.25% |
Expenses net of all reductions | .97% | .99% | .99% | 1.02% | 1.22% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.48% | 1.10% | .79% | .72% | .36% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 2,021 | $ 6,833 | $ 2,201 | $ 1,857 | $ 1,282 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 74% | 76% | 91% | 86% | 111% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
F Total distributions of $.876 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.154 and distributions from net realized gain of $.722 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Value Leaders Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B,Class C, and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income - continued
calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds received from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund estimates the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to short-term gain distributions, foreign currency transactions, partnerships and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 2,890,554 |
Unrealized depreciation | (27,857,453) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (24,966,899) |
Undistributed ordinary income | 873,759 |
Capital loss carryforward | (22,284,598) |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 94,511,354 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 2,867,867 | $ 546,132 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 4,199,206 | 2,737,659 |
Total | $ 7,067,073 | $ 3,283,791 |
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
4. Operating Policies - continued
Repurchase Agreements - continued
of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities other than short-term securities, aggregated $82,754,329 and $94,775,000, respectively.
The Fund realized a gain and loss of $456 and $400, respectively, on sales of investments which did not meet the investment restrictions of the Fund. The loss of $400 was fully reimbursed by the Fund's investment advisor.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .30% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. In addition, the management fee is subject to a performance adjustment (up to a maximum of ± 20% of the Fund's average net assets over the performance period). The upward or downward adjustment to the management fee is based on the relative investment performance of the Fund's Institutional Class as compared to an appropriate benchmark index. The Fund's performance period began on June 1, 2007 and subsequent months will be added until the performance period includes 36 months. The Fund's performance adjustment took effect in May 2008. For the period, the total annual management fee rate, including the performance adjustment, was .53% of the Fund's average net assets.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | -% | .25% | $ 139,289 | $ 46,189 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 195,886 | 584 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 48,209 | 36,405 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 76,555 | 16,399 |
| | | $ 459,939 | $ 99,577 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 14,345 |
Class T | 3,849 |
Class B* | 9,524 |
Class C* | 1,335 |
| $ 29,053 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Transfer Agent Fees - continued
respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements. For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 166,772 | .30 |
Class T | 105,995 | .27 |
Class B | 14,887 | .31 |
Class C | 23,677 | .31 |
Institutional Class | 11,015 | .26 |
| $ 322,346 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $3,221 for the period.
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $230 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is
Annual Report
8. Security Lending - continued
determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. The value of loaned securities and cash collateral at period end are disclosed on the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $32,617.
9. Expense Reductions.
FMR voluntarily agreed to reimburse each class to the extent annual operating expenses exceeded certain levels of average net assets as noted in the table below. Some expenses, for example interest expense, including commitment fees, are excluded from this reimbursement.
The following classes were in reimbursement during the period:
| Expense Limitations | Reimbursement from adviser |
| | |
Class A | 1.25% | $ 5,942 |
Class B | 2.00% | 1,334 |
Class C | 2.00% | 1,706 |
| | $ 8,982 |
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $299 for the period. In addition, through arrangements with each class' transfer agent, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses. During the period, these credits reduced the Fund's transfer agent expense as noted in the table below.
| Transfer Agent expense reduction |
Class A | $ 2,563 |
Institutional Class | 34 |
| $ 2,597 |
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $1,965, which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
During the period, Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (LBHI) sought protection under the insolvency laws of their jurisdictions of organization, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. At the time LBHI's insolvency proceedings were instituted, the Fund had outstanding securities trades with counterparties affiliated with LBHI. As a result of the insolvency proceedings, LBHI is unable to fulfill its commitments and, in certain cases, the Fund may have terminated its trades and related agreements with the relevant entities and, where appropriate, is in the process of initiating claims for damages. FMR believes that the financial impact to the Fund relating to the terminated trades and agreements is immaterial.
Annual Report
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
| Years ended October 31, |
| 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 490,285 | $ 95,578 |
Class T | 212,605 | 84,209 |
Institutional Class | 63,846 | 23,734 |
Total | $ 766,736 | $ 203,521 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 3,025,522 | $ 798,354 |
Class T | 2,257,342 | 1,494,717 |
Class B | 289,371 | 288,272 |
Class C | 428,772 | 347,113 |
Institutional Class | 299,330 | 151,814 |
Total | $ 6,300,337 | $ 3,080,270 |
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
| Years ended October 31, | Years ended October 31, |
| 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 1,245,560 | 3,695,755 | $ 16,725,742 | $ 57,509,722 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 229,648 | 58,930 | 3,435,527 | 865,688 |
Shares redeemed | (1,548,314) | (663,449) | (19,906,953) | (10,352,319) |
Net increase (decrease) | (73,106) | 3,091,236 | $ 254,316 | $ 48,023,091 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 361,529 | 1,421,685 | $ 4,866,864 | $ 21,932,526 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 159,872 | 102,412 | 2,383,698 | 1,498,284 |
Shares redeemed | (1,003,715) | (437,693) | (12,646,744) | (6,887,915) |
Net increase (decrease) | (482,314) | 1,086,404 | $ (5,396,182) | $ 16,542,895 |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 50,111 | 214,346 | $ 663,922 | $ 3,232,327 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 18,065 | 18,230 | 266,998 | 264,152 |
Shares redeemed | (178,297) | (200,858) | (2,254,840) | (3,047,563) |
Net increase (decrease) | (110,121) | 31,718 | $ (1,323,920) | $ 448,916 |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 244,483 | 300,918 | $ 2,743,844 | $ 4,603,445 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 26,400 | 22,867 | 388,869 | 330,886 |
Shares redeemed | (241,995) | (191,479) | (2,982,122) | (2,915,876) |
Net increase (decrease) | 28,888 | 132,306 | $ 150,591 | $ 2,018,455 |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 113,327 | 592,099 | $ 1,524,666 | $ 9,392,137 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 23,109 | 11,218 | 347,565 | 165,468 |
Shares redeemed | (317,920) | (334,584) | (4,171,084) | (5,457,124) |
Net increase (decrease) | (181,484) | 268,733 | $ (2,298,853) | $ 4,100,481 |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and the Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Value Leaders Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Value Leaders Fund (a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fidelity Advisor Value Leaders Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965-2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002-2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Bruce T. Herring (43) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of certain Equity Funds. Mr. Herring also serves as Group Chief Investments Officer of FMR. Previously, Mr. Herring served as a portfolio manager for Fidelity U.S. Equity Funds. |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004-2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
Class A designates 67%; Class T designates 78%; Class B designates 100%; and Class C designates 100% of the dividends distributed in December 2007 as indicated in the Corporate Qualifying memo distributed by the Tax department, during the fiscal year as qualifying for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.
Class A designates 71%; Class T designates 83%; Class B designates 100%; and Class C designates 100% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Value Leaders Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. Because the fund had been in existence less than five calendar years, the following charts considered by the Board show, over the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class C of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a peer group of mutual funds identified by Morningstar, Inc. as having an investment style similar to that of the fund based on underlying portfolio holdings. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class C show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor Value Leaders Fund
![fid763](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid763.gif)
The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the second quartile for the one-year period and the first quartile for the three-year period. The Board also stated that the investment performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund compared favorably to its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month (or shorter) periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 9% means that 91% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Value Leaders Fund
![fid765](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid765.gif)
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Furthermore, the Board considered that, on May 16, 2007, shareholders approved an amended management contract for the fund that will add a performance adjustment component to the management fee paid by the fund (that is, the fund's management fee will be subject to upward or downward adjustment depending upon whether, and to what extent, the fund's investment performance for the performance period exceeds, or is exceeded by, the record (over the same period) of a Board-approved performance adjustment index). The performance period for the fund commenced on June 1, 2007. Starting with the twelfth month, the performance adjustment takes effect.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of each of Class A and Class B ranked below its competitive median for 2007, the total expenses of each of Class C and Institutional Class ranked equal to its competitive median for 2007, and the total expenses of Class T ranked above its competitive median for 2007. The Board considered that the total expenses for Class T were above the median primarily because its 12b-1 fee is higher than the typical front-end load class. The Board noted that the fund offers multiple classes, each of which has a different sales load and 12b-1 fee structure, and that the multiple structures are intended to offer a range of pricing options for the intermediary market. The Board also noted that the total expenses of the classes vary primarily by the level of their 12b-1 fees, although differences in transfer agent fees may also cause expenses to vary from class to class.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable, although in one case above the median of the universe presented for comparison, in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Annual Report
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
FIL Investment Advisors
Fidelity Investments
Japan Limited
FIL Investment Advisors
(U.K.) Ltd.
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
Brown Brothers Harriman & Company
Boston, MA
AVLF-UANN-1208
1.793576.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
(Fidelity Investment logo)(registered trademark)
Fidelity® Advisor
Value Leaders
Fund - Institutional Class
Annual Report
October 31, 2008
(2_fidelity_logos) (Registered_Trademark)
Contents
Chairman's Message | <Click Here> | Ned Johnson's message to shareholders. |
Performance | <Click Here> | How the fund has done over time. |
Management's Discussion | <Click Here> | The manager's review of fund performance, strategy and outlook. |
Shareholder Expense Example | <Click Here> | An example of shareholder expenses. |
Investment Changes | <Click Here> | A summary of major shifts in the fund's investments over the past six months. |
Investments | <Click Here> | A complete list of the fund's investments with their market values. |
Financial Statements | <Click Here> | Statements of assets and liabilities, operations, and changes in net assets, as well as financial highlights. |
Notes | <Click Here> | Notes to the financial statements. |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | <Click Here> | |
Trustees and Officers | <Click Here> | |
Distributions | <Click Here> | |
Proxy Voting Results | <Click Here> | |
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees | <Click Here> | |
To view a fund's proxy voting guidelines and proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, visit http://www.fidelity.com (search for "proxy voting guidelines") or visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also call 1-877-208-0098 to request a free copy of the proxy voting guidelines.
Standard & Poor's, S&P and S&P 500 are registered service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
Other third party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company.
