MFS CHARTER INCOME TRUST N-CSR
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: November 30, 2012


Table of Contents
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


Table of Contents

ANNUAL REPORT

November 30, 2012

 

LOGO

 

MFS® CHARTER INCOME TRUST

 

LOGO

 

MCR-ANN

 


Table of Contents

MFS® CHARTER INCOME TRUST

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: MCR

 

Letter from the Chairman and CEO     1   
Portfolio composition     2   
Management review     4   
Performance summary     6   
Investment objective, principal investment strategies and
risks of the fund
    9   
Portfolio managers’ profiles     11   
Dividend reinvestment and cash purchase plan     12   
Portfolio of investments     13   
Statement of assets and liabilities     39   
Statement of operations     40   
Statements of changes in net assets     41   
Statement of cash flows     42   
Financial highlights     43   
Notes to financial statements     45   
Report of independent registered public accounting firm     58   
Results of shareholder meeting     59   
Trustees and officers     60   
Board review of investment advisory agreement     65   
Proxy voting policies and information     69   
Quarterly portfolio disclosure     69   
Further information     69   
Federal tax information     69   
MFS® privacy notice     70   
Contact information    back cover   

 

NOT FDIC INSURED Ÿ MAY LOSE VALUE Ÿ NO BANK GUARANTEE


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND CEO

 

Dear Shareholders:

The global market outlook for 2013 is one of cautious optimism. While we are seeing some positive economic trends in the United States, Europe, and China, the overall

environment remains challenging. In the United States, the recent fiscal cliff agreement was received positively by investors, even though it mostly addressed pressing taxation issues and did not resolve additional concerns, including the need for spending cuts and a large-scale reduction of the federal debt. These issues will be front and center again in the spring. Despite the ongoing uncertainty, economic tailwinds are gathering strength as the U.S. housing and job markets are improving and consumer confidence is rising.

Overseas, the debt crisis continues to weigh heavily on eurozone markets, with even Germany — long an economic

stalwart — experiencing some contraction. These ongoing challenges could be a drag on global market performance this year. In Asia, manufacturing activity has accelerated in emerging markets such as China and India, and we are seeing signs of stabilized loan growth in China, a leading indicator of that country’s economic health. In contrast, Japan’s economy is contracting sharply under deflationary pressures. Nevertheless, Japanese markets have responded favorably to early actions by the new government, which appears determined to act aggressively, along with the Bank of Japan, to stimulate growth.

As always, managing risk in the face of uncertainty remains a top priority for investors. At MFS®, our uniquely collaborative investment process revolves around global research and our disciplined risk management approach. Our global team of investment professionals shares ideas and evaluates opportunities across continents, investment disciplines and asset classes — all with a goal of building better insights, and ultimately better results, for our clients.

We remain mindful of the many economic challenges investors face today, and believe it is more important than ever to maintain a long-term view, employ time-tested principles, such as asset allocation and diversification, and work closely with investment advisors to identify and pursue the most suitable opportunities.

Respectfully,

 

LOGO

Robert J. Manning

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

MFS Investment Management®

January 15, 2013

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     60.0%   
High Grade Corporates     14.3%   
Non-U.S. Government Bonds     12.3%   
Emerging Markets Bonds     12.0%   
Mortgage-Backed Securities     5.2%   
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities     4.4%   
U.S. Government Agencies     0.7%   
Collateralized Debt Obligations     0.3%   
Asset-Backed Securities     0.2%   
Floating Rate Loans (o)     0.0%   
U.S. Treasury Securities     (2.3)%   
Composition including fixed income credit quality (a)(i)    
AAA     6.8%   
AA     2.6%   
A     8.6%   
BBB     20.8%   
BB     24.8%   
B     30.1%   
CCC     9.2%   
CC     0.3%   
C     0.1%   
U.S. Government     2.9%   
Federal Agencies     5.9%   
Not Rated     (5.0)%   
Non-Fixed Income     0.9%   
Cash & Other     (8.0)%   
Portfolio facts (i)  
Average Duration (d)     5.0   
Average Effective Maturity (m)     7.3 yrs.   
Issuer country weightings (i)(x)   
United States     64.3%   
United Kingdom     4.2%   
Japan     3.1%   
Canada     2.2%   
Mexico     2.2%   
Italy     2.0%   
Germany     1.8%   
France     1.5%   
Luxembourg     1.4%   
Other Countries     17.3%   
 

 

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). Securities rated BBB or higher are considered investment grade. 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 contracts, 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 is not rated by these agencies.
(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 any. 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.
(o) Less than 0.1%.
(x) Represents the portfolio’s exposure to issuer countries as a percentage of a portfolio’s net assets.

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 11/30/12.

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

 

3


Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT REVIEW

Summary of Results

The MFS Charter Income Trust (the “fund”) is a closed-end fund and normally invests in corporate bonds of U.S. and/or foreign issuers, U.S. Government securities, foreign government securities, mortgage-backed and other asset backed securities, and emerging market debt securities.

For the twelve months ended November 30, 2012, shares of the fund provided a total return of 15.87%, at net asset value. This compares with a return of 17.02% for the fund’s benchmark, the Barclays U.S. High-Yield Corporate Bond 2% Issuer Capped Index. Over the same period, the fund’s other benchmark, the MFS Charter Income Trust Blended Index (the “Blended Index”), generated a return of 12.40%. The Blended Index reflects the blended returns of various fixed income market indices, with percentage allocations to each index designed to resemble the fixed income allocations of the fund. The market indices and related percentage allocations used to compile the Blended Index are set forth in the Performance Summary.

Market Environment

Just prior to the beginning of the reporting period, markets were roiled by several global concerns. These included the aftermath of the U.S. sovereign debt-ceiling debacle, the path of eurozone integration and the scope of its bailout facilities, and the likelihood of a Chinese hard landing. Amidst this turmoil, global equity markets had declined sharply and credit spreads widened. At the same time, global consumer and producer sentiment indicators had fallen precipitously, while highly-rated sovereign bond yields hit multi-decade lows.

During the first half of the period, however, additional liquidity from the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), in the form of “Operation Twist”, and the European Central Bank (ECB), in the form of 3-year, Long Term Refinancing Operations, or LTROs, coupled with healthier global macroeconomic conditions led by moderate but sustained U.S. growth, ushered in improved market dynamics.

During the latter part of the period, market trends were more mixed. Worsening conditions were driven by broadly weaker global macroeconomic indicators, as well as renewed concerns over the eurozone’s capacity and determination to address its ongoing crisis. However, broad market sentiment remained relatively resilient, as equity markets generally maintained gains and credit spreads did not indicate deterioration. A new round of monetary easing by the Fed (QE3) and the ECB (rate cut and a new bond purchase facility) towards the end of the period instilled additional confidence in risk markets. Nonetheless, towards the end of the period, weaker equity earnings reports and declining forward guidance caused market sentiment to soften. As we moved toward year end, the fiscal cliff negotiations between the Republicans in the U.S. Congress and President Obama appeared to have been a particular source of market attention.

Detractors from Performance

The fund’s lesser exposure to emerging markets debt, particularly to Venezuelan bonds, detracted from performance relative to the Blended Index as this market segment turned in strong performance during the reporting period.

 

 

4


Table of Contents

Management Review – continued

 

Yield curve (y) positioning in Europe, particularly the fund’s lesser exposure to shifts in the middle portion of the yield curve (centered around bonds with maturities of 7 years) was another area of relative weakness.

Contributors to Performance

The portion of the fund’s return derived from yield, which was greater than that of the Blended Index, was a key contributor to relative performance.

A greater exposure to corporate bonds in the financial and industrial sectors benefited relative performance as both sectors outperformed the broad market over the period. In terms of credit quality, the fund’s greater exposure to bonds rated “BBB” (r) and below was a positive factor for relative performance as credit spreads narrowed during the period.

Positioning along the U.S. yield curve also benefited relative performance, particularly a greater exposure to shifts in the intermediate portion of the U.S. yield curve (centered around bonds with maturities of 7 years).

The fund employs leverage which has been created through the use of loan agreements with a bank. To the extent that investments are purchased through the use of leverage, the fund’s net asset value will increase or decrease at a greater rate than a comparable unleveraged fund. During the reporting period, the fund’s use of leverage enhanced its absolute positive returns.

Respectfully,

 

William Adams   David Cole   Richard Hawkins   Matthew Ryan
Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager

 

(r) Bonds rated “BBB”, “Baa”, or higher are considered investment grade; bonds rated “BB”, “Ba”, or below are considered non-investment grade. The sources for bond quality ratings are Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch, Inc. and are applied using 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). For securities which are not rated by any of the three agencies, the security is considered Not Rated.
(y) A yield curve graphically depicts the yields of different maturity bonds of the same credit quality and type; a normal yield curve is upward sloping, with short-term rates lower than long-term rates.

The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio managers only through the end of the period of the report as stated on the cover and do not necessarily reflect the views of MFS or any other person in the MFS organization. These views are subject to change at any time based on market or other conditions, and MFS disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice or an indication of trading intent on behalf of any MFS portfolio. References to specific securities are not recommendations of such securities, and may not be representative of any MFS portfolio’s current or future investments.

 

5


Table of Contents

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY THROUGH 11/30/12

The following chart represents the fund’s historical performance in comparison to its benchmark(s). Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost; current performance may be lower or higher than quoted. The performance shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes, if any, that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the sale of fund shares. Performance data shown represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results.

Price Summary for MFS Charter Income Trust

 

Year Ended 11/30/12

 

              Date        Price     
   Net Asset Value        11/30/12         $10.40  
            11/30/11         $9.59  
   New York Stock Exchange Price        11/30/12         $10.19  
            11/01/12  (high) (t)       $10.45  
            12/19/11  (low) (t)       $8.97  
              11/30/11         $8.93    

 

Total Returns vs Benchmarks

 

Year Ended 11/30/12

 

       
   MFS Charter Income Trust at       
  

New York Stock Exchange Price (r)

     21.92%  
  

Net Asset Value (r)

     15.87%  
 
   Barclays U.S. High-Yield Corporate Bond 2% Issuer Capped Index (f)      17.02%    
 
   MFS Charter Income Trust Blended Index (f)(y)      12.40%    
 
   Barclays U.S. Credit Bond Index (f)      11.59%    
 
   Barclays U.S. Government/Mortgage Bond Index (f)      3.27%    
 
   Citigroup World Government Bond Non-Dollar Hedged Index (f)      7.47%    
     JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (f)      18.83%    

 

6


Table of Contents

Performance Summary – continued

 

 

(f) Source: FactSet Research Systems Inc.

 

(r) Includes reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions.

 

(t) For the period December 1, 2011 through November 30, 2012.

 

(y) MFS Charter Income Trust Blended Index is at a point in time and allocations during the period can change. As of November 30, 2012, the blended index was comprised of 15.2% Citigroup World Government Bond Non-Dollar Hedged Index, 12.8% JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global, 42% Barclays U.S. High-Yield Corporate Bond 2% Issuer Capped Index, 10% Barclays U.S. Credit Bond Index, and 20% Barclays U.S. Government/Mortgage Bond Index.

Benchmark Definitions

Barclays U.S. Credit Bond Index – a market capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of publicly issued, SEC-registered, U.S. corporate and specified foreign debentures and secured notes that meet specified maturity, liquidity, and quality requirements.

Barclays U.S. Government/Mortgage Bond Index – measures debt issued by the U.S. Government, and its agencies, as well as mortgage-backed pass-through securities of Ginnie Mae (GNMA), Fannie Mae (FNMA), and Freddie Mac (FHLMC).

Barclays U.S. High-Yield Corporate Bond 2% Issuer Capped Index – a component of the Barclays U.S. High-Yield Corporate Bond Index, which measures performance of non-investment grade, fixed rate debt. The index limits the maximum exposure to any one issuer to 2%.

Citigroup World Government Bond Non-Dollar Hedged Index – a market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to represent the currency-hedged performance of the international developed government bond markets, excluding the United States.

JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global – measures the performance of U.S.-dollar- denominated debt instruments issued by emerging market sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities: Brady bonds, loans, Eurobonds.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Notes to Performance Summary

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.

 

7


Table of Contents

Performance Summary – continued

 

Performance results do not include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and may differ from amounts reported in the financial highlights.

From time to time the fund may receive proceeds from litigation settlements, without which performance would be lower.

 

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.

 

8


Table of Contents

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS OF THE FUND

Investment Objective

The fund’s investment objective is to seek high current income, but may also consider capital appreciation. The fund’s objective may be changed without shareholder approval.

Principal Investment Strategies

MFS (Massachusetts Financial Services Company, the fund’s investment adviser) normally invests the fund’s assets primarily in debt instruments.

MFS normally invests the fund’s assets in corporate bonds of U.S. and/or foreign issuers, U.S. Government securities, foreign government securities, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities of U.S. and/or foreign issuers, and/or debt instruments of issuers located in emerging market countries. MFS allocates the fund’s assets across these categories with a view toward broad diversification across and within these categories.

MFS may invest up to 100% of the fund’s assets in less than investment grade quality debt instruments (lower quality debt instruments).

MFS may invest a relatively large percentage of the fund’s assets in issuers in a single country, a small number of countries, or a particular geographic region.

While MFS may use derivatives for any investment purpose, to the extent MFS uses derivatives, MFS expects to use derivatives primarily to increase or decrease exposure to a particular market, segment of the market, or security, to increase or decrease interest rate or currency exposure, or as alternatives to direct investments.

MFS uses a bottom-up investment approach to buying and selling investments for the fund. Investments are selected primarily based on fundamental analysis of individual instruments and their issuers in light of issuers’ financial condition and market, economic, political, and regulatory conditions. Factors considered may include the instrument’s credit quality, collateral characteristics, and indenture provisions, and the issuer’s management ability, capital structure, leverage, and ability to meet its current obligations. Quantitative models that systematically evaluate the structure of the debt instrument and its features may also be considered. In structuring the fund, MFS may also consider top-down factors, including sector allocations, yield curve positioning, macroeconomic factors and risk management factors.

The fund may use leverage by borrowing up to 33 1/3% of the fund’s assets, including borrowings for investment purposes, and investing the proceeds pursuant to its investment strategies. If approved by the fund’s Board of Trustees, the fund may use leverage by other methods.

MFS may engage in active and frequent trading in pursuing the fund’s principal investment strategies.

 

9


Table of Contents

Investment Objective, Principal Investment Strategies and Risks of the Fund – continued

 

In response to market, economic, political, or other conditions, MFS may depart from the fund’s principal investment strategies by temporarily investing for defensive purposes.

Principal Risks

The fund may not achieve its objective and/or you could lose money on your investment in the fund.

Investments in debt instruments may decline in value as the result of increases in interest rates, declines in the credit quality of the issuer, borrower, counterparty or underlying collateral or assets and the terms of the instrument, or changes in economic, political, issuer-specific, or other conditions. Certain types of debt instruments can be more sensitive to these factors and therefore more volatile.

Investments in foreign markets can involve greater risk and volatility than U.S. investments because of adverse market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical, or other conditions.

Emerging markets can have less market structure, depth, and regulatory, custodial or operational oversight and greater political, social, and economic instability than developed markets.

Investments in derivatives can be used to take both long and short positions, be highly volatile, result in leverage (which can magnify losses), and involve risks in addition to the risks of the underlying indicator(s) on which the derivative is based, such as counterparty and liquidity risk.

Investments in lower-quality debt instruments can be more volatile and have greater risk of default than higher-quality debt instruments.

Mortgage-backed securities can be subject to prepayment and/or extension and therefore can offer less potential for gains and greater potential for loss.

The market price of common shares of the fund will be based on factors such as the supply and demand for common shares in the market and general market, economic, political or regulatory conditions. Whether shareholders will realize gains or losses upon the sale of common shares of the fund will depend on the market price of common shares at the time of the sale, not on the fund’s net asset value. The market price may be lower or higher than the fund’s net asset value. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value.

Leverage involves investment exposure in an amount exceeding the initial investment. Leverage can cause increased volatility by magnifying gains or losses.

Please see the fund’s registration statement for further information regarding these and other risk considerations. A copy of the fund’s registration statement on Form N-2 is available on the EDGAR database on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Internet Web site at http://sec.gov.

 

10


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.

 

Effective December 1, 2012, the following are also Portfolio Managers of the fund:

 

Ward Brown     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 2008. Portfolio Manager of the fund since December 2012.
Joshua Marston     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 2005. Portfolio Manager of the fund since December 2012.
Erik Weisman     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 2002. Portfolio Manager of the fund since December 2012.

 

11


Table of Contents

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN

The fund offers a Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) that allows common shareholders to reinvest either all of the distributions paid by the fund or only the long-term capital gains. Generally, purchases are made at the market price unless that price exceeds the net asset value (the shares are trading at a premium). If the shares are trading at a premium, purchases will be made at a price of either the net asset value or 95% of the market price, whichever is greater. You can also buy shares on a quarterly basis in any amount $100 and over. The Plan Agent will purchase shares under the Cash Purchase Plan on the 15th of January, April, July, and October or shortly thereafter.

If shares are registered in your own name, new shareholders will automatically participate in the Plan, unless you have indicated that you do not wish to participate. If your shares are in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you can ask the firm or nominee to participate in the Plan on your behalf. If the nominee does not offer the Plan, you may wish to request that your shares be re-registered in your own name so that you can participate. There is no service charge to reinvest distributions, nor are there brokerage charges for shares issued directly by the fund. However, when shares are bought on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise on the open market, each participant pays a pro rata share of the transaction expenses, including commissions. Dividends and capital gains distributions are taxable whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares – the automatic reinvestment of distributions does not relieve you of any income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on the distributions.

You may withdraw from the Plan at any time by going to the Plan Agent’s website at www.computershare.com, by calling 1-800-637-2304 any business day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time or by writing to the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940 - 3078. Please have available the name of the fund and your account number. For certain types of registrations, such as corporate accounts, instructions must be submitted in writing. Please call for additional details. When you withdraw from the Plan, you can receive the value of the reinvested shares in one of three ways: your full shares will be held in your account, the Plan Agent will sell your shares and send the proceeds to you, or you may transfer your full shares to your investment professional who can hold or sell them. Additionally, the Plan Agent will sell your fractional shares and send the proceeds to you.

If you have any questions or for further information or a copy of the Plan, contact the Plan Agent Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the Transfer Agent for the fund) at 1-800-637-2304, at the Plan Agent’s website at www.computershare.com, or by writing to the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940 - 3078.

