Fidelity® Four-in-One Index Fund
Annual Report
February 28, 2021
Contents
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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-PORT. Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. A fund's Forms N-PORT 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, http://www.institutional.fidelity.com, or http://www.401k.com, as applicable.
NOT FDIC INSURED •MAY LOSE VALUE •NO BANK GUARANTEE
Neither the Fund nor Fidelity Distributors Corporation is a bank.
Note to Shareholders:
Early in 2020, the outbreak and spread of a new coronavirus emerged as a public health emergency that had a major influence on financial markets, primarily based on its impact on the global economy and the outlook for corporate earnings. The virus causes a respiratory disease known as COVID-19. On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, citing sustained risk of further global spread.
In the weeks following, as the crisis worsened, we witnessed an escalating human tragedy with wide-scale social and economic consequences from coronavirus-containment measures. The outbreak of COVID-19 prompted a number of measures to limit the spread, including travel and border restrictions, quarantines, and restrictions on large gatherings. In turn, these resulted in lower consumer activity, diminished demand for a wide range of products and services, disruption in manufacturing and supply chains, and – given the wide variability in outcomes regarding the outbreak – significant market uncertainty and volatility. Amid the turmoil, global governments and central banks took unprecedented action to help support consumers, businesses, and the broader economies, and to limit disruption to financial systems.
The situation continues to unfold, and the extent and duration of its impact on financial markets and the economy remain highly uncertain. Extreme events such as the coronavirus crisis are “exogenous shocks” that can have significant adverse effects on mutual funds and their investments. Although multiple asset classes may be affected by market disruption, the duration and impact may not be the same for all types of assets.
Fidelity is committed to helping you stay informed amid news about COVID-19 and during increased market volatility, and we’re taking extra steps to be responsive to customer needs. We encourage you to visit our websites, where we offer ongoing updates, commentary, and analysis on the markets and our funds.
Performance: The Bottom Line
Average annual total return reflects the change in the value of an investment, assuming reinvestment of distributions from 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 hypothetical investment and the average annual total 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
| For the periods ended February 28, 2021 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Past 10 years |
| Fidelity® Four-in-One Index Fund | 27.10% | 13.52% | 9.88% |
$10,000 Over 10 Years
Let's say hypothetically that $10,000 was invested in Fidelity® Four-in-One Index Fund on February 28, 2011.
The chart shows how the value of your investment would have changed, and also shows how the S&P 500® Index performed over the same period.
| Period Ending Values |
| $25,665 | Fidelity® Four-in-One Index Fund |
| $35,259 | S&P 500® Index |
Management's Discussion of Fund Performance
Market Recap: The S&P 500
® index gained 31.29% for the year ending February 28, 2021, a volatile but productive period for U.S. large-cap stocks. Smaller-caps fared even better, as the market broadened. The early-2020 outbreak and spread of COVID-19 resulted in equities suffering one of the quickest declines on record, followed by a historic rebound. The crisis and containment efforts contributed to broad contraction in economic activity, along with elevated uncertainty and dislocation in financial markets. A rapid and expansive U.S. monetary/fiscal-policy response partially offset the economic disruption and coincided with the uptrend, as did resilient corporate earnings. The rally slowed in September, when stocks began a two-month retreat amid Congress’s inability to reach a deal on additional fiscal stimulus, as well as concerns about election uncertainty and indications the U.S. economic recovery could be slowing. A shift in momentum began in October and accelerated following the U.S. elections, with the approval of three breakthrough COVID-19 vaccines and prospects for additional government stimulus helping to fuel the “reflation trade.” Foreign developed equity markets abroad also waged a spirited, albeit shallower, recovery, gaining 22.68%, as measured by the MSCI EAFE Index. In fixed income, U.S. taxable investment-grade bonds rose only 1.38% the past year, according to the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, hampered by a sharp backup in long-term market rates amid rising economic growth and inflation expectations.
Comments from Co-Portfolio Managers Andrew Dierdorf and Finola Foley: For the fiscal year, the fund gained 27.10%, roughly in line with the 27.46% advance of the Fidelity Four-in-One Composite Index℠. Within the large-cap S&P 500
® index, the information technology (+50%) and consumer discretionary (+43%) sectors led all gainers the past 12 months. Materials (+42%) and communication services (+37%) also stood out. In contrast, the defensive utilities (-3%) and real estate sectors (+5%) notably lagged. U.S. smaller-cap stocks outperformed large-caps, as the small-cap-oriented Russell 2000
® Index gained 51.00%. U.S. small-cap stocks benefited from an improved outlook for the domestic economy, notably in cyclical sectors that had been punished by the pandemic, including consumer discretionary (+84%), materials (+60%) and industrials (+58%). Outside the U.S., international equity markets were influenced by the spread of the coronavirus around the world and concerns about global economic growth. In the second half of the period, international stocks benefited from the widespread distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and an improved outlook for global economic growth. Within the MSCI EAFE Index, emerging markets (+57%) was the top region, followed by Japan (+29%) and Europe ex U.K. (+25%). Conversely, the U.K. (+9%) and Asia Pacific ex Japan (+21%) lagged. Meanwhile, U.S. investment-grade bonds were pressured by the improved economic outlook and rising long-term interest rates, particularly late in the period. In February 2021, yields rose because a $1.9 trillion COVID-relief bill offered hopes for a broad economic recovery but led to rising inflation expectations. Within the Bloomberg Barclays index, corporate bonds gained 2.79% for the 12 months, topping the -0.13% return of U.S. Treasuries. Securitized sectors, meanwhile, outpaced Treasuries and the broader market. Outside the index, U.S. corporate high-yield bonds gained 9.38% and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) rose 5.85%.
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.
Investment Summary (Unaudited)
The information in the following tables is based on the direct investments of the Fund.
Top Holdings as of February 28, 2021
| | % of fund's net assets |
| Fidelity 500 Index Fund | 47.9 |
| Fidelity International Index Fund | 25.0 |
| Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund | 15.1 |
| Fidelity Extended Market Index Fund | 12.0 |
| | 100.0 |
Asset Allocation (% of fund's net assets)
| Period end |
| | Domestic Equity Funds | 59.9% |
| | International Equity Funds | 25.0% |
| | Bond Funds | 15.1% |
Schedule of Investments February 28, 2021
Showing Percentage of Net Assets
| Domestic Equity Funds - 59.9% | | | |
| | | Shares | Value |
| Fidelity 500 Index Fund (a) | | 27,472,590 | $3,637,645,693 |
| Fidelity Extended Market Index Fund (a) | | 10,085,216 | 910,694,978 |
| TOTAL DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS | | | |
| (Cost $1,637,670,858) | | | 4,548,340,671 |
|
| International Equity Funds - 25.0% | | | |
| Fidelity International Index Fund (a) | | | |
| (Cost $1,481,226,342) | | 41,179,717 | 1,897,561,361 |
|
| Bond Funds - 15.1% | | | |
| Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund (a) | | | |
| (Cost $1,099,847,915) | | 94,941,532 | 1,151,640,780 |
| TOTAL INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES - 100.0% | | | |
| (Cost $4,218,745,115) | | | 7,597,542,812 |
| NET OTHER ASSETS (LIABILITIES) - 0.0% | | | 351,596 |
| NET ASSETS - 100% | | | $7,597,894,408 |
Legend
(a) Affiliated Fund
Affiliated Underlying Funds
Fiscal year to date information regarding the Fund's investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, excluding any Money Market Central Funds, is presented below. Exchanges between classes of the same affiliated Underlying Funds may occur.