Annual Report
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
A fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. For a complete list of a fund's portfolio holdings, view the most recent holdings listing, semiannual report, or annual report on Fidelity's web site at http://www.fidelity.com or http://www.advisor.fidelity.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED · MAY LOSE VALUE · NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Annual Report
(photo_of_Edward_C_Johnson_3d)
Dear Shareholder:
Turmoil has been the watchword for the world's securities markets in 2008, with domestic and international stocks down sharply amid the global credit squeeze. A flight to quality boosted returns for U.S. Treasuries, one of the few asset classes with positive results heading into the latter stages of the year. Financial markets are always unpredictable, but there are a number of time-tested principles that can put the historical odds in your favor.
One of the basic tenets is to invest for the long term. Over time, riding out the markets' inevitable ups and downs has proven much more effective than selling into panic or chasing the hottest trend. Even missing only a few of the markets' best days can significantly diminish investor returns. Patience also affords the benefits of compounding - of earning interest on additional income or reinvested dividends and capital gains. There are tax advantages and cost benefits to consider as well. The more you sell, the more taxes you pay, and the more you trade, the higher the costs. While staying the course doesn't eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of short-term declines.
You can further manage your investing risk through diversification. And today, more than ever, geographic diversification should be taken into account. Studies indicate that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of a portfolio's long-term success. The right mix of stocks, bonds and cash - aligned to your particular risk tolerance and investment objective - is very important. Age-appropriate rebalancing is also an essential aspect of asset allocation. For younger investors, an emphasis on equities - which historically have been the best-performing asset class over time - is encouraged. As investors near their specific goal, such as retirement or sending a child to college, consideration may be given to replacing volatile assets (e.g. common stocks) with more-stable fixed investments (bonds or savings plans).
A third investment principle - investing regularly - can help lower the average cost of your purchases. Investing a certain amount of money each month or quarter helps ensure you won't pay for all your shares at market highs. This strategy - known as dollar cost averaging - also reduces unconstructive "emotion" from investing, helping shareholders avoid selling weak performers just prior to an upswing, or chasing a hot performer just before a correction.
We invite you to contact us via the Internet, through our Investor Centers or over the phone. It is our privilege to provide you the information you need to make the investments that are right for you.
Sincerely,
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d
Edward C. Johnson 3d
Annual Report
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of the class' dividend income and capital gains (the profits earned upon the sale of securities that have grown in value, if any) and assuming a constant rate of performance each year. The $10,000 table and the fund's returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. During periods of reimbursement by Fidelity, a fund's total return will be greater than it would be had the reimbursement not occurred. How a fund did yesterday is no guarantee of how it will do tomorrow.
Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended October 31, 2008 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Life of fund A |
Institutional Class | -44.24% | -0.65% | 0.08% |
A From June 17, 2003.
$10,000 Over Life of Fund
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Advisor Value Leaders Fund - Institutional Class on June 17, 2003, when the fund started. The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the Russell 1000® Value Index performed over the same period.
![fid781](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid781.gif)
Annual Report
Comments from Charles Hebard, Portfolio Manager of Fidelity® Advisor Value Leaders Fund
The U.S. equity markets quaked under the rising pressure of a global credit crisis during the 12 months ending October 31, 2008. As home values sunk, credit availability decreased and liquidity became increasingly scarce, the Standard & Poor's 500SM Index fell 36.10%. All 10 sectors in the S&P 500® were negative, led by a roughly 52% decline in financials. Information technology and materials both fell more than 40%, while the historically defensive consumer staples and health care sectors performed the best, dropping slightly more than 11% and 23%, respectively. In the last two months of the period, the U.S. economy took a turn for the worse, as several large financial institutions went bankrupt, were forced into acquisitions or were taken over by the U.S. government. The Federal Reserve Board facilitated many of these and other transactions, and also lowered the federal funds target rate twice in October, on top of the other rate cuts during the year, leaving it at 1.00%. The markets continued to perform erratically, however, and the U.S. unemployment rate reached a 14-year high in the last month of the period. The Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM declined 31.24% for the 12-month period - including its worst single-day point loss in September - while the technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite® Index dropped 39.35%.
For the 12-month period ending October 31, 2008, the fund's Institutional Class shares returned -44.24%, significantly underperforming the -36.80% return of the Russell 1000® Value Index. I misjudged how deep and severe the economic slowdown would become, and that misjudgment led to some poor stock picking on my part. Top detractors included financial companies that didn't survive the credit crisis, such as investment company Lehman Brothers and banking firm Wachovia, or were transformed by it, such as insurer American International Group (AIG) and mortgage lender Fannie Mae. Underweighting Exxon Mobil and Chevron, two large oil companies whose stocks declined less than the overall index, also detracted. By period end, the fund no longer owned AIG, Lehman or Fannie. On the positive side, overweighting JPMorgan Chase aided performance because its stock fell modestly while most financial services firms suffered significant declines. Underweighting Sprint Nextel and selling our shares early in the period also helped results, as the cellular service provider later declined sharply. Property and casualty insurer ACE Ltd. benefited from AIG's woes, taking business from its larger competitor.
The views expressed above reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period as stated on the cover of this report and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Annual Report
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for a class of the Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the accompanying table for each class of the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Class' actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class' actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. In addition, the Fund, as a shareholder in the underlying Fidelity Central Funds, will indirectly bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying Fidelity Central Funds. These fees and expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratio used to calculate the expense estimate in the table below.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Annual Report
| Annualized Expense Ratio | Beginning Account Value May 1, 2008 | Ending Account Value October 31, 2008 | Expenses Paid During Period* May 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 |
Class A | 1.25% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 620.40 | $ 5.09 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,018.85 | $ 6.34 |
Class T | 1.46% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 619.50 | $ 5.94 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,017.80 | $ 7.41 |
Class B | 2.00% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 618.20 | $ 8.14 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,015.08 | $ 10.13 |
Class C | 2.00% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 617.90 | $ 8.13 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,015.08 | $ 10.13 |
Institutional Class | .97% | | | |
Actual | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 621.40 | $ 3.95 |
HypotheticalA | | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,020.26 | $ 4.93 |
A 5% return per year before expenses
* Expenses are equal to each Class' annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Annual Report
Investment Changes (Unaudited)
Top Ten Stocks as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 5.3 | 3.3 |
Bank of America Corp. | 4.6 | 4.2 |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | 3.5 | 2.6 |
AT&T, Inc. | 3.4 | 3.7 |
ConocoPhillips | 2.3 | 4.9 |
Chevron Corp. | 2.2 | 0.0 |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | 2.2 | 2.1 |
General Electric Co. | 1.9 | 2.6 |
Procter & Gamble Co. | 1.8 | 1.8 |
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. | 1.7 | 0.0 |
| 28.9 | |
Top Five Market Sectors as of October 31, 2008 |
| % of fund's net assets | % of fund's net assets 6 months ago |
Financials | 28.3 | 30.6 |
Energy | 15.8 | 18.4 |
Health Care | 10.9 | 5.7 |
Consumer Discretionary | 9.0 | 7.6 |
Industrials | 8.5 | 8.7 |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets) |
As of October 31, 2008 * | As of April 30, 2008 ** |
![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks and Investment Companies 99.7% | | ![fid273](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid273.gif) | Stocks and Investment Companies 98.3% | |
![fid488](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid488.gif) | Convertible Securities 0.1% | | ![fid488](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid488.gif) | Convertible Securities 1.3% | |
![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 0.2% | | ![fid276](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid276.gif) | Short-Term Investments and Net Other Assets 0.4% | |
* Foreign investments | 11.4% | | ** Foreign investments | 12.5% | |
![fid789](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid789.gif)
Annual Report
Investments October 31, 2008
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
Common Stocks - 99.5% |
| Shares | | Value |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY - 9.0% |
Auto Components - 0.4% |
Johnson Controls, Inc. | 14,200 | | $ 251,766 |
Automobiles - 0.2% |
Renault SA | 3,700 | | 113,397 |
Diversified Consumer Services - 0.5% |
H&R Block, Inc. | 18,300 | | 360,876 |
Household Durables - 2.7% |
Black & Decker Corp. | 6,700 | | 339,154 |
Centex Corp. | 41,900 | | 513,275 |
KB Home (d) | 41,200 | | 687,628 |
Pulte Homes, Inc. | 14,600 | | 162,644 |
Whirlpool Corp. | 3,100 | | 144,615 |
| | 1,847,316 |
Leisure Equipment & Products - 0.1% |
Brunswick Corp. | 10,400 | | 36,088 |
Media - 1.9% |
Comcast Corp.: | | | |
Class A | 25,500 | | 401,880 |
Class A (special) (non-vtg.) | 1,400 | | 21,588 |
News Corp. Class A | 32,700 | | 347,928 |
Time Warner, Inc. | 52,000 | | 524,680 |
| | 1,296,076 |
Specialty Retail - 3.1% |
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. | 6,900 | | 215,280 |
Home Depot, Inc. | 12,050 | | 284,260 |
Lowe's Companies, Inc. | 17,000 | | 368,900 |
PetSmart, Inc. | 8,600 | | 169,334 |
Ross Stores, Inc. | 11,400 | | 372,666 |
Staples, Inc. | 29,400 | | 571,242 |
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. | 15,700 | | 129,996 |
| | 2,111,678 |
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 0.1% |
Liz Claiborne, Inc. | 11,000 | | 89,650 |
TOTAL CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY | | 6,106,847 |
