Item 1: Report to Shareholders
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| Prime Reserve Portfolio | June 30, 2007 |
The views and opinions in this report were current as of June 30, 2007. They are not guarantees of performance or investment results and should not be taken as investment advice. Investment decisions reflect a variety of factors, and the managers reserve the right to change their views about individual stocks, sectors, and the markets at any time. As a result, the views expressed should not be relied upon as a forecast of the fund’s future investment intent. The report is certified under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires mutual funds and other public companies to affirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the information in their financial reports is fairly and accurately stated in all material respects.
Manager’s Letter
T. Rowe Price Prime Reserve Portfolio
Dear Investor
Money market portfolios produced good returns in the six-month period ended June 30, 2007. Money market yields remained near multiyear highs as the Federal Reserve kept the federal funds target rate at 5.25% since June 2006. Although many investors have anticipated that moderating economic growth would prompt the Fed to cut rates, central bank officials have consistently maintained that the risk of accelerating inflation is greater than the risk of economic weakness.
Your portfolio returned 2.40% in the first half of 2007 and 4.91% for the 12-month period ended June 30, 2007. As shown in the Performance Comparison table, the portfolio performed in line with its Lipper peer group average in both periods.
Economy and Interest Rates
The economy showed signs of improvement in the last few months following a year-long slowdown that culminated in an anemic 0.7% annualized rate of GDP growth in the first quarter of 2007. While the housing sector remained weak and investors were concerned about problems in the subprime mortgage market, manufacturing and capital spending have shown signs of accelerating. In addition, the national unemployment rate hovered around 4.5%, not far from six-year lows.
Although gasoline prices and other energy costs continued to press higher and inflation remained above the Federal Reserve’s comfort zone, the central bank kept the federal funds target rate at 5.25% during our reporting period—in fact, for the last year—in anticipation that moderate growth would allow inflation pressures to ease over time. Following the Fed’s late-June monetary policy meeting, however, central bank officials acknowledged that “a sustained moderation in inflation pressures has yet to be convincingly demonstrated.”
As shown in the graph above, money market yields were little changed over the last six months, reflecting the Fed’s maintenance of the 5.25% fed funds target rate. In contrast, intermediate- and long-term interest rates increased in the last six months, as inflation remained elevated and as hopes dwindled for the Fed to stimulate the economy with lower short-term interest rates.
| Highlights |
- Money market portfolios produced good returns in the first half of 2007.
- The Prime Reserve Portfolio performed in line with its Lipper peer group average.
- We focused primarily on money market securities maturing in about three months, as they generally offered the highest yields during our reporting period.
- We still believe that with employment strong, long-term interest rates low, and inflation above the upper end of the Fed’s comfort zone, the central bank’s next move is more likely to be an increase, rather than a decrease, in short-term interest rates.
Portfolio Review
The portfolio’s weighted average maturity was about five to 10 days shorter than the average first-tier money market fund for most of the last six months. We maintained this posture because longer-term money market yields—which are usually higher than shorter-term yields—occasionally slipped below shorter-term yields. Late in our reporting period, as longer-term money market rates rose above shorter-term rates, we increased the weighted average maturity and moved it closer to a neutral setting.
The portfolio’s credit profile continues to be very high, with 100% of the portfolio’s holdings rated “first tier,” the highest short-term rating. More importantly, every security in the portfolio has been analyzed by the T. Rowe Price credit committee and recommended for the firm’s Approved List. As a way of seeking incremental yield, we maintained a 29% allocation to floating-rate securities, not far from the 35% upper limit of our mandate for these issues. High-quality commercial paper and medium-term notes represent nearly 70% of portfolio assets, but our holdings are well diversified across industries and by individual companies.
We are a bit more bullish on the economy than other investors appear to be, making us somewhat cautious. It appears that the continuing decline in housing will not be a significant drag on future growth. We are skeptical that the Fed will change course anytime soon and therefore expect to maintain our defensive maturity posture. However, if the money market curve steepens and long-term money market yields rise decisively above shorter-term yields, we would expect to extend the portfolio’s average maturity to a neutral setting to benefit from the yield advantage of longer-term money market instruments.
Outlook
According to central bank officials, further actions by the Federal Reserve still depend on future data about the strength of the economy and the outlook for inflation. Economic growth has slowed due to a weaker housing market, higher energy prices, and the lagged effects of higher short-term rates. However, we still believe that with employment strong, long-term interest rates low, and inflation above the upper end of the Fed’s comfort zone, the central bank’s next move is more likely to be an increase, rather than a decrease, in short-term interest rates. Regardless of Fed policy and the direction of rates, our primary concerns are to ensure liquidity for our shareholders and to protect their principal.
Thank you for investing with T. Rowe Price.
