MFS HIGH INCOME MUNICIPAL 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 811-05754

MFS HIGH INCOME MUNICIPAL TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Susan S. Newton

Massachusetts Financial Services Company

500 Boylston Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(Name and address of agents for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

Date of reporting period: November 30, 2010


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ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


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LOGO

 

LOGO

 

Annual report

 

MFS® High Income Municipal Trust

 

11/30/10

CXE-ANN


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MFS® High Income Municipal Trust

 

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: CXE

 

LETTER FROM THE CEO     1   
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION     2   
MANAGEMENT REVIEW     4   
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY     7   
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS OF THE FUND     9   
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS’ PROFILES     11   
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN     12   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS     13   
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES     34   
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS     35   
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS     36   
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS     37   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     39   
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
    50   
RESULTS OF SHAREHOLDER MEETING     51   
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS     52   
BOARD REVIEW OF INVESTMENT
ADVISORY AGREEMENT
    57   
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND
INFORMATION
    62   
QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO DISCLOSURE     62   
FURTHER INFORMATION     62   
FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION     62   
MFS® PRIVACY NOTICE     63   
CONTACT INFORMATION             BACK COVER   

 

NOT FDIC INSURED Ÿ MAY LOSE VALUE Ÿ NO BANK GUARANTEE


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LOGO

 

LETTER FROM THE CEO

Dear Shareholders:

After an extended rebound in the financial markets, uncertainty returned in early 2010 as investors began to question the durability of the recovery for global economies and markets. That uncertainty led to increased risk aversion, especially as investors saw the eurozone struggle with the debt woes of many of its members. In September, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board’s promises to further loosen monetary policy helped assuage market fears and drive asset prices off their recent lows. A combination of solid earnings and improving economic data gave an additional boost to investor sentiment. As we begin 2011, we are cautiously optimistic that economic growth will continue to improve and that the global economies will recover from the shocks of the past few years. We expect the pace of recovery worldwide will be uneven and volatile.

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

Respectfully,

LOGO

Robert J. Manning

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

MFS Investment Management®

January 14, 2011

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

 

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PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Portfolio structure at market value

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Top five industries reflecting equivalent exposure of derivative positions (i)    
Healthcare Revenue — Hospitals     22.6%   
Healthcare Revenue — Long Term Care     13.5%   
Tax Assessment     5.9%   
Universities — Colleges     5.5%   
U.S. Treasury Securities (j)     (14.6)%   

Portfolio structure reflecting equivalent exposure of derivative positions (i)(j)

LOGO

 

Composition including fixed income credit quality (a)(i)    
AAA     7.1%   
AA     17.1%   
A     9.7%   
BBB     26.3%   
BB     8.3%   
B     3.2%   
CCC     1.0%   
CC     0.2%   
Other Fixed Income (NR) (j)     8.7%   
Cash & Other     18.4%   
Portfolio facts (i)  
Average Duration (d)     13.5   
Average Effective Maturity (m)     19.9 yrs.   

 

(a) The rating categories include debt securities and fixed-income structured products where these have long-term public ratings. All ratings are assigned in accordance with the following hierarchy: If a security is rated by Moody’s, then that rating is used; if not rated by Moody’s, then a Standard & Poor’s rating is used; if not rated by S&P, then a Fitch rating is used. Ratings from Moody’s are shown in the S&P and Fitch scale (e.g., AAA). All ratings are subject to change. Other Fixed Income (NR) includes unrated long-term fixed income securities, interest rate swaps and fixed income futures. 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.

 

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

 

(j) For the purpose of managing the fund’s duration, the fund holds short treasury futures with a bond equivalent exposure of (14.6)%, which reduce the fund’s interest exposure but not its credit exposure.

 

(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.

Percentages are based on net assets, including the value of auction preferred shares, as of 11/30/10, unless otherwise noted.

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

 

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MANAGEMENT REVIEW

Summary of Results

The MFS High Income Municipal Trust (the “fund”) is a closed-end fund investing in investment-grade and high-yield municipal debt.

For the twelve months ended November 30, 2010, shares of the fund provided a total return of 9.63%, at net asset value. This compares with a return of 4.76% for the fund’s benchmark, the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index.

Market Environment

The first half of the reporting period witnessed a continuation of the financial market and macroeconomic rebounds that had begun in early 2009. These recoveries in global activity and asset valuations were generally synchronized around the world, led importantly by emerging Asian economies, but broadening to include most of the global economy to varying degrees. Primary drivers of the recoveries included an unwinding of the inventory destocking that took place earlier, the production of manufacturing and capital goods, as well as massive fiscal and monetary stimulus.

During the second half of the period, heightened risk surrounding the public-debt profiles of several of the peripheral European countries impaired market sentiment. At the same time, the improving trend in global macroeconomic data began to weaken somewhat. These two dynamics caused many asset prices to retrench significantly, as many questioned the durability of the global recovery.

Towards the end of the period, the U.S. Federal Reserve led markets to believe that further monetary loosening would be forthcoming if macroeconomic activity did not show signs of improvement. The prospects for more easing by the Fed improved market sentiment and drove risk-asset prices markedly higher. However, in a text-book case of “buy the rumor, sell the fact,” the weeks following the early November announcement of further quantitative easing saw a sell-off in U.S. Treasury bonds. This rise in Treasury yields occurred despite risk-off behavior in equities and credit markets (which would normally result in Treasury yield compression), and appears to have been the result of a few factors: signs of improved U.S. economic activity; opposition to quantitative easing from some quarters; and crowded long positions in U.S. Treasuries.

For the vast majority of the twelve months ended November 30, 2010, the municipal market witnessed solid demand with consistent, positive flows into municipal bond funds. Further, with the success of the Build America Bond (BAB) program allowing municipalities to garner a subsidy when issuing debt in the taxable market, tax exempt supply was reduced by about 25%. Together,

 

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Management Review – continued

 

these forces provided for a robust municipal market notwithstanding the consistent headline news questioning the financial strength of many of these city and states.

However, beginning in November 2010 a confluence of events hit the municipal market over a short period leading to a spike in redemptions from municipal bond funds. These events included increasing concerns from some about higher interest rates, the realization that the Bush tax cuts were in all likelihood going to be extended in some form, and a continuation of headlines questioning the financial strength of municipalities. Additionally, the passage of an extension of the BAB program subsidy became very much in doubt, raising concerns that new issue supply of municipal bonds would increase markedly in 2011. Municipal bond funds were forced to sell to meet the redemptions, driving prices down. The net result was a give back of most of the gains made in the prior eleven months. Subsequent to the end of the period, the tax package officially passed keeping individual tax rates unchanged for the next two years (2011 and 2012) and the BAB program was allowed to expire.

Over these twelve months; however, spreads between high-quality “AAA” rated securities and lower-quality securities, rated “BBB” or lower, tightened during the time period. As such, securities rated “BBB” and lower significantly outperformed higher-quality “AA” and “AAA” rated securities.

Contributors to Performance

A key factor for the fund’s positive excess return over the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index was our holdings in below-investment-grade securities, particularly in “BB” rated (r) bonds and in bonds rated “CCC” and below, as bonds in these quality sectors delivered strong returns over the reporting period.

A combination of strong security selection and an overweighted position in the health care sector boosted relative performance. The fund’s holdings in the airline sector were also positive drivers for relative returns as bonds in this sector outperformed.

The fund employs leverage which has been created through the issuance of auction 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 enhanced positive performance.

Detractors from Performance

Security selection in the tobacco sector held back relative performance over the reporting period. A combination of an underweighted position and bond selection in the transportation sector was another negative factor for relative

 

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Management Review – continued

 

results. The fund’s short positions in U.S. Treasury futures, which were used to hedge the duration(d) of the municipal securities held by the fund, also detracted from relative performance. The benchmark does not hold U.S. Treasury futures.

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 primary source for bond quality ratings is Moody’s Investors Service. If not available, ratings by Standard & Poor’s are used, else ratings by Fitch, Inc. For securities which are not rated by any of the three agencies, the security is considered Not Rated.

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 11/30/10

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 High Income Municipal Trust

 

Year Ended 11/30/10

 

              Date        Price     
   Net Asset Value        11/30/10         $4.74  
            11/30/09         $4.68  
   New York Stock Exchange Price        11/30/10         $5.00  
            9/02/10  (high) (t)       $5.36  
            11/15/10  (low) (t)       $4.59  
              11/30/09         $4.75    

Total Returns vs Benchmark

 

Year Ended 11/30/10

 

       
     MFS High Income Municipal Trust at       
  

New York Stock Exchange Price (r)

       13.94%     
  

Net Asset Value (r)

       9.63%     
   Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index (f)        4.76%       

 

(f) Source: FactSet Research Systems Inc.

 

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

 

(t) For the period December 1, 2009 through November 30, 2010.

Benchmark Definition

Barclays Capital 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

 

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Performance Summary – continued

 

than the net asset value underlying fund shares, and shares purchased at a premium would receive less than the amount paid for them in the event of the fund’s liquidation. As a result, the total return that is calculated based on the net asset value and New York Stock Exchange price can be different.

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

 

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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, PRINCIPAL

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

OF THE FUND

Investment Objective

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

Principal Investment Strategies

The fund invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets, including assets attributable to preferred shares and borrowings for investment purposes, in tax-exempt bonds and tax-exempt notes. This policy may not be changed without shareholder approval. Tax-exempt bonds and tax-exempt notes are municipal instruments, the interest of which is exempt from federal income tax. Interest from the fund’s investments may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.

MFS (Massachusetts Financial Services Company, the fund’s investment adviser) may invest 25% or more of the fund’s total assets in municipal instruments that finance similar projects, such as those relating to education, healthcare, housing, utilities, water, or sewers.

MFS may invest up to 100% of the fund’s assets in lower quality debt instruments.

MFS may invest a relatively large percentage of the fund’s assets in the instruments of a single issuer or a small number of issuers.

MFS may use derivatives for any investment purpose, including to earn income and enhance returns, to increase or decrease exposure to a particular market, to manage or adjust the risk profile of the fund, or as alternatives to direct investments.

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

The fund uses leverage through the issuance of preferred shares and/or the creation of tender option bonds, and then invests the proceeds pursuant to its investment strategies. If approved by the fund’s Board of Trustees, the fund may use leverage by other methods.

 

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

 

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

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

Principal Risks

The fund may not achieve its objective and/or you could lose money on your investment in the fund. Investments in debt instruments may decline in value as the result of increases in interest rates, declines in the credit quality of the issuer, borrower, counterparty or underlying collateral, or changes in economic, political, issuer-specific, or other conditions. Certain types of debt instruments can be more sensitive to these factors and therefore more volatile. Investments in derivatives can be used to take both long and short positions, be highly volatile, result in leverage (which can magnify losses), and involve risks in addition to the risks of the underlying indicator(s) on which the derivative is based, such as counterparty and liquidity risk. Investments in lower-quality debt instruments can be more volatile and have greater risk of default than higher-quality debt instruments. Investments in municipal instruments can be volatile and significantly affected by adverse tax or court rulings, legislative or political changes, market and economic conditions, issuer, industry-specific (including the credit quality of municipal insurers), and other conditions. The market price of common shares of the fund will be based on factors such as the supply and demand for common shares in the market and general market, economic, political or regulatory conditions. Whether shareholders will realize gains or losses upon the sale of common shares of the fund will depend on the market price of common shares at the time of the sale, not on the fund’s net asset value. The market price may be lower or higher than the fund’s net asset value. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value. Leverage involves investment exposure in an amount exceeding the initial investment. Leverage can cause increased volatility by magnifying gains or losses. To the extent that investments are purchased with the issuance of preferred shares, the fund’s net asset value will increase or decrease at a greater rate than a comparable unleveraged fund. Please see the fund’s registration statement for further information regarding these and other risk considerations. A copy of the fund’s registration statement on Form N-2 is available on the EDGAR database on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Internet Web site at http://sec.gov.

 

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     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 2002. Portfolio manager of the fund since June 2007.
Geoffrey Schechter     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 1993. Portfolio manager of the fund since June 2007.