CONSUMER STAPLES - 8.4% |
Beverages - 1.0% |
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. | 4,300 | | 266,729 |
Carlsberg AS Series B | 2,700 | | 106,294 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
CONSUMER STAPLES - continued |
Beverages - continued |
Molson Coors Brewing Co. Class B | 5,900 | | $ 220,424 |
The Coca-Cola Co. | 2,200 | | 96,932 |
| | 690,379 |
Food & Staples Retailing - 2.0% |
CVS Caremark Corp. | 14,800 | | 453,620 |
Kroger Co. | 12,500 | | 343,250 |
Sysco Corp. | 8,700 | | 227,940 |
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (a) | 21,100 | | 316,922 |
| | 1,341,732 |
Food Products - 1.9% |
Cermaq ASA | 12,600 | | 49,505 |
Marine Harvest ASA (a)(d) | 298,000 | | 48,135 |
Nestle SA (Reg.) | 28,629 | | 1,113,056 |
Tyson Foods, Inc. Class A | 10,900 | | 95,266 |
| | 1,305,962 |
Household Products - 2.2% |
Energizer Holdings, Inc. (a) | 4,700 | | 229,642 |
Procter & Gamble Co. | 18,800 | | 1,213,352 |
| | 1,442,994 |
Tobacco - 1.3% |
Altria Group, Inc. | 17,900 | | 343,501 |
British American Tobacco PLC sponsored ADR | 9,900 | | 538,164 |
| | 881,665 |
TOTAL CONSUMER STAPLES | | 5,662,732 |
ENERGY - 15.8% |
Energy Equipment & Services - 2.2% |
ENSCO International, Inc. | 4,700 | | 178,647 |
Nabors Industries Ltd. (a) | 35,368 | | 508,592 |
National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (a) | 13,764 | | 411,406 |
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (a) | 9,600 | | 47,802 |
Weatherford International Ltd. (a) | 20,800 | | 351,104 |
| | 1,497,551 |
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 13.6% |
Chesapeake Energy Corp. | 30,600 | | 672,282 |
Chevron Corp. | 20,200 | | 1,506,920 |
ConocoPhillips | 30,200 | | 1,571,004 |
EOG Resources, Inc. | 3,200 | | 258,944 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
ENERGY - continued |
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - continued |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | 31,770 | | $ 2,354,792 |
Hess Corp. | 4,400 | | 264,924 |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | 17,600 | | 977,504 |
Petrohawk Energy Corp. (a) | 14,700 | | 278,565 |
Plains Exploration & Production Co. (a) | 6,300 | | 177,660 |
Quicksilver Resources, Inc. (a) | 15,800 | | 165,426 |
Range Resources Corp. | 2,900 | | 122,438 |
Ultra Petroleum Corp. (a) | 12,400 | | 577,220 |
Uranium One, Inc. (a) | 16,100 | | 13,619 |
Valero Energy Corp. | 11,000 | | 226,380 |
| | 9,167,678 |
TOTAL ENERGY | | 10,665,229 |
FINANCIALS - 28.2% |
Capital Markets - 7.2% |
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. | 35,600 | | 1,160,560 |
Charles Schwab Corp. | 22,700 | | 434,024 |
Franklin Resources, Inc. | 7,000 | | 476,000 |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 4,500 | | 416,250 |
Julius Baer Holding AG | 5,612 | | 219,439 |
KKR Private Equity Investors, LP (a) | 26,683 | | 131,547 |
KKR Private Equity Investors, LP Restricted Depositary Units (a)(e) | 1,300 | | 6,409 |
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. | 32,400 | | 602,316 |
Morgan Stanley | 20,300 | | 354,641 |
State Street Corp. | 16,000 | | 693,600 |
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (d) | 9,200 | | 363,768 |
| | 4,858,554 |
Commercial Banks - 4.2% |
Associated Banc-Corp. | 5,505 | | 121,440 |
Fifth Third Bancorp (d) | 15,100 | | 163,835 |
Huntington Bancshares, Inc. | 51,300 | | 484,785 |
National City Corp. | 27,100 | | 73,170 |
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. | 6,900 | | 460,023 |
SunTrust Banks, Inc. | 3,200 | | 128,448 |
Wachovia Corp. | 42,200 | | 270,502 |
Wells Fargo & Co. | 20,900 | | 711,645 |
Zions Bancorp (d) | 10,900 | | 415,399 |
| | 2,829,247 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
FINANCIALS - continued |
Consumer Finance - 0.9% |
Capital One Financial Corp. | 11,100 | | $ 434,232 |
Discover Financial Services | 13,700 | | 167,825 |
| | 602,057 |
Diversified Financial Services - 10.2% |
Bank of America Corp. | 128,614 | | 3,108,600 |
CIT Group, Inc. (d) | 24,200 | | 100,188 |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 86,540 | | 3,569,775 |
KKR Financial Holdings LLC | 31,000 | | 119,660 |
| | 6,898,223 |
Insurance - 4.3% |
ACE Ltd. | 15,300 | | 877,608 |
Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (a) | 6,291 | | 200,683 |
Everest Re Group Ltd. | 7,900 | | 590,130 |
Genworth Financial, Inc. Class A (non-vtg.) | 14,800 | | 71,632 |
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. | 11,350 | | 117,132 |
Loews Corp. | 6,700 | | 222,507 |
MetLife, Inc. | 12,300 | | 408,606 |
Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. | 7,400 | | 105,894 |
PartnerRe Ltd. | 1,700 | | 115,073 |
XL Capital Ltd. Class A | 19,100 | | 185,270 |
| | 2,894,535 |
Real Estate Investment Trusts - 1.0% |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | 4,600 | | 319,792 |
CapitalSource, Inc. | 23,800 | | 176,120 |
General Growth Properties, Inc. | 22,250 | | 92,115 |
Simon Property Group, Inc. | 1,800 | | 120,654 |
| | 708,681 |
Real Estate Management & Development - 0.4% |
CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. Class A (a) | 43,000 | | 301,430 |
TOTAL FINANCIALS | | 19,092,727 |
HEALTH CARE - 10.9% |
Biotechnology - 2.2% |
Amgen, Inc. (a) | 17,700 | | 1,060,053 |
Biogen Idec, Inc. (a) | 5,100 | | 217,005 |
Cephalon, Inc. (a) | 2,500 | | 179,300 |
| | 1,456,358 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
HEALTH CARE - continued |
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 2.8% |
Baxter International, Inc. | 6,300 | | $ 381,087 |
Boston Scientific Corp. (a) | 35,400 | | 319,662 |
Covidien Ltd. | 18,575 | | 822,687 |
Medtronic, Inc. | 9,600 | | 387,168 |
| | 1,910,604 |
Health Care Providers & Services - 0.9% |
Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. | 14,100 | | 121,542 |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | 19,300 | | 457,989 |
| | 579,531 |
Life Sciences Tools & Services - 0.3% |
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (a) | 4,750 | | 192,850 |
Pharmaceuticals - 4.7% |
Allergan, Inc. | 4,400 | | 174,548 |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 8,739 | | 179,586 |
Johnson & Johnson | 6,400 | | 392,576 |
Merck & Co., Inc. | 36,800 | | 1,138,960 |
Pfizer, Inc. | 30,900 | | 547,239 |
Sepracor, Inc. (a) | 11,870 | | 158,108 |
Wyeth | 18,850 | | 606,593 |
| | 3,197,610 |
TOTAL HEALTH CARE | | 7,336,953 |
INDUSTRIALS - 8.5% |
Aerospace & Defense - 2.4% |
Honeywell International, Inc. | 25,440 | | 774,648 |
Raytheon Co. | 8,100 | | 413,991 |
The Boeing Co. | 4,100 | | 214,307 |
United Technologies Corp. | 3,400 | | 186,864 |
| | 1,589,810 |
Air Freight & Logistics - 0.6% |
United Parcel Service, Inc. Class B | 8,000 | | 422,240 |
Airlines - 0.2% |
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (a)(d) | 11,700 | | 128,466 |
Building Products - 0.8% |
Masco Corp. | 37,850 | | 384,178 |
Owens Corning (a) | 9,500 | | 149,435 |
| | 533,613 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
INDUSTRIALS - continued |
Commercial Services & Supplies - 0.6% |
Allied Waste Industries, Inc. (a) | 27,400 | | $ 285,508 |
The Brink's Co. | 2,550 | | 123,650 |
| | 409,158 |
Electrical Equipment - 0.2% |
SolarWorld AG | 4,700 | | 118,457 |
Industrial Conglomerates - 2.5% |
General Electric Co. | 66,880 | | 1,304,829 |
Siemens AG sponsored ADR | 6,700 | | 403,005 |
| | 1,707,834 |
Machinery - 1.0% |
Cummins, Inc. | 6,000 | | 155,100 |
Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | 4,900 | | 163,611 |
Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd. Class A | 10,200 | | 188,190 |
Sulzer AG (Reg.) | 2,575 | | 151,995 |
| | 658,896 |
Road & Rail - 0.2% |
Con-way, Inc. | 4,800 | | 163,392 |
TOTAL INDUSTRIALS | | 5,731,866 |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - 6.2% |
Communications Equipment - 0.9% |
Cisco Systems, Inc. (a) | 25,600 | | 454,912 |
Motorola, Inc. | 26,400 | | 141,768 |
| | 596,680 |
Computers & Peripherals - 1.9% |
Hewlett-Packard Co. | 16,850 | | 645,018 |
International Business Machines Corp. | 4,100 | | 381,177 |
NCR Corp. (a) | 15,800 | | 288,824 |
| | 1,315,019 |
Electronic Equipment & Components - 1.3% |
Amphenol Corp. Class A | 1,900 | | 54,435 |
Arrow Electronics, Inc. (a) | 10,500 | | 183,225 |
Avnet, Inc. (a) | 18,400 | | 308,016 |
Flextronics International Ltd. (a) | 28,100 | | 117,458 |
Tyco Electronics Ltd. | 12,175 | | 236,682 |
| | 899,816 |
Internet Software & Services - 0.3% |
VeriSign, Inc. (a) | 9,600 | | 203,520 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - continued |
IT Services - 0.2% |
The Western Union Co. | 7,000 | | $ 106,820 |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 1.6% |
Applied Materials, Inc. | 21,000 | | 271,110 |
ASML Holding NV (NY Shares) | 6,000 | | 105,300 |
Atmel Corp. (a) | 31,050 | | 128,858 |
Lam Research Corp. (a) | 9,000 | | 201,240 |
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. | 8,900 | | 121,040 |
MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (a) | 4,300 | | 79,034 |
Novellus Systems, Inc. (a) | 11,000 | | 173,800 |
ON Semiconductor Corp. (a) | 4,500 | | 22,995 |
| | 1,103,377 |
TOTAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | | 4,225,232 |
MATERIALS - 2.0% |
Chemicals - 0.3% |
Albemarle Corp. | 9,000 | | 219,150 |
Containers & Packaging - 0.3% |
Owens-Illinois, Inc. (a) | 6,600 | | 151,008 |
Temple-Inland, Inc. | 8,600 | | 50,998 |
| | 202,006 |
Metals & Mining - 1.4% |
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. | 2,800 | | 77,233 |
Alcoa, Inc. | 7,000 | | 80,570 |
ArcelorMittal SA (NY Shares) Class A | 7,100 | | 186,375 |
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. Class B | 6,200 | | 180,420 |
Lihir Gold Ltd. (a) | 50,080 | | 62,456 |
Newcrest Mining Ltd. | 10,863 | | 149,249 |
Randgold Resources Ltd. sponsored ADR | 5,700 | | 176,757 |
| | 913,060 |
TOTAL MATERIALS | | 1,334,216 |
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES - 6.1% |
Diversified Telecommunication Services - 6.1% |
AT&T, Inc. | 86,237 | | 2,308,564 |
Cincinnati Bell, Inc. (a) | 61,900 | | 147,941 |
Qwest Communications International, Inc. | 65,200 | | 186,472 |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | 49,150 | | 1,458,281 |
| | 4,101,258 |
Common Stocks - continued |
| Shares | | Value |
UTILITIES - 4.4% |
Electric Utilities - 2.4% |
Edison International | 7,600 | | $ 270,484 |
Entergy Corp. | 9,900 | | 772,695 |
Exelon Corp. | 7,200 | | 390,528 |
PPL Corp. | 6,300 | | 206,766 |
| | 1,640,473 |
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders - 0.9% |
AES Corp. (a) | 20,900 | | 166,573 |
NRG Energy, Inc. (a) | 13,100 | | 304,575 |
Reliant Energy, Inc. (a) | 21,500 | | 112,875 |
| | 584,023 |
Multi-Utilities - 1.1% |
CMS Energy Corp. | 21,500 | | 220,375 |
Sempra Energy | 7,300 | | 310,907 |
Wisconsin Energy Corp. | 5,800 | | 252,300 |
| | 783,582 |
TOTAL UTILITIES | | 3,008,078 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $89,838,469) | 67,265,138 |
Convertible Preferred Stocks - 0.1% |
| | | |
FINANCIALS - 0.1% |
Commercial Banks - 0.1% |
Fifth Third Bancorp 8.50% | 400 | | 40,096 |
Diversified Financial Services - 0.0% |
CIT Group, Inc. Series C, 8.75% | 1,000 | | 20,900 |
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $88,126) | 60,996 |
Investment Companies - 0.2% |
| | | |
Ares Capital Corp. (Cost $302,811) | 17,867 | | 140,435 |
Money Market Funds - 3.1% |
| Shares | | Value |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund, 1.81% (b) | 435,986 | | $ 435,986 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund, 2.67% (b)(c) | 1,641,900 | | 1,641,900 |
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $2,077,886) | 2,077,886 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - 102.9% (Cost $92,307,292) | | 69,544,455 |
NET OTHER ASSETS - (2.9)% | | (1,965,650) |
NET ASSETS - 100% | $ 67,578,805 |
Legend |
(a) Non-income producing |
(b) Affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies and other accounts managed by Fidelity Investments. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. A complete unaudited listing of the fund's holdings as of its most recent quarter end is available upon request. |
(c) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities on loan. |
