Fidelity Advisor Gold Fund
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PORTFOLIO MANAGER Q&A | AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2021 Fidelity Advisor® Gold Fund Key Takeaways MARKET RECAP • For the fiscal year ending February 28, 2021, the fund's Class I shares The S&P 500® index gained 31.29% for gained 16.96%, trailing the 20.25% advance of the S&P® Global BMI the 12 months ending February 28, 2021, Gold Capped 20/45 Linked Index. a volatile but productive period for U.S. risk assets. The early-2020 outbreak and spread of COVID-19 resulted in stocks • Lower real (inflation-adjusted) interest rates, a weaker U.S. dollar and suffering one of the quickest declines on greater economic uncertainty helped drive gold bullion and gold record, through March 23, followed by a stocks prices higher the past 12 months, though an increase in real historic rebound that included the index rates in the final months of the period eroded gold's earlier gain. closing 2020 at an all-time high and gaining modest ground in the first two • Versus the S&P industry index, security selection in gold-mining stocks months of the new year. The crisis and held back the fund's performance this period, and exposure to the containment efforts caused broad precious metals & minerals industry also detracted. contraction in economic activity, along with extreme uncertainty and dislocation • In terms of individual stocks, an underweighting in index components in financial markets. A rapid and Zijin Mining Group (+236%) and Kinross Gold (+25%) were the fund's expansive U.S. monetary/fiscal-policy top two detractors this period. response partially offset the economic disruption and fueled the market surge, as did resilient corporate earnings. The • The fund's non-index allocation to silver-mining stocks was particularly rally slowed in September, when stocks helpful, as our collective holdings in this group gained 104% for the began a two-month retreat amid fund. Three of the fund's top-5 contributors came from this segment: Congress's inability to reach a deal on Mag Silver (+129%), Pan American Silver (+64%) and Gatos Silver additional fiscal stimulus, as well as (+113%). concerns about election uncertainty, indications the U.S. economic recovery • As of February 28, Portfolio Manager Steven Calhoun foresees a could be slowing and a new wave of favorable backdrop for gold and gold stocks, driven largely by an COVID-19 cases. A shift in momentum outlook featuring higher inflation and negative real interest rates, as began in October and accelerated well as supportive monetary and fiscal policies. following the U.S. elections, with the approval of three breakthrough COVID- 19 vaccines and prospects for additional government stimulus fueling the "reflation trade" through February 28. By sector for the full 12 months, information technology (+50%) and consumer discretionary (+43%) led all gainers. Materials (+42%) and communication services (+37%) also stood out. In contrast, the defensive utilities (-3%) and real estate sectors (+5%) notably lagged. Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee
PORTFOLIO MANAGER Q&A | AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2021 Q&A An interview with Portfolio Manager Steven Calhoun Steven Calhoun Q: Steve, how did the fund perform for the Portfolio Manager fiscal year ending February 28, 2021 The fund's Class I shares gained 16.96% the past 12 months, Fund Facts trailing the 20.25% advance of the S&P® Global BMI Gold Trading Symbol: FGDIX Capped 20/45 Linked Index and the 31.29% return of the broad-market S&P 500® index. The fund lagged its peer Start Date: December 16, 1985 group average, which represents a broad set of gold and precious metals funds. Size (in millions): $1,717.98 Q: What factors influenced the backdrop for gold stocks the past 12 months The prices of gold bullion and gold stocks historically have Investment Approach been influenced primarily by real (inflation-adjusted) interest • Fidelity Advisor® Gold Fund seeks capital appreciation rates. There has been an inverse relationship between gold by investing in the gold asset class, which historically has prices and real rates, meaning when real rates decline, the had lower correlations to traditional equity markets. price of gold tends to move up, and vice versa. • The fund has a global mandate, targeting the During the first half of the one-year period, real rates fell 80 opportunities we believe are best-positioned to deliver basis points, from -0.28% to -1.08%, as measured by the yield above-average returns. The fund invests primarily in on the 10-year U.S. Treasury inflation-protected security gold-mining equities and also may own physical bullion. (TIPS). That's a significant move, and it was driven by • Our active-management approach seeks to uncover growing uncertainty about global economic growth related inefficiencies within our investable universe. to the COVID-19 pandemic and business shutdowns, along with easing monetary policies among the world's central • We seek to generate excess returns through security banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed). selection, which is primarily driven by our in-depth fundamental research capabilities. During periods of economic uncertainty or shock, many investors have a hard time processing the concept of • Sector and industry strategies could be used by investors negative real rates and, as a result, it drives them to buy hard as alternatives to individual stocks for either tactical- or strategic-allocation purposes. assets, such as gold, which are often viewed as a "safe haven" currency. For the first six months of the reporting period, there was a flight to gold as part of an overall flight to higher-quality assets. Higher demand drove the spot price of gold bullion about 24% higher the first half of the period, from $1,586 per ounce to about $1,968 as of August 31. Gold stocks, which historically have performed about two times the rate of gold bullion, appreciated at more than double the 24% increase in gold bullion. The fund share classes advanced about 57% during this six-month time frame. The second half of the one-year period – and primarily during the final few months of the period – featured the regulatory approval and distribution of effective COVID-19 vaccines, the reopening of local, state, national economies around the world, and increased optimism about the future health of the global economy. The real yield on the 10-Year TIPS increased 2 | For definitions, fund risks and other important information, please see the Definitions and Important Information section of this Q&A.