 

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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

11/30/10

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 - 156.4%                 
Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Airport & Port Revenue - 4.1%                 
Denver, CO, City & County Airport, “B”, ETM, 6.125%, 2025 (c)    $ 2,840,000      $ 2,848,704   
Denver, CO, City & County Airport, “C”, ETM, 6.125%, 2025 (c)      2,280,000        2,809,530   
Maryland Economic Development Corp. Rev. (Port America Chesapeake Terminal Project), “B”, 5.375%, 2025      125,000        124,689   
Maryland Economic Development Corp. Rev. (Port America Chesapeake Terminal Project), “B”, 5.75%, 2035      365,000        365,792   
          
             $ 6,148,715   
General Obligations - General Purpose - 0.4%                 
Luzerne County, PA, AGM, 6.75%, 2023    $ 570,000      $ 632,335   
New York, NY, “H”, 6%, 2017      5,000        5,017   
          
             $ 637,352   
General Obligations - Improvement - 0.3%                 
Guam Government, “A”, 6.75%, 2029    $ 175,000      $ 190,164   
Guam Government, “A”, 7%, 2039      200,000        215,986   
          
             $ 406,150   
General Obligations - Schools - 2.1%                 
Beverly Hills, CA, Unified School District (Election of 2008), Capital Appreciation, 0%, 2031    $ 350,000      $ 100,527   
Beverly Hills, CA, Unified School District (Election of 2008), Capital Appreciation, 0%, 2032      355,000        94,586   
Beverly Hills, CA, Unified School District (Election of 2008), Capital Appreciation, 0%, 2033      715,000        176,877   
Irving, TX, Independent School District, Capital Appreciation, “A”, PSF, 0%, 2018      1,000,000        805,880   
Los Angeles, CA, Unified School District, “D”, 5%, 2034      210,000        208,005   
Placer, CA, Unified School District, Capital Appreciation, “A”, FGIC, 0%, 2019      1,700,000        1,135,889   
San Jacinto, TX, Community College District, 5.125%, 2038      550,000        564,102   
          
             $ 3,085,866   
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - 36.9%                 
Allegheny County, PA, Hospital Development Authority Rev. (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), “A”, 5.375%, 2029    $ 560,000      $ 568,310   
Allegheny County, PA, Hospital Development Authority Rev. (West Penn Allegheny Health), “A”, 5%, 2028      565,000        421,010   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - continued                 
Allegheny County, PA, Hospital Development Authority Rev. (West Penn Allegheny Health), “A”, 5.375%, 2040    $ 835,000      $ 585,001   
Brunswick, GA, Hospital Authority Rev. (Glynn-Brunswick Memorial Hospital), 5.625%, 2034      220,000        225,271   
California Health Facilities Financing Authority Rev. (St. Joseph Health System), “A”, 5.75%, 2039      125,000        129,005   
California Health Facilities Financing Authority Rev. (Sutter Health), “A”, 5%, 2042      1,000,000        925,120   
California Municipal Finance Authority Rev. (Eisenhower Medical Center), “A”, 5.75%, 2040      55,000        52,592   
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Catholic Healthcare West), “K”, ASSD GTY, 5.5%, 2041      1,545,000        1,579,963   
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Catholic Healthcare West), “L”, ASSD GTY, 5.25%, 2041      1,130,000        1,136,814   
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Children’s Hospital), 5%, 2047      375,000        294,131   
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (St. Joseph Health System), FGIC, 5.75%, 2047      745,000        748,360   
Cullman County, AL, Health Care Authority (Cullman Regional Medical Center), “A”, 6.75%, 2029      75,000        75,411   
Delaware County, PA, Authority Rev. (Mercy Health Corp.), ETM, 6%, 2016 (c)      835,000        913,741   
Delaware County, PA, Authority Rev. (Mercy Health Corp.), ETM, 6%, 2026 (c)      1,000,000        1,106,210   
Gage County, NE, Hospital Authority No. 1, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Care Center), “B”, 6%, 2025      90,000        90,322   
Gage County, NE, Hospital Authority No. 1, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Care Center), “B”, 6.5%, 2030      290,000        289,997   
Gage County, NE, Hospital Authority No. 1, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Care Center), “B”, 6.75%, 2035      250,000        251,738   
Garden City, MI, Hospital Finance Authority Rev. (Garden City Hospital), 5%, 2038      750,000        500,685   
Genesee County, NY, Industrial Development Agency Civic Facility Rev. (United Memorial Medical Center), 5%, 2027      120,000        101,864   
Harris County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Hospital Rev. (Memorial Hermann Healthcare Systems), “B”, 7.25%, 2035      235,000        262,601   
Idaho Health Facilities Authority Rev. (IHC Hospitals, Inc.), ETM, 6.65%, 2021 (c)      1,750,000        2,243,185   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Children’s Memorial Hospital), “A”, ASSD GTY, 5.25%, 2047 (f)      2,300,000        2,230,678   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Kewanee Hospital), 5.1%, 2031      525,000        413,380   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - continued                 
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Provena Health), “A”, 7.75%, 2034    $ 620,000      $ 701,611   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Silver Cross Hospital & Medical Centers), 6.875%, 2038      615,000        664,397   
Indiana Health & Educational Facilities Finance Authority Rev. (Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc.), “E”, AGM, 5.25%, 2041      145,000        143,473   
Indiana Health & Educational Facilities Finance Authority, Hospital Rev. (Clarian Health), “A”, 5%, 2039      2,255,000        2,085,108   
Indiana Health & Educational Facilities Finance Authority, Hospital Rev. (Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana), 5.5%, 2037      1,220,000        1,112,811   
Indiana Health & Educational Financing Authority Rev. (Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana ), “A”, 6%, 2034      575,000        583,964   
Johnson City, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board Hospital Rev. (Mountain States Health Alliance), “A”, 5.5%, 2031      1,455,000        1,377,812   
Johnson City, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board Hospital Rev. (Mountain States Health Alliance), “A”, 5.5%, 2036      535,000        491,077   
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Baptist Healthcare System), “A”, 5.375%, 2024      375,000        401,168   
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Baptist Healthcare System), “A”, 5.625%, 2027      125,000        132,894   
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Owensboro Medical Health System), “A”, 6.375%, 2040      735,000        735,257   
Lake County, OH, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Lake Hospital Systems, Inc.), 5.625%, 2029      565,000        544,394   
Louisiana Public Facilities Authority Hospital Rev. (Lake Charles Memorial Hospital), 6.375%, 2034      1,125,000        1,016,156   
Louisville & Jefferson County, KY, Metro Government Health Facilities Rev. (Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s Healthcare), 6.125%, 2037      1,685,000        1,752,552   
Louisville & Jefferson County, KY, Metropolitan Government Healthcare Systems Rev. (Norton Healthcare, Inc.), 5.25%, 2036      420,000        388,311   
Lufkin, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Rev. (Memorial Health System), 5.5%, 2032      80,000        72,474   
Lufkin, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Rev. (Memorial Health System), 5.5%, 2037      75,000        66,731   
Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Anne Arundel Health System), “A”, 6.75%, 2039      945,000        1,063,371   
Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Washington County Hospital), 6%, 2043      150,000        150,764   
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Jordan Hospital), “E”, 6.75%, 2033      500,000        484,685   
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Quincy Medical Center), “A”, 6.5%, 2038      605,000        524,632   
Montgomery, AL, Medical Clinic Board Health Care Facility Rev. (Jackson Hospital & Clinic), 5.25%, 2031      155,000        142,656   

 

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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    $ 800,000      $ 723,368   
New Hampshire Business Finance Authority Rev. (Elliot Hospital Obligated Group), “A”, 6%, 2027      745,000        756,138   
New Hampshire Health & Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Catholic Medical Center), “A”, 6.125%, 2012 (c)      350,000        382,851   
New Hampshire Health & Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Catholic Medical Center), “A”, 6.125%, 2032      50,000        50,164   
New Hampshire Health & Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Memorial Hospital at Conway), 5.25%, 2036      800,000        668,472   
New Hanover County, NC, Hospital Rev., AGM, 5.125%, 2031      1,130,000        1,137,492   
New Jersey Health Care Facilities, Financing Authority Rev. (Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital), 5%, 2031      40,000        39,292   
New Jersey Health Care Facilities, Financing Authority Rev. (St. Peter’s University Hospital), 5.75%, 2037      700,000        677,754   
New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council, Hospital Rev. (Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital), “A”, 5%, 2017      365,000        343,534   
New York Dormitory Authority Rev., Non-State Supported Debt (Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center), LOC, 6.5%, 2030      245,000        268,934   
New York Dormitory Authority Rev., Non-State Supported Debt (Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center), LOC, 6.25%, 2035      150,000        162,159   
Norman, OK, Regional Hospital Authority Rev., 5%, 2027      195,000        170,448   
Norman, OK, Regional Hospital Authority Rev., 5.375%, 2029      115,000        102,801   
Norman, OK, Regional Hospital Authority Rev., 5.375%, 2036      305,000        258,003   
North Carolina Medical Care Commission (Stanly Health Services, Inc.), 6.375%, 2029      1,915,000        1,915,709   
Olympia, WA, Healthcare Facilities Authority Rev. (Catholic Health Initiatives), “D”, 6.375%, 2036      1,405,000        1,535,412   
Orange County, FL, Health Facilities Authority Hospital Rev. (Orlando Regional Healthcare), 5.75%, 2012 (c)      200,000        219,970   
Palomar Pomerado Health Care District, CA, COP, 6.75%, 2039      1,280,000        1,316,096   
Philadelphia, PA, Hospitals & Higher Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Temple University Health System), “A”, 5.5%, 2030      1,615,000        1,487,738   
Rhode Island Health & Educational Building Corp. Rev., Hospital Financing (Lifespan Obligated Group), “A”, ASSD GTY, 7%, 2039      840,000        932,602   
Royal Oak, MI, Hospital Finance Authority Rev. (William Beaumont Hospital), 8.25%, 2039      660,000        772,669   
Salida, CO, Hospital District Rev., 5.25%, 2036      944,000        787,928   
Scottsdale, AZ, Industrial Development Authority, Hospital Rev. (Scottsdale Healthcare), “C”, ASSD GTY, 5%, 2035      75,000        73,637   
Skagit County, WA, Public Hospital District No. 001 Rev. (Skagit Valley Hospital), 5.75%, 2032      120,000        113,839   

 

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Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - continued                 
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority (Bon Secours - Venice Healthcare Corp.), 5.5%, 2012 (c)    $ 380,000      $ 414,409   
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority (Bon Secours - Venice Healthcare Corp.), 5.5%, 2023      1,370,000        1,385,577   
South Lake County, FL, Hospital District Rev. (South Lake Hospital), 6.375%, 2034      500,000        505,535   
South Lake County, FL, Hospital District Rev. (South Lake Hospital), “A”, 6%, 2029      175,000        177,963   
South Lake County, FL, Hospital District Rev. (South Lake Hospital), “A”, 6.25%, 2039      100,000        101,675   
Southwestern, IL, Development Authority Rev. (Anderson Hospital), 5.5%, 2020      225,000        225,011   
Southwestern, IL, Development Authority Rev. (Anderson Hospital), 5.125%, 2036      1,000,000        834,670   
Sullivan County, TN, Health, Educational & Housing Facilities Board Hospital Rev. (Wellmont Health Systems Project), RADIAN, 5%, 2017      345,000        349,740   
Sullivan County, TN, Health, Educational & Housing Facilities Board Hospital Rev. (Wellmont Health Systems Project), “C”, 5.25%, 2036      225,000        195,842   
Sumner County, TN, Health, Educational & Housing Facilities Board Rev. (Sumner Regional Health Systems, Inc.), “A”, 5.5%, 2046 (d)      475,000        26,125   
Tampa, FL, Hospital Rev. (H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center), “A”, 5.75%, 2029      2,000,000        2,003,260   
Tyler, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. (East Texas Medical Center), “A”, 5.25%, 2032      290,000        261,374   
Tyler, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. (East Texas Medical Center), “A”, 5.375%, 2037      235,000        212,029   
Washington Health Care Facilities Authority Rev. (Multicare Health Systems), “B”, ASSD GTY, 6%, 2039      560,000        592,189   
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Aurora Health Care, Inc.), 6.4%, 2033      525,000        535,894   
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Fort Healthcare, Inc.), 5.75%, 2029      1,000,000        996,570   
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Wheaton Franciscan Services), 5.25%, 2034      865,000        772,410   
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Wheaton Franciscan Services), “A”, 5.25%, 2025      500,000        480,645   
          