Respectfully submitted,
James M. McDonald
Chairman of the portfolio’s Investment Advisory Committee
July 11, 2007
The committee chairman has day-to-day responsibility for managing the portfolio and works with committee members in developing and executing the portfolio’s investment program.
| Risks of Investing in Money Market Securities |
Since money market portfolios are managed to maintain a constant $1.00 share price, there should be little risk of principal loss. However, there is no assurance the portfolio will avoid principal losses if portfolio holdings default or are downgraded, or if interest rates rise sharply in an unusually short period. In addition, the portfolio’s yield will vary; it is not fixed for a specific period like the yield on a bank certificate of deposit. An investment in the portfolio is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. Although a money market portfolio seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in it.
| Glossary |
Average maturity: The average of the stated maturity dates of a bond or money market portfolio’s securities. The average maturity for a money market fund is measured in days, whereas a bond fund’s average maturity is measured in years. In general, the longer the average maturity, the greater the fund’s sensitivity to interest rate changes, which means greater price fluctuation.
Fed funds target rate: An overnight lending rate set by the Federal Reserve and used by banks to meet reserve requirements. Banks also use the fed funds rate as a benchmark for their prime lending rates.
Inflation: A sustained increase in prices throughout the economy.
Lipper average: Consists of all the mutual funds in a particular category as tracked by Lipper Inc.
| Growth of $10,000 |
This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the fund over the past 10 fiscal year periods or since inception (for funds lacking 10-year records). The result is compared with benchmarks, which may include a broad-based market index and a peer group average or index. Market indexes do not include expenses, which are deducted from fund returns as well as mutual fund averages and indexes.
| Fund Expense Example |
As a mutual fund shareholder, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, such as redemption fees or sales loads, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other fund expenses. The following example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the most recent six-month period and held for the entire period.
Actual Expenses
The first line of the following table (“Actual”) provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with your account balance, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The information on the second line of the table (“Hypothetical”) is based on hypothetical account values and expenses derived from the fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the fund’s actual return). You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the fund with other funds by contrasting this 5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. 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 should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as redemption fees or sales loads. 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. To the extent a fund charges transaction costs, however, the total cost of owning that fund is higher.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Notes to Financial Statements
T. Rowe Price Prime Reserve Portfolio
June 30, 2007 (Unaudited)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
T. Rowe Price Fixed Income Series, Inc. (the corporation), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act). The Prime Reserve Portfolio (the fund), a diversified, open-end management investment company, is one portfolio established by the corporation. The fund commenced operations on December 31, 1996. The fund seeks preservation of capital, liquidity, and, consistent with these, the highest possible current income. Shares of the fund are currently offered only through certain insurance companies as an investment medium for both variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.
The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require the use of estimates made by fund management. Fund management believes that estimates and security valuations are appropriate; however, actual results may differ from those estimates, and the security valuations reflected in the financial statements may differ from the value the fund ultimately realizes upon sale of the securities.
Valuation Securities are valued at amortized cost. Assets and liabilities for which such valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are stated at fair value as determined in good faith by the T. Rowe Price Valuation Committee, established by the fund’s Board of Directors.
Investment Transactions, Investment Income, and Distributions Income and expenses are recorded on the accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized for financial reporting purposes. Any income tax-related interest and penalties would be classified as income tax expense. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses are reported on the identified cost basis. Paydown gains and losses are recorded as an adjustment to interest income. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income distributions are declared on a daily basis and paid monthly.
New Accounting Pronouncements Effective June 29, 2007, the fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, a clarification of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 establishes financial accounting and disclosure requirements for recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on an income tax return. The adoption of FIN 48 had no impact on the fund’s net assets or results of operations.
In September 2006, the FASB released the Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 157 (“FAS 157”), Fair Value Measurements. FAS 157 clarifies the definition of fair value and establishes the framework for measuring fair value, as well as proper disclosure of this methodology in the financial statements. It will be effective for the fund’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008. Management is evaluating the effects of FAS 157; however, it is not expected to have a material impact on the fund’s net assets or results of operations.
NOTE 2 - INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Consistent with its investment objective, the fund engages in the following practices to manage exposure to certain risks or to enhance performance. The investment objective, policies, program, and risk factors of the fund are described more fully in the fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
Restricted Securities The fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Although certain of these securities may be readily sold, for example, under Rule 144A, others may be illiquid, their sale may involve substantial delays and additional costs, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult.
NOTE 3 - FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
No provision for federal income taxes is required since the fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and distribute to shareholders all of its taxable income and gains. Federal income tax regulations differ from generally accepted accounting principles; therefore, distributions determined in accordance with tax regulations may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains for financial reporting purposes. Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character. Financial records are not adjusted for temporary differences. The amount and character of tax-basis distributions and composition of net assets are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax-basis balances have not been determined as of June 30, 2007.
The fund intends to retain realized gains to the extent of available capital loss carryforwards. As of December 31, 2006, the fund had $1,000 of unused capital loss carryforwards, all of which expire in 2014.
At June 30, 2007, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $47,588,000.