(d) Security or a portion of the security is on loan at period end. |
(e) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At the end of the period, the value of these securities amounted to $6,409 or 0.0% of net assets. |
Affiliated Central Funds |
Information regarding fiscal year to date income earned by the Fund from investments in Fidelity Central Funds is as follows: |
Fund | Income earned |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund | $ 27,028 |
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund | 32,617 |
Total | $ 59,645 |
Other Information |
Distribution of investments by country of issue, as a percentage of total net assets, is as follows: (Unaudited) |
United States of America | 88.6% |
Switzerland | 3.4% |
Bermuda | 3.3% |
United Kingdom | 1.3% |
Canada | 1.0% |
Others (individually less than 1%) | 2.4% |
| 100.0% |
Income Tax Information |
At October 31, 2008, the fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $22,284,598 all of which will expire on October 31, 2016. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Assets | | |
Investment in securities, at value (including securities loaned of $1,683,041) - See accompanying schedule: Unaffiliated issuers (cost $90,229,406) | $ 67,466,569 | |
Fidelity Central Funds (cost $2,077,886) | 2,077,886 | |
Total Investments (cost $92,307,292) | | $ 69,544,455 |
Cash | | 400 |
Foreign currency held at value (cost $14,236) | | 14,183 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 601,129 |
Receivable for fund shares sold | | 45,382 |
Dividends receivable | | 137,124 |
Distributions receivable from Fidelity Central Funds | | 6,237 |
Prepaid expenses | | 36 |
Receivable from investment adviser for expense reductions | | 193 |
Other receivables | | 39 |
Total assets | | 70,349,178 |
| | |
Liabilities | | |
Payable for investments purchased | $ 815,600 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 205,919 | |
Accrued management fee | 20,318 | |
Distribution fees payable | 23,442 | |
Other affiliated payables | 24,922 | |
Other payables and accrued expenses | 38,272 | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | 1,641,900 | |
Total liabilities | | 2,770,373 |
| | |
Net Assets | | $ 67,578,805 |
Net Assets consist of: | | |
Paid in capital | | $ 113,956,543 |
Undistributed net investment income | | 873,758 |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | (24,487,430) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | (22,764,066) |
Net Assets | | $ 67,578,805 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - continued
| October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Calculation of Maximum Offering Price Class A: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($34,864,133 ÷ 4,038,992 shares) | | $ 8.63 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $8.63) | | $ 9.16 |
Class T: Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($22,720,385 ÷ 2,646,585 shares) | | $ 8.58 |
| | |
Maximum offering price per share (100/96.50 of $8.58) | | $ 8.89 |
Class B: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($2,614,941 ÷ 308,773 shares)A | | $ 8.47 |
| | |
Class C: Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($5,358,395 ÷ 634,582 shares)A | | $ 8.44 |
| | |
Institutional Class: Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($2,020,951 ÷ 232,405 shares) | | $ 8.70 |
A Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Statement of Operations
| Year ended October 31, 2008 |
| | |
Investment Income | | |
Dividends | | $ 2,665,835 |
Interest | | 334 |
Income from Fidelity Central Funds | | 59,645 |
Total income | | 2,725,814 |
| | |
Expenses | | |
Management fee Basic fee | $ 621,629 | |
Performance adjustment | (28,232) | |
Transfer agent fees | 322,346 | |
Distribution fees | 459,939 | |
Accounting and security lending fees | 43,888 | |
Custodian fees and expenses | 23,787 | |
Independent trustees' compensation | 503 | |
Registration fees | 57,847 | |
Audit | 48,899 | |
Legal | 594 | |
Miscellaneous | 22,814 | |
Total expenses before reductions | 1,574,014 | |
Expense reductions | (11,878) | 1,562,136 |
Net investment income (loss) | | 1,163,678 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on: | | |
Investment securities: | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | (24,293,811) | |
Payment from investment advisor for loss on investment not meeting investment restrictions | 400 | |
Investments not meeting investment restrictions | 56 | |
Foreign currency transactions | (7,157) | |
Total net realized gain (loss) | | (24,300,512) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investment securities | (35,318,787) | |
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (1,368) | |
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | (35,320,155) |
Net gain (loss) | | (59,620,667) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ (58,456,989) |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Statements - continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Year ended October 31, 2008 | Year ended October 31, 2007 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations | | |
Net investment income (loss) | $ 1,163,678 | $ 708,191 |
Net realized gain (loss) | (24,300,512) | 7,019,812 |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (35,320,155) | 5,194,437 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (58,456,989) | 12,922,440 |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income | (766,736) | (203,521) |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain | (6,300,337) | (3,080,270) |
Total distributions | (7,067,073) | (3,283,791) |
Share transactions - net increase (decrease) | (8,614,048) | 71,133,838 |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (74,138,110) | 80,772,487 |
| | |
Net Assets | | |
Beginning of period | 141,716,915 | 60,944,428 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $873,758 and undistributed net investment income of $592,692, respectively) | $ 67,578,805 | $ 141,716,915 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class A
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.40 | $ 15.08 | $ 13.22 | $ 11.70 | $ 10.37 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .16 | .13 | .08 | .06 | .01 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (7.09) | 1.99 | 2.15 | 1.51 | 1.32 |
Total from investment operations | (6.93) | 2.12 | 2.23 | 1.57 | 1.33 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.12) | (.09) | (.04) | (.04) | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.72) | (.71) | (.33) | (.01) | - |
Total distributions | (.84) G | (.80) | (.37) | (.05) | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.63 | $ 16.40 | $ 15.08 | $ 13.22 | $ 11.70 |
Total Return A, B | (44.43)% | 14.64% | 17.20% | 13.40% | 12.83% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.26% | 1.28% | 1.41% | 1.50% | 3.39% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.30% | 1.50% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.25% | 1.24% | 1.24% | 1.26% | 1.47% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.21% | .85% | .54% | .48% | .11% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 34,864 | $ 67,434 | $ 15,398 | $ 7,121 | $ 4,000 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 74% | 76% | 91% | 86% | 111% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Total distributions of $.839 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.117 and distributions from net realized gain of $.722 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class T
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.30 | $ 14.99 | $ 13.14 | $ 11.67 | $ 10.36 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .13 | .09 | .04 | .03 | (.02) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (7.06) | 1.97 | 2.15 | 1.48 | 1.33 |
Total from investment operations | (6.93) | 2.06 | 2.19 | 1.51 | 1.31 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.07) | (.04) | (.01) | (.03) | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.72) | (.71) | (.33) | (.01) | - |
Total distributions | (.79) G | (.75) | (.34) | (.04) | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.58 | $ 16.30 | $ 14.99 | $ 13.14 | $ 11.67 |
Total Return A, B | (44.57)% | 14.31% | 16.93% | 12.96% | 12.64% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 1.49% | 1.53% | 1.65% | 1.72% | 3.30% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 1.49% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.55% | 1.75% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 1.49% | 1.49% | 1.49% | 1.51% | 1.72% |
Net investment income (loss) | .97% | .60% | .29% | .23% | (.14)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 22,720 | $ 50,998 | $ 30,607 | $ 21,580 | $ 13,340 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 74% | 76% | 91% | 86% | 111% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the sales charges.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Total distributions of $.790 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.068 and distributions from net realized gain of $.722 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class B
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.07 | $ 14.81 | $ 12.99 | $ 11.59 | $ 10.34 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .06 | .01 | (.03) | (.03) | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.96) | 1.95 | 2.13 | 1.46 | 1.32 |
Total from investment operations | (6.90) | 1.96 | 2.10 | 1.43 | 1.25 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | - | (.02) | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.70) | (.70) | (.28) | (.01) | - |
Total distributions | (.70) G | (.70) | (.28) | (.03) | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.47 | $ 16.07 | $ 14.81 | $ 12.99 | $ 11.59 |
Total Return A, B | (44.80)% | 13.74% | 16.38% | 12.35% | 12.09% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.03% | 2.10% | 2.23% | 2.31% | 4.33% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.00% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 2.05% | 2.25% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.00% | 1.99% | 1.99% | 2.01% | 2.22% |
Net investment income (loss) | .45% | .10% | (.21)% | (.27)% | (.64)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 2,615 | $ 6,734 | $ 5,734 | $ 4,240 | $ 2,560 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 74% | 76% | 91% | 86% | 111% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Total distributions of $.698 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.000 and distributions from net realized gain of $.698 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Class C
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.04 | $ 14.80 | $ 12.99 | $ 11.58 | $ 10.34 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) C | .06 | .02 | (.03) | (.03) | (.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (6.95) | 1.93 | 2.13 | 1.47 | 1.31 |
Total from investment operations | (6.89) | 1.95 | 2.10 | 1.44 | 1.24 |
Distributions from net investment income | - | - | - | (.02) | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.71) | (.71) | (.29) | (.01) | - |
Total distributions | (.71) G | (.71) | (.29) | (.03) | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.44 | $ 16.04 | $ 14.80 | $ 12.99 | $ 11.58 |
Total Return A, B | (44.84)% | 13.69% | 16.38% | 12.45% | 11.99% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets D, F | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | 2.03% | 2.09% | 2.22% | 2.30% | 4.39% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | 2.00% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 2.05% | 2.25% |
Expenses net of all reductions | 2.00% | 1.99% | 1.99% | 2.01% | 2.22% |
Net investment income (loss) | .45% | .10% | (.21)% | (.27)% | (.64)% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 5,358 | $ 9,718 | $ 7,004 | $ 3,892 | $ 1,815 |
Portfolio turnover rate E | 74% | 76% | 91% | 86% | 111% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Total returns do not include the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
C Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
D Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
F Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