 

12


Table of Contents

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

11/30/12

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

 

Bonds - 110.7%                 
Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Aerospace - 1.4%                 
Bombardier, Inc., 7.5%, 2018 (n)    $ 2,115,000      $ 2,326,477   
Bombardier, Inc., 7.75%, 2020 (n)      375,000        420,938   
CPI International, Inc., 8%, 2018      985,000        936,953   
Heckler & Koch GmbH, 9.5%, 2018 (z)    EUR 505,000        577,971   
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., 7.125%, 2021    $ 1,935,000        2,092,219   
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., 10%, 2017      1,495,000        1,629,550   
    

 

 

 
             $ 7,984,108   
Agricultural Products - 0.0%                 
Corporacion Azucarera del Peru S.A., 6.375%, 2022 (n)    $ 100,000      $ 107,750   
Airlines - 0.0%                 
Continental Airlines, Inc., 7.25%, 2021    $ 192,848      $ 222,739   
Apparel Manufacturers - 0.7%                 
Hanesbrands, Inc., 8%, 2016    $ 660,000      $ 732,607   
Hanesbrands, Inc., 6.375%, 2020      390,000        428,513   
Jones Group, Inc., 6.875%, 2019      1,155,000        1,186,763   
Levi Strauss & Co., 6.875%, 2022      175,000        183,531   
Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., 7.375%, 2020      1,305,000        1,459,969   
    

 

 

 
             $ 3,991,383   
Asset-Backed & Securitized - 4.9%                 
Anthracite Ltd., “A”, CDO, FRN, 0.567%, 2019 (z)    $ 914,277      $ 895,990   
Anthracite Ltd., “BFL”, CDO, FRN, 1.207%, 2037 (z)      159,738        159,546   
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc., FRN, 5.919%, 2051      1,500,000        1,778,970   
Bayview Financial Acquisition Trust, FRN, 5.483%, 2041      164,418        166,528   
Bayview Financial Revolving Mortgage Loan Trust, FRN, 1.809%, 2040 (z)      761,343        492,192   
Citigroup/Deutsche Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, FRN, 5.366%, 2049      1,605,000        1,676,105   
Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, FRN, 5.772%, 2046      230,000        249,761   
Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates, FRN, 5.147%, 2035      790,815        766,268   
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificate, FRN, 5.868%, 2039      626,701        625,475   
Crest Ltd., CDO, 7%, 2040 (a)(p)      2,378,889        118,944   
First Union-Lehman Brothers Bank of America, FRN, 0.593%, 2035 (i)      12,644,788        214,051   

 

13


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Asset-Backed & Securitized - continued                 
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., “A3”, FRN, 6.002%, 2049    $ 1,000,000      $ 1,075,535   
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., “A3”, FRN, 6.155%, 2051      6,000,000        6,397,218   
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., “A4”, FRN, 6.002%, 2049      5,000,000        5,833,375   
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., “C”, FRN, 6.227%, 2051      185,000        44,587   
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, FRN, 6.041%, 2050      1,350,000        1,553,845   
Multi Security Asset Trust, “A3”, CDO, 5%, 2035 (z)      729,838        733,670   
Spirit Master Funding LLC, 5.05%, 2023 (z)      1,232,995        1,167,744   
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, “A4”, FRN, 6.12%, 2051      3,625,000        4,290,195   
    

 

 

 
             $ 28,239,999   
Automotive - 3.0%                 
Accuride Corp., 9.5%, 2018    $ 1,445,000      $ 1,365,525   
Allison Transmission, Inc., 7.125%, 2019 (n)      2,035,000        2,167,275   
Automotores Gildemeister S.A., 8.25%, 2021 (n)      137,000        148,303   
Continental Rubber of America Corp., 4.5%, 2019 (n)      235,000        237,350   
Ford Motor Co., 7.45%, 2031      800,000        1,004,000   
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 8%, 2014      485,000        528,695   
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 12%, 2015      4,290,000        5,265,975   
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 8.125%, 2020      345,000        438,446   
General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 4.75%, 2017 (n)      380,000        395,499   
General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 6.75%, 2018      795,000        896,235   
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 8.25%, 2020      185,000        202,575   
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 7%, 2022      350,000        373,625   
Jaguar Land Rover PLC, 7.75%, 2018 (n)      430,000        470,850   
Jaguar Land Rover PLC, 8.125%, 2021 (n)      2,065,000        2,261,175   
Lear Corp., 8.125%, 2020      1,071,000        1,196,843   
    

 

 

 
             $ 16,952,371   
Broadcasting - 3.7%                 
Allbritton Communications Co., 8%, 2018    $ 900,000      $ 978,750   
AMC Networks, Inc., 7.75%, 2021      548,000        621,980   
Clear Channel Communications, Inc., 9%, 2021      1,163,000        1,026,348   
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc., 6.5%, 2022 (z)      190,000        189,050   
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc., 6.5%, 2022 (z)      675,000        678,375   
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc., “A”, 7.625%, 2020      50,000        48,250   
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc., “B”, 7.625%, 2020      1,115,000        1,092,700   
Hughes Network Systems LLC, 7.625%, 2021      765,000        852,975   
Inmarsat Finance PLC, 7.375%, 2017 (n)      790,000        841,350   

 

14


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Broadcasting - continued                 
Intelsat Bermuda Ltd., 11.25%, 2017    $ 1,435,000      $ 1,521,100   
Intelsat Bermuda Ltd., 11.5%, 2017 (p)      2,115,000        2,244,544   
Liberty Media Corp., 8.5%, 2029      820,000        881,500   
Liberty Media Corp., 8.25%, 2030      210,000        226,800   
Local TV Finance LLC, 9.25%, 2015 (p)(z)      915,374        926,816   
Newport Television LLC, 13%, 2017 (n)(p)      1,086,949        1,163,035   
News America, Inc., 6.2%, 2034      325,000        397,040   
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., 8.875%, 2017      320,000        349,600   
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., 6.875%, 2020 (n)      160,000        160,800   
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., 9.25%, 2017 (n)      1,425,000        1,567,500   
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., 8.375%, 2018      185,000        206,275   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 8.75%, 2015 (n)      725,000        821,969   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 7.625%, 2018 (n)      975,000        1,077,375   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 5.25%, 2022 (n)      150,000        149,625   
Starz LLC/Starz Finance Corp., 5%, 2019 (n)      425,000        435,094   
Townsquare Radio LLC, 9%, 2019 (z)      380,000        414,200   
Univision Communications, Inc., 6.875%, 2019 (n)      855,000        880,650   
Univision Communications, Inc., 7.875%, 2020 (n)      535,000        571,113   
Univision Communications, Inc., 8.5%, 2021 (n)      710,000        731,300   
WPP Finance, 3.625%, 2022      138,000        138,209   
    

 

 

 
             $ 21,194,323   
Brokerage & Asset Managers - 0.2%                 
E*TRADE Financial Corp., 6.375%, 2019    $ 1,040,000      $ 1,049,100   
Building - 2.0%                 
Boise Cascade LLC/Finance Corp., 6.375%, 2020 (n)    $ 390,000      $ 395,850   
Building Materials Holding Corp., 6.875%, 2018 (n)      985,000        1,056,413   
Building Materials Holding Corp., 7%, 2020 (n)      600,000        654,000   
Building Materials Holding Corp., 6.75%, 2021 (n)      440,000        481,800   
CEMEX Finance LLC, 9.5%, 2016 (n)      1,275,000        1,370,625   
CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V., 9.25%, 2020      525,000        557,813   
HD Supply, Inc., 8.125%, 2019 (n)      495,000        558,113   
HD Supply, Inc., 11.5%, 2020 (n)      790,000        863,075   
Masonite International Corp., 8.25%, 2021 (n)      1,195,000        1,278,650   
Nortek, Inc., 8.5%, 2021      1,375,000        1,495,313   
Odebrecht Finance Ltd., 5.125%, 2022 (n)      200,000        215,000   
Odebrecht Finance Ltd., 7.125%, 2042 (n)      200,000        231,500   
Owens Corning, 9%, 2019      317,000        399,858   
Roofing Supply Group LLC/Roofing Supply Finance, Inc., 10%, 2020 (n)      355,000        392,275   
USG Corp., 6.3%, 2016      963,000        991,890   

 

15


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Building - continued                 
USG Corp., 7.875%, 2020 (n)    $ 480,000      $ 531,600   
    

 

 

 
             $ 11,473,775   
Business Services - 1.4%                 
Ceridian Corp., 12.25%, 2015 (p)    $ 365,000      $ 357,700   
Ceridian Corp., 8.875%, 2019 (n)      350,000        374,500   
Cielo S.A., 3.75%, 2022 (z)      200,000        198,000   
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., 7.625%, 2017      320,000        348,800   
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., 5%, 2022      530,000        553,850   
iGate Corp., 9%, 2016      1,608,000        1,748,700   
Iron Mountain, Inc., 8.375%, 2021      1,360,000        1,502,800   
Legend Acquisition Sub, Inc., 10.75%, 2020 (n)      835,000        793,250   
Lender Processing Services, Inc., 5.75%, 2023      415,000        433,156   
SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 7.375%, 2018      1,065,000        1,135,556   
Tencent Holdings Ltd., 3.375%, 2018 (n)      449,000        461,887   
    

 

 

 
             $ 7,908,199   
Cable TV - 2.8%                 
Bresnan Broadband Holdings LLC, 8%, 2018 (n)    $ 270,000      $ 291,600   
CCO Holdings LLC, 7.875%, 2018      1,995,000        2,154,600   
CCO Holdings LLC, 8.125%, 2020      1,085,000        1,220,625   
CCO Holdings LLC, 7.375%, 2020      250,000        278,125   
Cequel Communications Holdings, 8.625%, 2017 (n)      990,000        1,056,825   
DIRECTV Holdings LLC, 5.2%, 2020      1,240,000        1,413,113   
DISH DBS Corp., 6.75%, 2021      1,000,000        1,130,000   
EchoStar Corp., 7.125%, 2016      450,000        504,563   
Myriad International Holdings B.V., 6.375%, 2017 (n)      485,000        550,475   
Nara Cable Funding Ltd., 8.875%, 2018 (z)      475,000        453,625   
ONO Finance ll PLC, 10.875%, 2019 (n)      300,000        264,000   
Telenet Finance Luxembourg, 6.375%, 2020 (n)    EUR 250,000        341,557   
Time Warner Cable, Inc., 5%, 2020    $ 1,150,000        1,344,160   
Unitymedia Hessen GmbH & Co., 5.5%, 2023 (z)      230,000        230,000   
UPC Holding B.V., 9.875%, 2018 (n)      925,000        1,034,844   
UPCB Finance III Ltd., 6.625%, 2020 (n)      1,104,000        1,184,040   
Virgin Media Finance PLC, 8.375%, 2019      318,000        364,110   
Virgin Media Finance PLC, 4.875%, 2022      200,000        205,500   
Virgin Media Finance PLC, 5.25%, 2022      820,000        863,050   
Ziggo Bond Co. B.V., 8%, 2018 (n)    EUR 635,000        908,848   
    

 

 

 
             $ 15,793,660   
Chemicals - 1.7%                 
Celanese U.S. Holdings LLC, 6.625%, 2018    $ 1,335,000      $ 1,465,163   
Hexion U.S. Finance Corp./Hexion Nova Scotia Finance, 8.875%, 2018      1,105,000        1,116,050   

 

16


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Chemicals - continued                 
Hexion U.S. Finance Corp./Hexion Nova Scotia Finance, 9%, 2020    $ 270,000      $ 239,625   
Huntsman International LLC, 8.625%, 2021      1,450,000        1,642,125   
INEOS Finance PLC, 8.375%, 2019 (n)      800,000        853,000   
INEOS Group Holdings PLC, 8.5%, 2016 (n)      940,000        921,200   
LyondellBasell Industries N.V., 5%, 2019      270,000        300,038   
LyondellBasell Industries N.V., 6%, 2021      1,185,000        1,414,594   
Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., 12.5%, 2014      751,000        775,408   
Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., 11.5%, 2016      263,000        160,430   
Polypore International, Inc., 7.5%, 2017      365,000        395,569   
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A., 5.5%, 2020 (n)      414,000        468,677   
    

 

 

 
             $ 9,751,879   
Computer Software - 0.9%                 
Infor U.S., Inc., 11.5%, 2018    $ 1,235,000      $ 1,432,600   
Nuance Communications, Inc., 5.375%, 2020 (n)      430,000        442,900   
Seagate HDD Cayman, 6.875%, 2020      475,000        495,781   
Syniverse Holdings, Inc., 9.125%, 2019      1,725,000        1,841,438   
TransUnion Holding Co., Inc., 9.625%, 2018      355,000        374,525   
TransUnion LLC/TransUnion Financing Corp., 11.375%, 2018      580,000        672,800   
    

 

 

 
             $ 5,260,044   
Computer Software - Systems - 0.9%                 
Audatex North America, Inc., 6.75%, 2018 (n)    $ 485,000      $ 520,163   
CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp., 12.535%, 2017      409,000        437,630   
CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp., 8.5%, 2019      1,060,000        1,142,150   
DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc., REIT, 8.5%, 2017      1,380,000        1,514,550   
IBM Corp., 4%, 2042      1,694,000        1,794,278   
    

 

 

 
             $ 5,408,771   
Conglomerates - 0.8%                 
Amsted Industries, Inc., 8.125%, 2018 (n)    $ 1,655,000      $ 1,762,575   
Dynacast International LLC, 9.25%, 2019      890,000        952,300   
Griffon Corp., 7.125%, 2018      1,635,000        1,731,056   
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,445,931   
Consumer Products - 0.7%                 
Easton-Bell Sports, Inc., 9.75%, 2016    $ 560,000      $ 603,406   
Elizabeth Arden, Inc., 7.375%, 2021      1,215,000        1,351,688   
FGI Operating Co./FGI Finance, Inc., 7.875%, 2020 (n)      85,000        92,650   
Jarden Corp., 7.5%, 2020      1,355,000        1,473,563   
Libbey Glass, Inc., 6.875%, 2020 (n)      355,000        379,850   
Spectrum Brands Escrow Corp., 6.375%, 2020 (z)      265,000        274,938   
Spectrum Brands Escrow Corp., 6.625%, 2022 (z)      80,000        83,800   
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,259,895   

 

17


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Consumer Services - 0.9%                 
Service Corp. International, 6.75%, 2015    $ 265,000      $ 292,825   
Service Corp. International, 7%, 2017      4,030,000        4,634,500   
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,927,325   
Containers - 1.6%                 
Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC, 7.375%, 2017 (n)    $ 990,000      $ 1,077,863   
Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC, 9.125%, 2020 (n)      1,645,000        1,768,375   
Ball Corp., 5%, 2022      93,000        98,580   
Berry Plastics Group, Inc., 9.5%, 2018      220,000        240,900   
Greif, Inc., 6.75%, 2017      1,300,000        1,436,500   
Greif, Inc., 7.75%, 2019      1,000,000        1,147,500   
Reynolds Group, 7.125%, 2019      1,135,000        1,225,800   
Reynolds Group, 9.875%, 2019      410,000        434,600   
Reynolds Group, 5.75%, 2020 (n)      590,000        603,275   
Reynolds Group, 8.25%, 2021      880,000        873,400   
    

 

 

 
             $ 8,906,793   
Defense Electronics - 0.3%                 
BAE Systems Holdings, Inc., 5.2%, 2015 (n)    $ 450,000      $ 494,148   
Ducommun, Inc., 9.75%, 2018      644,000        684,250   
MOOG, Inc., 7.25%, 2018      590,000        619,500   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,797,898   
Electrical Equipment - 0.1%                 
Avaya, Inc., 9.75%, 2015    $ 600,000      $ 475,500   
Avaya, Inc., 7%, 2019 (n)      190,000        170,525   
    

 

 

 
             $ 646,025   
Electronics - 0.7%                 
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 9.25%, 2018 (n)    $ 1,455,000      $ 1,565,944   
Nokia Corp., 5.375%, 2019      500,000        450,000   
Nokia Corp., 6.625%, 2039      175,000        147,438   
NXP B.V., 9.75%, 2018 (n)      418,000        483,835   
Sensata Technologies B.V., 6.5%, 2019 (n)      1,130,000        1,192,150   
    

 

 

 
             $ 3,839,367   
Emerging Market Quasi-Sovereign - 4.1%                 
Banco do Brasil S.A., 3.875%, 2022    $ 200,000      $ 200,400   
Banco do Estado Rio Grande do Sul S.A., 7.375%, 2022 (n)      213,000        234,034   
Banco do Nordeste do Brasil (BNB), 4.375%, 2019 (n)      658,000        676,095   
Bank of Ceylon, 6.875%, 2017 (n)      200,000        214,000   
Caixa Economica Federal, 3.5%, 2022 (z)      151,000        152,510   
CEZ A.S., 4.25%, 2022 (n)      814,000        869,352   
CNOOC Finance (2012) Ltd., 3.875%, 2022 (n)      454,000        489,590   

 

18


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Emerging Market Quasi-Sovereign - continued                 
CNOOC Finance (2012) Ltd., 5%, 2042 (n)    $ 201,000      $ 236,725   
CNPC (HK) Overseas Capital Ltd., 4.5%, 2021 (n)      897,000        1,008,520   
Comision Federal de Electricidad, 5.75%, 2042 (n)      1,184,000        1,346,800   
Corporacion Financiera de Desarrollo S.A., 4.75%, 2022 (n)      221,000        246,084   
Development Bank of Kazakhstan, 5.5%, 2015 (n)      205,000        223,963   
Development Bank of Kazakhstan, 4.125%, 2022 (z)      283,000        282,293   
Dolphin Energy Ltd., 5.5%, 2021 (n)      400,000        464,000   
Ecopetrol S.A., 7.625%, 2019      594,000        766,260   
Gaz Capital S.A., 9.25%, 2019      583,000        765,123   
Gaz Capital S.A., 5.999%, 2021 (n)      1,344,000        1,535,856   
Gaz Capital S.A., 4.95%, 2022 (n)      255,000        272,213   
Gazprom Neft, 4.375%, 2022 (n)      457,000        461,799   
Georgian Oil & Gas Corp., 6.875%, 2017 (n)      200,000        207,600   
JSC Georgian Railway, 7.75%, 2022 (n)      200,000        225,500   
Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Co., 6.95%, 2042 (n)      200,000        247,500   
Majapahit Holding B.V., 7.25%, 2017 (n)      591,000        701,813   
Majapahit Holding B.V., 8%, 2019 (n)      380,000        477,850   
OJSC Russian Agricultural Bank, 5.298%, 2017 (n)      200,000        211,500   
Pemex Project Funding Master Trust, 5.75%, 2018      642,000        751,140   
Pertamina PT, 5.25%, 2021 (n)      256,000        285,120   
Pertamina PT, 4.875%, 2022 (n)      272,000        296,480   
Pertamina PT, 6%, 2042 (n)      318,000        359,340   
Petrobras International Finance Co., 7.875%, 2019      1,361,000        1,706,438   
Petrobras International Finance Co., 6.75%, 2041      481,000        608,235   
Petroleos de Venezuela S.A., 5.25%, 2017      950,000        793,250   
Petroleos Mexicanos, 8%, 2019      1,101,000        1,443,686   
Petroleos Mexicanos, 4.875%, 2022      774,000        874,620   
Petroleos Mexicanos, 6.5%, 2041      315,000        396,113   
PTT PLC, 3.375%, 2022 (z)      288,000        286,530   
PTT PLC, 4.5%, 2042 (z)      311,000        312,006   
PTTEP Canada International Finance Ltd., 6.35%, 2042 (n)      200,000        253,910   
Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co. Ltd., 6.75%, 2019 (n)      721,000        904,855   
Sberbank of Russia, 6.125%, 2022 (n)      703,000        786,643   
Sinopec Group Overseas Development (2012) Ltd., 3.9%, 2022 (n)      279,000        302,731   
Turkiye Halk Bankasi A.S., 4.875%, 2017 (n)      200,000        215,000   
Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi, 6%, 2022 (z)      222,000        234,207   
Vnesheconombank, 6.025%, 2022 (n)      200,000        223,836   
    

 

 

 
             $ 23,551,520   
Emerging Market Sovereign - 3.8%                 
Dominican Republic, 7.5%, 2021 (n)    $ 548,000      $ 640,612   
Federal Republic of Nigeria, 0%, 2013    NGN 230,650,000        1,430,250   

 

19


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Emerging Market Sovereign - continued                 
Government of Ukraine, 6.875%, 2015    $ 500,000      $ 501,805   
Government of Ukraine, 9.25%, 2017 (n)      200,000        218,000   
Republic of Argentina, 2.5%, to 2019, 3.75% to 2029, 5.25% to 2038      1,848,000        602,448   
Republic of Colombia, 8.125%, 2024      664,000        998,656   
Republic of Colombia, 6.125%, 2041      437,000        603,060   
Republic of Guatemala, 5.75%, 2022 (n)      201,000        222,407   
Republic of Indonesia, 11.625%, 2019 (n)      1,423,000        2,162,960   
Republic of Indonesia, 4.875%, 2021 (n)      348,000        401,940   
Republic of Indonesia, 7.75%, 2038 (n)      593,000        902,843   
Republic of Latvia, 5.25%, 2017 (n)      200,000        223,250   
Republic of Lithuania, 6.625%, 2022 (n)      752,000        956,920   
Republic of Mongolia, 5.125%, 2022 (z)      200,000        200,500   
Republic of Panama, 9.375%, 2029      1,062,000        1,813,365   
Republic of Peru, 7.35%, 2025      355,000        518,300   
Republic of Philippines, 5.5%, 2026      421,000        535,723   
Republic of Philippines, 6.375%, 2034      848,000        1,198,648   
Republic of Poland, 5%, 2022      181,000        213,870   
Republic of Romania, 6.75%, 2022 (n)      1,030,000        1,216,585   
Republic of Serbia, 7.25%, 2021 (n)      200,000        225,500   
Republic of Slovakia, 4.375%, 2022 (n)      1,375,000        1,479,486   
Republic of Sri Lanka, 6.25%, 2021 (n)      208,000        227,615   
Republic of Turkey, 5.625%, 2021      362,000        432,699   
Republic of Turkey, 6.25%, 2022      390,000        489,450   
Republic of Turkey, 6%, 2041      200,000        256,000   
Russian Federation, 4.5%, 2022 (n)      400,000        452,600   
Russian Federation, 5.625%, 2042 (n)      200,000        248,500   
United Mexican States, 3.625%, 2022      1,970,000        2,169,463   
    