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER Q&A | AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2021 from -1.06% as of December 31, 2020 to -0.66% at the end of gained 104% for the fund. Three of the fund's top-5 February. Gold bullion and gold stock prices followed the contributors came from this segment: Mag Silver (+129%), historical inverse pattern and declined, and the fund's share Pan American Silver (+64%) and Gatos Silver (+113%). Silver- classes returned about -26% in the second half of the period. mining stocks typically move in the direction of gold stocks, but at a higher magnitude. I added exposure to silver stocks Q: Which investments detracted from the fund's early in the period when prices became extremely attractive. Silver is used as an industrial metal in some applications performance versus the S&P gold index (e.g., semiconductors), so the improved outlook for the Security selection in gold-mining stocks held back the fund's global economy later in the period provided a notable boost performance this period. Although our holdings in this group to this group. We maintained positions in all three stocks at gained about 15%, we trailed the 19% return of the index, period end. largely because we chose to avoid or underweight many of Among gold-mining stocks, the fund's top individual relative the lower-quality gold producers for much of the period. contributor was a non-index stake in gold-mining explorer These stocks rallied sharply with the price of gold, getting a Orla Mining (+99%). The company's new Camino Rojo Oxide jolt of life with the surge in demand for gold as the COVID-19 project in Mexico has a rich ore grade and is expected to be outbreak became a pandemic. The fund's exposure to the in production in 2021 with a high return on investment and precious metals & minerals industry also lagged the index strong earnings potential, especially when coupled with an this period. elevated gold price. An overweighting in Premier Gold Mines In terms of individual stocks, an underweighting in index (+177%) also helped our relative result. I felt the stock was component Zijin Mining Group hurt more than any other really cheap when we added it to the fund earlier in the position the past year. Zijin is a copper/gold mining company period. In December, Canadian miner Equinox said it headquartered in mainland China, and its shares gained planned to acquire Premier in an all-stock deal, which 236% the past 12 months. We established a position in the boosted the company's share price. company after learning it acquired a 9.9% stake in Ivanhoe Mines, which I thought would be accretive for the company Q: What's your outlook as of February 28, but unfortunately we didn't own enough of it and missed out Steve on a large portion of the stock's gain. I continue to believe the backdrop for gold is supportive of An underweighting in Kinross Gold was the fund's second- higher gold prices, due largely to the prospects for rising largest individual detractor. The fund didn't own the inflation, the likelihood of negative real rates, and supportive company because I was less confident in the geopolitical U.S. fiscal and monetary policy. Based on recent statements, stability of some of its mining locations, as well as the it appears the Fed is supportive of allowing inflation to run amount of debt on its balance sheet. But I started buying it higher than its typical target of 2% so the economy can fully when my outlook for gold prices turned more favorable, regain its footing, which I believe could keep real rates in although we just didn't own enough of it. The stock gained negative territory. 25% this period as higher-levered names tended to perform better amid rising gold prices than companies viewed as In addition, the Biden Administration appears to be open to having stronger balance sheets and business fundamentals. additional spending beyond the approval of the recent stimulus payments, on such programs as a "Green New In the precious metals & mining group, untimely positioning Deal," a policy proposal to address climate change along in a couple of platinum/palladium producers – Sibanye with achieving social goals like job creation and reducing Stillwater and a non-index stake in Impala Platinum Holdings economic inequality. Increased spending could potentially – notably detracted. The fund was underweight Sibanye, an increase the federal deficit and lower the value of the U.S. index component that gained about 98% this period. Our dollar, which historically has been beneficial to gold prices. position in Impala returned -32%, largely because I exited the [Editor's note: Please see the next section of this report for stock shortly after the pandemic and when the stock had more detail on Steve Calhoun's view of inflation and his declined. I sold off both stocks before period end, believing outlook for gold.] ■ the cyclical demand cycle for platinum/palladium had played out, choosing to redeploy the capital into gold-related names where I had more conviction given my favorable outlook for gold prices. Q: Which investments worked out well The fund's non-index allocation to silver-mining stocks was particularly helpful, as our collective holdings in this group 3 | For definitions, fund risks and other important information, please see the Definitions and Important Information section of this Q&A.