| Affiliate | Value, beginning of period | Purchases | Sales Proceeds | Dividend Income | Realized Gain (loss) | Change in Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | Value, end of period |
| Fidelity 500 Index Fund | $3,119,261,488 | $218,770,522 | $514,280,523 | $58,366,969 | $59,547,193 | $754,347,013 | $3,637,645,693 |
| Fidelity Extended Market Index Fund | 774,469,352 | 108,301,740 | 335,756,114 | 22,672,607 | 50,038,406 | 313,641,594 | 910,694,978 |
| Fidelity International Index Fund | 1,592,052,660 | 262,932,419 | 263,661,720 | 33,927,346 | (4,197,942) | 310,435,944 | 1,897,561,361 |
| Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund | 960,881,397 | 445,716,376 | 232,853,532 | 29,456,895 | 5,315,948 | (27,419,409) | 1,151,640,780 |
| Total | $6,446,664,897 | $1,035,721,057 | $1,346,551,889 | $144,423,817 | $110,703,605 | $1,351,005,142 | $7,597,542,812 |
Amounts in the income column in the above table include any capital gain distributions from underlying funds, which are presented in the corresponding line-item in the Statement of Operations, if applicable.
Investment Valuation
The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of February 28, 2021, involving the Fund's assets and liabilities carried at fair value. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For more information on valuation inputs, and their aggregation into the levels used below, please refer to the Investment Valuation section in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
| | Valuation Inputs at Reporting Date: |
| Description | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
| Investments in Securities: | | | | |
| Domestic Equity Funds | $4,548,340,671 | $4,548,340,671 | $-- | $-- |
| International Equity Funds | 1,897,561,361 | 1,897,561,361 | -- | -- |
| Bond Funds | 1,151,640,780 | 1,151,640,780 | -- | -- |
| Total Investments in Securities: | $7,597,542,812 | $7,597,542,812 | $-- | $-- |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Financial Statements
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| | | February 28, 2021 |
| Assets | | |
| Investment in securities, at value (cost $4,218,745,115) — See accompanying schedule | | $7,597,542,812 |
| Cash | | 243,808 |
| Receivable for investments sold | | 57,457,352 |
| Receivable for fund shares sold | | 3,713,760 |
| Receivable from investment adviser for expense reductions | | 135,939 |
| Total assets | | 7,659,093,671 |
| Liabilities | | |
| Payable for investments purchased | $58,359,509 | |
| Payable for fund shares redeemed | 2,195,798 | |
| Accrued management fee | 643,956 | |
| Total liabilities | | 61,199,263 |
| Net Assets | | $7,597,894,408 |
| Net Assets consist of: | | |
| Paid in capital | | $4,198,594,905 |
| Total accumulated earnings (loss) | | 3,399,299,503 |
| Net Assets | | $7,597,894,408 |
| Net Asset Value, offering price and redemption price per share ($7,597,894,408 ÷ 134,969,065 shares) | | $56.29 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Statement of Operations
| | | Year ended February 28, 2021 |
| Investment Income | | |
| Income distributions from underlying funds | | $120,516,404 |
| Expenses | | |
| Management fee | $6,650,693 | |
| Independent trustees' fees and expenses | 20,935 | |
| Total expenses before reductions | 6,671,628 | |
| Expense reductions | (1,349,317) | |
| Total expenses after reductions | | 5,322,311 |
| Net investment income (loss) | | 115,194,093 |
| Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) | | |
| Realized gain (loss) on sale of underlying fund shares | 110,940,812 | |
| Capital gain distributions from underlying funds | 23,907,413 | |
| Total net realized gain (loss) | | 134,848,225 |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on underlying funds | | 1,351,005,142 |
| Net gain (loss) | | 1,485,853,367 |
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $1,601,047,460 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| | Year ended February 28, 2021 | Year ended February 29, 2020 |
| Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
| Operations | | |
| Net investment income (loss) | $115,194,093 | $148,951,749 |
| Net realized gain (loss) | 134,848,225 | 43,310,755 |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | 1,351,005,142 | 151,994,649 |
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | 1,601,047,460 | 344,257,153 |
| Distributions to shareholders | (209,741,662) | (198,013,141) |
| Share transactions | | |
| Proceeds from sales of shares | 725,530,509 | 977,513,305 |
| Reinvestment of distributions | 196,892,346 | 186,341,205 |
| Cost of shares redeemed | (1,162,588,119) | (848,625,741) |
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions | (240,165,264) | 315,228,769 |
| Total increase (decrease) in net assets | 1,151,140,534 | 461,472,781 |
| Net Assets | | |
| Beginning of period | 6,446,753,874 | 5,985,281,093 |
| End of period | $7,597,894,408 | $6,446,753,874 |
| Other Information | | |
| Shares | | |
| Sold | 14,641,545 | 20,670,362 |
| Issued in reinvestment of distributions | 3,670,589 | 3,858,876 |
| Redeemed | (24,707,007) | (18,059,323) |
| Net increase (decrease) | (6,394,873) | 6,469,915 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Financial Highlights
Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund
| | | | | | |
| Years ended February 28, | 2021 | 2020 A | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Selected Per–Share Data | | | | | |
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $45.60 | $44.37 | $44.65 | $39.99 | $34.26 |
| Income from Investment Operations | | | | | |
| Net investment income (loss)B | .86 | 1.09 | .91 | .85 | .82 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 11.42 | 1.59 | (.02) | 4.92 | 5.87 |
| Total from investment operations | 12.28 | 2.68 | .89 | 5.77 | 6.69 |
| Distributions from net investment income | (.88) | (1.10) | (.91) | (.83) | (.80) |
| Distributions from net realized gain | (.70) | (.35) | (.26) | (.28) | (.16) |
| Total distributions | (1.59)C | (1.45) | (1.17) | (1.11) | (.96) |
| Net asset value, end of period | $56.29 | $45.60 | $44.37 | $44.65 | $39.99 |
| Total ReturnD | 27.10% | 5.88% | 2.24% | 14.51% | 19.68% |
| Ratios to Average Net AssetsE | | | | | |
| Expenses before reductions | .10% | .10% | .10% | .10% | .10% |
| Expenses net of fee waivers, if any | .08% | .08% | .08% | .08% | .08% |
| Expenses net of all reductions | .08% | .08% | .08% | .08% | .08% |
| Net investment income (loss) | 1.73% | 2.32% | 2.04% | 1.99% | 2.17% |
| Supplemental Data | | | | | |
| Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $7,597,894 | $6,446,754 | $5,985,281 | $5,937,019 | $4,797,672 |
| Portfolio turnover rateF | 16% | 11% | 12% | 6% | 10% |
A For the year ended February 29.
B Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
C Total distributions per share do not sum due to rounding.
D Total returns would have been lower if certain expenses had not been reduced during the applicable periods shown.
E Expense ratios reflect operating expenses of the class. Expenses before reductions do not reflect amounts reimbursed, waived, or reduced through arrangements with the investment advisor, brokerage services, or other offset arrangements, if applicable, and do not represent the amount paid by the class during periods when reimbursements, waivers or reductions occur.