 

 

 
             $ 21,543,455   
Energy - Independent - 5.9%                 
BreitBurn Energy Partners LP, 8.625%, 2020    $ 330,000      $ 355,575   
BreitBurn Energy Partners LP, 7.875%, 2022 (n)      1,285,000        1,320,338   
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., 8.625%, 2018      435,000        462,188   
Chaparral Energy, Inc., 7.625%, 2022      535,000        549,713   
Chesapeake Energy Corp., 6.875%, 2020      625,000        659,375   
Concho Resources, Inc., 8.625%, 2017      420,000        457,275   
Concho Resources, Inc., 6.5%, 2022      875,000        953,750   
Continental Resources, Inc., 8.25%, 2019      1,170,000        1,316,250   
Denbury Resources, Inc., 8.25%, 2020      1,545,000        1,745,850   
Energy XXI Gulf Coast, Inc., 9.25%, 2017      1,585,000        1,787,088   
EP Energy LLC, 9.375%, 2020      2,720,000        3,012,400   
EPL Oil & Gas, Inc., 8.25%, 2018 (z)      195,000        193,538   

 

20


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Energy - Independent - continued                 
EXCO Resources, Inc., 7.5%, 2018    $ 510,000      $ 481,950   
Harvest Operations Corp., 6.875%, 2017      1,380,000        1,518,000   
Hess Corp., 8.125%, 2019      100,000        132,454   
Hilcorp Energy I/Hilcorp Finance Co., 8%, 2020 (n)      265,000        290,175   
Laredo Petroleum, Inc., 9.5%, 2019      1,080,000        1,209,600   
LINN Energy LLC, 6.5%, 2019      440,000        446,600   
LINN Energy LLC, 8.625%, 2020      740,000        808,450   
LINN Energy LLC, 7.75%, 2021      788,000        831,340   
MEG Energy Corp., 6.5%, 2021 (n)      235,000        245,281   
Newfield Exploration Co., 6.875%, 2020      1,135,000        1,221,544   
OGX Austria GmbH, 8.375%, 2022 (n)      200,000        163,000   
OGX Petroleo e Gas Participacoes S.A., 8.5%, 2018 (n)      786,000        683,820   
Pioneer Natural Resources Co., 6.875%, 2018      1,175,000        1,440,510   
Plains Exploration & Production Co., 8.625%, 2019      1,180,000        1,315,700   
Plains Exploration & Production Co., 6.5%, 2020      390,000        397,800   
Plains Exploration & Production Co., 6.75%, 2022      875,000        901,250   
QEP Resources, Inc., 6.875%, 2021      1,690,000        1,939,275   
Range Resources Corp., 8%, 2019      1,045,000        1,149,500   
Range Resources Corp., 5%, 2022      240,000        250,200   
Samson Investment Co., 9.75%, 2020 (n)      875,000        925,313   
SandRidge Energy, Inc., 8%, 2018 (n)      1,655,000        1,750,163   
SM Energy Co., 6.5%, 2021      1,200,000        1,266,000   
Talisman Energy, Inc., 7.75%, 2019      280,000        361,217   
Whiting Petroleum Corp., 6.5%, 2018      820,000        883,550   
    

 

 

 
             $ 33,426,032   
Energy - Integrated - 0.5%                 
Husky Energy, Inc., 5.9%, 2014    $ 306,000      $ 328,822   
Husky Energy, Inc., 7.25%, 2019      324,000        427,375   
Listrindo Capital B.V., 6.95%, 2019 (n)      200,000        222,882   
LUKOIL International Finance B.V., 6.656%, 2022      306,000        368,421   
Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp., 7.25%, 2021 (n)      1,295,000        1,503,884   
    

 

 

 
             $ 2,851,384   
Engineering - Construction - 0.1%                 
BakerCorp International, Inc., 8.25%, 2019    $ 650,000      $ 653,250   
Entertainment - 0.9%                 
AMC Entertainment, Inc., 8.75%, 2019    $ 1,460,000      $ 1,606,000   
AMC Entertainment, Inc., 9.75%, 2020      1,095,000        1,231,875   
Cedar Fair LP, 9.125%, 2018      450,000        509,625   
Cinemark USA, Inc., 8.625%, 2019      1,460,000        1,613,300   

 

21


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Entertainment - continued                 
NAI Entertainment Holdings LLC, 8.25%, 2017 (n)    $ 333,000      $ 367,965   
    

 

 

 
             $ 5,328,765   
Financial Institutions - 3.8%                 
Ally Financial, Inc., 5.5%, 2017    $ 2,775,000      $ 2,955,375   
CIT Group, Inc., 5.25%, 2014 (n)      1,795,000        1,857,825   
CIT Group, Inc., 5.25%, 2018      1,070,000        1,135,538   
CIT Group, Inc., 6.625%, 2018 (n)      1,355,000        1,517,600   
CIT Group, Inc., 5.5%, 2019 (n)      1,315,000        1,400,475   
Credit Acceptance Corp., 9.125%, 2017      875,000        955,938   
GMAC, Inc., 8%, 2031      135,000        171,450   
Icahn Enterprises LP, 8%, 2018      2,021,000        2,147,313   
International Lease Finance Corp., 4.875%, 2015      440,000        451,000   
International Lease Finance Corp., 8.625%, 2015      320,000        356,400   
International Lease Finance Corp., 7.125%, 2018 (n)      1,075,000        1,244,313   
Nationstar Mortgage LLC/Capital Corp., 10.875%, 2015      1,365,000        1,472,494   
Nationstar Mortgage LLC/Capital Corp., 9.625%, 2019 (n)      25,000        27,813   
Nationstar Mortgage LLC/Capital Corp., 7.875%, 2020 (n)      380,000        393,775   
PHH Corp., 9.25%, 2016      1,275,000        1,483,781   
PHH Corp., 7.375%, 2019      535,000        580,475   
SLM Corp., 8.45%, 2018      1,575,000        1,830,938   
SLM Corp., 8%, 2020      1,385,000        1,582,363   
SLM Corp., 7.25%, 2022      255,000        279,863   
    

 

 

 
             $ 21,844,729   
Food & Beverages - 1.5%                 
Ajecorp B.V., 6.5%, 2022 (n)    $ 150,000      $ 162,000   
Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A., 6.875%, 2019      1,300,000        1,726,414   
ARAMARK Corp., 8.5%, 2015      1,154,000        1,166,994   
B&G Foods, Inc., 7.625%, 2018      1,305,000        1,406,138   
Constellation Brands, Inc., 7.25%, 2016      1,020,000        1,178,100   
Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de C.V., 4.5%, 2022 (n)      218,000        240,186   
JBS USA LLC/JBS USA Finance, 8.25%, 2020 (n)      320,000        332,000   
Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, 8.25%, 2017      190,000        199,500   
TreeHouse Foods, Inc., 7.75%, 2018      1,045,000        1,144,275   
Tyson Foods, Inc., 6.6%, 2016      912,000        1,041,030   
    

 

 

 
             $ 8,596,637   
Forest & Paper Products - 0.8%                 
Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd., 7.5%, 2017 (z)    $ 125,000      $ 128,750   
Boise, Inc., 8%, 2020      820,000        891,750   
Georgia-Pacific Corp., 8%, 2024      41,000        58,020   
Graphic Packaging Holding Co., 7.875%, 2018      510,000        563,550   
Millar Western Forest Products Ltd., 8.5%, 2021      120,000        105,000   

 

22


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Forest & Paper Products - continued                 
Sappi Papier Holding GmbH, 7.75%, 2017 (n)    $ 300,000      $ 321,000   
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC, 4.875%, 2018 (n)      905,000        911,788   
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC, 7.75%, 2019 (n)    EUR 560,000        804,016   
Tembec Industries, Inc., 11.25%, 2018    $ 375,000        394,688   
Xerium Technologies, Inc., 8.875%, 2018      503,000        430,065   
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,608,627   
Gaming & Lodging - 2.8%                 
Caesars Operating Escrow LLC, 8.5%, 2020 (n)    $ 655,000      $ 641,900   
Choice Hotels International, Inc., 5.75%, 2022      175,000        191,625   
Fontainebleau Las Vegas Holdings LLC, 10.25%, 2015 (a)(d)(n)      460,000        288   
GWR Operating Partnership LLP, 10.875%, 2017      680,000        776,900   
Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 11.25%, 2017      890,000        956,194   
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., 9%, 2017      425,000        457,406   
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., REIT, 5.25%, 2022      185,000        203,038   
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., 8.875%, 2020      1,080,000        1,143,450   
MGM Mirage, 10.375%, 2014      30,000        33,525   
MGM Mirage, 6.625%, 2015      265,000        282,225   
MGM Resorts International, 11.375%, 2018      2,620,000        3,111,250   
MGM Resorts International, 9%, 2020      655,000        728,688   
Penn National Gaming, Inc., 8.75%, 2019      1,640,000        1,871,650   
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., 8.75%, 2020      345,000        376,050   
Rivers Pittsburgh Borrower LP/Rivers Pittsburgh Finance Corp., 9.5%, 2019 (n)      175,000        187,688   
Seven Seas Cruises S. DE R.L., 9.125%, 2019      900,000        936,000   
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., 6.75%, 2018      1,485,000        1,816,813   
Viking Cruises Ltd., 8.5%, 2022 (n)      580,000        614,800   
Wyndham Worldwide Corp., 6%, 2016      8,000        9,105   
Wyndham Worldwide Corp., 7.375%, 2020      405,000        493,669   
Wynn Las Vegas LLC, 7.75%, 2020      1,165,000        1,336,838   
    

 

 

 
             $ 16,169,102   
Industrial - 0.8%                 
Altra Holdings, Inc., 8.125%, 2016    $ 313,000      $ 332,782   
Dematic S.A., 8.75%, 2016 (z)      1,120,000        1,192,800   
Hyva Global B.V., 8.625%, 2016 (n)      1,124,000        1,079,040   
Mirror PIK S.A., 9%, 2016 (p)(z)      315,000        318,150   
Mueller Water Products, Inc., 8.75%, 2020      516,000        588,240   
Rexel S.A., 6.125%, 2019 (n)      520,000        538,200   
SPL Logistics Escrow LLC, 8.875%, 2020 (n)      525,000        561,750   
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,610,962   

 

23


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Insurance - 1.9%                 
American International Group, Inc., 4.875%, 2016    $ 1,480,000      $ 1,656,790   
American International Group, Inc., 8.25%, 2018      665,000        864,973   
American International Group, Inc., 8.175% to 2038, FRN to 2068      3,435,000        4,293,750   
MetLife, Inc., 9.25% to 2038, FRN to 2068 (n)      1,100,000        1,518,000   
Metropolitan Life Global Funding I, 5.125%, 2014 (n)      860,000        917,206   
Unum Group, 7.125%, 2016      1,171,000        1,385,223   
    

 

 

 
             $ 10,635,942   
Insurance - Health - 0.1%                 
AMERIGROUP Corp., 7.5%, 2019    $ 420,000      $ 491,400   
Insurance - Property & Casualty - 1.4%                 
Allstate Corp., 7.45%, 2019    $ 850,000      $ 1,123,096   
AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd., 5.75%, 2014      1,013,000        1,085,679   
Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., 10.75% to 2038, FRN to 2088 (n)      1,635,000        2,427,975   
XL Group PLC, 6.5% to 2017, FRN to 2049      1,695,000        1,535,670   
ZFS Finance USA Trust II, 6.45% to 2016, FRN to 2065 (n)      1,190,000        1,267,350   
ZFS Finance USA Trust V, 6.5% to 2017, FRN to 2067 (n)      627,000        669,323   
    

 

 

 
             $ 8,109,093   
International Market Quasi-Sovereign - 1.4%                 
Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 2.9%, 2014 (n)    $ 1,780,000      $ 1,857,092   
ING Bank N.V., 3.9%, 2014 (n)      1,390,000        1,448,586   
Irish Life & Permanent PLC, 3.6%, 2013 (e)(n)      1,900,000        1,900,000   
Israel Electric Corp. Ltd., 6.7%, 2017 (n)      588,000        620,046   
KFW International Finance, Inc., 4.875%, 2019      1,000,000        1,224,600   
Societe Financement de l’ Economie Francaise, 3.375%, 2014 (n)      1,000,000        1,041,304   
    

 

 

 
             $ 8,091,628   
International Market Sovereign - 10.2%                 
Commonwealth of Australia, 5.75%, 2021    AUD 1,028,000      $ 1,289,991   
Federal Republic of Germany, 3.75%, 2015    EUR 3,425,000        4,801,160   
Federal Republic of Germany, 4.25%, 2018    EUR 392,000        613,207   
Federal Republic of Germany, 6.25%, 2030    EUR 847,000        1,764,588   
Government of Canada, 4.5%, 2015    CAD 747,000        814,815   
Government of Canada, 4.25%, 2018    CAD 447,000        519,233   
Government of Canada, 3.25%, 2021    CAD 338,000        385,130   
Government of Canada, 5.75%, 2033    CAD 136,000        215,320   
Government of Japan, 1.7%, 2017    JPY 383,600,000        4,962,081   
Government of Japan, 1.1%, 2020    JPY 351,000,000        4,474,580   
Government of Japan, 2.1%, 2024    JPY 233,000,000        3,202,548   
Government of Japan, 2.2%, 2027    JPY 375,000,000        5,128,905   

 

24


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
International Market Sovereign - continued                 
Government of New Zealand, 6%, 2021    NZD 483,000      $ 472,710   
Government of Norway, 3.75%, 2021    NOK 2,065,000        416,467   
Kingdom of Belgium, 5.5%, 2017    EUR 1,360,000        2,152,002   
Kingdom of Denmark, 3%, 2021    DKK 2,538,000        515,077   
Kingdom of Spain, 4%, 2015    EUR 526,000        695,770   
Kingdom of Spain, 5.5%, 2017    EUR 240,000        327,837   
Kingdom of Spain, 4.6%, 2019    EUR 390,000        503,614   
Kingdom of Sweden, 5%, 2020    SEK 6,870,000        1,317,550   
Kingdom of the Netherlands, 5.5%, 2028    EUR 454,000        843,427   
Republic of Austria, 4.65%, 2018    EUR 823,000        1,278,858   
Republic of Finland, 3.875%, 2017    EUR 264,000        396,770   
Republic of France, 6%, 2025    EUR 388,000        708,276   
Republic of France, 4.75%, 2035    EUR 1,370,000        2,296,218   
Republic of Iceland, 4.875%, 2016 (n)    $ 1,646,000        1,728,300   
Republic of Ireland, 4.6%, 2016    EUR 563,000        781,634   
Republic of Italy, 4.25%, 2015    EUR 1,817,000        2,471,529   
Republic of Italy, 5.25%, 2017    EUR 3,500,000        4,939,706   
Republic of Italy, 3.75%, 2021    EUR 831,000        1,059,455   
United Kingdom Treasury, 8%, 2015    GBP 1,681,000        3,308,911   
United Kingdom Treasury, 8%, 2021    GBP 953,000        2,334,370   
United Kingdom Treasury, 4.25%, 2036    GBP 739,000        1,465,779   
    

 

 

 
             $ 58,185,818   
Internet - 0.1%                 
Baidu, Inc., 3.5%, 2022    $ 312,000      $ 315,782   
Machinery & Tools - 1.6%                 
Ashtead Capital, Inc., 6.5%, 2022 (n)    $ 235,000      $ 250,275   
Case Corp., 7.25%, 2016      710,000        798,750   
Case New Holland, Inc., 7.875%, 2017      2,235,000        2,631,713   
CNH Capital LLC, 3.875%, 2015 (n)      205,000        210,381   
CNH Capital LLC, 6.25%, 2016      280,000        305,900   
H&E Equipment Services LLC, 7%, 2022 (n)      575,000        606,625   
NESCO LLC/NESCO Holdings Corp., 11.75%, 2017 (n)      1,070,000        1,151,588   
RSC Equipment Rental, Inc., 8.25%, 2021      940,000        1,052,800   
UR Financing Escrow Corp., 5.75%, 2018 (n)      1,000,000        1,077,500   
UR Financing Escrow Corp., 7.625%, 2022 (n)      1,000,000        1,107,500   
    

 

 

 
             $ 9,193,032   
Major Banks - 2.8%                 
Banco Santander U.S. Debt S.A.U., 3.781%, 2015 (n)    $ 1,400,000      $ 1,407,210   
Bank of America Corp., 7.375%, 2014      1,000,000        1,085,886   
Bank of America Corp., 5.65%, 2018      545,000        631,494   

 

25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Major Banks - continued                 
Bank of America Corp., 7.625%, 2019    $ 370,000      $ 473,083   
Barclays Bank PLC, 7.625%, 2022      495,000        490,050   
BNP Paribas, FRN, 3.128%, 2014      1,216,000        1,258,932   
Credit Suisse New York, 5.5%, 2014      1,000,000        1,065,698   
DBS Bank Ltd., 3.625% to 2017, FRN to 2022 (n)      738,000        773,646   
HSBC USA, Inc., 4.875%, 2020      460,000        513,779   
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.3%, 2019      1,000,000        1,235,782   
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.25%, 2022      478,000        494,401   
Morgan Stanley, 5.75%, 2016      397,000        438,837   
Morgan Stanley, 6.625%, 2018      391,000        455,349   
Morgan Stanley, 7.3%, 2019      830,000        1,007,408   
Morgan Stanley, 5.625%, 2019      1,500,000        1,691,708   
RBS Capital Trust II, 6.425% to 2034, FRN to 2049      530,000        445,200   
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 6.99% to 2017, FRN to 2049 (n)      350,000        322,000   
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 7.648% to 2031, FRN to 2049      2,085,000        2,079,788   
    

 

 

 
             $ 15,870,251   
Medical & Health Technology & Services - 4.0%                 
AmSurg Corp., 5.625%, 2020 (z)    $ 600,000      $ 606,000   
Biomet, Inc., 6.5%, 2020 (n)      1,370,000        1,431,650   
Davita, Inc., 6.375%, 2018      2,180,000        2,332,600   
Davita, Inc., 6.625%, 2020      720,000        774,900   
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, 9%, 2015 (n)      665,000        766,413   
Fresenius Medical Care Capital Trust III, 5.625%, 2019 (n)      495,000        528,413   
HCA, Inc., 8.5%, 2019      2,625,000        2,946,563   
HCA, Inc., 7.5%, 2022      2,160,000        2,457,000   
HCA, Inc., 5.875%, 2022      520,000        565,500   
HealthSouth Corp., 8.125%, 2020      1,825,000        2,007,500   
Hologic, Inc., 6.25%, 2020 (n)      285,000        302,813   
Hospira, Inc., 6.05%, 2017      655,000        765,620   
IASIS Healthcare LLC/IASIS Capital Corp., 8.375%, 2019      1,425,000        1,346,625   
McKesson Corp., 7.5%, 2019      110,000        143,168   
Owens & Minor, Inc., 6.35%, 2016      970,000        1,082,918   
Physio-Control International, Inc., 9.875%, 2019 (n)      555,000        606,338   
Select Medical Corp., 7.625%, 2015      105,000        105,788   
Teleflex, Inc., 6.875%, 2019      595,000        641,113   
Tenet Healthcare Corp., 9.25%, 2015      605,000        682,138   
Tenet Healthcare Corp., 8%, 2020      245,000        262,763   
Universal Health Services, Inc., 7%, 2018      1,055,000        1,139,400   
Universal Hospital Services, Inc., 7.625%, 2020 (n)      585,000        608,400   
Vanguard Health Systems, Inc., 0%, 2016      5,000        3,550   

 

26


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Medical & Health Technology & Services - continued                 
WP Rocket Merger Sub, Inc., 10.125%, 2019 (n)    $ 515,000      $ 486,675   
    

 

 

 
             $ 22,593,848   
Metals & Mining - 1.9%                 
ArcelorMittal, 6.5%, 2014    $ 520,000      $ 542,297   
Arch Coal, Inc., 7.25%, 2020      510,000        457,725   
Cloud Peak Energy, Inc., 8.25%, 2017      2,255,000        2,424,125   
Consol Energy, Inc., 8%, 2017      1,425,000        1,524,750   
Consol Energy, Inc., 8.25%, 2020      645,000        688,538   
First Quantum Minerals Ltd., 7.25%, 2019 (n)      835,000        839,175   
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd., 8.25%, 2019 (n)      525,000        536,813   
Peabody Energy Corp., 7.375%, 2016      1,070,000        1,230,500   
Peabody Energy Corp., 6%, 2018      445,000        465,025   
Peabody Energy Corp., 6.25%, 2021      445,000        461,688   
Southern Copper Corp., 6.75%, 2040      553,000        651,035   
Vale Overseas Ltd., 4.625%, 2020      490,000        526,330   
Vale Overseas Ltd., 4.375%, 2022      500,000        529,588   
    