G Total distributions of $.712 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.000 and distributions from net realized gain of $.712 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Financial Highlights - Institutional Class
Years ended October 31, | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Selected Per-Share Data | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 16.51 | $ 15.17 | $ 13.28 | $ 11.75 | $ 10.38 |
Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) B | .20 | .17 | .11 | .09 | .04 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (7.13) | 1.99 | 2.18 | 1.49 | 1.33 |
Total from investment operations | (6.93) | 2.16 | 2.29 | 1.58 | 1.37 |
Distributions from net investment income | (.15) | (.11) | (.07) | (.04) | - |
Distributions from net realized gain | (.72) | (.71) | (.33) | (.01) | - |
Total distributions | (.88) F | (.82) | (.40) | (.05) | - |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 8.70 | $ 16.51 | $ 15.17 | $ 13.28 | $ 11.75 |
Total Return A | (44.24)% | 14.89% | 17.58% | 13.47% | 13.20% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets C, E | | | | | |
Expenses before reductions | .98% | 1.00% | 1.04% | 1.14% | 3.41% |
Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | .98% | 1.00% | 1.00% | 1.06% | 1.25% |
Expenses net of all reductions | .97% | .99% | .99% | 1.02% | 1.22% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.48% | 1.10% | .79% | .72% | .36% |
Supplemental Data | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ 2,021 | $ 6,833 | $ 2,201 | $ 1,857 | $ 1,282 |
Portfolio turnover rate D | 74% | 76% | 91% | 86% | 111% |
A Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Fees and expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds are not included in the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
D Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
E Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed by the investment adviser or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the investment adviser but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions represent the net expenses paid by the class.
F Total distributions of $.876 per share is comprised of distributions from net investment income of $.154 and distributions from net realized gain of $.722 per share.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended October 31, 2008
1. Organization.
Fidelity Advisor Value Leaders Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers Class A, Class T, Class B,Class C, and Institutional Class shares, each of which has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that affect that class. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares after a holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase. Investment income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, the common expenses of the Fund, and certain fund-level expense reductions, if any, are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class differs with respect to transfer agent and distribution and service plan fees incurred. Certain expense reductions also differ by class.
2. Investments in Fidelity Central Funds.
The Fund may invest in Fidelity Central Funds, which are open-end investment companies available only to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) and its affiliates. The Fund's Schedule of Investments lists each of the Fidelity Central Funds held as of period end, if any, as an investment of the Fund, but does not include the underlying holdings of each Fidelity Central Fund. As an Investing Fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying Fidelity Central Funds.
The Money Market Central Funds seek preservation of capital and current income and are managed by Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), an affiliate of FMR.
A complete unaudited list of holdings for each Fidelity Central Fund is available upon request or at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the financial statements of the Fidelity Central Funds, which are not covered by the Fund's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are available on the SEC's web site or upon request.
3. Significant Accounting Policies.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Security Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. Wherever possible, the Fund uses independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees to value its investments.
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the last quoted bid price. Investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Fidelity Central Funds, are valued at their closing net asset value each business day. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
When current market prices or quotations are not readily available or reliable, valuations may be determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Factors used in determining value may include significant market or security specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality, and developments in foreign markets which are monitored by evaluating the performance of ADRs, futures contracts and exchange-traded funds. The frequency with which these procedures are used cannot be predicted and may be utilized to a significant extent. The value of securities used for net asset value (NAV) calculation under these procedures may differ from published prices for the same securities.
Foreign Currency. The Fund uses foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts' terms.
Foreign-denominated assets, including investment securities, and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and dividends received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date.
The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain (loss) are disclosed separately.
Investment Transactions and Income. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund's investment holdings and NAV include trades executed through the end of the last business day of the period. The NAV per share for processing shareholder transactions is
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Investment Transactions and Income - continued
calculated as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and includes trades executed through the end of the prior business day. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds received from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund estimates the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Interest income and distributions from the Fidelity Central Funds are accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is uncertain.
Expenses. Most expenses of the trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among each Fund in the trust. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders. Each year, the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and filing its U.S. federal tax return. As a result, no provision for income taxes is required. The Fund is subject to the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign taxes are provided for based on the Fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are declared separately for each class. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
Annual Report
3. Significant Accounting Policies - continued
Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders - continued
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to short-term gain distributions, foreign currency transactions, partnerships and losses deferred due to wash sales.
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of period end were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ 2,890,554 |
Unrealized depreciation | (27,857,453) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (24,966,899) |
Undistributed ordinary income | 873,759 |
Capital loss carryforward | (22,284,598) |
| |
Cost for federal income tax purposes | $ 94,511,354 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 |
Ordinary Income | $ 2,867,867 | $ 546,132 |
Long-term Capital Gains | 4,199,206 | 2,737,659 |
Total | $ 7,067,073 | $ 3,283,791 |
New Accounting Pronouncement. In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and results in expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.
4. Operating Policies.
Repurchase Agreements. FMR has received an Exemptive Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which permits the Fund and other affiliated entities of FMR to transfer uninvested cash balances into joint trading accounts which are then invested in repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by government or non-government securities. Upon settlement date, collateral is held in segregated accounts with custodian banks and may be obtained in the event of a default
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
4. Operating Policies - continued
Repurchase Agreements - continued
of the counterparty. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure it is at least equal to the principal amount of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the value of the collateral may decline.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities other than short-term securities, aggregated $82,754,329 and $94,775,000, respectively.
The Fund realized a gain and loss of $456 and $400, respectively, on sales of investments which did not meet the investment restrictions of the Fund. The loss of $400 was fully reimbursed by the Fund's investment advisor.
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. FMR and its affiliates provide the Fund with investment management related services for which the Fund pays a monthly management fee. The management fee is the sum of an individual fund fee rate that is based on an annual rate of .30% of the Fund's average net assets and a group fee rate that averaged .26% during the period. The group fee rate is based upon the average net assets of all the mutual funds advised by FMR. The group fee rate decreases as assets under management increase and increases as assets under management decrease. In addition, the management fee is subject to a performance adjustment (up to a maximum of ± 20% of the Fund's average net assets over the performance period). The upward or downward adjustment to the management fee is based on the relative investment performance of the Fund's Institutional Class as compared to an appropriate benchmark index. The Fund's performance period began on June 1, 2007 and subsequent months will be added until the performance period includes 36 months. The Fund's performance adjustment took effect in May 2008. For the period, the total annual management fee rate, including the performance adjustment, was .53% of the Fund's average net assets.
Annual Report
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Distribution and Service Plan. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted separate Distribution and Service Plans for each class of shares. Certain classes pay Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), an affiliate of FMR, separate Distribution and Service Fees, each of which is based on an annual percentage of each class' average net assets. In addition, FDC may pay financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund and providing shareholder support services. For the period, the Distribution and Service Fee rates and the total amounts paid to and retained by FDC were as follows:
| Distribution Fee | Service Fee | Paid to FDC | Retained by FDC |
Class A | -% | .25% | $ 139,289 | $ 46,189 |
Class T | .25% | .25% | 195,886 | 584 |
Class B | .75% | .25% | 48,209 | 36,405 |
Class C | .75% | .25% | 76,555 | 16,399 |
| | | $ 459,939 | $ 99,577 |
Sales Load. FDC receives a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75% for selling Class A shares, and 3.50% for selling Class T shares, some of which is paid to financial intermediaries for selling shares of the Fund. FDC receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges levied on Class A, Class T, Class B, and Class C redemptions. These charges depend on the holding period. The deferred sales charges range from 5% to 1% for Class B, 1% for Class C, 1.00% to .50% for certain purchases of Class A shares and .25% for certain purchases of Class T shares.
