MFS SPECIAL VALUE TRUST N-CSRS
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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 811-05912

MFS SPECIAL VALUE 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: October 31

Date of reporting period: April 30, 2011


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ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


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LOGO

 

MFS® Special Value Trust

 

LOGO

 

 

SEMIANNUAL REPORT

April 30, 2011

 

MFV-SEM


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Managed Distribution Policy Disclosure

The MFS Special Value Trust’s (the fund) Board of Trustees has adopted a managed distribution policy. The fund seeks to pay monthly distributions based on an annual rate of 10.00% of the fund’s average monthly net asset value. The fund’s total return in relation to changes in net asset value is presented in the Financial Highlights. You should not draw any conclusions about the fund’s investment performance from the amount of the current distribution or from the terms of the fund’s managed distribution policy. The Board may amend or terminate the managed distribution policy at any time without prior notice to fund shareholders; however, at this time, there are no reasonably foreseeable circumstances that might cause the termination of the managed distribution policy.

With each distribution, the fund will issue a notice to shareholders and an accompanying press release which will provide detailed information regarding the amount and composition of the distribution and other related information. In accordance with the amounts and sources of distributions reported in the Notice to Shareholders – the Sources of Distributions are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

Under a managed distribution policy the fund may at times distribute more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may result in a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the fund is paid back to you. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with ‘yield’ or ‘income’.


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MFS® SPECIAL VALUE TRUST

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: MFV

 

Letter from the CEO     1   
Portfolio composition     2   
Portfolio managers’ profiles     4   
Other notes     4   
Portfolio of investments     6   
Statement of assets and liabilities     24   
Statement of operations     25   
Statements of changes in net assets     26   
Financial highlights     27   
Notes to financial statements     29   
Report of independent registered public accounting firm     42   
Board review of investment advisory agreement     43   
Proxy voting policies and information     43   
Quarterly portfolio disclosure     43   
Further information     43   
MFS® privacy notice     44   
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 2010 as investors began to question the durability of the recovery for global economies and markets. That uncertainty led to increased risk aversion, especially as investors saw the eurozone struggle with the debt

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

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

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

Respectfully,

LOGO

Robert J. Manning

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

MFS Investment Management®

June 17, 2011

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

 

1


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PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Portfolio structure (i)

LOGO

 

Top ten holdings (i)  
Ford Motor Credit Company, 12.0% 2015     1.5%   
Exxon Mobil     1.4%   
Thermo Fisher Scientific     1.3%   
Apache Corp.     1.2%   
Noble energy, Inc.     1.0%   
Danaher Corp.     1.0%   
Johnson Controls, Inc.     0.9%   
Viacom, Inc., “B”     0.9%   
PPG Industries, Inc.     0.9%   
Prudential Funding     0.9%   
Equity sectors  
Financial Services     5.5%   
Energy     4.0%   
Health Care     2.5%   
Basic Materials     2.5%   
Utilities & Communications     2.4%   
Leisure     1.7%   
Consumer Staples     1.4%   
Retailing     1.3%   
Autos & Housing     1.3%   
Industrial Goods & Services     1.0%   
Technology     0.9%   
Transportation     0.5%   
Fixed income sectors (i)  
High Yield Corporates     63.1%   
Emerging Markets Bonds     3.3%   
High Grade Corporates     2.6%   
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities     2.2%   
Collateralized Debt Obligations     0.7%   
Floating Rate Loans     0.6%   
Non-U.S. Government Bonds     0.3%   
U.S. Treasury Securities     (0.2)%   
Composition including fixed income credit quality (a)(i)  
A     0.8%   
BBB     2.3%   
BB     16.8%   
B     33.3%   
CCC     16.3%   
CC     1.2%   
C     1.0%   
Not Rated     0.9%   
Non-Fixed Income     25.0%   
Cash & Other     2.4%   
 

 

2


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Portfolio Composition – continued

 

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

 

(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.

Percentages are based on net assets as of 4/30/11.

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

 

3


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PORTFOLIO MANAGERS’ PROFILES

 

William Adams     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 2009. Portfolio Manager of the Fund since May 2011.
David Cole    

Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the

investment management area of MFS since 2004.

High Yield Analyst at Franklin Templeton

Investments from 1999 to 2004. Portfolio

manager of the Fund since 2006.