 

 

 
             $ 10,877,589   
Mortgage-Backed - 5.2%                 
Fannie Mae, 4.1%, 2013    $ 463,642      $ 464,828   
Fannie Mae, 4.19%, 2013      328,639        331,423   
Fannie Mae, 4.561%, 2014      223,126        231,590   
Fannie Mae, 4.6%, 2014      403,443        416,183   
Fannie Mae, 4.606%, 2014      437,515        451,475   
Fannie Mae, 4.77%, 2014      313,264        327,474   
Fannie Mae, 4.56%, 2015      169,869        182,681   
Fannie Mae, 4.665%, 2015      137,861        147,166   
Fannie Mae, 4.7%, 2015      131,631        140,583   
Fannie Mae, 4.74%, 2015      327,115        350,706   
Fannie Mae, 4.78%, 2015      380,259        410,380   
Fannie Mae, 4.815%, 2015      347,516        373,486   
Fannie Mae, 4.87%, 2015      278,695        299,693   
Fannie Mae, 4.89%, 2015      93,079        99,639   
Fannie Mae, 4.907%, 2015      446,273        484,071   
Fannie Mae, 6%, 2016 - 2037      1,930,925        2,124,042   
Fannie Mae, 5.5%, 2019 - 2037      6,700,649        7,308,955   
Fannie Mae, 4.88%, 2020      213,017        239,401   
Fannie Mae, 3%, 2027      1,282,380        1,354,346   
Fannie Mae, 6.5%, 2032 - 2033      439,959        503,350   
Fannie Mae, 5%, 2035      1,271,866        1,381,905   
Fannie Mae, TBA, 3.5%, 2043      2,200,000        2,344,031   
Freddie Mac, 6%, 2034      215,520        239,218   

 

27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Mortgage-Backed - continued                 
Ginnie Mae, 5.5%, 2039    $ 1,143,443      $ 1,256,715   
Ginnie Mae, 4.5%, 2041      1,528,936        1,687,467   
Ginnie Mae, TBA, 3%, 2042      6,000,000        6,401,249   
    

 

 

 
             $ 29,552,057   
Natural Gas - Distribution - 0.4%                 
AmeriGas Finance LLC, 6.75%, 2020    $ 1,060,000      $ 1,155,400   
Ferrellgas LP/Ferrellgas Finance Corp., 6.5%, 2021      1,065,000        1,033,050   
    

 

 

 
             $ 2,188,450   
Natural Gas - Pipeline - 2.1%                 
Atlas Pipeline Partners LP, 8.75%, 2018    $ 1,495,000      $ 1,595,913   
Crosstex Energy, Inc., 8.875%, 2018      1,705,000        1,849,925   
El Paso Corp., 7%, 2017      1,395,000        1,594,460   
El Paso Corp., 7.75%, 2032      1,481,000        1,737,672   
Energy Transfer Equity LP, 7.5%, 2020      1,380,000        1,566,300   
Enterprise Products Partners LP, 8.375% to 2016, FRN to 2066      1,426,000        1,614,945   
Enterprise Products Partners LP, 7.034% to 2018, FRN to 2068      256,000        288,640   
Inergy Midstream LP, 6%, 2020 (z)      340,000        345,950   
Rockies Express Pipeline LLC, 5.625%, 2020 (n)      347,000        336,590   
Spectra Energy Capital LLC, 8%, 2019      810,000        1,066,571   
    

 

 

 
             $ 11,996,966   
Network & Telecom - 1.7%                 
AT&T, Inc., 6.55%, 2039    $ 170,000      $ 226,166   
AT&T, Inc., 5.35%, 2040      1,108,000        1,289,387   
Centurylink, Inc., 7.65%, 2042      700,000        730,202   
Cincinnati Bell, Inc., 8.25%, 2017      1,020,000        1,088,850   
Citizens Communications Co., 9%, 2031      840,000        892,500   
Eileme 2 AB, 11.625%, 2020 (n)      765,000        875,925   
Frontier Communications Corp., 8.125%, 2018      1,190,000        1,353,625   
Qwest Communications International, Inc., 7.125%, 2018 (n)      1,075,000        1,130,598   
Telefonica Emisiones S.A.U., 2.582%, 2013      995,000        998,731   
TW Telecom Holdings, Inc., 5.375%, 2022 (n)      370,000        382,950   
Windstream Corp., 8.125%, 2018      380,000        412,300   
Windstream Corp., 7.75%, 2020      345,000        363,975   
    

 

 

 
             $ 9,745,209   
Oil Services - 1.1%                 
Afren PLC, 11.5%, 2016 (n)    $ 200,000      $ 232,000   
Afren PLC, 10.25%, 2019 (n)      212,000        246,450   
Bristow Group, Inc., 6.25%, 2022      345,000        365,700   
Chesapeake Energy Corp., 6.625%, 2019 (n)      370,000        347,800   
Dresser-Rand Group, Inc., 6.5%, 2021      305,000        320,250   

 

28


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Oil Services - continued                 
Edgen Murray Corp., 8.75%, 2020 (n)    $ 990,000      $ 990,000   
Pioneer Energy Services Corp., 9.875%, 2018      415,000        449,238   
Qgog Constellation S.A., 6.25%, 2019 (z)      202,000        203,515   
Rosneft, 3.149%, 2017 (z)      375,000        378,750   
Rosneft, 4.199%, 2022 (z)      623,000        630,476   
Shale-Inland Holdings LLC/Finance Co., 8.75%, 2019 (n)      665,000        671,650   
Unit Corp., 6.625%, 2021      1,045,000        1,063,288   
Unit Corp., 6.625%, 2021 (n)      340,000        345,950   
    

 

 

 
             $ 6,245,067   
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 2.3%                 
Akbank T.A.S., 5%, 2022 (z)    $ 150,000      $ 159,270   
Alfa Bank, 7.5%, 2019 (n)      200,000        208,274   
Banco de Credito del Peru, 6.125% to 2022, FRN to 2027 (n)      301,000        334,863   
Banco de Credito Inversion, 3%, 2017 (n)      200,000        201,120   
Banco Santander S.A., 4.125%, 2022 (z)      150,000        151,125   
Bancolombia S.A., 5.95%, 2021      819,000        943,898   
Bancolombia S.A., 5.125%, 2022      173,000        179,488   
BBVA Banco Continental S.A., 5%, 2022 (n)      146,000        157,140   
BBVA Bancomer S.A. de C.V., 6.5%, 2021 (n)      900,000        1,008,000   
BBVA Bancomer S.A. de C.V., 6.75%, 2022 (n)      155,000        173,213   
Capital One Financial Corp., 8.8%, 2019      320,000        433,376   
Capital One Financial Corp., 10.25%, 2039      2,605,000        2,618,025   
Groupe BPCE S.A., 12.5% to 2019, FRN to 2049 (n)      2,137,000        2,451,609   
Grupo Aval Ltd., 5.25%, 2017 (n)      205,000        217,300   
Grupo Aval Ltd., 4.75%, 2022 (n)      200,000        201,500   
Industrial Senior Trust, 5.5%, 2022 (z)      101,000        101,000   
LBG Capital No. 1 PLC, 7.875%, 2020 (n)      1,440,000        1,522,800   
PKO Finance AB, 4.63%, 2022 (n)      206,000        212,180   
Santander UK PLC, 8.963% to 2030, FRN to 2049      1,485,000        1,655,775   
Turkiye is Bankasi A.S, 3.875%, 2017 (z)      201,000        208,035   
Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi, 5.5%, 2022 (z)      245,000        248,063   
    

 

 

 
             $ 13,386,054   
Pharmaceuticals - 0.7%                 
Capsugel FinanceCo. SCA, 9.875%, 2019 (n)    EUR 651,000      $ 956,724   
Roche Holdings, Inc., 6%, 2019 (n)    $ 1,000,000        1,257,125   
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., 7%, 2020 (n)      970,000        1,054,875   
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., 7.25%, 2022 (n)      855,000        933,019   
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,201,743   

 

29


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Pollution Control - 0.1%                 
Heckmann Corp., 9.875%, 2018    $ 565,000      $ 574,888   
Rough Rider Escrow, Inc., 9.875%, 2018 (n)      215,000        217,150   
    

 

 

 
             $ 792,038   
Precious Metals & Minerals - 0.1%                 
IAMGOLD Corp., 6.75%, 2020 (n)    $ 678,000      $ 664,440   
Printing & Publishing - 0.2%                 
American Media, Inc., 13.5%, 2018 (z)    $ 11,911      $ 10,363   
Nielsen Finance LLC, 7.75%, 2018      645,000        719,175   
Nielsen Finance LLC, 4.5%, 2020 (n)      450,000        448,875   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,178,413   
Railroad & Shipping - 0.1%                 
Brunswick Rail Finance Ltd., 6.5%, 2017 (z)      200,000      $ 203,731   
Kansas City Southern de Mexico S.A. de C.V., 6.125%, 2021      360,000        405,000   
    

 

 

 
             $ 608,731   
Real Estate - 1.2%                 
CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc., 11.625%, 2017    $ 400,000      $ 441,500   
CNL Lifestyle Properties, Inc., REIT, 7.25%, 2019      320,000        307,200   
Entertainment Properties Trust, REIT, 7.75%, 2020      665,000        774,687   
Entertainment Properties Trust, REIT, 5.75%, 2022      750,000        791,558   
HRPT Properties Trust, REIT, 6.25%, 2016      1,053,000        1,154,665   
Kennedy Wilson, Inc., 8.75%, 2019      300,000        320,250   
MPT Operating Partnership LP, REIT, 6.875%, 2021      680,000        737,800   
MPT Operating Partnership LP, REIT, 6.375%, 2022      520,000        543,400   
Simon Property Group, Inc., REIT, 5.875%, 2017      756,000        898,074   
Simon Property Group, Inc., REIT, 10.35%, 2019      660,000        953,221   
    

 

 

 
             $ 6,922,355   
Retailers - 2.4%                 
Academy Ltd., 9.25%, 2019 (n)    $ 295,000      $ 325,238   
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp., 10%, 2019      810,000        886,950   
Dollar General Corp., 4.125%, 2017      827,000        868,350   
Home Depot, Inc., 5.875%, 2036      509,000        675,417   
J. Crew Group, Inc., 8.125%, 2019      605,000        635,250   
Limited Brands, Inc., 6.9%, 2017      480,000        553,200   
Limited Brands, Inc., 6.95%, 2033      670,000        675,025   
Pantry, Inc., 8.375%, 2020 (n)      385,000        397,513   
QVC, Inc., 7.375%, 2020 (n)      485,000        537,669   
Rite Aid Corp., 9.25%, 2020      780,000        795,600   
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., 6.875%, 2019      465,000        517,313   
Toys “R” Us Property Co. II LLC, 8.5%, 2017      1,725,000        1,841,438   

 

30


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Retailers - continued                 
Toys “R” Us, Inc., 10.75%, 2017    $ 1,040,000      $ 1,133,600   
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 5.625%, 2041      2,500,000        3,324,685   
Yankee Acquisition Corp., 8.5%, 2015      5,000        5,038   
YCC Holdings LLC/Yankee Finance, Inc., 10.25%, 2016 (p)      285,000        294,975   
    

 

 

 
             $ 13,467,261   
Specialty Chemicals - 0.1%                 
Koppers, Inc., 7.875%, 2019    $ 265,000      $ 291,169   
Specialty Stores - 0.4%                 
Gymboree Corp., 9.125%, 2018    $ 270,000      $ 247,725   
Michaels Stores, Inc., 11.375%, 2016      635,000        664,369   
Michaels Stores, Inc., 7.75%, 2018      1,080,000        1,170,450   
    

 

 

 
             $ 2,082,544   
Steel - 0.0%                 
Severstal, 5.9%, 2022 (z)    $ 200,000      $ 197,000   
Supermarkets - 0.2%                 
Delhaize Group, 5.7%, 2040    $ 834,000      $ 780,006   
SUPERVALU, Inc., 7.5%, 2014      138,000        130,410   
    

 

 

 
             $ 910,416   
Supranational - 0.6%                 
Eurasian Development Bank, 4.767%, 2022 (n)    $ 200,000      $ 207,750   
European Investment Bank, 5.125%, 2017      2,593,000        3,078,047   
    

 

 

 
             $ 3,285,797   
Telecommunications - Wireless - 2.7%                 
America Movil S.A.B. de C.V., 3.125%, 2022    $ 1,369,000      $ 1,405,550   
Clearwire Corp., 12%, 2015 (n)      900,000        949,500   
Cricket Communications, Inc., 7.75%, 2016      560,000        592,200   
Cricket Communications, Inc., 7.75%, 2020      500,000        516,250   
Crown Castle International Corp., 9%, 2015      1,475,000        1,565,344   
Crown Castle International Corp., 7.75%, 2017 (n)      430,000        456,875   
Crown Castle International Corp., 7.125%, 2019      1,005,000        1,108,013   
Digicel Group Ltd., 8.25%, 2017 (n)      710,000        761,475   
Digicel Group Ltd., 10.5%, 2018 (n)      350,000        385,000   
Digicel Group Ltd., 8.25%, 2020 (n)      200,000        212,500   
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., 7.875%, 2018      565,000        610,200   
Sprint Capital Corp., 6.875%, 2028      1,315,000        1,354,450   
Sprint Nextel Corp., 6%, 2016      1,005,000        1,090,425   
Sprint Nextel Corp., 8.375%, 2017      815,000        945,400   
Sprint Nextel Corp., 9%, 2018 (n)      415,000        511,488   

 

31


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Telecommunications - Wireless - continued                 
Sprint Nextel Corp., 6%, 2022    $ 590,000      $ 594,425   
Wind Acquisition Finance S.A., 11.75%, 2017 (n)      1,325,000        1,354,813   
Wind Acquisition Finance S.A., 7.25%, 2018 (n)      1,170,000        1,158,300   
    

 

 

 
             $ 15,572,208   
Telephone Services - 0.5%                 
Cogent Communications Group, Inc., 8.375%, 2018 (n)    $ 445,000      $ 482,825   
Level 3 Financing, Inc., 9.375%, 2019      475,000        530,813   
Level 3 Financing, Inc., 7%, 2020 (n)      145,000        147,538   
Level 3 Financing, Inc., 8.625%, 2020      1,200,000        1,305,000   
Sable International Finance Ltd., 8.75%, 2020 (n)      200,000        229,000   
    

 

 

 
             $ 2,695,176   
Tobacco - 0.2%                 
Reynolds American, Inc., 6.75%, 2017    $ 1,040,000      $ 1,270,328   
Transportation - 0.1%                 
Navios South American Logistics, Inc., 9.25%, 2019    $ 748,000      $ 714,340   
Transportation - Services - 2.1%                 
ACL I Corp., 10.625%, 2016 (p)    $ 886,222      $ 859,851   
Aguila American Resources Ltd., 7.875%, 2018 (n)      1,155,000        1,224,300   
Avis Budget Car Rental LLC, 8.25%, 2019      535,000        591,844   
CEVA Group PLC, 8.375%, 2017 (n)      1,920,000        1,862,400   
Commercial Barge Line Co., 12.5%, 2017      1,525,000        1,681,358   
ERAC USA Finance Co., 6.375%, 2017 (n)      1,000,000        1,222,283   
HDTFS, Inc., 5.875%, 2020 (n)      190,000        196,175   
Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp., 8.625%, 2017      1,460,000        1,372,400   
Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc., 8.875%, 2017      480,000        488,400   
Swift Services Holdings, Inc., 10%, 2018      1,795,000        1,974,500   
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp., 6.875%, 2013      370,000        380,638   
    

 

 

 
             $ 11,854,149   
U.S. Government Agencies and Equivalents - 0.7%                 
Freddie Mac, 5.5%, 2017    $ 3,060,000      $ 3,746,835   
U.S. Treasury Obligations - 2.9%                 
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 6.25%, 2023 (f)    $ 1,800,000      $ 2,615,625   
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 5.375%, 2031      286,200        417,405   
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 4.5%, 2036      95,000        127,686   
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 4.75%, 2037      2,986,200        4,162,948   
U.S. Treasury Notes, 3.125%, 2019      8,087,000        9,218,549   
    

 

 

 
             $ 16,542,213   

 

32


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Utilities - Electric Power - 3.5%                 
AES Corp., 8%, 2017    $ 1,965,000      $ 2,254,838   
Atlantic Power Corp., 9%, 2018      620,000        651,000   
Bruce Mansfield Unit, 6.85%, 2034      1,442,997        1,551,510   
Calpine Corp., 8%, 2016 (n)      1,800,000        1,921,500   
Calpine Corp., 7.875%, 2020 (n)      504,000        559,440   
CenterPoint Energy, Inc., 6.5%, 2018      400,000        490,562   
Covanta Holding Corp., 7.25%, 2020      905,000        997,040   
DPL, Inc., 7.25%, 2021      325,000        342,875   
EDP Finance B.V., 6%, 2018 (n)      1,390,000        1,431,700   
Energy Future Holdings Corp., 10%, 2020      835,000        887,188   
Energy Future Holdings Corp., 10%, 2020      2,903,000        3,236,845   
Energy Future Holdings Corp., 11.75%, 2022 (n)      550,000        559,625   
GenOn Energy, Inc., 9.5%, 2018      15,000        17,363   
GenOn Energy, Inc., 9.875%, 2020      1,515,000        1,715,738   
Hrvatska Electroprivreda, 6%, 2017 (z)      200,000        210,061   
NRG Energy, Inc., 8.25%, 2020      1,250,000        1,387,500   
System Energy Resources, Inc., 5.129%, 2014 (z)      684,519        693,828   
Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, 11.5%, 2020 (n)      630,000        466,200   
Viridian Group FundCo II, 11.125%, 2017 (z)      410,000        420,250   
    

 

 

 
             $ 19,795,063   
Total Bonds (Identified Cost, $587,709,865)            $ 631,616,203   
Convertible Bonds - 0.2%                 
Network & Telecom - 0.2%                 
Nortel Networks Corp., 2.125%, 2014
(Identified Cost, $952,581) (a)(d)
   $ 965,000      $ 969,825   
Preferred Stocks - 0.1%                 
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 0.1%                 
Ally Financial, Inc., 7% (z)      380      $ 369,978   
GMAC Capital Trust I, 8.125%      22,000        573,100   
Total Preferred Stocks (Identified Cost, $909,735)            $ 943,078   
Convertible Preferred Stocks - 0.1%                 
Automotive - 0.1%                 
General Motors Co., 4.75% (Identified Cost, $565,500)      11,310      $ 457,716   
Floating Rate Loans (g)(r) - 0.0%                 
Financial Institutions - 0.0%                 
Springleaf Financial Funding Co., Term Loan, 5.5%, 2017    $ 63,660      $ 62,771   

 

33


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Floating Rate Loans (g)(r) - continued                 
Utilities - Electric Power - 0.0%                 
Dynegy Midwest Generation LLC, Term Loan, 9.25%, 2016    $ 61,182      $ 62,902   
Dynegy Power LLC, Term Loan, 9.25%, 2016      80,922        84,057   
    

 

 

 
             $ 146,959   
Total Floating Rate Loans (Identified Cost, $203,433)            $ 209,730   
Common Stocks - 0.0%                 
Automotive - 0.0%                 
Accuride Corp. (a)      12,648      $ 38,829   
Printing & Publishing - 0.0%                 
American Media Operations, Inc. (a)      3,053      $ 14,502   
Total Common Stocks (Identified Cost, $271,148)            $ 53,331   
Issuer/Expiration Date/Strike Price    Number
of
Contracts
        
Call Options Purchased - 0.0%                 
S&P 500 Index - February 2013 @ $1,450
(Premiums Paid, $93,439)
     53      $ 97,520   
      Shares/Par         
Money Market Funds - 6.2%                 
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio, 0.17%,
at Cost and Net Asset Value (v)
     35,197,231      $ 35,197,231   
Total Investments (Identified Cost, $625,902,932)            $ 669,544,634   
Other Assets, Less Liabilities - (17.3)%              (98,828,908
Net Assets - 100.0%            $ 570,715,726   

 