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER Q&A | AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2021 Steve Calhoun on why rising inflation could benefit gold stocks: "My view is that inflation will surprise to the upside at some point within the next 1–2 years, and that will be beneficial for gold investors because gold typically has performed well in inflationary environments. "Higher inflation is likely to drive the 10-year TIPS real (inflation-adjusted) rate lower, especially as the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) continues to keep nominal policy rates at a historically low level, as it has previously stated. Negative real rates historically have been the primary driver of gold and gold- mining stock prices, and they maintain an inverse relationship, meaning when real rates decline, the price of gold moves up, and vice versa. "The Fed has stated its commitment to keeping rates low and near zero until the U.S. economy was firmly back on its feet. The Fed has also expressed a willingness to let inflation run above 2% – at an elevated or 'hotter' rate – for some time, without an expectation of higher policy rates. That represents a shift in the Fed's policy, and I believe it would be very conducive for gold and gold stocks. "We've already started to see prices rising rapidly in pockets of the economy as of period end, such as in the price of real estate, lumber, gasoline, crude oil, and other commodities. Other goods and services, such as air fares and hotels, have also started ticking up as consumers are chomping at the bit to travel. "Many price increases have yet to fully emerge in reported industry data, but I believe they will given the recent pickup in demand. We've also seen a significant recent increase in the M2 money supply data, which represents the cash, checking deposits and other highly liquid assets that are easily convertible to cash in the economy. M2 is a closely watched indicator of money supply and future inflation by the Fed. "I think it's possible the U.S. economy could see 3% to 4% inflation once most Americans are vaccinated and the economy begins humming along. And as inflation increases, I believe the 10-year TIPS real rate will decline further given the Fed's stated policy of keeping nominal rates low, which altogether should influence demand for gold and gold stocks and drive gold prices higher. "Further, the recent fiscal stimulus spending by the 4 | For definitions, fund risks and other important information, please see the Definitions and Important Information section of this Q&A.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER Q&A | AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2021 U.S. government could increase the federal government's already breathtaking budget deficit, putting additional pressure on the U.S. dollar. The U.S.'s debt as a percentage of GDP is elevated, and at levels not seen since the wartime buildup in the mid-1940s, when government spending was off the charts in an effort to win WWII, or since the late 1970s, when real rates were low and the economy was weak. "Back then, gold also soared in value, and conditions were similar to what exists today. For these reasons, I believe the backdrop looks favorable for gold for some time." 5 | For definitions, fund risks and other important information, please see the Definitions and Important Information section of this Q&A.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER Q&A | AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2021 LARGEST CONTRIBUTORS VS. BENCHMARK Average Relative Relative Contribution Holding Market Segment Weight (basis points)* MAG Silver Corp. Silver 1.21% 94 Orla Mining Ltd. Gold 1.84% 91 Premier Gold Mines Ltd. Gold 0.68% 61 Pan American Silver Corp. Silver 1.23% 54 Gatos Silver, Inc. Silver 0.16% 54 * 1 basis point = 0.01%. LARGEST DETRACTORS VS. BENCHMARK Average Relative Relative Contribution Holding Market Segment Weight (basis points)* Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. (A Shares) Gold -1.44% -208 Kinross Gold Corp. Gold -1.50% -90 Sibanye Stillwater Ltd. Precious Metals & Minerals -0.50% -68 Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. Precious Metals & Minerals 0.09% -64 Polyus PJSC Gold -1.81% -57 * 1 basis point = 0.01%. 10 LARGEST EQUITY HOLDINGS Portfolio Weight Market Segment Portfolio Weight Holding Six Months Ago Newmont Corp. Gold 13.11% 12.90% Barrick Gold Corp. (Canada) Gold 9.63% 13.11% Franco-Nevada Corp. Gold 8.10% 7.77% Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. Gold 6.09% 6.89% Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (Canada) Gold 5.70% 5.47% Northern Star Resources Ltd. Gold 3.79% 3.10% Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. (H Shares) Gold 3.53% -- Kinross Gold Corp. Gold 3.00% -- Novagold Resources, Inc. Gold 2.44% 1.96% Orla Mining Ltd. Gold 2.41% 1.98% 10 Largest Holdings as a % of Net Assets 57.80% 61.61% Total Number of Holdings 48 41 The 10 largest holdings are as of the end of the reporting period, and may not be representative of the fund's current or future investments. Holdings do not include money market or underlying bullion investments. 6 | For definitions, fund risks and other important information, please see the Definitions and Important Information section of this Q&A.