Brooks Taylor    

Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the

investment management area of MFS since 1996.

Portfolio manager of the Fund since 2009.

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

OTHER NOTES

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

The fund’s monthly distributions may include a return of capital to shareholders to the extent that the fund’s net investment income and net capital gains are insufficient to meet the fund’s target annual distribution rate. Distributions that are treated for federal income tax purposes as a return of capital will reduce each shareholder’s basis in his or her shares and, to the extent the return of capital exceeds such basis, will be treated as gain to the shareholder from a sale of shares. It may also result in a recharacterization of what economically represents a return of capital to ordinary income in those situations where a fund has long term capital gain and a capital loss carryforward. Returns of shareholder capital have the effect of reducing the fund’s assets and increasing the fund’s expense ratio.

 

4


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Other Notes – continued

 

The fund’s target annual distribution rate is calculated based on an annual rate of 10% of the fund’s average monthly net asset value, not a fixed share price, and the fund’s dividend amount will fluctuate with changes in the fund’s average daily net assets.

 

 

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

 

5


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PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

4/30/11 (unaudited)

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

 

Bonds - 70.6%                 
Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Aerospace - 1.1%                 
BE Aerospace, Inc., 8.5%, 2018    $ 90,000      $ 100,350   
Bombardier, Inc., 7.5%, 2018 (n)      105,000        116,419   
Bombardier, Inc., 7.75%, 2020 (n)      50,000        55,688   
CPI International Acquisition, Inc., 8%, 2018 (z)      30,000        30,150   
Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Co. LLC, 8.5%, 2015      188,000        159,330   
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., 7.125%, 2021 (n)      90,000        94,725   
          
             $ 556,662   
Airlines - 0.1%                 
Atlas Airlines, Inc. Pass-Through Certifcates, “B”, 7.68%, 2014    $ 56,799      $ 55,663   
Apparel Manufacturers - 0.2%                 
Hanesbrands, Inc., 8%, 2016    $ 95,000      $ 103,194   
Asset-Backed & Securitized - 2.9%                 
Anthracite Ltd., CDO, 6%, 2037 (z)    $ 450,000      $ 337,500   
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc., FRN, 6.437%, 2051 (z)      328,951        179,307   
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, FRN, 5.886%, 2049      220,000        138,241   
Falcon Franchise Loan LLC, FRN, 3.947%, 2025 (i)(z)      375,016        29,551   
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., ”B”, FRN, 5.931%, 2049      142,189        103,266   
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., ”C”, FRN, 5.931%, 2049      217,049        133,986   
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., ”C”, FRN, 5.931%, 2049      595,809        294,087   
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., ”D”, FRN, 6.258%, 2051      95,000        73,994   
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, “B”, FRN, 6.02%, 2050      95,000        59,668   
Morgan Stanley Capital I, Inc., FRN, 1.43%, 2039 (i)(z)      401,108        11,030   
Preferred Term Securities XII Ltd., CDO, 0%, 2033 (a)(e)(z)      225,000        68   
Preferred Term Securities XVI Ltd., CDO, 0%, 2035 (a)(e)(z)      300,000        30   
Preferred Term Securities XVII Ltd., CDO, 0%, 2035 (a)(e)(z)      187,000        19   
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, FRN, 5.883%, 2047      142,497        75,144   
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, FRN, 5.943%, 2047      89,972        38,766   
          
             $ 1,474,657   
Automotive - 2.3%                 
Accuride Corp., 9.5%, 2018    $ 140,000      $ 156,100   
Allison Transmission, Inc., 11%, 2015 (n)      155,000        168,563   

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Automotive - continued                 
Allison Transmission, Inc., 7.125%, 2019 (z)    $ 15,000      $ 15,188   
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 12%, 2015      595,000        759,329   
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 10.5%, 2016      68,000        77,010   
UCI International, Inc., 8.625%, 2019 (z)      25,000        26,563   
          
