MFS CHARTER INCOME TRUST N-CSRS
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF

REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-05822

MFS CHARTER INCOME TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Susan S. Newton

Massachusetts Financial Services Company

500 Boylston Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(Name and address of agents for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 954-5000

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

Date of reporting period: May 31, 2011


Table of Contents
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

MFS® Charter Income Trust

 

LOGO

 

 

SEMIANNUAL REPORT

May 31, 2011

 

MCR-SEM


Table of Contents

MFS® CHARTER INCOME TRUST

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: MCR

 

Letter from the CEO     1   
Portfolio composition     2   
Portfolio managers’ profiles     4   
Other notes     4   
Portfolio of investments     5   
Statement of assets and liabilities     31   
Statement of operations     32   
Statements of changes in net assets     33   
Statement of cash flows     34   
Financial highlights     35   
Notes to financial statements     37   
Report of independent registered public accounting firm     51   
Board review of investment advisory agreement     52   
Proxy voting policies and information     52   
Quarterly portfolio disclosure     52   
Further information     52   
MFS® privacy notice     53   
Contact information    back cover   

 

 

 

 

NOT FDIC INSURED Ÿ MAY LOSE VALUE Ÿ NO BANK GUARANTEE


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

LETTER FROM THE CEO

 

Dear Shareholders:

After an extended rebound in the financial markets, uncertainty returned in 2010 as investors began to question the durability of the recovery for global economies and markets. That uncertainty led to increased risk aversion, especially as investors saw the eurozone struggle with the debt

woes of many of its members and amid a weakening trend in the global macroeconomic data. Last September, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board’s promises to further loosen monetary policy helped assuage market fears and drive asset prices off their recent lows. A combination of solid earnings and improving economic data gave an additional boost to investor sentiment. For the remainder of 2011, we are cautiously optimistic that economic growth will continue to improve and that the global economies

will recover from the shocks of the past few years. We expect the pace of recovery worldwide to be uneven and volatile and acknowledge the elevated uncertainty created by events in Japan, Europe, and the Middle East.

As always, we continue to be mindful of the many economic challenges faced at the local, national, and international levels. It is in times such as these that we want to remind investors of the merits of maintaining a long-term view, adhering to basic investing principles such as asset allocation and diversification, and working closely with their advisors to research and identify appropriate investment opportunities.

Respectfully,

LOGO

Robert J. Manning

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

MFS Investment Management®

July 15, 2011

The opinions expressed in this letter are subject to change, may not be relied upon for investment advice, and no forecasts can be guaranteed.

 

1


Table of Contents

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Portfolio structure (i)

LOGO

 

Fixed income sectors (i)  
High Yield Corporates     59.3%   
Non-U.S. Government Bonds     14.0%   
Emerging Markets Bonds     14.0%   
High Grade Corporates     13.4%   
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities     5.8%   
Mortgage-Backed Securities     4.7%   
Collateralized Debt Obligations     1.0%   
Asset-Backed Securities     0.4%   
Floating Rate Loans     0.2%   
U.S. Government Agencies     0.7%   
U.S. Treasury Securities     (5.8)%   
Composition including fixed income credit quality (a)(i)  
AAA     8.1%   
AA     9.1%   
A     5.7%   
BBB     18.5%   
BB     28.1%   
B     28.0%   
CCC     9.2%   
CC     0.7%   
C     0.3%   
U.S. Government     2.6%   
Federal Agencies     5.4%   
Not Rated     (8.0)%   
Non-Fixed Income     0.6%   
Cash & Other     (8.3)%   
Portfolio facts (i)  
Average Duration (d)     5.1   
Average Effective Maturity (m)     7.3 yrs.   
Issuer country weightings (i)  
United States     61.5%   
Japan     4.7%   
United Kingdom     3.2%   
Italy     2.9%   
Brazil     2.6%   
Canada     2.6%   
Russia     1.7%   
France     1.6%   
Germany     1.6%   
Other Countries     17.6%   
 

 

2


Table of Contents

Portfolio Composition – continued

 

(a) For all securities other than those specifically described below, ratings are assigned to underlying securities utilizing ratings from Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s rating agencies and applying the following hierarchy: If all three agencies provide a rating, the middle rating (after dropping the highest and lowest ratings) is assigned; if two of the three agencies rate a security, the lower of the two is assigned. Ratings are shown in the S&P and Fitch scale (e.g., AAA). All ratings are subject to change. U.S. Government includes securities issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Federal Agencies includes rated and unrated U.S. Agency fixed-income securities, U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities, and collateralized mortgage obligations of U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities. Not Rated includes fixed income securities, including fixed income futures, which have not been rated by any rating agency. Non-Fixed Income includes equity securities (including convertible bonds and equity derivatives) and commodities. Cash & Other includes cash, other assets less liabilities, offsets to derivative positions, and short-term securities. The fund may not hold all of these instruments. The fund itself has not been rated.

 

(d) Duration is a measure of how much a bond’s price is likely to fluctuate with general changes in interest rates, e.g., if rates rise 1.00%, a bond with a 5-year duration is likely to lose about 5.00% of its value due to the interest rate move.

 

(i) For purposes of this presentation, the components include the market value of securities, and reflect the impact of the equivalent exposure of derivative positions, if applicable. These amounts may be negative from time to time. The bond component will include any accrued interest amounts. Equivalent exposure is a calculated amount that translates the derivative position into a reasonable approximation of the amount of the underlying asset that the portfolio would have to hold at a given point in time to have the same price sensitivity that results from the portfolio’s ownership of the derivative contract. When dealing with derivatives, equivalent exposure is a more representative measure of the potential impact of a position on portfolio performance than market value. Where the fund holds convertible bonds, these are treated as part of the equity portion of the portfolio.

 

(m) In determining an instrument’s effective maturity for purposes of calculating the fund’s dollar-weighted average effective maturity, MFS uses the instrument’s stated maturity or, if applicable, an earlier date on which MFS believes it is probable that a maturity-shortening device (such as a put, pre-refunding or prepayment) will cause the instrument to be repaid. Such an earlier date can be substantially shorter than the instrument’s stated maturity.

From time to time “Cash & Other Net Assets” may be negative due to borrowings for leverage transactions, timing of cash receipts, and/or equivalent exposure from any derivative holdings.

Percentages are based on net assets as of 5/31/11.

The portfolio is actively managed and current holdings may be different.

 

3


Table of Contents

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS’ PROFILES

 

Richard Hawkins     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 1988. Portfolio Manager of the Fund since July 2004.
William Adams     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 2009. Portfolio Manager of the Fund since May 2011.

David Cole

    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 2004. Portfolio Manager of the Fund since October 2006.

Matthew Ryan

    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 1997. Portfolio Manager of the Fund since September 2004.

Note to Shareholders: Effective May 1, 2011, William Adams replaced John Addeo as a co-manager of the fund.

OTHER NOTES

The fund’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to net asset value. Shareholders do not have the right to cause the fund to repurchase their shares at net asset value. When fund shares trade at a premium, buyers pay more than the net asset value underlying fund shares, and shares purchased at a premium would receive less than the amount paid for them in the event of the fund’s liquidation. As a result, the total return that is calculated based on the net asset value and New York Stock Exchange price can be different.

The fund’s monthly distributions may include a return of capital to shareholders to the extent that distributions are in excess of the fund’s net investment income and net capital gains, determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. Distributions that are treated for federal income tax purposes as a return of capital will reduce each shareholder’s basis in his or her shares and, to the extent the return of capital exceeds such basis, will be treated as gain to the shareholder from a sale of shares. Returns of shareholder capital have the effect of reducing the fund’s assets and increasing the fund’s expense ratio.

 

In accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the fund hereby gives notice that it may from time to time repurchase shares of the fund in the open market at the option of the Board of Trustees and on such terms as the Trustees shall determine.

 

4


Table of Contents

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

5/31/11 (unaudited)

The Portfolio of Investments is a complete list of all securities owned by your fund. It is categorized by broad-based asset classes.

 

Bonds - 113.9%                 
Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Aerospace - 1.2%                 
BE Aerospace, Inc., 8.5%, 2018    $ 1,225,000      $ 1,356,688   
Bombardier, Inc., 7.5%, 2018 (n)      885,000        991,200   
Bombardier, Inc., 7.75%, 2020 (n)      375,000        423,750   
Bombardier, Inc., 7.45%, 2034 (n)      625,000        643,750   
CPI International Acquisition, Inc., 8%, 2018 (n)      590,000        593,688   
Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Co. LLC, 8.5%, 2015      984,000        829,020   
Heckler & Koch GmbH, 9.5%, 2018 (z)    EUR 460,000        622,267   
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., 7.125%, 2021 (n)    $ 1,150,000        1,200,313   
          
             $ 6,660,676   
Airlines - 0.1%                 
Continental Airlines, Inc., 7.25%, 2021    $ 209,422      $ 226,961   
Tam Capital 3, Inc., 8.375%, 2021 (z)      282,000        288,359   
          
             $ 515,320   
Apparel Manufacturers - 0.4%                 
Hanesbrands, Inc., 8%, 2016    $ 965,000      $ 1,047,025   
Hanesbrands, Inc., 6.375%, 2020      475,000        466,688   
Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., 7.375%, 2020      740,000        799,200   
          
             $ 2,312,913   
Asset-Backed & Securitized - 7.1%                 
Anthracite Ltd., “A”, CDO, FRN, 0.555%, 2019 (z)    $ 1,296,255      $ 1,166,630   
Anthracite Ltd., “BFL”, CDO, FRN, 1.194%, 2037 (z)      3,000,000        2,801,400   
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc., FRN, 5.741%, 2051      1,500,000        1,661,855   
Bayview Financial Acquisition Trust, FRN, 5.483%, 2041      280,121        281,122   
Bayview Financial Revolving Mortgage Loan Trust, FRN,
1.811%, 2040 (z)
     841,154        473,620   
Citigroup/Deutsche Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, FRN,
5.366%, 2049
     1,605,000        1,562,718   
Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, FRN,
5.779%, 2046
     230,000        241,406   
Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates, FRN, 5.147%, 2035      1,160,371        1,139,591   
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificate, FRN, 5.715%, 2039      1,400,000        1,449,864   
Crest Ltd., CDO, 7%, 2040      2,143,718        107,186   
First Union-Lehman Brothers Bank of America, FRN,
0.168%, 2035 (i)
     16,500,847        277,440   

 

5


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Asset-Backed & Securitized - continued                 
First Union-Lehman Brothers Commercial Mortgage Trust,
7%, 2029 (n)
   $ 433,745      $ 447,692   
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp.,
5.42%, 2049
     1,255,000        1,360,818   
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., “C”, FRN, 6.06%, 2051      185,000        146,223   
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., FRN,
5.817%, 2049
     1,000,000        1,065,207   
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., FRN,
5.817%, 2049
     5,000,000        5,484,141   
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., FRN,
5.988%, 2051
     6,000,000        6,397,710   
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, FRN, 5.826%, 2050      1,350,000        1,490,233   
Multi Security Asset Trust, “A3”, 5%, 2035 (z)      1,406,203        1,424,624   
PNC Mortgage Acceptance Corp., 7.1%, 2032 (z)      527,705        527,399   
Spirit Master Funding LLC, 5.05%, 2023 (z)      1,418,361        1,262,483   
Structured Asset Securities Corp., FRN, 4.67%, 2035      68,770        68,687   
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, FRN, 5.693%, 2047      1,503,155        799,906   
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, FRN, 5.899%, 2051      7,250,000        7,963,243   
          
             $ 39,601,198   
Automotive - 2.4%                 
Accuride Corp., 9.5%, 2018    $ 1,205,000      $ 1,322,488   
Allison Transmission, Inc., 11%, 2015 (n)      1,545,000        1,660,875   
Allison Transmission, Inc., 7.125%, 2019 (n)      735,000        729,488   
Automotores Gildemeister S.A., 8.25%, 2021 (z)      137,000        140,939   
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 8%, 2014      485,000        544,716   
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 12%, 2015      4,965,000        6,345,468   
General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 6.75%, 2018 (z)      345,000        347,623   
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 10.5%, 2016      780,000        883,350   
Jaguar Land Rover PLC, 7.75%, 2018 (z)      165,000        167,681   
Jaguar Land Rover PLC, 8.125%, 2021 (z)      750,000        765,000   
RCI Banque S.A., 4.6%, 2016 (n)      232,000        239,342   
UCI International, Inc., 8.625%, 2019 (n)      230,000        241,500   
          
             $ 13,388,470   
Basic Industry - 0.2%                 
Trimas Corp., 9.75%, 2017    $ 795,000      $ 883,444   
Broadcasting - 3.1%                 
Allbritton Communications Co., 8%, 2018    $ 1,320,000      $ 1,376,100   
Citadel Broadcasting Corp., 7.75%, 2018 (n)      180,000        194,625   

 

6


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Broadcasting - continued                 
Entravision Communications Corp., 8.75%, 2017    $ 240,000      $ 255,000   
Gray Television, Inc., 10.5%, 2015      155,000        164,688   
Inmarsat Finance PLC, 7.375%, 2017 (n)      1,145,000        1,213,700   
Intelsat Bermuda Ltd., 11.25%, 2017      635,000        685,800   
Intelsat Jackson Holdings Ltd., 9.5%, 2016      4,100,000        4,305,000   
Intelsat Jackson Holdings Ltd., 11.25%, 2016      220,000        233,200   
Lamar Media Corp., 6.625%, 2015      740,000        756,650   
Lamar Media Corp., “C”, 6.625%, 2015      135,000        137,700   
Liberty Media Corp., 8.5%, 2029      630,000        617,400   
Local TV Finance LLC, 9.25%, 2015 (p)(z)      1,220,374        1,220,374   
Newport Television LLC, 13%, 2017 (n)(p)      62,991        64,579   
News America, Inc., 6.2%, 2034      325,000        337,539   
News America, Inc., 6.9%, 2039      205,000        231,442   
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., 7%, 2014 (p)      511,998        512,638   
Salem Communications Corp., 9.625%, 2016      128,000        137,280   
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., 9.25%, 2017 (n)      1,425,000        1,592,438   
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., 8.375%, 2018      185,000        197,488   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 13%, 2014 (n)      195,000        232,050   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 8.75%, 2015 (n)      725,000        810,188   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 7.625%, 2018 (n)      765,000        812,813   
Univision Communications, Inc., 6.875%, 2019 (n)      730,000        730,000   
Univision Communications, Inc., 7.875%, 2020 (n)      350,000        371,000   
          
             $ 17,189,692   
Brokerage & Asset Managers - 0.4%                 
E*TRADE Financial Corp., 7.875%, 2015    $ 785,000      $ 809,531   
E*TRADE Financial Corp., 12.5%, 2017      1,320,000        1,587,300   
          
             $ 2,396,831   
Building - 1.9%                 
Building Materials Holding Corp., 6.875%, 2018 (n)    $ 680,000      $ 693,600   
Building Materials Holding Corp., 7%, 2020 (n)      600,000        627,000   
Building Materials Holding Corp., 6.75%, 2021 (n)      440,000        443,300   
CEMEX Finance LLC, 9.5%, 2016 (n)      1,275,000        1,362,656   
CEMEX S.A., 9.25%, 2020      1,695,000        1,735,256   
CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V., 9%, 2018 (n)      188,000        195,990   
CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V., FRN, 5.301%, 2015 (n)      291,000        287,726   
Masonite International Corp., 8.25%, 2021 (n)      445,000        448,338   
Nortek, Inc., 10%, 2018 (n)      435,000        452,400   
Nortek, Inc., 8.5%, 2021 (n)      1,280,000        1,220,800   
Odebrecht Finance Ltd., 6%, 2023 (n)      227,000        227,681   
Owens Corning, 9%, 2019      1,880,000        2,251,221   