F Amount does not include the portfolio activity of any underlying mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Notes to Financial Statements
For the period ended February 28, 2021
1. Organization.
Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund (the Fund) is a fund of Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust (the Trust) and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. Share transactions on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets may contain exchanges between affiliated funds. 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 Delaware statutory trust. Geode Capital Management, LLC serves as sub-adviser for the underlying stock funds.
2. Significant Accounting Policies.
The Fund is an investment company and applies the accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services - Investment Companies. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Subsequent events, if any, through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Investment Valuation. Investments are valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the last calendar day of the period. The Fund categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value its investments into a disclosure hierarchy consisting of three levels as shown below:
- Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
- Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, etc.)
- Level 3 – unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions based on the best information available)
Valuation techniques used to value the Fund's investments by major category are as follows. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing net asset value (NAV) each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. The aggregate value of investments by input level as of February 28, 2021 is included at the end of the Fund's Schedule of Investments.
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. Income and capital gain distributions from any underlying mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Expenses. Expenses directly attributable to a fund are charged to that fund. Expenses attributable to more than one fund are allocated among the respective funds on the basis of relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Expenses included in the accompanying financial statements reflect the expenses of the Fund and do not include any expenses associated with any underlying mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 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 under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, including distributing substantially all of its taxable income and realized gains. As a result, no provision for U.S. Federal income taxes is required. As of February 28, 2021, the Fund did not have any unrecognized tax benefits in the financial statements; nor is the Fund aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. The Fund files a U.S. federal tax return, in addition to state and local tax returns as required. The Fund's federal income tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for a period of three fiscal years after they are filed. State and local tax returns may be subject to examination for an additional fiscal year depending on the jurisdiction.
Distributions are declared and recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. In addition, the Fund claimed 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. Capital accounts are not adjusted for temporary book-tax differences which will reverse in a subsequent period.
Book-tax differences are primarily due to the short-term gain distributions from the underlying mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and losses deferred due to wash sales.
As of period end, the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in securities, and derivatives if applicable, for federal income tax purposes were as follows:
| Gross unrealized appreciation | $3,359,521,628 |
| Gross unrealized depreciation | (9,348,643) |
| Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | $3,350,172,985 |
| Tax Cost | $4,247,369,827 |
The tax-based components of distributable earnings as of period end were as follows:
| Undistributed ordinary income | $2,381,867 |
| Undistributed long-term capital gain | $46,744,651 |
| Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on securities and other investments | $3,350,172,985 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| | February 28, 2021 | February 29, 2020 |
| Ordinary Income | $117,981,270 | $ 151,108,755 |
| Long-term Capital Gains | 91,760,392 | 46,904,386 |
| Total | $209,741,662 | $ 198,013,141 |
3. Purchases and Sales of Investments.
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, are noted in the table below.
| | Purchases ($) | Sales ($) |
| Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund | 1,035,721,057 | 1,346,551,889 |
4. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
Management Fee. Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (the investment adviser) provides the Fund with investment management related services. For these services the Fund pays a monthly management fee to the investment adviser. The management fee is computed at an annual rate of .10% of the Fund's average net assets. The management fee is reduced by an amount equal to the fees and expenses paid by the Fund to the independent Trustees.
Interfund Trades. Funds may purchase from or sell securities to other Fidelity Funds under procedures adopted by the Board. The procedures have been designed to ensure these interfund trades are executed in accordance with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Any interfund trades are included within the respective purchases and sales amounts shown in the Purchases and Sales of Investments note.
Other. During the period, the investment adviser reimbursed the Fund for certain losses in the amount of $237,207, which is included in Realized Gain (Loss) in the Fund's accompanying Statement of Operations.
5. Expense Reductions.
The investment adviser contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund to the extent annual operating expenses exceeded .08% of average net assets. This reimbursement will remain in place through June 30, 2022. Some expenses, for example the compensation of the independent Trustees, and certain miscellaneous expenses such as proxy and shareholder meeting expenses, are excluded from this reimbursement. During the period this reimbursement reduced the Fund's expenses by $1,349,234.
In addition, through arrangements with the Fund's custodian, credits realized as a result of certain uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund's expenses by $83.
6. 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.
7. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.
An outbreak of COVID-19 first detected in China during December 2019 has since spread globally and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization during March 2020. Developments that disrupt global economies and financial markets, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may magnify factors that affect the Fund's performance.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees of Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust and Shareholders of Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund (one of the funds constituting Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of February 28, 2021, the related statement of operations for the year ended February 28, 2021, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended February 28, 2021, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended February 28, 2021 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of February 28, 2021, 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 ended February 28, 2021 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended February 28, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of February 28, 2021 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
April 13, 2021
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Fidelity group of funds since 1932.
Trustees and Officers
The Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board (if any), and officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, oversee management of the risks associated with such activities and contractual arrangements, and review the fund's performance. If the interests of the fund and an underlying Fidelity® fund were to diverge, a conflict of interest could arise and affect how the Trustees and Members of the Advisory Board fulfill their fiduciary duties to the affected funds. FMR has structured the fund to avoid these potential conflicts, although there may be situations where a conflict of interest is unavoidable. In such instances, FMR, the Trustees, and Members of the Advisory Board would take reasonable steps to minimize and, if possible, eliminate the conflict. Each of the Trustees oversees 282 funds.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the trust and the fund is referred to herein as an Independent Trustee. Each Independent Trustee shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 75th birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. Officers and Advisory Board Members hold office without limit in time, except that any officer or Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
The fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes more information about the Trustees. To request a free copy, call Fidelity at 1-800-544-8544.
Experience, Skills, Attributes, and Qualifications of the Trustees. The Governance and Nominating Committee has adopted a statement of policy that describes the experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills that are necessary and desirable for potential Independent Trustee candidates (Statement of Policy). The Board believes that each Trustee satisfied at the time he or she was initially elected or appointed a Trustee, and continues to satisfy, the standards contemplated by the Statement of Policy. The Governance and Nominating Committee also engages professional search firms to help identify potential Independent Trustee candidates who have the experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills consistent with the Statement of Policy. From time to time, additional criteria based on the composition and skills of the current Independent Trustees, as well as experience or skills that may be appropriate in light of future changes to board composition, business conditions, and regulatory or other developments, have also been considered by the professional search firms and the Governance and Nominating Committee. In addition, the Board takes into account the Trustees' commitment and participation in Board and committee meetings, as well as their leadership of standing and ad hoc committees throughout their tenure.
In determining that a particular Trustee was and continues to be qualified to serve as a Trustee, the Board has considered a variety of criteria, none of which, in isolation, was controlling. The Board believes that, collectively, the Trustees have balanced and diverse experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills, which allow the Board to operate effectively in governing the fund and protecting the interests of shareholders. Information about the specific experience, skills, attributes, and qualifications of each Trustee, which in each case led to the Board's conclusion that the Trustee should serve (or continue to serve) as a trustee of the fund, is provided below.
Board Structure and Oversight Function. Abigail P. Johnson is an interested person and currently serves as Chairman. The Trustees have determined that an interested Chairman is appropriate and benefits shareholders because an interested Chairman has a personal and professional stake in the quality and continuity of services provided to the fund. Independent Trustees exercise their informed business judgment to appoint an individual of their choosing to serve as Chairman, regardless of whether the Trustee happens to be independent or a member of management. The Independent Trustees have determined that they can act independently and effectively without having an Independent Trustee serve as Chairman and that a key structural component for assuring that they are in a position to do so is for the Independent Trustees to constitute a substantial majority for the Board. The Independent Trustees also regularly meet in executive session. Arthur E. Johnson serves as Chairman of the Independent Trustees and as such (i) acts as a liaison between the Independent Trustees and management with respect to matters important to the Independent Trustees and (ii) with management prepares agendas for Board meetings.