             $ 1,202,753   
Basic Industry - 0.2%                 
Trimas Corp., 9.75%, 2017    $ 100,000      $ 110,000   
Broadcasting - 4.6%                 
Allbritton Communications Co., 8%, 2018    $ 90,000      $ 95,400   
Citadel Broadcasting Corp., 7.75%, 2018 (z)      15,000        16,238   
Entravision Communications Corp., 8.75%, 2017      30,000        32,175   
Gray Television, Inc., 10.5%, 2015      30,000        32,325   
Intelsat Bermuda Ltd., 11.25%, 2017      95,000        103,669   
Intelsat Jackson Holdings Ltd., 9.5%, 2016      290,000        305,225   
Intelsat Jackson Holdings Ltd., 11.25%, 2016      40,000        42,500   
Lamar Media Corp., 6.625%, 2015      170,000        173,825   
LBI Media Holdings, Inc., 11%, 2013      325,000        320,938   
LBI Media, Inc., 8.5%, 2017 (z)      90,000        76,950   
Liberty Media Corp., 8.5%, 2029      95,000        93,100   
Local TV Finance LLC, 9.25%, 2015 (p)(z)      227,527        225,252   
Newport Television LLC, 13%, 2017 (n)(p)      100,131        102,012   
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., 7%, 2014 (p)      210,997        210,733   
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., 7%, 2014      69,000        68,914   
Salem Communications Corp., 9.625%, 2016      17,000        18,275   
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., 9.25%, 2017 (n)      55,000        61,463   
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., 8.375%, 2018      15,000        16,050   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 13%, 2013 (n)      65,000        77,188   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 8.75%, 2015 (n)      105,000        117,600   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 7.625%, 2018 (n)      75,000        79,875   
Univision Communications, Inc., 12%, 2014 (n)      28,000        30,170   
Univision Communications, Inc., 6.875%, 2019 (z)      25,000        25,094   
Univision Communications, Inc., 7.875%, 2020 (n)      45,000        47,925   
Young Broadcasting, Inc., 8.75%, 2014 (d)      405,000        0   
          
             $ 2,372,896   
Brokerage & Asset Managers - 1.1%                 
E*TRADE Financial Corp., 7.875%, 2015    $ 155,000      $ 159,650   
E*TRADE Financial Corp., 12.5%, 2017      190,000        226,813   
Janus Capital Group, Inc., 6.7%, 2017      145,000        158,756   
          
             $ 545,219   

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Building - 1.5%                 
Building Materials Holding Corp., 7%, 2020 (n)    $ 45,000      $ 46,913   
CEMEX S.A., 9.25%, 2020      295,000        301,638   
Masonite International Corp., 8.25%, 2021 (z)      40,000        40,875   
Nortek, Inc., 10%, 2018 (n)      55,000        58,850   
Nortek, Inc., 8.5%, 2021 (z)      105,000        104,738   
Owens Corning, 9%, 2019      130,000        155,027   
Ply Gem Industries, Inc., 13.125%, 2014      80,000        88,200   
          
             $ 796,241   
Business Services - 1.4%                 
First Data Corp., 12.625%, 2021 (z)    $ 50,000      $ 54,813   
Interactive Data Corp., 10.25%, 2018 (n)      150,000        167,250   
Iron Mountain, Inc., 6.625%, 2016      140,000        140,175   
SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 10.25%, 2015      290,000        304,500   
SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 7.375%, 2018 (n)      45,000        46,463   
SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 7.625%, 2020 (n)      25,000        26,063   
          
             $ 739,264   
Cable TV - 2.7%                 
Bresnan Broadband Holdings LLC, 8%, 2018 (z)    $ 25,000      $ 26,563   
Cablevision Systems Corp., 8.625%, 2017      70,000        78,400   
CCH II LLC, 13.5%, 2016      205,000        247,281   
CCO Holdings LLC, 7.875%, 2018      25,000        27,094   
CCO Holdings LLC, 8.125%, 2020      15,000        16,688   
Cequel Communications Holdings, 8.625%, 2017 (z)      35,000        37,538   
Charter Communications Operating LLC, 10.875%, 2014 (n)      70,000        78,225   
CSC Holdings LLC, 8.5%, 2014      50,000        55,938   
CSC Holdings LLC, 8.5%, 2015      165,000        180,056   
Insight Communications Co., Inc., 9.375%, 2018 (n)      25,000        27,938   
Mediacom LLC, 9.125%, 2019      105,000        113,925   
Videotron LTEE, 6.875%, 2014      45,000        45,619   
Virgin Media Finance PLC, 9.125%, 2016      303,000        321,559   
Virgin Media Finance PLC, 9.5%, 2016      100,000        114,625   
          