(a) Non-income producing security.
(d) In default. Interest and/or scheduled principal payment(s) have been missed.
(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 $152,640,314, representing 26.7% 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

 

34


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

  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 for the MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end.
(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  
Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd., 7.5%, 2017    11/14/12      $125,000         $128,750   
Akbank T.A.S., 5%, 2022    10/15/12      148,514         159,270   
Ally Financial, Inc., 7% (Preferred Stock)    4/13/11-4/14/11      356,250         369,978   
AmSurg Corp., 5.625%, 2020    11/15/12-11/27/12      606,123         606,000   
American Media, Inc., 13.5%, 2018    12/22/10      12,068         10,363   
Anthracite Ltd., “A”, CDO, FRN, 0.567%, 2019    1/15/10      702,881         895,990   
Anthracite Ltd., “BFL”, CDO, FRN, 1.207%, 2037    12/09/10      146,276         159,546   
Banco Santander S.A., 4.125%, 2022    11/06/12      147,288         151,125   
Bayview Financial Revolving Mortgage Loan Trust, FRN, 1.809%, 2040    3/01/06      761,343         492,192   
Brunswick Rail Finance Ltd., 6.5%, 2017    10/25/12      200,000         203,731   
Caixa Economica Federal, 3.5%, 2022    10/26/12      150,322         152,510   
Cielo S.A., 3.75%, 2022    11/09/12      198,637         198,000   
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc., 6.5%, 2022    11/06/12      188,105         189,050   
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc., 6.5%, 2022    11/06/12      675,000         678,375   
Dematic S.A., 8.75%, 2016    4/19/11-10/21/11      1,117,660         1,192,800   
Development Bank of Kazakhstan, 4.125%, 2022    11/26/12      278,421         282,293   
EPL Oil & Gas, Inc., 8.25%, 2018    11/27/12      195,000         193,538   
Heckler & Koch GmbH, 9.5%, 2018    5/06/11-7/11/11      702,733         577,971   
Hrvatska Electroprivreda, 6%, 2017    11/02/12      200,000         210,061   
Industrial Senior Trust, 5.5%, 2022    10/25/12      101,000         101,000   
Inergy Midstream LP, 6%, 2020    11/29/12      340,000         345,950   
Local TV Finance LLC, 9.25%, 2015    11/09/07-2/16/11      903,970         926,816   
Mirror PIK S.A., 9%, 2016    10/16/12      315,000         318,150   
Multi Security Asset Trust, “A3”, CDO, 5%, 2035    10/12/10      714,477         733,670   
Nara Cable Funding Ltd., 8.875%, 2018    1/26/12      461,755         453,625   
PTT PLC, 3.375%, 2022    10/18/12      286,872         286,530   
PTT PLC, 4.5%, 2042    10/18/12      306,970         312,006   
Qgog Constellation S.A., 6.25%, 2019    11/05/12      199,216         203,515   
Republic of Mongolia, 5.125%, 2022    11/28/12      200,000         200,500   

 

35


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Restricted Securities – continued    Acquisition
Date
   Cost      Value  
Rosneft, 3.149%, 2017    11/29/12      $375,000         $378,750   
Rosneft, 4.199%, 2022    11/29/12      623,000         630,476   
Severstal, 5.9%, 2022    10/04/12      200,000         197,000   
Spectrum Brands Escrow Corp., 6.375%, 2020    11/01/12-11/28/12      269,455         274,938   
Spectrum Brands Escrow Corp., 6.625%, 2022    11/01/12      80,000         83,800   
Spirit Master Funding LLC, 5.05%, 2023    7/15/05      1,232,764         1,167,744   
System Energy Resources, Inc., 5.129%, 2014    4/16/04      684,519         693,828   
Townsquare Radio LLC, 9%, 2019    3/30/12      376,466         414,200   
Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi, 6%, 2022    10/24/12      222,000         234,207   
Turkiye is Bankasi A.S, 3.875%, 2017    11/01/12      199,664         208,035   
Unitymedia Hessen GmbH & Co., 5.5%, 2023    11/30/12      230,000         230,000   
Viridian Group FundCo II, 11.125%, 2017    3/01/12      398,073         420,250   
Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi, 5.5%, 2022    11/29/12      245,000         248,063   
Total Restricted Securities            $15,914,596   
% of Net assets            2.8%   

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
TBA   To Be Announced

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
CAD   Canadian Dollar
DKK   Danish Krone
EUR   Euro
GBP   British Pound
JPY   Japanese Yen
MXN   Mexican Peso
MYR   Malaysian Ringgit
NGN   Nigerian Naira
NOK   Norwegian Krone
NZD   New Zealand Dollar
RUB   Russian Ruble
SEK   Swedish Krona

 

36


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Derivative Contracts at 11/30/12

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts at 11/30/12

 

Type   Currency   Counterparty   Contracts
to
Deliver/
Receive
    Settlement
Date Range
    In
Exchange
for
    Contracts
at Value
    Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Asset Derivatives                                   
SELL   CAD   Merrill Lynch International Bank     1,953,400        1/11/13        $1,991,456        $1,964,909        $26,547   
SELL   DKK   Citibank N.A.     2,818,044        1/11/13        494,272        491,692        2,580   
SELL   JPY   Credit Suisse Group     719,953,584        1/11/13        9,209,747        8,737,427        472,320   
SELL   JPY   Merrill Lynch International Bank     719,953,586        1/11/13        9,204,849        8,737,427        467,422   
BUY   MXN   Citibank N.A.     9,142,500        1/14/13        704,000        704,225        225   
BUY   MXN   UBS AG     9,142,500        1/14/13        703,643        704,226        583   
BUY   MYR   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     4,391,000        2/05/13        1,432,393        1,438,012        5,619   
BUY   RUB   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     44,203,000        12/18/12        1,401,557        1,429,089        27,532   
             

 

 

 
                $1,002,828   
             

 

 

 
Liability Derivatives                                   
SELL   AUD   Westpac Banking Corp.     1,140,143        1/11/13        $1,156,481        $1,186,347        $(29,866
SELL   EUR   Barclays Bank PLC     2,055,059        1/11/13        2,659,852        2,673,789        (13,937
SELL   EUR   Deutsche Bank AG     10,602,314        1/11/13        13,661,421        13,794,422        (133,001
SELL   EUR   UBS AG     9,828,044        1/11/13        12,666,776        12,787,038        (120,262
SELL   GBP   Barclays Bank PLC     2,278,977        1/11/13        3,643,411        3,651,040        (7,629
SELL   GBP   Deutsche Bank AG     2,278,977        1/11/13        3,642,739        3,651,040        (8,301
SELL   MXN   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     18,254,000        1/14/13        1,370,574        1,406,063        (35,489
SELL   MYR   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     4,387,000        2/05/13        1,423,888        1,436,702        (12,814
SELL   NOK   Deutsche Bank AG     2,375,206        1/11/13        414,304        418,733        (4,429
SELL   NZD   Westpac Banking Corp.     583,205        1/11/13        474,909        477,593        (2,684
SELL   RUB   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     44,187,000        12/18/12        1,383,654        1,428,571        (44,917
SELL   SEK   Deutsche Bank AG     8,911,999        1/11/13        1,333,852        1,338,037        (4,185
             

 

 

 
                $(417,514
             

 

 

 

 

37


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Futures Contracts Outstanding at 11/30/12

 

Description   Currency     Contracts     Value   Expiration
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Asset Derivatives          
Interest Rate Futures Contracts          
U.S. Treasury Bond 30 yr (Long)     USD        23      $3,451,438     March - 2013        $11,614   
         

 

 

 
Liability Derivatives          
Interest Rate Futures Contracts          
U.S. Treasury Note 10 yr (Short)     USD        250      $33,410,156     March - 2013        $(42,304
         

 

 

 

At November 30, 2012, the fund had liquid securities with an aggregate value of $255,751 to cover any commitments for certain derivative contracts.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

38


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

At 11/30/12

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, $590,705,701)

     $634,347,403   

Underlying affiliated funds, at cost and value

     35,197,231   

Total investments, at value (identified cost, $625,902,932)

     $669,544,634   

Cash

     1,062,972   

Receivables for

  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     1,002,828   

Investments sold

     4,569,131   

Interest and dividends

     9,624,764   

Other assets

     3,479   

Total assets

     $685,807,808   
Liabilities         

Notes payable

     $100,000,000   

Payables for

  

Distributions

     161,316   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     417,514   

Daily variation margin on open futures contracts

     23,750   

Investments purchased

     5,072,791   

TBA purchase commitments

     8,743,874   

Payable to affiliates

  

Investment adviser

     20,618   

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     2,543   

Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation

     97,081   

Accrued interest expense

     86,249   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     466,346   

Total liabilities

     $115,092,082   

Net assets

     $570,715,726   
Net assets consist of         

Paid-in capital

     $553,916,399   

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies (net of $235,407 deferred country tax)

     43,971,148   

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

     (25,881,320

Accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income

     (1,290,501

Net assets

     $570,715,726   

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding

     54,887,126   

Net asset value per share (net assets of $570,715,726 / 54,887,126 shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

     $10.40   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

39


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year ended 11/30/12

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

     $39,143,867   

Dividends

     172,793   

Dividends from underlying affiliated funds

     48,353   

Total investment income

     $39,365,013   

Expenses

  

Management fee

     $3,635,075   

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     83,268   

Administrative services fee

     90,774   

Independent Trustees’ compensation

     80,337   

Stock exchange fee

     48,503   

Custodian fee

     71,131   

Interest expense

     1,070,862   

Shareholder communications

     200,586   

Audit and tax fees

     72,396   

Legal fees

     10,447   

Miscellaneous

     86,508   

Total expenses

     $5,449,887   

Fees paid indirectly

     (378

Reduction of expenses by investment adviser

     (1,962

Net expenses

     $5,447,547   

Net investment income

     $33,917,466   
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency   

Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis)

  

Investments (net of $36,159 country tax)

     $8,562,752   

Futures contracts

     (2,362,033

Foreign currency

     1,266,029   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

     $7,466,748   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

  

Investments (net of $235,407 increase in deferred country tax)

     $38,500,091   

Futures contracts

     (242,030

Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies

     264,360   

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

     $38,522,421   

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

     $45,989,169   

Change in net assets from operations

     $79,906,635   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

40


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.

 

     Years ended 11/30  
     2012      2011  
Change in net assets              
From operations                  

Net investment income

     $33,917,466         $35,868,749   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

     7,466,748         5,703,812   

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

     38,522,421         (22,745,770

Change in net assets from operations

     $79,906,635         $18,826,791   
Distributions declared to shareholders                  

From net investment income

     $(35,667,463      $(40,906,885

Change in net assets from fund share transactions

     $159,860         $—   

Total change in net assets

     $44,399,032         $(22,080,094
Net assets                  

At beginning of period

     526,316,694         548,396,788   

At end of period (including accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income of $1,290,501 and $4,410,193, respectively)

     $570,715,726         $526,316,694   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

41


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Year ended 11/30/12

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

 

Cash flows from operating activities:         

Change in net assets from operations

     $79,906,635   
Adjustments to reconcile change in net assets from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:         

Purchase of investment securities

     (312,804,322

Proceeds from disposition of investment securities

     324,943,592   

Payments for futures contracts

     (2,362,033

Purchases of short-term investments, net

     (12,421,071

Realized gain/loss on investments

     (8,598,911

Realized gain/loss on futures contracts

     2,362,033   

Unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

     (38,735,498

Unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency contracts

     (226,047

Net amortization/accretion of income

     1,717,932   

Decrease in interest and dividends receivable

     1,004,738   

Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities

     335,282   

Decrease in receivable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

     117,563   

Increase in payable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

     23,750   

Decrease in other assets

     692   

Net cash provided by operating activities

     $35,264,335   
Cash flows from financing activities:         

Distributions paid in cash

     (35,516,324

Decrease in interest payable

     (621

Net cash used by financing activities

     $(35,516,945

Net decrease in cash

     $(252,610
Cash:         

Beginning of period

     $1,315,582   

End of period

     $1,062,972   

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Non-cash financing activities not included herein consist of reinvestment of dividends and distributions of $159,860.

Cash paid during the year for interest $1,071,483.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

42


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund’s financial performance for the past 5 years. 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.

 

    Years ended 11/30  
    2012     2011     2010     2009     2008  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $9.59        $9.99        $9.50        $7.79        $9.54   
Income (loss) from investment operations                                        

Net investment income (d)

    $0.62        $0.66        $0.68        $0.58        $0.47   

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

    0.84        (0.31     0.52        1.76        (1.72

Total from investment operations

    $1.46        $0.35        $1.20        $2.34        $(1.25
Less distributions declared to shareholders                                        

From net investment income

    $(0.65     $(0.75     $(0.71     $(0.63     $(0.51

Net increase from repurchase of capital shares

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

Net asset value, end of period (x)

    $10.40        $9.59        $9.99        $9.50        $7.79   

Market value, end of period

    $10.19        $8.93        $9.51        $8.96        $6.88   

Total return at market value (%)

    21.92        1.79        14.36        40.77        (11.63

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

    15.87        4.06        13.30        31.82        (12.95
Ratios (%) (to average net assets)
and Supplemental data:
                                       

Expenses before expense reductions (f)

    0.98        1.00        1.11        0.90        0.78   

Expenses after expense reductions (f)

    0.98        1.00        1.11        0.90        0.78   

Net investment income

    6.12        6.60        6.93        6.71        5.18   

Portfolio turnover

    45        47        56        67        58   

Net assets at end of period (000 omitted)

    $570,716        $526,317        $548,397        $521,228        $428,293   
Supplemental Ratios (%):                                        

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

    0.79        0.79        0.82        0.84        N/A   
Senior Securities:                                        

Total notes payable outstanding (000 omitted)

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

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

    $6,707        $6,263        $6,484        $6,212        N/A   

 

43


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights – continued

 

 

(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 fund’s total liabilities (not including notes payable) from the fund’s total assets and dividing this number by the notes payable outstanding and then multiplying by 1,000.
(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.
(x) The net asset values per share and total returns have been calculated on net assets which include adjustments made in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles required at period end for financial reporting purposes.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

44


Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(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.

In this reporting period the fund adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (“ASU 2011-04”). ASU 2011-04 seeks to improve the comparability of fair value measurements as presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by providing common requirements for fair value measurement and disclosure.

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210) – Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (“ASU 2011-11”). Effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and interim periods within those annual periods, ASU 2011-11 is intended to enhance disclosure requirements on the offsetting of

 

45


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

financial assets and liabilities. Although still evaluating the potential impacts of ASU 2011-11 to the fund, management expects that the impact of the fund’s adoption will be limited to additional financial statement disclosures.

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 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. 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 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

 

46


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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 as futures contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

 

47


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

The following is a summary of the levels used as of November 30, 2012 in valuing the fund’s assets or liabilities:

 

Investments at Value    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Equity Securities      $1,167,165         $369,978         $14,502         $1,551,645   
U.S. Treasury Bonds & U.S. Government Agency & Equivalents              20,289,048                 20,289,048   
Non-U.S. Sovereign Debt              114,658,218                 114,658,218   
Corporate Bonds              355,160,283                 355,160,283   
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities              30,484,853                 30,484,853   
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities              24,906,861                 24,906,861   
Asset-Backed Securities (including CDOs)              2,400,342                 2,400,342   
Foreign Bonds              84,686,423                 84,686,423   
Floating Rate Loans              209,730                 209,730   
Mutual Funds      35,197,231                         35,197,231   
Total Investments      $36,364,396         $633,165,736         $14,502         $669,544,634   
Other Financial Instruments                            
Futures Contracts      $(30,690      $—         $—         $(30,690
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts              585,314                 585,314   

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 fund’s policy is to recognize transfers between the levels as of the end of the period. The table presents the activity of level 3 securities held at the beginning and the end of the period.

 

     Equity
Securities
 
Balance as of 11/30/11      $36,300   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (21,798

Realized gain/loss from disposition of worthless securities

     0   

Disposition of worthless securities

     0   
Balance as of 11/30/12      $14,502   

The net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments held as level 3 at November 30, 2012 is $(21,798).

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

 

48


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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, primarily to increase or decrease exposure to a particular market or segment of the market, or security, to increase or decrease interest rate or currency exposure, 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 purchased options, futures contracts, 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 November 30, 2012 as reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

        Fair Value (a)  
Risk   Derivative Contracts   Asset Derivatives     Liability Derivatives  
Interest Rate   Interest Rate Futures     $11,614        $(42,304
Foreign Exchange   Forward Foreign Currency Exchange     1,002,828        (417,514
Equity   Purchased Equity Options     97,520          
Total       $1,111,962        $(459,818

 

(a) The value of purchased options outstanding is included in total investments, at value, within the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities. 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.

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the realized gain (loss) on derivatives held by the fund for the year ended November 30, 2012 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Futures
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
 
Interest Rate      $(2,362,033      $—   
Foreign Exchange              1,339,314   
Total      $(2,362,033      $1,339,314   

 

49


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives held by the fund for the year ended November 30, 2012 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Futures
Contracts
    

Translation
of Assets and
Liabilities in
Foreign

Currencies

     Investments
(Purchased
Options)
 
Interest Rate      $(242,030      $—         $—   
Foreign Exchange              226,047           
Equity                      4,081   
Total      $(242,030      $226,047         $4,081   

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.

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 contracts and exchange-traded options) while collateral terms are contract specific for over-the-counter traded derivatives (i.e., forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swap agreements 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 in 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 options for a premium. Purchased call options entitle the holder to buy 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

 

50


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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.

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 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.

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 exposure, interest rate exposure, currency exposure, or to manage duration. 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 contracts 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 contracts 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

 

51


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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.

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 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. Dividends received in cash are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Certain dividends from foreign securities will be recorded 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

 

52


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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.

The fund purchased or sold debt securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, or in a “To Be Announced” (TBA) or “forward commitment” transaction with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. TBA securities resulting from these transactions are included in the Portfolio of Investments. At the time a fund enters into a commitment to purchase or sell a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the security acquired is reflected in the fund’s net asset value. The price of such security and the date that the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations. TBA purchase commitments are held at carrying amount, which approximates fair value and are categorized as Level 2 within the disclosure hierarchy. No interest accrues to the fund until payment takes place. At the time that a fund enters into this type of transaction, the fund is required to have sufficient cash and/or liquid securities to cover its commitments. Losses may arise due to changes in the value of the underlying securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract’s terms, or if the issuer does not issue the securities due to political, economic or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to declines in the value of the securities prior to settlement date.

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 year ended November 30, 2012, is shown as a reduction of total expenses in 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, when filed, will remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a three year period. Foreign taxes 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

 

53


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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.

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

The tax character of distributions declared to shareholders for the last two fiscal years is as follows:

 

     11/30/12      11/30/11  
Ordinary income (including any short-term capital gains)      $35,667,463         $40,906,885   

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

 

As of 11/30/12       
Cost of investments      $630,071,829   
Gross appreciation      46,063,071   
Gross depreciation      (6,590,266
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      $39,472,805   
Undistributed ordinary income      3,131,599   
Capital loss carryforwards      (21,492,056
Other temporary differences      (4,313,021

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”), net capital losses recognized after November 30, 2011 may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term losses. Previously, net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term losses. As a transition rule, the Act requires that post-enactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses.

As of November 30, 2012, the fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized gains. Such losses expire as follows:

 

Pre-enactment losses:       
11/30/16      $(10,110,651
11/30/17      (11,381,405
Total      $(21,492,056

(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

 

54


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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 year ended November 30, 2012 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.66% of the fund’s average daily net assets.

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 year ended November 30, 2012, these fees paid to MFSC amounted to $30,527.