Fidelity® funds are overseen by different Boards of Trustees. The fund's Board oversees Fidelity's investment-grade bond, money market, asset allocation and certain equity funds, and other Boards oversee Fidelity's high income and other equity funds. The asset allocation funds may invest in Fidelity® funds that are overseen by such other Boards. The use of separate Boards, each with its own committee structure, allows the Trustees of each group of Fidelity® funds to focus on the unique issues of the funds they oversee, including common research, investment, and operational issues. On occasion, the separate Boards establish joint committees to address issues of overlapping consequences for the Fidelity® funds overseen by each Board.
The Trustees operate using a system of committees to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of all matters of importance to the Trustees, the fund, and fund shareholders and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and oversight of the fund's activities and associated risks. The Board, acting through its committees, has charged FMR and its affiliates with (i) identifying events or circumstances the occurrence of which could have demonstrably adverse effects on the fund's business and/or reputation; (ii) implementing processes and controls to lessen the possibility that such events or circumstances occur or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur; and (iii) creating and maintaining a system designed to evaluate continuously business and market conditions in order to facilitate the identification and implementation processes described in (i) and (ii) above. Because the day-to-day operations and activities of the fund are carried out by or through FMR, its affiliates, and other service providers, the fund's exposure to risks is mitigated but not eliminated by the processes overseen by the Trustees. While each of the Board's committees has responsibility for overseeing different aspects of the fund's activities, oversight is exercised primarily through the Operations and Audit Committees. In addition, an ad hoc Board committee of Independent Trustees has worked with FMR to enhance the Board's oversight of investment and financial risks, legal and regulatory risks, technology risks, and operational risks, including the development of additional risk reporting to the Board. Appropriate personnel, including but not limited to the fund's Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), FMR's internal auditor, the independent accountants, the fund's Treasurer and portfolio management personnel, make periodic reports to the Board's committees, as appropriate, including an annual review of Fidelity's risk management program for the Fidelity® funds. The responsibilities of each standing committee, including their oversight responsibilities, are described further under "Standing Committees of the Trustees."
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for a Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.
Name, Year of Birth; Principal Occupations and Other Relevant Experience+
Abigail P. Johnson (1961)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2009
Trustee
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Ms. Johnson also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity® funds. Ms. Johnson serves as Chairman (2016-present), Chief Executive Officer (2014-present), and Director (2007-present) of FMR LLC (diversified financial services company), President of Fidelity Financial Services (2012-present) and President of Personal, Workplace and Institutional Services (2005-present). Ms. Johnson is Chairman and Director of Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (investment adviser firm, 2011-present). Previously, Ms. Johnson served as Chairman and Director of FMR Co., Inc. (investment adviser firm, 2011-2019), Vice Chairman (2007-2016) and President (2013-2016) of FMR LLC, President and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research Company (2001-2005), a Trustee of other investment companies advised by Fidelity Management & Research Company, Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (investment adviser firm), and FMR Co., Inc. (2001-2005), Senior Vice President of the Fidelity® funds (2001-2005), and managed a number of Fidelity® funds. Ms. Abigail P. Johnson and Mr. Arthur E. Johnson are not related.
Jennifer Toolin McAuliffe (1959)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2016
Trustee
Ms. McAuliffe also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity® funds. Previously, Ms. McAuliffe served as Co-Head of Fixed Income of Fidelity Investments Limited (now known as FIL Limited (FIL)) (diversified financial services company), Director of Research for FIL’s credit and quantitative teams in London, Hong Kong and Tokyo and Director of Research for taxable and municipal bonds at Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. Ms. McAuliffe previously served as a member of the Advisory Board of certain Fidelity® funds (2016). Ms. McAuliffe was previously a lawyer at Ropes & Gray LLP and currently serves as director or trustee of several not-for-profit entities.
* Determined to be an “Interested Trustee” by virtue of, among other things, his or her affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR.
+ The information includes the Trustee's principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes, and skills relevant to the Trustee's qualifications to serve as a Trustee, which led to the conclusion that the Trustee should serve as a Trustee for the fund.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for an Independent Trustee may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Year of Birth; Principal Occupations and Other Relevant Experience+
Elizabeth S. Acton (1951)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2013
Trustee
Ms. Acton also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity® funds. Prior to her retirement, Ms. Acton served as Executive Vice President, Finance (2011-2012), Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (2002-2011) and Treasurer (2004-2005) of Comerica Incorporated (financial services). Prior to joining Comerica, Ms. Acton held a variety of positions at Ford Motor Company (1983-2002), including Vice President and Treasurer (2000-2002) and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ford Motor Credit Company (1998-2000). Ms. Acton currently serves as a member of the Board and Audit and Finance Committees of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (homebuilding, 2012-present). Ms. Acton previously served as a member of the Advisory Board of certain Fidelity® funds (2013-2016).
Ann E. Dunwoody (1953)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2018
Trustee
General Dunwoody also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity® funds. General Dunwoody (United States Army, Retired) was the first woman in U.S. military history to achieve the rank of four-star general and prior to her retirement in 2012 held a variety of positions within the U.S. Army, including Commanding General, U.S. Army Material Command (2008-2012). General Dunwoody currently serves as President of First to Four LLC (leadership and mentoring services, 2012-present), a member of the Board and Nomination and Corporate Governance Committees of Kforce Inc. (professional staffing services, 2016-present) and a member of the Board of Automattic Inc. (software engineering, 2018-present). Previously, General Dunwoody served as a member of the Advisory Board and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of L3 Technologies, Inc. (communication, electronic, sensor and aerospace systems, 2013-2019) and a member of the Board and Audit and Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Committees of Republic Services, Inc. (waste collection, disposal and recycling, 2013-2016). Ms. Dunwoody also serves on several boards for non-profit organizations, including as a member of the Board, Chair of the Nomination and Governance Committee and a member of the Audit Committee of Logistics Management Institute (consulting non-profit, 2012-present), a member of the Council of Trustees for the Association of the United States Army (advocacy non-profit, 2013-present), a member of the Board of Florida Institute of Technology (2015-present) and a member of the Board of ThanksUSA (military family education non-profit, 2014-present). General Dunwoody previously served as a member of the Advisory Board of certain Fidelity® funds (2018).
John Engler (1948)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2014
Trustee
Mr. Engler also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity® funds. Previously, Mr. Engler served as Governor of Michigan (1991-2003), President of the Business Roundtable (2011-2017) and interim President of Michigan State University (2018-2019). Mr. Engler currently serves as a member of the Board of K12 Inc. (technology-based education company, 2012-present). Previously, Mr. Engler served as a member of the Board of Universal Forest Products (manufacturer and distributor of wood and wood-alternative products, 2003-2019) and Trustee of The Munder Funds (2003-2014). Mr. Engler previously served as a member of the Advisory Board of certain Fidelity® funds (2014-2016).