             $ 54,749,615   
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - 21.9%                 
ABAG Finance Authority for Non-Profit Corps., CA, Rev. (Casa de las Campanas), 6%, 2037    $ 120,000      $ 119,512   
Abilene, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Retirement Facilities Rev. (Sears Methodist Retirement Systems, Inc.), “A”, 5.9%, 2025      1,000,000        827,040   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - continued                 
Abilene, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Retirement Facilities Rev. (Sears Methodist Retirement Systems, Inc.), “A”, 7%, 2033    $ 500,000      $ 434,680   
Boston, MA, Industrial Development Financing Authority Rev. (Springhouse, Inc.), 5.875%, 2020      255,000        247,457   
Bucks County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Retirement Community Rev. (Ann’s Choice, Inc.), “A”, 6.125%, 2025      1,000,000        967,470   
Bucks County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Lutheran Community Telford Center), 5.75%, 2027      120,000        102,862   
Bucks County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Lutheran Community Telford Center), 5.75%, 2037      155,000        123,385   
Capital Projects Finance Authority, FL (Glenridge on Palmer Ranch), “A”, 8%, 2012 (c)      750,000        844,200   
Chester County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (RHA Nursing Home), 8.5%, 2032      1,495,000        1,336,620   
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (American Baptist Homes), “A”, 5.9%, 2037      530,000        442,248   
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (American Housing Foundation, Inc.), 8.5%, 2011 (c)      440,000        471,702   
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Covenant Retirement Communities, Inc.), 5%, 2035      1,400,000        1,152,508   
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Evangelical Lutheran), “A”, 6.125%, 2038      150,000        152,088   
Columbus, GA, Housing Authority Rev. (Calvary Community, Inc.), 7%, 2019      370,000        334,606   
Cumberland County, PA, Municipal Authority Rev. (Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries), 6.125%, 2029      890,000        917,065   
Fulton County, GA, Residential Care Facilities, Elderly Authority Rev. (Canterbury Court), “A”, 6.125%, 2034      750,000        660,390   
Hamden, CT, Facility Rev. (Whitney Center Project), “A”, 7.625%, 2030      85,000        89,082   
Hamden, CT, Facility Rev. (Whitney Center Project), “A”, 7.75%, 2043      420,000        436,267   
Hawaii Department of Budget & Finance, Special Purpose Rev. (15 Craigside Project), “A”, 8.75%, 2029      105,000        120,990   
Hawaii Department of Budget & Finance, Special Purpose Rev. (15 Craigside Project), “A”, 9%, 2044      180,000        205,306   
Houston, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. (Buckingham Senior Living Community), “A”, 7.125%, 2014 (c)      500,000        594,910   
Howard County, MD, Retirement Facilities Rev. (Vantage House Corp.), “A”, 5.25%, 2033      250,000        189,245   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Evangelical Retirement Homes of Greater Chicago, Inc.), 7.25%, 2045      1,050,000        1,060,353   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Hoosier Care, Inc.), “A”, 7.125%, 2034      1,110,000        1,001,342   

 

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Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - continued                 
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Smith Village), “A”, 6.25%, 2035    $ 1,250,000      $ 1,072,300   
Illinois Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Smith Crossing), “A”, 7%, 2032      725,000        654,661   
Indiana Health Facilities Financing Authority Rev. (Hoosier Care, Inc.), “A”, 7.125%, 2034      150,000        135,317   
Iowa Finance Authority, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Care Initiatives), 9.25%, 2011 (c)      835,000        894,185   
Iowa Finance Authority, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Care Initiatives), “B”, 5.75%, 2018      465,000        444,898   
Iowa Finance Authority, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Care Initiatives), “B”, 5.75%, 2028      1,475,000        1,256,995   
James City County, VA, Economic Development (WindsorMeade Project), “A”, 5.5%, 2037      565,000        335,847   
La Verne, CA, COP (Brethren Hillcrest Homes), “B”, 6.625%, 2025      690,000        679,636   
Marion, IA, Health Care Facilities Rev., First Mortgage (AHF/Kentucky-Iowa, Inc.), 8%, 2029      546,000        543,368   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Adventcare), “A”, 6.75%, 2037      895,000        806,404   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Alliance Health of Brockton, Inc.), “A”, 7.1%, 2032      1,170,000        1,029,986   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Linden Ponds, Inc.), “A”, 5.5%, 2027      240,000        177,324   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Linden Ponds, Inc.), “A”, 5.75%, 2035      60,000        42,593   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Loomis Communities, Inc.), “A”, 5.625%, 2015      300,000        296,220   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Loomis Communities, Inc.), “A”, 6.9%, 2032      100,000        98,888   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (The Groves in Lincoln), “A”, 7.75%, 2039      100,000        103,706   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (The Groves in Lincoln), “A”, 7.875%, 2044      150,000        155,292   
Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board Rev. (Blakeford at Green Hills), 5.65%, 2024      600,000        528,756   
Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board, First Mortgage, 8.5%, 2029      1,116,000        1,111,793   
Montgomery County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Whitemarsh Continuing Care), 6.125%, 2028      250,000        222,605   
Montgomery County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Whitemarsh Continuing Care), 6.25%, 2035      750,000        646,005   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (Lions Gate), “A”, 5.75%, 2025      205,000        190,056   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - continued                 
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (Lions Gate), “A”, 5.875%, 2037    $ 830,000      $ 700,495   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (Seabrook Village, Inc.), 5.25%, 2026      50,000        44,030   
Norfolk, VA, Redevelopment & Housing Authority Rev. (Fort Norfolk Retirement Community), “A”, 6.125%, 2035      140,000        126,129   
Roseville, MN, Elder Care Facilities (Care Institute, Inc.), 7.75%, 2023      1,740,000        1,355,651   
Savannah, GA, Economic Development Authority, First Mortgage (Marshes of Skidway), “A”, 7.4%, 2034      465,000        440,918   
Shelby County, TN, Health, Educational & Housing Facilities Board Rev. (Germantown Village), “A”, 7.25%, 2034      450,000        431,303   
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority Rev. (Woodlands at Furman), “A”, 6%, 2027      365,000        279,243   
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority Rev. (Woodlands at Furman), “A”, 6%, 2042      335,000        231,036   
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority, Health Facilities Rev. (Wesley Commons), 5.3%, 2036      300,000        230,676   
St. John’s County, FL, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Glenmoor Project), “A”, 5.25%, 2026      500,000        400,550   
St. John’s County, FL, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Presbyterian Retirement), “A”, 6%, 2045      780,000        776,537   
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility (Air Force Village), 6.125%, 2029      65,000        64,173   
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility (Air Force Village), 5.125%, 2037      240,000        199,358   
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility (Air Force Village), 6.375%, 2044      525,000        511,130   
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility (Stayton at Museum Way), 8.25%, 2044      980,000        981,764   
Travis County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Rev. (Westminster Manor Health), 7%, 2030      110,000        112,673   
Travis County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Rev. (Westminster Manor Health), 7.125%, 2040      165,000        169,285   
Washington County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev., First Mortgage (AHF/Central Project), 8.5%, 2029      1,186,000        1,181,529   
          
             $ 32,494,643   
Healthcare Revenue - Other - 0.5%                 
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Civic Investments, Inc.), “A”, 9%, 2012 (c)    $ 700,000      $ 788,760   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Industrial Revenue - Airlines - 5.0%                 
Alliance Airport Authority, Inc., TX (American Airlines, Inc.), 5.25%, 2029    $ 1,015,000      $ 745,518   
Chicago, IL, O’Hare International Airport Special Facilities Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), 5.5%, 2030      1,335,000        1,081,911   
Clayton County, GA, Development Authority Special Facilities Rev. (Delta Airlines, Inc.), “A”, 8.75%, 2029      255,000        293,031   
Clayton County, GA, Development Authority Special Facilities Rev. (Delta Airlines, Inc.), “B”, 9%, 2035      190,000        206,032   
Denver, CO, City & County Airport Rev. (United Airlines), 5.75%, 2032      470,000        407,537   
Houston, TX, Airport Systems Rev., Special Facilities (Continental Airlines, Inc.), “E”, 6.75%, 2029      300,000        300,333   
Houston, TX, Airport Systems Rev., Special Facilities (Continental Airlines, Inc.), “E”, 7%, 2029      250,000        251,088   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Special Facilities Rev. (Continental Airlines, Inc.), 6.25%, 2029      1,695,000        1,589,910   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Special Facilities Rev. (Continental Airlines, Inc.), 9%, 2033      750,000        784,695   
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agencies Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), 7.5%, 2016      475,000        492,822   
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agencies Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), 7.625%, 2025      200,000        209,564   
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agencies Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), 7.75%, 2031      1,005,000        1,049,260   
          
             $ 7,411,701   
Industrial Revenue - Chemicals - 1.6%                 
Brazos River, TX, Harbor Navigation District (Dow Chemical Co.), “B-2”, 4.95%, 2033    $ 600,000      $ 565,098   
Michigan Strategic Fund Ltd. Obligation Rev. (Dow Chemical Co.), 6.25%, 2014      825,000        912,458   
Port of Bay, TX, City Authority (Hoechst Celanese Corp.), 6.5%, 2026      840,000        842,864   
          
             $ 2,320,420   
Industrial Revenue - Environmental Services - 1.4%                 
California Pollution Control Financing Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Republic Services, Inc.), “B”, 5.25%, 2023 (b)    $ 270,000      $ 278,764   
California Pollution Control Financing Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Waste Management, Inc.), “C”, 5.125%, 2023      845,000        853,036   
Carbon County, UT, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Laidlaw Environmental), “A”, 7.45%, 2017      500,000        500,510   
Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority, TX (Waste Management, Inc.), “A”, 5.2%, 2028      465,000        457,658   
          
             $ 2,089,968   

 

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Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Industrial Revenue - Metals - 0.3%                 
State of Indiana Finance Authority, Environmental Rev. (U.S. Steel Corp.), 6%, 2026    $ 495,000      $ 500,707   
Industrial Revenue - Other - 3.8%                 
Annawan, IL, Tax Increment Rev. (Patriot Renewable Fuels LLC), 5.625%, 2018    $ 450,000      $ 375,804   
California Statewide Communities, Development Authority Facilities (Microgy Holdings Project), 9%, 2038 (d)      66,932        5,355   
Gulf Coast, TX, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (CITGO Petroleum Corp.), 8%, 2028      500,000        500,405   
Houston, TX, Industrial Development Corp. (United Parcel Service, Inc.), 6%, 2023      600,000        576,330   
Indianapolis, IN, Airport Authority Rev., Special Facilities (FedEx Corp.), 5.1%, 2017      250,000        257,660   
Michigan Strategic Fund Rev. (Michigan Sugar Co.), “A”, 6.25%, 2015      1,250,000        1,188,638   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (GMT Realty LLC), “B”, 6.875%, 2037      1,500,000        1,320,630   
Virgin Islands Government Refinery Facilities Rev. (Hovensa Coker Project), 6.5%, 2021      375,000        379,534   
Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority, Refinery Facilities Rev. (Hovensa Coker Project), 5.875%, 2022      600,000        590,334   
Will-Kankakee, IL, Regional Development Authority Rev. (Flanders Corp.), 6.5%, 2017      500,000        490,345   
          
             $ 5,685,035   
Industrial Revenue - Paper - 2.6%                 
Bedford County, VA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Nekooska Packaging Corp.), 5.6%, 2025    $ 400,000      $ 371,256   
Brunswick & Glynn County, GA, Development Authority Rev. (Georgia-Pacific LLC), 5.55%, 2026      585,000        524,897   
Courtland, AL, Industrial Development Board Rev. (International Paper Co.), “B”, 6.25%, 2025      1,000,000        1,004,990   
Escambia County, FL, Environmental Improvement Rev. (International Paper Co.), “A”, 5%, 2026      1,270,000        1,165,149   
Escambia County, FL, Environmental Improvement Rev. (International Paper Co.), “A”, 4.75%, 2030      370,000        311,233   
Phenix City, AL, Industrial Development Board Environmental Improvement Rev., “A” (Mead Westvaco Coated Board Project), 6.35%, 2035      550,000        526,977   
          
             $ 3,904,502   

 

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Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Miscellaneous Revenue - Entertainment & Tourism - 1.5%                 
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, CA, Rev., 5.6%, 2013 (n)    $ 640,000      $ 660,070   
Brooklyn, NY, Arena Local Development Corp. (Barclays Center Project), 6%, 2030      155,000        158,120   
Brooklyn, NY, Arena Local Development Corp. (Barclays Center Project), 6.25%, 2040      100,000        101,992   
Brooklyn, NY, Arena Local Development Corp. (Barclays Center Project), 6.375%, 2043      75,000        76,713   
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, OR, “C”, 5.625%, 2026 (n)      800,000        641,416   
New York Liberty Development Corp. Rev. (National Sports Museum), “A”, 6.125%, 2019 (d)      527,999        1,584   
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agency Rev. (Queens Baseball Stadium), ASSD GTY, 6.125%, 2029      40,000        43,765   
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agency Rev. (Queens Baseball Stadium), ASSD GTY, 6.375%, 2039      30,000        32,423   
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agency Rev. (Queens Baseball Stadium), ASSD GTY, 6.5%, 2046      125,000        136,116   
Seminole Tribe, FL, Special Obligation Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2027 (n)      365,000        326,598   
          
             $ 2,178,797   
Miscellaneous Revenue - Other - 2.6%                 
Austin, TX, Convention Center (Convention Enterprises, Inc.), “A”, SYNCORA, 5.25%, 2024    $ 395,000      $ 356,440   
Capital Trust Agency, FL (Aero Syracuse LLC), 6.75%, 2032      500,000        468,565   
Cleveland-Cuyahoga County, OH, Port Authority Rev. (Columbia National Group), 5%, 2020      615,000        527,688   
Dallas, TX, Civic Center Convention Complex Rev., ASSD GTY, 5.25%, 2034      1,065,000        1,073,797   
New York Liberty Development Corp., Liberty Rev. (One Bryant Park LLC), 6.375%, 2049      1,205,000        1,244,813   
V Lakes Utility District, MS, Water Systems Rev., 7%, 2037      300,000        270,132   
          