             $ 1,371,449   
Chemicals - 3.1%                 
Ashland, Inc., 9.125%, 2017    $ 130,000      $ 150,313   
Celanese U.S. Holdings LLC, 6.625%, 2018      65,000        68,413   
Hexion U.S. Finance Corp/Hexion Nova Scotia Finance, 8.875%, 2018      120,000        130,200   
Hexion U.S. Finance Corp/Hexion Nova Scotia Finance, 9%, 2020 (n)      25,000        27,000   
Huntsman International LLC, 8.625%, 2021 (n)      95,000        106,638   
Lyondell Chemical Co., 11%, 2018      377,304        426,354   
Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., 12.5%, 2014      163,000        180,726   

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Chemicals - continued                 
Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., 11.5%, 2016    $ 272,000      $ 295,120   
Polypore International, Inc., 7.5%, 2017 (n)      100,000        105,938   
Solutia, Inc., 7.875%, 2020      110,000        120,725   
          
             $ 1,611,427   
Computer Software - 0.2%                 
Syniverse Holdings, Inc., 9.125%, 2019 (z)    $ 70,000      $ 75,075   
Computer Software - Systems - 0.2%                 
DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc., REIT, 8.5%, 2017    $ 95,000      $ 104,975   
Conglomerates - 0.8%                 
Amsted Industries, Inc., 8.125%, 2018 (n)    $ 105,000      $ 112,350   
Griffon Corp., 7.125%, 2018 (z)      110,000        113,988   
Pinafore LLC, 9%, 2018 (n)      180,000        196,650   
          
             $ 422,988   
Construction - 0.0%                 
Empresas ICA Sociedad Controladora S.A. de C.V., 8.9%, 2021 (n)    $ 3,000      $ 3,120   
Consumer Products - 0.8%                 
ACCO Brands Corp., 10.625%, 2015    $ 15,000      $ 16,913   
ACCO Brands Corp., 7.625%, 2015      60,000        61,500   
Easton-Bell Sports, Inc., 9.75%, 2016      85,000        95,200   
Elizabeth Arden, Inc., 7.375%, 2021      65,000        68,413   
Libbey Glass, Inc., 10%, 2015      77,000        84,123   
Visant Corp., 10%, 2017      95,000        102,600   
          
             $ 428,749   
Consumer Services - 0.8%                 
KAR Holdings, Inc., 10%, 2015    $ 77,000      $ 81,043   
Realogy Corp., 10.5%, 2014      50,000        50,750   
Realogy Corp., 11.5%, 2017 (z)      40,000        41,700   
Service Corp. International, 7%, 2019      200,000        212,500   
          
             $ 385,993   
Containers - 1.2%                 
Graham Packaging Co. LP/GPC Capital Corp., 9.875%, 2014    $ 115,000      $ 120,031   
Graham Packaging Co. LP/GPC Capital Corp., 8.25%, 2018      15,000        16,388   
Owens-Illinois, Inc., 7.375%, 2016      130,000        143,325   
Packaging Dynamics Corp., 8.75%, 2016 (z)      40,000        41,450   
Reynolds Group, 9%, 2019 (n)      275,000        289,781   
          
             $ 610,975   

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Defense Electronics - 0.0%                 
ManTech International Corp., 7.25%, 2018    $ 20,000      $ 21,200   
Electronics - 0.3%                 
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 10.125%, 2018 (n)    $ 75,000      $ 85,219   
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 9.25%, 2018 (n)      70,000        77,700   
          
             $ 162,919   
Emerging Market Quasi-Sovereign - 0.8%                 
BTA Bank JSC, 10.75%, to 2013, 12.5% to 2018 (n)    $ 42,605      $ 44,682   
BTA Bank JSC, 7.2%, 2025 (n)      9,654        6,565   
OAO Gazprom, 9.625%, 2013      60,000        68,100   
Petroleos de Venezuela S.A., 5.25%, 2017      250,000        153,750   
Provincia de Buenos Aires, 11.75%, 2015 (n)      124,000        129,270   
          