Robert F. Gartland (1951)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2010
Trustee
Mr. Gartland also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity® funds. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Gartland held a variety of positions at Morgan Stanley (financial services, 1979-2007), including Managing Director (1987-2007) and Chase Manhattan Bank (1975-1978). Mr. Gartland previously served as Chairman and an investor in Gartland & Mellina Group Corp. (consulting, 2009-2019), as a member of the Board of National Securities Clearing Corporation (1993-1996) and as Chairman of TradeWeb (2003-2004).
Arthur E. Johnson (1947)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008
Trustee
Chairman of the Independent Trustees
Mr. Johnson also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity® funds. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Johnson served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategic Development of Lockheed Martin Corporation (defense contractor, 1999-2009). Mr. Johnson currently serves as a member of the Board of Booz Allen Hamilton (management consulting, 2011-present). Mr. Johnson previously served as a member of the Board of Eaton Corporation plc (diversified power management, 2009-2019) and a member of the Board of AGL Resources, Inc. (holding company, 2002-2016). Mr. Johnson previously served as Vice Chairman (2015-2018) of the Independent Trustees of certain Fidelity® funds. Mr. Arthur E. Johnson is not related to Ms. Abigail P. Johnson.
Michael E. Kenneally (1954)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2009
Trustee
Vice Chairman of the Independent Trustees
Mr. Kenneally also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity® funds. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Kenneally served as Chairman and Global Chief Executive Officer of Credit Suisse Asset Management and Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Bank of America Corporation. Earlier roles at Bank of America included Director of Research, Senior Portfolio Manager for various institutional equity accounts and mutual funds and Portfolio Manager for a number of institutional fixed-income clients. Mr. Kenneally began his career as a Research Analyst in 1983 and was awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 1991.
Marie L. Knowles (1946)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2001
Trustee
Ms. Knowles also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity® funds. Prior to her retirement, Ms. Knowles held several positions at Atlantic Richfield Company (diversified energy), including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (1996-2000), Senior Vice President (1993-1996) and President of ARCO Transportation Company (pipeline and tanker operations, 1993-1996). Ms. Knowles currently serves as a member of the Board of McKesson Corporation (healthcare service, since 2002), a member of the Board of the Santa Catalina Island Company (real estate, 2009-present), a member of the Investment Company Institute Board of Governors and a member of the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council (2014-present). Ms. Knowles also serves as a member of the Advisory Board for the School of Engineering of the University of Southern California. Ms. Knowles previously served as Chairman (2015-2018) and Vice Chairman (2012-2015) of the Independent Trustees of certain Fidelity® funds.
Mark A. Murray (1954)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2016
Trustee
Mr. Murray also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity® funds. Previously, Mr. Murray served as Co-Chief Executive Officer (2013-2016), President (2006-2013) and Vice Chairman (2013-2020) of Meijer, Inc. Mr. Murray serves as a member of the Board and Nuclear Review and Public Policy and Responsibility Committees of DTE Energy Company (diversified energy company, 2009-present) and a member of the Board and Audit Committee and Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of Universal Forest Products, Inc. (manufacturer and distributor of wood and wood-alternative products, 2004-2016). Mr. Murray previously served as a member of the Board of Spectrum Health (not-for-profit health system, 2015-2019). Mr. Murray also serves as a member of the Board of many community and professional organizations. Mr. Murray previously served as a member of the Advisory Board of certain Fidelity® funds (2016).
+ The information includes the Trustee's principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes, and skills relevant to the Trustee's qualifications to serve as a Trustee, which led to the conclusion that the Trustee should serve as a Trustee for the fund.
Advisory Board Members and Officers:
Correspondence intended for an officer may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. Officers appear below in alphabetical order.
Name, Year of Birth; Principal Occupation
Craig S. Brown (1977)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2019
Assistant Treasurer
Mr. Brown also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other funds. Mr. Brown is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2013-present).
John J. Burke III (1964)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2018
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Burke also serves as Chief Financial Officer of other funds. Mr. Burke serves as Head of Investment Operations for Fidelity Fund and Investment Operations (2018-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (1998-present). Previously Mr. Burke served as head of Asset Management Investment Operations (2012-2018).
David J. Carter (1973)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2020
Assistant Secretary
Mr. Carter also serves as Assistant Secretary of other funds. Mr. Carter serves as Vice President, Associate General Counsel (2010-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present).
Jonathan Davis (1968)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2010
Assistant Treasurer
Mr. Davis also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other funds. Mr. Davis serves as Assistant Treasurer of FMR Capital, Inc. (2017-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Davis served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR LLC (diversified financial services company, 2003-2010).
Laura M. Del Prato (1964)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2018
President and Treasurer
Ms. Del Prato also serves as an officer of other funds. Ms. Del Prato is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2017-present). Previously, Ms. Del Prato served as President and Treasurer of The North Carolina Capital Management Trust: Cash Portfolio and Term Portfolio (2018-2020). Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Del Prato served as a Managing Director and Treasurer of the JPMorgan Mutual Funds (2014-2017). Prior to JPMorgan, Ms. Del Prato served as a partner at Cohen Fund Audit Services (accounting firm, 2012-2013) and KPMG LLP (accounting firm, 2004-2012).
Colm A. Hogan (1973)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2016
Assistant Treasurer
Mr. Hogan also serves as an officer of other funds. Mr. Hogan serves as Assistant Treasurer of FMR Capital, Inc. (2017-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Hogan served as Deputy Treasurer of certain Fidelity® funds (2016-2020) and Assistant Treasurer of certain Fidelity® funds (2016-2018).
Cynthia Lo Bessette (1969)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2019
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO)
Ms. Lo Bessette also serves as an officer of other funds. Ms. Lo Bessette serves as CLO, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (investment adviser firm, 2019-present); and CLO of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Limited (investment adviser firms, 2019-present). She is a Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC (diversified financial services company, 2019-present), and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Lo Bessette served as CLO, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR Co., Inc. (investment adviser firm, 2019); Secretary of Fidelity SelectCo, LLC and Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (investment adviser firms, 2019). Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Lo Bessette was Executive Vice President, General Counsel (2016-2019) and Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel (2015-2016) of OppenheimerFunds (investment management company) and Deputy Chief Legal Officer (2013-2015) of Jennison Associates LLC (investment adviser firm).
Chris Maher (1972)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2013
Assistant Treasurer
Mr. Maher also serves as an officer of other funds. Mr. Maher serves as Assistant Treasurer of FMR Capital, Inc. (2017-present), and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Maher served as Assistant Treasurer of certain funds (2013-2020); Vice President of Asset Management Compliance (2013), Vice President of the Program Management Group of FMR (investment adviser firm, 2010-2013), and Vice President of Valuation Oversight (2008-2010).
Kenneth B. Robins (1969)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2020
Chief Compliance Officer
Mr. Robins also serves as an officer of other funds. Mr. Robins serves as Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (investment adviser firm, 2016-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Previously, Mr. Robins served as Compliance Officer of FMR Co., Inc. (investment adviser firm, 2016-2019), as Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (investment adviser firm, 2013-2016) and served in other fund officer roles.
Brett Segaloff (1972)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2021
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer
Mr. Segaloff also serves as an AML Officer of other funds and other related entities. He is Director, Anti-Money Laundering (2007-present) of FMR LLC (diversified financial services company) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (1996-present).