             $ 3,941,435   
Multi-Family Housing Revenue - 6.7%                 
Broward County, FL, Housing Finance Authority Rev. (Chaves Lakes Apartments Ltd.), “A”, 7.5%, 2040    $ 750,000      $ 719,565   
Capital Trust Agency, FL, Housing Rev. (Atlantic Housing Foundation), “B”, 7%, 2032 (q)      735,000        363,656   
Charter Mac Equity Issuer Trust, FHLMC, 6.3%, 2019 (n)      1,000,000        1,047,850   
Clay County, FL, Housing Finance Authority Rev. (Madison Commons Apartments), “A”, 7.45%, 2040      701,805        655,240   
District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (Henson Ridge), “E”, FHA, 5.1%, 2037      1,000,000        956,620   

 

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Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Multi-Family Housing Revenue - continued                 
Durham, NC, Durham Housing Authority Rev. (Magnolia Pointe Apartments), 5.65%, 2038 (b)    $ 1,386,038      $ 1,037,934   
El Paso County, TX, Housing Finance Corp. (American Housing Foundation), “C”, 8%, 2032      350,000        340,666   
El Paso County, TX, Housing Finance Corp. (American Housing Foundation), “D”, 10%, 2032      380,000        370,755   
Minneapolis, MN, Student Housing Rev. (Riverton Community Housing Project), “A”, 5.7%, 2040      750,000        577,943   
MuniMae TE Bond Subsidiary LLC, 7.75%, 2050 (b)(z)      2,000,000        1,640,240   
Resolution Trust Corp., Pass-Through Certificates, “1993”, 8.5%, 2016 (z)      546,075        519,732   
Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs (Pebble Brook Apartments), FNMA, 5.5%, 2018      995,000        995,587   
Wilmington, DE, Multi-Family Housing Rev. (Electra Arms Senior Associates), 6.25%, 2028      810,000        667,189   
          
             $ 9,892,977   
Sales & Excise Tax Revenue - 1.7%                 
Bolingbrook, IL, Sales Tax Rev., 6.25%, 2024    $ 750,000      $ 468,713   
Massachusetts School Building Authority, Dedicated Sales Tax Rev., AMBAC, 4.75%, 2032      845,000        852,183   
Regional Transportation District, CO, Private Activity Rev. (Denver Transportation Partners), 6%, 2034      795,000        804,198   
Regional Transportation District, CO, Private Activity Rev. (Denver Transportation Partners), 6%, 2041      385,000        384,969   
          
             $ 2,510,063   
Single Family Housing - Local - 1.8%                 
Minneapolis & St. Paul Housing Authority Rev. (City Living), “A-2”, GNMA, 5%, 2038    $ 733,728      $ 700,769   
Pittsburgh, PA, Urban Redevelopment Authority Rev., “C”, GNMA, 4.8%, 2028      2,000,000        1,985,920   
          
             $ 2,686,689   
Single Family Housing - State - 3.2%                 
Colorado Housing & Finance Authority, “A”, 5.5%, 2029    $ 1,400,000      $ 1,465,982   
Iowa Finance Authority, Single Family Mortgage Rev., “E”, 5.4%, 2032      855,000        878,906   
North Dakota Housing Finance Agency Rev., “A”, 4.85%, 2021      680,000        685,148   
Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency Rev. (Homeownership Loan Program), “C”, GNMA, 5%, 2026      950,000        948,898   
Virginia Housing Development Authority, Commonwealth Mortgage, “A-5”, 4.4%, 2015      260,000        266,924   

 

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Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Single Family Housing - State - continued                 
Virginia Housing Development Authority, Commonwealth Mortgage, “A-5”, 4.4%, 2015    $ 435,000      $ 443,295   
          
             $ 4,689,153   
Solid Waste Revenue - 0.4%                 
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Resource Recovery Rev. (Ogden Haverhill Associates), “A”, 6.7%, 2014    $ 80,000      $ 80,586   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Resource Recovery Rev. (Ogden Haverhill Associates), “A”, 5.6%, 2019      500,000        501,250   
          
             $ 581,836   
State & Agency - Other - 0.1%                 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Mepsi Campus), “A”, 6.25%, 2024    $ 100,000      $ 99,715   
State & Local Agencies - 6.7%                 
California Public Works Board Lease Rev., Department of Mental Health (Coalinga), “A”, 5.5%, 2019    $ 1,000,000      $ 1,046,470   
Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., Enhanced, “A”, FGIC, 5%, 2038      1,090,000        969,119   
Guam Government Department of Education (John F. Kennedy High School), “A”, COP, 6.875%, 2040      375,000        377,284   
Louisiana Military Department Custody Receipts, 5%, 2024      1,500,000        1,522,050   
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, “A”, 5.125%, 2029      1,025,000        1,055,576   
New York Urban Development Corp. (University Facilities Grants), 5.875%, 2021      1,000,000        1,149,810   
Newberry, SC, Investing in Children’s Education (Newberry County School District Program), 5%, 2030      500,000        479,260   
Philadelphia, PA, Municipal Authority Rev., 6.5%, 2034      170,000        177,412   
Puerto Rico Public Finance Corp., “E”, 6%, 2026      1,645,000        2,062,419   
Puerto Rico Public Finance Corp., “E”, ETM, 6%, 2026 (c)      155,000        192,250   
Wisconsin General Fund Annual Appropriation Rev., “A”, 5.75%, 2033      840,000        906,108   
          
             $ 9,937,758   
Tax - Other - 1.3%                 
Dallas County, TX, Flood Control District, 7.25%, 2032    $ 1,000,000      $ 1,036,320   
New York, NY, City Transitional Finance Authority Building Aid Rev., “S-3”, 5.25%, 2039      560,000        581,319   
Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority Rev. (Diageo Project), “A”, 6.75%, 2037      255,000        269,543   
          
             $ 1,887,182   

 

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Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Tax Assessment - 9.8%                 
Anne Arundel County, MD, Special Obligation (National Business Park-North Project), 6.1%, 2040    $ 175,000      $ 171,701   
Atlanta, GA, Tax Allocation (Eastside Project), “A”, 5.625%, 2016      455,000        479,388   
Ave Maria Stewardship Community District, FL, “A”, 5.125%, 2038      345,000        253,703   
Celebration Community Development District, FL, “A”, 6.4%, 2034      920,000        926,918   
Channing Park Community Development District, FL, 5.3%, 2038      510,000        386,422   
Chicago, IL, Tax Increment Allocation (Pilsen Redevelopment), “B”, 6.75%, 2022      450,000        449,996   
Du Page County, IL, Special Service Area No. 31 Special Tax (Monarch Landing Project), 5.625%, 2036      250,000        199,103   
Grand Bay at Doral Community Development District, FL, “A”, 6%, 2039 (d)      120,000        41,948   
Grand Bay at Doral Community Development District, FL, “B”, 6%, 2017 (d)      700,000        246,680   
Heritage Harbour North Community Development District, FL, Capital Improvement Rev., 6.375%, 2038      395,000        323,703   
Homestead, FL, Community Development District, Special Assessment, “A”, 6%, 2037      470,000        291,757   
Homestead, FL, Community Development District, Special Assessment, “B”, 5.9%, 2013      220,000        134,523   
Huntington Beach, CA, Community Facilities District, Special Tax (Grand Coast Resort), “2000-1”, 6.45%, 2031      750,000        749,903   
Lincoln, CA, Special Tax (Community Facilities District ), “2003-1”, 5.9%, 2013 (c)      445,000        512,137   
Lincolnshire, IL, Special Service Area No. 1 (Sedgebrook Project), 6.25%, 2034      500,000        438,075   
Magnolia Park Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “A”, 6.15%, 2039      795,000        531,871   
Northwest Metropolitan District No. 3, CO, 6.25%, 2035      500,000        386,690   
Oakmont Grove Community Development District, FL, “A”, 5.4%, 2038 (d)      500,000        185,000   
Ohio County, WV, Commission Tax Increment Rev. (Fort Henry Centre), “A”, 5.85%, 2034      165,000        156,344   
Orlando, FL, Special Assessment Rev. (Conroy Road Interchange Project), “A”, 5.8%, 2026      300,000        289,620   
Plano, IL, Special Service Area No. 4 (Lakewood Springs Project Unit 5-B), 6%, 2035      1,964,000        1,655,986   
San Diego, CA, Redevelopment Agency, Tax Allocation Rev., Capital Appreciation, AGM, 0%, 2019      1,910,000        1,225,456   
San Diego, CA, Redevelopment Agency, Tax Allocation Rev., Capital Appreciation, AGM, 0%, 2022      1,910,000        969,249   

 

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Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Tax Assessment - continued                 
Sarasota National Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment Rev., 5.3%, 2039 (d)    $ 1,200,000      $ 240,000   
Seven Oaks, FL, Community Development District II Special Assessment Rev., “A”, 5.875%, 2035      260,000        158,358   
Sweetwater Creek Community Development District, FL, Capital Improvement Rev., 5.5%, 2038      290,000        124,700   
Tolomato Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, 6.65%, 2040      760,000        544,532   
Tuscany Reserve Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “B”, 5.25%, 2016      235,000        166,103   
Volo Village, IL, Special Service Area No. 3, Special Tax (Symphony Meadows Project), “1”, 6%, 2036      749,000        547,070   
West Villages Improvement District, FL, Special Assessment Rev. (Unit of Development No. 3), 5.5%, 2037      720,000        340,114   
Westchester, FL, Community Development District No. 1 (Community Infrastructure), 6.125%, 2035      425,000        376,338   
Westridge, FL, Community Development District, Capital Improvement Rev., 5.8%, 2037 (d)      1,210,000        459,800   
Wyandotte County-Kansas City, KS, Unified Government Transportation Development District (Legends Village West Project), 4.875%, 2028      765,000        563,790   
          
             $ 14,526,978   
Tobacco - 7.6%                 
Buckeye, OH, Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, “A-2”, 5.875%, 2030    $ 2,500,000      $ 1,929,125   
Buckeye, OH, Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, “A-2”, 5.75%, 2034      635,000        457,124   
Buckeye, OH, Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, “A-2”, 5.875%, 2047      3,030,000        2,107,001   
Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., “A-1”, 6.25%, 2013 (c)      1,330,000        1,455,924   
Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., “A-1”, 5.75%, 2047      260,000        185,778   
Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., Asset Backed, “A-1”, 5%, 2033      560,000        409,920   
Inland Empire, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., Asset Backed, Capital Appreciation, “C-1”, 0%, 2036      2,310,000        82,051   
Michigan Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority Rev., Asset Backed, “A”, 6%, 2048      1,780,000        1,257,463   
New Jersey Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., “1-A”, 5%, 2041      2,080,000        1,317,514   
Rhode Island Tobacco Settlement Authority, 6%, 2023      1,820,000        1,862,206   

 

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Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Tobacco - continued                 
Washington Tobacco Settlement Authority Rev., 6.625%, 2032    $ 250,000      $ 250,423   
          
             $ 11,314,529   
Toll Roads - 3.4%                 
Bay Area Toll Authority, CA, Toll Bridge Rev. (San Francisco Bay Area), “F1”, 5%, 2034    $ 1,850,000      $ 1,853,238   
E-470 Public Highway Authority, CO, Capital Appreciation, “B”, NATL, 0%, 2018      1,500,000        963,360   
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Capital Appreciation, “C”, AGM, 0% to 2016, 6.25% to 2033      1,830,000        1,415,743   
Texas Private Activity Bond, Surface Transportation Corp., 7%, 2040      780,000        802,386   
          
             $ 5,034,727   
Universities - Colleges - 9.0%                 
Brevard County, FL, Industrial Development Rev. (TUFF Florida Tech LLC Project), 6.75%, 2039    $ 685,000      $ 705,721   
California Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (University of Southern California), “A”, 5.25%, 2038      1,650,000        1,723,029   
California Municipal Finance Authority Rev. (Biola University), 5.8%, 2028      100,000        103,118   
Florida State University Board of Governors, System Improvement Rev., 6.25%, 2030      1,500,000        1,678,635   
Grand Valley, MI, State University Rev., 5.5%, 2027      175,000        183,449   
Grand Valley, MI, State University Rev., 5.625%, 2029      85,000        89,021   
Harris County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Rev. (Baylor College of Medicine), “D”, 5.625%, 2032      330,000        310,025   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Illinois Institute of Technology), “A”, 5%, 2036      135,000        113,971   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Roosevelt University Project), 6.25%, 2029      590,000        613,040   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Roosevelt University Project), 6.5%, 2039      195,000        203,213   
Iowa Higher Education Loan Authority Rev., Private College Facilities (Upper Iowa University), 5.75%, 2030      100,000        99,756   
Iowa Higher Education Loan Authority Rev., Private College Facilities (Upper Iowa University), 6%, 2039      115,000        115,830   
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Simmons College), “I”, 8%, 2029      315,000        358,382   
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Suffolk University), “A”, 6.25%, 2030      920,000        970,490   
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Rev. (Ashland University Project), 6.25%, 2024      835,000        844,310   