             $ 402,367   
Energy - Independent - 4.4%                 
Berry Petroleum Co., 10.25%, 2014    $ 85,000      $ 98,813   
Bill Barrett Corp., 9.875%, 2016      95,000        108,063   
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., 8.625%, 2018 (n)      90,000        96,075   
Chaparral Energy, Inc., 8.875%, 2017      130,000        137,800   
Chesapeake Energy Corp., 6.875%, 2020      63,000        68,670   
Concho Resources, Inc., 8.625%, 2017      25,000        27,625   
Denbury Resources, Inc., 8.25%, 2020      50,000        55,750   
Energy XXI Gulf Coast, Inc., 9.25%, 2017 (n)      100,000        109,000   
Harvest Operations Corp., 6.875%, 2017 (n)      30,000        31,388   
Hilcorp Energy I LP, 9%, 2016 (n)      160,000        167,200   
Newfield Exploration Co., 6.625%, 2016      50,000        51,688   
OPTI Canada, Inc., 9.75%, 2013 (n)      80,000        80,800   
OPTI Canada, Inc., 8.25%, 2014      355,000        189,038   
Penn Virginia Corp., 10.375%, 2016      85,000        96,475   
Pioneer Natural Resources Co., 6.875%, 2018      105,000        114,257   
Pioneer Natural Resources Co., 7.5%, 2020      105,000        118,985   
Plains Exploration & Production Co., 7%, 2017      225,000        232,875   
QEP Resources, Inc., 6.875%, 2021      18,000        19,395   
Quicksilver Resources, Inc., 9.125%, 2019      190,000        208,525   
SandRidge Energy, Inc., 8%, 2018 (n)      200,000        211,500   
Whiting Petroleu Corp., 6.5%, 2018      20,000        20,900   
          
             $ 2,244,822   
Energy - Integrated - 0.2%                 
CCL Finance Ltd., 9.5%, 2014 (n)    $ 105,000      $ 122,325   

 

10


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Entertainment - 0.8%                 
AMC Entertainment, Inc., 8.75%, 2019    $ 200,000      $ 217,000   
AMC Entertainment, Inc., 9.75%, 2020 (z)      55,000        58,575   
Cinemark USA, Inc., 8.625%, 2019      75,000        82,125   
NAI Entertainment Holdings LLC, 8.25%, 2017 (z)      45,000        48,600   
          
             $ 406,300   
Financial Institutions - 4.3%                 
CIT Group, Inc., 7%, 2014    $ 130,000      $ 132,438   
CIT Group, Inc., 7%, 2016      295,000        297,213   
CIT Group, Inc., 7%, 2017      410,000        413,331   
CIT Group, Inc., 6.625%, 2018 (z)      119,000        127,826   
Credit Acceptance Corp., 9.125%, 2017      60,000        65,325   
Credit Acceptance Corp., 9.125%, 2017 (z)      35,000        38,019   
General Electric Capital Corp., 6.375% to 2017, FRN to 2067      155,000        161,006   
GMAC, Inc., 8%, 2031      65,000        73,288   
International Lease Finance Corp., 9%, 2017 (n)      105,000        118,125   
International Lease Finance Corp., 7.125%, 2018 (n)      137,000        147,275   
International Lease Finance Corp., 8.25%, 2020      25,000        27,875   
Nationstar Mortgage LLC, 10.875%, 2015 (z)      225,000        232,313   
SLM Corp., 8%, 2020      190,000        210,392   
Springleaf Finance Corp., 6.9%, 2017      200,000        187,500   
          
             $ 2,231,926   
Food & Beverages - 1.1%                 
ARAMARK Corp., 8.5%, 2015    $ 105,000      $ 109,594   
B&G Foods, Inc., 7.625%, 2018      75,000        80,531   
Constellation Brands, Inc., 7.25%, 2016      55,000        59,950   
Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, 9.25%, 2015      130,000        135,850   
Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, 10.625%, 2017      40,000        43,000   
Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, 8.25%, 2017      30,000        31,725   
TreeHouse Foods, Inc., 7.75%, 2018      80,000        86,100   
          