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER Q&A | AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2021 ASSET ALLOCATION Relative Change From Six Months Asset Class Portfolio Weight Index Weight Relative Weight Ago Domestic Equities 15.20% 17.42% -2.22% -2.74% International Equities 83.14% 82.58% 0.56% 2.53% Developed Markets 78.00% 63.85% 14.15% 6.39% Emerging Markets 5.14% 18.73% -13.59% -3.86% Tax Advantaged Domiciles 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Commodities & Related Investments 0.70% 0.00% 0.70% 0.19% Bonds 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Cash & Net Other Assets 0.96% 0.00% 0.96% 0.02% Net Other Assets can include fund receivables, fund payables, and offsets to other derivative positions, as well as certain assets that do not fall into any of the portfolio composition categories. Depending on the extent to which the fund invests in derivatives and the number of positions that are held for future settlement, Net Other Assets can be a negative number. "Tax-Advantaged Domiciles" represent countries whose tax policies may be favorable for company incorporation. EQUITY MARKET-SEGMENT DIVERSIFICATION Relative Change From Six Months Market Segment Portfolio Weight Index Weight Relative Weight Ago Gold 90.19% 100.00% -9.81% -3.07% Silver 3.74% -- 3.74% 0.27% Diversified Metals & Mining 2.48% -- 2.48% 1.59% Precious Metals & Minerals 1.92% -- 1.92% 1.00% FISCAL PERFORMANCE SUMMARY: Cumulative Annualized Periods ending February 28, 2021 6 1 3 5 10 Year/ Month YTD Year Year Year LOF1 Fidelity Advisor Gold Fund - Class I -25.55% -15.55% 16.96% 11.78% 8.53% -5.64% Gross Expense Ratio: 0.79%2 S&P 500 Index 9.74% 1.72% 31.29% 14.14% 16.82% 13.43% S&P Global BMI Gold Capped Index 20/45 Linked Index -24.22% -13.13% 20.25% 16.77% 12.52% -4.08% Morningstar Fund Equity Precious Metals -12.87% -10.67% 39.66% 14.15% 13.04% -5.95% % Rank in Morningstar Category (1% = Best) -- -- 83% 79% 87% 54% # of Funds in Morningstar Category -- -- 68 61 59 50 1 Lifeof Fund (LOF) if performance is less than 10 years. Fund inception date: 12/16/1985. 2 This expense ratio is from the prospectus in effect as of the date shown above and generally is based on amounts incurred during that fiscal year. It does not include any fee waivers or reimbursements, which would be reflected in the fund's net expense ratio. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate; therefore, you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance stated. Performance shown is that of the fund's Class I shares. Class I shares are sold to eligible investors without a sales charge or 12b-1 fee as defined in the fund's Class I prospectus. Other share classes with these fees would have had lower performance. To learn more or to obtain the most recent month-end or other share-class performance, visit institutional.fidelity.com or 401k.com. Total returns are historical and include change in share value and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, if any. Cumulative total returns are reported as of the period indicated. Please see the last page(s) of this document for most-recent calendar-quarter performance. 7 | For definitions, fund risks and other important information, please see the Definitions and Important Information section of this Q&A.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER Q&A | AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2021 Definitions and Important Information RANKING INFORMATION Information provided in this document is for informational and © 2021 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The Morningstar educational purposes only. To the extent any investment information information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar in this material is deemed to be a recommendation, it is not meant to and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or be impartial investment advice or advice in a fiduciary capacity and is redistributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or not intended to be used as a primary basis for you or your client's timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are investment decisions. Fidelity, and its representatives may have a responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this conflict of interest in the products or services mentioned in this information. Fidelity does not review the Morningstar data and, for material because they have a financial interest in, and receive mutual fund performance, you should check the fund's current compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with the prospectus for the most up-to-date information concerning management, distribution and/or servicing of these products or applicable loads, fees and expenses. services including Fidelity funds, certain third-party funds and % Rank in Morningstar Category is the fund's total-return products, and certain investment services. percentile rank relative to all funds that have the same Morningstar Category. The highest (or most favorable) percentile rank is 1 and FUND RISKS the lowest (or least favorable) percentile rank is 100. The top- Stock markets, especially foreign markets, are volatile and can performing fund in a category will always receive a rank of 1%. % decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, Rank in Morningstar Category is based on total returns which regulatory, market, or economic developments. The gold industry include reinvested dividends and capital gains, if any, and exclude can be significantly affected by international monetary and political sales charges. Multiple share classes of a fund have a common developments such as currency devaluations or revaluations, central portfolio but impose different expense structures. bank movements, economic and social conditions within a country, trade imbalances, or trade or currency restrictions between countries, as well as supply and demand for gold and operational RELATIVE WEIGHTS costs associated with mining. Foreign securities are subject to Relative weights represents the % of fund assets in a particular interest rate, currency exchange