Stacie M. Smith (1974)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2013
Assistant Treasurer
Ms. Smith also serves as an officer of other funds. Ms. Smith serves as Assistant Treasurer of FMR Capital, Inc. (2017-present), is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2009-present), and has served in other fund officer roles. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Smith served as Senior Audit Manager of Ernst & Young LLP (accounting firm, 1996-2009). Previously, Ms. Smith served as Assistant Treasurer (2013-2019) and Deputy Treasurer (2013-2016) of certain Fidelity® funds.
Marc L. Spector (1972)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2016
Deputy Treasurer
Mr. Spector also serves as an officer of other funds. Mr. Spector serves as Assistant Treasurer of FMR Capital, Inc. (2017-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2016-present). Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Spector served as Director at the Siegfried Group (accounting firm, 2013-2016), and prior to Siegfried Group as audit senior manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP (accounting firm, 2005-2013).
Jim Wegmann (1979)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2019
Assistant Treasurer
Mr. Wegmann also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other funds. Mr. Wegmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2011-present).
Vadim Zlotnikov (1962)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2019
Vice President
Mr. Zlotnikov also serves as Vice President of other funds. Mr. Zlotnikov serves as President of FIAM (Fidelity Institutional Asset Management) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2018-present). Previously, Mr. Zlotnikov served as President and Chief Investment Officer of Global Asset Allocation (2018-2020). Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Zlotnikov served as Co-Head of Multi-Asset Solutions, Chief Market Strategist, and CIO of Systematic Strategies with AllianceBernstein (investment adviser firm, 2002-2018).
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, which may include sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or redemption proceeds, as applicable and (2) ongoing costs, which generally include 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 a 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 (September 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021).
Actual Expenses
The first line of the accompanying table 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/Fund under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. If any fund is a shareholder of any underlying mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) (the Underlying Funds), such fund indirectly bears its proportional share of the expenses of the Underlying Funds in addition to the direct expenses incurred presented in the table. These fees and expenses are not included in the 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 provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the 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. If any fund is a shareholder of any Underlying Funds, such fund indirectly bears its proportional share of the expenses of the Underlying Funds in addition to the direct expenses as presented in the table. These fees and expenses are not included in the 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.
| | Annualized Expense Ratio-A | Beginning
Account Value
September 1, 2020 | Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2021 | Expenses Paid
During Period-B
September 1, 2020
to February 28, 2021 |
| Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund | .08% | | | |
| Actual | | $1,000.00 | $1,118.30 | $.42 |
| Hypothetical-C | | $1,000.00 | $1,024.40 | $.40 |
A Annualized expense ratio reflects expenses net of applicable fee waivers.
B Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/ 365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The fees and expenses of any Underlying Funds are not included in each annualized expense ratio.
C 5% return per year before expenses
Distributions (Unaudited)
The Board of Trustees of Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund voted to pay on April 12, 2021, to shareholders of record at the opening of business on April 9, 2021, a distribution of $0.346 per share derived from capital gains realized from sales of portfolio securities and a dividend of $0.018 per share from net investment income.
The fund hereby designates as a capital gain dividend with respect to the taxable year ended February 28, 2021, $129,728,364, or, if subsequently determined to be different, the net capital gain of such year.
A total of 5.93% 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 fund designates 100% of the short-term capital gain dividends distributed in, respectively during the fiscal year as qualifying to be taxed as short-term capital gain dividends for nonresident alien shareholders.
The fund designates 1% and 51% of the dividends distributed in April and December, respectively during the fiscal year as qualifying for the dividends–received deduction for corporate shareholders.
The fund designates 1% and 80% of the dividends distributed in April and December, respectively during the fiscal year as amounts which may be taken into account as a dividend for the 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 $0.2693 and $0.0218 for the dividend paid December 31, 2020.
The fund designates 1% and 5% of the dividends distributed in April and December, respectively during the fiscal year as a section 199A dividend.
The fund will notify shareholders in January 2022 of amounts for use in preparing 2021 income tax returns.
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts and Management Fees
Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund
Each year, the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees (together, the Board), votes on the renewal of the management contract with Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR) (the Advisory Contract) for the fund. The Board, assisted by the advice of fund counsel and Independent Trustees' counsel, requests and considers a broad range of information relevant to the renewal of the Advisory Contract throughout the year.
The Board meets regularly and, at each of its meetings, covers an extensive agenda of topics and materials and considers factors that are relevant to its annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contract, including the services and support provided to the fund and its shareholders. The Board has established four standing committees (Committees) — Operations, Audit, Fair Valuation, and Governance and Nominating — each composed of and chaired by 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. The Operations Committee, of which all of the Independent Trustees are members, meets regularly throughout the year and considers, among other matters, information specifically related to the annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contract. The Board, acting directly and through its Committees, requests and receives information concerning the annual consideration of the renewal of the fund's Advisory Contract. The Board also meets as needed to review matters specifically related to the Board's annual consideration of the renewal of the Advisory Contract. Members of the Board may also meet with trustees of other Fidelity funds through joint ad hoc committees to discuss certain matters relevant to all of the Fidelity funds.
At its September 2020 meeting, the Board unanimously determined to renew the fund's Advisory Contract. In reaching its determination, the Board considered all factors it believed relevant, including (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services 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 expense ratio relative to peer funds; (iii) the total costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity from its relationships with the fund; and (iv) the extent to which, if any, economies of scale exist and are realized as the fund grows, and whether any economies of scale are appropriately shared with fund shareholders.
In considering whether to renew the Advisory Contract for the fund, the Board 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 Contract was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders and that the compensation payable under the Advisory Contract was fair and reasonable. The Board's decision to renew the Advisory Contract was not based on any single factor, 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 Contract, was aware that shareholders of the fund have a broad range of investment choices available to them, including a wide choice among funds offered by Fidelity's competitors, and that the fund's shareholders, who have 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, which is part of the Fidelity family of funds.
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Board considered Fidelity's staffing as it relates to the fund, including the backgrounds of investment personnel of FMR, and also considered the fund's investment objective, strategies, and related investment philosophy. The Independent Trustees also had discussions with senior management of Fidelity's investment operations and investment groups with responsibility for the underlying Fidelity funds in which the fund invests. The Board considered the structure of the investment personnel compensation program and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives to act in the best interests of the fund. Additionally, the Board considered the portfolio managers' investments, if any, in the funds that they manage.
Resources Dedicated to Investment Management and Support Services. The Board reviewed the general qualifications and capabilities of Fidelity's investment staff, including its size, education, experience, and resources, as well as Fidelity's approach to recruiting, managing, and compensating investment personnel. The Board noted that Fidelity has continued to increase the resources devoted to non-U.S. offices, including expansion of Fidelity's global investment organization. The Board also noted that Fidelity's analysts have extensive resources, tools and capabilities that allow them to conduct sophisticated quantitative and fundamental analysis, as well as credit analysis of issuers, counterparties and guarantors. Further, the Board considered that Fidelity's investment professionals have sufficient access to global information and data so as to provide competitive investment results over time, and that those professionals also have access to sophisticated tools that permit them to assess portfolio construction and risk and performance attribution characteristics continuously, as well as to transmit new information and research conclusions rapidly around the world. Additionally, in its deliberations, the Board considered Fidelity's risk management, compliance, and technology and operations capabilities and resources, which are integral parts of the investment management process. The Board also considered Fidelity's investments in business continuity planning, and its success in continuously providing services to the fund notwithstanding the severe disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shareholder and Administrative Services. The Board considered (i) the nature, extent, quality, and cost of advisory, administrative, and shareholder services performed by Fidelity under the Advisory Contract and under separate agreements covering transfer agency and pricing and bookkeeping services for the fund; (ii) the nature and extent of the supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians, subcustodians, and pricing vendors; and (iii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the fund's compliance policies and procedures.