             $ 546,750   
Forest & Paper Products - 1.1%                 
Boise, Inc., 8%, 2020    $ 105,000      $ 113,925   
Cascades, Inc., 7.75%, 2017      70,000        74,725   
Georgia-Pacific Corp., 7.125%, 2017 (n)      115,000        122,188   
Georgia-Pacific Corp., 8%, 2024      50,000        58,250   
Georgia-Pacific Corp., 7.25%, 2028      30,000        31,763   
Graphic Packaging Holding Co., 7.875%, 2018      65,000        70,769   
JSG Funding PLC, 7.75%, 2015      30,000        30,750   
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC, 7.75%, 2019 (n)    EUR    50,000        77,760   
          
             $ 580,130   

 

11


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Gaming & Lodging - 3.7%                 
American Casinos, Inc., 7.5%, 2021 (z)    $ 85,000      $ 87,019   
Firekeepers Development Authority, 13.875%, 2015 (n)      190,000        223,725   
Fontainebleau Las Vegas Holdings LLC, 10.25%, 2015 (d)(n)      290,000        151   
Gaylord Entertainment Co., 6.75%, 2014      150,000        153,000   
GWR Operating Partnership LLP, 10.875%, 2017      85,000        91,588   
Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 11.25%, 2017      165,000        188,100   
Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 10%, 2018      66,000        61,958   
Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 10%, 2018      270,000        253,463   
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., 9%, 2017      65,000        73,125   
MGM Mirage, 10.375%, 2014      20,000        23,125   
MGM Mirage, 11.125%, 2017      60,000        69,750   
MGM Resorts International, 11.375%, 2018      150,000        171,000   
MGM Resorts International, 9%, 2020      45,000        50,175   
MTR Gaming Group, Inc., 9%, 2012      80,000        76,100   
Penn National Gaming, Inc., 8.75%, 2019      125,000        137,188   
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., 6.75%, 2018      55,000        60,088   
Station Casinos, Inc., 6.5%, 2014 (d)      345,000        35   
Station Casinos, Inc., 6.875%, 2016 (d)      565,000        57   
Station Casinos, Inc., 7.75%, 2016 (d)      72,000        7   
Wyndham Worldwide Corp., 7.375%, 2020      50,000        55,374   
Wynn Las Vegas LLC, 7.75%, 2020      100,000        109,250   
          
             $ 1,884,278   
Industrial - 0.7%                 
Altra Holdings, Inc., 8.125%, 2016    $ 70,000      $ 76,125   
Diversey, Inc., 8.25%, 2019      65,000        70,200   
Hillman Group, Inc., 10.875%, 2018      55,000        61,050   
Hillman Group, Inc., 10.875%, 2018 (z)      30,000        33,300   
Mueller Water Products, Inc., 7.375%, 2017      110,000        109,175   
Mueller Water Products, Inc., 8.75%, 2020      30,000        33,375   
          
             $ 383,225   
Insurance - 0.6%                 
ING Groep N.V., 5.775% to 2015, FRN to 2049    $ 340,000      $ 317,900   
Insurance - Property & Casualty - 1.3%                 
Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., 10.75% to 2038, FRN to 2088 (n)    $ 235,000      $ 319,600   
USI Holdings Corp., 9.75%, 2015 (z)      185,000        189,625   
XL Group PLC, 6.5% to 2017, FRN to 2049      170,000        161,500   
          
             $ 670,725   

 

12


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
International Market Sovereign - 0.4%                 
Republic of Ireland, 4.5%, 2020    EUR 60,000      $ 59,587   
Republic of Ireland, 5.4%, 2025    EUR 120,000        122,461   
          
             $ 182,048   
Machinery & Tools - 0.6%                 
Case Corp., 7.25%, 2016    $ 50,000      $ 54,625   
Case New Holland, Inc., 7.875%, 2017 (n)      95,000        106,163   
Rental Service Corp., 9.5%, 2014      93,000        97,418   
RSC Equipment Rental, Inc., 8.25%, 2021      45,000        47,475   
          
             $ 305,681   
Major Banks - 1.4%                 
Bank of America Corp., 8% to 2018, FRN to 2049    $ 350,000      $ 378,606   
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 7.648% to 2031, FRN to 2049      265,000        252,081   
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 6.99% to 2017, FRN to 2049 (d)(n)      100,000        92,500   
          