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 year ended November 30, 2012 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0164 % 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 $958 and the Retirement Deferral plan resulted in an expense of $6,999. Both amounts are included in independent Trustees’ compensation for the year ended November 30, 2012. The liability for deferred retirement benefits payable to certain independent Trustees under both plans amounted to $96,927 at November 30, 2012, and is included in “Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation” in 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 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,

 

55


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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 year ended November 30, 2012, the aggregate fees paid by the fund to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC were $5,026 and are included in “Miscellaneous” expense in 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 $1,962, 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 current income consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity. Income earned on this investment is included in “Dividends from underlying affiliated funds” in 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      $42,832,906         $36,412,906   
Investments (non-U.S. Government securities)      $236,423,669         $244,317,681   

(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 years ended November 30, 2012 and November 30, 2011, the fund did not repurchase any shares. Transactions in fund shares were as follows:

 

     Year ended
11/30/12
     Year ended
11/30/11
 
     Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  
Shares issued to shareholders in
reinvestment of distributions
     15,386         $159,860                 $—   

(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 November 30, 2012, 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 in the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities approximates its fair value. The loan value as of the reporting date is considered Level 2 under the fair value hierarchy. The credit agreement matures on August 23, 2013. Borrowing under the agreement can be made for 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 $1,070,862 during the period. The

 

56


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

fund may also be charged a commitment fee based on the average daily unused portion of the revolving secured line of credit. The fund did not incur a commitment fee during the period. For the year ended November 30, 2012, the average loan balance was $100,000,000 at a weighted average annual interest rate of 1.07%. 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 an affiliated issuer:

 

Underlying Affiliated Fund   

Beginning

Shares/Par

Amount

    

Acquisitions

Shares/Par

Amount

    

Dispositions

Shares/Par

Amount

   

Ending

Shares/Par

Amount

 
MFS Institutional Money
Market Portfolio
     22,776,160         159,430,946         (147,009,875     35,197,231   
Underlying Affiliated Fund   

Realized

Gain (Loss)

    

Capital Gain

Distributions

    

Dividend

Income

   

Ending

Value

 
MFS Institutional Money
Market Portfolio
     $—         $—         $48,353        $35,197,231   

 

57


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Trustees and Shareholders of MFS Charter Income Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of MFS Charter Income Trust (the Fund), including the portfolio of investments, as of November 30, 2012, and the related statements of operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2012, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MFS Charter Income Trust at November 30, 2012, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

January 15, 2013

 

58


Table of Contents

RESULTS OF SHAREHOLDER MEETING

(unaudited)

At the annual meeting of shareholders of MFS Charter Income Trust, which was held on October 31, 2012, the following action was taken:

Item 1: To elect the following individuals as Trustees:

 

     Number of Shares  

Nominee

   For     

Withheld Authority

 
Robert E. Butler      48,799,279.544         842,739.561   
David H. Gunning      48,742,770.108         899,248.997   
J. Dale Sherratt      48,766,693.920         875,325.185   

 

59


Table of Contents

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS — IDENTIFICATION AND BACKGROUND

The Trustees and officers of the Trust, as of January 1, 2013, are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. (Their titles may have varied during that period.) The address of each Trustee and officer is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7618.

 

Name, Age

 

Position(s)

Held

with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer

Since (h)

 

Term

Expiring

 

Principal
Occupations During

the Past Five Years

 

Other

Directorships (j)

INTERESTED TRUSTEES
Robert J. Manning (k)
(age 49)
  Trustee   February 2004   2013   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director; President (until December 2009); Chief Investment Officer (until July 2010)   N/A
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES      
David H. Gunning
(age 70)
  Trustee and Chair of Trustees   January 2004   2012   Private investor   Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (welding equipment manufacturer), Director; Development Alternatives, Inc. (consulting), Director/Non-Executive Chairman; Portman Limited (mining), Director (until 2008)
Robert E. Butler
(age 71)
  Trustee   January 2006   2012   Consultant – investment company industry regulatory and compliance matters   N/A

Maureen R. Goldfarb

(age 57)

  Trustee   January 2009   2013   Private investor   N/A
William R. Gutow
(age 71)
  Trustee   December 1993   2014   Private investor and real estate consultant; Capitol Entertainment Management Company (video franchise), Vice Chairman   Atlantic Coast Tan (tanning salons), Vice Chairman (until 2007); Texas Donuts (donut franchise), Vice Chairman (until 2010)

 

60


Table of Contents

Trustees and Officers – continued

 

Name, Age

 

Position(s)

Held

with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer

Since (h)

 

Term

Expiring

 

Principal
Occupations During

the Past Five Years

 

Other

Directorships (j)

Michael Hegarty
(age 68)
  Trustee   December 2004   2014   Private investor; Rouse Properties Inc. (real estate), Director   N/A

John P. Kavanaugh

(age 58)

  Trustee   January 2009   2014   Private investor   N/A
J. Dale Sherratt
(age 74)
  Trustee   June 1989   2012   Insight Resources, Inc. (acquisition planning specialists), President; Wellfleet Investments (investor in health care companies), Managing General Partner   N/A
Laurie J. Thomsen
(age 55)
  Trustee   March 2005   2013   Private investor; New Profit, Inc. (venture philanthropy), Executive Partner (until 2010)   The Travelers Companies (insurance), Director
Robert W. Uek
(age 71)
  Trustee   January 2006   2014   Consultant to investment company industry   N/A
OFFICERS      

John M. Corcoran  (k)

(age 47)

  President   October 2008   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President (since October 2008); State Street Bank and Trust (financial services provider), Senior Vice President, (until September 2008)   N/A
Christopher R. Bohane (k)
(age 38)
 

Assistant
Secretary and Assistant

Clerk

  July 2005   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel   N/A

Kino Clark (k)

(age 44)

 

Assistant

Treasurer

  January 2012   N/A  

Massachusetts Financial Services Company,

Vice President

  N/A

 

61


Table of Contents

Trustees and Officers – continued

 

Name, Age

 

Position(s)

Held

with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer

Since (h)

 

Term

Expiring

 

Principal
Occupations During

the Past Five Years

 

Other

Directorships (j)

Thomas H. Connors  (k)

(age 53)

 

Assistant

Secretary and Assistant

Clerk

  September 2012   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel; Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (financial service provider), Director and Senior Counsel (until 2012)   N/A
Ethan D. Corey (k)
(age 49)
 

Assistant
Secretary and Assistant

Clerk

  July 2005   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel   N/A
David L. DiLorenzo (k)
(age 44)
  Treasurer   July 2005   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President   N/A
Robyn L. Griffin
(age 37)
  Assistant
Independent
Chief Compliance
Officer
  August 2008   N/A   Griffin Compliance LLC (provider of compliance services), Principal (since August 2008); State Street Corporation (financial services provider), Mutual Fund Administration Assistant Vice President (October 2006 – July 2008)   N/A

Brian E. Langenfeld  (k)

(age 39)

  Assistant
Secretary and Assistant Clerk
  June 2006   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel   N/A

Susan S. Newton (k)

(age 62)

  Assistant
Secretary and Assistant Clerk
  May 2005   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel   N/A

 

62


Table of Contents

Trustees and Officers – continued

 

Name, Age

 

Position(s)

Held

with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer

Since (h)

 

Term

Expiring

 

Principal
Occupations During

the Past Five Years

 

Other

Directorships (j)

Susan A. Pereira (k)
(age 42)
  Assistant
Secretary and Assistant Clerk
  July 2005   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel   N/A

Kasey L. Phillips (k)

(age 42)

  Assistant Treasurer   September 2012   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President; Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Senior Vice President, Fund Treasurer (until 2012)   N/A
Mark N. Polebaum (k)
(age 60)
  Secretary and
Clerk
  January 2006   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary   N/A
Frank L. Tarantino
(age 68)
 

Independent Chief

Compliance Officer

  June 2004   N/A   Tarantino LLC (provider of compliance services), Principal   N/A
Richard S. Weitzel (k)
(age 42)
  Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk   October 2007   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel   N/A
James O. Yost (k)
(age 52)
  Deputy Treasurer   September 1990   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President   N/A

 

(h) Date first appointed to serve as Trustee/officer of an MFS fund. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise. For the period from December 15, 2004 until February 22, 2005, Mr. Manning served as Advisory Trustee. For the period October 2008, until January 2012, Mr. Corcoran served as Treasurer of the Funds. Prior to January 2012, Messrs. DiLorenzo and Yost served as Assistant Treasurers of the Funds.
(j) Directorships or trusteeships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (i.e., “public companies”).
(k) “Interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (referred to as the 1940 Act), which is the principal federal law governing investment companies like the fund, as a result of position with MFS. The address of MFS is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7618.

 

 

63


Table of Contents

Trustees and Officers – continued

 

The Trust holds annual shareholder meetings for the purpose of electing Trustees, and Trustees are elected for fixed terms. The Board of Trustees is currently divided into three classes, each having a term of three years which term expires on the date of the third annual meeting following the election to office of the Trustee’s class. Each year the term of one class expires. Each Trustee and officer will serve until next elected or his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal.

Messrs. Butler, Kavanaugh, and Uek and Ms. Thomsen are members of the Fund’s Audit Committee.

Each of the Fund’s Trustees and officers holds comparable positions with certain other funds of which MFS or a subsidiary is the investment adviser or distributor, and, in the case of the officers, with certain affiliates of MFS. As of January 1, 2013, the Trustees served as board members of 143 funds within the MFS Family of Funds.

The Statement of Additional Information for the Fund includes further information about the Trustees and is available without charge upon request by calling 1-800-225-2606.

 

 

Investment Adviser   Custodian
Massachusetts Financial Services Company   State Street Bank and Trust
111 Huntington Avenue   1 Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02199-7618   Boston, MA 02111-2900
Portfolio Managers   Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
William Adams   Ernst & Young LLP
David Cole   200 Clarendon Street
Richard Hawkins   Boston, MA 02116
Matthew Ryan  
Effective December 1, 2012, the following are also Portfolio Managers of the fund:  
Ward Brown  
Joshua Marston  
Erik Weisman  

 

 

64


Table of Contents

BOARD REVIEW OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The Investment Company Act of 1940 requires that both the full Board of Trustees and a majority of the non-interested (“independent”) Trustees, voting separately, annually approve the continuation of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with MFS. The Trustees consider matters bearing on the Fund and its advisory arrangements at their meetings throughout the year, including a review of performance data at each regular meeting. In addition, the independent Trustees met several times over the course of three months beginning in May and ending in July, 2012 (“contract review meetings”) for the specific purpose of considering whether to approve the continuation of the investment advisory agreement for the Fund and the other investment companies that the Board oversees (the “MFS Funds”). The independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately from MFS during various contract review meetings. The independent Trustees were also assisted in this process by the MFS Funds’ Independent Chief Compliance Officer, a full-time senior officer appointed by and reporting to the independent Trustees.

In connection with their deliberations regarding the continuation of the investment advisory agreement, the Trustees, including the independent Trustees, considered such information and factors as they believed, in light of the legal advice furnished to them and their own business judgment, to be relevant. The investment advisory agreement for the Fund was considered separately, although the Trustees also took into account the common interests of all MFS Funds in their review. As described below, the Trustees considered the nature, quality, and extent of the various investment advisory, administrative, and shareholder services performed by MFS under the existing investment advisory agreement and other arrangements with the Fund.

In connection with their contract review meetings, the Trustees received and relied upon materials that included, among other items: (i) information provided by Lipper Inc., an independent third party, on the investment performance (based on net asset value) of the Fund for various time periods ended December 31, 2011 and the investment performance (based on net asset value) of a group of funds with substantially similar investment classifications/objectives (the “Lipper performance universe”), (ii) information provided by Lipper Inc. on the Fund’s advisory fees and other expenses and the advisory fees and other expenses of comparable funds identified by Lipper Inc. (the “Lipper expense group”), (iii) information provided by MFS on the advisory fees of comparable portfolios of other clients of MFS, including institutional separate accounts and other clients, (iv) information as to whether and to what extent applicable expense waivers, reimbursements or fee “breakpoints” are observed for the Fund, (v) information regarding MFS’ financial results and financial condition, including MFS’ and certain of its affiliates’ estimated profitability from services performed for the Fund and the MFS Funds as a whole, and compared to MFS’ institutional business, (vi) MFS’ views regarding the outlook for the mutual fund industry and the strategic business plans of MFS, (vii) descriptions of various functions performed by MFS for the Funds, such as compliance monitoring and portfolio trading practices, and (viii) information regarding the overall organization of MFS, including information about MFS’ senior management and other personnel providing investment

 

65


Table of Contents

Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued

 

advisory, administrative and other services to the Fund and the other MFS Funds. The comparative performance, fee and expense information prepared and provided by Lipper Inc. was not independently verified and the independent Trustees did not independently verify any information provided to them by MFS.

The Trustees’ conclusion as to the continuation of the investment advisory agreement was based on a comprehensive consideration of all information provided to the Trustees and not the result of any single factor. Some of the factors that figured particularly in the Trustees’ deliberations are described below, although individual Trustees may have evaluated the information presented differently from one another, giving different weights to various factors. It is also important to recognize that the fee arrangements for the Fund and other MFS Funds are the result of years of review and discussion between the independent Trustees and MFS, that certain aspects of such arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than in others, and that the Trustees’ conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of these same arrangements during the course of the year and in prior years.

Based on information provided by Lipper Inc. and MFS, the Trustees reviewed the Fund’s total return investment performance as well as the performance of peer groups of funds over various time periods. The Trustees placed particular emphasis on the total return performance of the Fund’s common shares in comparison to the performance of the other fund in its Lipper performance universe over the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, which the Trustees believed was a long enough period to reflect differing market conditions. The total return performance of the Fund’s common shares ranked 2nd out of a total of 2 funds in the Lipper performance universe for this three-year period (a ranking of first place out of the total number of funds in the performance universe indicating the best performer and a ranking of last place out of the total number of funds in the performance universe indicating the worst performer). The total return performance of the Fund’s common shares ranked 1st out of a total of 2 funds for the one-year period and 1st out of a total of 2 funds for each of the one- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2011. Given the size of the Lipper performance universe and information previously provided by MFS regarding differences between the Fund and the other fund in its Lipper performance universe, the Trustees also reviewed the Fund’s performance in comparison to a custom benchmark developed by MFS. The Fund matched its custom benchmark for the three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2011 (three-year: 14.6% total return for each of the Fund and the benchmark; five-year: 7.2% total return for each of the Fund and the benchmark) and under-performed its custom benchmark for the one-year period ended December 31, 2011 (4.9% total return for the Fund versus 6.3% total return for the benchmark). Because of the passage of time, these performance results may differ from the performance results for more recent periods, including those shown elsewhere in this report.

In the course of their deliberations, the Trustees took into account information provided by MFS in connection with the contract review meetings, as well as during investment review meetings conducted with portfolio management personnel during the course of the year regarding the Fund’s performance. In addition, the independent Trustees noted that the Fund’s performance for the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 matched the performance of its custom benchmark for the same

 

66


Table of Contents

Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued

 

period. After reviewing these and related factors, the Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the investment advisory agreement, that they were satisfied with MFS’ responses and efforts relating to investment performance.

In assessing the reasonableness of the Fund’s advisory fee, the Trustees considered, among other information, the Fund’s advisory fee and the total expense ratio of the Fund’s common shares as a percentage of average daily net assets and the advisory fee and total expense ratios of peer groups of funds based on information provided by Lipper Inc. The Trustees considered that, according to the Lipper data (which takes into account any fee reductions or expense limitations that were in effect during the Fund’s last fiscal year), the Fund’s effective advisory fee rate and total expense ratio were each lower than the Lipper expense group median.

The Trustees also considered the advisory fees charged by MFS to institutional accounts, if any. In comparing these fees, the Trustees considered information provided by MFS as to the generally broader scope of services provided by MFS to the Fund in comparison to institutional accounts and the impact on MFS and expenses associated with the more extensive regulatory regime to which the Fund is subject in comparison to institutional accounts.

The Trustees considered that, as a closed-end fund, the Fund is unlikely to experience meaningful asset growth. As a result, the Trustees did not view the potential for realization of economies of scale as the Fund’s assets grow to be a material factor in their deliberations. The Trustees noted that they would consider economies of scale in the future in the event the Fund experiences significant asset growth, such as through an offering of preferred shares (which is not currently contemplated) or a material increase in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.

The Trustees also considered information prepared by MFS relating to MFS’ costs and profits with respect to the Fund, the MFS Funds considered as a group, and other investment companies and accounts advised by MFS, as well as MFS’ methodologies used to determine and allocate its costs to the MFS Funds, the Fund and other accounts and products for purposes of estimating profitability.

After reviewing these and other factors described herein, the Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the investment advisory agreement, that the advisory fees charged to the Fund represent reasonable compensation in light of the services being provided by MFS to the Fund.

In addition, the Trustees considered MFS’ resources and related efforts to continue to retain, attract and motivate capable personnel to serve the Fund. The Trustees also considered current and developing conditions in the financial services industry, including the presence of large and well-capitalized companies which are spending, and appear to be prepared to continue to spend, substantial sums to engage personnel and to provide services to competing investment companies. In this regard, the Trustees also considered the financial resources of MFS and its ultimate parent, Sun Life Financial Inc. The Trustees also considered the advantages and possible disadvantages to the Fund of having an adviser that also serves other investment companies as well as other accounts.

 

67


Table of Contents

Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued

 

The Trustees also considered the nature, quality, cost, and extent of administrative services provided to the Fund by MFS under agreements other than the investment advisory agreement. The Trustees also considered the nature, extent and quality of certain other services MFS performs or arranges for on the Fund’s behalf, which may include securities lending programs, directed expense payment programs, class action recovery programs, and MFS’ interaction with third-party service providers, principally custodians and sub-custodians. The Trustees concluded that the various non-advisory services provided by MFS and its affiliates on behalf of the Fund were satisfactory.

The Trustees also considered benefits to MFS from the use of the Fund’s portfolio brokerage commissions, if applicable, to pay for investment research and various other factors. Additionally, the Trustees considered so-called “fall-out benefits” to MFS such as reputational value derived from serving as investment manager to the Fund.

Based on their evaluation of factors that they deemed to be material, including those factors described above, the Board of Trustees, including the independent Trustees, concluded that the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with MFS should be continued for an additional one-year period, commencing August 1, 2012.

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” section of the MFS Web site (mfs.com).

 

68


Table of Contents

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 most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 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. A shareholder can obtain the quarterly portfolio holdings report at mfs.com. The fund’s Form N-Q is also available on the EDGAR database on the Commission’s Internet Web site at http://www.sec.gov, and 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. Copies of the Fund’s Form N-Q also 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.

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” section of mfs.com.

FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)

The fund will notify shareholders of amounts for use in preparing 2012 income tax forms in January 2013.

 

69


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.

 

70


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.

 

71


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

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


Table of Contents
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

The Registrant has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and as defined in Form N-CSR that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer. 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.

A copy of the Code of Ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Messrs. Robert E. Butler, John P. Kavanaugh and Robert W. Uek and Ms. Laurie J. Thomsen, members of the Audit Committee, have been determined by the Board of Trustees in their reasonable business judgment to meet the definition of “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Form N-CSR. In addition, Messrs. Butler, Kavanaugh and Uek, and Ms. Thomsen are “independent” members of the Audit Committee (as such term has been defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in regulations implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002). The Securities and Exchange Commission has stated that the designation of a person as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to this Item 3 on the Form N-CSR does not impose on such a person any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Items 4(a) through 4(d) and 4(g):

The Board of Trustees has appointed Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”) to serve as independent accountants to the Registrant (hereinafter the “Registrant” or the “Fund”). The tables below set forth the audit fees billed to the Fund as well as fees for non-audit services provided to the Fund and/or to the Fund’s investment adviser, Massachusetts Financial Services Company (“MFS”), and to various entities either controlling, controlled by, or under common control with MFS that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“MFS Related Entities”).

For the fiscal years ended November 30, 2012 and 2011, audit fees billed to the Fund by E&Y were as follows:

 

     Audit Fees  
     2012      2011  

Fees billed by E&Y:

     

MFS Charter Income Trust

     50,032         48,184   


Table of Contents

For the fiscal years ended November 30, 2012 and 2011, fees billed by E&Y for audit-related, tax and other services provided to the Fund and for audit-related, tax and other services provided to MFS and MFS Related Entities were as follows:

 

     Audit-Related  Fees1      Tax Fees2      All Other  Fees3  
     2012      2011      2012      2011      2012      2011  

Fees billed by E&Y:

                 

To MFS Charter Income Trust

     10,504         10,110         9,836         9,697         0         0   
     Audit-Related Fees1      Tax Fees2      All Other  Fees3  
     2012      2011      2012      2011      2012      2011  

Fees billed by E&Y:

                 

To MFS and MFS Related Entities of MFS Charter Income Trust*

     0         0         0         0         0         0   

 

     2012      20114  

Aggregate fees for non-audit services:

     

To MFS Charter Income Trust, MFS and MFS Related Entities#

     60,340         129,807   

 

* 

This amount reflects the fees billed to MFS and MFS Related Entities for non-audit services relating directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund (portions of which services also related to the operations and financial reporting of other funds within the MFS Funds complex).