For the period, sales charge amounts retained by FDC were as follows:
| Retained by FDC |
Class A | $ 14,345 |
Class T | 3,849 |
Class B* | 9,524 |
Class C* | 1,335 |
| $ 29,053 |
* When Class B and Class C shares are initially sold, FDC pays commissions from its own resources to financial intermediaries through which the sales are made.
Transfer Agent Fees. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, is the transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent for each class of the Fund. FIIOC receives account fees and asset-based fees that vary according to the account size and type of account of the shareholders of the
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
6. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates - continued
Transfer Agent Fees - continued
respective classes of the Fund. FIIOC pays for typesetting, printing and mailing of shareholder reports, except proxy statements. For the period, the total transfer agent fees paid by each class were as follows:
| Amount | % of Average Net Assets |
Class A | $ 166,772 | .30 |
Class T | 105,995 | .27 |
Class B | 14,887 | .31 |
Class C | 23,677 | .31 |
Institutional Class | 11,015 | .26 |
| $ 322,346 | |
Accounting and Security Lending Fees. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR, maintains the Fund's accounting records. The accounting fee is based on the level of average net assets for the month. Under a separate contract, FSC administers the security lending program. The security lending fee is based on the number and duration of lending transactions.
Brokerage Commissions. The Fund placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms which are affiliates of the investment adviser. The commissions paid to these affiliated firms were $3,221 for the period.
7. Committed Line of Credit.
The Fund participates with other funds managed by FMR in a $4.2 billion credit facility (the "line of credit") to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes to fund shareholder redemptions or for other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the line of credit, which amounted to $230 and is reflected in Miscellaneous Expense on the Statement of Operations. During the period, there were no borrowings on this line of credit.
8. Security Lending.
The Fund lends portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives collateral (in the form of U.S. Treasury obligations, letters of credit and/or cash) against the loaned securities and maintains collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is
Annual Report
8. Security Lending - continued
determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. Any cash collateral received is invested in the Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund. The value of loaned securities and cash collateral at period end are disclosed on the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less fees and expenses associated with the loan, plus any premium payments that may be received on the loan of certain types of securities. Security lending income is presented in the Statement of Operations as a component of income from Fidelity Central Funds. Net income from lending portfolio securities during the period amounted to $32,617.
9. Expense Reductions.
FMR voluntarily agreed to reimburse each class to the extent annual operating expenses exceeded certain levels of average net assets as noted in the table below. Some expenses, for example interest expense, including commitment fees, are excluded from this reimbursement.
The following classes were in reimbursement during the period:
| Expense Limitations | Reimbursement from adviser |
| | |
Class A | 1.25% | $ 5,942 |
Class B | 2.00% | 1,334 |
Class C | 2.00% | 1,706 |
| | $ 8,982 |
Many of the brokers with whom FMR places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund totaling $299 for the period. In addition, through arrangements with each class' transfer agent, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses. During the period, these credits reduced the Fund's transfer agent expense as noted in the table below.
| Transfer Agent expense reduction |
Class A | $ 2,563 |
Institutional Class | 34 |
| $ 2,597 |
Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
10. Other.
The Fund's organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
In December 2006, the Independent Trustees, with the assistance of independent counsel, completed an investigation regarding gifts, gratuities and business entertainment provided by certain brokers to certain individuals who were employed on FMR's domestic equity trading desk during the period 2002 to 2004. The Independent Trustees and FMR agreed that, despite the absence of proof that the Fidelity mutual funds experienced diminished execution quality as a result of the improper receipt of gifts and business entertainment, the conduct at issue was serious and was worthy of redress. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees requested, and FMR agreed to make, a payment of $42 million plus accrued interest, which equaled approximately $7.3 million, to certain Fidelity mutual funds.
In March 2008, the Trustees approved a method for allocating this payment among the funds and, in total, FMR paid the fund $1,965, which is recorded in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
In a related administrative order dated March 5, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced a settlement with FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (an affiliate of FMR) involving the SEC's regulatory rules for investment advisers and the improper receipt of gifts, gratuities and business entertainment. Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, FMR agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty to the United States Treasury.
During the period, Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (LBHI) sought protection under the insolvency laws of their jurisdictions of organization, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. At the time LBHI's insolvency proceedings were instituted, the Fund had outstanding securities trades with counterparties affiliated with LBHI. As a result of the insolvency proceedings, LBHI is unable to fulfill its commitments and, in certain cases, the Fund may have terminated its trades and related agreements with the relevant entities and, where appropriate, is in the process of initiating claims for damages. FMR believes that the financial impact to the Fund relating to the terminated trades and agreements is immaterial.
Annual Report
11. Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders of each class were as follows:
| Years ended October 31, |
| 2008 | 2007 |
From net investment income | | |
Class A | $ 490,285 | $ 95,578 |
Class T | 212,605 | 84,209 |
Institutional Class | 63,846 | 23,734 |
Total | $ 766,736 | $ 203,521 |
From net realized gain | | |
Class A | $ 3,025,522 | $ 798,354 |
Class T | 2,257,342 | 1,494,717 |
Class B | 289,371 | 288,272 |
Class C | 428,772 | 347,113 |
Institutional Class | 299,330 | 151,814 |
Total | $ 6,300,337 | $ 3,080,270 |
12. Share Transactions.
Transactions for each class of shares were as follows:
| Shares | Dollars |
| Years ended October 31, | Years ended October 31, |
| 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Class A | | | | |
Shares sold | 1,245,560 | 3,695,755 | $ 16,725,742 | $ 57,509,722 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 229,648 | 58,930 | 3,435,527 | 865,688 |
Shares redeemed | (1,548,314) | (663,449) | (19,906,953) | (10,352,319) |
Net increase (decrease) | (73,106) | 3,091,236 | $ 254,316 | $ 48,023,091 |
Class T | | | | |
Shares sold | 361,529 | 1,421,685 | $ 4,866,864 | $ 21,932,526 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 159,872 | 102,412 | 2,383,698 | 1,498,284 |
Shares redeemed | (1,003,715) | (437,693) | (12,646,744) | (6,887,915) |
Net increase (decrease) | (482,314) | 1,086,404 | $ (5,396,182) | $ 16,542,895 |
Class B | | | | |
Shares sold | 50,111 | 214,346 | $ 663,922 | $ 3,232,327 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 18,065 | 18,230 | 266,998 | 264,152 |
Shares redeemed | (178,297) | (200,858) | (2,254,840) | (3,047,563) |
Net increase (decrease) | (110,121) | 31,718 | $ (1,323,920) | $ 448,916 |
Class C | | | | |
Shares sold | 244,483 | 300,918 | $ 2,743,844 | $ 4,603,445 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 26,400 | 22,867 | 388,869 | 330,886 |
Shares redeemed | (241,995) | (191,479) | (2,982,122) | (2,915,876) |
Net increase (decrease) | 28,888 | 132,306 | $ 150,591 | $ 2,018,455 |
Institutional Class | | | | |
Shares sold | 113,327 | 592,099 | $ 1,524,666 | $ 9,392,137 |
Reinvestment of distributions | 23,109 | 11,218 | 347,565 | 165,468 |
Shares redeemed | (317,920) | (334,584) | (4,171,084) | (5,457,124) |
Net increase (decrease) | (181,484) | 268,733 | $ (2,298,853) | $ 4,100,481 |
Annual Report
To the Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII and the Shareholders of Fidelity Advisor Value Leaders Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fidelity Advisor Value Leaders Fund (a fund of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fidelity Advisor Value Leaders Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
Annual Report
The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Edward C. Johnson 3d and James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 220 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Messrs. Johnson and Curvey oversee 379 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-877-208-0098.
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Edward C. Johnson 3d (78) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 1983 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC); Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
James C. Curvey (73) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006- present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR. FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Dennis J. Dirks (60) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) (1999-2003). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) (1999-2003) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) (1999-2003). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003) and Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation (2001-2003). Mr. Dirks also serves as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (55) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (a private equity firm). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association and The Field Museum of Natural History. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach is an Advisory Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Lautenbach serves as a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) as well as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present), as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach served as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services firm, 1965-2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Ltd. (global insurance and re-insurance company, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). He also served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College and as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, she served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (69) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000; 2002-2003), CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, he is a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment firm, 2005-present). He is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (59) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products holding company), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (58) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-present). He serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005- present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production company, 2005-present). In addition, he also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a Sr. Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting firm, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment firm), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services company, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production company, 2001-2005). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers**:
Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
Peter S. Lynch (64) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001-present) and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (39) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Walter C. Donovan (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Vice President of Fidelity's Equity Funds. Mr. Donovan also serves as President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc., and Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Donovan served as Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-2007) and Senior Vice President of FMR (2003-2005) and FMR Co., Inc. (2004-2005). |
Bruce T. Herring (43) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of certain Equity Funds. Mr. Herring also serves as Group Chief Investments Officer of FMR. Previously, Mr. Herring served as a portfolio manager for Fidelity U.S. Equity Funds. |
Scott C. Goebel (40) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
John B. McGinty, Jr. (46) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. McGinty is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Mr. McGinty also serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of FDC (2007-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. McGinty practiced law at Ropes & Gray, LLP. |
Holly C. Laurent (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. She served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 through July 2008. Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004-2007). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice. |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (47) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Corporation, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Adrien E. Deberghes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Robert G. Byrnes (41) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Byrnes is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Byrnes served as Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2003-2005). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Byrnes worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Vice President of the Investment Operations Group (2000-2003). |
Peter L. Lydecker (54) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Lydecker is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Paul M. Murphy (61) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Gary W. Ryan (50) |
| Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
** FMR Corp. merged with and into FMR LLC on October 1, 2007. Any references to FMR LLC for prior periods are deemed to be references to the prior entity.
Annual Report
Institutional Class designates 61% of the dividends distributed in December 2007 as indicated in the Corporate Qualifying memo distributed by the Tax department during the fiscal year as qualifying for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.
Institutional Class designates 65% of the dividends distributed during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for purposes of the maximum rate under section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2009 of amounts for use in preparing 2008 income tax returns.
