MFS MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST N-CSR
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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 811-4841

MFS MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Susan S. Newton

Massachusetts Financial Services Company

111 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02199

(Name and address of agents for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end: October 31

Date of reporting period: October 31, 2013


Table of Contents
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


Table of Contents

ANNUAL REPORT

October 31, 2013

 

LOGO

 

MFS® MUNICIPAL

INCOME TRUST

 

LOGO

 

MFM-ANN

 


Table of Contents

MFS® MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: MFM

 

Letter from the Chairman and CEO     1   
Portfolio composition     2   
Management review     4   
Performance summary     7   
Portfolio managers’ profiles     9   
Dividend reinvestment and cash purchase plan     10   
Portfolio of investments     11   
Statement of assets and liabilities     37   
Statement of operations     38   
Statements of changes in net assets     39   
Statement of cash flows     40   
Financial highlights     41   
Notes to financial statements     43   
Report of independent registered public accounting firm     56   
Results of shareholder meeting     57   
Trustees and officers     58   
Board review of investment advisory agreement     63   
Proxy voting policies and information     67   
Quarterly portfolio disclosure     67   
Further information     67   
Federal tax information     67   
MFS® privacy notice     68   
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 economy is trending toward growth again despite risks created by the U.S. government’s gridlock. The eurozone has emerged from its 18-month-long recession.

However, unemployment in the region persists at historically high levels. The U.K. economy is on the rebound. China’s economic gauges are improving and point toward expansion. And Japan’s aggressive program of monetary easing is showing signs of success.

The U.S. Federal Reserve’s expected tapering of its bond-buying stimulus program — telegraphed in the spring and delayed in September — has weighed on global markets. Emerging markets have borne much of the brunt, with currency values dropping and nervous investors seeking safety elsewhere. The greatest

threat to global economic recovery now appears to be related to the U.S. government’s impasse. While the tensions surrounding the 16-day government shutdown and potential U.S. debt default have dissipated, another round of potential gridlock lies ahead early in 2014, with the next U.S. budget and debt ceiling deadlines.

As always, managing risk in the face of uncertainty remains a top priority for investors. At MFS®, our uniquely collaborative investment process employs integrated, global research and active risk management. 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 are mindful of the many economic challenges investors face, and believe it is more important than ever to maintain a long-term view and employ time-tested principles, such as asset allocation and diversification. We remain confident that our unique approach can serve investors well as they work with their financial advisors to identify and pursue the most suitable opportunities.

Respectfully,

 

LOGO

Robert J. Manning

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

MFS Investment Management®

December 16, 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.

 

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PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Portfolio structure (i)

LOGO

 

Top five industries (i)  
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals     26.8%   
Universities - Colleges     12.9%   
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care     12.7%   
Water & Sewer Utility Revenue     10.3%   
Industrial Revenue - Airlines     9.4%   
Composition including fixed income credit quality (a)(i)  
AAA     11.3%   
AA     19.0%   
A     20.2%   
BBB     35.7%   
BB     10.6%   
B     12.6%   
C     0.3%   
Not Rated     23.1%   
Cash & Other     (32.8)%   
Portfolio facts (i)  
Average Duration (d)     13.3   
Average Effective Maturity (m)     19.3 yrs.   
 

 

(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. Not Rated includes fixed income securities, including fixed income futures contracts, which have not been rated by any rating agency. 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.

 

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Portfolio Composition – continued

 

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

From time to time “Cash & Other Net Assets” may be negative due to the aggregate liquidation value of variable rate municipal term preferred shares, timing of cash receipts, and/or equivalent exposure from any derivative holdings.

Where the fund holds convertible bonds, these are treated as part of the equity portion of the portfolio.

Percentages are based on net assets, including the value of auction rate preferred shares, as of 10/31/13.

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

 

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MANAGEMENT REVIEW

Summary of Results

MFS Municipal Income Trust (“fund”) is a closed-end fund normally investing primarily in tax-exempt bonds and tax-exempt notes.

For the twelve months ended October 31, 2013, common shares of the MFS Municipal Income Trust provided a total return of –4.67%, at net asset value and –14.31%, at market value. This compares with a return of –1.72% for the fund’s benchmark, the Barclays Municipal Bond Index.

The performance commentary below is based on the net asset value performance of the fund which reflects the performance of the underlying pool of assets held by the fund. The total return at market value represents the return earned by owners of the shares of the fund which are traded publicly on the exchange.

Market Environment

At the beginning of the period, year-end fiscal cliff negotiations between the Republicans in the US Congress and President Obama were a particular source of market attention, where uncertainty surrounding the fiscal negotiations continued right up to the end-of-year deadline. A last minute political agreement averted the worst-case scenario and markets gravitated towards risk assets again, though the implementation of the US budget sequester, combined with concerns surrounding the Italian election results, was a source of uncertainty which lingered throughout the first half of the period.

The more dominant features of the first few months of 2013 included a marked improvement in market sentiment as global macroeconomic indicators improved, monetary easing by the Bank of Japan accelerated and fears of fiscal austerity in the US waned. In the middle of the period, concerns that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) would begin tapering its quantitative easing program (QE) caused sovereign bond yields to spike, credit spreads to widen, and equity valuations to fall.

Toward the end of the period, the Fed’s decision to postpone QE tapering surprised markets. Favorable market reactions were tempered, however, by tense negotiations over US fiscal policy which resulted in a 16-day partial shutdown of the federal government and a short-term extension in the debt ceiling. The volatility was short-lived, however, as an extension of budget and debt ceiling deadlines allowed the government to re-open, and subsequent economic data reflected moderate but resilient US growth. Also well-received was the decision by the European Central Bank to cut its policy rate as inflation pressures waned in the region. In addition, equity investors appeared to have concluded that there would be no major change in US monetary policy as a result of the nomination of Janet Yellen as the new Fed Chair for a term beginning in early 2014.

Over the twelve months ended October 31, 2013, municipal bond yields generally increased as fixed income market activity was led by the Fed’s signal this past June that it would begin to reduce monthly purchases of US Treasury and Mortgage Backed Securities as early as 3Q13. Subsequently, 10-year US Treasury yields increased dramatically from 1.60% in May to a peak of 3% in early September. Municipal bond

 

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Management Review – continued

 

prices fell accordingly during this time frame when the Fed announced it might taper asset purchases. The rise in municipal bond yields was more pronounced in the long end of the yield curve relative to intermediate-term bonds as municipal bond mutual fund redemptions, as well as reduced liquidity, lessened the demand for longer maturity bonds. Further, more flames were fanned by credit concerns, first by Detroit’s Chapter 9 filing in July, and then by increased scrutiny of Puerto Rico’s weakened fiscal position in late August. Municipal bond issuance declined with many refunding deals postponed or cancelled with the prolonged increase in borrowing rates. Municipal market supply/demand dynamics improved during the last two months of the period, enough to experience a small rally as retail investors and hedge funds emerged as the market’s primary source of demand.

Factors Affecting Performance

The fund’s bond selection in the health care sector hampered performance relative to the Barclays Municipal Bond Index. Within the health care sector, the fund’s overweight allocation to distressed bonds issued by Bell County Texas (Advanced Living), and Economic Development Authority of James City County, Virginia (Windsormeade of Williamsburg) were among the largest detractors from relative performance.

The fund’s longer duration (d) stance relative to the benchmark also held back relative returns as interest rates on municipal bonds increased during the period.

The fund’s holdings of bonds rated (r) “BBB” and below also negatively impacted relative performance as lower-rated municipal bonds underperformed higher-rated municipal bonds during the period. The fund generally holds a higher allocation to bonds of lower quality ratings compared to the benchmark.

The fund employs leverage which has been created through the issuance of auction rate preferred shares and variable rate municipal term preferred shares. To the extent that investments are purchased through 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 leverage negatively impacted performance.

Respectfully,

 

Gary Lasman   Geoffrey Schechter  
Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager  

 

(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.
(r) Bonds rated “BBB”, “Baa”, or higher are considered investment grade; bonds rated “BB”, “Ba”, or below are considered non-investment grade. The source for bond quality ratings is 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.

 

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Management Review – continued

 

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.

 

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PERFORMANCE SUMMARY THROUGH 10/31/13

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 Municipal Income Trust

 

Year Ended 10/31/13

 

              Date        Price     
   Net Asset Value        10/31/13         $6.70  
            10/31/12         $7.49  
   New York Stock Exchange Price        10/31/13         $6.28  
            12/13/12  (high) (t)       $8.11  
            8/19/13  (low) (t)       $5.89  
              10/31/12         $7.81    

 

Total Returns vs Benchmark

 

Year Ended 10/31/13

 

       
     MFS Municipal Income Trust at       
  

New York Stock Exchange Price (r)

     (14.31)%  
  

Net Asset Value (r)

       (4.67)%  
   Barclays Municipal Bond Index (f)        (1.72)%    
(f) Source: FactSet Research Systems Inc.
(r) Includes reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions.
(t) For the period November 1, 2012 through October 31, 2013

Benchmark Definition

Barclays Municipal Bond Index – a market capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of the tax-exempt bond market.

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

 

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Performance Summary – continued

 

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.

Net asset values and performance results based on net asset value per share 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities or 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 common and/or preferred 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.

 

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PORTFOLIO MANAGERS’ PROFILES

 

Gary Lasman     Portfolio Manager of the Fund since 2006; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 2002.
Geoffrey Schechter     Portfolio Manager of the Fund since 2004; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 1993.

All Portfolio Managers are also Investment Officers of MFS.

 

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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.

 

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PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

10/31/13

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

 

Municipal Bonds - 137.7%                 
Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Airport Revenue - 2.3%                 
Burlington, VT, Airport Rev., “A”, 4%, 2028    $ 235,000      $ 185,277   
Chicago, IL, O’Hare International Airport Rev. (Third Lien Passenger Facility), “B”, AGM, 5.75%, 2022      3,000,000        3,025,020   
Guam International Airport Authority Rev., “C”, 5%, 2016      45,000        47,756   
Guam International Airport Authority Rev., “C”, 5%, 2017      80,000        85,245   
Houston, TX, Airport System Rev., “B”, 5%, 2026      265,000        291,667   
Houston, TX, Airport System Rev., Subordinate Lien, “A”, 5%, 2031      250,000        253,493   
Massachusetts Port Authority Rev., “A”, 5%, 2037      65,000        65,954   
Port Authority of NY & NJ, Special Obligation Rev. (JFK International Air Terminal LLC), 6%, 2036      485,000        524,969   
Port Authority of NY & NJ, Special Obligation Rev. (JFK International Air Terminal LLC), 6%, 2042      550,000        588,819   
San Jose, CA, Airport Rev., “A-2”, 5.25%, 2034      1,215,000        1,258,193   
    

 

 

 
             $ 6,326,393   
General Obligations - General Purpose - 7.1%                 
Bellwood, IL, 5.875%, 2027    $ 300,000      $ 272,571   
Bellwood, IL, 6.15%, 2032      700,000        624,358   
Charleston County, SC, Transportation Sales Tax, 5%, 2022      880,000        1,067,968   
Chicago, IL, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District-Greater Chicago, “C”, 5%, 2030      1,260,000        1,343,475   
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, General Obligation, “B”, 5%, 2021      1,755,000        2,102,859   
Guam Government, “A”, 7%, 2039      170,000        180,338   
Luzerne County, PA, AGM, 6.75%, 2023      860,000        968,756   
Richmond, VA, Public Improvement, “A”, 5%, 2023      2,630,000        3,154,291   
State of California, 5.25%, 2028      660,000        738,659   
State of California, 5.25%, 2030      1,560,000        1,705,111   
State of California, 5.25%, 2035      1,285,000        1,367,497   
State of Hawaii, “DZ”, 5%, 2031      335,000        362,952   
State of Illinois, 5.5%, 2038      305,000        303,753   
State of Washington, “R”, 5%, 2022      4,540,000        5,422,213   
    

 

 