             $ 723,187   
Medical & Health Technology & Services - 4.6%                 
Biomet, Inc., 10.375%, 2017 (p)    $ 50,000      $ 55,563   
Biomet, Inc., 11.625%, 2017      355,000        402,925   
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, 9%, 2015 (n)      120,000        137,550   
HCA, Inc., 9%, 2014      320,000        344,400   
HCA, Inc., 9.25%, 2016      115,000        123,338   
HCA, Inc., 8.5%, 2019      100,000        111,000   
HealthSouth Corp., 8.125%, 2020      155,000        169,338   
Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc., 10%, 2017 (n)      185,000        191,013   
Tenet Healthcare Corp., 9.25%, 2015      110,000        120,450   
United Surgical Partners International, Inc., 8.875%, 2017      60,000        63,150   
United Surgical Partners International, Inc., 9.25%, 2017 (p)      80,000        84,700   
Universal Hospital Services, Inc., 8.5%, 2015 (p)      185,000        192,631   
Universal Hospital Services, Inc., FRN, 3.834%, 2015      35,000        33,994   
Vanguard Health Systems, Inc., 8%, 2018      115,000        120,175   
VWR Funding, Inc., 10.25%, 2015 (p)      221,812        232,903   
          
             $ 2,383,130   
Metals & Mining - 1.3%                 
Arch Coal, Inc., 7.25%, 2020    $ 45,000      $ 48,544   
Berau Capital Resources, 12.5%, 2015 (n)      150,000        178,500   
Cloud Peak Energy, Inc., 8.25%, 2017      100,000        109,500   
Cloud Peak Energy, Inc., 8.5%, 2019      85,000        94,563   
Consol Energy, Inc., 8%, 2017      75,000        82,875   
Consol Energy, Inc., 8.25%, 2020      50,000        55,750   
Novelis, Inc., 8.375%, 2017      55,000        60,775   

 

13


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Metals & Mining - continued                 
Novelis, Inc., 8.75%, 2020    $ 25,000      $ 27,938   
          
             $ 658,445   
Natural Gas - Distribution - 0.1%                 
Ferrellgas Partners LP, 8.625%, 2020    $ 68,000      $ 73,780   
Natural Gas - Pipeline - 1.3%                 
Atlas Pipeline Partners LP, 8.75%, 2018    $ 115,000      $ 124,775   
Crosstex Energy, Inc., 8.875%, 2018      110,000        120,175   
El Paso Corp., 7%, 2017      105,000        116,538   
El Paso Corp., 7.75%, 2032      55,000        62,967   
Energy Transfer Equity LP, 7.5%, 2020      170,000        186,150   
Enterprise Products Partners LP, 7.034% to 2018, FRN to 2068      40,000        42,200   
          
             $ 652,805   
Network & Telecom - 0.9%                 
Cincinnati Bell, Inc., 8.25%, 2017    $ 30,000      $ 30,450   
Cincinnati Bell, Inc., 8.75%, 2018      160,000        153,600   
Citizens Communications Co., 9%, 2031      40,000        41,200   
Qwest Communications International, Inc., 7.125%, 2018 (n)      105,000        114,450   
Windstream Corp., 8.125%, 2018      20,000        21,550   
Windstream Corp., 7.75%, 2020      55,000        58,300   
Windstream Corp., 7.75%, 2021 (z)      40,000        42,300   
          
             $ 461,850   
Oil Services - 1.3%                 
Afren PLC, 11.5%, 2016 (n)    $ 200,000      $ 214,500   
Edgen Murray Corp., 12.25%, 2015      60,000        60,450   
Expro Finance Luxembourg, 8.5%, 2016 (n)      110,000        107,525   
McJunkin Red Man Holding Corp., 9.5%, 2016 (n)      155,000        159,263   
Pioneer Drilling Co., 9.875%, 2018      135,000        145,800   
          
             $ 687,538   
Oils - 0.2%                 
Petroplus Holdings AG, 9.375%, 2019 (n)    $ 100,000      $ 101,500   
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 1.3%                 
Capital One Financial Corp., 10.25%, 2039    $ 130,000      $ 140,400   
CenterCredit International B.V., 8.625%, 2014      100,000        101,630   
LBG Capital No.1 PLC, 7.875%, 2020 (n)      200,000        199,200   
Santander UK PLC, 8.963% to 2030, FRN to 2049      211,000        233,155   
          
             $ 674,385   

 