 

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Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Universities - Colleges - continued                 
Savannah, GA, Economic Development Authority Rev. (AASU Student Union LLC), ASSD GTY, 5.125%, 2039    $ 1,680,000      $ 1,700,378   
University of Illinois Rev. (Auxiliary Facilities Systems), “A”, 5.125%, 2029      2,370,000        2,433,658   
University of Southern Indiana Rev. (Student Fee), “J”, ASSD GTY, 5.75%, 2028      370,000        401,117   
University of Southern Mississippi Educational Building Corp. Rev. (Campus Facilities Project), 5.25%, 2032      275,000        288,134   
University of Southern Mississippi Educational Building Corp. Rev. (Campus Facilities Project), 5.375%, 2036      100,000        104,714   
Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Whitworth University), 5.875%, 2034      355,000        370,230   
          
             $ 13,410,221   
Universities - Dormitories - 0.7%                 
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Lancer Educational Student Housing Project), 5.625%, 2033    $ 1,015,000      $ 850,012   
Pennsylvania Higher Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Edinboro University Foundation), 5.8%, 2030      100,000        98,694   
Pennsylvania Higher Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Edinboro University Foundation), 6%, 2043      145,000        143,762   
          
             $ 1,092,468   
Universities - Secondary Schools - 2.2%                 
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev., COP (Crossroads Schools for the Arts & Sciences), 6%, 2028    $ 1,105,000      $ 1,105,530   
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Uplift Education), “A”, 6.125%, 2040      320,000        295,568   
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Uplift Education), “A”, 6.25%, 2045      200,000        186,132   
La Vernia, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (KIPP, Inc.), “A”, 6.25%, 2039      250,000        247,340   
Lee County, FL, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Lee Charter Foundation), “A”, 5.375%, 2037      695,000        551,260   
Massachusetts Industrial Finance Agency (Cambridge Friends School), 5.8%, 2028      1,000,000        896,760   
          
             $ 3,282,590   
Utilities - Cogeneration - 0.8%                 
Puerto Rico Industrial, Tourist, Educational, Medical & Environmental Central Facilities (Cogeneration Facilities-AES Puerto Rico Project), 6.625%, 2026    $ 645,000      $ 647,509   

 

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Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Utilities - Cogeneration - continued                 
Suffolk County, NY, Industrial Development Agency Rev. (Nissequoque Cogeneration Partners Facilities), 5.5%, 2023    $ 550,000      $ 482,229   
          
             $ 1,129,738   
Utilities - Investor Owned - 8.5%                 
Brazos River Authority, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (TXU Electric Co. LLC), “C”, 5.75%, 2036 (b)    $ 180,000      $ 169,173   
Brazos River Authority, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (TXU Electric Co. LLC), “C”, 6.75%, 2038      645,000        206,103   
Bryant, IL, Pollution Control Rev. (Central Illinois Light Co.), 5.9%, 2023      2,575,000        2,582,622   
Chula Vista, CA, Industrial Development Rev. (San Diego Gas), 5.875%, 2034      310,000        345,604   
Farmington, NM, Pollution Control Rev. (Public Service New Mexico), “D”, 5.9%, 2040      625,000        625,000   
Hawaii Department of Budget & Finance Special Purpose Rev. (Hawaiian Electric Co. & Subsidiary), 6.5%, 2039      950,000        1,024,993   
Maricopa County, AZ, Pollution Control Corp., Pollution Control Rev. (Arizona Public Service Co.), “D”, 6%, 2029 (b)      1,005,000        1,085,430   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Dominion Energy Brayton), 5.75%, 2042 (b)      105,000        111,161   
Mississippi Business Finance Corp., Pollution Control Rev. (Systems Energy Resources Project), 5.875%, 2022      2,000,000        1,981,080   
New Hampshire Business Finance Authority, Pollution Control Rev. (Public Service of New Hampshire), “B”, NATL, 4.75%, 2021      250,000        242,400   
Ohio Air Quality Development Authority Rev. (Columbus Southern Power Co.), “B”, 5.8%, 2038      275,000        284,339   
Ohio Air Quality Development Authority Rev. (FirstEnergy Corp.), “A”, 5.7%, 2020      665,000        701,316   
Owen County, KY, Waterworks System Rev. (American Water Co. Project), “A”, 6.25%, 2039      260,000        272,553   
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority (Allegheny Energy Supply Co. LLC), 7%, 2039      765,000        831,907   
Pima County, AZ, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Tucson Electric Power Co.), 5.75%, 2029      1,295,000        1,315,228   
Sabine River Authority, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (TXU Electric Co. LLC), 5.75%, 2030 (b)      205,000        192,671   
Sweetwater County, WY, Pollution Control Rev. (Idaho Power Co.), 5.25%, 2026      690,000        724,576   
          
             $ 12,696,156   
Utilities - Other - 3.9%                 
California M-S-R Energy Authority Gas Rev., “A”, 7%, 2034    $ 155,000      $ 179,550   

 

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Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Utilities - Other - continued                 
California M-S-R Energy Authority Gas Rev., “A”, 6.5%, 2039    $ 650,000      $ 705,660   
Georgia Main Street Natural Gas, Inc., Gas Project Rev., “A”, 5.5%, 2028      430,000        417,620   
Georgia Main Street Natural Gas, Inc., Gas Project Rev., “B”, 5%, 2019      425,000        427,546   
Public Authority for Colorado Energy Natural Gas Purchase Rev., 6.5%, 2038      35,000        38,214   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2021      2,185,000        2,197,302   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2022      550,000        550,429   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2023      730,000        728,598   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2024      75,000        73,983   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2026      215,000        208,488   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “C”, 5%, 2025      310,000        296,630   
          
             $ 5,824,020   
Water & Sewer Utility Revenue - 3.6%                 
Atlanta, GA, Water & Wastewater Rev., “A”, 6%, 2022    $ 465,000      $ 531,867   
Birmingham, AL, Waterworks Board Water Rev., “A”, ASSD GTY, 5.125%, 2034      755,000        764,679   
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority Rev., “A”, 6%, 2044      160,000        163,998   
Detroit, MI, Sewer Disposal System Rev., “B”, AGM, 7.5%, 2033      645,000        768,743   
Guam Government Waterworks Authority, Water & Wastewater Rev., 5.875%, 2035      1,125,000        1,121,310   
New Hampshire Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Pennichuck Water Works, Inc.), ETM, 7.5%, 2018 (c)      250,000        290,235   
New York, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer Systems Rev. “DD”, 4.75%, 2035      1,010,000        1,013,363   
Surprise, AZ, Municipal Property Corp., 4.9%, 2032      800,000        736,240   
          
             $ 5,390,435   
Total Municipal Bonds (Identified Cost, $239,082,901)            $ 232,330,901   
Money Market Funds (v) - 5.5%                 
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio, 0.22%,
at Cost and Net Asset Value
     8,267,649      $ 8,267,649   
Total Investments (Identified Cost, $247,350,550)            $ 240,598,550   
Other Assets, Less Liabilities - 3.7%              5,422,040   
Preferred shares (Issued by the Fund) - (65.6)%              (97,500,000
Net assets applicable to common shares - 100.0%            $ 148,520,590   

 

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(b) Mandatory tender date is earlier than stated maturity date.

 

(c) Refunded bond.

 

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

 

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

 

(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 $2,675,934 representing 1.8% of net assets applicable to common shares.

 

(q) Interest received was less than stated coupon rate.

 

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

 

(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      Current
Market
Value
 
MuniMae TE Bond Subsidiary LLC, 7.75%, 2050      5/30/00         $2,000,000         $1,640,240   
Resolution Trust Corp., Pass-Through Certificates, “1993”, 8.5%, 2016      8/27/93         551,415         519,732   
Total Restricted Securities            $2,159,972   
% of net assets applicable to common shares            1.5%   

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

 

COP   Certificate of Participation
ETM   Escrowed to Maturity
LOC   Letter of Credit

 

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
RADIAN    Radian Asset Assurance, Inc.
SYNCORA    Syncora Guarantee Inc.

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Derivative Contracts at 11/30/10

Futures Contracts Outstanding at 11/30/10

 

Description   Currency     Contracts     Value   Expiration
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Asset Derivatives - 18.5%          
Interest Rate Futures          
U.S. Treasury Note 10 yr (Short)     USD        221      $27,428,172     March - 2011        $70,016   
               
Liability Derivatives          
Interest Rate Futures          
U.S. Treasury Bond 30 yr (Short)     USD        66      $8,400,563     March - 2011        $(12,606
               

At November 30, 2010, the fund had sufficient cash and/or other liquid securities to cover any commitments under these derivative contracts.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

At 11/30/10

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, $239,082,901)

     $232,330,901      

Underlying funds, at cost and value

     8,267,649            

Total investments, at value (identified cost, $247,350,550)

              $240,598,550   

Receivables for

     

Investments sold

     1,826,383      

Interest

     4,282,091      

Other assets

     10,345            

Total assets

              $246,717,369   
Liabilities                  

Payables for

     

Distributions on common shares

     $265      

Distributions on preferred shares

     8,179      

Daily variation margin on open futures contracts

     80,625      

Investments purchased

     498,938      

Payable to affiliates

     

Investment adviser

     10,095      

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     1,799      

Administrative services fee

     228      

Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation

     8,038      

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     88,612            

Total liabilities

              $696,779   
Preferred shares                  

Series T and Series W auction preferred shares (3,900 shares issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share) at liquidation value

              $97,500,000   

Net assets applicable to common shares

              $148,520,590   
Net assets consist of                  

Paid-in capital – common shares

     $221,794,194      

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     (6,694,590   

Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments

     (68,033,378   

Undistributed net investment income

     1,454,364            

Net assets applicable to common shares

              $148,520,590   

Preferred shares, at liquidation value (3,900 shares issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share)

              97,500,000   

Net assets including preferred shares

              $246,020,590   

Common shares of beneficial interest outstanding

              31,363,069   

Net asset value per common share (net assets
of $148,520,590 / 31,363,069 shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

              $4.74   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year ended 11/30/10

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                  

Interest income

     $15,465,032      

Dividends from underlying funds

     5,384            

Total investment income

              $15,470,416   

Expenses

     

Management fee

     $1,876,092      

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     30,897      

Administrative services fee

     44,874      

Independent Trustees’ compensation

     32,360      

Stock exchange fee

     27,628      

Preferred shares service fee

     103,673      

Custodian fee

     27,826      

Shareholder communications

     18,502      

Auditing fees

     74,772      

Legal fees

     6,488      

Miscellaneous

     120,979            

Total expenses

              $2,364,091   

Reduction of expenses by investment adviser

     (752         

Net expenses

              $2,363,339   

Net investment income

              $13,107,077   
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                  

Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis)

     

Investment transactions

     $(1,850,929   

Futures contracts

     (3,651,612         

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

              $(5,502,541

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     

Investments

     $5,918,596      

Futures contracts

     691,190            

Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments

              $6,609,786   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

              $1,107,245   

Distributions declared to preferred shareholders

              $(397,154

Change in net assets from operations

              $13,817,168   

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 11/30  
    2010      2009  
Change in net assets             
From operations                 

Net investment income

    $13,107,077         $13,030,732   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

    (5,502,541      (10,704,772

Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    6,609,786         32,935,061   

Distributions declared to preferred shareholders

    (397,154      (678,408

Change in net assets from operations

    $13,817,168         $34,582,613   
Distributions declared to common shareholders                 

From net investment income

    $(12,154,583      $(11,258,912

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

    $336,000         $119,589   

Total change in net assets

    $1,998,585         $23,443,290   
Net assets applicable to common shares                 

At beginning of period

    146,522,005         123,078,715   

At end of period (including undistributed net investment
income of $1,454,364 and $983,530, respectively)

    $148,520,590         $146,522,005   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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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.