The Board noted that the growth of fund assets over time across the complex allows Fidelity to reinvest in the development of services designed to enhance the value and convenience of the Fidelity funds as investment vehicles. These services include 24-hour access to account information and market information over the Internet and through telephone representatives, investor education materials and asset allocation tools, and the expanded availability of Fidelity Investor Centers.
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 a large variety of mutual fund investor services. The Board noted that Fidelity had taken, or had made recommendations that resulted in the Fidelity funds taking, a number of actions over the previous year that benefited particular funds, including: (i) continuing to dedicate additional resources to Fidelity's investment research process, which includes meetings with management of issuers of securities in which the funds invest, and to the support of the senior management team that oversees asset management; (ii) continuing efforts to enhance Fidelity's global research capabilities; (iii) launching new funds and ETFs with innovative structures, strategies and pricing and making other enhancements to meet client needs; (iv) launching new share classes of existing funds; (v) eliminating purchase minimums and broadening eligibility requirements for certain funds and share classes; (vi) reducing management fees and total expenses for certain target date funds or classes and index funds; (vii) lowering expenses for certain funds and classes by implementing or lowering expense caps; (viii) rationalizing product lines and gaining increased efficiencies from fund mergers, liquidations, and share class consolidations; (ix) continuing to develop, acquire and implement systems and technology to improve services to the funds and shareholders, strengthen information security, and increase efficiency; and (x) continuing to implement enhancements to further strengthen Fidelity's product line to increase investors' probability of success in achieving their investment goals, including retirement income goals.
Investment Performance. The Board considered whether the fund has operated in accordance with its investment objective, as well as its record of compliance with its investment restrictions and its performance history.
The Board took into account discussions that occur at Board meetings throughout the year with representatives of the investment adviser about fund investment performance. In this regard the Board noted that as part of regularly scheduled fund reviews and other reports to the Board on fund performance, the Board considers annualized return information for the fund for different time periods, measured against one or more appropriate securities market indices, including a customized blended index that reflects the respective weights of the fund's asset classes (each a benchmark index). In its evaluation of fund investment performance at meetings throughout the year, the Board gave particular attention to information indicating underperformance of certain Fidelity funds for specific time periods and discussed with the investment adviser the reasons for such underperformance.
In addition to reviewing absolute and relative fund performance, the Independent Trustees periodically consider the appropriateness of fund performance metrics in evaluating the results achieved. In general, the Independent Trustees believe that fund performance should be evaluated based on gross performance (before fees and expenses, including acquired fund fees and expenses, but after transaction costs, if any) compared to appropriate benchmark indices, over appropriate time periods that may include full market cycles, taking into account relevant factors including the following: general market conditions; the extent to which particular underlying funds affected performance; and fund cash flows and other factors. The Independent Trustees generally give greater weight to fund performance over longer time periods than over shorter time periods. Depending on the circumstances, the Independent Trustees may be satisfied with a fund's performance notwithstanding that it lags its benchmark index for certain periods.
The Independent Trustees recognize that shareholders evaluate performance on a net basis over their own holding periods, for which one-, three-, and five-year periods are often used as a proxy. For this reason, the performance information reviewed by the Board also included net cumulative calendar year total return information for the fund and an appropriate benchmark index for the most recent one-, three-, and five-year periods. Due to the characteristics of the fund, no peer group performance information was considered by the Board. The Independent Trustees recognize that shareholders who are not investing through a tax-advantaged retirement account also consider tax consequences in evaluating performance.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the fund under the Advisory Contract should continue to benefit the shareholders of the fund.
Competitiveness of Management Fee and Total Expense Ratio. The Board considered the fund's management fee and total expense ratio compared to "mapped groups" of competitive funds and classes created for the purpose of facilitating the Trustees' competitive analysis of management fees and total expenses, and also considered that the fund bears indirectly the fees and expenses, including the management fees, paid by the underlying Fidelity funds in which it invests. Fidelity creates "mapped groups" by combining similar Lipper investment objective categories that have comparable investment mandates. Combining Lipper investment objective categories aids the Board's management fee and total expense ratio comparisons by broadening the competitive group used for comparison.
Management Fee. The Board considered two proprietary management fee comparisons for the 12-month periods shown in basis points (BP) 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 in terms of gross management fees before expense reimbursements or caps relative to the total universe of funds with comparable investment mandates, regardless of whether their management fee structures also are comparable. Funds with comparable investment mandates offer exposure to similar types of securities. Funds with comparable management fee structures have similar management fee contractual arrangements (
e.g., flat rate charged for advisory services, all-inclusive fee rate,
etc.). "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 hypothetical TMG % of 20% would mean that 80% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group had higher, and 20% had lower, management fees than the fund. The fund's actual TMG %s and the number of funds in the Total Mapped Group are in the chart below. The "Asset-Sized Peer Group" (ASPG) comparison focuses on a fund's standing relative to a subset of non-Fidelity funds within the Total Mapped Group that are similar in size and management fee structure. For example, if a fund is in the first quartile of the ASPG, the fund's management fee ranks in the least expensive or lowest 25% of funds in the ASPG. The ASPG represents at least 15% of the funds in the Total Mapped Group with comparable asset size and management fee structures, 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 rate ranked, is also included in the chart and was considered by the Board. Because the vast majority of competitor funds' management fees do not cover non-management expenses, in prior years, the fund was compared on the basis of a hypothetical "net management fee," which was derived by subtracting payments made by Fidelity for "fund-level" non-management expenses (including pricing and bookkeeping fees and fees paid to non-affiliated custodians) from the fund's all-inclusive fee. Given the Fund's competitive management fee rate, Fidelity no longer calculates a hypothetical net management fee for the fund and, as a result, the chart does not include hypothetical net management fees for periods after 2015.
Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund
The Board noted that the fund's management fee rate ranked below the median of its Total Mapped Group and above the median of its ASPG for 2019. The Board considered that the fund has an all-inclusive fee that limits total expenses to the management fee rate, plus interest and certain other expenses, whereas the majority of funds within this group do not have all-inclusive fees. The Board further considered that when compared to the total expenses of its competitors, the fund's management fee rate would rank below the median of its ASPG.
Furthermore, the Board further considered that FMR has contractually agreed to reimburse the fund to the extent that total operating expenses, with certain exceptions, as a percentage of its average net assets, exceed 0.08% through June 30, 2021, which has the effect of contractually capping the fund's management fee rate at 0.08%, and that, including the reimbursement, the fund would be only one BP above the median of its ASPG for 2019.
Based on its review, the Board concluded that the fund's management fee is fair and reasonable in light of the services that the fund receives and the other factors considered.
Total Expense Ratio. In its review of the fund's total expense ratio, the Board considered the fund's all-inclusive fee rate. The Board also considered other expenses, such as pricing and bookkeeping fees and custodial, legal, and audit fees, paid by FMR under the all-inclusive arrangement. The Board also noted that Fidelity may agree to waive fees or reimburse expenses from time to time, and the extent to which, if any, it has done so for the fund. As part of its review, the Board also considered the current and historical total expense ratios of the fund compared to competitive fund median expenses. 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 fund's total expense ratio ranked below the competitive median for 2019.