 
             $ 19,614,801   
General Obligations - Schools - 0.5%                 
Beverly Hills, CA, Unified School District (Election of 2008), Capital Appreciation, 0%, 2031    $ 525,000      $ 220,910   
Los Angeles, CA, Unified School District, “D”, 5%, 2034      180,000        187,724   
Merced, CA, Union High School District, Capital Appreciation, “A”, ASSD GTY, 0%, 2030      145,000        61,703   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
General Obligations - Schools - continued                 
Royse City, TX, Independent School District, School Building, Capital Appreciation, PSF, 0%, 2027    $ 955,000      $ 499,035   
Royse City, TX, Independent School District, School Building, Capital Appreciation, PSF, 0%, 2029      965,000        450,684   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,420,056   
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - 27.0%                 
Alexander City, AL, Special Care Facilities Financing Authority Medical Facilities Rev., “A” (Russell Hospital Corp.), 5.75%, 2036    $ 600,000      $ 587,964   
Athens County, OH, Hospital Facilities Rev. (O’Bleness Memorial Hospital), “A”, 7.125%, 2033      1,500,000        1,500,000   
Butler County, OH, Hospital Facilities Rev. (UC Health), 5.75%, 2040      260,000        266,911   
California Health Facilities Financing Authority Rev. (St. Joseph Health System), “A”, 5.75%, 2039      650,000        702,585   
California Health Facilities Financing Authority Rev. (Sutter Health), “B”, 5.875%, 2031      1,295,000        1,457,445   
Chattanooga, TN, Health Educational & Housing Facility Board Rev. (Catholic Health Initiatives), “A”, 5.25%, 2045      1,710,000        1,709,880   
Chautauqua County, NY, Capital Resource Corp. Rev. (Women’s Christian Assn.), “A”, 8%, 2030      1,060,000        1,102,442   
Citrus County, FL, Hospital Rev. (Citrus Memorial Hospital), 6.25%, 2023      655,000        644,599   
Cullman County, AL, Health Care Authority (Cullman Regional Medical Center), “A”, 6.75%, 2029      865,000        891,339   
DeKalb County, GA, Hospital Authority Rev. (DeKalb Medical Center, Inc.), 6.125%, 2040      1,150,000        1,152,737   
Duluth, MN, Economic Development Authority Health Care Facilities Rev. (St. Luke’s Hospital Authority Obligated Group), 5.75%, 2027      365,000        361,244   
Duluth, MN, Economic Development Authority Health Care Facilities Rev. (St. Luke’s Hospital Authority Obligated Group), 5.75%, 2032      795,000        770,244   
Duluth, MN, Economic Development Authority Health Care Facilities Rev. (St. Luke’s Hospital Authority Obligated Group), 6%, 2039      910,000        901,701   
Escambia County, FL, Health Facilities Authority (Baptist Hospital, Inc.), “A”, 6%, 2036      615,000        643,099   
Fruita, CO, Rev. (Family Health West Project), 7%, 2018      210,000        230,513   
Fruita, CO, Rev. (Family Health West Project), 8%, 2043      1,310,000        1,434,214   
Gallia County, OH, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Holzer Health Systems), “A”, 8%, 2042      1,405,000        1,497,674   
Glasgow, KY, Healthcare Rev. (TJ Samson Community Hospital), 6.375%, 2035      570,000        613,673   
Harris County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Medical Facilities Rev. (Baylor College of Medicine), “D”, 5.625%, 2032      510,000        551,259   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - continued                 
Harris County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Hospital Rev. (Memorial Hermann Healthcare Systems), “B”, 7.25%, 2018 (c)    $ 610,000      $ 791,774   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Advocate Healthcare), 4%, 2047      495,000        389,634   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Kewanee Hospital), 5.1%, 2031      630,000        630,271   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Provena Health), “A”, 7.75%, 2034      945,000        1,134,208   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago), “A”, 6%, 2043      360,000        369,245   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Silver Cross Hospital & Medical Centers), 6.875%, 2038      940,000        1,013,724   
Indiana Health & Educational Facilities Finance Authority, Hospital Rev. (Clarian Health), “A”, 5%, 2039      1,000,000        1,002,060   
Indiana Health & Educational Facilities Finance Authority, Hospital Rev. (Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana), 5.5%, 2037      1,860,000        1,932,373   
Jefferson Parish, LA, Hospital Service District No. 2 (East Jefferson General Hospital), 6.25%, 2031      595,000        630,527   
Jefferson Parish, LA, Hospital Service District No. 2 (East Jefferson General Hospital), 6.375%, 2041      375,000        392,858   
Johnson City, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board, Hospital Rev. (Mountain States Health Alliance), 6%, 2038      365,000        383,316   
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Owensboro Medical Health System), “A”, 6.375%, 2040      1,095,000        1,155,214   
Knox County, IN, Economic Development Rev. (Good Samaritan Hospital), “A”, 5%, 2037      85,000        83,160   
Knox County, IN, Economic Development Rev. (Good Samaritan Hospital), “A”, 5%, 2042      170,000        163,511   
Louisiana Public Facilities Authority Hospital Rev. (Lake Charles Memorial Hospital), 6.375%, 2034      1,115,000        1,143,533   
Lufkin, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Rev. (Memorial Health System), 5.5%, 2037      110,000        104,325   
Macomb County, MI, Hospital Finance Authority Rev. (Mount Clemens General Hospital), 5.875%, 2013 (c)      435,000        435,683   
Martin County, FL, Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Martin Memorial Medical Center), 5.5%, 2042      495,000        490,030   
Miami Beach, FL, Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Mount Sinai Medical Center), 6.75%, 2014 (c)      110,000        117,323   
Miami Beach, FL, Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Mount Sinai Medical Center), 6.75%, 2029      700,000        711,550   
Michigan Hospital Finance Authority Rev. (Henry Ford Health System), 5.75%, 2039      2,000,000        2,049,000   
Monroe County, MI, Hospital Finance Authority, Hospital Rev. (Mercy Memorial Hospital Corp.), 5.5%, 2035      1,020,000        993,572   
Monroe County, PA, Hospital Authority Rev. (Pocono Medical Center), “A”, 5%, 2032      85,000        85,959   

 

13


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - continued                 
Montgomery, AL, Medical Clinic Board Health Care Facility Rev. (Jackson Hospital & Clinic), 5.25%, 2036    $ 1,135,000      $ 1,088,828   
Muskingum County, OH, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Genesis Health System Obligated Group), 5%, 2033      450,000        387,437   
Muskingum County, OH, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Genesis Health System Obligated Group), 5%, 2044      1,100,000        876,568   
Muskingum County, OH, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Genesis Health System Obligated Group), 5%, 2048      450,000        349,173   
New Hampshire Business Finance Authority Rev. (Elliot Hospital Obligated Group), “A”, 6%, 2027      1,110,000        1,176,567   
New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council, Hospital Rev. (Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital), “A”, 5%, 2017      100,000        98,708   
New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council, Hospital Rev. (Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital), “A”, 5.25%, 2026      440,000        381,317   
Norman, OK, Regional Hospital Authority Rev., 5%, 2027      300,000        286,146   
Norman, OK, Regional Hospital Authority Rev., 5.375%, 2029      175,000        169,461   
Norman, OK, Regional Hospital Authority Rev., 5.375%, 2036      1,395,000        1,290,515   
Ohio Higher Educational Facility Commission Rev. (University Hospital Health System), 6.75%, 2015 (c)      1,610,000        1,734,517   
Olympia, WA, Healthcare Facilities Authority Rev. (Catholic Health Initiatives), “D”, 6.375%, 2036      1,500,000        1,684,155   
Palomar Pomerado Health Care District, CA, COP, 6.75%, 2039      1,735,000        1,786,477   
Royal Oak, MI, Hospital Finance Authority Rev. (William Beaumont Hospital), 8.25%, 2039      1,595,000        1,916,600   
Rutherford County, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board Rev. (Ascension Health), 5%, 2040 (u)      12,500,000        12,635,875   
Salida, CO, Hospital District Rev., 5.25%, 2036      1,572,000        1,521,083   
Salt Lake City, UT, Hospital Authority Rev. (Intermountain Health Care), ETM, FRN, AMBAC, 13.014%, 2020 (c)(p)      600,000        603,408   
Skagit County, WA, Public Hospital District No. 001 Rev. (Skagit Valley Hospital), 6%, 2013 (c)      205,000        205,855   
South Dakota Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Avera Health), “A”, 5%, 2042      175,000        175,541   
South Lake County, FL, Hospital District Rev. (South Lake Hospital), “A”, 6%, 2029      255,000        275,188   
South Lake County, FL, Hospital District Rev. (South Lake Hospital), “A”, 6.25%, 2039      385,000        415,461   
Southeastern Ohio Port Authority, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Memorial Health System), 5.75%, 2032      595,000        576,240   
Sullivan County, TN, Health, Educational & Housing Facilities Board Hospital Rev. (Wellmont Health Systems Project), “C”, 5.25%, 2036      1,115,000        1,058,102   
Sumner County, TN, Health, Educational & Housing Facilities Board Rev. (Sumner Regional Health Systems, Inc.), “A”, 5.5%, 2046 (a)(d)      735,000        1,764   

 

14


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - continued                 
Tallahassee, FL, Health Facilities Rev. (Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Inc.), 6.25%, 2020    $ 3,085,000      $ 3,089,350   
Tyler, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. (East Texas Medical Center), “A”, 5.25%, 2032      985,000        926,363   
Tyler, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. (East Texas Medical Center), “A”, 5.375%, 2037      670,000        631,703   
Upland, CA, COP (San Antonio Community Hospital), 6.375%, 2032      1,750,000        1,965,775   
Washington Health Care Facilities Authority Rev. (Virginia Mason Medical Center), “A”, 6.25%, 2042      1,400,000        1,443,890   
West Contra Costa, CA, Healthcare District, AMBAC, 5.5%, 2029      195,000        195,983   
West Virginia Hospital Finance Authority, Hospital Rev. (Thomas Health System), 6.5%, 2038      905,000        873,597   
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Aurora Health Care, Inc.), “A”, 5%, 2026      320,000        334,096   
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Aurora Health Care, Inc.), “A”, 5%, 2028      95,000        97,124   
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Wheaton Franciscan Services), 5.25%, 2034      1,135,000        1,116,579   
    

 

 

 
             $ 74,591,819   
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - 12.8%                 
Abilene, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Retirement Facilities Rev. (Sears Methodist Centers, Inc.), “A”, 7%, 2013 (c)    $ 44,000      $ 44,524   
Americus and Sumter County, GA, Hospital Authority Rev. (Magnolia Manor Obligated Group), “A”, 6.25%, 2033      185,000        184,169   
Americus and Sumter County, GA, Hospital Authority Rev. (Magnolia Manor Obligated Group), “A”, 6.375%, 2043      185,000        182,214   
Arizona Health Facilities Authority Rev. (The Terraces Project), 7.75%, 2013 (c)      750,000        759,068   
Bell County, TX, Health Facility Development Corp. (Advanced Living Technologies, Inc.), 8%, 2036 (a)(d)      3,400,000        34,000   
Bucks County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Lutheran Community Telford Center), 5.75%, 2027      170,000        166,156   
Bucks County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Lutheran Community Telford Center), 5.75%, 2037      225,000        206,426   
Chartiers Valley, PA, Industrial & Commercial Development Authority (Asbury Health Center Project), 5.75%, 2022      150,000        146,783   
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (American Baptist Homes), “A”, 5.9%, 2037      755,000        690,289   
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Christian Living Communities Project), “A”, 5.75%, 2037      375,000        375,075   
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Covenant Retirement Communities, Inc.), “A”, 5%, 2033      650,000        597,500   

 

15


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - continued                 
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society), 5.625%, 2043    $ 170,000      $ 171,809   
Cumberland County, PA, Municipal Authority Rev. (Asbury Atlantic, Inc.), 5.25%, 2041      740,000        671,513   
Cumberland County, PA, Municipal Authority Rev. (Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries), 6.125%, 2029      1,360,000        1,441,342   
Fulton County, GA, Residential Care Facilities, Elderly Authority Rev. (Canterbury Court), “A”, 6.125%, 2034      330,000        324,512   
Georgia Medical Center Hospital Authority Rev. (Spring Harbor Green Island Project), 5.25%, 2027      1,000,000        957,620   
Georgia Medical Center Hospital Authority Rev. (Spring Harbor Green Island Project), 5.25%, 2037      215,000        192,253   
Hawaii Department of Budget & Finance, Special Purpose Rev. (15 Craigside Project), “A”, 8.75%, 2029      105,000        117,455   
Hawaii Department of Budget & Finance, Special Purpose Rev. (15 Craigside Project), “A”, 9%, 2044      275,000        308,831   
Hawaii Department of Budget & Finance, Special Purpose Rev. (Kahala Nui Senior Living Community), 8%, 2013 (c)      500,000        511,080   
Huntsville-Redstone Village, AL, Special Care Facilities Financing Authority (Redstone Village Project), 5.5%, 2028      410,000        375,585   
Huntsville-Redstone Village, AL, Special Care Facilities Financing Authority (Redstone Village Project), 5.5%, 2043      440,000        360,681   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Christian Homes, Inc.), 6.125%, 2027      850,000        901,714   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Evangelical Retirement Homes of Greater Chicago, Inc.), 7.25%, 2045      500,000        504,925   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Franciscan Communities, Inc.), “A”, 4.75%, 2033      390,000        335,158   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Franciscan Communities, Inc.), “A”, 5.5%, 2037      800,000        756,640   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Franciscan Communities, Inc.), “A”, 5.125%, 2043      485,000        413,021   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Friendship Village), “A”, 5.375%, 2025      1,270,000        1,240,015   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Lutheran Home & Services), 5.625%, 2042      475,000        429,870   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Montgomery Place), “A”, 5.75%, 2038      520,000        511,269   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Smith Village), “A”, 6.25%, 2035      360,000        345,467   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (The Clare at Water Tower), “A-6”, 6%, 2028 (a)(d)      343,000        34   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev., Capital Appreciation, (The Clare at Water Tower), “B”, 0%, 2050 (a)      147,000        15   
Indiana Finance Authority Rev. (BHI Senior Living), “A”, 6%, 2041      535,000        528,553   

 

16


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - continued                 
Indiana Finance Authority Rev. (Marquette Project), 4.75%, 2032    $ 740,000      $ 673,193   
Indiana Finance Authority Rev. (Marquette Project), 5%, 2039      185,000        165,692   
Iowa Finance Authority, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Care Initiatives), “A”, 5.5%, 2025      800,000        806,216   
James City County, VA, Economic Development Authority, Residential Care Facilities Rev. (Virginia United Methodist Homes of Williamsburg), “A”, 6%, 2043      608,384        498,924   
James City County, VA, Economic Development Authority, Residential Care Facilities Rev. (Virginia United Methodist Homes of Williamsburg), “A”, 2%, 2048 (a)      196,784        5,211   
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Health Care Rev. (Masonic Homes of Kentucky, Inc.), 5.375%, 2042      330,000        294,353   
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Health Care Rev. (Masonic Homes of Kentucky, Inc.), 5.5%, 2045      200,000        179,846   
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Rev. (Masonic Home Independent Living II), 7.25%, 2041      250,000        265,285   
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Rev. (Masonic Home Independent Living II), 7.375%, 2046      200,000        212,850   
Lenexa, KS, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Lakeview Village, Inc.), 5.375%, 2027      315,000        295,542   
Lenexa, KS, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Lakeview Village, Inc.), 7.125%, 2029      345,000        359,407   
Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Charlestown Community), 6.25%, 2041      475,000        508,545   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Adventcare), “A”, 6.75%, 2037      1,270,000        1,296,708   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Linden Ponds, Inc.), “A-1”, 6.25%, 2031      239,410        208,380   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Linden Ponds, Inc.), “A-1”, 6.25%, 2039      59,939        50,346   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Linden Ponds, Inc.), “A-2”, 5.5%, 2046      15,996        11,656   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Linden Ponds, Inc.), Capital Appreciation, “B”, 0%, 2056      79,566        448   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (North Hill Communities), “A”, 6.25%, 2033      175,000        167,309   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (North Hill Communities), “A”, 6.5%, 2043      275,000        259,476   
Michigan Strategic Fund Ltd. Obligation Rev. (Evangelical Homes), 5.25%, 2032      190,000        173,766   
Michigan Strategic Fund Ltd. Obligation Rev. (Evangelical Homes), 5.5%, 2047      350,000        314,650   
Montgomery County, PA, Higher Education & Health Authority Rev. (AHF/Montgomery), 6.875%, 2036      1,130,000        1,133,085   