 

    Years ended 11/30  
    2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $4.68        $3.94        $6.00        $6.73        $6.47   
Income (loss) from investment operations                                        

Net investment income (d)

    $0.42        $0.42        $0.46        $0.52 (z)      $0.52   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    0.04        0.70        (2.05     (0.74 )(z)      0.27   

Distributions declared to preferred shareholders

    (0.01     (0.02     (0.13     (0.14     (0.13

Total from investment operations

    $0.45        $1.10        $(1.72     $(0.36     $0.66   
Less distributions declared to common shareholders                                        

From net investment income, common shares

    $(0.39     $(0.36     $(0.34     $(0.37     $(0.40

Net asset value, end of period

    $4.74        $4.68        $3.94        $6.00        $6.73   

Common share market value, end of period

    $5.00        $4.75        $3.40        $5.57        $6.62   

Total return at market value (%) (p)

    13.94        52.74        (34.58     (10.83     9.63   

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

    9.63        29.87        (29.62     (5.52     10.60   
Ratios (%) (to average net assets applicable to common shares) and Supplemental data:                                        

Expenses before expense reductions (f)(p)

    1.55        1.78        1.79        1.55        1.54   

Expenses after expense reductions (f)(p)

    1.55        1.67        1.70        1.55        N/A   

Net investment income (p)

    8.58        10.02        8.54        8.06 (z)      7.97   

Portfolio turnover

    10        21        39        31        32   

Net assets at end of period (000 omitted)

    $148,521        $146,522        $123,079        $187,740        $210,148   

 

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Financial Highlights – continued

 

    Years ended 11/30  
    2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
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)

    1.55        1.66        1.61        1.55        N/A   

Net investment income available to common shares

    8.32        9.50        6.06        5.88 (z)      6.01   
Senior Securities:                                        

Total preferred shares outstanding

    3,900        3,900        3,900        4,800        4,800   

Asset coverage per preferred share (k)

    $63,082        $62,570        $56,559        $64,112        $68,781   

Involuntary liquidation preference per
preferred share (o)

    $25,000        $25,000        $25,000        $25,000        $25,004   

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

    $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 from the fund’s total assets and dividing this number by the number of preferred shares outstanding.
(l) Interest expense and fees relate to payments made to the holder of the floating rate certificate from trust assets.
(m) Amount excludes accrued unpaid distributions to Auction Preferred Shareholders.
(o) Effective November 30, 2007, amount excludes accrued unpaid distributions to Auction Preferred Shareholders.
(p) Excludes dividend payment on auction preferred shares.
(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.
(t) Prior to November 30, 2007, total return at net asset value is unaudited.
(x) Average market value represents the approximate fair value of the fund’s liability.
(z) The fund applied a change in estimate for amortization of premium on certain debt securities in the year ended November 30, 2007 that resulted in an increase of $0.01 per share to net investment income, a decrease of $0.01 per share to net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, and an increase of 0.16% to the net investment income ratio. The change in estimate had no impact on net assets, net asset value per share or total return.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(1)   Business and Organization

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

 

(2)   Significant Accounting Policies

General – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the preparation of these financial statements, management has evaluated subsequent events occurring after the date of the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities through the date that the financial statements were issued. The fund invests in high-yield securities rated below investment grade. Investments in high-yield securities involve greater degrees of credit and market risk than investments in higher-rated securities and tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions. The fund invests primarily in municipal investments. 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, the security could decline in value, interest from the security could become taxable and the funds may be required to issue Forms 1099-DIV.

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

 

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Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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 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.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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, forwards, swap contracts, and written options. The following is a summary of the levels used as of November 30, 2010 in valuing the fund’s assets or liabilities:

 

Investments at Value    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Municipal Bonds      $—         $232,330,901         $—         $232,330,901   
Mutual Funds      8,267,649                         8,267,649   
Total Investments      $8,267,649         $232,330,901         $—         $240,598,550   
Other Financial Instruments                            
Futures      $57,410         $—         $—         $57,410   

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

Derivatives – The fund may use derivatives for different purposes, including to earn income and enhance returns, to increase or decrease exposure to a particular market, to manage or adjust the risk profile of the fund, or as alternatives to direct investments. Derivatives may be 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.

Derivative instruments include written options, purchased options, futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and swap agreements. 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 November 30, 2010 as reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

          Fair Value (a)  
Risk    Derivative    Asset Derivatives      Liability Derivatives  

Interest Rate Contracts

   Interest Rate Futures      $70,016         $(12,606

 

(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 November 30, 2010 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Futures Contracts  
Interest Rate Contracts      $(3,651,612

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives held by the fund for the year ended November 30, 2010 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Futures Contracts  
Interest Rate Contracts      $691,190   

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

 

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

Futures Contracts – The fund entered into futures contracts which may be used to gain or to hedge against broad market, interest rate or currency exposure. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.

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

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

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.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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.

Dividends received in cash are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividend and interest payments received in additional securities are recorded on the ex-dividend or ex-interest date in an amount equal to the value of the security on such date.

Debt obligations may be placed on non-accrual status or set to accrue at a rate of interest less than the contractual coupon when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful. Interest income for those debt obligations may be further reduced by the write-off of the related interest receivables when deemed uncollectible.

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

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. For the year ended November 30, 2010, custodian fees were not reduced.

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 for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax

 

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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 and defaulted bonds.

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

 

     11/30/10      11/30/09  
Ordinary income (including any short-term capital gains)      $5,502         $145,491   
Tax-exempt income      12,546,235         11,791,829   
Total distributions      $12,551,737         $11,937,320   

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

 

As of 11/30/10       
Cost of investments      $246,747,100   
Gross appreciation      10,524,088   
Gross depreciation      (16,672,638
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      $(6,148,550
Undistributed ordinary income      102,999   
Undistributed tax-exempt income      1,687,902   
Capital loss carryforwards      (68,579,418
Other temporary differences      (336,537

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

 

11/30/11      $(4,761,736
11/30/12      (4,055,363
11/30/14      (9,352,747
11/30/15      (6,016,727
11/30/16      (21,680,852
11/30/17      (17,871,725
11/30/18      (4,840,268
Total      $(68,579,418

 

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Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

 

(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 0.75% of the fund’s average daily net assets (including the value of auction 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 preferred shares service fees, such that total annual fund operating expenses do not exceed 0.95% annually of the fund’s average daily net assets (including the value of the auction preferred shares). This written agreement will continue until modified by the fund’s Board of Trustees, but such agreement will continue at least until November 30, 2011. For the year ended November 30, 2010, 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.

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 November 30, 2010, these fees paid to MFSC amounted to $11,099.

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 preferred shares. The administrative services fee incurred for the year ended November 30, 2010 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0179% of the fund’s average daily net assets including the value of the auction 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 to 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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Deferred Trustee Compensation – Prior to MFS’ appointment as investment adviser to the fund, the fund’s former independent Trustees participated in a Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Former Colonial Trustees Plan” or “Plan”). The fund’s current independent Trustees are not allowed to defer compensation under the Former Colonial Trustees Plan. Amounts deferred under the Plan are invested in shares of certain non-MFS funds selected by the former independent Trustees as notional investments. Deferred amounts represent an unsecured obligation of the fund until distributed in accordance with the Plan. Included in other assets and payable for independent Trustees’ compensation on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities is $8,028 of deferred Trustees’ compensation. There is no current year expense associated with the Former Colonial Trustees Plan.

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 November 30, 2010, the aggregate fees paid by the fund to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC were $1,493 and are included in miscellaneous expense on the Statement of Operations. MFS has agreed to reimburse the fund for a portion of the payments made by the fund in the amount of $752, which is shown as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations. Additionally, MFS has agreed to bear all expenses associated with office space, other administrative support, and supplies provided to the ICCO and Assistant ICCO.

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

 

(4)   Portfolio Securities

Purchases and sales of investments, other than U.S. Government securities, purchased option transactions, and short-term obligations, aggregated $23,943,853 and $34,639,165, 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

 

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Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

the right to repurchase shares of beneficial interest of the fund subject to Trustee approval. During the year ended November 30, 2010, the fund did not repurchase any shares. Transactions in fund shares were as follows:

 

    

Year ended

11/30/10

    

Year ended

11/30/09

 
     Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions      68,794         $336,000         26,747         $119,589   

 

(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 November 30, 2010, the fund’s commitment fee and interest expense were $1,813 and $0, respectively, and are included in miscellaneous expense on the Statement of Operations.

 

(7)   Transactions in Underlying Funds-Affiliated Issuers

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

 

Underlying Funds    Beginning
Shares/Par
Amount
     Acquisitions
Shares/Par
Amount
     Dispositions
Shares/Par
Amount
     Ending
Shares/Par
Amount
 
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio      1,407,072         48,711,233         (41,850,656      8,267,649   
Underlying Funds    Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Capital Gain
Distributions
     Dividend
Income
     Ending
Value
 
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio      $—         $—         $5,384         $8,267,649   

 

(8)   Auction Preferred Shares

The fund has 1,950 shares issued and outstanding of Auction Preferred Shares (APS), series T and 1,950 of APS, series W. Dividends are cumulative at a rate that is reset every seven days for both series through an auction process. If the

 

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APS 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 APS to holders of such shares for successive dividend periods until such time when the shares are successfully remarketed. The maximum rate on APS 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 APS 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, APS holders cannot sell their shares tendered for sale. While repeated auction failures have affected the liquidity for APS, they do not constitute a default or automatically alter the credit quality of the APS, and APS holders have continued to receive dividends at the previously defined “maximum rate”. During the year ended November 30, 2010, the APS dividend rates ranged from 0.26% to 0.68% for series T and from 0.24% to 0.68% for series W. For the year ended November 30, 2010, the average dividend rate was 0.41% for both series T and series W. These developments with respect to APS 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. To the extent that investments are purchased with the issuance of preferred shares, the fund’s net asset value will increase or decrease at a greater rate than a comparable unleveraged fund.

The fund pays an annual service fee to broker-dealers with customers who are beneficial owners of the preferred shares. The service fee is equivalent to 0.25% of the applicable preferred share liquidation value while the preferred share auctions are successful or to 0.15% or less, varying by broker-dealer, while the auctions are failing. The APS are redeemable at the option of the fund in whole or in part at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. The APS are also subject to mandatory redemption if certain requirements relating to its asset maintenance coverage are not satisfied. The fund is required to maintain certain asset coverage with respect to the APS 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 APS have a minimum asset coverage ratio of 200% after declaration of the common share dividends.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

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

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of MFS High Income Municipal Trust (the Fund), including the portfolio of investments, as of November 30, 2010, and the related statement of operations 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 four 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. The financial highlights for the year ended November 30, 2006 were audited by another independent registered public accounting firm whose report, dated January 25, 2007, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2010, by correspondence with the Fund’s custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MFS High Income Municipal Trust at November 30, 2010, the results of its operations 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 four years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

January 14, 2011

 

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RESULTS OF SHAREHOLDER MEETING

(unaudited)

At the annual meeting of shareholders of MFS High Income Municipal Trust, which was held on October 7, 2010, 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      25,626,201.557         1,295,550.136   
Robert J. Manning      25,472,871.590         1,448,880.103   

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      2,467.000         54.000   
Laurie J. Thomsen      2,467.000         54.000   

 

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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS —

IDENTIFICATION AND BACKGROUND

The Trustees and officers of the Trust, as of January 1, 2011, 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 500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.

 

Name, Date of Birth

 

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)

(born 10/20/63)

  Trustee   February 2004   2013   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director; President (until December 2009); Chief Investment Officer (until July 2010)

Robert C. Pozen (k)

(born 8/08/46)

  Trustee   February 2004   2012   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chairman Emeritus; Chairman (until July 2010); Medtronic, Inc, (medical devices), Director (since 2004); Harvard Business School (education), Senior Lecturer (since 2008); Telesat (satellite communications), Director (until November 2007); Bell Canada Enterprises (telecommunications), Director (until February 2009)
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES      

David H. Gunning

(born 5/30/42)

  Trustee and Chair of Trustees   January 2004   2012   Retired; Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (mining products and service provider), Vice Chairman/Director (until May 2007); Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (welding equipment manufacturer), Director; Development Alternatives, Inc. (consulting), Portman Limited (mining), Director (until 2008)

Robert E. Butler

(born 11/29/41)

  Trustee   January 2006   2012   Consultant – investment company industry regulatory and compliance matters; PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (professional services firm), Partner (until 2002)

 

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Trustees and Officers – continued

 

 

Name, Date of Birth

 

Position(s) Held
with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer
Since (h)

 

Term
Expiring

 

Principal Occupations During
the Past Five Years & Other
Directorships (j)

Maureen R. Goldfarb

(born 4/6/55)

  Trustee   January 2009   2013   Private investor; John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., Executive Vice President (until 2004); John Hancock Mutual Funds, Trustee and Chief Executive Officer (until 2004)

William R. Gutow

(born 9/27/41)

  Trustee   December 1993   2011   Private investor and real estate consultant; Capital Entertainment Management Company (video franchise), Vice Chairman; Texas Donuts (donut franchise), Vice Chairman (since 2007); Atlantic Coast Tan (tanning salons), Vice Chairman (until 2007)

Michael Hegarty

(born 12/21/44)

  Trustee   December 2004   2011   Private investor; AXA Financial (financial services and insurance), Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (until 2001); The Equitable Life Assurance Society (insurance), President and Chief Operating Officer (until 2001)