 

7


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Building - continued                 
Ply Gem Industries, Inc., 13.125%, 2014    $ 670,000      $ 730,300   
          
             $ 10,676,268   
Business Services - 1.0%                 
First Data Corp., 12.625%, 2021 (n)    $ 255,000      $ 277,313   
Interactive Data Corp., 10.25%, 2018 (n)      1,125,000        1,251,563   
Iron Mountain, Inc., 6.625%, 2016      775,000        775,000   
SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 10.25%, 2015      1,955,000        2,033,200   
SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 7.375%, 2018      1,065,000        1,086,300   
SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 7.625%, 2020      265,000        274,938   
          
             $ 5,698,314   
Cable TV - 3.9%                 
Bresnan Broadband Holdings LLC, 8%, 2018 (n)    $ 270,000      $ 285,863   
Cablevision Systems Corp., 8.625%, 2017      475,000        535,563   
CCH II LLC, 13.5%, 2016      1,350,000        1,606,500   
CCO Holdings LLC, 7.875%, 2018      735,000        779,100   
CCO Holdings LLC, 8.125%, 2020      720,000        778,500   
Cequel Communications Holdings, 8.625%, 2017 (n)      620,000        658,750   
Charter Communications Operating LLC, 10.875%, 2014 (n)      650,000        721,500   
CSC Holdings LLC, 8.5%, 2014      845,000        946,400   
CSC Holdings LLC, 8.5%, 2015      2,315,000        2,511,775   
DIRECTV Holdings LLC, 5.2%, 2020      1,240,000        1,321,774   
Insight Communications Co., Inc., 9.375%, 2018 (n)      820,000        918,400   
Mediacom LLC, 9.125%, 2019      975,000        1,057,875   
Myriad International Holdings B.V., 6.375%, 2017 (n)      857,000        929,074   
ONO Finance ll PLC, 10.875%, 2019 (n)      300,000        333,000   
TCI Communications, Inc., 9.8%, 2012      701,000        742,973   
Telenet Finance Luxembourg, 6.375%, 2020 (n)    EUR 250,000        344,934   
Time Warner Cable, Inc., 5%, 2020    $ 1,150,000        1,195,819   
UPCB Finance III Ltd., 6.625%, 2020 (n)      1,104,000        1,101,240   
Videotron LTEE, 6.875%, 2014      2,110,000        2,139,013   
Virgin Media Finance PLC, 9.125%, 2016      2,185,000        2,305,175   
Virgin Media Finance PLC, 9.5%, 2016      395,000        451,288   
          
             $ 21,664,516   
Chemicals - 3.0%                 
Ashland, Inc., 9.125%, 2017    $ 1,565,000      $ 1,784,100   
Celanese U.S. Holdings LLC, 6.625%, 2018      1,335,000        1,406,756   
Hexion U.S. Finance Corp/Hexion Nova Scotia Finance,
8.875%, 2018
     1,030,000        1,105,963   
Hexion U.S. Finance Corp/Hexion Nova Scotia Finance, 9%, 2020      270,000        290,250   

 

8


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Chemicals - continued                 
Huntsman International LLC, 8.625%, 2021    $ 1,400,000      $ 1,566,250   
Lyondell Chemical Co., 8%, 2017 (n)      416,000        468,000   
Lyondell Chemical Co., 11%, 2018      3,233,207        3,641,399   
Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., 12.5%, 2014      1,706,000        1,876,600   
Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., 11.5%, 2016      1,303,000        1,403,983   
Mosaic Co., 7.625%, 2016 (n)      1,525,000        1,637,469   
Polypore International, Inc., 7.5%, 2017 (n)      180,000        191,250   
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A., 5.5%, 2020 (n)      414,000        428,377   
Solutia, Inc., 7.875%, 2020      805,000        885,500   
          
             $ 16,685,897   
Computer Software - 0.1%                 
Syniverse Holdings, Inc., 9.125%, 2019 (n)    $ 455,000      $ 487,419   
Computer Software - Systems - 0.6%                 
DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc., REIT, 8.5%, 2017    $ 1,380,000      $ 1,519,725   
Eagle Parent, Inc., 8.625%, 2019 (z)      300,000        303,375   
International Business Machines Corp., 8%, 2038      1,000,000        1,408,107   
          
             $ 3,231,207   
Conglomerates - 1.1%                 
Actuant Corp., 6.875%, 2017    $ 1,005,000      $ 1,040,175   
Amsted Industries, Inc., 8.125%, 2018 (n)      1,125,000        1,192,500   
Griffon Corp., 7.125%, 2018 (n)      1,145,000        1,167,900   
Kennametal, Inc., 7.2%, 2012      684,000        714,842   
Pinafore LLC, 9%, 2018 (n)      1,635,000        1,794,413   
          
             $ 5,909,830   
Consumer Products - 0.7%                 
ACCO Brands Corp., 10.625%, 2015    $ 105,000      $ 117,863   
ACCO Brands Corp., 7.625%, 2015      255,000        258,506   
Easton-Bell Sports, Inc., 9.75%, 2016      560,000        628,600   
Elizabeth Arden, Inc., 7.375%, 2021      470,000        493,500   
Jarden Corp., 7.5%, 2020      755,000        804,075   
Libbey Glass, Inc., 10%, 2015      666,000        725,940   
Visant Corp., 10%, 2017      925,000        978,188   
          
             $ 4,006,672   
Consumer Services - 1.0%                 
KAR Holdings, Inc., 10%, 2015    $ 405,000      $ 426,263   
Realogy Corp., 10.5%, 2014      255,000        261,375   
Realogy Corp., 11.5%, 2017 (n)      355,000        374,525   

 

9


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Consumer Services - continued                 
Service Corp. International, 6.75%, 2015    $ 265,000      $ 284,544   
Service Corp. International, 7%, 2017      4,030,000        4,387,663   
          
             $ 5,734,370   
Containers - 1.4%                 
Exopack Holding Corp., 10%, 2018 (z)    $ 550,000      $ 550,000   
Graham Packaging Co. LP/GPC Capital Corp., 9.875%, 2014      605,000        627,688   
Graham Packaging Co. LP/GPC Capital Corp., 8.25%, 2018      185,000        201,650   
Greif, Inc., 6.75%, 2017      855,000        908,438   
Greif, Inc., 7.75%, 2019      1,000,000        1,100,000   
Owens-Illinois, Inc., 7.375%, 2016      1,000,000        1,105,000   
Packaging Dynamics Corp., 8.75%, 2016 (z)      255,000        266,794   
Reynolds Group, 8.5%, 2016 (n)      1,050,000        1,123,500   
Reynolds Group, 7.125%, 2019 (n)      565,000        587,600   
Reynolds Group, 9%, 2019 (n)      890,000        944,513   
Reynolds Group, 8.25%, 2021 (n)      480,000        488,400   
          
             $ 7,903,583   
Defense Electronics - 0.3%                 
BAE Systems Holdings, Inc., 5.2%, 2015 (n)    $ 450,000      $ 489,887   
ManTech International Corp., 7.25%, 2018      655,000        691,025   
MOOG, Inc., 7.25%, 2018      335,000        355,938   
          
             $ 1,536,850   
Electronics - 0.6%                 
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 10.125%, 2018 (n)    $ 385,000      $ 438,419   
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 9.25%, 2018 (n)      880,000        981,200   
Jabil Circuit, Inc., 7.75%, 2016      1,140,000        1,291,050   
NXP B.V., 9.75%, 2018 (n)      103,000        118,965   
Sensata Technologies B.V., 6.5%, 2019 (z)      545,000        551,131   
          
             $ 3,380,765   
Emerging Market Quasi-Sovereign - 4.6%                 
Banco del Estado de Chile, 4.125%, 2020 (n)    $ 234,000      $ 224,420   
Banco do Brasil S.A., 5.875%, 2022 (z)      3,007,000        2,950,468   
BNDES Participacoes S.A., 5.5%, 2020 (n)      138,000        142,595   
CNPC (HK) Overseas Capital Ltd., 4.5%, 2021 (z)      897,000        889,893   
CNPC (HK) Overseas Capital Ltd., 5.95%, 2041 (z)      205,000        206,245   
Development Bank of Kazakhstan, 5.5%, 2015 (n)      1,512,000        1,593,073   
Ecopetrol S.A., 7.625%, 2019      594,000        704,633   
Empresa Nacional del Petroleo, 5.25%, 2020 (n)      206,000        208,078   
Franshion Development Ltd., 6.75%, 2021 (z)      230,000        223,100   
Gaz Capital S.A., 9.25%, 2019      583,000        735,338   

 

10


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Emerging Market Quasi-Sovereign - continued                 
KazMunaiGaz Finance B.V., 11.75%, 2015 (n)    $ 2,051,000      $ 2,581,184   
KazMunaiGaz Finance B.V., 9.125%, 2018 (n)      733,000        907,579   
Majapahit Holding B.V., 7.25%, 2017 (n)      591,000        670,076   
Majapahit Holding B.V., 8%, 2019 (n)      380,000        446,044   
Novatek Finance Ltd., 5.326%, 2016 (n)      336,000        346,964   
Novatek Finance Ltd., 6.604%, 2021 (n)      257,000        272,292   
OJSC Russian Agricultural Bank, FRN, 6%, 2021 (z)      1,116,000        1,121,312   
Pemex Project Funding Master Trust, 5.75%, 2018      642,000        697,126   
Pertamina PT, 5.25%, 2021 (z)      256,000        252,160   
Pertamina PT, 6.5%, 2041 (z)      225,000        222,480   
Petrobras International Finance Co., 7.875%, 2019      1,361,000        1,635,296   
Petrobras International Finance Co., 6.75%, 2041      481,000        511,798   
Petroleos de Venezuela S.A., 5.25%, 2017      950,000        570,000   
Petroleos Mexicanos, 8%, 2019      1,101,000        1,348,725   
Petroleos Mexicanos, 6%, 2020      167,000        181,112   
Petroleos Mexicanos, 6.5%, 2041 (z)      182,000        183,055   
PTTEP Canada International Finance Ltd., 5.692%, 2021 (n)      647,000        659,875   
Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co. Ltd., 8.294%, 2014 (n)      896,400        982,679   
Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co. Ltd., 6.75%, 2019 (n)      721,000        827,348   
SCF Capital Ltd., 5.375%, 2017 (n)      726,000        725,550   
Transnet Ltd., 4.5%, 2016 (n)      203,000        210,113   
VEB Finance Ltd., 6.902%, 2020 (n)      1,140,000        1,227,962   
VTB Capital S.A., 6.465%, 2015 (n)      329,000        350,954   
VTB Capital S.A., 6.551%, 2020 (n)      974,000        994,321   
          
             $ 25,803,848   
Emerging Market Sovereign - 3.1%                 
Dominican Republic, 7.5%, 2021 (n)    $ 239,000      $ 250,950   
Government of Ukraine, 6.875%, 2015 (n)      353,000        366,238   
Government of Ukraine, 7.95%, 2021 (n)      1,195,000        1,230,850   
Republic of Argentina, 2.5% to 2019, 3.75% to 2029, 5.25% to 2038      1,848,000        791,868   
Republic of Colombia, 7.375%, 2019      465,000        574,740   
Republic of Colombia, 8.125%, 2024      664,000        876,480   
Republic of Croatia, 6.375%, 2021 (n)      333,000        343,615   
Republic of Hungary, 6.375%, 2021      1,086,000        1,136,228   
Republic of Indonesia, 6.875%, 2018      204,000        236,130   
Republic of Indonesia, 11.625%, 2019 (n)      1,423,000        2,081,138   
Republic of Indonesia, 4.875%, 2021 (z)      348,000        353,220   
Republic of Indonesia, 7.75%, 2038 (n)      593,000        736,803   
Republic of Lithuania, 6.125%, 2021 (n)      115,000        123,913   
Republic of Panama, 9.375%, 2029      1,062,000        1,561,140   
Republic of Peru, 7.35%, 2025      355,000        429,550   

 

11


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Emerging Market Sovereign - continued                 
Republic of Philippines, 5.5%, 2026    $ 421,000      $ 424,158   
Republic of Philippines, 6.375%, 2034      1,377,000        1,487,160   
Republic of South Africa, 5.5%, 2020      751,000        818,590   
Republic of South Africa, 6.25%, 2041      873,000        949,388   
Republic of Sri Lanka, 6.25%, 2020 (n)      144,000        144,000   
Republic of Turkey, 5.625%, 2021      362,000        379,648   
Ukraine Government International, 6.58%, 2016      1,389,000        1,406,363   
United Mexican States, 5.95%, 2019      134,000        153,162   
United Mexican States, 5.75%, 2110      206,000        191,889   
          
             $ 17,047,221   
Energy - Independent - 5.0%                 
Anadarko Petroleum Corp., 6.45%, 2036    $ 160,000      $ 170,374   
Anadarko Petroleum Corp., 6.2%, 2040      580,000        603,073   
ATP Oil & Gas Corp., 11.875%, 2015      600,000        624,000   
Bill Barrett Corp., 9.875%, 2016      625,000        709,375   
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., 8.625%, 2018 (n)      520,000        552,500   
Chaparral Energy, Inc., 8.875%, 2017      835,000        872,575   
Concho Resources, Inc., 8.625%, 2017      420,000        457,800   
Concho Resources, Inc., 6.5%, 2022      875,000        879,375   
Connacher Oil & Gas Ltd., 8.5%, 2019 (z)      745,000        735,688   
Continental Resources, Inc., 8.25%, 2019      635,000        698,500   
Denbury Resources, Inc., 8.25%, 2020      655,000        723,775   
Energy XXI Gulf Coast, Inc., 9.25%, 2017 (n)      530,000        571,075   
Harvest Operations Corp., 6.875%, 2017 (n)      1,145,000        1,207,975   
Hilcorp Energy I LP, 9%, 2016 (n)      1,080,000        1,123,200   
LINN Energy LLC, 6.5%, 2019 (z)      440,000        440,000   
LINN Energy LLC, 8.625%, 2020      470,000        514,650   
LINN Energy LLC, 7.75%, 2021 (n)      648,000        683,640   
Newfield Exploration Co., 6.625%, 2014      650,000        663,000   
Newfield Exploration Co., 6.625%, 2016      560,000        578,900   
Newfield Exploration Co., 6.875%, 2020      255,000        270,300   
OGX Petroleo e Gas Participacoes S.A., 8.5%, 2018 (z)      2,224,000        2,276,264   
OPTI Canada, Inc., 9.75%, 2013 (n)      505,000        508,156   
OPTI Canada, Inc., 8.25%, 2014      1,925,000        957,688   
Petrohawk Energy Corp., 7.25%, 2018      255,000        267,431   
Pioneer Natural Resources Co., 6.875%, 2018      1,175,000        1,287,969   
Pioneer Natural Resources Co., 7.5%, 2020      1,015,000        1,152,743   
Plains Exploration & Production Co., 7%, 2017      1,415,000        1,453,913   
QEP Resources, Inc., 6.875%, 2021      1,690,000        1,816,750   
Quicksilver Resources, Inc., 9.125%, 2019      695,000        761,025   
Range Resources Corp., 8%, 2019      1,045,000        1,141,663   

 