 

17


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - continued                 
Montgomery County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Retirement Community Rev. (ACTS Retirement - Life Communities, Inc.), 5%, 2028    $ 565,000      $ 550,434   
Montgomery County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Retirement Community Rev. (ACTS Retirement - Life Communities, Inc.), 5%, 2029      255,000        245,471   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (Lions Gate), “A”, 5.875%, 2037      530,000        493,563   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (Seabrook Village, Inc.), 5.25%, 2036      715,000        660,238   
Norfolk, VA, Redevelopment & Housing Authority Rev. (Fort Norfolk Retirement Community), “A”, 6%, 2025      215,000        211,554   
Norfolk, VA, Redevelopment & Housing Authority Rev. (Fort Norfolk Retirement Community), “A”, 6.125%, 2035      330,000        318,787   
Oklahoma Development Finance Authority Continuing Care Retirement Community Rev. (Inverness Village), 5.75%, 2037      595,000        553,302   
Pell City, AL, Special Care Facilities, Financing Authority Rev. (Noland Health Services, Inc.), 5%, 2039      290,000        281,358   
Red River, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Retirement Facilities Rev. (Sears Methodist Retirement System, Inc.), “A”, 6.05%, 2046      253,000        215,655   
Red River, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Retirement Facilities Rev. (Sears Methodist Retirement System, Inc.), “C”, 6.25%, 2053      22,000        19,455   
Red River, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Retirement Facilities Rev. (Sears Methodist Retirement System, Inc.), “D”, 6.05%, 2046      43,000        36,653   
Sarasota County, FL, Health Facility Authority Rev. (Sarasota Manatee), 5.75%, 2037      490,000        436,678   
Sarasota County, FL, Health Facility Authority Rev. (Sarasota Manatee), 5.75%, 2045      105,000        89,888   
Shelby County, TN, Health, Educational & Housing Facilities Board Rev. (Germantown Village), “A”, 7.25%, 2013 (c)      665,000        668,298   
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority Rev. (Woodlands at Furman), “A”, 6%, 2032      367,169        240,206   
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority Rev. (Woodlands at Furman), “A”, 6%, 2047      335,086        205,465   
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority Rev. (Woodlands at Furman), Capital Appreciation, “B”, 0%, 2047      157,358        2,670   
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority Rev. (Woodlands at Furman), Capital Appreciation, “B”, 0%, 2047      143,608        2,437   
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority, Health Facilities Rev. (Lutheran Homes of South Carolina, Inc.), 5.125%, 2048      105,000        89,010   

 

18


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - continued                 
St. John’s County, FL, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Presbyterian Retirement), “A”, 6%, 2045    $ 1,565,000      $ 1,594,312   
Suffolk County, NY, Industrial Development Agency (Medford Hamlet Assisted Living), 6.375%, 2039      470,000        414,338   
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility (Air Force Village Foundation, Inc.), 6.125%, 2029      115,000        118,643   
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility (Air Force Village Foundation, Inc.), 5.125%, 2037      100,000        89,044   
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility (Air Force Village Foundation, Inc.), 6.375%, 2044      780,000        794,594   
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility (Stayton at Museum Way), 8.25%, 2044      1,500,000        1,513,335   
Tempe, AZ, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Friendship Village), “A”, 6.25%, 2042      225,000        225,551   
Tempe, AZ, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Friendship Village), “A”, 6.25%, 2046      170,000        169,754   
Travis County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Rev. (Westminster Manor Health), 7%, 2030      245,000        268,763   
Travis County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Rev. (Westminster Manor Health), 7.125%, 2040      370,000        401,816   
Travis County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Retirement Facilities Rev. (Querencia Barton Creek), 5.5%, 2025      460,000        459,591   
Ulster County, NY, Industrial Development Agency (Woodland Pond), “A”, 6%, 2037      1,075,000        825,643   
Wichita, KS, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Presbyterian Manors, Inc.), “A”, 6.375%, 2043      465,000        466,469   
    

 

 

 
             $ 35,329,429   
Healthcare Revenue - Other - 0.3%                 
Koyukuk, AK, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Healthcare Facilities Project, 7.75%, 2041    $ 705,000      $ 755,422   
Human Services - 1.1%                 
Louisiana Local Government, Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority Rev. (CDF Healthcare), “A”, 7%, 2036    $ 480,000      $ 456,533   
Louisiana Local Government, Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority Rev. (CDF Healthcare), “C”, 7%, 2036      375,000        356,666   
Louisiana Local Government, Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority Rev. (Westside Rehab Center Project), “A”, 6.85%, 2036      1,100,000        1,075,074   

 

19


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Human Services - continued                 
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Evergreen Center, Inc.), 5.5%, 2035    $ 620,000      $ 578,156   
New York, NY, Industrial Development Agency, Civic Facility Rev. (Special Needs Facilities), 6.5%, 2017      500,000        499,270   
    

 

 

 
             $ 2,965,699   
Industrial Revenue - Airlines - 9.5%                 
Clayton County, GA, Development Authority Special Facilities Rev. (Delta Airlines, Inc.), “A”, 8.75%, 2029    $ 555,000      $ 647,335   
Clayton County, GA, Development Authority Special Facilities Rev. (Delta Airlines, Inc.), “B”, 9%, 2035      285,000        306,401   
Denver, CO, City & County Airport Rev. (United Airlines), 5.25%, 2032      3,735,000        3,365,945   
Denver, CO, City & County Airport Rev. (United Airlines), 5.75%, 2032      1,600,000        1,528,944   
Houston, TX, Airport Systems Rev., Special Facilities (Continental Airlines, Inc. Terminal E Project), 6.75%, 2029      3,690,000        3,697,934   
Houston, TX, Airport Systems Rev., Special Facilities (Continental Airlines, Inc. Terminal E Project), 7%, 2029      385,000        386,436   
Houston, TX, Airport Systems Rev., Special Facilities (Continental Airlines, Inc.), 6.625%, 2038      470,000        471,203   
Houston, TX, Airport Systems Rev., Special Facilities (Continental Airlines, Inc.), “B”, 6.125%, 2017      335,000        334,993   
Houston, TX, Airport Systems Rev., Special Facilities (Continental Airlines, Inc.), “E”, 6.75%, 2021      1,735,000        1,735,972   
Los Angeles, CA, Regional Airport Lease Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), “C”, 7.5%, 2024      850,000        862,538   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Special Facilities Rev. (Continental Airlines, Inc.), 4.875%, 2019      1,405,000        1,358,003   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Special Facilities Rev. (Continental Airlines, Inc.), 5.125%, 2023      910,000        868,231   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Special Facilities Rev. (Continental Airlines, Inc.), 5.25%, 2029      910,000        832,878   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Special Facilities Rev. (Continental Airlines, Inc.), 7.2%, 2030      1,595,000        1,599,003   
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agencies Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), 7.625%, 2025      5,485,000        5,930,547   
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agencies Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), 7.75%, 2031      1,025,000        1,111,500   
Tulsa, OK, Municipal Airport Trust Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), “B”, 5.5%, 2035      345,000        313,860   
Tulsa, OK, Municipal Airport Trust Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), “B”, 5.5%, 2035      920,000        836,942   
    

 

 

 
             $ 26,188,665   

 

20


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Industrial Revenue - Chemicals - 2.1%                 
Brazos River, TX, Harbor Navigation District (Dow Chemical Co.), “A”, 5.95%, 2033    $ 2,000,000      $ 2,091,100   
Brazos River, TX, Harbor Navigation District (Dow Chemical Co.), “B-2”, 4.95%, 2033      75,000        76,893   
Louisiana Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority Rev. (Westlake Chemical), 6.75%, 2032      1,000,000        1,069,270   
Louisiana Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority Rev. (Westlake Chemical), “A”, 6.5%, 2029      610,000        669,786   
Red River Authority, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (Celanese Project) “B”, 6.7%, 2030      1,920,000        1,923,878   
    

 

 

 
             $ 5,830,927   
Industrial Revenue - Environmental Services - 2.9%                 
California Pollution Control Financing Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Waste Management, Inc.), “A”, 5%, 2022    $ 695,000      $ 729,034   
Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority (Waste Management, Inc.), 5.2%, 2028      440,000        450,380   
Henrico County, VA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Browning Ferris, Inc.), 5.45%, 2014      1,750,000        1,758,645   
Maine Finance Authority Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Casella Waste Systems, Inc.), 6.25%, 2025 (b)      705,000        714,997   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Resource Recovery Rev. (Covanta Energy Project), “A”, 4.875%, 2027      915,000        863,101   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Resource Recovery Rev. (Covanta Energy Project), “C”, 5.25%, 2042      1,785,000        1,573,245   
Niagara County, NY, Industrial Development Agency, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Covanta Energy Project), “A”, 5.25%, 2042      1,825,000        1,608,500   
Vermont Economic Development Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Casella Waste Systems, Inc.), 4.75%, 2036 (b)      335,000        321,473   
    

 

 

 
             $ 8,019,375   
Industrial Revenue - Other - 2.5%                 
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Facilities (Microgy Holdings Project), 9%, 2038 (a)(d)    $ 12,624      $ 126   
Gulf Coast, TX, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (CITGO Petroleum Corp.), 4.875%, 2025      735,000        689,695   
Gulf Coast, TX, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Microgy Holdings Project), 7%, 2036 (a)(d)      224,775        2,248   
Houston, TX, Industrial Development Corp. (United Parcel Service, Inc.), 6%, 2023      90,000        84,659   
Iowa Finance Authority Midwestern Disaster Area Rev. (Iowa Fertilizer Co.), 5%, 2019      390,000        377,883   
Iowa Finance Authority Midwestern Disaster Area Rev. (Iowa Fertilizer Co.), 5.5%, 2022      420,000        402,335   

 

21


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Industrial Revenue - Other - continued                 
Iowa Finance Authority Midwestern Disaster Area Rev. (Iowa Fertilizer Co.), 5.25%, 2025    $ 420,000      $ 382,750   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (GMT Realty LLC), “B”, 6.875%, 2037      430,000        415,247   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (GMT Realty LLC), “C”, 6.5%, 2015      500,000        502,710   
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agency Rev., Liberty Bonds (IAC/InterActiveCorp), 5%, 2035      310,000        308,348   
Philadelphia, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Host Marriott LP), 7.75%, 2017      3,255,000        3,255,163   
St. Charles Parish, LA, Gulf Zone Opportunity Zone Rev. (Valero Energy Corp.), 4%, 2040 (b)      600,000        597,744   
    

 

 

 
             $ 7,018,908   
Industrial Revenue - Paper - 2.1%                 
Butler, AL, Industrial Development Board, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Georgia-Pacific Corp.), 5.75%, 2028    $ 155,000      $ 159,249   
Cass County, TX, Industrial Development Corp. (International Paper Co.), “A”, 4.625%, 2027      2,150,000        2,051,982   
Lowndes County, MS, Solid Waste Disposal & Pollution Control Rev. (Weyerhaeuser Co.), 6.8%, 2022      2,000,000        2,244,480   
Phenix City, AL, Industrial Development Board Environmental Improvement Rev. (MeadWestvaco Coated Board Project), “A”, 4.125%, 2035      260,000        195,850   
Rockdale County, GA, Development Authority Project Rev. (Visy Paper Project), “A”, 6.125%, 2034      640,000        645,862   
Selma, AL, Industrial Development Board Rev., Gulf Opportunity Zone (International Paper Co.), “A”, 5.375%, 2035      565,000        573,661   
West Point, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Chesapeake Corp.), 6.25%, 2019 (a)(d)      1,798,697        180   
West Point, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Chesapeake Corp.), “A”, 6.375%, 2019 (a)(d)      673,309        67   
    

 

 

 
             $ 5,871,331   
Miscellaneous Revenue - Entertainment & Tourism - 1.0%   
Brooklyn, NY, Arena Local Development Corp. (Barclays Center Project), 6%, 2030    $ 230,000      $ 242,981   
Fort Sill Apache Tribe, OK, Economic Development Authority, Gaming Enterprise., “A”, 8.5%, 2026 (n)      520,000        559,099   
Harris County, Houston, TX, Sports Authority Rev., Capital Appreciation, “A”, 0%, 2038      1,205,000        241,880   
Harris County, Houston, TX, Sports Authority, Special Rev., “A”, NATL, 5%, 2025      885,000        884,991   
Seminole Tribe, FL, Special Obligation Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2027 (n)      515,000        533,143   

 

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Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Miscellaneous Revenue - Entertainment & Tourism - continued   
Seneca Nation of Indians, NY, Capital Improvements Authority, Special Obligation, 5%, 2023 (n)    $ 275,000      $ 272,630   
    

 

 