# This amount reflects the aggregate fees billed by E&Y for non-audit services rendered to the Fund and for non-audit services rendered to MFS and the MFS Related Entities.
1 

The fees included under “Audit-Related Fees” are fees related to assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements, but not reported under “Audit Fees,” including accounting consultations, agreed-upon procedure reports, attestation reports, comfort letters and internal control reviews.

2 

The fees included under “Tax Fees” are fees associated with tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning, including services relating to the filing or amendment of federal, state or local income tax returns, regulated investment company qualification reviews and tax distribution and analysis.

3 

The fees under “All Other Fees” are fees for products and services provided by E&Y other than those reported under “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees” and “Tax Fees”.

4 

E&Y fees reported in 2011 have been restated in this filing from those reported in the Registrant’s filing for the reporting period ended November 30, 2011.


Table of Contents

Item 4(e)(1):

Set forth below are the policies and procedures established by the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees relating to the pre-approval of audit and non-audit related services:

To the extent required by applicable law, pre-approval by the Audit Committee of the Board is needed for all audit and permissible non-audit services rendered to the Fund and all permissible non-audit services rendered to MFS or MFS Related Entities if the services relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Registrant. Pre-approval is currently on an engagement-by-engagement basis. In the event pre-approval of such services is necessary between regular meetings of the Audit Committee and it is not practical to wait to seek pre-approval at the next regular meeting of the Audit Committee, pre-approval of such services may be referred to the Chair of the Audit Committee for approval; provided that the Chair may not pre-approve any individual engagement for such services exceeding $50,000 or multiple engagements for such services in the aggregate exceeding $100,000 between such regular meetings of the Audit Committee. Any engagement pre-approved by the Chair between regular meetings of the Audit Committee shall be presented for ratification by the entire Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

Item 4(e)(2):

None, or 0%, of the services relating to the Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees paid by the Fund and MFS and MFS Related Entities relating directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Registrant disclosed above were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraphs (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X (which permits audit committee approval after the start of the engagement with respect to services other than audit, review or attest services, if certain conditions are satisfied).

Item 4(f): Not applicable.

Item 4(h): The Registrant’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision by a Registrant’s independent registered public accounting firm of non-audit services to MFS and MFS Related Entities that were not pre-approved by the Committee (because such services were provided prior to the effectiveness of SEC rules requiring pre-approval or because such services did not relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Registrant) was compatible with maintaining the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm as the Registrant’s principal auditors.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

The Registrant has an Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Robert E. Butler, John P. Kavanaugh, and Robert W. Uek and Ms. Laurie J. Thomsen.

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

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


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

MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

March 1, 2012

Massachusetts Financial Services Company, MFS Institutional Advisors, Inc., MFS International (UK) Limited, MFS Heritage Trust Company, McLean Budden Limited and MFS’ other subsidiaries that perform discretionary investment management activities (collectively, “MFS”) have adopted proxy voting policies and procedures, as set forth below (“MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures”), with respect to securities owned by the clients for which MFS serves as investment adviser and has the power to vote proxies, including the pooled investment vehicles sponsored by MFS (the “MFS Funds”). References to “clients” in these policies and procedures include the MFS Funds and other clients of MFS, such as funds organized offshore, sub-advised funds and separate account clients, to the extent these clients have delegated to MFS the responsibility to vote proxies on their behalf under the MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.

The MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures include:

 

  A. Voting Guidelines;

 

  B. Administrative Procedures;

 

  C Records Retention; and

 

  D. Reports.

 

A. VOTING GUIDELINES

 

1. General Policy; Potential Conflicts of Interest

MFS’ policy is that proxy voting decisions are made in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of MFS’ clients, and not in the interests of any other party or in MFS’ corporate interests, including interests such as the distribution of MFS Fund shares and institutional client relationships.


Table of Contents

In developing these proxy voting guidelines, MFS reviews corporate governance issues and proxy voting matters that are presented for shareholder vote by either management or shareholders of public companies. Based on the overall principle that all votes cast by MFS on behalf of its clients must be in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of such clients, MFS has adopted proxy voting guidelines, set forth below, that govern how MFS generally will vote on specific matters presented for shareholder vote.

As a general matter, MFS votes consistently on similar proxy proposals across all shareholder meetings. However, some proxy proposals, such as certain excessive executive compensation, environmental, social and governance matters, are analyzed on a case-by-case basis in light of all the relevant facts and circumstances of the proposal. Therefore, MFS may vote similar proposals differently at different shareholder meetings based on the specific facts and circumstances of the issuer or the terms of the proposal. In addition, MFS also reserves the right to override the guidelines with respect to a particular proxy proposal when such an override is, in MFS’ best judgment, consistent with the overall principle of voting proxies in the best long-term economic interests of MFS’ clients.

MFS also generally votes consistently on the same matter when securities of an issuer are held by multiple client accounts, unless MFS has received explicit voting instructions to vote differently from a client for its own account. From time to time, MFS may also receive comments on the MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures from its clients. These comments are carefully considered by MFS when it reviews these guidelines and revises them as appropriate.

These policies and procedures are intended to address any potential material conflicts of interest on the part of MFS or its subsidiaries that are likely to arise in connection with the voting of proxies on behalf of MFS’ clients. If such potential material conflicts of interest do arise, MFS will analyze, document and report on such potential material conflicts of interest (see Sections B.2 and D below), and shall ultimately vote the relevant proxies in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of its clients. The MFS Proxy Voting Committee is responsible for monitoring and reporting with respect to such potential material conflicts of interest.

MFS is also a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment. In developing these guidelines, MFS considered environmental, social and corporate governance issues in light of MFS’ fiduciary obligation to vote proxies in the best long-term economic interest of its clients.


Table of Contents
2. MFS’ Policy on Specific Issues

Election of Directors

MFS believes that good governance should be based on a board with at least a simple majority of directors who are “independent” of management, and whose key committees (e.g., compensation, nominating, and audit committees) are comprised entirely of “independent” directors. While MFS generally supports the board’s nominees in uncontested or non-contentious elections, we will not support a nominee to a board of a U.S. issuer (or issuer listed on a U.S. exchange) if, as a result of such nominee being elected to the board, the board would be comprised of a simple majority of members who are not “independent” or, alternatively, the compensation, nominating (including instances in which the full board serves as the compensation or nominating committee) or audit committees would include members who are not “independent.”

MFS will also not support a nominee to a board if we can determine that he or she attended less than 75% of the board and/or relevant committee meetings in the previous year without a valid reason stated in the proxy materials or other company communications. In addition, MFS may not support all nominees standing for re-election to a board if we can determine: (1) the board or its compensation committee has re-priced or exchanged underwater stock options since the last annual meeting of shareholders and without shareholder approval; (2) the board or relevant committee has not taken adequately responsive action to an issue that received majority support or opposition from shareholders, including MFS; (3) the board has implemented a poison pill without shareholder approval since the last annual meeting and such poison pill is not on the subsequent shareholder meeting’s agenda, (including those related to net-operating loss carryforwards); or (4) there are severe governance concerns at the issuer.

MFS may not support certain board nominees of U.S. issuers under certain circumstances where MFS deems compensation to be egregious due to pay-for-performance issues and/or poor pay practices. Please see the section below titled “MFS’ Policy on Specific Issues — Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation” for further details.

MFS evaluates a contested or contentious election of directors on a case-by-case basis considering the long-term financial performance of the company relative to its industry, management’s track record, the qualifications of all nominees, and an evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders.

Majority Voting and Director Elections

MFS votes for reasonably crafted proposals calling for directors to be elected with an affirmative majority of votes cast and/or the elimination of the plurality standard for electing directors (including binding resolutions requesting that the board amend the company’s bylaws), provided the proposal includes a carve-out for a plurality voting standard when there are more director nominees than board seats (e.g., contested elections) (“Majority Vote Proposals”).


Table of Contents

Classified Boards

MFS generally supports proposals to declassify a board (e.g. a board in which only one-third of board members is elected each year) for all issuers other than for certain closed-end investment companies. MFS generally opposes proposals to classify a board for issuers other than for certain closed-end investment companies.

Proxy Access

MFS analyzes proposals seeking the ability of qualifying shareholders to nominate a certain number of directors on the company’s proxy statement (“Proxy Access”) on a case-by-case basis. In its analysis, MFS will consider the proposed ownership criteria for qualifying shareholders (such as ownership threshold and holding period) as well as the proponent’s rationale for seeking Proxy Access.

Stock Plans

MFS opposes stock option programs and restricted stock plans that provide unduly generous compensation for officers, directors or employees, or that could result in excessive dilution to other shareholders. As a general guideline, MFS votes against restricted stock, stock option, non-employee director, omnibus stock plans and any other stock plan if all such plans for a particular company involve potential dilution, in the aggregate, of more than 15%. However, MFS will also vote against stock plans that involve potential dilution, in aggregate, of more than 10% at U.S. issuers that are listed in the Standard and Poor’s 100 index as of December 31 of the previous year.

MFS also opposes stock option programs that allow the board or the compensation committee to re-price underwater options or to automatically replenish shares without shareholder approval. MFS also votes against stock option programs for officers, employees or non-employee directors that do not require an investment by the optionee, that give “free rides” on the stock price, or that permit grants of stock options with an exercise price below fair market value on the date the options are granted. MFS will consider proposals to exchange existing options for newly issued options, restricted stock or cash on a case-by-case basis, taking into account certain factors, including, but not limited to, whether there is a reasonable value-for-value exchange and whether senior executives are excluded from participating in the exchange.

MFS supports the use of a broad-based employee stock purchase plans to increase company stock ownership by employees, provided that shares purchased under the plan are acquired for no less than 85% of their market value and do not result in excessive dilution.


Table of Contents

Shareholder Proposals on Executive Compensation

MFS believes that competitive compensation packages are necessary to attract, motivate and retain executives. However, MFS also recognizes that certain executive compensation practices can be “excessive” and not in the best, long-term economic interest of a company’s shareholders. We believe that the election of an issuer’s board of directors (as outlined above), votes on stock plans (as outlined above) and advisory votes on pay (as outlined below) are typically the most effective mechanisms to express our view on a company’s compensation practices.

MFS generally opposes shareholder proposals that seek to set rigid restrictions on executive compensation as MFS believes that compensation committees should retain some flexibility to determine the appropriate pay package for executives. Although we support linking executive stock option grants to a company’s performance, MFS also opposes shareholder proposals that mandate a link of performance-based pay to a specific metric. MFS generally supports reasonably crafted shareholder proposals that (i) require the issuer to adopt a policy to recover the portion of performance-based bonuses and awards paid to senior executives that were not earned based upon a significant negative restatement of earnings unless the company already has adopted a satisfactory policy on the matter, or (ii) expressly prohibit the backdating of stock options.

Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation

MFS will analyze advisory votes on executive compensation on a case-by-case basis. MFS will vote against an advisory vote on executive compensation if MFS determines that the issuer has adopted excessive executive compensation practices and will vote in favor of an advisory vote on executive compensation if MFS has not determined that the issuer has adopted excessive executive compensation practices. Examples of excessive executive compensation practices may include, but are not limited to, a pay-for-performance disconnect, employment contract terms such as guaranteed bonus provisions, unwarranted pension payouts, backdated stock options, overly generous hiring bonuses for chief executive officers, unnecessary perquisites, or the potential reimbursement of excise taxes to an executive in regards to a severance package. In cases where MFS (i) votes against consecutive advisory pay votes, or (ii) determines that a particularly egregious excessive executive compensation practice has occurred, then MFS may also vote against certain or all board nominees. MFS may also vote against certain or all board nominees if an advisory pay vote for a U.S. issuer is not on the agenda, or the company has not implemented the advisory vote frequency supported by a plurality/ majority of shareholders.

MFS generally supports proposals to include an advisory shareholder vote on an issuer’s executive compensation practices on an annual basis.


Table of Contents

“Golden Parachutes”

From time to time, MFS may evaluate a separate, advisory vote on severance packages or “golden parachutes” to certain executives at the same time as a vote on a proposed merger or acquisition. MFS will support an advisory vote on a severance package on a on a case-by-case basis, and MFS may vote against the severance package regardless of whether MFS supports the proposed merger or acquisition.

Shareholders of companies may also submit proxy proposals that would require shareholder approval of severance packages for executive officers that exceed certain predetermined thresholds. MFS votes in favor of such shareholder proposals when they would require shareholder approval of any severance package for an executive officer that exceeds a certain multiple of such officer’s annual compensation that is not determined in MFS’ judgment to be excessive.

Anti-Takeover Measures

In general, MFS votes against any measure that inhibits capital appreciation in a stock, including proposals that protect management from action by shareholders. These types of proposals take many forms, ranging from “poison pills” and “shark repellents” to super-majority requirements.

MFS generally votes for proposals to rescind existing “poison pills” and proposals that would require shareholder approval to adopt prospective “poison pills,” unless the company already has adopted a clearly satisfactory policy on the matter. MFS may consider the adoption of a prospective “poison pill” or the continuation of an existing “poison pill” if we can determine that the following two conditions are met: (1) the “poison pill” allows MFS clients to hold an aggregate position of up to 15% of a company’s total voting securities (and of any class of voting securities); and (2) either (a) the “poison pill” has a term of not longer than five years, provided that MFS will consider voting in favor of the “poison pill” if the term does not exceed seven years and the “poison pill” is linked to a business strategy or purpose that MFS believes is likely to result in greater value for shareholders; or (b) the terms of the “poison pill” allow MFS clients the opportunity to accept a fairly structured and attractively priced tender offer (e.g. a “chewable poison pill” that automatically dissolves in the event of an all cash, all shares tender offer at a premium price). MFS will also consider on a case-by-case basis proposals designed to prevent tenders which are disadvantageous to shareholders such as tenders at below market prices and tenders for substantially less than all shares of an issuer.

MFS will consider any poison pills designed to protect a company’s net-operating loss carryforwards on a case-by-case basis, weighing the accounting and tax benefits of such a pill against the risk of deterring future acquisition candidates.


Table of Contents

Reincorporation and Reorganization Proposals

When presented with a proposal to reincorporate a company under the laws of a different state, or to effect some other type of corporate reorganization, MFS considers the underlying purpose and ultimate effect of such a proposal in determining whether or not to support such a measure. MFS generally votes with management in regards to these types of proposals, however, if MFS believes the proposal is in the best long-term economic interests of its clients, then MFS may vote against management (e.g. the intent or effect would be to create additional inappropriate impediments to possible acquisitions or takeovers).

Issuance of Stock

There are many legitimate reasons for the issuance of stock. Nevertheless, as noted above under “Stock Plans,” when a stock option plan (either individually or when aggregated with other plans of the same company) would substantially dilute the existing equity (e.g. by approximately 10-15% as described above), MFS generally votes against the plan. In addition, MFS typically votes against proposals where management is asking for authorization to issue common or preferred stock with no reason stated (a “blank check”) because the unexplained authorization could work as a potential anti-takeover device. MFS may also vote against the authorization or issuance of common or preferred stock if MFS determines that the requested authorization is excessive or not warranted.

Repurchase Programs

MFS supports proposals to institute share repurchase plans in which all shareholders have the opportunity to participate on an equal basis. Such plans may include a company acquiring its own shares on the open market, or a company making a tender offer to its own shareholders.

Cumulative Voting

MFS opposes proposals that seek to introduce cumulative voting and for proposals that seek to eliminate cumulative voting. In either case, MFS will consider whether cumulative voting is likely to enhance the interests of MFS’ clients as minority shareholders. In our view, shareholders should provide names of qualified candidates to a company’s nominating committee, which, in our view, should be comprised solely of “independent” directors.

Written Consent and Special Meetings

The right to call a special meeting or act by written consent can be a powerful tool for shareholders. As such, MFS supports proposals requesting the right for shareholders who hold at least 10% of the issuer’s outstanding stock to call a special meeting. MFS also supports proposals requesting the right for shareholders to act by written consent.


Table of Contents

Independent Auditors

MFS believes that the appointment of auditors for U.S. issuers is best left to the board of directors of the company and therefore supports the ratification of the board’s selection of an auditor for the company. Some shareholder groups have submitted proposals to limit the non-audit activities of a company’s audit firm or prohibit any non-audit services by a company’s auditors to that company. MFS opposes proposals recommending the prohibition or limitation of the performance of non-audit services by an auditor, and proposals recommending the removal of a company’s auditor due to the performance of non-audit work for the company by its auditor. MFS believes that the board, or its audit committee, should have the discretion to hire the company’s auditor for specific pieces of non-audit work in the limited situations permitted under current law.

Other Business

MFS generally votes against “other business” proposals as the content of any such matter is not known at the time of our vote.

Adjourn Shareholder Meeting

MFS generally supports proposals to adjourn a shareholder meeting if we support the other ballot items on the meeting’s agenda. MFS generally votes against proposals to adjourn a meeting if we do not support the other ballot items on the meeting’s agenda.

Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Issues

MFS believes that a company’s ESG practices may have an impact on the company’s long-term economic financial performance and will generally support proposals relating to ESG issues that MFS believes are in the best long-term economic interest of the company’s shareholders. For those ESG proposals for which a specific policy has not been adopted, MFS considers such ESG proposals on a case-by-case basis. As a result, it may vote similar proposals differently at various shareholder meetings based on the specific facts and circumstances of such proposal.

MFS generally supports proposals that seek to remove governance structures that insulate management from shareholders (i.e., anti-takeover measures) or that seek to enhance shareholder rights. Many of these governance-related issues, including compensation issues, are outlined within the context of the above guidelines. In addition, MFS typically supports proposals that


Table of Contents

require an issuer to reimburse successful dissident shareholders (who are not seeking control of the company) for reasonable expenses that such dissident incurred in soliciting an alternative slate of director candidates. MFS also generally supports reasonably crafted shareholder proposals requesting increased disclosure around the company’s use of collateral in derivatives trading. MFS typically does not support proposals to separate the chairman and CEO positions as we believe that the most beneficial leadership structure of a company should be determined by the company’s board of directors. For any governance-related proposal for which an explicit guideline is not provided above, MFS will consider such proposals on a case-by-case basis and will support such proposals if MFS believes that it is in the best long-term economic interest of the company’s shareholders.

MFS generally supports proposals that request disclosure on the impact of environmental issues on the company’s operations, sales, and capital investments. However, MFS may not support such proposals based on the facts and circumstances surrounding a specific proposal, including, but not limited to, whether (i) the proposal is unduly costly, restrictive, or burdensome, (ii) the company already provides publicly-available information that is sufficient to enable shareholders to evaluate the potential opportunities and risks that environmental matters pose to the company’s operations, sales and capital investments, or (iii) the proposal seeks a level of disclosure that exceeds that provided by the company’s industry peers. MFS will analyze all other environmental proposals on a case-by-case basis and will support such proposals if MFS believes such proposal is in the best long-term economic interest of the company’s shareholders.

MFS will analyze social proposals on a case-by-case basis. MFS will support such proposals if MFS believes that such proposal is in the best long-term economic interest of the company’s shareholders. Generally, MFS will support shareholder proposals that (i) seek to amend a company’s equal employment opportunity policy to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; and (ii) request additional disclosure regarding a company’s political contributions (including trade organizations and lobbying activity) (unless the company already provides publicly-available information that is sufficient to enable shareholders to evaluate the potential opportunities and risks that such contributions pose to the company’s operations, sales and capital investments).

The laws of various states or countries may regulate how the interests of certain clients subject to those laws (e.g. state pension plans) are voted with respect to social issues. Thus, it may be necessary to cast ballots differently for certain clients than MFS might normally do for other clients.


Table of Contents

Foreign Issuers

MFS generally supports the election of a director nominee standing for re-election in uncontested or non-contentious elections unless it can be determined that (1) he or she failed to attend at least 75% of the board and/or relevant committee meetings in the previous year without a valid reason given in the proxy materials; (2) since the last annual meeting of shareholders and without shareholder approval, the board or its compensation committee has re-priced underwater stock options; or (3) since the last annual meeting, the board has either implemented a poison pill without shareholder approval or has not taken responsive action to a majority shareholder approved resolution recommending that the “poison pill” be rescinded. Also, certain markets outside of the U.S. have adopted best practice guidelines relating to corporate governance matters (e.g. the United Kingdom’s Corporate Governance Code). Many of these guidelines operate on a “comply or explain” basis. As such, MFS will evaluate any explanations by companies relating to their compliance with a particular corporate governance guideline on a case-by-case basis and may vote against the board nominees or other relevant ballot item if such explanation is not satisfactory.