12


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Energy - Independent - continued                 
SandRidge Energy, Inc., 8%, 2018 (n)    $ 1,720,000      $ 1,806,000   
Talisman Energy, Inc., 7.75%, 2019      280,000        349,283   
Whiting Petroleum Corp., 6.5%, 2018      820,000        852,800   
          
             $ 27,711,460   
Energy - Integrated - 0.7%                 
CCL Finance Ltd., 9.5%, 2014 (n)    $ 1,244,000      $ 1,443,040   
CCL Finance Ltd., 9.5%, 2014      457,000        530,120   
Hess Corp., 8.125%, 2019      100,000        128,694   
Husky Energy, Inc., 5.9%, 2014      306,000        342,631   
Husky Energy, Inc., 7.25%, 2019      324,000        394,511   
Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp., 8.75%, 2016 (n)      1,005,000        1,133,138   
          
             $ 3,972,134   
Entertainment - 0.8%                 
AMC Entertainment, Inc., 8.75%, 2019    $ 1,585,000      $ 1,701,894   
AMC Entertainment, Inc., 9.75%, 2020 (n)      720,000        764,100   
Cinemark USA, Inc., 8.625%, 2019      1,460,000        1,595,050   
NAI Entertainment Holdings LLC, 8.25%, 2017 (n)      370,000        399,600   
          
             $ 4,460,644   
Financial Institutions - 3.4%                 
CIT Group, Inc., 5.25%, 2014 (n)    $ 970,000      $ 988,051   
CIT Group, Inc., 7%, 2016      1,245,000        1,249,669   
CIT Group, Inc., 7%, 2017      4,795,000        4,812,981   
CIT Group, Inc., 6.625%, 2018 (n)      1,205,000        1,267,086   
Credit Acceptance Corp., 9.125%, 2017      500,000        542,500   
Credit Acceptance Corp., 9.125%, 2017 (z)      145,000        156,963   
General Electric Capital Corp., 6.375% to 2017, FRN to 2067      1,020,000        1,060,800   
GMAC, Inc., 6.875%, 2011      293,000        295,930   
International Lease Finance Corp., 8.75%, 2017      1,035,000        1,172,138   
International Lease Finance Corp., 7.125%, 2018 (n)      1,075,000        1,177,125   
International Lease Finance Corp., 8.25%, 2020      885,000        993,413   
Nationstar Mortgage LLC, 10.875%, 2015 (n)      1,465,000        1,538,250   
SLM Corp., 8.45%, 2018      890,000        1,003,475   
SLM Corp., 8%, 2020      1,255,000        1,384,019   
Springleaf Finance Corp., 6.9%, 2017      1,625,000        1,543,750   
          
             $ 19,186,150   
Food & Beverages - 1.5%                 
Anheuser Busch InBev S.A., 6.875%, 2019    $ 1,300,000      $ 1,589,743   
ARAMARK Corp., 8.5%, 2015      1,154,000        1,200,160   
B&G Foods, Inc., 7.625%, 2018      730,000        784,750   

 

13


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Food & Beverages - continued                 
Constellation Brands, Inc., 7.25%, 2016    $ 1,020,000      $ 1,115,625   
Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, 9.25%, 2015      990,000        1,037,025   
Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, 10.625%, 2017      205,000        219,863   
Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, 8.25%, 2017      190,000        201,638   
Sigma Alimentos S.A., 5.625%, 2018 (z)      234,000        238,388   
TreeHouse Foods, Inc., 7.75%, 2018      1,045,000        1,128,600   
Tyson Foods, Inc., 6.6%, 2016      912,000        1,016,880   
          
             $ 8,532,672   
Forest & Paper Products - 2.0%                 
Boise, Inc., 8%, 2020    $ 820,000      $ 885,600   
Cascades, Inc., 7.75%, 2017      1,535,000        1,627,100   
Fibria Overseas Finance, 6.75%, 2021 (n)      278,000        295,723   
Georgia-Pacific Corp., 7.125%, 2017 (n)      3,585,000        3,809,063   
Georgia-Pacific Corp., 8%, 2024      260,000        313,300   
Georgia-Pacific Corp., 7.25%, 2028      205,000        232,419   
Graphic Packaging Holding Co., 7.875%, 2018      510,000        555,900   
Inversiones CMPC S.A., 4.75%, 2018 (n)      1,398,000        1,402,026   
JSG Funding PLC, 7.75%, 2015      40,000        41,050   
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC, 7.75%, 2019 (n)    EUR 560,000        840,146   
Votorantim Participacoes S.A., 6.75%, 2021 (n)    $ 650,000        689,780   
Xerium Technologies, Inc., 8.875%, 2018 (z)      595,000        595,000   
          
             $ 11,287,107   
Gaming & Lodging - 3.2%                 
American Casinos, Inc., 7.5%, 2021 (n)    $ 620,000      $ 643,250   
Boyd Gaming Corp., 7.125%, 2016      200,000        188,750   
Firekeepers Development Authority, 13.875%, 2015 (n)      460,000        539,350   
Fontainebleau Las Vegas Holdings LLC, 10.25%, 2015 (d)(n)      460,000        230   
GWR Operating Partnership LLP, 10.875%, 2017      680,000        741,200   
Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 11.25%, 2017      1,130,000        1,271,250   
Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 10%, 2018      735,000        661,500   
Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 10%, 2018      1,064,000        984,200   
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., 6.75%, 2016      930,000        960,225   
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., 9%, 2017      1,525,000        1,723,250   
MGM Mirage, 10.375%, 2014      145,000        167,475   
MGM Mirage, 11.125%, 2017      1,300,000        1,508,000   
MGM Resorts International, 11.375%, 2018      1,215,000        1,397,250   
MGM Resorts International, 9%, 2020      655,000        728,688   
Penn National Gaming, Inc., 8.75%, 2019      1,090,000        1,189,463   
Seven Seas Cruises S. de R.L., 9.125%, 2019 (z)      335,000        344,213   
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., 6.75%, 2018      1,485,000        1,629,788   

 

14


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Gaming & Lodging - continued                 
Station Casinos, Inc., 6.5%, 2014 (d)    $ 25,000      $ 3   
Station Casinos, Inc., 6.875%, 2016 (d)      980,000        98   
Wyndham Worldwide Corp., 6%, 2016      985,000        1,052,173   
Wyndham Worldwide Corp., 7.375%, 2020      660,000        742,477   
Wynn Las Vegas LLC, 7.75%, 2020      1,095,000        1,200,394   
          
             $ 17,673,227   
Industrial - 0.7%                 
Altra Holdings, Inc., 8.125%, 2016    $ 350,000      $ 378,875   
Dematic S.A., 8.75%, 2016 (z)      690,000        700,350   
Diversey, Inc., 8.25%, 2019      680,000        734,400   
Hillman Group, Inc., 10.875%, 2018 (z)      90,000        99,000   
Hillman Group, Inc., 10.875%, 2018      495,000        544,500   
Hyva Global B.V., 8.625%, 2016 (n)      379,000        388,475   
Mueller Water Products, Inc., 7.375%, 2017      226,000        226,565   
Mueller Water Products, Inc., 8.75%, 2020      557,000        623,840   
WCA Waste Corp., 7.5%, 2019 (z)      380,000        385,700   
          
             $ 4,081,705   
Insurance - 1.3%                 
ING Groep N.V., 5.775% to 2015, FRN to 2049    $ 3,585,000      $ 3,334,050   
MetLife, Inc., 9.25% to 2038, FRN to 2068 (n)      1,100,000        1,397,000   
Metropolitan Life Global Funding, 5.125%, 2014 (n)      860,000        941,354   
Unum Group, 7.125%, 2016      1,171,000        1,363,278   
          
             $ 7,035,682   
Insurance - Property & Casualty - 1.9%                 
Allstate Corp., 7.45%, 2019    $ 850,000      $ 1,033,430   
AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd., 5.75%, 2014      1,013,000        1,102,132   
Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., 10.75% to 2038, FRN to 2088 (n)      1,635,000        2,215,425   
USI Holdings Corp., 9.75%, 2015 (z)      615,000        630,375   
USI Holdings Corp., FRN, 4.135%, 2014 (n)      2,005,000        1,919,788   
XL Group PLC, 6.5% to 2017, FRN to 2049      1,880,000        1,774,250   
ZFS Finance USA Trust II, 6.45% to 2016, FRN to 2065 (n)      1,190,000        1,243,550   
ZFS Finance USA Trust V, 6.5% to 2017, FRN to 2067 (n)      627,000        647,378   
          
             $ 10,566,328   
International Market Quasi-Sovereign - 1.6%                 
Bank of Ireland, 2.75%, 2012 (n)    $ 1,480,000      $ 1,409,736   
Canada Housing Trust, 4.6%, 2011 (n)    CAD 392,000        408,649   
Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 2.9%, 2014 (n)    $ 1,780,000        1,868,149   
ING Bank N.V., 3.9%, 2014 (n)      1,390,000        1,500,541   
Irish Life & Permanent PLC, 3.6%, 2013 (e)(n)      1,500,000        1,327,842   

 

15


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
International Market Quasi-Sovereign - continued                 
KFW International Finance, Inc., 4.875%, 2019    $ 1,000,000      $ 1,146,338   
Societe Financement de l’ Economie Francaise, 3.375%, 2014 (n)      1,000,000        1,065,986   
          
             $ 8,727,241   
International Market Sovereign - 11.8%                 
Commonwealth of Australia, 5.75%, 2021    AUD 384,000      $ 426,712   
Federal Republic of Germany, 3.75%, 2015    EUR 3,425,000        5,223,763   
Federal Republic of Germany, 6.25%, 2030    EUR 847,000        1,662,237   
Government of Canada, 4.5%, 2015    CAD 747,000        840,941   
Government of Canada, 4.25%, 2018    CAD 447,000        506,646   
Government of Canada, 5.75%, 2033    CAD 136,000        189,033   
Government of Japan, 1.5%, 2012    JPY 549,000,000        6,829,881   
Government of Japan, 1.3%, 2014    JPY 225,600,000        2,863,075   
Government of Japan, 1.7%, 2017    JPY 644,600,000        8,430,887   
Government of Japan, 2.2%, 2027    JPY 619,000,000        8,058,042   
Kingdom of Belgium, 5.5%, 2017    EUR 1,114,000        1,759,048   
Kingdom of Spain, 4.6%, 2019    EUR 1,664,000        2,318,087   
Kingdom of Sweden, 4.5%, 2015    SEK 2,635,000        458,263   
Kingdom of the Netherlands, 5.5%, 2028    EUR 454,000        804,798   
Republic of Austria, 4.65%, 2018    EUR 1,345,000        2,119,934   
Republic of Finland, 3.875%, 2017    EUR 921,000        1,407,082   
Republic of France, 4.75%, 2012    EUR 703,000        1,056,060   
Republic of France, 4.75%, 2035    EUR 1,370,000        2,206,143   
Republic of Ireland, 4.5%, 2020    EUR 300,000        283,297   
Republic of Ireland, 5.4%, 2025    EUR 625,000        589,221   
Republic of Italy, 4.75%, 2013    EUR 5,130,000        7,618,823   
Republic of Italy, 5.25%, 2017    EUR 3,255,000        4,968,604   
United Kingdom Treasury, 8%, 2015    GBP 755,000        1,563,733   
United Kingdom Treasury, 8%, 2021    GBP 953,000        2,194,492   
United Kingdom Treasury, 4.25%, 2036    GBP 739,000        1,240,247   
          
             $ 65,619,049   
Machinery & Tools - 0.8%                 
Case Corp., 7.25%, 2016    $ 710,000      $ 774,788   
Case New Holland, Inc., 7.875%, 2017 (n)      2,235,000        2,486,438   
Rental Service Corp., 9.5%, 2014      572,000        599,170   
RSC Equipment Rental, Inc., 8.25%, 2021      660,000        681,450   
          
             $ 4,541,846   
Major Banks - 3.0%                 
Bank of America Corp., 7.375%, 2014    $ 1,000,000      $ 1,141,797   
Bank of America Corp., 7.625%, 2019      370,000        439,796   
Bank of America Corp., 8% to 2018, FRN to 2049      3,130,000        3,363,655   

 

16


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Major Banks - continued                 
BNP Paribas, 5.186% to 2015, FRN to 2049 (n)    $ 1,667,000      $ 1,600,320   
Credit Suisse New York, 5.5%, 2014      1,000,000        1,108,898   
HSBC USA, Inc., 4.875%, 2020      460,000        464,505   
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.3%, 2019      1,000,000        1,141,990   
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 7.9% to 2018, FRN to 2049      835,000        919,644   
Morgan Stanley, 5.75%, 2016      397,000        434,433   
Morgan Stanley, 6.625%, 2018      391,000        440,094   
Morgan Stanley, 7.3%, 2019      830,000        955,806   
Morgan Stanley, 5.625%, 2019      1,500,000        1,588,043   
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 7.648% to 2031, FRN to 2049      2,180,000        2,065,550   
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 6.99% to 2017,
FRN to 2049 (d)(n)
     350,000        323,750   
UniCredito Luxembourg Finance S.A., 6%, 2017 (n)      498,000        515,666   
          
             $ 16,503,947   
Medical & Health Technology & Services - 4.1%                 
Biomet, Inc., 10%, 2017    $ 545,000      $ 602,225   
Biomet, Inc., 10.375%, 2017 (p)      320,000        355,200   
Biomet, Inc., 11.625%, 2017      2,680,000        3,008,300   
CDRT Merger Sub, Inc., 8.125%, 2019 (z)      300,000        302,625   
Davita, Inc., 6.375%, 2018      1,930,000        1,975,838   
Davita, Inc., 6.625%, 2020      465,000        476,625   
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, 9%, 2015 (n)      665,000        760,594   
HCA, Inc., 9.25%, 2016      3,730,000        3,981,775   
HCA, Inc., 8.5%, 2019      1,870,000        2,092,063   
HealthSouth Corp., 8.125%, 2020      1,945,000        2,139,500   
Hospira, Inc., 6.05%, 2017      655,000        747,992   
McKesson Corp., 7.5%, 2019      110,000        136,428   
Owens & Minor, Inc., 6.35%, 2016      970,000        1,020,323   
United Surgical Partners International, Inc., 8.875%, 2017      365,000        386,444   
United Surgical Partners International, Inc., 9.25%, 2017 (p)      385,000        408,581   
Universal Health Services, Inc., 7%, 2018      65,000        68,006   
Universal Hospital Services, Inc., 8.5%, 2015 (p)      1,795,000        1,857,825   
Vanguard Health Systems, Inc., 0%, 2016 (z)      140,000        90,475   
Vanguard Health Systems, Inc., 8%, 2018      1,330,000        1,386,525   
VWR Funding, Inc., 10.25%, 2015 (p)      1,204,125        1,259,816   
          
             $ 23,057,160   
Metals & Mining - 3.2%                 
ArcelorMittal, 6.5%, 2014    $ 1,300,000      $ 1,452,224   
ArcelorMittal, 9.85%, 2019      1,710,000        2,202,648   
Arch Coal, Inc., 7.25%, 2020      470,000        495,850   

 