 
             $ 2,734,724   
Miscellaneous Revenue - Other - 5.5%                 
Austin, TX, Convention Center (Convention Enterprises, Inc.), “A”, 5.25%, 2015    $ 500,000      $ 508,095   
Austin, TX, Convention Center (Convention Enterprises, Inc.), “A”, SYNCORA, 5.25%, 2017      215,000        225,744   
Austin, TX, Convention Center (Convention Enterprises, Inc.), “A”, SYNCORA, 5.25%, 2020      170,000        176,079   
Austin, TX, Convention Center (Convention Enterprises, Inc.), “A”, SYNCORA, 5.25%, 2024      330,000        333,125   
Austin, TX, Convention Center (Convention Enterprises, Inc.), “A”, SYNCORA, 5%, 2034      290,000        258,816   
Baker, FL, Correctional Development Corp. (Baker County Detention Center), 7.5%, 2030      440,000        365,429   
Chicago, IL, O’Hare International Airport Rev., Customer Facility Charge, AGM, 5.25%, 2032      135,000        135,672   
Chicago, IL, O’Hare International Airport Rev., Customer Facility Charge, AGM, 5.25%, 2033      70,000        70,046   
Chicago, IL, O’Hare International Airport Rev., Customer Facility Charge, AGM, 5.5%, 2043      270,000        271,134   
Cleveland-Cuyahoga County, OH, Port Authority Rev., 7%, 2040      235,000        249,081   
Cleveland-Cuyahoga County, OH, Port Authority Rev. (Cleveland City), “B”, 4.5%, 2030      25,000        20,370   
Cleveland-Cuyahoga County, OH, Port Authority Rev. (Fairmount), “B”, 5.125%, 2025      130,000        127,418   
Columbus, OH, Franklin County Finance Authority Development Rev., 6%, 2035      700,000        711,718   
Dayton Montgomery County, OH, Port Authority Rev. (Parking Garage), 6.125%, 2024      1,130,000        1,130,825   
District of Columbia Rev. (American Society Hematology), 5%, 2036      85,000        84,880   
District of Columbia Rev. (American Society Hematology), 5%, 2042      65,000        63,448   
Florida Citizens Property Insurance Corp., “A-1”, 5%, 2019      245,000        279,405   
Florida Citizens Property Insurance Corp., “A-1”, 5%, 2020      1,285,000        1,458,552   
Hardeman County, TN, Correctional Facilities Rev., 7.75%, 2017      965,000        966,554   
Indiana Finance Authority Rev., (Ohio River Bridges East End Crossing Project), “A”, 5%, 2035      300,000        285,132   
Indiana Finance Authority Rev., (Ohio River Bridges East End Crossing Project), “A”, 5%, 2040      820,000        742,789   
Indiana Finance Authority Rev., (Ohio River Bridges East End Crossing Project), “A”, 5%, 2044      240,000        213,554   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Miscellaneous Revenue - Other - continued                 
Massachusetts Port Authority Facilities Rev. (Conrac Project), “A”, 5.125%, 2041    $ 65,000      $ 66,377   
Miami-Dade County, FL, Special Obligation, “B”, 5%, 2035      325,000        335,598   
New Orleans, LA, Aviation Board Gulf Opportunity Zone CFC Rev. (Consolidated Rental Car), “A”, 6.25%, 2030      455,000        511,934   
New York Liberty Development Corp., Liberty Rev. (One Bryant Park LLC), 6.375%, 2049      1,065,000        1,147,964   
Riversouth, OH, Authority Rev. (Lazarus Building), “A”, 5.75%, 2027      1,125,000        1,098,461   
Summit County, OH, Port Authority Building Rev. (Flats East Development Recovery Zone Facility Bonds), 6.875%, 2040      85,000        90,070   
Summit County, OH, Port Authority Building Rev. (Seville Project), “A”, 5.1%, 2025      140,000        132,664   
Summit County, OH, Port Authority Building Rev. (Workforce Policy Board), “F”, 4.875%, 2025      815,000        770,387   
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority, Airport Facilities Rev. (Transportation Infrastructure Properties LLC), “B”, 5.25%, 2028      325,000        314,018   
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority, Airport Facilities Rev. (Transportation Infrastructure Properties LLC), “B”, 5%, 2042      2,245,000        1,950,411   
    

 

 

 
             $ 15,095,750   
Multi-Family Housing Revenue - 1.8%                 
Bay County, FL, Housing Finance Authority, Multi-Family Rev. (Andrews Place II Apartments), AGM, 5%, 2035    $ 210,000      $ 209,712   
Charter Mac Equity Issuer Trust, FHLMC, 6%, 2052 (n)      2,000,000        2,253,580   
Indianapolis, IN, Multi-Family Rev. (Cambridge Station Apartments II), FNMA, 5.25%, 2039 (b)      435,000        426,048   
Mississippi Home Corp., Rev. (Kirkwood Apartments), 6.8%, 2037      1,095,000        670,304   
MuniMae TE Bond Subsidiary LLC, 5.4%, 2049 (z)      1,000,000        949,940   
North Charleston, SC, Housing Authority Rev. (Horizon Village), “A”, GNMA, 5.15%, 2048      445,000        445,347   
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,954,931   
Parking - 0.2%                 
Boston, MA, Metropolitan Transit Parking Corp., Systemwide Parking Rev., 5.25%, 2036    $ 460,000      $ 489,458   
Port Revenue - 0.1%                 
Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, California Rev., “A”, AGM, 5%, 2028    $ 125,000      $ 134,711   
Maryland Economic Development Corp. Rev. (Port America Chesapeake Terminal Project), “B”, 5.375%, 2025      195,000        204,044   
    

 

 

 
             $ 338,755   

 

24


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Sales & Excise Tax Revenue - 1.9%                 
Chicago, IL, Transit Authority Sales Tax Receipts Rev., 5.25%, 2029    $ 275,000      $ 288,632   
Chicago, IL, Transit Authority Sales Tax Receipts Rev., 5.25%, 2030      550,000        572,732   
Chicago, IL, Transit Authority Sales Tax Receipts Rev., 5.25%, 2031      105,000        108,625   
Colorado Regional Transportation District, Private Activity Rev. (Denver Transportation Partners), 6%, 2034      1,180,000        1,223,920   
Colorado Regional Transportation District, Private Activity Rev. (Denver Transportation Partners), 6%, 2041      590,000        601,322   
Colorado Regional Transportation District, Sales Tax Rev. (Fastracks Project), “A”, 5%, 2027      1,490,000        1,675,758   
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., Sales Tax Rev., “C”, 5%, 2040      875,000        753,909   
    

 

 

 
             $ 5,224,898   
Single Family Housing - Local - 0.1%                 
Sedgwick & Shawnee Counties, KS, Single Family Housing Rev., “A”, GNMA, 5.9%, 2035    $ 105,000      $ 110,667   
Sedgwick & Shawnee Counties, KS, Single Family Housing Rev., “A”, GNMA, 6.25%, 2035      30,000        31,672   
Sedgwick & Shawnee Counties, KS, Single Family Housing Rev., “A-1”, GNMA, 5.75%, 2037      40,000        42,475   
Sedgwick & Shawnee Counties, KS, Single Family Housing Rev., “A-2”, GNMA, 5.75%, 2037      125,000        130,290   
Sedgwick & Shawnee Counties, KS, Single Family Housing Rev., “A-5”, GNMA, 5.9%, 2037      45,000        45,853   
    

 

 

 
             $ 360,957   
Single Family Housing - State - 0.7%                 
California Housing Finance Agency Rev. (Home Mortgage), “E”, 4.75%, 2030    $ 365,000      $ 350,203   
California Housing Finance Agency Rev. (Home Mortgage), “G”, 4.95%, 2023      1,180,000        1,184,106   
Texas Affordable Housing Corp. (Single Family Mortgage), “B”, GNMA, 5.25%, 2039      455,000        461,998   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,996,307   
Solid Waste Revenue - 0.2%                 
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, Sewer Sludge Disposal Rev. (Philadelphia Biosolids Facility), 6.25%, 2032    $ 645,000      $ 636,673   
State & Local Agencies - 0.7%                 
Alabama Incentives Financing Authority Special Obligation, “A”, 5%, 2037    $ 100,000      $ 101,778   
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, State Public School Building Authority Lease Rev. (School District of Philadelphia Project), 5%, 2028      250,000        260,255   

 

25


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
State & Local Agencies - continued                 
Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., Enhanced, “A”, 5%, 2030    $ 160,000      $ 165,406   
Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., Enhanced, “A”, FGIC, 5%, 2035      220,000        215,162   
Guam Government Department of Education (John F. Kennedy High School), “A”, COP, 6.875%, 2040      620,000        631,569   
Massachusetts College Building Authority Rev., “C”, 3%, 2042      125,000        89,976   
Mississippi Development Bank Special Obligation (Marshall County Industrial Development Authority Mississippi Highway Construction Project), 5%, 2028      195,000        207,609   
Philadelphia, PA, Municipal Authority Rev., 6.5%, 2034      260,000        286,013   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,957,768   
Student Loan Revenue - 0.7%                 
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corp., “A-2”, 5.5%, 2025    $ 305,000      $ 308,950   
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corp., “A-2”, 5.6%, 2026      305,000        307,745   
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corp., “A-2”, 5.7%, 2027      35,000        35,268   
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corp., “A-2”, 5.75%, 2028      610,000        611,531   
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, Education Loan Rev., “H”, ASSD GTY, 6.35%, 2030      670,000        703,252   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,966,746   
Tax - Other - 1.6%                 
Allentown, PA, Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority Tax Rev., “A”, 5%, 2035    $ 160,000      $ 145,853   
Allentown, PA, Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority Tax Rev., “A”, 5%, 2042      685,000        607,307   
Hudson Yards, NY, Infrastructure Corp. Rev., “A”, 5%, 2047      710,000        713,138   
Hudson Yards, NY, Infrastructure Corp. Rev., “A”, 5.75%, 2047      620,000        655,768   
New York Dormitory Authority, State Personal Income Tax Rev.,“C”, 5%, 2034      1,670,000        1,766,760   
Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority Rev. (Diageo Project), “A”, 6.75%, 2037      395,000        429,527   
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,318,353   
Tax Assessment - 4.6%                 
Anne Arundel County, MD, Special Obligation (National Business Park-North Project), 6.1%, 2040    $ 265,000      $ 276,135   
Arborwood Community Development District, FL, Capital Improvement Rev. (Master Infrastructure Projects), “A”,
5.35%, 2036 (a)(d)
     120,000        72,000   
Arborwood Community Development District, FL, Capital Improvement Rev. (Master Infrastructure Projects), “A-2”, 5.35%, 2036      450,000        407,975   

 

26


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Tax Assessment - continued                 
Arborwood Community Development District, FL, Capital Improvement Rev. (Master Infrastructure Projects), “B-2”, 5.1%, 2014    $ 120,000      $ 122,471   
Arborwood Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment (Master Infrastructure Projects), “B”, 5.1%, 2014 (a)(d)      50,000        30,000   
Arvada, CO, Cimarron Metropolitan District, Rev., 6%, 2022      500,000        475,810   
Atlanta, GA, Tax Allocation (Eastside Project), “B”, 5.6%, 2030      815,000        848,668   
Atlanta, GA, Tax Allocation (Princeton Lakes Project), 5.5%, 2031      470,000        471,382   
Baltimore, MD, Special Obligation, (East Baltimore Research Park Project), “A”, 7%, 2038      715,000        749,341   
Capital Region Community Development District, FL, Capital Improvement Rev., “A”, 7%, 2039      615,000        598,838   
Concord Station Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, 5%, 2015      75,000        74,639   
Du Page County, IL, Special Service Area No. 31 Special Tax (Monarch Landing Project), 5.625%, 2036      305,000        294,932   
Embrey Mill Community Development Authority, VA, Special Assessment Rev., 7.25%, 2043      790,000        754,023   
Heritage Harbour North Community Development District, FL, Capital Improvement Rev., 6.375%, 2038      560,000        517,423   
Homestead, Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “A”, 6%, 2037      660,000        472,751   
Killarney Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “B”, 5.125%, 2009 (a)(d)      170,000        76,500   
Lancaster County, SC, Assessment Rev. (Sun City Carolina Lakes), 5.45%, 2037      100,000        89,875   
Legends Bay Community Development District, FL, “A”, 5.5%, 2014      415,000        385,705   
Legends Bay Community Development District, FL, “A”, 5.875%, 2038      355,000        247,581   
Main Street Community Development District, FL, “A”, 6.8%, 2038      535,000        525,488   
Naturewalk Community Development District, FL, Capital Improvement Rev., “B”, 5.3%, 2016 (d)(q)      650,000        338,000   
Ohio County, WV, Commission Tax Increment Rev. (Fort Henry Centre), “A”, 5.85%, 2034      235,000        238,384   
Old Palm Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment (Palm Beach Gardens), “B”, 5.375%, 2014      150,000        149,486   
OTC Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “A”, 5.3%, 2038      910,000        848,639   
Overland Park, KS, Special Assessment (Tallgrass Creek), 4.85%, 2016      169,000        168,701   
Overland Park, KS, Special Assessment (Tallgrass Creek), 5.125%, 2028      592,000        515,744   
Panther Trace II, Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, 5.125%, 2013      80,000        80,000   

 

27


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Tax Assessment - continued                 
Parkway Center Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “B”, 5.625%, 2014    $ 600,000      $ 584,970   
Pasco County, FL, Estancia At Wiregrass Community Development District, Capital Improvement, 7%, 2045      265,000        265,684   
Paseo Community Development District, FL, “B”, 4.875%, 2010 (a)(d)      210,000        2   
Paseo Community Development District, FL, Capital Improvement Rev., Capital Appreciation, “A-2”, 0%, 2036      420,000        140,780   
Paseo Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “A-1”, 5.4%, 2036      40,000        41,794   
San Francisco, CA, City & County Redevelopment Successor Agency, Community Facilities District No. 6 (Mission Bay South Public Improvements), Capital Appreciation, “A”, 0%, 2043      1,275,000        179,099   
Sterling Hill Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, 5.5%, 2010 (d)      165,000        106,305   
Stone Ridge, CO, Metropolitan District No. 2, 7.25%, 2031      500,000        128,715   
Tallyn’s Reach, CO, Metropolitan District No. 3, CO, 5%, 2033      101,000        89,515   
Tallyn’s Reach, CO, Metropolitan District No. 3, CO, 5.125%, 2038      111,000        97,082   
Tuscany Reserve Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “B”, 5.25%, 2016      780,000        776,942   
Villa Vizcaya Community Development District, FL, “A”,
5.55%, 2039 (a)(d)
     210,000        90,300   
Watergrass Community Development District, FL, “A”, 5.375%, 2039      400,000        228,676   
Watergrass Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “B”, 6.96%, 2017      170,000        164,490   
    

 

 