John P. Kavanaugh

(born 11/4/54)

  Trustee   January 2009   2011   Private investor; The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., Vice President and Chief Investment Officer (until 2006); Allmerica Investment Trust, Allmerica Securities Trust and Opus Investment Trust (investment companies), Chairman, President and Trustee (until 2006)

J. Dale Sherratt

(born 9/23/38)

  Trustee   June 1989   2012   Insight Resources, Inc. (acquisition planning specialists), President; Wellfleet Investments (investor in health care companies), Managing General Partner

Laurie J. Thomsen

(born 8/05/57)

  Trustee   March 2005   2011   Private investor; The Travelers Companies (property and casualty insurance), Director; New Profit, Inc. (venture philanthropy), Executive Partner (until 2010)

 

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Trustees and Officers – continued

 

Name, Date of Birth

 

Position(s) Held
with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer
Since (h)

 

Term
Expiring

 

Principal Occupations During
the Past Five Years & Other
Directorships (j)

Robert W. Uek

(born 5/18/41)

  Trustee   January 2006   2011   Consultant to investment company industry; PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (professional services firm), Partner (until 1999); TT International Funds (mutual fund complex), Trustee (until 2005); Hillview Investment Trust II Funds (mutual fund complex), Trustee (until 2005)
OFFICERS        

Maria F. DiOrioDwyer (k)

(born 12/01/58)

  President   March 2004   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President and Chief Regulatory Officer (since March 2004) Chief Compliance Officer (since December 2006)

Christopher R. Bohane (k)

(born 1/18/74)

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

John M. Corcoran (k)

(born 4/13/65)

  Treasurer   October 2008   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President (since October 2008); State Street Bank and Trust (financial services provider), Senior Vice President, (until September 2008)

Ethan D. Corey (k)

(born 11/21/63)

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

David L. DiLorenzo (k)

(born 8/10/68)

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

Timothy M. Fagan (k)

(born 7/10/68)

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

Mark D. Fischer (k)

(born 10/27/70)

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

 

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Trustees and Officers – continued

 

Name, Date of Birth

 

Position(s) Held
with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer
Since (h)

 

Term
Expiring

 

Principal Occupations During
the Past Five Years & Other
Directorships (j)

Robyn L. Griffin

(born 7/04/75)

  Assistant Independent Chief Compliance Officer   August, 2008   N/A   Griffin Compliance LLC (provider of compliance services), Principal (since August 2008); State Street Corporation (financial services provider), Mutual Fund Administration Assistant Vice President (October 2006 – July 2008); Liberty Mutual Group (insurance), Personal Market Assistant Controller (April 2006 – October 2006); Deloitte & Touche LLP (professional services firm), Senior Manager (prior to April 2006)

Brian E. Langenfeld (k)

(born 3/07/73)

  Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk   June 2006   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel (since May 2006); John Hancock Advisers, LLC, Assistant Vice President and Counsel (until April 2006)

Ellen Moynihan (k)

(born 11/13/57)

  Assistant Treasurer   April 1997   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President

Susan S. Newton (k)

(born 3/07/50)

  Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk   May 2005   N/A  

Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel

Susan A. Pereira (k)

(born 11/05/70)

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

Mark N. Polebaum (k)

(born 5/01/52)

  Secretary and Clerk   January 2006   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (since January 2006); Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (law firm), Partner (until January 2006)

Frank L. Tarantino

(born 3/07/44)

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

Richard S. Weitzel (k)

(born 7/16/70)

  Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk   October 2007   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel

 

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Trustees and Officers – continued

 

Name, Date of Birth

 

Position(s) Held
with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer
Since (h)

 

Term
Expiring

 

Principal Occupations During
the Past Five Years & Other
Directorships (j)

James O. Yost (k)

(born 6/12/60)

  Assistant Treasurer   September 1990   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President

 

(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, Messrs. Pozen and Manning served as Advisory Trustees. For the period March 2008 until October 2008, Ms. DiOrioDwyer served as Treasurer 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 500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.

The Trust holds annual shareholder meetings for the purpose of electing Trustees, and Trustees are elected for fixed terms. The Board of Trustees is currently divided into three classes, each having a term of three years which term expires on the date of the third annual meeting following the election to office of the Trustee’s class. Each year the term of one class expires. Two Trustees, each holding a term of one year, are elected annually by holders of the Trust’s preferred shares. 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, 2011, the Trustees served as board members of 99 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
500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116-3741   1 Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900
Portfolio Managers   Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Gary Lasman  

Ernst & Young LLP

Geoffrey Schechter  

200 Clarendon 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, 2010 (“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 June 2007, shareholders approved an investment advisory agreement between the Fund and MFS. Effective June 30, 2007, in connection with the consummation of the asset purchase agreement between MFS and Columbia Management Advisors LLC, MFS assumed investment management responsibilities for the Fund.

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, 2009 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

 

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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 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., 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, 2009, 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 13th out of a total of 13 funds in the Lipper performance universe for this three-year period

 

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(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 4th out of a total of 14 funds for the one-year period and 12th out of a total of 13 funds for the five-year period ended December 31, 2009. 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 Capital Municipal Bond Index. The Fund out-performed the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index for the one-year period ended December 31, 2009 (one-year: 52.8% total return for the Fund versus 12.9% total return for the benchmark) and under-performed the Index for each of the three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2009 (three-year: -4.1% total return for the Fund versus 4.4% total return for the benchmark; five-year: 0.7% total return for the Fund versus 4.3% total return for the benchmark). Because of the passage of time, these performance results are likely to differ from the performance results for more recent periods, including those shown elsewhere in this report.

The Trustees expressed continued concern to MFS about the substandard investment performance of the Fund. 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, as to MFS’ efforts to improve the Fund’s performance, including that MFS became the Fund’s investment advisor in June 2007. In addition, the Trustees requested that they continue to receive a separate update on the Fund’s performance at each of their regular meetings. After reviewing these and related factors, the Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the investment advisory agreement, that MFS’ responses and efforts and plans to improve investment performance were sufficient to support approval of the continuance of the investment advisory agreement for an additional one year period, but that they would continue to closely monitor the performance of the Fund.

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,

 

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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 the Fund’s total expense ratio were each higher than the Lipper expense group median.

The Trustees also considered the advisory fees charged by MFS to 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, or a material increase in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.

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

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

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

 

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Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued

 

The Trustees also considered the nature, quality, cost, and extent of administrative services provided to the Fund by MFS under agreements other than the investment advisory agreement. The Trustees also considered the nature, extent and quality of certain other services MFS performs or arranges for on the Fund’s behalf, which may include securities lending programs, directed expense payment programs, class action recovery programs, and MFS’ interaction with third-party service providers, principally custodians and sub-custodians. The Trustees concluded that the various non-advisory services provided by MFS and its affiliates on behalf of the Funds 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 a majority of 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, 2010.

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

 

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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. The fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the:

Public Reference Room

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE, Room 1580

Washington, D.C. 20549

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

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

FURTHER INFORMATION

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

FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)

The fund will notify shareholders of amounts for use in preparing 2010 income tax forms in January 2011. 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, 99.96% 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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MFS® PRIVACY NOTICE

Privacy is a concern for every investor today. At MFS Investment Management® and the MFS funds, we take this concern very seriously. We want you to understand our policies about the investment products and services that we offer, and how we protect the nonpublic personal information of investors who have a direct relationship with us and our wholly owned subsidiaries.

Throughout our business relationship, you provide us with personal information. We maintain information and records about you, your investments, and the services you use. Examples of the nonpublic personal information we maintain include

 

  Ÿ  

data from investment applications and other forms

  Ÿ  

share balances and transactional history with us, our affiliates, or others

  Ÿ  

facts from a consumer reporting agency

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law. We may share nonpublic personal information with third parties or certain of our affiliates in connection with servicing your account or processing your transactions. We may share information with companies or financial institutions that perform marketing services on our behalf or with other financial institutions with which we have joint marketing arrangements, subject to any legal requirements.

Authorization to access your nonpublic personal information is limited to appropriate personnel who provide products, services, or information to you. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to help protect the personal information we collect about you.

If you have any questions about the MFS privacy policy, please call 1-800-225-2606 any business day.

Note: If you own MFS products or receive MFS services 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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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

LOGO

 

500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116   New York Stock Exchange Symbol: CXE


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

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

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

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

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

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

For the fiscal years ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, audit fees billed to the Fund by E&Y were as follows:

 

     Audit Fees  
     2010      2009  

Fees billed by E&Y:

     

MFS High Income Municipal Trust

     49,127         48,179   


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For the fiscal years ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, fees billed by E&Y for audit-related, tax and other services provided to the Fund and for audit-related, tax and other services provided to MFS and MFS Related Entities were as follows:

 

     Audit-Related  Fees1      Tax Fees2      All Other  Fees3  
     2010      2009      2010      2009      2010      2009  

Fees billed by E&Y:

                 

To MFS High Income Municipal Trust

     10,000         10,000         9,026         8,849         0         0   

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

     0         0         0         0         0         0   
     2010      20094                              

Aggregate fees for non-audit services:

                 

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

     253,155         247,655               

 

* This amount reflects the fees billed to MFS and MFS Related Entities for non-audit services relating directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund (portions of which services also related to the operations and financial reporting of other funds within the MFS Funds complex).
# This amount reflects the aggregate fees billed by E&Y for non-audit services rendered to the Fund and for non-audit services rendered to MFS and the MFS Related Entities.
1

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

2

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

3

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

4

E&Y fees reported in 2009 have been restated in this filing from those reported in the Registrant’s filing for the reporting period ended November 30, 2009.

 

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:


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

 

Item 4(e)(2):

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

 

Item 4(f): Not applicable.

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

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

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

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

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

 

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


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MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

February 1, 2010

Massachusetts Financial Services Company, MFS Institutional Advisors, Inc., MFS International (UK) Limited, MFS Heritage Trust Company, and MFS’ other subsidiaries that perform discretionary investment management activities (except Four Pillars Capital, Inc.) (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 registered investment companies 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. Monitoring System;

 

  D. Records Retention; and

 

  E. 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 relationships.

In developing these proxy voting guidelines, MFS reviews corporate governance issues and proxy voting matters that are presented for shareholder vote by either management or shareholders of public companies. Based on the overall


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principle that all votes cast by MFS on behalf of its clients must be in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of such clients, MFS has adopted proxy voting guidelines, set forth below, that govern how MFS generally will vote on specific matters presented for shareholder vote.

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

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

These policies and procedures are intended to address any potential material conflicts of interest on the part of MFS or its subsidiaries that are likely to arise in connection with the voting of proxies on behalf of MFS’ clients. If such potential material conflicts of interest do arise, MFS will analyze, document and report on such potential material conflicts of interest (see Sections B.2 and E 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.

 

  2. MFS’ Policy on Specific Issues

Election of Directors


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MFS believes that good governance should be based on a board with at least a simple majority of directors who are “independent” of management, and whose key committees (e.g., compensation, nominating, and audit committees) are comprised entirely of “independent” directors. While MFS generally supports the board’s nominees in uncontested elections, we will not support a nominee to a board of a U.S. issuer if, as a result of such nominee being elected to the board, the board would be comprised of a majority of members who are not “independent” or, alternatively, the compensation, nominating (including instances in which the full board serves as the 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 failed to attend at least 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 will not support all nominees standing for re-election to a board if we can determine: (1) since the last annual meeting of shareholders and without shareholder approval, the board or its compensation committee has re-priced or exchanged underwater stock options; or (2) since the last annual meeting, the board has either implemented a poison pill without shareholder approval (including those related to net-operating loss carryforwards), or has not taken responsive action to a majority shareholder approved resolution recommending that the poison pill be rescinded. Responsive action would include the rescission of the “poison pill” (without a broad reservation to reinstate the “poison pill” in the event of a hostile tender offer), or assurance in the proxy materials that the terms of the “poison pill” would be put to a binding shareholder vote within the next five to seven years.

MFS will also not support a nominee (other than a nominee who serves as the issuer’s Chief Executive Officer) standing for re-election if such nominee participated (as a director or committee member) in the approval of senior executive compensation that MFS deems to be “excessive” due to pay for performance issues and/or poor pay practices. In the event that MFS determines that an issuer has adopted “excessive” executive compensation, MFS may also not support the re-election of the issuer’s Chief Executive Officer as director regardless of whether the Chief Executive Officer directly participated in the approval of the package. MFS will determine whether senior executive compensation is excessive on a case-by-case basis. Examples of excessive executive compensation practices may include, but are not limited to, a pay-for-performance disconnect, egregious employment contract terms such as guaranteed bonus provisions, excessive pension payouts, backdated stock options, overly generous hiring bonuses for chief executive officers, excessive perquisites, or the potential reimbursement of excise taxes to an executive in regards to a severance package.