17


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Metals & Mining - continued                 
Arch Western Finance LLC, 6.75%, 2013    $ 637,000      $ 639,389   
Bumi Investment Pte Ltd., 10.75%, 2017 (n)      249,000        284,483   
Cloud Peak Energy, Inc., 8.25%, 2017      1,320,000        1,438,800   
Cloud Peak Energy, Inc., 8.5%, 2019      760,000        847,400   
Consol Energy, Inc., 8%, 2017      1,425,000        1,560,375   
Consol Energy, Inc., 8.25%, 2020      480,000        532,800   
Ferrexpo Finance PLC, 7.875%, 2016 (n)      716,000        735,690   
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., 8.375%, 2017      1,045,000        1,145,581   
Gold Fields Orogen Holdings Ltd., 4.875%, 2020 (n)      1,410,000        1,372,260   
Metinvest B.V., 8.75%, 2018 (n)      200,000        211,982   
Novelis, Inc., 8.375%, 2017      470,000        512,300   
Novelis, Inc., 8.75%, 2020      270,000        298,350   
Peabody Energy Corp., 7.375%, 2016      1,070,000        1,209,100   
Southern Copper Corp., 6.75%, 2040      553,000        561,526   
Teck Resources Ltd., 9.75%, 2014      167,000        203,974   
Vale Overseas Ltd., 5.625%, 2019      160,000        171,216   
Vale Overseas Ltd., 4.625%, 2020      490,000        487,354   
Vale Overseas Ltd., 6.875%, 2039      341,000        377,044   
Vedanta Resources PLC, 8.25%, 2021 (z)      930,000        934,650   
          
             $ 17,674,996   
Mortgage-Backed - 4.7%                 
Fannie Mae, 3.81%, 2013    $ 298,916      $ 311,173   
Fannie Mae, 4.1%, 2013      490,141        511,789   
Fannie Mae, 4.19%, 2013      404,676        424,964   
Fannie Mae, 4.845%, 2013      137,010        144,772   
Fannie Mae, 4.562%, 2014      256,300        273,762   
Fannie Mae, 4.6%, 2014      417,147        444,419   
Fannie Mae, 4.61%, 2014      476,556        512,836   
Fannie Mae, 4.77%, 2014      324,447        348,686   
Fannie Mae, 4.56%, 2015      175,380        188,917   
Fannie Mae, 4.665%, 2015      142,256        153,691   
Fannie Mae, 4.7%, 2015      135,804        146,864   
Fannie Mae, 4.74%, 2015      336,885        365,255   
Fannie Mae, 4.78%, 2015      392,345        426,846   
Fannie Mae, 4.815%, 2015      355,454        386,582   
Fannie Mae, 4.87%, 2015      287,317        312,713   
Fannie Mae, 4.89%, 2015      95,937        104,289   
Fannie Mae, 4.922%, 2015      959,206        1,045,974   
Fannie Mae, 6%, 2016 - 2037      2,848,408        3,139,232   
Fannie Mae, 5.5%, 2019 - 2035      6,033,870        6,570,042   
Fannie Mae, 4.88%, 2020      247,322        264,514   

 

18


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Mortgage-Backed - continued                 
Fannie Mae, 4%, 2025    $ 2,463,072      $ 2,581,069   
Fannie Mae, 6.5%, 2032 - 2033      678,331        770,065   
Fannie Mae, 5%, 2035      2,064,696        2,208,237   
Freddie Mac, 6%, 2034      406,048        450,705   
Ginnie Mae, 5.5%, 2039      1,877,630        2,063,606   
Ginnie Mae, 4.5%, 2041      1,981,373        2,093,303   
          
             $ 26,244,305   
Natural Gas - Distribution - 0.6%                 
AmeriGas Partners LP, 7.125%, 2016    $ 1,980,000      $ 2,044,350   
Ferrellgas Partners LP, 8.625%, 2020      1,035,000        1,138,500   
          
             $ 3,182,850   
Natural Gas - Pipeline - 1.5%                 
Atlas Pipeline Partners LP, 8.75%, 2018    $ 185,000      $ 199,800   
Crosstex Energy, Inc., 8.875%, 2018      1,205,000        1,307,425   
El Paso Corp., 7%, 2017      1,395,000        1,617,348   
El Paso Corp., 7.75%, 2032      751,000        914,780   
Energy Transfer Equity LP, 7.5%, 2020      1,780,000        1,940,200   
Enterprise Products Partners LP, 8.375% to 2016, FRN to 2066      991,000        1,080,190   
Enterprise Products Partners LP, 7.034% to 2018, FRN to 2068      256,000        270,080   
Spectra Energy Capital LLC, 8%, 2019      810,000        1,010,971   
          
             $ 8,340,794   
Network & Telecom - 2.1%                 
AT&T, Inc., 6.55%, 2039    $ 170,000      $ 187,553   
AT&T, Inc., 5.35%, 2040      1,108,000        1,056,643   
Cincinnati Bell, Inc., 8.25%, 2017      1,020,000        1,039,125   
Cincinnati Bell, Inc., 8.75%, 2018      1,040,000        1,003,600   
Citizens Communications Co., 9%, 2031      680,000        709,750   
Frontier Communications Corp., 8.25%, 2017      375,000        411,563   
Frontier Communications Corp., 8.125%, 2018      1,835,000        2,016,206   
Qwest Communications International, Inc., 8%, 2015      365,000        399,675   
Qwest Communications International, Inc., 7.125%, 2018 (n)      1,075,000        1,165,031   
Qwest Corp., 7.875%, 2011      700,000        708,750   
Telefonica Emisiones S.A.U., 2.582%, 2013      995,000        1,009,346   
TELUS Corp., 8%, 2011      300,000        300,000   
Windstream Corp., 8.125%, 2018      380,000        414,675   
Windstream Corp., 7.75%, 2020      970,000        1,042,750   
Windstream Corp., 7.75%, 2021      415,000        449,238   
          
             $ 11,913,905   

 

19


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Oil Services - 0.8%                 
Afren PLC, 11.5%, 2016 (n)    $ 200,000      $ 220,000   
Edgen Murray Corp., 12.25%, 2015      320,000        328,000   
ENN Energy Holdings Ltd., 6%, 2021 (z)      1,002,000        1,013,169   
Expro Finance Luxembourg, 8.5%, 2016 (n)      735,000        716,625   
McJunkin Red Man Holding Corp., 9.5%, 2016 (n)      995,000        1,024,850   
Pioneer Drilling Co., 9.875%, 2018      975,000        1,056,656   
Unit Corp., 6.625%, 2021      215,000        218,225   
          
             $ 4,577,525   
Oils - 0.4%                 
LUKOIL International Finance B.V., 6.125%, 2020 (n)    $ 1,332,000      $ 1,388,610   
Petroplus Holdings AG, 9.375%, 2019 (n)      795,000        814,875   
          
             $ 2,203,485   
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 2.6%                 
Alfa Bank, 7.75%, 2021 (z)    $ 1,386,000      $ 1,417,615   
Banco PanAmericano S.A., 8.5%, 2020 (n)      416,000        447,907   
Banco Santander U.S. Debt S.A.U., 3.781%, 2015 (n)      1,400,000        1,382,993   
Banco Votorantim S.A., 5.25%, 2016 (n)      657,000        664,424   
Bancolombia S.A., 5.95%, 2021 (z)      819,000        822,071   
BBVA Bancomer S.A. Texas, 6.5%, 2021 (n)      900,000        907,875   
Bosphorus Financial Services Ltd., FRN, 2.06%, 2012 (z)      281,250        278,676   
Capital One Financial Corp., 8.8%, 2019      320,000        411,295   
Capital One Financial Corp., 10.25%, 2039      1,000,000        1,063,750   
Groupe BPCE S.A., 12.5% to 2019, FRN to 2049 (n)      1,974,000        2,328,866   
LBG Capital No.1 PLC, 7.875%, 2020 (n)      1,605,000        1,580,925   
Santander UK PLC, 8.963% to 2030, FRN to 2049      1,374,000        1,548,773   
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S., 6.25%, 2021 (z)      1,551,000        1,519,980   
          
             $ 14,375,150   
Pharmaceuticals - 0.2%                 
Hypermarcas S.A., 6.5%, 2021 (z)    $ 230,000      $ 229,425   
Roche Holdings, Inc., 6%, 2019 (n)      1,000,000        1,168,758   
          
             $ 1,398,183   
Pollution Control - 0.2%                 
Allied Waste North America, Inc., 6.875%, 2017    $ 870,000      $ 945,038   
Precious Metals & Minerals - 0.1%                 
ALROSA Finance S.A., 7.75%, 2020 (n)    $ 300,000      $ 328,248   

 

20


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Printing & Publishing - 0.2%                 
American Media, Inc., 13.5%, 2018 (z)    $ 11,911      $ 12,923   
McClatchy Co., 11.5%, 2017      345,000        377,775   
Nielsen Finance LLC, 11.5%, 2016      354,000        418,605   
Nielsen Finance LLC, 7.75%, 2018 (n)      465,000        498,713   
          
             $ 1,308,016   
Railroad & Shipping - 0.4%                 
Kansas City Southern de Mexico, 6.125%, 2021 (z)    $ 360,000      $ 361,800   
Kansas City Southern Railway, 8%, 2015      1,895,000        2,060,813   
          
             $ 2,422,613   
Real Estate - 1.2%                 
CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc., 11.625%, 2017    $ 400,000      $ 472,000   
CNL Lifestyle Properties, Inc., REIT, 7.25%, 2019 (n)      320,000        305,600   
Country Garden Holding Co., 11.125%, 2018 (n)      200,000        208,500   
Entertainment Properties Trust, REIT, 7.75%, 2020 (n)      665,000        731,500   
HRPT Properties Trust, REIT, 6.25%, 2016      1,053,000        1,166,434   
Kennedy Wilson, Inc., 8.75%, 2019 (n)      680,000        688,500   
Longfor Properties Co. Ltd., 9.5%, 2016 (n)      293,000        304,368   
MPT Operating Partnership, 6.875%, 2021 (n)      545,000        547,725   
Simon Property Group, Inc., REIT, 5.875%, 2017      756,000        861,703   
Simon Property Group, Inc., REIT, 10.35%, 2019      660,000        931,584   
Yanlord Land Group Ltd., 10.625%, 2018 (n)      337,000        349,638   
          
             $ 6,567,552   
Restaurants - 0.0%                 
Dunkin Finance Corp., 9.625%, 2018 (n)    $ 183,000      $ 184,599   
Retailers - 1.6%                 
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp., 10%, 2019 (n)    $ 300,000      $ 300,750   
J. Crew Group, Inc., 8.125%, 2019 (n)      280,000        268,800   
Express LLC/Express Finance Corp., 8.75%, 2018      525,000        569,625   
Home Depot, Inc., 5.875%, 2036      509,000        530,005   
Limited Brands, Inc., 6.9%, 2017      480,000        523,200   
Limited Brands, Inc., 6.95%, 2033      670,000        623,938   
Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., 10.375%, 2015      1,015,000        1,068,288   
QVC, Inc., 7.375%, 2020 (n)      485,000        520,163   
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., 10.5%, 2016      1,270,000        1,377,950   
Toys “R” Us Property Co. II LLC, 8.5%, 2017      1,725,000        1,847,906   
Toys “R” Us, Inc., 10.75%, 2017      1,040,000        1,175,200   
Yankee Holdings Corp., 10.25%, 2016 (n)(p)      180,000        185,400   
          
             $ 8,991,225   

 

21


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Specialty Stores - 0.4%                 
GSC Holdings Corp., 8%, 2012    $ 130,000      $ 132,113   
Michaels Stores, Inc., 11.375%, 2016      635,000        686,594   
Michaels Stores, Inc., 7.75%, 2018 (n)      1,660,000        1,697,350   
          
             $ 2,516,057   
Supermarkets - 0.1%                 
Delhaize Group, 5.7%, 2040    $ 834,000      $ 809,657   
Supranational - 0.6%                 
Central American Bank, 4.875%, 2012 (n)    $ 570,000      $ 579,968   
European Investment Bank, 5.125%, 2017      2,593,000        2,997,988   
          
             $ 3,577,956   
Telecommunications - Wireless - 3.9%                 
Cingular Wireless LLC, 6.5%, 2011    $ 1,020,000      $ 1,052,481   
Clearwire Corp., 12%, 2015 (n)      1,690,000        1,848,438   
Cricket Communications, Inc., 7.75%, 2016      560,000        595,000   
Crown Castle International Corp., 9%, 2015      1,475,000        1,637,250   
Crown Castle International Corp., 7.75%, 2017 (n)      430,000        472,463   
Crown Castle International Corp., 7.125%, 2019      1,005,000        1,070,325   
Digicel Group Ltd., 12%, 2014 (n)      100,000        116,250   
Digicel Group Ltd., 8.25%, 2017 (n)      821,000        862,050   
Digicel Group Ltd., 10.5%, 2018 (n)      350,000        395,500   
EH Holding Corp., 7.625%, 2021 (z)      260,000        265,850   
Globo Comunicacoes e Participacoes S.A., 6.25% to 2015,
9.375% to 2049 (n)
     165,000        172,013   
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., 7.875%, 2018      900,000        968,625   
Net Servicos de Comunicacao S.A., 7.5%, 2020      758,000        869,805   
Nextel Communications, Inc., 7.375%, 2015      650,000        654,063   
NII Holdings, Inc., 10%, 2016      1,615,000        1,853,213   
NII Holdings, Inc., 8.875%, 2019      710,000        786,325   
NII Holdings, Inc., 7.625%, 2021      15,000        15,919   
SBA Communications Corp., 8%, 2016      260,000        282,425   
SBA Communications Corp., 8.25%, 2019      445,000        490,056   
Sprint Capital Corp., 6.875%, 2028      1,315,000        1,275,550   
Sprint Nextel Corp., 8.375%, 2017      2,905,000        3,275,388   
VimpelCom Ltd., 7.748%, 2021 (n)      336,000        355,028   
Wind Acquisition Finance S.A., 11.75%, 2017 (n)      1,255,000        1,458,938   
Wind Acquisition Finance S.A., 7.25%, 2018 (n)      1,170,000        1,243,125   
          
             $ 22,016,080   
Telephone Services - 0.1%                 
Cogent Communications Group, Inc., 8.375%, 2018 (n)    $ 445,000      $ 465,025   

 

22


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Tobacco - 0.2%                 
Reynolds American, Inc., 6.75%, 2017    $ 1,040,000      $ 1,215,874   
Transportation - 0.1%                 
Navios South American Logistics, Inc., 9.25%, 2019 (n)    $ 313,000      $ 319,260   
Transportation - Services - 1.7%                 
ACL I Corp., 10.625%, 2016 (p)(z)    $ 750,000      $ 724,406   
Aguila American Resources Ltd., 7.875%, 2018 (n)      570,000        582,825   
American Petroleum Tankers LLC, 10.25%, 2015      466,000        495,125   
Atlas Airlines, Inc. Pass-Through Certificates, “A-1”, 7.2%, 2019      84,698        87,239   
Atlas Airlines, Inc. Pass-Through Certificates, “B”, 7.68%, 2014      381,195        373,571   
Commercial Barge Line Co., 12.5%, 2017      1,475,000        1,711,000   
Erac USA Finance Co., 6.375%, 2017 (n)      1,000,000        1,156,773   
Hertz Corp., 8.875%, 2014      209,000        214,225   
Hertz Corp., 7.5%, 2018 (n)      665,000        698,250   
Hertz Corp., 7.375%, 2021 (n)      330,000        341,550   
Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp., 8.625%, 2017 (z)      545,000        557,263   
Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp., 8.625%, 2017      715,000        731,088   
Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc., 8.875%, 2017      340,000        364,650   
Swift Services Holdings, Inc., 10%, 2018 (n)      820,000        910,200   
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp., 6.875%, 2013      370,000        396,825   
          