 
             $ 12,724,845   
Tobacco - 6.8%                 
Buckeye, OH, Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, “A-2”, 5.875%, 2030    $ 1,935,000      $ 1,567,040   
Buckeye, OH, Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, “A-2”, 5.875%, 2047      1,275,000        984,364   
California Statewide Financing Authority, Tobacco Settlement, 5.625%, 2029      1,155,000        1,098,290   
District of Columbia, Tobacco Settlement, 6.25%, 2024      450,000        452,345   
Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., “A-1”, 5.75%, 2047      585,000        449,660   
Illinois Railsplitter Tobacco Settlement Authority, 5.5%, 2023      880,000        949,969   
Illinois Railsplitter Tobacco Settlement Authority, 6%, 2028      2,645,000        2,808,223   
Iowa Tobacco Settlement Authority, Tobacco Settlement Rev., Asset Backed, “B”, 5.6%, 2034      1,635,000        1,370,163   
New Jersey Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., “1-A”, 4.5%, 2023      5,355,000        4,994,394   
New Jersey Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., “1-A”, 4.75%, 2034      3,025,000        2,181,993   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Tobacco - continued                 
New Jersey Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., “1-A”, 5%, 2041    $ 2,190,000      $ 1,581,377   
Suffolk, NY, Tobacco Asset Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement, “B”, 5.25%, 2037      155,000        145,057   
Washington Tobacco Settlement Authority Rev., 6.5%, 2026      120,000        120,277   
    

 

 

 
             $ 18,703,152   
Toll Roads - 3.7%                 
E-470 Public Highway Authority Rev., CO, Capital Appreciation, “B”, NATL, 0%, 2027    $ 4,115,000      $ 1,972,155   
Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, FL, Springing Lien Rev., “A”, 7.25%, 2040      1,580,000        1,729,800   
North Texas Tollway Authority Rev., 6%, 2038      1,505,000        1,650,383   
North Texas Tollway Authority Rev. (Special Projects System), “D”, 5%, 2031      1,110,000        1,189,254   
Texas Private Activity Surface Transportation Corp. Senior Lien Rev. (NTE Mobility Partners Segments 3 LLC Segments 3A & 3B Facility), 7%, 2038      280,000        300,521   
Texas Private Activity Surface Transportation Corp. Senior Lien Rev. (NTE Mobility Partners Segments 3 LLC Segments 3A & 3B Facility), 6.75%, 2043      225,000        235,663   
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority Rev. (95 Express Lanes LLC), 5%, 2034      335,000        309,781   
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority Rev. (95 Express Lanes LLC), 5%, 2040      540,000        487,534   
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority Rev. (Elizabeth River Crossings Opco LLC Project), 5.25%, 2032      460,000        455,717   
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority Rev. (Elizabeth River Crossings Opco LLC Project), 6%, 2037      765,000        793,129   
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority Rev. (Elizabeth River Crossings Opco LLC Project), 5.5%, 2042      1,225,000        1,223,163   
    

 

 

 
             $ 10,347,100   
Transportation - Special Tax - 0.5%                 
Arizona Transportation Board Highway Rev., “A”, 5%, 2036    $ 1,290,000      $ 1,362,085   
Universities - Colleges - 13.0%                 
Allegheny County, PA, Higher Education Building Authority Rev. (Chatham University), “A”, 5%, 2030    $ 155,000      $ 152,908   
Brevard County, FL, Industrial Development Rev. (TUFF Florida Tech LLC Project), 6.75%, 2039      1,055,000        1,069,981   
California Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Chapman University), 5%, 2031      240,000        249,314   
California Municipal Finance Authority Rev. (University of La Verne), “A”, 6.25%, 2040      530,000        570,693   
California State University Rev., “A”, 5%, 2037      1,950,000        2,017,451   

 

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Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Universities - Colleges - continued                 
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (California Baptist University), “A”, 5.4%, 2027    $ 370,000      $ 368,561   
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Lancer Plaza Project), 5.625%, 2033      145,000        131,666   
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Lancer Plaza Project), 5.125%, 2023      105,000        98,546   
Collier County, FL, Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Ave Maria University, Inc. Project), “A”, 6.125%, 2043      600,000        598,746   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Illinois Institute of Technology), “A”, 5%, 2031      795,000        698,869   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Illinois Institute of Technology), “A”, 5%, 2036      1,380,000        1,174,904   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Roosevelt University Project), 6.25%, 2029      905,000        942,476   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Roosevelt University Project), 6.5%, 2039      300,000        312,330   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Simmons College), “H”, SYNCORA, 5.25%, 2033      110,000        109,859   
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), 5%, 2038 (u)      20,000,000        20,985,000   
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Simmons College), 8%, 2015 (c)      220,000        252,025   
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Simmons College), 8%, 2029      315,000        345,492   
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Suffolk University), “A”, 6.25%, 2030      1,370,000        1,480,641   
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Suffolk University), “A”, 5.75%, 2039      885,000        914,948   
New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (University of Medicine & Dentistry), “B”, ETM, 6%, 2017 (c)      590,000        696,235   
New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (University of Medicine & Dentistry), “B”, 7.5%, 2019 (c)      1,065,000        1,410,710   
Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Saint Francis University Project), “JJ2”, 6.25%, 2041      295,000        309,340   
Portage County, OH, Port Authority Rev. (Northeast Ohio Medical University Project), 5%, 2037      320,000        300,806   
Puerto Rico Industrial, Tourist, Medical, & Environmental Central Facilities (University of Sacred Heart), 4.375%, 2031      70,000        50,215   
Puerto Rico Industrial, Tourist, Medical, & Environmental Central Facilities (University of Sacred Heart), 5%, 2042      35,000        23,809   
Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Whitworth University), 5.875%, 2034      540,000        558,025   
    

 

 

 
             $ 35,823,550   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Universities - Dormitories - 1.0%                 
Bowling Green, OH, Student Housing Rev. (State University Project), 5.75%, 2031    $ 350,000      $ 359,800   
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Lancer Educational Student Housing Project), 5.625%, 2033      380,000        356,634   
Illinois Finance Authority Student Housing Rev. (Illinois State University), 6.75%, 2031      415,000        449,852   
Illinois Finance Authority Student Housing Rev. (Northern Illinois University Project), 6.625%, 2031      1,215,000        1,329,283   
Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Edinboro University Foundation), 5.8%, 2030      155,000        154,659   
Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Edinboro University Foundation), 6%, 2043      215,000        209,462   
    

 

 

 
             $ 2,859,690   
Universities - Secondary Schools - 5.1%                 
Build NYC Resource Corp. Rev. (International Leadership Charter School Project), 6%, 2043 (n)    $ 365,000      $ 327,931   
Build NYC Resources Corp. Rev. (South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and the Arts), “A”, 5%, 2043      240,000        202,654   
California Municipal Finance Authority Rev. (Partnerships to Uplift Communities Project), “A”, 5%, 2032      250,000        218,003   
California Statewide Communities Development Authority School Facility Rev. (Aspire Public Schools), 6.375%, 2045      995,000        966,593   
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Idea Public Schools), 6%, 2033      170,000        177,653   
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Idea Public Schools), 5.75%, 2041      130,000        131,040   
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Idea Public Schools), 5%, 2042      365,000        332,391   
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Idea Public Schools), 6%, 2043      275,000        281,919   
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Uplift Education), “A”, 6.125%, 2040      570,000        588,930   
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Uplift Education), “A”, 4.35%, 2042      180,000        143,957   
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Uplift Education), “A”, 6.25%, 2045      350,000        362,499   
Colorado Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority Rev. (Montessori Charter School Project), 5%, 2037      75,000        71,106   
Delaware Economic Development Authority Rev. (Newark Charter School, Inc. Project), 5%, 2042      180,000        168,278   
District of Columbia Rev. (Kipp, D.C. Charter School),“A”, 6%, 2043      200,000        205,586   
District of Columbia Rev. (Kipp, D.C. Charter School),“A”, 6%, 2033      80,000        83,690   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Universities - Secondary Schools - continued                 
Florida Development Finance Corp. Educational Facilities Rev. (Renaissance Charter School), “A”, 6%, 2032    $ 295,000      $ 255,733   
Florida Development Finance Corp. Educational Facilities Rev. (Renaissance Charter School), “A”, 6.125%, 2043      615,000        510,548   
Florida Development Finance Corp. Educational Facilities Rev. (Renaissance Charter School),“A”, 6%, 2040      380,000        328,103   
Florida Development Finance Corp. Educational Facilities Rev. (Renaissance Charter School),“A”, 7.625%, 2041      875,000        884,678   
La Vernia, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (KIPP, Inc.), “A”, 6.25%, 2039      365,000        387,429   
Lee County, FL, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Lee Charter Foundation), “A”, 5.25%, 2027      430,000        413,398   
Lee County, FL, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Lee Charter Foundation), “A”, 5.375%, 2037      945,000        852,173   
Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Washington Christian Academy), 5.5%, 2038 (a)(d)      140,000        40,600   
Maryland Industrial Development Financing Authority, Economic Development Authority Rev. (Our Lady of Good Council), “A”, 6%, 2035      150,000        152,018   
North Texas Education Finance Corp., Education Rev. (Uplift Education), “A”, 4.875%, 2032      110,000        104,049   
North Texas Education Finance Corp., Education Rev. (Uplift Education), “A”, 5.125%, 2042      275,000        257,092   
Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development Rev. (Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School Project), 6.5%, 2033      445,000        442,521   
Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development Rev. (Tacony Academy Charter School Project), “A-1”, 6.75%, 2033      100,000        100,411   
Philadelphia, PA, Authority for Industrial Development Rev. (Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School Project), 6.75%, 2043      755,000        750,138   
Philadelphia, PA, Authority for Industrial Development Rev. (Tacony Academy Charter School Project), “A-1”, 7%, 2043      290,000        291,175   
Phoenix, AZ, Industrial Development Authority Education Rev. (Choice Academies, Inc. Project), 5.625%, 2042      345,000        309,572   
St. Paul, MN, Housing & Redevelopment Authority Charter School Lease Rev. (Nova Classical Academy), “A”, 6.375%, 2031      120,000        125,274   
St. Paul, MN, Housing & Redevelopment Authority Charter School Lease Rev. (Nova Classical Academy), “A”, 6.625%, 2042      240,000        251,210   
Utah County, UT, Charter School Finance Authority, Charter School Rev. (Early Light Academy Project), 8.25%, 2035      770,000        851,897   
Utah County, UT, Charter School Finance Authority, Charter School Rev. (Hawthorne Academy Project), 8.25%, 2035      830,000        885,917   
Utah County, UT, Charter School Rev. (Renaissance Academy), “A”, 5.625%, 2037      495,000        399,302   

 

32


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Universities - Secondary Schools - continued                 
Utah County, UT, Charter School Rev. (Ronald Wilson Reagan Academy), “A”, 6%, 2038    $ 1,255,000      $ 1,229,737   
    

 

 

 
             $ 14,085,205   
Utilities - Cogeneration - 1.0%                 
California Pollution Control Financing Authority, Water Furnishing Rev. (Poseidon Resources Desalination Project), 5%, 2045    $ 2,005,000      $ 1,669,323   
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority Rev., Resource Recovery Rev. (Colver), “G”, 5.125%, 2015      250,000        250,890   
Puerto Rico Industrial, Tourist, Educational, Medical & Environmental Central Facilities (Cogeneration Facilities - AES Puerto Rico Project), 6.625%, 2026      820,000        726,823   
    

 

 

 
             $ 2,647,036   
Utilities - Investor Owned - 3.1%                 
Brazos River Authority, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (TXU Energy Co. LLC), 5%, 2041    $ 835,000      $ 16,700   
Chula Vista, CA, Industrial Development Rev. (San Diego Gas & Electric Co.), “E”, 5.875%, 2034      470,000        509,706   
Farmington, NM, Pollution Control Rev. (Public Service New Mexico), “D”, 5.9%, 2040      1,840,000        1,932,754   
Hawaii Department of Budget & Finance Special Purpose Rev. (Hawaiian Electric Co. & Subsidiary), 6.5%, 2039      750,000        820,590   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Dominion Energy Brayton), 5.75%, 2019 (c)      165,000        204,072   
Matagorda County, TX (CenterPoint Energy), 5.6%, 2027      1,500,000        1,519,710   
Matagorda County, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (Central Power & Light Co.), “A”, 6.3%, 2029      525,000        578,739   
Owen County, KY, Waterworks System Rev. (American Water Co. Project), “A”, 6.25%, 2039      400,000        418,500   
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority (Allegheny Energy Supply Co. LLC), 7%, 2039      1,165,000        1,168,029   
Pima County, AZ, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Tucson Electric Power Co.), 5.75%, 2029      1,315,000        1,331,411   
    

 

 

 
             $ 8,500,211   
Utilities - Municipal Owned - 1.2%                 
Los Angeles, CA, Department of Water & Power Rev. (Power System), “B”, 5%, 2038    $ 695,000      $ 729,813   
Sacramento, CA, Municipal Utility District, “X”, 5%, 2028      565,000        615,415   
South Carolina Public Service Authority Rev., “A”, 5.125%, 2043      525,000        533,867   
South Carolina Public Service Authority Rev., “B”, 5.125%, 2043      1,300,000        1,321,957   
    

 

 

 
             $ 3,201,052   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Utilities - Other - 2.6%                 
California M-S-R Energy Authority Gas Rev., “A”, 7%, 2034    $ 210,000      $ 264,205   
California M-S-R Energy Authority Gas Rev., “A”, 6.5%, 2039      465,000        560,451   
Georgia Main Street Natural Gas, Inc., Gas Project Rev., “A”, 5%, 2022      500,000        556,620   
Georgia Main Street Natural Gas, Inc., Gas Project Rev., “A”, 5.5%, 2026      285,000        304,528   
Indiana Bond Bank Special Program, Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2018      440,000        488,374   
Public Authority for Colorado Energy Natural Gas Purchase Rev., 6.25%, 2028      240,000        272,796   
Public Authority for Colorado Energy Natural Gas Purchase Rev., 6.5%, 2038      1,035,000        1,233,585   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5%, 2014      455,000        469,669   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2022      510,000        556,175   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2023      80,000        86,165   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2024      560,000        595,633   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2026      905,000        955,146   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “C”, 5%, 2025      450,000        468,842   
Texas Gas Acquisition & Supply Corp III., Gas Supply Rev., 5%, 2031      240,000        233,849   
    