Annual Report
A special meeting of the fund's shareholders was held on May 14, 2008. The results of votes taken among shareholders on the proposals before them are reported below. Each vote reported represents one dollar of net asset value held on the record date for the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 |
To elect a Board of Trustees.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
James C. Curvey |
Affirmative | 8,514,961,004.35 | 97.348 |
Withheld | 231,994,591.94 | 2.652 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Affirmative | 8,525,899,114.46 | 97.473 |
Withheld | 221,056,481.83 | 2.527 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Affirmative | 8,497,196,105.85 | 97.145 |
Withheld | 249,759,490.44 | 2.855 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Alan J. Lacy |
Affirmative | 8,522,858,760.40 | 97.438 |
Withheld | 224,096,835.89 | 2.562 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Affirmative | 8,523,008,335.52 | 97.440 |
Withheld | 223,947,260.77 | 2.560 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Joseph Mauriello |
Affirmative | 8,524,890,199.58 | 97.461 |
Withheld | 222,065,396.71 | 2.539 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Cornelia M. Small |
Affirmative | 8,525,649,323.51 | 97.470 |
Withheld | 221,306,272.78 | 2.530 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Affirmative | 8,514,682,431.03 | 97.345 |
Withheld | 232,273,165.26 | 2.655 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
David M. Thomas |
Affirmative | 8,526,972,729.02 | 97.485 |
Withheld | 219,982,867.27 | 2.515 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
Michael E. Wiley |
Affirmative | 8,523,710,850.33 | 97.448 |
Withheld | 223,244,745.96 | 2.552 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
PROPOSAL 2 |
To amend the Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII to reduce the required quorum for future shareholder meetings.A |
| # of Votes | % of Votes |
Affirmative | 4,574,398,791.46 | 52.297 |
Against | 2,140,778,913.08 | 24.475 |
Abstain | 230,752,610.67 | 2.638 |
Broker Non-Votes | 1,801,025,281.08 | 20.590 |
TOTAL | 8,746,955,596.29 | 100.000 |
A Denotes trust-wide proposal and voting results.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Advisor Value Leaders Fund
Each year, typically in July, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract and sub-advisory agreements (together, the Advisory Contracts) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, acting directly and through its separate committees, requests and receives information concerning, and considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to, its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contracts, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. At the time of the renewal, the Board had 12 standing committees, each composed of Independent Trustees with varying backgrounds, to which the Board has assigned specific subject matter responsibilities in order to enhance effective decision-making by the Board. Each committee has a written charter outlining the structure and purposes of the committee. The Board also meets as needed to consider matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of Advisory Contracts.
At its July 2008 meeting, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contracts. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the fund and its shareholders (including the investment performance of the fund); (ii) the competitiveness of the fund's management fee and total expenses; (iii) the total costs of the services to be provided by and the profits to be realized by Fidelity from its relationship with the fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of fund shareholders. The Board also approved agreements with foreign sub-advisers Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as amendments to the fund's agreement with Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contracts for the fund, the Board ultimately reached a determination, with the assistance of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel and through the exercise of its business judgment, that the renewal of the Advisory Contracts and the compensation to be received by Fidelity under the management contract is consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary duty under applicable law. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contracts was not based on any single factor noted above, but rather was based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information provided to the Board at its meetings throughout the year. The Board, in reaching its determination to renew the Advisory Contracts, is aware that shareholders in the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among mutual funds offered by competitors to Fidelity, and that the fund's shareholders, with the opportunity to review and weigh the disclosure provided by the fund in its prospectus and other public disclosures, have chosen to invest in this fund, managed by Fidelity.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered staffing within the investment adviser, FMR, and the sub-advisers (together, the Investment Advisers), including the backgrounds of the fund's investment personnel and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups. The Board considered the structure of the portfolio manager compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the size, education, and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, their use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training, and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory, and management personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity's analysts have access to a variety of technological tools that enable them to perform both fundamental and quantitative analysis and to specialize in various disciplines. The Board considered Fidelity's extensive global research capabilities that enable the Investment Advisers to aggregate data from various sources in an effort to produce positive investment results. The Board also considered that Fidelity's portfolio managers and analysts have access to daily portfolio attribution that allows for monitoring of a fund's portfolio, as well as an electronic communication system that provides immediate real-time access to research concerning issuers and credit enhancers.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, distribution, and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates under the Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures. The Board also reviewed the allocation of fund brokerage, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of brokerage commissions to pay fund expenses, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research services. The Board further considered that Fidelity voluntarily pays for market data out of its own resources.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information through phone representatives and over the Internet, and investor education materials and asset allocation tools.
Annual Report
Investment in a Large Fund Family. The Board considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fidelity fund, including the benefits of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of mutual fund investor services. For example, fund shareholders are offered the privilege of exchanging shares of the fund for shares of other Fidelity funds, as set forth in the fund's prospectus, without paying a sales charge. The Board noted that Fidelity has taken a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including (i) dedicating additional resources to investment research and to restructure the investment research teams; (ii) contractually agreeing to reduce the management fees on Fidelity's Institutional Money Market Funds and launching Class IV and Institutional Class of certain of these funds; (iii) reducing the transfer agent fees for the Fidelity Select Portfolios and Investor Class of the VIP funds; and (iv) launching Class K of 29 equity funds as a lower-fee class available to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's absolute investment performance for each class, as well as the fund's relative investment performance for each class measured against (i) a broad-based securities market index, and (ii) a peer group of mutual funds deemed appropriate by the Board over multiple periods. Because the fund had been in existence less than five calendar years, the following charts considered by the Board show, over the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2007, the cumulative total returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class C of the fund, the cumulative total returns of a broad-based securities market index ("benchmark"), and a range of cumulative total returns of a peer group of mutual funds identified by Morningstar, Inc. as having an investment style similar to that of the fund based on underlying portfolio holdings. The returns of Institutional Class (Class I) and Class C show the performance of the highest and lowest performing classes, respectively (based on three-year performance). The box within each chart shows the 25th percentile return (bottom of box) and the 75th percentile return (top of box) of the peer group. Returns shown above the box are in the first quartile and returns shown below the box are in the fourth quartile. The percentage beaten numbers noted below each chart correspond to the percentile box and represent the percentage of funds in the peer group whose performance was equal to or lower than that of the class indicated.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Advisor Value Leaders Fund
![fid791](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid791.gif)
The Board reviewed the fund's relative investment performance against its peer group and stated that the performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund was in the second quartile for the one-year period and the first quartile for the three-year period. The Board also stated that the investment performance of Institutional Class (Class I) of the fund compared favorably to its benchmark for all the periods shown. The Board considered that the variations in performance among the fund's classes reflect the variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes.
The Board considered that FMR has taken steps to refocus and strengthen equity research, equity portfolio management, and compliance.
Based on its review, and giving particular weight to the nature and quality of the resources dedicated by the Investment Advisers to maintain and improve relative performance, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund will benefit the fund's shareholders, particularly in light of the Board's view that the fund's shareholders benefit from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and services.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Fund Expenses. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expenses compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable management fee characteristics. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison and by reducing the number of universes to which various Fidelity funds are compared. The Board also considered supplemental information about how the fund's management fee and total expenses ranked relative to groups based on Lipper classifications, which take into account a fund's market capitalization and style.
Annual Report
The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month (or shorter) periods shown in the chart below. The group of Lipper funds used by the Board for management fee comparisons is referred to below as the "Total Mapped Group." The Total Mapped Group comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to the total universe of comparable funds available to investors, in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps. "TMG %" represents the percentage of funds in the Total Mapped Group that had management fees that were lower than the fund's. For example, a TMG % of 9% means that 91% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher management fees than the fund. The "Asset-Size Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to non-Fidelity funds similar in size to the fund within the Total Mapped Group. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee characteristics, subject to a minimum of 50 funds (or all funds in the Total Mapped Group if fewer than 50). Additional information, such as the ASPG quartile in which the fund's management fee ranked, is also included in the chart and considered by the Board.
Advisor Value Leaders Fund
![fid793](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid793.gif)
The Board noted that the fund's management fee ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and below the median of its ASPG for 2007.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
Furthermore, the Board considered that, on May 16, 2007, shareholders approved an amended management contract for the fund that will add a performance adjustment component to the management fee paid by the fund (that is, the fund's management fee will be subject to upward or downward adjustment depending upon whether, and to what extent, the fund's investment performance for the performance period exceeds, or is exceeded by, the record (over the same period) of a Board-approved performance adjustment index). The performance period for the fund commenced on June 1, 2007. Starting with the twelfth month, the performance adjustment takes effect.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
In its review of each class's total expenses, the Board considered the fund's management fee as well as other fund or class expenses, as applicable, such as transfer agent fees, pricing and bookkeeping fees, fund-paid 12b-1 fees, and custodial, legal, and audit fees. The Board also noted the effects of any waivers and reimbursements on fees and expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered current and historical total expenses of each class of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. Each class of the fund is compared to those funds and classes in the Total Mapped Group (used by the Board for management fee comparisons) that have a similar sales load structure.
The Board noted that the total expenses of each of Class A and Class B ranked below its competitive median for 2007, the total expenses of each of Class C and Institutional Class ranked equal to its competitive median for 2007, and the total expenses of Class T ranked above its competitive median for 2007. The Board considered that the total expenses for Class T were above the median primarily because its 12b-1 fee is higher than the typical front-end load class. The Board noted that the fund offers multiple classes, each of which has a different sales load and 12b-1 fee structure, and that the multiple structures are intended to offer a range of pricing options for the intermediary market. The Board also noted that the total expenses of the classes vary primarily by the level of their 12b-1 fees, although differences in transfer agent fees may also cause expenses to vary from class to class.
In its review of total expenses, the Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information on clients that FMR and its affiliates service in other competitive markets, such as other mutual funds advised or subadvised by FMR or its affiliates, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the total expenses of each class of the fund were reasonable, although in one case above the median of the universe presented for comparison, in light of the services that the fund and its shareholders receive and the other factors considered.
Annual Report
Costs of the Services and Profitability. The Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by Fidelity in conducting the business of developing, marketing, distributing, managing, administering and servicing the fund and its shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds.