             $ 9,344,990   
U.S. Government Agencies and Equivalents - 0.6%                 
Freddie Mac, 5.5%, 2017    $ 3,060,000      $ 3,615,549   
U.S. Treasury Obligations - 2.6%                 
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 6.25%, 2023 (f)    $ 1,800,000      $ 2,316,938   
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 5.375%, 2031      286,200        343,082   
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 4.5%, 2036      95,000        100,596   
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 4.75%, 2037      2,986,200        3,277,820   
U.S. Treasury Notes, TIPS, 1.25%, 2020      7,871,592        8,286,078   
          
             $ 14,324,514   
Utilities - Electric Power - 3.8%                 
AES Corp., 8%, 2017    $ 1,965,000      $ 2,124,656   
Allegheny Energy Supply Co. LLC, 8.25%, 2012 (n)      370,000        392,364   
Bruce Mansfield Unit, 6.85%, 2034      1,530,526        1,654,095   
Calpine Corp., 8%, 2016 (n)      1,800,000        1,962,000   
Calpine Corp., 7.875%, 2020 (n)      560,000        593,600   
CenterPoint Energy, Inc., 6.5%, 2018      400,000        461,148   
Colbun S.A., 6%, 2020 (n)      748,000        789,676   

 

23


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Utilities - Electric Power - continued                 
Covanta Holding Corp., 7.25%, 2020    $ 665,000      $ 714,584   
Dynegy Holdings, Inc., 7.5%, 2015      200,000        168,500   
Dynegy Holdings, Inc., 7.75%, 2019      2,045,000        1,492,850   
Edison Mission Energy, 7%, 2017      1,700,000        1,406,750   
EDP Finance B.V., 6%, 2018 (n)      1,353,000        1,316,737   
Energy Future Holdings Corp., 10%, 2020      1,125,000        1,217,990   
Energy Future Holdings Corp., 10%, 2020      2,400,000        2,610,379   
GenOn Energy, Inc., 9.875%, 2020      1,530,000        1,610,325   
NRG Energy, Inc., 7.375%, 2017      635,000        669,925   
NRG Energy, Inc., 8.25%, 2020      620,000        635,500   
System Energy Resources, Inc., 5.129%, 2014 (z)      765,319        786,419   
Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, 11.5%, 2020 (n)      360,000        364,500   
          
             $ 20,971,998   
Total Bonds (Identified Cost, $597,140,138)            $ 635,507,100   
Floating Rate Loans (g)(r) - 0.2%                 
Aerospace - 0.1%                 
Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Co. LLC, Term Loan, 10.5%, 2014    $ 199,937      $ 203,036   
Broadcasting - 0.0%                 
Gray Television, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.71%, 2014    $ 52,793      $ 52,378   
Local TV Finance LLC, Term Loan B, 2.31%, 2013      46,424        45,466   
          
             $ 97,844   
Building - 0.0%                 
Goodman Global Holdings, Inc., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 9%, 2017    $ 29,726      $ 30,611   
Financial Institutions - 0.0%                 
Springleaf Finance Corp., Term Loan, 5.5%, 2017    $ 63,660      $ 63,560   
Gaming & Lodging - 0.1%                 
MGM Mirage, Term Loan, 7%, 2014    $ 464,788      $ 462,077   
Total Floating Rate Loans (Identified Cost, $775,275)            $ 857,128   
Convertible Preferred Stocks - 0.3%                 
Automotive - 0.2%                 
General Motors Co., 4.75%, 2013      16,980      $ 850,698   
Insurance - 0.1%                 
MetLife, Inc., 5%, 2014      7,190      $ 594,685   
Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Identified Cost, $1,442,550)            $ 1,445,383   

 

24


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Common Stocks - 0.0%                 
Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Automotive - 0.0%                 
Accuride Corp. (a)      12,648      $ 165,689   
Printing & Publishing - 0.0%                 
American Media Operations, Inc. (a)      3,053      $ 52,939   
Golden Books Family Entertainment, Inc. (a)      3,683        0   
          
             $ 52,939   
Total Common Stocks (Identified Cost, $271,148)            $ 218,628   
Preferred Stocks - 0.3%                 
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 0.3%                 
Ally Financial, Inc., 7% (n)      380      $ 367,068   
Ally Financial, Inc., “A”, 8.5%      33,872        892,188   
GMAC Capital Trust I, 8.125%      22,000        577,940   
Total Preferred Stocks (Identified Cost, $1,801,593)            $ 1,837,196   
Money Market Funds (v) - 2.7%                 
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio, 0.13%, at Cost and Net Asset Value      15,216,966      $ 15,216,966   
Total Investments (Identified Cost, $616,647,670)            $ 655,082,401   
Other Assets, Less Liabilities - (17.4)%              (97,277,241
Net Assets - 100.0%            $ 557,805,160   

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

(d) Non-income producing security - in default.

 

(e) Guaranteed by Minister for Finance of Ireland.

 

(f) All or a portion of the security has been segregated as collateral for open futures contracts.

 

(g) The rate shown represents a weighted average coupon rate on settled positions at period end, unless otherwise indicated.

 

(i) Interest only security for which the fund receives interest on notional principal (Par amount). Par amount shown is the notional principal and does not reflect the cost of the security.

 

(n) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate value of these securities was $144,239,824, representing 25.9% of net assets.

 

(p) Payment-in-kind security.

 

(r) Remaining maturities of floating rate loans may be less than stated maturities shown as a result of contractual or optional prepayments by the borrower. Such prepayments cannot be predicted with certainty. These loans may be subject to restrictions on resale. Floating rate loans generally have rates of interest which are determined periodically by reference to a base lending rate plus a premium.

 

(v) Underlying affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies managed by MFS. The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end.

 

25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

(z) Restricted securities are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and are subject to legal restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are subsequently registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. The fund holds the following restricted securities:

 

Restricted Securities   

Acquisition

Date

   Cost      Value  
ACL I Corp., 10.625%, 2016    2/10/11      $737,471         $724,406   
Alfa Bank, 7.75%, 2021    4/19/11-4/20/11      1,394,704         1,417,615   
American Media, Inc., 13.5%, 2018    12/22/10      12,095         12,923   
Anthracite Ltd., “A”, CDO, FRN, 0.555%, 2019    1/15/10      941,038         1,166,630   
Anthracite Ltd., “BFL”, CDO, FRN,
1.194%, 2037
   12/09/10      2,730,000         2,801,400   
Automotores Gildemeister S.A., 8.25%, 2021    5/17/11      137,000         140,939   
Banco do Brasil S.A., 5.875%, 2022    5/19/11      2,967,803         2,950,468   
Bancolombia S.A., 5.95%, 2021    5/24/11      815,224         822,071   
Bayview Financial Revolving Mortgage Loan Trust, FRN, 1.811%, 2040    3/01/06      841,154         473,620   
Bosphorus Financial Services Ltd., FRN,
2.06%, 2012
   3/08/05      281,250         278,676   
CDRT Merger Sub, Inc., 8.125%, 2019    5/13/11      300,000         302,625   
CNPC (HK) Overseas Capital Ltd., 4.5%, 2021    4/20/11      876,672         889,893   
CNPC (HK) Overseas Capital Ltd., 5.95%, 2041    4/20/11      200,520         206,245   
Connacher Oil & Gas Ltd., 8.5%, 2019    5/20/11      745,000         735,688   
Credit Acceptance Corp., 9.125%, 2017    2/28/11      153,406         156,963   
Dematic S.A., 8.75%, 2016    4/19/11      697,238         700,350   
EH Holding Corp., 7.625%, 2021    5/17/11      260,000         265,850   
ENN Energy Holdings Ltd., 6%, 2021    5/06/11      994,753         1,013,169   
Eagle Parent, Inc., 8.625%, 2019    5/11/11-5/24/11      301,547         303,375   
Exopack Holding Corp., 10%, 2018    5/25/11      551,100         550,000   
Franshion Development Ltd., 6.75%, 2021    4/08/11      230,000         223,100   
General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 6.75%, 2018    5/26/11      345,000         347,623   
Heckler & Koch GmbH, 9.5%, 2018    5/06/11-5/10/11      651,579         622,267   
Hillman Group, Inc., 10.875%, 2018    3/11/11      98,147         99,000   
Hypermarcas S.A., 6.5%, 2021    4/14/11      225,901         229,425   
Jaguar Land Rover PLC, 7.75%, 2018    5/12/11      165,000         167,681   
Jaguar Land Rover PLC, 8.125%, 2021    5/12/11-5/16/11      767,582         765,000   
Kansas City Southern de Mexico,
6.125%, 2021
   5/06/11-5/09/11      362,681         361,800   
LINN Energy LLC, 6.5%, 2019    5/10/11      436,638         440,000   
Local TV Finance LLC, 9.25%, 2015    11/09/07-2/16/11      1,155,666         1,220,374   
Multi Security Asset Trust, “A3”, 5%, 2035    10/12/10      1,375,159         1,424,624   
Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp.,
8.625%, 2017
   5/12/11      557,238         557,263   
OGX Petroleo e Gas Participacoes S.A.,
8.5%, 2018
   5/26/11      2,224,000         2,276,264   

 

26


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Restricted Securities - continued   

Acquisition

Date

   Cost      Value  
OJSC Russian Agricultural Bank, FRN, 6%, 2021    5/26/11      $1,116,000         $1,121,312   
PNC Mortgage Acceptance Corp., 7.1%, 2032    3/25/08      527,705         527,399   
Packaging Dynamics Corp., 8.75%, 2016    1/25/11-2/01/11      257,809         266,794   
Pertamina PT, 5.25%, 2021    5/16/11      251,137         252,160   
Pertamina PT, 6.5%, 2041    5/20/11      221,356         222,480   
Petroleos Mexicanos, 6.5%, 2041    5/25/11      180,693         183,055   
Republic of Indonesia, 4.875%, 2021    4/27/11      341,959         353,220   
Sensata Technologies B.V., 6.5%, 2019    5/06/11-5/18/11      548,786         551,131   
Seven Seas Cruises S. de R.L., 9.125%, 2019    5/13/11      335,000         344,213   
Sigma Alimentos S.A., 5.625%, 2018    4/07/11      232,072         238,388   
Spirit Master Funding LLC, 5.05%, 2023    7/15/05      1,418,063         1,262,483   
System Energy Resources, Inc., 5.129%, 2014    4/16/04      765,319         786,419   
Tam Capital 3, Inc., 8.375%, 2021    5/26/11      279,657         288,359   
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S., 6.25%, 2021    4/14/11      1,536,943         1,519,980   
USI Holdings Corp., 9.75%, 2015    4/07/10      594,191         630,375   
Vanguard Health Systems, Inc., 0%, 2016    5/20/11      91,165         90,475   
Vedanta Resources PLC, 8.25%, 2021    5/26/11      930,000         934,650   
WCA Waste Corp., 7.5%, 2019    5/26/11      380,000         385,700   
Xerium Technologies, Inc., 8.875%, 2018    5/20/11      595,000         595,000   
Total Restricted Securities            $35,200,920   
% of Net Assets            6.3%   

The following abbreviations are used in this report and are defined:

 

CDO   Collateralized Debt Obligation
FRN   Floating Rate Note. Interest rate resets periodically and may not be the rate reported at period end.
PLC   Public Limited Company
REIT   Real Estate Investment Trust
TIPS   Treasury Inflation Protected Security

Abbreviations indicate amounts shown in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. All amounts are stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. A list of abbreviations is shown below:

 

AUD   Australian Dollar
BRL   Brazilian Real
CAD   Canadian Dollar
CNY   Chinese Yuan Renminbi
EUR   Euro
GBP   British Pound
HUF   Hungarian Forint
IDR   Indonesian Rupiah
ILS   Israeli Sheqel
JPY   Japanese Yen
MXN   Mexican Peso
MYR   Malaysian Ringgit
NOK   Norwegian Krone
PHP   Philippine Peso
SEK   Swedish Krona
SGD   Singapore Dollar
THB   Thailand Baht

 

27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Derivative Contracts at 5/31/11

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts at 5/31/11

 

Type   Currency   Counterparty  

Contracts

to

Deliver/
Receive

    Settlement
Date Range
  In
Exchange
For
   

Contracts at

Value

   

Net

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
Asset Derivatives                            
BUY   BRL   HSBC Bank     2,209,000      10/11/11   $ 1,358,548      $ 1,362,883      $ 4,335   
SELL   CAD   Goldman
Sachs
International
    555,732      7/12/11     574,620        573,028        1,592   
SELL   CAD   UBS AG     1,351,778      7/12/11     1,398,000        1,393,848        4,152   
BUY   CNY   Deutsche
Bank AG
    5,910,000      6/15/11     908,951        912,635        3,684   
BUY   CNY   HSBC Bank     11,785,000      6/15/11     1,814,612        1,819,866        5,254   
BUY   EUR   Citibank
N.A.
    1,958,000      6/15/11     2,776,248        2,816,931        40,683   
BUY   EUR   Deutsche
Bank AG
    891,000      6/15/11     1,249,249        1,281,862        32,613   
BUY   EUR   JPMorgan
Chase Bank
N.A.
    1,085,980      6/15/11-
7/12/11
    1,543,405        1,562,274        18,869   
SELL   EUR   Deutsche
Bank AG
    3,048,232      7/12/11     4,473,000        4,382,616        90,384   
SELL   EUR   HSBC Bank     323,252      7/12/11     471,674        464,758        6,916   
BUY   IDR   HSBC Bank     24,684,286,000      7/26/11     2,853,344        2,865,480        12,136   
BUY   IDR   JPMorgan
Chase Bank
N.A.
    12,005,590,000      6/13/11     1,392,599        1,404,132        11,533   
BUY   ILS   JPMorgan
Chase Bank
N.A.
    9,941,000      6/13/11     2,783,658        2,891,507        107,849   
BUY   JPY   Citibank
N.A.
    123,485,000      7/12/11     1,510,563        1,515,173        4,610   
BUY   MXN   Credit Suisse
Group
    16,370,000      6/13/11     1,385,715        1,414,785        29,070   
BUY   MYR   JPMorgan
Chase Bank
N.A.
    4,159,000      6/06/11     1,379,437        1,381,112        1,675   
BUY   NOK   Deutsche
Bank AG
    23,740,000      7/12/11     4,317,227        4,398,050        80,823   
BUY   SGD   Deutsche
Bank AG
    2,733,000      7/12/11     2,167,319        2,215,961        48,642   
BUY   SGD   HSBC Bank     2,733,000      7/12/11     2,167,775        2,215,961        48,186   
                   
              $ 553,006   
                   

 

28


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Type   Currency   Counterparty  

Contracts

to

Deliver/
Receive

    Settlement
Date Range
  In
Exchange
For
   

Contracts at

Value

   