In considering the fund's total expense ratio, the Board also considered an alternative competitive analysis that included both top level (
i.e., direct) fund fees and acquired fund fees and expenses for the fund and the other funds and classes to which it is compared. The Board noted that, under this alternative competitive analysis, the fund's total expense ratio ranked below the competitive median for 2019.
The Board further considered that FMR has contractually agreed to reimburse the fund to the extent that total operating expenses, with certain exceptions, as a percentage of its average net assets, exceed 0.08% through June 30, 2021.
Fees Charged to Other Fidelity Clients. The Board also considered Fidelity fee structures and other information with respect to clients of Fidelity, such as other funds advised or subadvised by Fidelity, pension plan clients, and other institutional clients with similar mandates. The Board noted that a joint ad hoc committee created by it and the boards of other Fidelity funds periodically reviews and compares Fidelity's institutional investment advisory business with its business of providing services to the Fidelity funds and also noted the most recent findings of the committee. The Board noted that the committee's review included a consideration of the differences in services provided, fees charged, and costs incurred, as well as competition in the markets serving the different categories of clients.
Based on its review of total expense ratios and fees charged to other Fidelity clients, the Board concluded that the fund's total expense ratio was 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 servicing the fund's shareholders. The Board also considered the level of Fidelity's profits in respect of all the Fidelity funds, including the Fidelity funds in which the fund invests.
On an annual basis, Fidelity presents to the Board information about the profitability of its relationships with the fund. Fidelity calculates profitability information for each fund, as well as aggregate profitability information for groups of Fidelity funds and all Fidelity funds, using a series of detailed revenue and cost allocation methodologies which originate with the books and records of Fidelity on which Fidelity's audited financial statements are based. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews any significant changes from the prior year's methodologies and the full Board approves such changes.
A public accounting firm has been engaged annually by the Board as part of the Board's assessment of Fidelity's profitability analysis. The engagement includes the review and assessment of the methodologies used by Fidelity in determining the revenues and expenses attributable to Fidelity's mutual fund business, and completion of agreed-upon procedures in respect of the mathematical accuracy of certain fund profitability information and its conformity to established allocation methodologies. After considering the reports issued under the engagement and information provided by Fidelity, the Board concluded that while other allocation methods may also be reasonable, Fidelity's profitability methodologies are reasonable in all material respects.
The Board also reviewed Fidelity's non-fund businesses and potential indirect benefits such businesses may have received as a result of their association with Fidelity's mutual fund business (i.e., fall-out benefits) as well as cases where Fidelity's affiliates may benefit from the funds' business. The Board considered areas where potential indirect benefits to the Fidelity funds from their relationships with Fidelity may exist. The Board also considered that in 2019 a joint ad hoc committee created by it and the boards of other Fidelity funds evaluated potential fall-out benefits (PFOB Committee). The Board noted that it considered the PFOB Committee's findings in connection with its consideration of the renewal of the Advisory Contract.
The Board considered the costs of the services provided by and the profits realized by Fidelity in connection with the operation of the fund, including the conclusions of the PFOB Committee, and was satisfied that the profitability was not excessive.
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 as assets grow through increased services to the fund, through waivers or reimbursements, or through fee or expense ratio reductions. The Board recognized that, due to the fund's current contractual arrangements, its expense ratio will not decline if the fund's operating costs decrease as assets grow, or rise as assets decrease. The Board also noted that a committee (the Economies of Scale Committee) created by it and the boards of other Fidelity funds periodically analyzes whether Fidelity attains economies of scale in respect of the management and servicing of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds have appropriately benefited from such economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale.
The Board concluded, taking into account the analysis of the Economies of Scale Committee, that economies of scale, if any, are being appropriately shared between fund shareholders and Fidelity.
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) Fidelity's fund profitability methodology, profitability trends for certain funds, the allocation of various costs to different funds, and the impact of certain factors on fund profitability results; (ii) portfolio manager changes that have occurred during the past year and the amount of the investment that each portfolio manager has made in the Fidelity fund(s) that he or she manages; (iii) Fidelity's compensation structure for portfolio managers, research analysts, and other key personnel, including its effects on fund profitability, the rationale for the compensation structure, and the extent to which current market conditions have affected retention and recruitment; (iv) the arrangements with and compensation paid to certain fund sub-advisers on behalf of the Fidelity funds and the treatment of such compensation within Fidelity's fund profitability methodology; (v) the terms of the funds' various management fee structures, including the basic group fee and the terms of Fidelity's voluntary expense limitation agreements; (vi) Fidelity's transfer agent fee, expense, and service structures for different funds and classes relative to competitive trends; (vii) the impact on fund profitability of recent industry trends, such as the growth in passively managed funds and outflows from actively managed equity funds; and (viii) explanations regarding the relative total expense ratios of certain funds and classes, total expense competitive trends and methodologies for total expense competitive comparisons, and actions that might be taken by Fidelity to reduce total expense ratios for certain classes. In addition, the Board considered its discussions with Fidelity regarding Fidelity's efforts to maintain the continuous investment and shareholder services necessary for the funds during the current pandemic and economic circumstances.
Based on its evaluation of all of the conclusions noted above, and after considering all factors it believed relevant, the Board concluded that the advisory fee arrangements are fair and reasonable, and that the fund's Advisory Contract should be renewed.
Liquidity Risk Management Program
The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Liquidity Rule) to promote effective liquidity risk management throughout the open-end investment company industry, thereby reducing the risk that funds will be unable to meet their redemption obligations and mitigating dilution of the interests of fund shareholders.
The Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program pursuant to the Liquidity Rule (the Program) effective December 1, 2018. The Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk and to comply with the requirements of the Liquidity Rule. The Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board) has designated the Fund’s investment adviser as administrator of the Program. The Fidelity advisers have established a Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the LRM Committee) to manage the Program for each of the Fidelity Funds. The LRM Committee monitors the adequacy and effectiveness of implementation of the Program and on a periodic basis assesses each Fund’s liquidity risk based on a variety of factors including (1) the Fund’s investment strategy, (2) portfolio liquidity and cash flow projections during normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, (3) shareholder redemptions, (4) borrowings and other funding sources and (5) in the case of exchange-traded funds, certain additional factors including the effect of the Fund’s prices and spreads, market participants, and basket compositions on the overall liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, as applicable.
In accordance with the Program, each of the Fund’s portfolio investments is classified into one of four liquidity categories described below based on a determination of a reasonable expectation for how long it would take to convert the investment to cash (or sell or dispose of the investment) without significantly changing its market value.
- Highly liquid investments – cash or convertible to cash within three business days or less
- Moderately liquid investments – convertible to cash in three to seven calendar days
- Less liquid investments – can be sold or disposed of, but not settled, within seven calendar days
- Illiquid investments – cannot be sold or disposed of within seven calendar days
Liquidity classification determinations take into account a variety of factors including various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and generally utilize analysis from a third-party liquidity metrics service.
The Liquidity Rule places a 15% limit on a fund’s illiquid investments and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund’s net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or HLIM). The Program includes provisions reasonably designed to comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement as applicable.
At a recent meeting of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, the LRM Committee provided a written report to the Board pertaining to the operation, adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation of the Program for the annual period from December 1, 2019 through November 30, 2020. The report concluded that the Program has been implemented and is operating effectively and is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk.
IDV-ANN-0421
1.739303.122