On an annual basis, FMR presents to the Board Fidelity's profitability for the fund. Fidelity calculates the profitability for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the audited books and records of Fidelity. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), independent registered public accounting firm and auditor to Fidelity and certain Fidelity funds, has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of the results of Fidelity's profitability analysis. PwC's engagement includes the review and assessment of Fidelity's methodologies used in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures surrounding the mathematical accuracy of fund profitability and its conformity to allocation methodologies. After considering PwC's reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board believes that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board has also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and any fall-out benefits related to the mutual fund business as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from or be related to the fund's business.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund and determined that the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefited from any such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered the extent to which the fund will benefit from economies of scale through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense reductions.
The Board recognized that the fund's management contract incorporates a "group fee" structure, which provides for lower group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management increase, and for higher group fee rates as total fund assets under FMR's management decrease. FMR determines the group fee rates based on a tiered asset "breakpoint" schedule. The Board considered that the group fee is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund assets increase, even if assets of any particular fund are unchanged or have declined, because some portion of Fidelity's costs are attributable to services provided to all Fidelity funds, and all funds benefit if those costs can be allocated among more assets. The Board concluded that, given the group fee structure, fund shareholders will achieve a certain level of economies of scale as assets under FMR's management increase at the fund complex level, regardless of whether Fidelity achieves any such economies of scale.
Annual Report
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and
Management Fees - continued
The Board further concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity in an appropriate manner.
Additional Information Requested by the Board. In order to develop fully the factual basis for consideration of the Fidelity funds' Advisory Contracts, the Board requested and received additional information on certain topics, including (i) fund performance trends and actions to be taken by FMR to improve certain funds' overall performance; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year; (iii) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, the profitability of certain fund service providers, and profitability trends for certain funds; (iv) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers and key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability and the extent to which portfolio manager compensation is linked to fund performance; (v) Fidelity's fee structures and rationale for recommending different fees among categories of funds; and (vi) Fidelity's rationale for recommending which funds should have a performance adjustment component as part of their management fees.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all material factors, the Board ultimately concluded that the advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contracts should be renewed.
Annual Report
Investment Adviser
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Boston, MA
Investment Sub-Advisers
FMR Co., Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(U.K.) Inc.
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company
FIL Investment Advisors
Fidelity Investments
Japan Limited
FIL Investment Advisors
(U.K.) Ltd.
Fidelity Management & Research
(Japan) Inc.
Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited
General Distributor
Fidelity Distributors Corporation
Boston, MA
Transfer and Service Agents
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
Boston, MA
Custodian
Brown Brothers Harriman & Company
Boston, MA
AVLFI-UANN-1208
1.793580.105
![fid285](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000729218-09-000001/fid285.gif)
Item 2. Code of Ethics
As of the end of the period, October 31, 2008, Fidelity Advisor Series VIII (the trust) has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to its President and Treasurer and its Chief Financial Officer. A copy of the code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Board of Trustees of the trust has determined that Joseph Mauriello is an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Mr. Mauriello is independent for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Fees and Services
The following table presents fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and their respective affiliates (collectively, "Deloitte Entities") in each of the last two fiscal years for services rendered to Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Fund, Fidelity Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund, and Fidelity Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund (the "Funds"):
Services Billed by Deloitte Entities
October 31, 2008 FeesA
| Audit Fees | Audit-Related Fees | Tax Fees | All Other Fees |
Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Fund | $42,000 | $- | $6,600 | $- |
Fidelity Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund | $38,000 | $- | $5,600 | $- |
Fidelity Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund | $51,000 | $- | $6,600 | $- |
October 31, 2007 FeesA
| Audit Fees | Audit-Related Fees | Tax Fees | All Other Fees |
Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Fund | $43,000 | $- | $6,200 | $- |
Fidelity Advisor Europe Capital Appreciation Fund | $39,000 | $- | $5,200 | $- |
Fidelity Advisor International Capital Appreciation Fund | $51,000 | $- | $6,200 | $- |
A Amounts may reflect rounding.
The following table presents fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC") in each of the last two fiscal years for services rendered to Fidelity Advisor Diversified International Fund, Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund, Fidelity Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund, Fidelity Advisor Japan Fund, Fidelity Advisor Latin America Fund, Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund, and Fidelity Advisor Value Leaders Fund (the "Funds"):
Services Billed by PwC
October 31, 2008 FeesA
| Audit Fees | Audit-Related Fees | Tax Fees | All Other Fees |
Fidelity Advisor Diversified International Fund | $68,000 | $- | $20,100 | $10,300 |
Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund | $81,000 | $- | $28,200 | $1,700 |
Fidelity Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund | $40,000 | $- | $11,700 | $1,500 |
Fidelity Advisor Japan Fund | $43,000 | $- | $8,300 | $1,500 |
Fidelity Advisor Latin America Fund | $43,000 | $- | $5,600 | $1,700 |
Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund | $64,000 | $- | $5,600 | $2,500 |
Fidelity Advisor Value Leaders Fund | $37,000 | $- | $4,400 | $1,500 |
October 31, 2007 FeesA
| Audit Fees | Audit-Related Fees | Tax Fees | All Other Fees |
Fidelity Advisor Diversified International Fund | $98,000 | $- | $22,900 | $11,500 |
Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund | $86,000 | $- | $29,000 | $1,300 |
Fidelity Advisor Global Capital Appreciation Fund | $42,000 | $- | $14,100 | $1,200 |
Fidelity Advisor Japan Fund | $45,000 | $- | $2,700 | $1,300 |
Fidelity Advisor Latin America Fund | $45,000 | $- | $2,700 | $1,300 |
Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund | $69,000 | $- | $4,800 | $2,100 |
Fidelity Advisor Value Leaders Fund | $39,000 | $- | $2,900 | $1,300 |
A Amounts may reflect rounding.
The following table presents fees billed by PwC and Deloitte Entities that were required to be approved by the Audit Committee for services that relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Funds and that are rendered on behalf of Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR") and entities controlling, controlled by, or under common control with FMR (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) that provide ongoing services to the Funds ("Fund Service Providers"):
Services Billed by Deloitte Entities
| October 31, 2008A | October 31, 2007A |
Audit-Related Fees | $745,000 | $ - |
Tax Fees | $- | $- |
All Other Fees | $- | $-B |
A Amounts may reflect rounding.
B Reflects current period presentation.
Services Billed by PwC
| October 31, 2008A | October 31, 2007A |
Audit-Related Fees | $2,110,000 | $- |
Tax Fees | $- | $- |
All Other Fees | $185,000 | $275,000 |
A Amounts may reflect rounding.
"Audit-Related Fees" represent fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the fund audit or the review of the fund's financial statements and that are not reported under Audit Fees.
"Tax Fees" represent fees billed for tax compliance, tax advice or tax planning that relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the fund.
"All Other Fees" represent fees billed for assurance services provided to the fund or Fund Service Provider that relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the fund, excluding those services that are reported under Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees or Tax Fees.
Assurance services must be performed by an independent public accountant.
* * *
The aggregate non-audit fees billed by PwC and Deloitte Entities for services rendered to the Funds, FMR (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any Fund Service Provider for each of the last two fiscal years of the Funds are as follows:
Billed By | October 31, 2008 A | October 31, 2007 A |
PwC | $3,095,000 | $2,100,000 |
Deloitte Entities | $1,405,000 | $685,000 |
A Amounts may reflect rounding.
The trust's Audit Committee has considered non-audit services that were not pre-approved that were provided by PwC and Deloitte Entities to Fund Service Providers to be compatible with maintaining the independence of PwC and Deloitte Entities in their audits of the Funds, taking into account representations from PwC and Deloitte Entities, in accordance with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, regarding their independence from the Funds and their related entities and FMR's review of the appropriateness and permissibility under applicable law of such non-audit services prior to their provision to the Fund Service Providers.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Fidelity fund's Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by a fund's independent registered public accounting firm relating to the operations or financial reporting of the fund. Prior to the commencement of any audit or non-audit services to a fund, the Audit Committee reviews the services to determine whether they are appropriate and permissible under applicable law.
The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures to, among other purposes, provide a framework for the Committee's consideration of non-audit services by the audit firms that audit the Fidelity funds. The policies and procedures require that any non-audit service provided by a fund audit firm to a Fidelity fund and any non-audit service provided by a fund auditor to a Fund Service Provider that relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of a Fidelity fund ("Covered Service") are subject to approval by the Audit Committee before such service is provided.
All Covered Services must be approved in advance of provision of the service either: (i) by formal resolution of the Audit Committee, or (ii) by oral or written approval of the service by the Chair of the Audit Committee (or if the Chair is unavailable, such other member of the Audit Committee as may be designated by the Chair to act in the Chair's absence). The approval contemplated by (ii) above is permitted where the Treasurer determines that action on such an engagement is necessary before the next meeting of the Audit Committee.
Non-audit services provided by a fund audit firm to a Fund Service Provider that do not relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of a Fidelity fund are reported to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis.
Non-Audit Services Approved Pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) and (ii) of Regulation S-X ("De Minimis Exception")
There were no non-audit services approved or required to be approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the De Minimis Exception during the Funds' last two fiscal years relating to services provided to (i) the Funds or (ii) any Fund Service Provider that relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Funds.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchase of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the trust's Board of Trustees.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures
(a)(i) The President and Treasurer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the trust's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act) provide reasonable assurances that material information relating to the trust is made known to them by the appropriate persons, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.
(a)(ii) There was no change in the trust's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the trust's internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits
(a) | (1) | Code of Ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed and attached hereto as EX-99.CODE ETH. |
(a) | (2) | Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT. |
(a) | (3) | Not applicable. |
(b) | | Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is furnished and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Fidelity Advisor Series VIII
By: | /s/Kenneth B. Robins |
| Kenneth B. Robins |
| President and Treasurer |
| |
Date: | January 5, 2009 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: | /s/Kenneth B. Robins |
| Kenneth B. Robins |
| President and Treasurer |
| |
Date: | January 5, 2009 |
By: | /s/Christine Reynolds |
| Christine Reynolds |
| Chief Financial Officer |
| |
Date: | January 5, 2009 |