Net

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
Liability Derivatives                
BUY   AUD   Deutsche
Bank AG
    1,263,000      7/12/11   $ 1,372,535      $ 1,341,710      $ (30,825
SELL   AUD   Barclays
Bank PLC
    1,269,730      7/12/11     1,342,000        1,348,859        (6,859
SELL   AUD   Westpac
Banking
Corp
    392,609      7/12/11     408,520        417,077        (8,557
SELL   BRL   HSBC Bank     2,208,000      10/11/11     1,351,699        1,362,266        (10,567
BUY   CAD   HSBC Bank     1,349,000      7/12/11     1,407,495        1,390,983        (16,512
BUY   CNY   Deutsche
Bank AG
    18,549,000      10/25/11     2,896,244        2,884,063        (12,181
BUY   EUR   Credit Suisse
Group
    1,131,000      7/12/11     1,633,650        1,626,103        (7,547
BUY   EUR   UBS AG     751,384      7/12/11     1,082,510        1,080,308        (2,202
SELL   EUR   Citibank
N.A.
    162,249      7/12/11     232,943        233,275        (332
SELL   EUR   Deutsche
Bank AG
    142,956      7/12/11     202,838        205,536        (2,698
SELL   EUR   Goldman
Sachs
International
    291,313      7/12/11     418,774        418,837        (63
SELL   EUR   HSBC Bank     5,132,223      7/12/11     7,272,205        7,378,888        (106,683
SELL   EUR   UBS AG     24,573,336      6/15/11     33,911,719        35,353,112        (1,441,393
SELL   GBP   Barclays
Bank PLC
    1,492,488      7/12/11     2,431,875        2,453,944        (22,069
SELL   GBP   Deutsche
Bank AG
    1,492,488      7/12/11     2,432,778        2,453,944        (21,166
BUY   HUF   JPMorgan
Chase Bank
N.A.
    255,417,000      6/28/11     1,429,864        1,374,385        (55,479
SELL   HUF   JPMorgan
Chase Bank
N.A.
    255,318,000      6/28/11     1,316,412        1,373,853        (57,441
SELL   IDR   JPMorgan
Chase Bank
N.A.
    12,741,153,000      6/13/11     1,479,809        1,490,161        (10,352
SELL   ILS   JPMorgan
Chase Bank
N.A.
    9,947,000      6/13/11     2,789,009        2,893,252        (104,243
SELL   JPY   Merrill Lynch
International
Bank
    2,254,023,565      7/12/11     26,564,490        27,657,083        (1,092,593

 

29


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Type   Currency   Counterparty  

Contracts

to

Deliver/
Receive

    Settlement
Date Range
  In
Exchange
For
   

Contracts at

Value

   

Net

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
Liability Derivatives - continued                     
SELL   MXN   Credit Suisse
Group
    16,398,000      6/13/11   $ 1,395,752      $ 1,417,204      $ (21,452
BUY   MYR   JPMorgan
Chase Bank
N.A.
    4,159,000      7/21/11     1,378,750        1,376,752        (1,998
SELL   MYR   JPMorgan
Chase Bank
N.A.
    4,159,000      6/06/11     1,380,810        1,381,112        (302
BUY   PHP   JPMorgan
Chase Bank
N.A.
    120,458,110      6/24/11     2,813,611        2,780,123        (33,488
BUY   SEK   Goldman
Sachs
International
    8,433,000      7/12/11     1,399,248        1,363,645        (35,603
SELL   SEK   Credit Suisse
Group
    2,880,458      7/12/11     460,100        465,780        (5,680
BUY   THB   HSBC Bank     41,548,000      7/25/11     1,390,030        1,365,629        (24,401
SELL   THB   HSBC Bank     41,548,000      7/25/11     1,361,337        1,365,629        (4,292
                   
              $ (3,136,978
                   

Futures Contracts Outstanding at 5/31/11

 

Description   Currency     Contracts     Value   Expiration Date     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Asset Derivatives          
Interest Rate Futures          
U.S. Treasury Bond 30 yr (Long)     USD        23      $2,871,406     September - 2011        $8,718   
               
Liability Derivatives          
Interest Rate Futures          
U.S. Treasury Note 10 yr (Short)     USD        404      $49,534,188     September - 2011        $(335,977
               

At May 31, 2011, the fund had sufficient cash and/or other liquid securities to cover any commitments under these derivative contracts.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

30


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

At 5/31/11 (unaudited)

This statement represents your fund’s balance sheet, which details the assets and liabilities comprising the total value of the fund.

 

Assets                  

Investments-

     

Non-affiliated issuers, at value (identified cost, $601,430,704)

     $639,865,435      

Underlying affiliated funds, at cost and value

     15,216,966            

Total investments, at value (identified cost, $616,647,670)

              $655,082,401   

Cash

     227,230      

Receivables for

     

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     553,006      

Investments sold

     1,969,429      

Interest and dividends

     10,686,923      

Other assets

     31,723            

Total assets

              $668,550,712   
Liabilities                  

Notes payable

     $100,000,000      

Payables for

     

Distributions

     184,042      

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     3,136,978      

Daily variation margin on open futures contracts

     51,063      

Investments purchased

     6,965,004      

Payable to affiliates

     

Investment adviser

     48,195      

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     4,740      

Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation

     98,674      

Accrued interest expense

     114,104      

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     142,752            

Total liabilities

              $110,745,552   

Net assets

              $557,805,160   
Net assets consist of                  

Paid-in capital

     $553,756,539      

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies

     35,541,162      

Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions

     (28,255,035   

Accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income

     (3,237,506         

Net assets

              $557,805,160   

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding

              54,871,740   

Net asset value per share (net assets of
$557,805,160 / 54,871,740 shares of beneficial
interest outstanding)

              $10.17   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

31


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Six months ended 5/31/11 (unaudited)

This statement describes how much your fund earned in investment income and accrued in expenses. It also describes any gains and/or losses generated by fund operations.

 

Net investment income                  

Income

     

Interest

     $21,151,016      

Dividends

     36,518      

Dividends from underlying affiliated funds

     19,394            

Total investment income

              $21,206,928   

Expenses

     

Management fee

     $1,863,345      

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     41,844      

Administrative services fee

     43,093      

Independent Trustees’ compensation

     41,045      

Stock exchange fee

     24,094      

Custodian fee

     41,399      

Interest expense

     606,814      

Shareholder communications

     78,775      

Auditing fees

     33,827      

Legal fees

     7,993      

Miscellaneous

     16,688            

Total expenses

              $2,798,917   

Fees paid indirectly

     (416   

Reduction of expenses by investment adviser

     (1,302         

Net expenses

              $2,797,199   

Net investment income

              $18,409,729   
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
and foreign currency transactions
                 

Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis)

     

Investment transactions

     $8,500,419      

Futures contracts

     (15,122   

Foreign currency transactions

     (2,500,520         

Net realized gain (loss) on investments
and foreign currency transactions

              $5,984,777   
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      

Investments

     $9,300,531      

Futures contracts

     (460,403   

Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies

     (1,493,463         

Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments
and foreign currency translation

              $7,346,665   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
and foreign currency

              $13,331,442   

Change in net assets from operations

              $31,741,171   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

32


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

These statements describe the increases and/or decreases in net assets resulting from operations, any distributions, and any shareholder transactions.

 

     Six months ended
5/31/11
     Year ended
11/30/10
 
Change in net assets    (unaudited)         
From operations                  

Net investment income

     $18,409,729         $37,264,728   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments
and foreign currency transactions

     5,984,777         22,112,199   

Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments
and foreign currency translation

     7,346,665         6,476,337   

Change in net assets from operations

     $31,741,171         $65,853,264   
Distributions declared to shareholders                  

From net investment income

     $(22,332,799      $(38,684,582

Total change in net assets

     $9,408,372         $27,168,682   
Net assets                  

At beginning of period

     548,396,788         521,228,106   

At end of period (including accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income of $3,237,506 and undistributed net investment income of $685,564, respectively)

     $557,805,160         $548,396,788   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

33


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Six months ended 5/31/11 (unaudited)

This statement provides a summary of cash flows from investment activity for the fund.

 

Cash flows from operating activities:         

Net increase in net assets from operations

     $31,741,171   
Adjustments to reconcile change in net assets from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:         

Purchase of investment securities

     (211,486,392

Proceeds from disposition of investment securities

     204,260,804   

Proceeds from futures and swap transactions

     (15,122

Proceeds from disposition of short-term investments, net

     13,838,545   

Realized gain/loss on investments

     (8,500,419

Unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

     (9,300,531

Unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency contracts

     1,526,302   

Net amortization/accretion of income

     250,446   

Decrease in dividends and interest receivable

     237,076   

Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities

     (51,354

Decrease in payable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

     (8,062

Increase in other assets

     (18,575

Realized gain/loss on futures and swaps transactions

     15,122   

Net cash provided by operating activities

     $22,489,011   
Cash flows from financing activities:         

Distributions paid in cash

     (22,329,302

Decrease in interest payable

     (112,405

Net cash used by financing activities

     $(22,441,707

Net increase in cash

     $47,304   
Cash:         

Beginning of period

     $179,926   

End of period

     $227,230   

Supplementary disclosure of cash flow information: cash paid during the year for interest $719,219.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

34


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund’s financial performance for the semiannual period and the past 5 fiscal years (or life of a particular share class, if shorter). Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate by which an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the fund share class (assuming reinvestment of all distributions) held for the entire period.

 

    

Six months
ended

5/31/11

(unaudited)

    Years ended 11/30  
       2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
                                  

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $9.99        $9.50        $7.79        $9.54        $9.64        $9.58   
Income (loss) from investment operations                                           

Net investment income (d)

     $0.34        $0.68        $0.58        $0.47        $0.46        $0.44   

Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments and
foreign currency

     0.25        0.52        1.76        (1.72     (0.08     0.09   

Total from investment operations

     $0.59        $1.20        $2.34        $(1.25     $0.38        $0.53   
Less distributions declared to shareholders                                           

From net investment income

     $(0.41     $(0.71     $(0.63     $(0.51     $(0.48     $(0.49

Net increase from repurchase of capital shares

     $—        $—        $0.00 (w)      $0.01        $—        $0.02   

Net asset value, end of period

     $10.17        $9.99        $9.50        $7.79        $9.54        $9.64   

Per share market value, end
of period

     $9.43        $9.51        $8.96        $6.88        $8.30        $8.51   

Total return at market value (%)

     3.56 (n)      14.36        40.77        (11.63     3.20        6.98   

Total return at net asset
value (%) (j)(r)(s)

     6.32 (n)      13.30        31.82        (12.95     4.71        6.64   
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and
Supplemental data:
                                           

Expenses before expense
reductions (f)

     1.02 (a)      1.11        0.90        0.78        0.73        0.76   

Expenses after expense
reductions (f)

     1.02 (a)      1.11        0.90        0.78        0.73        0.76   

Net investment income

     6.68 (a)      6.93        6.71        5.18        4.89        4.62   

Portfolio turnover

     28        56        67        58        58        57   

Net assets at end of period
(000 omitted)

     $557,805        $548,397        $521,228        $428,293        $527,269        $532,823   

 

35


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights – continued

 

    

Six months
ended

5/31/11

(unaudited)

    Years ended 11/30  
       2010      2009      2008      2007      2006  
                                      
Supplemental Ratios (%):                                                     

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after expense reductions and excluding interest expense (f)

     0.80 (a)      0.82         0.84         N/A         N/A         N/A   
Senior Securities:                                                     

Total notes payable outstanding (000 omitted)

     $100,000        $100,000         $100,000         N/A         N/A         N/A   

Asset coverage per $1,000 of indebtedness (k)

     $6,578        $6,484         $6,212         N/A         N/A         N/A   
(a) Annualized.
(d) Per share data is based on average shares outstanding.
(f) Ratios do not reflect reductions from fees paid indirectly, if applicable.
(j) Total return at net asset value is calculated using the net asset value of the fund, not the publicly traded price and therefore may be different than the total return at market value.
(k) Calculated by subtracting the trust’s total liabilities (not including notes payable) from the trust’s total assets and dividing this number by the notes payable outstanding and then multiplying by 1,000.
(n) Not annualized.
(r) Certain expenses have been reduced without which performance would have been lower.
(s) From time to time the fund may receive proceeds from litigation settlements, without which performance would be lower.
(w) Per share amount was less than $0.01.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

36


Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

(1)   Business and Organization

MFS Charter Income Trust (the fund) is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a closed-end management investment company.

 

(2)   Significant Accounting Policies

General – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the preparation of these financial statements, management has evaluated subsequent events occurring after the date of the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities through the date that the financial statements were issued. The fund invests in high-yield securities rated below investment grade. Investments in high-yield securities involve greater degrees of credit and market risk than investments in higher-rated securities and tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions. The fund invests a significant portion of its assets in asset-backed and/or mortgage-backed securities. The value of these securities may depend, in part, on the issuer’s or borrower’s credit quality or ability to pay principal and interest when due and may fall if an issuer or borrower defaults on its obligation to pay principal or interest or if the instrument’s credit rating is downgraded by a credit rating agency. U.S. Government securities not supported as to the payment of principal or interest by the U.S. Treasury, such as those issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are subject to greater credit risk than are U.S. Government securities supported by the U.S. Treasury, such as those issued by Ginnie Mae. The fund invests in foreign securities, including securities of emerging market issuers. Investments in foreign securities are vulnerable to the effects of changes in the relative values of the local currency and the U.S. dollar and to the effects of changes in each country’s legal, political, and economic environment. The markets of emerging markets countries are generally more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies. All of the risks of investing in foreign securities previously described are heightened when investing in emerging markets countries.

Investment Valuations – Debt instruments and floating rate loans (other than short-term instruments), including restricted debt instruments, are generally valued at an evaluated or composite bid as provided by a third-party pricing service. Equity securities, including restricted equity securities, are generally

 

37


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

valued at the last sale or official closing price as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market or exchange on which they are primarily traded. Equity securities, for which there were no sales reported that day, are generally valued at the last quoted daily bid quotation as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market or exchange on which such securities are primarily traded. Equity securities held short, for which there were no sales reported for that day, are generally valued at the last quoted daily ask quotation as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market or exchange on which such securities are primarily traded. Short-term instruments with a maturity at issuance of 60 days or less generally are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Exchange-traded options are generally valued at the last sale or official closing price as provided by a third-party pricing service on the exchange on which such options are primarily traded. Exchange-traded options for which there were no sales reported that day are generally valued at the last daily bid quotation as provided by a third-party pricing service on the exchange on which such options are primarily traded. Options not traded on an exchange are generally valued at a broker/dealer bid quotation. Foreign currency options are generally valued at valuations provided by a third-party pricing service. Futures contracts are generally valued at last posted settlement price as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market on which they are primarily traded. Futures contracts for which there were no trades that day for a particular position are generally valued at the closing bid quotation as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market on which such futures contracts are primarily traded. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are generally valued at the mean of bid and asked prices for the time period interpolated from rates provided by a third-party pricing service for proximate time periods. Open-end investment companies are generally valued at net asset value per share. Securities and other assets generally valued on the basis of information from a third-party pricing service may also be valued at a broker/dealer bid quotation. Values obtained from third-party pricing services can utilize both transaction data and market information such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data. The values of foreign securities and other assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars using the mean of bid and asked prices for rates provided by a third-party pricing service.