rate, economic, and political risks. market segment, asset class or credit quality relative to the The fund may have additional volatility because of its narrow benchmark. A positive number represents an overweight, and a concentration in a specific industry. Non-diversified funds that focus negative number is an underweight. The fund's benchmark is listed on a relatively small number of stocks tend to be more volatile than immediately under the fund name in the Performance Summary. diversified funds and the market as a whole. IMPORTANT FUND INFORMATION Relative positioning data presented in this commentary is based on the fund's primary benchmark (index) unless a secondary benchmark is provided to assess performance. INDICES It is not possible to invest directly in an index. All indices represented are unmanaged. All indices include reinvestment of dividends and interest income unless otherwise noted. S&P 500 is a market-capitalization-weighted index of 500 common stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation to represent U.S. equity performance. S&P Global BMI Gold Capped 20/45 Linked Index is a modified market capitalization-weighted index of stocks designed to measure the performance of companies that produce gold and related products, including companies that mine or process gold and the South African finance houses which primarily invest in, but do not operate, gold mines. Index returns shown for periods prior to April 1, 2017 are returns of the S&P Global BMI Gold Capped Index. MARKET-SEGMENT WEIGHTS Market-segment weights illustrate examples of sectors or industries in which the fund may invest, and may not be representative of the fund's current or future investments. They should not be construed or used as a recommendation for any sector or industry. 8 |
PORTFOLIO MANAGER Q&A | AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2021 Manager Facts Steven Calhoun is a research analyst and portfolio manager in the Equity division at Fidelity Investments. Fidelity Investments is a leading provider of investment management, retirement planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, benefits outsourcing, and other financial products and services to institutions, financial intermediaries, and individuals. In this role, Mr. Calhoun manages Fidelity Select Gold Portfolio. Additionally, his research coverage includes gold and agriculture stocks within the materials sector. Prior to assuming his current role in 2018, Mr. Calhoun held various roles in Fidelity's Equity division, including portfolio manager for Fidelity and Fidelity Advisor Growth Strategies and Fidelity Mid Cap Growth. He has been in the financial industry since joining Fidelity as an equity analyst in 1994. Mr. Calhoun earned his bachelor of arts degree, with honors, in earth science from Dartmouth College. 9 | For definitions, fund risks and other important information, please see the Definitions and Important Information section of this Q&A.
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY: Annualized Quarter ending June 30, 2021 1 3 5 10 Year/ Year Year Year LOF1 Fidelity Advisor Gold Fund - Class I -3.97% 15.76% 3.59% -3.95% Gross Expense Ratio: 0.77%2 1 Lifeof Fund (LOF) if performance is less than 10 years. Fund inception date: 12/16/1985. 2 This expense ratio is from the prospectus in effect as of the date shown above and generally is based on amounts incurred during that fiscal year. It does not include any fee waivers or reimbursements, which would be reflected in the fund's net expense ratio. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate; therefore, you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance stated. Performance shown is that of the fund's Class I shares. Class I shares are sold to eligible investors without a sales charge or 12b-1 fee as defined in the fund's Class I prospectus. Other share classes with these fees would have had lower performance. To learn more or to obtain the most recent month-end or other share-class performance, visit institutional.fidelity.com or 401k.com. Total returns are historical and include change in share value and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, if any. Cumulative total returns are reported as of the period indicated. Before investing in any mutual fund, please carefully consider Information included on this page is as of the most recent calendar the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. For quarter. this and other information, call or write Fidelity for a free S&P 500 is a registered service mark of Standard & Poor's Financial prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Read it Services LLC. carefully before you invest. Other third-party marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All other marks appearing herein are registered or unregistered Views expressed are through the end of the period stated and do not trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC or an affiliated company. necessarily represent the views of Fidelity. Views are subject to change at Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC., 900 Salem Street, any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any Smithfield, RI 02917. responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, 500 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of 02917. trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund. The securities mentioned are © 2021 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. not necessarily holdings invested in by the portfolio manager(s) or FMR Not NCUA or NCUSIF insured. May lose value. No credit union guarantee. LLC. References to specific company securities should not be construed 736984.12.0 as recommendations or investment advice. Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against a loss.
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