NOTE 4 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The fund is managed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (the manager or Price Associates), a wholly owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. The investment management and administrative agreement between the fund and the manager provides for an all-inclusive annual fee equal to 0.55% of the fund’s average daily net assets. The fee is computed daily and paid monthly. The agreement provides that investment management, shareholder servicing, transfer agency, accounting, custody services, and directors’ fees and expenses are provided to the fund, and interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, and extraordinary expenses are paid directly by the fund.
| Information on Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures, and Records |
A description of the policies and procedures used by T. Rowe Price funds and portfolios to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in each fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which you may request by calling 1-800-225-5132 or by accessing the SEC’s Web site, www.sec.gov. The description of our proxy voting policies and procedures is also available on our Web site, www.troweprice.com. To access it, click on the words “Company Info” at the top of our homepage for individual investors. Then, in the window that appears, click on the “Proxy Voting Policy” navigation button in the top left corner.
Each fund’s most recent annual proxy voting record is available on our Web site and through the SEC’s Web site. To access it through our Web site, follow the directions above, then click on the words “Proxy Voting Record” at the bottom of the Proxy Voting Policy page.
| How to Obtain Quarterly Portfolio Holdings |
The fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Form N-Q is available electronically on the SEC’s Web site (www.sec.gov); hard copies may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth St. N.W., Washington, DC 20549. For more information on the Public Reference Room, call 1-800-SEC-0330.
| Approval of Investment Management Agreement |
On March 7, 2007, the fund’s Board of Directors (Board) unanimously approved the investment advisory contract (Contract) between the fund and its investment manager, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Manager). The Board considered a variety of factors in connection with its review of the Contract, also taking into account information provided by the Manager during the course of the year, as discussed below:
Services Provided by the Manager
The Board considered the nature, quality, and extent of the services provided to the fund by the Manager. These services included, but were not limited to, management of the fund’s portfolio and a variety of related activities, as well as financial and administrative services, reporting, and communications. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the Manager’s senior management team and investment personnel involved in the management of the fund. The Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, quality, and extent of the services provided by the Manager.
Investment Performance of the Fund
The Board reviewed the fund’s average annual total return over the one-, three-, and five-year periods as well as the fund’s year-by-year returns and compared these returns with previously agreed upon comparable performance measures and market data, including those supplied by Lipper, an independent provider of mutual fund data. On the basis of this evaluation and the Board’s ongoing review of investment results, the Board concluded that the fund’s performance was satisfactory.
Costs, Benefits, Profits, and Economies of Scale
The Board reviewed detailed information regarding the revenues received by the Manager under the Contract and other benefits that the Manager (and its affiliates) may have realized from its relationship with the fund, including research received under “soft dollar” agreements. The Board noted that soft dollars were not used to pay for third-party, non-broker research. The Board also received information on the estimated costs incurred and profits realized by the Manager and its affiliates from advising T. Rowe Price mutual funds, as well as estimates of the gross profits realized from managing the fund in particular. The Board concluded that the Manager’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the fund. The Board also considered whether the fund or other funds benefit under the fee levels set forth in the Contract from any economies of scale realized by the Manager. The Board noted that, under the Contract, the fund pays the Manager a single fee based on the fund’s assets, and the Manager, in turn, pays all expenses of the fund, with certain exceptions. The Board concluded that, based on the profitability data it reviewed and consistent with this single-fee structure, the Contract provided for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with the fund.
Fees
The Board reviewed the fund’s single-fee structure and compared the rate with fees and expenses of other comparable funds based on information and data supplied by Lipper. The information provided to the Board indicated that the fund’s single-fee rate was below the median management fee rate and expense ratio for comparable funds. The Board also reviewed the fee schedules for comparable privately managed accounts of the Manager and its affiliates. Management informed the Board that the Manager’s responsibilities for privately managed accounts are more limited than its responsibilities for the fund and other T. Rowe Price mutual funds that it or its affiliates advise. On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that the fees paid by the fund under the Contract were reasonable.
Approval of the Contract
As noted, the Board approved the continuation of the Contract. No single factor was considered in isolation or to be determinative to the decision. Rather, the Board concluded, in light of a weighting and balancing of all factors considered, that it was in the best interests of the fund to approve the continuation of the Contract, including the fees to be charged for services thereunder.
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
A code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, applicable to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions is filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s annual Form N-CSR. No substantive amendments were approved or waivers were granted to this code of ethics during the registrant’s most recent fiscal half-year.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Disclosure required in registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Disclosure required in registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments.
Not applicable. The complete schedule of investments is included in Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not applicable.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of that date, in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported timely.
(b) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer are aware of no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.(a)(1) The registrant’s code of ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed with the registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.
(2) Separate certifications by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached.
(3) Written solicitation to repurchase securities issued by closed-end companies: not applicable.
(b) A certification by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, is attached.
SIGNATURES | |
| Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment | |
| Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the | |
| undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. | |
| T. Rowe Price Fixed Income Series, Inc. | |
| By | /s/ Edward C. Bernard |
| Edward C. Bernard | |
| Principal Executive Officer | |
| Date | August 17, 2007 |
| Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment | |
| Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of | |
| the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. | |
| By | /s/ Edward C. Bernard |
| Edward C. Bernard | |
| Principal Executive Officer | |
| Date | August 17, 2007 |
| By | /s/ Joseph A. Carrier |
| Joseph A. Carrier | |
| Principal Financial Officer | |
| Date | August 17, 2007 |