The Board of Trustees has delegated primary responsibility for determining or causing to be determined the value of the fund’s investments (including any fair valuation) to the adviser pursuant to valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board. If the adviser determines that reliable market quotations are not readily available, investments are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the adviser in accordance with such procedures

 

38


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

under the oversight of the Board of Trustees. Under the fund’s valuation policies and procedures, market quotations are not considered to be readily available for most types of debt instruments and floating rate loans and many types of derivatives. These investments are generally valued at fair value based on information from third-party pricing services. In addition, investments may be valued at fair value if the adviser determines that an investment’s value has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the investment is principally traded (such as foreign exchange or market) and prior to the determination of the fund’s net asset value, or after the halting of trading of a specific security where trading does not resume prior to the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded. The adviser generally relies on third-party pricing services or other information (such as the correlation with price movements of similar securities in the same or other markets; the type, cost and investment characteristics of the security; the business and financial condition of the issuer; and trading and other market data) to assist in determining whether to fair value and at what value to fair value an investment. The value of an investment for purposes of calculating the fund’s net asset value can differ depending on the source and method used to determine value. When fair valuation is used, the value of an investment used to determine the fund’s net asset value may differ from quoted or published prices for the same investment. There can be no assurance that the fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it were to sell the investment at the same time at which the fund determines its net asset value per share.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s assets or liabilities. These inputs are categorized into three broad levels. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fund’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment. Level 1 includes unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 includes other significant observable market-based inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speed, and credit risk). Level 3 includes unobservable inputs, which may include the adviser’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in total investments, such

 

39


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

as futures and forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The following is a summary of the levels used as of May 31, 2011 in valuing the fund’s assets or liabilities:

 

Investments at Value    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Equity Securities      $3,081,200         $367,068         $52,939         $3,501,207   
U.S. Treasury Bonds & U.S. Government Agency & Equivalents              17,940,063                 17,940,063   
Non-U.S. Sovereign Debt              115,726,166                 115,726,166   
Corporate Bonds              340,053,085                 340,053,085   
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities              27,733,706                 27,733,706   
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities              32,138,340                 32,138,340   
Asset-Backed Securities (including CDOs)              5,973,460                 5,973,460   
Foreign Bonds              95,942,280                 95,942,280   
Floating Rate Loans              857,128                 857,128   
Mutual Funds      15,216,966                         15,216,966   
Total Investments      $18,298,166         $636,731,296         $52,939         $655,082,401   
Other Financial Instruments                            
Futures      $(327,259      $—         $—         $(327,259
Forward Currency Contracts              (2,583,972              (2,583,972

For further information regarding security characteristics, see the Portfolio of Investments.

The following is a reconciliation of level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value. The table presents the activity of level 3 securities held at the beginning and the end of the period.

 

     Equity Securities  
Balance as of 11/30/10      $0   

Transfers into level 3

     52,939   
Balance as of 5/31/11      $52,939   

The net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments still held as Level 3 at May 31, 2011 is $0.

Inflation-Adjusted Debt Securities – The fund invests in inflation-adjusted debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. The fund may also invest in inflation-adjusted debt securities issued by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities other than the U.S. Treasury and by other entities such as U.S. and foreign corporations and foreign governments. The principal value of these debt securities is adjusted through income according to changes in the Consumer Price Index or another general price or wage index. These debt securities typically pay a fixed rate of interest, but this fixed rate is applied to the inflation-adjusted

 

40


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

principal amount. The principal paid at maturity of the debt security is typically equal to the inflation-adjusted principal amount, or the security’s original par value, whichever is greater. Other types of inflation-adjusted securities may use other methods to adjust for other measures of inflation.

Foreign Currency Translation – Purchases and sales of foreign investments, income, and expenses are converted into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions or on the reporting date for foreign denominated receivables and payables. Gains and losses attributable to foreign currency exchange rates on sales of securities are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. Gains and losses attributable to foreign exchange rate movements on receivables, payables, income and expenses are recorded for financial statement purposes as foreign currency transaction gains and losses. That portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.

Derivatives – The fund uses derivatives for different purposes, including to earn income and enhance returns, to increase or decrease exposure to a particular market, to manage or adjust the risk profile of the fund, or as alternatives to direct investments. Derivatives are used for hedging or non-hedging purposes. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains. When the fund uses derivatives as an investment to increase market exposure, or for hedging purposes, gains and losses from derivative instruments may be substantially greater than the derivative’s original cost.

The derivative instruments used by the fund were futures contracts, purchased options, and forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The fund’s period end derivatives, as presented in the Portfolio of Investments and the associated Derivative Contract Tables, generally are indicative of the volume of its derivative activity during the period.

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the fair value, on a gross basis, of the asset and liability components of derivatives held by the fund at May 31, 2011 as reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

        Fair Value (a)  
Risk   Derivative   Asset Derivatives     Liability Derivatives  
Interest Rate   Interest Rate Futures     $8,718        $(335,977)   

Foreign Exchange

  Forward Foreign Currency Exchange     553,006        (3,136,978
Total       $561,724        $(3,472,955)   

 

(a) The value of futures contracts outstanding includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the fund’s Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day variation margin for futures contracts is separately reported within the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

41


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the realized gain (loss) on derivatives held by the fund for the six months ended May 31, 2011 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Futures
Contracts
     Investment
Transactions
(Purchased
Options)
 
Interest Rate      $(15,122      $—   
Foreign Exchange              (43,173
Total      $(15,122      $(43,173

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives held by the fund for the six months ended May 31, 2011 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk   Futures
Contracts
  Investments
(Purchased
Options)
   

Translation
of Assets
and Liabilities
in Foreign

Currencies

 
Interest Rate   $(460,403)   $      $   
Foreign Exchange       43,173        (1,526,302
Total   $(460,403)   $ 43,173      $ (1,526,302

Derivative counterparty credit risk is managed through formal evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counterparties. On certain over-the-counter derivatives, the fund attempts to reduce its exposure to counterparty credit risk whenever possible by entering into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement on a bilateral basis with each of the counterparties with whom it undertakes a significant volume of transactions. The ISDA Master Agreement gives each party to the agreement the right to terminate all transactions traded under such agreement if there is a certain deterioration in the credit quality of the other party. The ISDA Master Agreement gives the fund the right, upon an event of default by the applicable counterparty or a termination of the agreement, to close out all transactions traded under such agreement and to net amounts owed under each transaction to one net amount payable by one party to the other. This right to close out and net payments across all transactions traded under the ISDA Master Agreement could result in a reduction of the fund’s credit risk to such counterparty equal to any amounts payable by the fund under the applicable transactions, if any. However, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the ISDA Master Agreement does not result in an offset of reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the fund and the applicable counterparty.

 

42


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearing house for exchange traded derivatives (i.e., futures and exchange-traded options) while collateral terms are contract specific for over-the-counter traded derivatives (i.e., forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps and over-the-counter options). For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are netted across all transactions traded under such agreement and one amount is posted from one party to the other to collateralize such obligations. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the fund under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as restricted cash. Securities collateral pledged for the same purpose, if any, is noted in the Portfolio of Investments.

Purchased Options – The fund purchased call and put options for a premium. Purchased call and put options entitle the holder to buy and sell a specified number of shares or units of a particular security, currency or index at a specified price at a specified date or within a specified period of time. Purchasing call options may be used to hedge against an anticipated increase in the dollar cost of securities or currency to be acquired or to increase the fund’s exposure to an underlying instrument. Purchasing put options may hedge against a decline in the value of portfolio securities or currency.

The premium paid is initially recorded as an investment in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. That investment is subsequently marked-to-market daily with the difference between the premium paid and the market value of the purchased option being recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. Premiums paid for purchased call and put options which have expired are treated as realized losses on investments in the Statement of Operations. Upon the exercise or closing of a purchased call option, the premium paid is added to the cost of the security or financial instrument. Upon the exercise or closing of a purchased put option, the premium paid is offset against the proceeds on the sale of the underlying security or financial instrument in order to determine the realized gain or loss on investments.

The risk in purchasing an option is that the fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. The fund’s maximum risk of loss due to counterparty credit risk is limited to the market value of the option. For over-the-counter options, this risk is mitigated in cases where there is an ISDA Master Agreement between the fund and the counterparty providing for netting as described above and for posting of collateral by the counterparty to the fund to cover the fund’s exposure to the counterparty under such ISDA Master Agreement.

Futures Contracts – The fund entered into futures contracts which may be used to hedge against or obtain broad market, interest rate or currency

 

43


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

exposure. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.

Upon entering into a futures contract, the fund is required to deposit with the broker, either in cash or securities, an initial margin in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the notional amount of the contract. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract, and are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized gain or loss by the fund until the contract is closed or expires at which point the gain or loss on futures is realized.

The fund bears the risk of interest rates, exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the futures contracts and may realize a loss. While futures may present less counterparty risk to the fund since the contracts are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse guarantees payments to the broker, there is still counterparty credit risk due to the insolvency of the broker. The fund’s maximum risk of loss due to counterparty credit risk is equal to the margin posted by the fund to the broker plus any gains or minus any losses on the outstanding futures contracts.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts – The fund entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a fixed price on a future date. These contracts may be used to hedge the fund’s currency risk or for non-hedging purposes. For hedging purposes, the fund may enter into contracts to deliver or receive foreign currency that the fund will receive from or use in its normal investment activities. The fund may also use contracts to hedge against declines in the value of foreign currency denominated securities due to unfavorable exchange rate movements. For non-hedging purposes, the fund may enter into contracts with the intent of changing the relative exposure of the fund’s portfolio of securities to different currencies to take advantage of anticipated exchange rate changes.

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any unrealized gains or losses are recorded as a receivable or payable for forward foreign currency exchange contracts until the contract settlement date. On contract settlement date, any gain or loss on the contract is recorded as realized gains or losses on foreign currency transactions.

Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from unanticipated movements in the value of the contract and from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. Generally, the fund’s maximum risk due to counterparty credit risk is the unrealized gain on the

 

44


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

contract due to the use of Continuous Linked Settlement, an industry accepted settlement system. This risk is mitigated in cases where there is an ISDA Master Agreement between the fund and the counterparty providing for netting as described above and for posting of collateral by the counterparty to the fund to cover the fund’s exposure to the counterparty under such ISDA Master Agreement.

Loans and Other Direct Debt Instruments – The fund invests in loans and loan participations or other receivables. These investments may include standby financing commitments, including revolving credit facilities, which obligate the fund to supply additional cash to the borrower on demand. Loan participations involve a risk of insolvency of the lending bank or other financial intermediary.

Statement of Cash Flows – Information on financial transactions which have been settled through the receipt or disbursement of cash is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows. The cash amount shown in the Statement of Cash Flows is the amount included within the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities and includes cash on hand at its custodian bank and does not include any short term investments.

Indemnifications – Under the fund’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The fund’s maximum exposure under these agreements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred.

Investment Transactions and Income – Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. All premium and discount is amortized or accreted for financial statement purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The fund earns certain fees in connection with its floating rate loan purchasing activities. These fees are in addition to interest payments earned and may include amendment fees, commitment fees, facility fees, consent fees, and prepayment fees. Commitment fees are recorded on an accrual basis as income in the accompanying financial statements. Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed-income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted upward or downward to the rate of inflation. Interest is accrued based on the principal value, which is adjusted for inflation. Any increase or decrease in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond is generally recorded as an increase or decrease in interest income, respectively, even though the adjusted principal is not received until maturity. Dividends received in cash are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Certain dividends from foreign securities will be recorded

 

45


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

when the fund is informed of the dividend if such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Dividend and interest payments received in additional securities are recorded on the ex-dividend or ex-interest date in an amount equal to the value of the security on such date. Debt obligations may be placed on non-accrual status or set to accrue at a rate of interest less than the contractual coupon when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful. Interest income for those debt obligations may be further reduced by the write-off of the related interest receivables when deemed uncollectible.

The fund may receive proceeds from litigation settlements. Any proceeds received from litigation involving portfolio holdings are reflected in the Statement of Operations in realized gain/loss if the security has been disposed of by the fund or in unrealized gain/loss if the security is still held by the fund. Any other proceeds from litigation not related to portfolio holdings are reflected as other income in the Statement of Operations.

Fees Paid Indirectly – The fund’s custody fee may be reduced according to an arrangement that measures the value of cash deposited with the custodian by the fund. This amount, for the six months ended May 31, 2011, is shown as a reduction of total expenses on the Statement of Operations.

Tax Matters and Distributions – The fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company, as defined under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including realized capital gains. As a result, no provision for federal income tax is required. The fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Foreign taxes, if any, have been accrued by the fund in the accompanying financial statements.

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Certain capital accounts in the financial statements are periodically adjusted for permanent differences in order to reflect their tax character. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or net asset value per share. Temporary differences which arise from recognizing certain items of income, expense, gain or loss in different periods for financial statement and tax purposes will reverse at some time in the future. Distributions in excess of net investment income or net realized gains are temporary overdistributions for financial statement purposes resulting from differences in the recognition or classification of income or distributions for financial statement and tax purposes.

 

46


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

Book/tax differences primarily relate to expiration of capital loss carryforwards, amortization and accretion of debt securities, straddle loss deferrals, and derivative transactions.

The tax character of distributions made during the current period will be determined at fiscal year end. The tax character of distributions declared to shareholders for the last fiscal year is as follows:

 

     11/30/10  
Ordinary income (including any short-term capital gains)      $38,684,582   

The federal tax cost and the tax basis components of distributable earnings were as follows:

 

As of 5/31/11       
Cost of investments      $619,052,568   
Gross appreciation      42,963,463   
Gross depreciation      (6,933,630
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      $36,029,833   
As of 11/30/10       
Undistributed ordinary income      5,836,712   
Capital loss carryforwards      (31,956,477
Other temporary differences      (6,283,242
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      27,043,256   

The aggregate cost above includes prior fiscal year end tax adjustments, if applicable.

As of November 30, 2010, the fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized gains. Such losses expire as follows:

 

11/30/14      $(5,504,781
11/30/15      (2,469,155
11/30/16      (12,601,136
11/30/17      (11,381,405
     $(31,956,477

 

(3)   Transactions with Affiliates

Investment Adviser – The fund has an investment advisory agreement with MFS to provide overall investment management and related administrative services and facilities to the fund. The management fee is computed daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.32% of the fund’s average daily net assets and 4.57% of gross income less interest expense from leveraging. Gross income is calculated based on tax elections that generally include the accretion of discount and exclude the amortization of premium, which may differ from investment income reported in the Statement of Operations. The management fee, from net assets and gross income, incurred for the six months ended May 31, 2011 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.68% of the fund’s average daily net assets.

 

47


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

Transfer Agent – The fund engages Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) as the sole transfer agent for the fund. MFS Service Center, Inc. (MFSC) monitors and supervises the activities of Computershare for an agreed upon fee approved by the Board of Trustees. For the six months ended May 31, 2011, these fees paid to MFSC amounted to $14,353.

Administrator – MFS provides certain financial, legal, shareholder communications, compliance, and other administrative services to the fund. Under an administrative services agreement, the fund partially reimburses MFS the costs incurred to provide these services. The fund is charged an annual fixed amount of $17,500 plus a fee based on average daily net assets. The administrative services fee incurred for the six months ended May 31, 2011 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0156% of the fund’s average daily net assets.

Trustees’ and Officers’ Compensation – The fund pays compensation to independent Trustees in the form of a retainer, attendance fees, and additional compensation to Board and Committee chairpersons. The fund does not pay compensation directly to Trustees or officers of the fund who are also officers of the investment adviser, all of whom receive remuneration for their services to the fund from MFS. Certain officers and Trustees of the fund are officers or directors of MFS and MFSC.