 

 

 
             $ 7,046,038   
Water & Sewer Utility Revenue - 10.4%                 
Atlanta, GA, Water & Wastewater Rev., “A”, 6%, 2022    $ 710,000      $ 846,987   
California Department of Water Resources, Center Valley Project Rev., “AJ”, 5%, 2035      1,990,000        2,136,006   
Clairton, PA, Municipal Authority, “B”, 5%, 2037      265,000        244,436   
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority Rev., “A”, 6%, 2044      55,000        43,203   
DeKalb County, GA, Water & Sewer Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2028      1,100,000        1,219,878   
DeKalb County, GA, Water & Sewer Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2029      270,000        296,123   
DeKalb County, GA, Water & Sewer Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2030      910,000        989,625   
DeKalb County, GA, Water & Sewer Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2031      40,000        43,218   
DeKalb County, GA, Water & Sewer Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2041      1,965,000        2,040,849   
Detroit, MI, Sewage Disposal System Rev., “B”, 5.5%, 2022      1,845,000        1,854,945   
Detroit, MI, Sewage Disposal System Rev., Senior Lien, “A”, 5.25%, 2039      1,120,000        1,041,018   
East Bay, CA, Municipal Utility District, Water System Rev., “A”, 5%, 2028      3,200,000        3,587,232   
King County, WA, Sewer Rev., 5%, 2040      2,750,000        2,858,625   
Lehigh County, PA, Water and Sewer Authority Rev. (Allentown Concession), “A”, 5%, 2043      2,195,000        2,194,912   
Lehigh County, PA, Water and Sewer Authority Rev. (Allentown Concession), Capital Appreciation, “B”, 0%, 2037      1,850,000        427,443   
Madera, CA, Irrigation Financing Authority Rev., 6.5%, 2040      1,280,000        1,373,542   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Water & Sewer Utility Revenue - continued                 
New York Environmental Facilities Corp., Clean Drinking Water Revolving Funds, 5%, 2041    $ 1,345,000      $ 1,416,204   
New York Environmental Facilities, “C”, 5%, 2041      1,860,000        1,951,493   
New York, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer System Rev., “AA”, 5%, 2034      3,900,000        4,106,466   
    

 

 

 
             $ 28,672,205   
Total Municipal Bonds (Identified Cost, $382,012,274)            $ 379,980,314   
Money Market Funds - 6.8%                 
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio, 0.1%,
at Cost and Net Asset Value (v)
     18,743,196      $ 18,743,196   
Total Investments (Identified Cost, $400,755,470)            $ 398,723,510   
Other Assets, Less Liabilities - (3.3)%              (9,023,096
ARPS, at liquidation value (issued by the fund) - (2.6)%        (7,275,000
VMTPS, at liquidation value (issued by the fund) - (38.6)%        (106,475,000
Net assets applicable to common shares - 100.0%            $ 275,950,414   

 

(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) Mandatory tender date is earlier than stated maturity date.
(c) Refunded bond.
(d) In default. Interest and/or scheduled principal payment(s) have been missed.
(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 $3,946,383 representing 1.4% of net assets applicable to common shares.
(p) Primary inverse floater.
(q) Interest received was less than stated coupon rate.
(u) Underlying security deposited into special purpose trust (“the trust”) by investment banker upon creation of self-deposited inverse floaters.
(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  
MuniMae TE Bond Subsidiary LLC, 5.4%, 2049    10/14/04      $1,000,000         $949,940   
% of Net assets applicable to common shares            0.3%   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

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

 

ARPS   Auction Rate Preferred Shares
COP   Certificate of Participation
ETM   Escrowed to Maturity
FRN   Floating Rate Note. Interest rate resets periodically and may not be the rate reported at period end.
VMTPS   Variable Rate Municipal Term Preferred Shares

 

Insurers      
AGM    Assured Guaranty Municipal
AMBAC    AMBAC Indemnity Corp.
ASSD GTY    Assured Guaranty Insurance Co.
FGIC    Financial Guaranty Insurance Co.
FHA    Federal Housing Administration
FHLMC    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
FNMA    Federal National Mortgage Assn.
GNMA    Government National Mortgage Assn.
NATL    National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.
PSF    Permanent School Fund
SYNCORA    Syncora Guarantee Inc.

Derivative Contracts at 10/31/13

Futures Contracts Outstanding at 10/31/13

 

Description    Currency      Contracts      Value   

Expiration

Date

    

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
Liability Derivative               
Interest Rate Futures               
U.S. Treasury Bond 30 yr (Short)      USD         80       $10,785,000      December - 2013         $(307,316
              

 

 

 

At October 31, 2013, the fund had cash collateral of $200,000 to cover any commitments for certain derivative contracts. Cash collateral is comprised of “Restricted cash” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

At 10/31/13

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, $382,012,274)

     $379,980,314   

Underlying affiliated funds, at cost and value

     18,743,196   

Total investments, at value (identified cost, $400,755,470)

     $398,723,510   

Cash

     17,250   

Restricted cash

     200,000   

Receivables for

  

Daily variation margin on open futures contracts

     12,500   

Investments sold

     1,955,776   

Interest

     6,960,521   

Deferred VMTPS offering costs

     185,879   

Other assets

     6,208   

Total assets

     $408,061,644   
Liabilities         

Payables for

  

Distributions on common shares

     $103,797   

Distributions on ARPS

     129   

Investments purchased

     1,658,888   

Interest expense and fees

     156,944   

Payable to the holders of the floating rate certificates from trust assets

     16,269,400   

Payable to affiliates

  

Investment adviser

     12,757   

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     2,697   

Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation

     33,811   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     122,807   

VMTPS, at liquidation value

     106,475,000   

Total liabilities

     $124,836,230   

ARPS, at liquidation value

     $7,275,000   

Net assets applicable to common shares

     $275,950,414   
Net assets consist of         

Paid-in capital - common shares

     $300,734,958   

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     (2,339,276

Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments

     (24,862,212

Undistributed net investment income

     2,416,944   

Net assets applicable to common shares

     $275,950,414   

ARPS, at liquidation value (157 shares of Series T and 134 shares of Series TH issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share)

     $7,275,000   

VMTPS, at liquidation value (4,259 shares of Series 2016/9 issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share)

     106,475,000   

Total preferred shares

     $113,750,000   

Net assets including preferred shares

     $389,700,414   

Common shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding

     41,187,631   

Net asset value per common share (net assets of $275,950,414 / 41,187,631 shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

     $6.70   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year ended 10/31/13

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

     $23,007,789   

Dividends from underlying affiliated funds

     14,463   

Total investment income

     $23,022,252   

Expenses

  

Management fee

     $3,034,350   

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     51,429   

Administrative services fee

     62,218   

Independent Trustees’ compensation

     38,813   

Stock exchange fee

     36,992   

ARPS service fee

     9,003   

Custodian fee

     41,321   

Shareholder communications

     40,415   

Audit and tax fees

     81,156   

Legal fees

     3,640   

Amortization of VMTPS offering costs

     63,103   

Interest expense and fees

     1,552,057   

Miscellaneous

     117,783   

Total expenses

     $5,132,280   

Fees paid indirectly

     (99

Reduction of expenses by investment adviser

     (776

Net expenses

     $5,131,405   

Net investment income

     $17,890,847   
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments         

Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis)

  

Investments

     $(3,951,663

Futures contracts

     1,056,671   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

     $(2,894,992

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

  

Investments

     $(29,071,900

Futures contracts

     (314,536

Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     $(29,386,436

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     $(32,281,428

Distributions declared to shareholders of ARPS

     $(13,606

Change in net assets from operations

     $(14,404,187

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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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 10/31  
     2013      2012  
Change in net assets              
From operations                  

Net investment income

     $17,890,847         $19,457,984   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

     (2,894,992      (1,203,548

Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     (29,386,436      32,383,596   

Distributions declared to shareholders of ARPS

     (13,606      (242,865

Change in net assets from operations

     $(14,404,187      $50,395,167   
Distributions declared to common shareholders                  

From net investment income

     $(18,276,611      $(20,132,520
Share transactions applicable to common and preferred shares                  

Net asset value of shares issued to common shareholders in reinvestment of distributions

     $620,030         $1,390,497   

Net increase resulting from the tender and repurchase of ARPS

             5,323,750   

Change in net assets from fund share transactions

     $620,030         $6,714,247   

Total change in net assets

     $(32,060,768      $36,976,894   
Net assets applicable to common shares                  

At beginning of period

     308,011,182         271,034,288   

At end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $2,416,944 and $2,768,589, respectively)

     $275,950,414         $308,011,182   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Year ended 10/31/13

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

     $(14,404,187
Adjustments to reconcile change in net assets from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:         

Purchase of investment securities

     (92,451,670

Proceeds from disposition of investment securities

     99,714,850   

Proceeds from futures contracts

     1,056,671   

Purchases of short-term investments, net

     (7,694,432

Realized gain/loss on investments

     3,951,663   

Realized gain/loss on futures contracts

     (1,056,671

Unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

     29,071,900   

Net amortization/accretion of income

     (331,334

Decrease in interest receivable

     108,197   

Amortization of VMTPS offering costs

     63,103   

Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities

     25,922   

Increase in receivable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

     (12,500

Decrease in payable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

     (55,000

Increase in restricted cash

     (200,000

Decrease in payable to custodian

     (1,790

Increase in other assets

     (59

Net cash provided by operating activities

     $17,784,663   
Cash flows from financing activities:         

Increase in deferred VMTPS offering costs

     (17,205

Cash distributions paid on common shares

     (17,553,228

Decrease in payable for distributions on ARPS

     (82

Decrease in payable for VMTPS offering costs

     (105,762

Decrease in payable for ARPS tender and repurchase costs

     (72,583

Decrease in payable for interest expense and fees

     (18,553

Net cash used by financing activities

     $(17,767,413

Net increase in cash

     $17,250   
Cash:         

Beginning of period

     $—   

End of period

     $17,250   

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Non-cash financing activities not included herein consist of reinvestment of dividends and distributions of $620,030.

Cash paid during the year ended October 31, 2013 for interest was $1,570,610.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

40


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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.

 

Common Shares   Years ended 10/31  
    2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $7.49        $6.62        $6.89        $6.54        $5.71   
Income (loss) from investment operations                           

Net investment income (d)

    $0.43        $0.47        $0.52        $0.53        $0.53   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments

    (0.78     0.77        (0.28     0.33        0.81   

Distributions declared to shareholders of ARPS

    (0.00 )(w)      (0.01     (0.01     (0.01     (0.02

Total from investment operations

    $(0.35     $1.23        $0.23        $0.85        $1.32   
Less distributions declared to common shareholders                   

From net investment income

    $(0.44     $(0.49     $(0.50     $(0.50     $(0.49

Net increase resulting from tender and repurchase
of ARPS

    $—        $0.13        $—        $—        $—   

Net asset value, end of period (x)

    $6.70        $7.49        $6.62        $6.89        $6.54   

Market value, end of period

    $6.28        $7.81        $6.88        $7.23        $6.44   

Total return at market value (%) (p)

    (14.31     21.52        2.85        21.01        43.37   

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

    (4.67     20.94 (y)      3.84        13.56        25.19   
Ratios (%) (to average net assets
applicable to common shares) and
Supplemental data:
                                       

Expenses before expense reductions (f)(p)

    1.73        1.42        1.44        1.43        1.66   

Expenses after expense reductions (f)(p)

    1.73        1.42        1.42        1.43        1.66   

Net investment income (p)

    6.02        6.70        7.97        7.87        9.39   

Portfolio turnover

    22        22        22        13        10   

Net assets at end of period (000 omitted)

    $275,950        $308,011        $271,034        $280,211        $264,542   
Supplemental Ratios (%):                                        

Ratio of expenses to average net assets applicable
to common shares after expense reductions
and excluding interest expense and fees (f)(l)(p)

    1.20        1.25        1.38        1.39        1.61   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets applicable
to common shares, ARPS, and VMTPS after
expense reductions and excluding interest
expense and fees (f)(l)(p)

    0.87        0.89        0.97        0.98        1.08   

Net investment income available to common
shares

    6.02        6.62        7.83        7.70        8.99   

 

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Financial Highlights – continued

 

    Years ended 10/31  
    2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  
Senior Securities:                                        

ARPS

    291        291        4,550        4,550        4,550   

VMTPS

    4,259        4,259                        

Total preferred shares outstanding

    4,550        4,550        4,550        4,550        4,550   

Asset coverage per preferred share (k)

    $85,648        $92,695        $84,568        $86,585        $83,141   

Involuntary liquidation preference per preferred share (m)

    $25,000        $25,000        $25,000        $25,000        $25,000   

Average market value per preferred share (m)(u)

    $25,000        $25,000        $25,000        $25,000        $25,000   

 

(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 liquidation preference of ARPS and VMTPS) from the fund’s total assets and dividing this number by the total number of preferred shares outstanding.
(l) Interest expense and fees relate to payments made to the holders of the floating rate certificates from trust assets and interest expense paid to shareholders of VMTPS. For the year ended October 31, 2012, the expense ratio also excludes fees and expenses related to the tender and repurchase of a portion of the fund’s ARPS.
(m) Amount excludes accrued unpaid distributions on ARPS and accrued interest on VMTPS.
(p) Ratio excludes dividend payment on ARPS.
(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.
(u) Average market value represents the approximate fair value of each of the fund’s ARPS and VMTPS.
(w) Per share amount was less than $0.01.
(x) The net asset values per share and total returns at net asset value per share 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.
(y) Included in the total return at net asset value is the impact of the tender and repurchase by the fund of a portion of its ARPS at 95% of the ARPS’ per share liquidation preference. Had this transaction not occurred, the total return at net asset value for the year ended October 31, 2012 would have been lower by 1.70%.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) Business and Organization

MFS Municipal 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 increases and decreases in net assets from operations 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 primarily in municipal instruments. The value of municipal instruments can be affected by changes in their actual or perceived credit quality. The credit quality of municipal instruments can be affected by, among other things, the financial condition of the issuer or guarantor, the issuer’s future borrowing plans and sources of revenue, the economic feasibility of the revenue bond project or general borrowing purpose, political or economic developments in the region where the instrument is issued and the liquidity of the security. Municipal instruments generally trade in the over-the-counter market. Municipal instruments backed by current and anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets can be negatively affected by the discontinuance of the taxation supporting the projects or assets or the inability to collect revenues for the project or from the assets. If the Internal Revenue Service determines an issuer of a municipal instrument has not complied with the applicable tax requirements, interest from the security could become taxable, the security could decline in value, and the funds may be required to issue Forms 1099-DIV. 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.