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


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the nominees for both slates, if applicable, 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”). MFS considers voting against Majority Vote Proposals if the company has adopted, or has proposed to adopt in the proxy statement, formal corporate governance principles that present a meaningful alternative to the majority voting standard and provide an adequate response to both new nominees as well as incumbent nominees who fail to receive a majority of votes cast. MFS believes that a company’s election policy should address the specific circumstances at that company. In determining whether the issuer has a meaningful alternative to the majority voting standard, MFS considers whether a company’s election policy articulates the following elements to address each director nominee who fails to receive an affirmative majority of votes cast in an election:

 

   

Establish guidelines for the process by which the company determines the status of nominees who fail to receive an affirmative majority of votes cast and disclose the guidelines in the annual proxy statement;

 

   

Guidelines should include a reasonable timetable for resolution of the nominee’s status and a requirement that the resolution be disclosed together with the reasons for the resolution;

 

   

Vest management of the process in the company’s independent directors, other than the nominee in question; and

 

   

Outline the range of remedies that the independent directors may consider concerning the nominee.

Classified Boards

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

Non-Salary Compensation Programs


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MFS 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 also opposes stock option programs that allow the board or the compensation committee, without shareholder approval, to re-price underwater options or to automatically replenish shares (i.e. evergreen plans). 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 opposes stock option programs and restricted stock plans that provide unduly generous compensation for officers, directors or employees, or could result in excessive dilution to other shareholders. As a general guideline, MFS votes against restricted stock plans, 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.

Expensing of Stock Options

MFS supports shareholder proposals to expense stock options because we believe that the expensing of options presents a more accurate picture of the company’s financial results to investors. We also believe that companies are likely to be more disciplined when granting options if the value of stock options were treated as an expense item on the company’s income statements.

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 compensation committee members and votes on stock plans (as outlined above) are currently the most effective mechanisms to express our view on a company’s compensation practices.

MFS also 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


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options. Although we support linking executive stock option grants to a company’s performance, MFS opposes shareholder proposals that mandate a link of performance-based options to a specific industry or peer group stock index. MFS also opposes shareholder proposals that seek to set rigid restrictions on executive compensation as MFS believes that compensation committees should retain some flexibility to propose the appropriate index or other criteria by which performance-based options should be measured.

Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation

MFS supports reasonably crafted shareholder proposals to include an advisory shareholder vote on an issuer’s executive compensation practices in the issuer’s proxy statement.

For a U.S. issuer that already includes an advisory vote on its executive compensation practices in its proxy statement, MFS will generally support the issuer’s advisory vote, unless MFS has determined that issuer has adopted excessive executive compensation practices.

Employee Stock Purchase Plans

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.

Golden Parachutes

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

Anti-Takeover Measures

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

MFS generally votes for proposals to rescind existing “poison pills” and proposals that would require shareholder approval to adopt prospective “poison pills,” unless the company already has adopted a clearly satisfactory policy on the


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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 “Non-Salary Compensation Programs,” 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 and 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.

Confidential Voting

MFS votes in favor of proposals to ensure that shareholder voting results are kept confidential. For example, MFS supports proposals that would prevent management from having access to shareholder voting information that is compiled by an independent proxy tabulation firm.

Cumulative Voting

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

Written Consent and Special Meetings

Because the shareholder right to act by written consent (without calling a formal meeting of shareholders) can be a powerful tool for shareholders, MFS generally opposes proposals that would prevent shareholders from taking action without a formal meeting or would take away a shareholder’s right to call a special meeting of company shareholders pursuant to relevant state law.

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.


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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 typically does not support proposals to separate the chairman and CEO positions as we believe that the most beneficial leadership structure of a company should be determined by the company’s board of directors. For any governance-related proposal for which an explicit guideline is not provided above, MFS will consider such proposals on a case-by-case basis and will support such proposals if MFS believes that it is in the best long-term economic interest of the company’s shareholders.

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

MFS will analyze social proposals on a case-by-case basis. MFS will support such proposals if MFS believes that such proposal is in the best long-term economic interest of the company’s shareholders. Generally, MFS will support shareholder proposals that (i) seek to amend a company’s equal employment opportunity policy to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and


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gender identity; and (ii) request additional disclosure regarding a company’s political contributions.

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

Many other items on foreign proxies involve repetitive, non-controversial matters that are mandated by local law. Accordingly, the items that are generally deemed routine and which do not require the exercise of judgment under these guidelines (and therefore voted with management) for foreign issuers include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) receiving financial statements or other reports from the board; (ii) approval of declarations of dividends; (iii) appointment of shareholders to sign board meeting minutes; (iv) discharge of management and supervisory boards; and (v) approval of share repurchase programs (absent any anti-takeover 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, many 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


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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, power of attorney and share re-registration requirements, or any other unusual voting requirements. In these limited instances, MFS votes securities on a best efforts basis in the context of the guidelines described above.

 

B. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

 

  1. MFS Proxy Voting Committee

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

 

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

 

  b.

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


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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. Other MFS internal policies require all MFS employees to avoid actual and potential conflicts of interests between personal activities and MFS’ client activities. If an employee identifies an actual or potential conflict of interest with respect to any voting decision, then that employee must recuse himself/herself from participating in the voting process. Additionally, with respect to decisions concerning all Non-Standard Votes, as defined below, MFS will review the securities holdings reported by the individuals that participate in such decision to determine whether such person has a direct economic interest in the decision, in which case such person shall not further participate in making the decision. Any significant attempt by an employee of MFS or its subsidiaries to influence MFS’ voting on a particular proxy matter should also be reported to the MFS Proxy Voting Committee.

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

 

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

 

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


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  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.

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.

 

  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 the Funds, has entered into an agreement with an independent proxy administration firm, RiskMetrics Group, Inc., (the “Proxy Administrator”), pursuant to which the Proxy Administrator performs various proxy vote related administrative services, such as vote processing and recordkeeping functions for MFS’ Funds and institutional client accounts. The


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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.

 

  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 the MFS Proxy Voting Committee. With respect to proxy matters that require the particular exercise of discretion or judgment, MFS 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. In addition, MFS expects to rely on the Proxy Administrator to identify circumstances in which a board may have approved excessive executive compensation or whether certain environmental or social proposals warrant consideration. Representatives of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee review, as appropriate, votes cast to ensure conformity with these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.

As a general matter, portfolio managers and investment analysts have little or no involvement in specific 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. corporate actions, such as mergers and acquisitions, 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.1 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

 

1

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 recommendation on a merger or acquisition proposal. If such a recommendation cannot be obtained prior to the cut-off date of the shareholder meeting, certain members of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee may determine to abstain from voting.


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override of the guidelines shall be analyzed, documented and reported in accordance with the procedures set forth in these policies.

 

  5. Voting Proxies

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

 

  6. Securities Lending

From time to time, the MFS Funds or other pooled investment vehicles sponsored by MFS may participate in a securities lending program. In the event MFS or its agent receives timely notice of a shareholder meeting for a U.S. security, MFS and its agent will attempt to recall any securities on loan before the meeting’s record date so that MFS will be entitled to vote these shares. However, there may be instances in which MFS is unable to timely recall securities on loan for a U.S. security, in which cases MFS will not be able to vote these shares. MFS will report to the appropriate board of the MFS Funds those instances in which MFS is not able to timely recall the loaned securities. MFS generally does not recall non-U.S. securities on loan because there may be insufficient advance notice of proxy materials, record dates, or vote cut-off dates to allow MFS to timely recall the shares in certain markets. As a result, non-U.S. securities that are on loan will not generally be voted. If MFS receives timely notice of what MFS determines to be an unusual, significant vote for a non-U.S. security whereas MFS shares are on loan, and determines that voting is in the best long-term economic interest of shareholders, then MFS will attempt to timely recall the loaned shares.

 

  7. Engagement

The MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are available on www.mfs.com and may be accessed by both MFS’ clients and the companies in which MFS’ clients invest. From time to time, MFS may determine that it is appropriate and beneficial for representatives from the MFS Proxy Voting Committee to engage in a dialogue with a company or other shareholder 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 solicit support for certain contemplated proposals.

 

C. MONITORING SYSTEM


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It is the responsibility of the Proxy Administrator and MFS’ Proxy Voting Committee to monitor the proxy voting process. When proxy materials for clients are received by the Proxy Administrator, they are input into the Proxy Administrator’s system. Through an interface with the portfolio holdings database of MFS, the Proxy Administrator matches a list of all MFS Funds and clients who hold shares of a company’s stock and the number of shares held on the record date with the Proxy Administrator’s listing of any upcoming shareholder’s meeting of that company.

When the Proxy Administrator’s system “tickler” shows that the voting cut-off date of a shareholders’ meeting is approaching, a Proxy Administrator representative checks that the vote for MFS Funds and clients holding that security has been recorded in the computer system. If a proxy ballot has not been received from the client’s custodian, the Proxy Administrator contacts the custodian requesting that the materials be forwarded immediately. If it is not possible to receive the proxy ballot from the custodian in time to be voted at the meeting, then MFS may instruct the custodian to cast the vote in the manner specified and to mail the proxy directly to the issuer.

 

D. RECORDS RETENTION

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

 

E. REPORTS

MFS Funds

MFS publicly discloses the proxy voting records of the MFS Funds on an annual basis, as required by law. MFS will also report the results of its voting to the Board of Trustees and Board of Managers of the MFS Funds. These reports will include: (i) a summary of how votes were cast; (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


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matters identified as a material conflict of interest; (v) a review of these policies and the guidelines; (vi) a report and impact assessment of instances in which the recall of loaned securities of a U.S. issuer was unsuccessful; and (vii) 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

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

Except as described above, MFS generally will not divulge actual voting practices to any party other than the client or its representatives (unless required by applicable law) 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.

General. Information regarding the portfolio manager(s) of the MFS High Income Municipal Trust (the “Fund”) is set forth below.

 

Portfolio Manager

  

Primary Role

  

Since

  

Title and Five Year History

Geoffrey L. Schechter

   Portfolio Manager    2007    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 1993.

Gary A. Lasman

   Portfolio Manager    2007    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 2002.


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Compensation. Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed annually. As of December 31, 2009, 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, 2009, the following benchmarks were used:

 

Portfolio Manager

  

Benchmark(s)

Geoffrey L. Schechter

   Lipper General Municipal Funds
   Lipper Short-Intermediate Municipal Funds
   Lipper High Yield Municipal Funds
   Lipper General US Government Funds
   Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index
   Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Mortgage Bond Index
   Morningstar Dollar Government Bond Funds
   Lipper Variable Annuity General U.S. Government Funds

Gary A. Lasman

   Lipper High Yield Municipal Funds
   Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index

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

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

Portfolio managers also typically benefit from the opportunity to participate in the MFS Equity Plan. Equity interests and/or options to acquire equity interests in MFS or its parent


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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 November 30, 2010. 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

Geoffrey L. Schechter

   N

Gary A. Lasman

   N


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

 

      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  

Geoffrey L. Schechter

   13    $ 8.5 billion       1    $ 490.5 million       0      N/A   

Gary A. Lasman

   4    $ 2.7 billion       0      N/A       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.

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

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.


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

MFS High Income Municipal Trust

 

Period

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

12/01/09-12/31/09

     0         N/A         0         3,126,753   

1/01/10-1/31/10

     0         N/A         0         3,126,753   

2/01/10-2/28/10

     0         N/A         0         3,126,753   

3/01/10-3/31/10

     0         N/A         0         3,130,598   

4/01/10-4/30/10

     0         N/A         0         3,130,598   

5/01/10-5/31/10

     0         N/A         0         3,130,598   

6/01/10-6/30/10

     0         N/A         0         3,130,598   

7/01/10-7/31/10

     0         N/A         0         3,130,598   

8/01/10-8/31/10

     0         N/A         0         3,130,598   

9/01/10-9/30/10

     0         N/A         0         3,130,598   

10/01/10 – 10/31/10

     0         N/A         0         3,130,598   

11/01/10-11/30/10

     0         N/A         0         3,130,598   
                       

Total

     0            0      
                       

Note: The Board of Trustees approves procedures to repurchase shares annually. The notification to shareholders of the program is part of the semi-annual and annual reports sent to shareholders. These annual programs begin on March 1st of each year. The programs conform to the conditions of Rule 10b-18 of the securities Exchange Act of 1934 and limit the aggregate number of shares that may be purchased in each annual period (March 1 through the following February 28) to 10% of the Registrant’s outstanding shares as of the first day of the plan year (March 1). The aggregate number of shares available for purchase for the March 1, 2010 plan year is 3,130,598.

 

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.


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(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 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 Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended, 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 HIGH INCOME MUNICIPAL TRUST

 

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

Date: January 14, 2011

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

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

Date: January 14, 2011

 

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

Date: January 14, 2011

 

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