Prior to December 31, 2001, the fund had an unfunded defined benefit plan (“DB plan”) for independent Trustees. As of December 31, 2001, the Board took action to terminate the DB plan with respect to then-current and any future independent Trustees, such that the DB Plan covers only certain of those former independent Trustees who retired on or before December 31, 2001. Effective January 1, 2002, accrued benefits under the DB Plan for then-current independent Trustees who continued were credited to an unfunded retirement deferral plan (the “Retirement Deferral plan”), which was established for and exists solely with respect to these credited amounts, and is not available for other deferrals by these or other independent Trustees. Although the Retirement Deferral plan is unfunded, amounts deferred under the plan are periodically adjusted for investment experience as if they had been invested in shares of the fund. The DB Plan resulted in a pension expense of $2,680 and the Retirement Deferral plan resulted in an expense of $2,075. Both amounts are included in independent Trustees’ compensation for the six months ended May 31, 2011. The liability for deferred retirement benefits payable to certain independent Trustees under both plans amounted to $98,625 at May 31, 2011, and is included in payable for independent Trustees’ compensation on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Other – This fund and certain other funds managed by MFS (the funds) have entered into services agreements (the Agreements) which provide for payment

 

48


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

of fees by the funds to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC in return for the provision of services of an Independent Chief Compliance Officer (ICCO) and Assistant ICCO, respectively, for the funds. The ICCO and Assistant ICCO are officers of the funds and the sole members of Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC, respectively. The funds can terminate the Agreements with Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC at any time under the terms of the Agreements. For the six months ended May 31, 2011, the aggregate fees paid by the fund to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC were $3,026 and are included in miscellaneous expense on the Statement of Operations. MFS has agreed to reimburse the fund for a portion of the payments made by the fund in the amount of $1,302, which is shown as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations. Additionally, MFS has agreed to bear all expenses associated with office space, other administrative support, and supplies provided to the ICCO and Assistant ICCO.

The fund invests in the MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio which is managed by MFS and seeks a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity. Income earned on this investment is included in dividends from underlying funds on the Statement of Operations. This money market fund does not pay a management fee to MFS.

 

(4)   Portfolio Securities

Purchases and sales of investments, other than purchased option transactions and short-term obligations, were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  
U.S. Government securities      $18,636,806         $10,935,466   
Investments (non-U.S. Government securities)      $172,449,695         $165,796,658   

 

(5)   Shares of Beneficial Interest

The fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest. The trustees have authorized the repurchase by the fund of up to 10% annually of its own shares of beneficial interest. During the six months ended May 31, 2011 and the year ended November 30, 2010, the fund did not repurchase any shares.

 

(6)   Loan Agreement

The fund has a credit agreement with a bank for a revolving secured line of credit that can be drawn upon up to $100,000,000. At May 31, 2011, the fund had outstanding borrowings under this agreement in the amount of $100,000,000, which are secured by a lien on the fund’s assets. The loan’s carrying value on the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities approximates its fair value. The credit agreement matures on August 26, 2011. Subsequent to the period end, the Trustees approved the renewal of the revolving secured line of credit up to the amount of $100,000,000 on substantially similar terms for an additional 364 day period. Borrowing under the agreement can be made for

 

49


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

liquidity or leverage purposes. Interest is charged at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus an agreed upon spread or an alternate rate, at the option of the borrower, stated as the greater of Overnight LIBOR or the Federal Funds Rate each plus an agreed upon spread. The fund incurred interest expense of $606,814 during the period. The fund may also be charged a commitment fee based on the average daily unused portion of the line of credit. The fund did not incur a commitment fee during the period. For the six months ended May 31, 2011, the average loan balance was $100,000,000 at a weighted average annual interest rate of 1.22%. The fund is subject to certain covenants including, but not limited to, requirements with respect to asset coverage, portfolio diversification and liquidity.

 

(7)   Transactions in Underlying Affiliated Funds-Affiliated Issuers

An affiliated issuer may be considered one in which the fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common control. For the purposes of this report, the fund assumes the following to be affiliated issuers:

 

Underlying Affiliated Funds    Beginning
Shares/Par
Amount
     Acquisitions
Shares/Par
Amount
     Dispositions
Shares/Par
Amount
    

Ending

Shares/Par
Amount

 
MFS Institutional Money
Market Portfolio
     29,055,511         95,617,354         (109,455,899      15,216,966   
Underlying Affiliated Funds    Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Capital Gain
Distributions
     Dividend
Income
     Ending
Value
 
MFS Institutional Money
Market Portfolio
     $—         $—         $19,394         $15,216,966   

 

50


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Trustees and Shareholders of the MFS Charter Income Trust:

We have reviewed the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of the MFS Charter Income Trust (the Fund), including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2011, and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets, cash flows, and financial highlights for the six-month period ended May 31, 2011. These interim financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim financial statements and financial highlights for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the statement of changes in net assets for the year ended November 30, 2010, and financial highlights for each of the five years ended November 30, 2010, and in our report dated January 14, 2011, we expressed an unqualified opinion on such statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights.

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

July 15, 2011

 

51


Table of Contents

BOARD REVIEW OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

A discussion regarding the Board’s most recent review and renewal of the fund’s Investment Advisory Agreement with MFS is available by clicking on the fund’s name under “Closed End Funds” in the “Products and Performance” section of the MFS Web site (mfs.com).

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND INFORMATION

A general description of the MFS funds’ proxy voting policies and procedures is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-225-2606, by visiting the Proxy Voting section of mfs.com or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

Information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2010 is available without charge by visiting the Proxy Voting section of mfs.com or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO DISCLOSURE

The fund will file a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the:

Public Reference Room

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE, Room 1580

Washington, D.C. 20549

Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The fund’s Form N-Q is available on the EDGAR database on the Commission’s Internet Web site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the Public Reference Section at the above address.

A shareholder can also obtain the quarterly portfolio holdings report at mfs.com.

FURTHER INFORMATION

From time to time, MFS may post important information about the fund or the MFS funds on the MFS web site (mfs.com). This information is available by visiting the “News & Commentary” section of mfs.com or by clicking on the fund’s name under “Closed End Funds” in the “Products and Performance” section of mfs.com.

 

52


Table of Contents

rev. 3/11

 

FACTS   WHAT DOES MFS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?   LOGO

 

Why?   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

 

•Social Security number and account balances

•Account transactions and transaction history

•Checking account information and wire transfer instructions

 

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

 

How?   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons MFS chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information   Does MFS share?   Can you limit
this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes –

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

  Yes   No

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

  No   We don’t share
For joint marketing with other financial companies   No   We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

  No   We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

  No   We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share

 

Questions?   Call 800-225-2606 or go to mfs.com.

 

53


Table of Contents
Page 2  

 

 

Who we are
Who is providing this notice?   MFS Funds, MFS Investment Management, MFS Institutional Advisors, Inc., MFS Fund Distributors, Inc., MFS Heritage Trust Company, and MFS Service Center, Inc.

 

What we do
How does MFS protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include procedural, electronic, and physical safeguards for the protection of the personal information we collect about you.
How does MFS
collect my personal information?
 

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

•open an account or provide account information

•direct us to buy securities or direct us to sell your securities

•make a wire transfer

 

We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates and other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

•sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

•affiliates from using your information to market to you

•sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

 

Definitions
Affiliates  

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•MFS does not share personal information with affiliates, except for everyday business purposes as described on page one of this notice.

Nonaffiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•MFS does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint Marketing  

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

•MFS doesnt jointly market.

 

 

Other important information
If you own an MFS product or receive an MFS service in the name of a third party such as a bank or broker-dealer, their privacy policy may apply to you instead of ours.

 

54


Table of Contents

CONTACT US

Transfer agent, Registrar, and

Dividend Disbursing Agent

Call

1-800-637-2304

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time

Write

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 43078

Providence, RI 02940-3078

 

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: MCR

 

LOGO


Table of Contents
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

During the period covered by this report, the Registrant has not amended any provision in its Code of Ethics (the “Code”) that relates to an element of the Code’s definitions enumerated in paragraph (b) of Item 2 of this Form N-CSR. During the period covered by this report, the Registrant did not grant a waiver, including an implicit waiver, from any provision of the Code.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

A schedule of investments for each series of the Registrant is included as part of the report to shareholders of such series under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

General. Information regarding the portfolio manager(s) of the MFS Charter Income Trust (the “Fund”) is set forth below. As of May 1, 2011, John F. Addeo was no longer a manager of the fund.

 

Portfolio Manager

  

Primary Role

   Since   

Title and Five Year

History

Richard O. Hawkins

   Lead Portfolio Manager    2004    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 1988.

David P. Cole

   High Yield Debt Securities Portfolio Manager    2006    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 2004.

Matthew W. Ryan

   Emerging Markets Debt Securities Portfolio Manager    2004    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 1997.

William J. Adams

   High Yield Corporate Debt Securities Portfolio Manager    May 2011    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 2009; Credit Analyst at MFS from 1997 to 2005


Table of Contents

Compensation. Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed annually. As of December 31, 2010, portfolio manager total cash compensation is a combination of base salary and performance bonus:

Base Salary – Base salary represents a smaller percentage of portfolio manager total cash compensation than performance bonus.

Performance Bonus – Generally, the performance bonus represents more than a majority of portfolio manager total cash compensation.

The performance bonus is based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors, generally with more weight given to the former and less weight given to the latter.

The quantitative portion is based on the pre-tax performance of assets managed by the portfolio manager over one-, three-, and five-year periods relative to peer group universes and/or indices (“benchmarks”). As of December 31, 2010*, the following benchmarks were used to measure performance for the Fund:

 

Portfolio Manager

  

Benchmark(s)

Richard O. Hawkins

   Citigroup World Government Bond Non-Dollar Hedged Index
   JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global
   Barclays Capital U.S. High-Yield Corporate Bond Index
   Barclays Capital U.S. Credit Bond Index
   Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Mortgage Bond Index


Table of Contents
* For any Portfolio Managers not listed in the table below, as of December 31, 2010, such portfolio manager’s performance bonus was not based on the pre-tax performance of the Fund relative to a benchmark.

Additional or different benchmarks, including versions of indices and custom indices may also be used. Primary weight is given to portfolio performance over a three-year time period with lesser consideration given to portfolio performance over one-year and five-year periods (adjusted as appropriate if the portfolio manager has served for less than five years).

The qualitative portion is based on the results of an annual internal peer review process (conducted by other portfolio managers, analysts, and traders) and management’s assessment of overall portfolio manager contributions to investor relations and the investment process (distinct from fund and other account performance).

Portfolio managers also typically benefit from the opportunity to participate in the MFS Equity Plan. Equity interests and/or options to acquire equity interests in MFS or its parent company are awarded by management, on a discretionary basis, taking into account tenure at MFS, contribution to the investment process, and other factors.

Finally, portfolio managers also participate in benefit plans (including a defined contribution plan and health and other insurance plans) and programs available generally to other employees of MFS. The percentage such benefits represent of any portfolio manager’s compensation depends upon the length of the individual’s tenure at MFS and salary level, as well as other factors.

Ownership of Fund Shares

The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities of the Fund beneficially owned by the Fund’s portfolio manager(s) as of May 2, 2011. The following dollar ranges apply:

N. None

A. $1 – $10,000

B. $10,001 – $50,000

C. $50,001 – $100,000

D. $100,001 – $500,000

E. $500,001 – $1,000,000

F. Over $1,000,000

 

Name of Portfolio Manager

   Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Fund

Richard O. Hawkins

   N

David P. Cole

   N

Matthew W. Ryan

   N

William J. Adams

   N


Table of Contents

Other Accounts. In addition to the Fund, the Fund’s portfolio manager is named as a portfolio manager of certain other accounts managed or subadvised by MFS or an affiliate, the number and assets of which, as of the Fund’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2010, were as follows:

 

     Registered Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
     Other Accounts  

Name

   Number
of
Accounts*
   Total
Assets*
     Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
     Number
of
Accounts
   Total
Assets
 

Richard O. Hawkins

   13    $ 17.4 billion       2    $ 1.1 billion       6    $ 692.2 million   

David P. Cole

   10    $ 3.8 billion       2    $ 654.2 million       0      N/A   

Matthew W. Ryan

   11    $ 5.8 billion       9    $ 3.0 billion       7    $ 5.7 billion   

William J. Adams**

   13    $ 4.5 billion       7    $ 2.0 billion       0      N/A   

 

* Includes the Fund.
** As of May 2, 2011.

Advisory fees are not based upon performance of any of the accounts identified in the table above.

Potential Conflicts of Interest.

The Adviser seeks to identify potential conflicts of interest resulting from a portfolio manager’s management of both the Fund and other accounts, and has adopted policies and procedures designed to address such potential conflicts.

The management of multiple funds and accounts (including proprietary accounts) gives rise to potential conflicts of interest if the funds and accounts have different objectives and strategies, benchmarks, time horizons and fees as a portfolio manager must allocate his or her time and investment ideas across multiple funds and accounts. In certain instances there are securities which are suitable for the Fund’s portfolio as well as for accounts of the Adviser or its subsidiaries with similar investment objectives. A Fund’s trade allocation policies may give rise to conflicts of interest if the Fund’s orders do not get fully executed or are delayed in getting executed due to being aggregated with those of other accounts of the Adviser or its subsidiaries. A portfolio manager may execute transactions for another fund or account that may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments. Investments selected for funds or accounts other than the Fund may outperform investments selected for the Fund.


Table of Contents

When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed by the Adviser to be fair and equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the Fund is concerned. In most cases, however, the Adviser believes that the Fund’s ability to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions for the Fund.

The Adviser and/or a portfolio manager may have a financial incentive to allocate favorable or limited opportunity investments or structure the timing of investments to favor accounts other than the Fund, for instance, those that pay a higher advisory fee and/or have a performance adjustment and/or include an investment by the portfolio manager of a significant percentage of the portfolio manager’s assets.

 

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

MFS Charter Income Trust

 

Period

   (a) Total number
of Shares
Purchased
   (b)
Average
Price
Paid per
Share
   (c) Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
   (d) Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
under the Plans
or Programs
 

12/01/10-12/31/10

   0    N/A    0      5,487,174   

1/01/11-1/31/11

   0    N/A    0      5,487,174   

2/01/11-2/28/11

   0    N/A    0      5,487,174   

3/01/11-3/31/11

   0    N/A    0      5,487,174   

4/01/11-4/30/11

   0    N/A    0      5,487,174   

5/01/11-5/31/11

   0    N/A    0      5,487,174   
  

 

     

 

  

Total

   0       0   
  

 

     

 

  

Note: The Board of Trustees approves procedures to repurchase shares annually. The notification to shareholders of the program is part of the semi-annual and annual reports sent to shareholders. These annual programs begin on March 1st of each year. The programs conform to the conditions of Rule 10b-18 of the securities Exchange Act of 1934 and limit the aggregate number of shares that may be purchased in each annual period (March 1 through the following February 28) to 10% of the Registrant’s outstanding shares as of the first day of the plan year (March 1). The aggregate number of shares available for purchase for the March 1, 2011 plan year is 5,487,174.


Table of Contents
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may send recommendations to the Board for nominees to the Registrant’s Board since the Registrant last provided disclosure as to such procedures in response to the requirements of Item 407 (c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K or this Item.

 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

(a) Based upon their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”)) as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this Form N-CSR, the registrant’s principal financial officer and principal executive officer have concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that the material information required to be disclosed by the registrant on this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter covered by the report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

 

(a) File the exhibits listed below as part of this form. Letter or number the exhibits in the sequence indicated.

 

  (1) Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit.

 

  (2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2): Attached hereto.

 

(b) If the report is filed under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provide the certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)), Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b) or 240.15d-14(b)) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) as an exhibit. A certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph will not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference: Attached hereto.


Table of Contents

Notice

A copy of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Registrant is on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Registrant by an officer of the Registrant as an officer and not individually and the obligations of or arising out of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of the respective constituent series of the Registrant.


Table of Contents

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.

Registrant MFS CHARTER INCOME TRUST

 

By (Signature and Title)*    MARIA F. DIORIODWYER
  Maria F. DiOrioDwyer, President

Date: July 15, 2011

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 (Signature and Title)*    MARIA F. DIORIODWYER
  Maria F. DiOrioDwyer, President (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: July 15, 2011

 

By (Signature and Title)*    JOHN M. CORCORAN
  John M. Corcoran, Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer)

Date: July 15, 2011

 

* Print name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.