In January 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-01 (“ASU 2013-01”) entitled Balance Sheet (Topic 210) –Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities which is intended to clarify the scope of Accounting Standards Update 2011-11 (“ASU 2011-11”), Balance Sheet (Topic 210) – Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. Consistent with the effective date for ASU 2011-11, ASU 2013-01 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. ASU 2013-01 limits the scope of ASU 2011-11’s disclosure requirements on offsetting to financial assets and financial liabilities related to derivatives, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities lending and securities borrowing transactions. Although still evaluating the potential impact of these two ASUs to the fund, management expects that the impact of the fund’s adoption will be limited to additional financial statement disclosures.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

In June 2013, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-08 Financial Services – Investment Companies (Topic 946) – Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements (“ASU 2013-08”) which is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2013. ASU 2013-08 sets forth a methodology for determining whether an entity should be characterized as an investment company and prescribes fair value accounting for an investment company’s non-controlling ownership interest in another investment company. FASB has determined that a fund registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 automatically meets ASU 2013-08’s criteria for an investment company. Although still evaluating the potential impacts of ASU 2013-08 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. Short-term instruments with a maturity at issuance of 60 days or less generally are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. 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. 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 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 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

 

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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. The following is a summary of the levels used as of October 31, 2013 in valuing the fund’s assets or liabilities:

 

Investments at Value    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Municipal Bonds      $—         $379,980,314         $—         $379,980,314   
Mutual Funds      18,743,196                         18,743,196   
Total Investments      $18,743,196         $379,980,314         $—         $398,723,510   
Other Financial Instruments                            
Futures Contracts      $(307,316      $—         $—         $(307,316

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

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 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 futures 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.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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 October 31, 2013 as reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

        Fair Value (a)  
Risk   Derivative Contracts   Liability Derivatives  
Interest Rate   Interest Rate Futures     $(307,316)   

 

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

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the realized gain (loss) on derivatives held by the fund for the year ended October 31, 2013 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Futures Contracts  
Interest Rate      $1,056,671   

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 October 31, 2013 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Futures Contracts  
Interest Rate      $(314,536

Derivative counterparty credit risk is managed through formal evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counterparties. On certain, but not all, 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. Upon an event of default or a termination of the ISDA Master Agreement, the non-defaulting party has the right 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.

Collateral and margin requirements differ by type of derivative. Margin requirements are set by the broker or clearing house for cleared derivatives (i.e., futures contracts, cleared swaps, and exchange-traded options) while collateral terms are contract specific for over-the-counter traded derivatives (i.e., forward foreign currency exchange contracts, uncleared 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 that has been segregated to cover the fund’s collateral or margin obligations under derivative contracts, if any, will

 

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be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as “Restricted cash.” Securities pledged as collateral or margin for the same purpose, if any, are noted in the Portfolio of Investments.

The fund’s accounting policy with respect to balance sheet offsetting is that, 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 financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the fund and the applicable counterparty.

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

Inverse Floaters – The fund invests in municipal inverse floating rate securities which are structured by the issuer (known as primary market inverse floating rate securities) or by an investment banker utilizing municipal bonds which have already been issued (known as secondary market inverse floating rate securities) to have variable rates of interest which typically move in the opposite direction of short term interest rates. A secondary market inverse floating rate security is created when an investment banker transfers a fixed rate municipal bond to a special purpose trust, and causes the trust to (a) issue floating rate certificates to third parties, in an amount equal to a fraction of the par amount of the deposited bonds (these certificates usually pay tax-exempt interest at short-term interest rates that typically reset weekly; and the certificate holders typically, on seven days notice, have the option to tender their certificates to the investment banker or another party for redemption at par plus accrued interest), and (b) issue inverse floating rate certificates (sometimes referred to as “inverse floaters”). If the holders of the inverse floaters transfer the municipal bonds to an investment banker for the purpose of depositing the municipal bonds into the special purpose trust, the inverse floating rate certificates that are issued by the trust are referred to as “self-deposited inverse floaters.” If the bonds held by the trust are purchased by the investment banker for deposit into the trust from someone other

 

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than the purchasers of the inverse floaters, the inverse floating rate certificates that are issued by the trust are referred to as “externally deposited inverse floaters.” Such self-deposited inverse floaters held by the fund are accounted for as secured borrowings, with the municipal bonds reflected in the investments of the fund and amounts owed to the holders of the floating rate certificates under the provisions of the trust, which amounts are paid solely from the assets of the trust, reflected as liabilities of the fund in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities under the caption, “Payable to the holders of the floating rate certificates from trust assets”. The carrying value of the fund’s payable to the holders of the floating rate certificates from trust assets as reported in the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities approximates its fair value. The value of the payable to the holders of the floating rate certificates from trust assets as of the reporting date is considered level 2 under the fair value hierarchy disclosure. At October 31, 2013, the fund’s payable to the holders of the floating rate certificates from trust assets was $16,269,400 and the interest rate on the floating rate certificates issued by the trust was 0.09%. For the year ended October 31, 2013, the average payable to the holders of the floating rate certificates from trust assets was $16,346,425 at a weighted average interest rate of 0.13%. Interest expense and fees relate to interest payments made to the holders of certain floating rate certificates and associated fees, both of which are made from trust assets. Interest expense and fees are recorded as incurred. For the year ended October 31, 2013, interest expense and fees in connection with self-deposited inverse floaters were $104,289. Primary and externally deposited inverse floaters held by the fund are not accounted for as secured borrowings.

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. Interest payments received in additional securities are recorded on the 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.

 

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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.

Legal fees and other related expenses incurred to preserve and protect the value of a security owned are added to the cost of the security; other legal fees are expensed. Capital infusions made directly to the security issuer, which are generally non-recurring, incurred to protect or enhance the value of high-yield debt securities, are reported as additions to the cost basis of the security. Costs that are incurred to negotiate the terms or conditions of capital infusions or that are expected to result in a plan of reorganization are reported as realized losses. Ongoing costs incurred to protect or enhance an investment, or costs incurred to pursue other claims or legal actions, are expensed.

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 October 31, 2013, 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 and tax-exempt 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.

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

Book/tax differences primarily relate to expiration of capital loss carryforwards, amortization and accretion of debt securities, defaulted bonds, derivative transactions, secured borrowings, and non-deductible expenses that result from the treatment of VMTPS as equity for tax purposes.

 

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

 

     10/31/13      10/31/12  
Ordinary income (including any short-term capital gains)      $326,571         $139,830   
Tax-exempt income      19,411,414         20,422,994   
Total distributions      $19,737,985         $20,562,824   

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

 

As of 10/31/13       
Cost of investments      $382,486,973   
Gross appreciation      14,789,606   
Gross depreciation      (14,822,469
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      $(32,863
Undistributed ordinary income      624,100   
Undistributed tax-exempt income      2,502,490   
Capital loss carryforwards      (27,168,625
Other temporary differences      (709,646

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”), net capital losses recognized for fund fiscal years beginning after October 31, 2011 may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term losses (“post-enactment losses”). Previously, net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term losses (“pre- enactment losses”). As a transition rule, the Act requires that all post-enactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses.

As of October 31, 2013, the fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized gains as follows:

 

Pre-enactment losses which
expire as follows:
      
10/31/16      $(3,401,503
10/31/17      (6,820,113
10/31/18      (7,829,561
10/31/19      (5,299,510
Total      $(23,350,687
Post-enactment losses which are
characterized as follows:
 
Short-Term      $(2,290,019
Long-Term      (1,527,919
Total      $(3,817,938

 

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(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 0.40% of the fund’s average weekly net assets (including the value of the auction rate preferred shares and variable rate municipal term preferred shares) and 6.32% of gross income. Gross income is calculated based on tax elections that generally include the amortization of premium and exclude the accretion of discount, 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 October 31, 2013 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.74% of the fund’s average daily net assets (including the value of the auction rate preferred shares and variable rate municipal term preferred shares).

The investment adviser has agreed in writing to pay a portion of the fund’s total annual operating expenses, exclusive of interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage and transaction costs and investment-related expenses other than auction rate preferred shares service fee such that fund operating expenses do not exceed 0.90% of the fund’s average daily net assets (including the value of auction rate preferred shares and variable rate municipal term preferred shares). This written agreement will continue until modified by the fund’s Board of Trustees, but such agreement will continue at least until October 31, 2014. For the year ended October 31, 2013, the fund’s actual operating expenses did not exceed the limit and therefore, the investment adviser did not pay any portion of the fund’s expenses related to this agreement.

Transfer Agent – The fund engages Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) as the sole transfer agent for the fund’s common shares. 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 October 31, 2013, these fees paid to MFSC amounted to $13,075.

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 (including the value of the auction rate preferred shares and variable rate municipal term preferred shares). The administrative services fee incurred for the year ended October 31, 2013 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0151% of the fund’s average daily net assets (including the value of the auction rate preferred shares and variable rate municipal term preferred shares).

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.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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. The DB plan resulted in a pension expense of $2,938 and is included in independent Trustees’ compensation for the year ended October 31, 2013. The liability for deferred retirement benefits payable to certain independent Trustees under the DB plan amounted to $33,728 at October 31, 2013, 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, 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 October 31, 2013, the aggregate fees paid by the fund to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC were $2,064 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 $776, 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 short-term obligations, aggregated $88,709,704 and $96,342,387, respectively.

(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 fund reserves the right to repurchase shares of beneficial interest of the fund subject to Trustee approval. During the years ended October 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012, the fund did not repurchase any shares. Other transactions in fund shares were as follows:

 

     Year ended
10/31/13
     Year ended
10/31/12
 
     Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  
Shares issued to shareholders in
reinvestment of distributions
     82,309         $620,030         193,604         $1,390,497   

 

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(6) Line of Credit

The fund and certain other funds managed by MFS participate in a $1.1 billion unsecured committed line of credit, subject to a $1 billion sublimit, provided by a syndication of banks under a credit agreement. Borrowings may be made for temporary financing needs. Interest is charged to each fund, based on its borrowings, generally at a rate equal to the higher of the Federal Reserve funds rate or one month LIBOR plus an agreed upon spread. A commitment fee, based on the average daily, unused portion of the committed line of credit, is allocated among the participating funds at the end of each calendar quarter. In addition, the fund and other funds managed by MFS have established unsecured uncommitted borrowing arrangements with certain banks for temporary financing needs. Interest is charged to each fund, based on its borrowings, at a rate equal to the Federal Reserve funds rate plus an agreed upon spread. For the year ended October 31, 2013, the fund’s commitment fee and interest expense were $1,554 and $0, respectively, and are included in “Miscellaneous” expense in the Statement of Operations.

(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
     11,048,764         96,446,194         (88,751,762     18,743,196   
Underlying Affiliated Fund    Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Capital Gain
Distributions
     Dividend
Income
    Ending
Value
 
MFS Institutional Money
Market Portfolio
     $—         $—         $14,463        $18,743,196   

(8) Preferred Shares

The fund has 157 shares issued and outstanding of Auction Rate Preferred Shares (ARPS), series T, and 134 shares of ARPS, series TH. Dividends are cumulative at a rate that is reset every seven days for both series through an auction process. If the ARPS are unable to be remarketed on a remarketing date as part of the auction process, the fund would be required to pay the maximum applicable rate on ARPS to holders of such shares for successive dividend periods until such time when the shares are successfully remarketed. The maximum rate on ARPS rated aa3/AA- or better is equal to 110% of the higher of (i) the Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate or (ii) the “AA” Composite Commercial Paper Rate.

Since February 2008, regularly scheduled auctions for ARPS issued by closed end funds, including this fund, have consistently failed because of insufficient demand (bids to buy shares) to meet the supply (shares offered for sale) at each auction. In a failed auction, ARPS holders cannot sell their shares tendered for sale. While repeated auction failures have affected the liquidity for ARPS, they do not constitute a default or automatically alter the credit quality of the ARPS, and ARPS holders have continued to receive

 

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dividends at the previously defined “maximum rate”. During the year ended October 31, 2013, the ARPS dividend rates ranged from 0.08% to 0.38% for both series T and series TH. For the year ended October 31, 2013, the average dividend rate was 0.18% for both series T and series TH. These developments with respect to ARPS do not affect the management or investment policies of the fund. However, one implication of these auction failures for common shareholders is that the fund’s cost of leverage will be higher than it otherwise would have been had the auctions continued to be successful. As a result, the fund’s future common share earnings may be lower than they otherwise would have been.

The fund pays an annual service fee to broker-dealers with customers who are beneficial owners of the ARPS. The service fee is equivalent to 0.25% of the applicable ARPS liquidation value while the ARPS auctions are successful or to 0.15% or less, varying by broker-dealer, while the auctions are failing. The outstanding ARPS are redeemable at the option of the fund in whole or in part at the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. The ARPS are also subject to mandatory redemption if certain requirements relating to its asset maintenance coverage are not satisfied.