MFS generally supports the election of auditors, but may determine to vote against the election of a statutory auditor in certain markets if MFS reasonably believes that the statutory auditor is not truly independent.

Some international markets have also adopted mandatory requirements for all companies to hold shareholder votes on executive compensation. MFS will not support such proposals if MFS determines that a company’s executive compensation practices are excessive, considering such factors as the specific market’s best practices that seek to maintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment and to create long-term shareholder value.

Many other items on foreign proxies involve repetitive, non-controversial matters that are mandated by local law. Accordingly, the items that are generally deemed routine and which do not require the exercise of judgment under these guidelines (and therefore voted with management) for foreign issuers include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) receiving financial statements or other reports from the board; (ii) approval of declarations of dividends; (iii) appointment of shareholders to sign board meeting minutes; (iv) discharge of management and supervisory boards; and (v) approval of share repurchase programs (absent any anti-takeover or other concerns). MFS will evaluate all other items on proxies for foreign companies in the context of the guidelines described above, but will generally vote against an item if there is not sufficient information disclosed in order to make an informed voting decision.

In accordance with local law or business practices, some foreign companies or custodians prevent the sales of shares that have been voted for a certain period beginning prior to the shareholder meeting and ending on the day following the meeting (“share blocking”). Depending on the country in which a company is domiciled, the blocking period may begin a stated number of days prior or subsequent to the meeting (e.g. one, three or five days) or on a date established by the company. While practices vary, in many countries the block period can be


Table of Contents

continued for a longer period if the shareholder meeting is adjourned and postponed to a later date. Similarly, practices vary widely as to the ability of a shareholder to have the “block” restriction lifted early (e.g. in some countries shares generally can be “unblocked” up to two days prior to the meeting whereas in other countries the removal of the block appears to be discretionary with the issuer’s transfer agent). Due to these restrictions, MFS must balance the benefits to its clients of voting proxies against the potentially serious portfolio management consequences of a reduced flexibility to sell the underlying shares at the most advantageous time. For companies in countries with share blocking periods or in markets where some custodians may block shares, the disadvantage of being unable to sell the stock regardless of changing conditions generally outweighs the advantages of voting at the shareholder meeting for routine items. Accordingly, MFS will not vote those proxies in the absence of an unusual, significant vote that outweighs the disadvantage of being unable to sell the stock.

In limited circumstances, other market specific impediments to voting shares may limit our ability to cast votes, including, but not limited to, late delivery of proxy materials, power of attorney and share re-registration requirements, or any other unusual voting requirements. In these limited instances, MFS votes securities on a best efforts basis in the context of the guidelines described above.

 

B. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

 

1. MFS Proxy Voting Committee

The administration of these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures is overseen by the MFS Proxy Voting Committee, which includes senior personnel from the MFS Legal and Global Investment Support Departments. The Proxy Voting Committee does not include individuals whose primary duties relate to client relationship management, marketing, or sales. The MFS Proxy Voting Committee:

 

  a. Reviews these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures at least annually and recommends any amendments considered to be necessary or advisable;

 

  b. Determines whether any potential material conflict of interest exists with respect to instances in which MFS (i) seeks to override these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures; (ii) votes on ballot items not governed by these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures; (iii) evaluates an excessive executive compensation issue in relation to the election of directors; or (iv) requests a vote recommendation from an MFS portfolio manager or investment analyst (e.g. mergers and acquisitions); and

 

  c. Considers special proxy issues as they may arise from time to time.


Table of Contents
2. Potential Conflicts of Interest

The MFS Proxy Voting Committee is responsible for monitoring potential material conflicts of interest on the part of MFS or its subsidiaries that could arise in connection with the voting of proxies on behalf of MFS’ clients. Due to the client focus of our investment management business, we believe that the potential for actual material conflict of interest issues is small. Nonetheless, we have developed precautions to assure that all proxy votes are cast in the best long-term economic interest of shareholders.1 Other MFS internal policies require all MFS employees to avoid actual and potential conflicts of interests between personal activities and MFS’ client activities. If an employee identifies an actual or potential conflict of interest with respect to any voting decision, then that employee must recuse himself/herself from participating in the voting process. Additionally, with respect to decisions concerning all Non-Standard Votes, as defined below, MFS will review the securities holdings reported by investment professionals that participate in such decisions to determine whether such person has a direct economic interest in the decision, in which case such person shall not further participate in making the decision. Any significant attempt by an employee of MFS or its subsidiaries to unduly influence MFS’ voting on a particular proxy matter should also be reported to the MFS Proxy Voting Committee.

In cases where proxies are voted in accordance with these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, no material conflict of interest will be deemed to exist. In cases where (i) MFS is considering overriding these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, (ii) matters presented for vote are not governed by these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, (iii) MFS evaluates a potentially excessive executive compensation issue in relation to the election of directors or advisory pay or severance package vote, or (iv) a vote recommendation is requested from an MFS portfolio manager or investment analyst (e.g. mergers and acquisitions) (collectively, “Non-Standard Votes”); the MFS Proxy Voting Committee will follow these procedures:

 

  a. Compare the name of the issuer of such proxy against a list of significant current (i) distributors of MFS Fund shares, and (ii) MFS institutional clients (the “MFS Significant Client List”);

 

  b. If the name of the issuer does not appear on the MFS Significant Client List, then no material conflict of interest will be deemed to exist, and the proxy will be voted as otherwise determined by the MFS Proxy Voting Committee;

 

1 

For clarification purposes, note that MFS votes in what we believe to be the best, long-term economic interest of our clients entitled to vote at the shareholder meeting, regardless of whether other MFS clients hold “short” positions in the same issuer.


Table of Contents
  c. If the name of the issuer appears on the MFS Significant Client List, then the MFS Proxy Voting Committee will be apprised of that fact and each member of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee will carefully evaluate the proposed vote in order to ensure that the proxy ultimately is voted in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of MFS’ clients, and not in MFS’ corporate interests; and

 

  d. For all potential material conflicts of interest identified under clause (c) above, the MFS Proxy Voting Committee will document: the name of the issuer, the issuer’s relationship to MFS, the analysis of the matters submitted for proxy vote, the votes as to be cast and the reasons why the MFS Proxy Voting Committee determined that the votes were cast in the best long-term economic interests of MFS’ clients, and not in MFS’ corporate interests. A copy of the foregoing documentation will be provided to MFS’ Conflicts Officer.

The members of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee are responsible for creating and maintaining the MFS Significant Client List, in consultation with MFS’ distribution and institutional business units. The MFS Significant Client List will be reviewed and updated periodically, as appropriate.

If an MFS client has the right to vote on a matter submitted to shareholders by Sun Life Financial, Inc. or any of its affiliates (collectively “Sun Life”), MFS will cast a vote on behalf of such MFS client pursuant to the recommendations of Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc.’s (“ISS”) benchmark policy, or as required by law.

Except as described in the MFS Fund’s prospectus, from time to time, certain MFS Funds (the “top tier fund”) may own shares of other MFS Funds (the “underlying fund”). If an underlying fund submits a matter to a shareholder vote, the top tier fund will generally vote its shares in the same proportion as the other shareholders of the underlying fund. If there are no other shareholders in the underlying fund, the top tier fund will vote in what MFS believes to be in the top tier fund’s best long-term economic interest. If an MFS client has the right to vote on a matter submitted to shareholders by a pooled investment vehicle advised by MFS, MFS will cast a vote on behalf of such MFS client in the same proportion as the other shareholders of the pooled investment vehicle.

 

3. Gathering Proxies

Most proxies received by MFS and its clients originate at Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”). Broadridge and other service providers, on behalf of custodians, send proxy related material to the record holders of the shares beneficially owned by MFS’ clients, usually to the client’s proxy voting administrator or, less commonly, to the client itself. This material will include proxy ballots reflecting the shareholdings of Funds and of clients on the record dates for such shareholder meetings, as well as proxy materials with the issuer’s explanation of the items to be voted upon.


Table of Contents

MFS, on behalf of itself and certain of its clients (including the MFS Funds) has entered into an agreement with an independent proxy administration firm pursuant to which the proxy administration firm performs various proxy vote related administrative services such as vote processing and recordkeeping functions. Except as noted below, the proxy administration firm for MFS and its clients, including the MFS Funds, is ISS. The proxy administration firm for MFS Development Funds, LLC is Glass, Lewis & Co., Inc. (“Glass Lewis”; Glass Lewis and ISS are each hereinafter referred to as the “Proxy Administrator”).

The Proxy Administrator receives proxy statements and proxy ballots directly or indirectly from various custodians, logs these materials into its database and matches upcoming meetings with MFS Fund and client portfolio holdings, which are input into the Proxy Administrator’s system by an MFS holdings data-feed. Through the use of the Proxy Administrator system, ballots and proxy material summaries for all upcoming shareholders’ meetings are available on-line to certain MFS employees and members of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee.

It is the responsibility of the Proxy Administrator and MFS to monitor the receipt of ballots. When proxy ballots and materials for clients are received by the Proxy Administrator, they are input into the Proxy Administrator’s on-line system. The Proxy Administrator then reconciles a list of all MFS accounts that hold shares of a company’s stock and the number of shares held on the record date by these accounts with the Proxy Administrator’s list of any upcoming shareholder’s meeting of that company. If a proxy ballot has not been received, the Proxy Administrator contacts the custodian requesting the reason as to why a ballot has not been received.

 

4. Analyzing Proxies

Proxies are voted in accordance with these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures. The Proxy Administrator, at the prior direction of MFS, automatically votes all proxy matters that do not require the particular exercise of discretion or judgment with respect to these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures as determined by MFS. With respect to proxy matters that require the particular exercise of discretion or judgment, the MFS Proxy Voting Committee considers and votes on those proxy matters. MFS also receives research and recommendations from the Proxy Administrator which it may take into account in deciding how to vote. MFS uses the research of ISS to identify (i) circumstances in which a board may have approved excessive executive compensation, (ii) environmental and social proposals that warrant consideration or (iii) circumstances in which a non-U.S. company is not in compliance with local governance or compensation best practices. In those situations where the only


Table of Contents

MFS fund that is eligible to vote at a shareholder meeting has Glass Lewis as its Proxy Administrator, then we will rely on research from Glass Lewis to identify such issues. Representatives of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee review, as appropriate, votes cast to ensure conformity with these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.

As a general matter, portfolio managers and investment analysts have little or no involvement in most votes taken by MFS. This is designed to promote consistency in the application of MFS’ voting guidelines, to promote consistency in voting on the same or similar issues (for the same or for multiple issuers) across all client accounts, and to minimize the potential that proxy solicitors, issuers, or third parties might attempt to exert inappropriate influence on the vote. In limited types of votes (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, capitalization matters, potentially excessive executive compensation issues, or shareholder proposals relating to environmental and social issues), a representative of MFS Proxy Voting Committee may consult with or seek recommendations from MFS portfolio managers or investment analysts.2 However, the MFS Proxy Voting Committee would ultimately determine the manner in which all proxies are voted.

As noted above, MFS reserves the right to override the guidelines when such an override is, in MFS’ best judgment, consistent with the overall principle of voting proxies in the best long-term economic interests of MFS’ clients. Any such override of the guidelines shall be analyzed, documented and reported in accordance with the procedures set forth in these policies.

 

5. Voting Proxies

In accordance with its contract with MFS, the Proxy Administrator also generates a variety of reports for the MFS Proxy Voting Committee, and makes available on-line various other types of information so that the MFS Proxy Voting Committee may review and monitor the votes cast by the Proxy Administrator on behalf of MFS’ clients.

 

6. Securities Lending

From time to time, the MFS Funds or other pooled investment vehicles sponsored by MFS may participate in a securities lending program. In the event MFS or its agent receives timely notice of a shareholder meeting for a U.S. security, MFS and its agent will attempt to recall any securities on loan before the meeting’s record date so that MFS will be entitled to vote these shares. However, there may be instances in which MFS is unable to timely recall securities on loan

 

2 

From time to time, due to travel schedules and other commitments, an appropriate portfolio manager or research analyst may not be available to provide a vote recommendation. If such a recommendation cannot be obtained within a reasonable time prior to the cut-off date of the shareholder meeting, the MFS Proxy Voting Committee may determine to abstain from voting.


Table of Contents

for a U.S. security, in which cases MFS will not be able to vote these shares. MFS will report to the appropriate board of the MFS Funds those instances in which MFS is not able to timely recall the loaned securities. MFS generally does not recall non-U.S. securities on loan because there may be insufficient advance notice of proxy materials, record dates, or vote cut-off dates to allow MFS to timely recall the shares in certain markets. As a result, non-U.S. securities that are on loan will not generally be voted. If MFS receives timely notice of what MFS determines to be an unusual, significant vote for a non-U.S. security whereas MFS shares are on loan, and determines that voting is in the best long-term economic interest of shareholders, then MFS will attempt to timely recall the loaned shares.

 

7. Engagement

The MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are available on www.mfs.com and may be accessed by both MFS’ clients and the companies in which MFS’ clients invest. From time to time, MFS may determine that it is appropriate and beneficial for representatives from the MFS Proxy Voting Committee to engage in a dialogue or written communication with a company or other shareholders regarding certain matters on the company’s proxy statement that are of concern to shareholders, including environmental, social and governance matters. A company or shareholder may also seek to engage with representatives of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee in advance of the company’s formal proxy solicitation to review issues more generally or gauge support for certain contemplated proposals.

 

C. RECORDS RETENTION

MFS will retain copies of these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures in effect from time to time and will retain all proxy voting reports submitted to the Board of Trustees and Board of Managers of the MFS Funds for the period required by applicable law. Proxy solicitation materials, including electronic versions of the proxy ballots completed by representatives of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee, together with their respective notes and comments, are maintained in an electronic format by the Proxy Administrator and are accessible on-line by the MFS Proxy Voting Committee. All proxy voting materials and supporting documentation, including records generated by the Proxy Administrator’s system as to proxies processed, including the dates when proxy ballots were received and submitted, and the votes on each company’s proxy issues, are retained as required by applicable law.


Table of Contents
D. REPORTS

MFS Funds

MFS publicly discloses the proxy voting records of the MFS Funds on an annual basis, as required by law. MFS will also report the results of its voting to the Board of Trustees and Board of Managers of the MFS Funds. These reports will include: (i) a summary of how votes were cast (including advisory votes on pay and “golden parachutes”) ; (ii) a summary of votes against management’s recommendation; (iii) a review of situations where MFS did not vote in accordance with the guidelines and the rationale therefore; (iv) a review of the procedures used by MFS to identify material conflicts of interest and any matters identified as a material conflict of interest; (v) a review of these policies and the guidelines; (vi) a review of our proxy engagement activity; (vii) a report and impact assessment of instances in which the recall of loaned securities of a U.S. issuer was unsuccessful; and (viii) as necessary or appropriate, any proposed modifications thereto to reflect new developments in corporate governance and other issues. Based on these reviews, the Trustees and Managers of the MFS Funds will consider possible modifications to these policies to the extent necessary or advisable.

All MFS Advisory Clients

MFS may publicly disclose the proxy voting records of certain clients or the votes it casts with respect to certain matters as required by law. At any time, a report can also be printed by MFS for each client who has requested that MFS furnish a record of votes cast. The report specifies the proxy issues which have been voted for the client during the year and the position taken with respect to each issue and, upon request, may identify situations where MFS did not vote in accordance with the MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.

Except as described above, MFS generally will not divulge actual voting practices to any party other than the client or its representatives because we consider that information to be confidential and proprietary to the client. However, as noted above, MFS may determine that it is appropriate and beneficial to engage in a dialogue with a company regarding certain matters. During such dialogue with the company, MFS may disclose the vote it intends to cast in order to potentially effect positive change at a company in regards to environmental, social or governance issues.


Table of Contents
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.

 

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    2011    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 2009, Credit Analyst at MFS from 1997 to 2005.

Ward Brown

   Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio Manager    December 2012    Investment Officer of MFS; Employed in the investment area of MFS since 2005

Erik S. Weisman

   Sovereign Debt Portfolio Manager    December 2012    Investment Officer of MFS; Employed in the investment area of MFS since 2002

Joshua P. Marston

   Structured Notes Portfolio Manager    December 2012    Investment Officer of MFS; Employed in the investment area of MFS since 1999

Compensation.

Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed annually. As of December 31, 2011, 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.


Table of Contents

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, 2011, the following benchmarks were used to measure the portfolio manager’s performance for the Fund and/or comparable accounts:

 

Portfolio Manager    Benchmark(s)

Richard O. Hawkins

   Citigroup World Government Bond Non-Dollar Hedged Index JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global Barclay’s Capital U.S. High-Yield Corporate Bond Index Barclays 1-3 Year U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index Barclay’s U.S. Government/Mortgage Bond Index

David P. Cole

   Barclays US High Yield Corporate Credit Index

Matthew W. Ryan

   JP Morgan EMBI Global Index

William J. Adams

   Barclays US High Yield Corporate Credit Index

As of December 1, 2012, the following benchmarks will be used to measure the portfolio manager’s performance for the fund and/or comparable accounts:

 

Portfolio Manager    Benchmark(s)

Ward Brown

   JPMorgan EMBI Global Index

Erik S. Weisman

   Citi World Government Bond Index

Joshua P. Marston

   Barclays US Aggregate Index

Additional or different benchmarks, including versions of indices, custom indices, and linked indices that include performance of different indices for different portions of the time period, 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). This performance bonus may be in the form of cash and/or a deferred cash award, at the discretion of management. A deferred cash award is issued for a cash value and becomes payable over a three-year vesting period if the portfolio manager remains in the continuous employ of MFS or its affiliates. During the vesting period, the value of the unfunded deferred cash award will fluctuate as though the portfolio manager had invested the cash value of the award in an MFS Fund(s) selected by the portfolio manager. A selected fund may be, but is not required to be, a fund that is managed by the portfolio manager.

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.


Table of Contents

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 the fund’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2012. 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

Ward Brown*

   N

Erik S. Weisman*

   N

Joshua P. Marston*

   N

 

* The Portfolio Manager became a manager of the Fund on December 1, 2012. Information is as of December 14, 2012.

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, 2012, 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

   12    $ 18.4 billion       1    $ 1.1 billion       5    $ 665 million   

David P. Cole

   13    $ 5.4 billion       2    $ 1.1 billion       0      N/A   

Matthew W. Ryan

   12    $ 10.8 billion       8    $ 5.2 billion       7    $ 5.7 billion   

William J. Adams

   13    $ 5.4 billion       4    $ 1.7 billion       0      N/A   

Ward Brown(1)

   9    $ 9.3 billion       8    $ 5.4 billion       7    $ 5.7 billion   

Erik S. Weisman(1)

   12    $ 6 billion       3    $ 1.6 billion       2    $ 541.4 million   

Joshua P. Marston(1)

   9    $ 18.4 billion       9    $ 2.9 billion       4    $ 646.6 million   

 

* Includes the Fund.
(1) The Portfolio Manager became a manager of the Fund on December 1, 2012. Information is as of December 14, 2012.

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


Table of Contents

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. The 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.

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.


Table of Contents
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
 

12/01/11-12/31/11

     0         N/A         0         5,487,174   

1/01/12-1/31/12

     0         N/A         0         5,487,174   

2/01/12-2/28/12

     0         N/A         0         5,487,174   

3/01/12-3/31/12

     0         N/A         0         5,487,174   

4/01/12-4/30/12

     0         N/A         0         5,487,174   

5/01/12-5/31/12

     0         N/A         0         5,487,174   

6/01/12-6/30/12

     0         N/A         0         5,487,174   

7/01/12-7/31/12

     0         N/A         0         5,487,174   

8/01/12-8/31/12

     0         N/A         0         5,487,174   

9/1/12-9/30/12

     0         N/A         0         5,487,174   

10/1/12-10/31/12

     0         N/A         0         5,487,174   

11/1/12-11/30/12

     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, 2012 plan year is 5,487,174.

 

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.


Table of Contents
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: Code of Ethics attached hereto.

(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.

(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the Registrant to 10 or more persons. Not applicable.

(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)* JOHN M. CORCORAN        

 

 John M. Corcoran, President

Date: January 15, 2013

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)* JOHN M. CORCORAN        

 

 John M. Corcoran, President

 (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: January 15, 2013

 

By (Signature and Title)* DAVID L. DILORENZO        

 

 David L. DiLorenzo, Treasurer

 (Principal Financial Officer

 and Accounting Officer)

Date: January 15, 2013

 

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