On August 9, 2012, the fund announced a tender offer for all of its outstanding ARPS at a price equal to 95% of the ARPS’ per share liquidation preference of $25,000, or $23,750 per share, plus any unpaid dividends accrued through the expiration date of the tender offer. The tender offer expired on September 12, 2012, and the fund accepted for repurchase 2,118 ARPS, series T and 2,141 ARPS, series TH (approximately 93.6% of the fund’s then outstanding ARPS) with an aggregate liquidation preference of $106,475,000 for an aggregate price of $101,151,250. To finance the ARPS tender offer, the fund issued in a private placement 4,259 shares of a new type of preferred shares, Variable Rate Municipal Term Preferred Shares (VMTPS), each with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, for an aggregate price of $106,475,000. The outstanding VMTPS are redeemable at the option of the fund in whole or in part at the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, but generally solely for the purpose of decreasing the leverage of the fund. The VMTPS are subject to a mandatory term redemption date of September 30, 2016 unless extended through negotiation with the private investors. Dividends on the VMTPS are cumulative and are set weekly to a fixed spread against the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index. The average annualized dividend rate on the fund’s VMTPS for the year ended October 31, 2013 was 1.36%. The total liquidation preference of the fund’s outstanding preferred shares, comprised of untendered ARPS and VMTPS, remained unchanged as a result of the ARPS tender and VMTPS issuance. The difference between the liquidation preference of the ARPS and the actual purchase price of the tendered ARPS (i.e. the 5% discount on the per share liquidation preference of the tendered ARPS), was recognized by the fund in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the year ended October 31, 2012 as an increase in net assets applicable to common shares resulting from the tender and the repurchase of the ARPS by the fund.

In the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, the VMTPS aggregate liquidation preference is shown as a liability since they have a stated mandatory redemption date. Dividends paid to VMTPS are treated as interest expense and recorded as incurred. For

 

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the year ended October 31, 2013, interest expense related to VMTPS amounted to $1,447,768 and is included in “Interest expense and fees” in the Statement of Operations. Costs directly related to the issuance of the VMTPS are considered debt issuance costs which have been deferred and are being amortized into expense over the life of the VMTPS. The period-end carrying value for the VMTPS in the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities is its liquidation value which approximates its fair value. If the VMTPS were carried at fair value, its fair value would be considered level 2 under the fair value hierarchy.

Under the terms of a purchase agreement between the fund and the investor in VMTPS, there are investment-related requirements that are in various respects more restrictive than those to which the fund is otherwise subject in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, and may limit the investment flexibility that might otherwise be pursued by the fund if the VMTPS were not outstanding.

The fund is required to maintain certain asset coverage with respect to the ARPS and VMTPS as defined in the fund’s By-Laws and the Investment Company Act of 1940 and, as such, is not permitted to declare common share dividends unless the fund’s ARPS and VMTPS have a minimum asset coverage ratio of 200% after declaration of the common share dividends. With respect to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets of the fund, ARPS and VMTPS rank on parity with each other, and are both senior in priority to the fund’s outstanding common shares. To the extent that investments are purchased by the fund with proceeds from the issuance of preferred shares, including ARPS and VMTPS, the fund’s net asset value will increase or decrease at a greater rate than a comparable unleveraged fund.

As of October 31, 2013, the fund had issued and outstanding 157 ARPS, series T, 134 ARPS, series TH, and 4,259 VMTPS, series 2016/9.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Trustees and the Shareholders of MFS Municipal Income Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of MFS Municipal Income Trust (the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2013, and the related statements of operations and 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. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its 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, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2013, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. 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 Municipal Income Trust as of October 31, 2013, 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 the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

December 16, 2013

 

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RESULTS OF SHAREHOLDER MEETING

(unaudited)

At the annual meeting of shareholders of MFS Municipal Income Trust, which was held on October 3, 2013, the following actions were taken:

Item 1: To elect the following individuals as Trustees, elected by the holders of common and preferred shares together:

 

     Number of Shares  

Nominee

   For     

Withheld Authority

 
Maureen R. Goldfarb      29,334,053.431         1,491,006.418   
Robert J. Manning      29,391,074.077         1,433,985.772   

Item 2: To elect the following individuals as Trustees, elected by the holders of preferred shares only:

 

     Number of Shares  

Nominee

   For     

Withheld Authority

 
John P. Kavanaugh           4,405                22   
Laurie J. Thomsen      4,405                22   

 

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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS — IDENTIFICATION AND BACKGROUND

The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, as of December 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 50)

  Trustee   February 2004   2016   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director; President (until 2009); Chief Investment Officer (until 2010)   N/A
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

David H. Gunning

(age 71)

  Trustee and Chair of Trustees   January 2004   2015   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 72)

  Trustee   January 2006   2015   Consultant – investment company industry regulatory and compliance matters   N/A

Maureen R. Goldfarb

(age 58)

  Trustee   January 2009   2016   Private investor   N/A

William R. Gutow

(age 72)

  Trustee   December 1993   2014   Private investor and real estate consultant; Capitol Entertainment Management Company (video franchise), Vice Chairman   Texas Donuts (donut franchise), Vice Chairman (until 2010)

 

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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   Brookfield Office Properties, Inc. (real estate), Director; Rouse Properties Inc. (real estate), Director; Capmark Financial Group Inc. (real estate), Director

John P. Kavanaugh

(age 59)

  Trustee   January 2009   2014   Private investor   N/A

J. Dale Sherratt

(age 75)

  Trustee   June 1989   2015   Insight Resources, Inc. (acquisition planning specialists), President; Wellfleet Investments (investor in health care companies), Managing General Partner   N/A

Laurie J. Thomsen

(age 56)

  Trustee   March 2005   2014   Private investor; New Profit, Inc. (venture philanthropy), Executive Partner (until 2010)   The Travelers Companies (insurance), Director

Robert W. Uek

(age 72)

  Trustee   January 2006   2014   Consultant to investment company industry   N/A
OFFICERS

John M. Corcoran (k)

(age 48)

  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 2008)   N/A

Christopher R. Bohane (k)

(age 39)

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

Kino Clark (k)

(age 45)

 

Assistant

Treasurer

  January 2012   N/A  

Massachusetts Financial

Services Company,

Vice President

  N/A

 

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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 54)

 

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 50)

  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 45)

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

Robyn L. Griffin

(age 38)

  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 (until 2008)   N/A

Brian E. Langenfeld (k)

(age 40)

  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 63)

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

 

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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 43)

  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 61)

  Secretary and Clerk   January 2006   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary   N/A

Frank L. Tarantino

(age 69)

  Independent Chief Compliance Officer   June 2004   N/A   Tarantino LLC (provider of compliance services), Principal   N/A

Richard S. Weitzel (k)

(age 43)

  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 53)

  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.

The Trust holds annual shareholder meetings for the purpose of electing Trustees, and Trustees are elected for fixed terms. Two Trustees, each holding a term of one year, are

 

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elected annually by holders of the Trust’s preferred shares. The remaining Trustees are 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 Company
111 Huntington Avenue   1 Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02199-7618   Boston, MA 02111-2900
Portfolio Managers   Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Gary Lasman   Deloitte & Touche LLP
Geoffrey Schechter   200 Berkeley Street
  Boston, MA 02116

 

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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, 2013 (“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, 2012 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

 

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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 funds in its Lipper performance universe over the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, 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 7th out of a total of 11 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 6th out of a total of 11 funds for the one-year period and 2nd out of a total of 11 funds for the five-year period ended December 31, 2012. Given the size of the Lipper performance universe and information previously provided by MFS regarding differences between the Fund and other funds in its Lipper performance universe, the Trustees also reviewed the Fund’s performance in comparison to the Barclays Municipal Bond Index. The Fund out-performed the Barclays Municipal Bond Index for each of the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2012 (one-year: 19.6% total return for the Fund versus 6.8% total return for the benchmark; three-year: 12.6% total return for the Fund versus 6.6% total return for the benchmark; five-year: 8.1% total return for the Fund versus 5.9% 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. 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.

 

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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 MFS currently observes an expense limitation for the Fund, which may not be changed without the Trustees’ approval. The Trustees also 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 higher than the Lipper expense group median.

The Trustees also considered the advisory fees charged by MFS to any comparable institutional accounts. 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 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.

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

 

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Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued

 

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, 2013.

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).

 

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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 2013 income tax forms in January 2014. The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

Of the dividends paid from net investment income during the fiscal year, 98.35% is designated as exempt interest dividends for federal income tax purposes. If the fund has earned income on private activity bonds, a portion of the dividends paid may be considered a tax preference item for purposes of computing a shareholder’s alternative minimum tax.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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: MFM


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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 Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) 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 October 31, 2013 and 2012, audit fees billed to the Fund by Deloitte were as follows:

 

     Audit Fees  
   2013      2012  

Fees billed by Deloitte:

     

MFS Municipal Income Trust

     56,926         52,590   


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For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012, fees billed by Deloitte 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  
     2013      2012      2013      2012      2013      2012  

Fees billed by Deloitte:

                 

To MFS Municipal Income Trust

     15,000         15,000         7,212         7,071         1,108         1,149   
      Audit-Related Fees1      Tax Fees2      All Other Fees3  
     2013      2012      2013      2012      2013      2012  

Fees billed by Deloitte:

                 

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

     1,667,472         1,064,074         0         0         0         0   

 

     Aggregate Fees for Non-audit
Services
 
   2013      2012  

Fees Billed by Deloitte:

     

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

     1,705,612         1,371,134   

 

* 

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 Deloitte 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 included under “All Other Fees” are fees for products and services provided by Deloitte other than those reported under “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees” and “Tax Fees,” including fees for services related to review of internal controls and review of Rule 38a-1 compliance program.

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


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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.


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

MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

February 1, 2013

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.

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.


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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.


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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) consist 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 consist 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 some or 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; (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 governance concerns with a director or 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”).


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Classified Boards

MFS generally supports proposals to declassify a board (i.e.; 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 believes that the ability of qualifying shareholders to nominate a certain number of directors on the company’s proxy statement (“Proxy Access”) may have corporate governance benefits. However, such potential benefits must be balanced by its potential misuse by shareholders. Therefore, we support Proxy Access proposals at U.S. issuers that establish an ownership criteria of 3% of the company held continuously for a period of 3 years. MFS analyzes all other proposals seeking 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. In the cases where a stock plan amendment is seeking qualitative changes and not additional shares, MFS will vote its shares on a case-by-case basis.


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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.

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.


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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.

“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.


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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.

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.


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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.

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.

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.


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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 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. However, we will generally support such proposals if we determine there to be governance concerns at the issuer. 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.


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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.

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.


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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 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, untimely vote cut-off dates, 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.


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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.

 

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 (including investment professionals) identifies an actual or potential conflict of interest with respect to any voting decision (including the ownership of securities in their individual portfolio), then that employee must recuse himself/herself from participating in the voting process. 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.

 

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.


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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, (iv) a vote recommendation is requested from an MFS portfolio manager or investment analyst (e.g. mergers and acquisitions); or (v) MFS evaluates a director nominee who also serves as a director of the MFS Funds (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;

 

  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.


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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.

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.


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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 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 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.

 

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.


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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 or proxy team 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 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 on an automated basis. 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.


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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 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.

 

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 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.


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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.

 

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

Portfolio Manager(s)

Information regarding the portfolio manager(s) of the MFS Municipal Income Trust (the “Fund”) is set forth below. Each portfolio manager is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

 

Portfolio Manager

  

Primary Role

  

Since

  

Title and Five Year History

Gary A. Lasman    Portfolio Manager    2006    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 2002.
Geoffrey L. Schechter    Portfolio Manager    2004    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 1993.

Compensation

Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed annually. As of December 31, 2012, portfolio manager total cash compensation is a combination of base salary and performance bonus:

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

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

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

The quantitative portion is based on the pre-tax performance of assets managed by the portfolio manager over one-, three-, and five-year periods relative to peer group universes and/or indices (“benchmarks”). As of December 31, 2012, the following benchmarks were used to measure the following portfolio manager’s performance for the following Fund:

 

Fund

  

Portfolio Manager

  

Benchmark(s)

MFS Municipal Income Trust

   Gary A. Lasman    Barclays Municipal Bond Index
   Geoffrey L. Schechter    Barclays Municipal Bond Index

Additional or different benchmarks, including versions of indices, custom indices, and linked indices that combine 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- 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


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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.

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 October 31, 2013. 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

Gary A. Lasman

   N

Geoffrey L. Schechter

   N

Other Accounts

In addition to the Fund, each portfolio manager of the Fund is named as a portfolio manager of certain other accounts managed or subadvised by MFS or an affiliate. The number and assets of these accounts were as follows as of October 31, 2013:

 

     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

Gary A. Lasman

     4       $ 3.0 billion         0       N/A      0       N/A

Geoffrey L. Schechter

     12       $ 11.6 billion         1       $364.9 million      0       N/A

 

* Includes the Fund.

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

Potential Conflicts of Interest

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


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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.

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

 

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

MFS Municipal 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
 

11/01/12-11/30/12

     0         N/A         0         4,096,445   

12/01/12-12/31/12

     0         N/A         0         4,096,445   

1/01/13-1/31/13

     0         N/A         0         4,096,445   

2/01/13-2/28/13

     0         N/A         0         4,096,445   

3/01/13-3/31/13

     0         N/A         0         4,114,618   

4/01/13-4/30/13

     0         N/A         0         4,114,618   

5/01/13-5/31/13

     0         N/A         0         4,114,618   

6/01/13-6/30/13

     0         N/A         0         4,114,618   

7/01/13-7/31/13

     0         N/A         0         4,114,618   

8/01/13-8/31/13

     0         N/A         0         4,114,618   

9/01/13-9/30/13

     0         N/A         0         4,114,618   

10/01/13-10/31/13

     0         N/A         0         4,114,618   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

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


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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, 2013 plan year is 4,114,618.

 

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.


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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.


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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.


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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 MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST

 

By (Signature and Title)*    JOHN M. CORCORAN
  John M. Corcoran, President

Date: December 16, 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: December 16, 2013

 

By (Signature and Title)*    DAVID L. DILOREZNO
 

David L. DiLorezno, Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer

and Accounting Officer)

Date: December 16, 2013

 

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