14


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Printing & Publishing - 0.5%                 
American Media, Inc., 13.5%, 2018 (z)    $ 23,764      $ 25,665   
McClatchy Co., 11.5%, 2017      60,000        65,550   
Morris Publishing Group LLC, 10%, 2014      61,962        60,413   
Nielsen Finance LLC, 11.5%, 2016      62,000        73,315   
Nielsen Finance LLC, 7.75%, 2018 (n)      45,000        48,488   
          
             $ 273,431   
Railroad & Shipping - 0.2%                 
Kansas City Southern Railway, 8%, 2015    $ 75,000      $ 81,375   
Real Estate - 0.5%                 
CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc., 11.625%, 2017    $ 120,000      $ 141,900   
CNL Lifestyle Properties, Inc., REIT, 7.25%, 2019 (z)      50,000        48,750   
Kennedy Wilson, Inc., 8.75%, 2019 (z)      75,000        76,688   
          
             $ 267,338   
Restaurants - 0.1%                 
Dunkin Finance Corp., 9.625%, 2018 (n)    $ 34,000      $ 34,680   
Retailers - 2.0%                 
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp., 10%, 2019 (n)    $ 20,000      $ 20,450   
Chinos Acquisition Corp., 8.125%, 2019 (n)      55,000        54,450   
Express LLC/Express Finance Corp., 8.75%, 2018      65,000        71,094   
Limited Brands, Inc., 6.9%, 2017      75,000        80,438   
Limited Brands, Inc., 6.95%, 2033      40,000        37,100   
Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., 10.375%, 2015      185,000        195,175   
QVC, Inc., 7.375%, 2020 (n)      50,000        52,500   
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., 10.5%, 2016      230,000        250,413   
Toys “R” Us Property Co. II LLC, 8.5%, 2017      60,000        64,500   
Toys “R” Us, Inc., 10.75%, 2017      140,000        158,725   
Yankee Holdings Corp., 10.25%, 2016 (p)(z)      30,000        30,900   
          
             $ 1,015,745   
Specialty Stores - 0.4%                 
Michaels Stores, Inc., 11.375%, 2016    $ 125,000      $ 136,250   
Michaels Stores, Inc., 7.75%, 2018 (n)      75,000        77,438   
          
             $ 213,688   
Telecommunications - Wireless - 3.1%                 
Clearwire Corp., 12%, 2015 (n)    $ 305,000      $ 331,688   
Cricket Communications, Inc., 7.75%, 2016      95,000        101,413   
Crown Castle International Corp., 9%, 2015      80,000        88,800   
Crown Castle International Corp., 7.125%, 2019      50,000        53,438   

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Telecommunications - Wireless - continued                 
Digicel Group Ltd., 10.5%, 2018 (n)    $ 265,000      $ 302,100   
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., 7.875%, 2018      90,000        96,975   
Nextel Communications, Inc., 7.375%, 2015      25,000        25,188   
NII Holdings, Inc., 10%, 2016      95,000        109,013   
NII Holdings, Inc., 7.625%, 2021      75,000        79,313   
SBA Communications Corp., 8.25%, 2019      35,000        38,631   
Sprint Capital Corp., 6.875%, 2028      50,000        47,938   
Sprint Nextel Corp., 8.375%, 2017      140,000        156,975   
Sprint Nextel Corp., 8.75%, 2032      65,000        71,175   
Wind Acquisition Finance S.A., 11.75%, 2017 (n)      100,000        116,250   
          
             $ 1,618,897   
Telephone Services - 0.3%                 
Cogent Communications Group, Inc., 8.375%, 2018 (z)    $ 45,000      $ 46,688   
Frontier Communications Corp., 8.125%, 2018      115,000        124,344   
          
             $ 171,032   
Transportation - 0.1%                 
Navios S.A. Logistics, Inc., 9.25%, 2019 (z)    $ 47,000      $ 47,940   
Transportation - Services - 1.6%                 
ACL I Corp., 10.625%, 2016 (p)(z)    $ 130,000      $ 129,030   
American Petroleum Tankers LLC, 10.25%, 2015 (n)      63,000        66,780   
Commercial Barge Line Co., 12.5%, 2017      185,000        214,600   
Hertz Corp., 8.875%, 2014      19,000        19,475   
Hertz Corp., 7.5%, 2018 (n)      70,000        73,500   
Hertz Corp., 7.375%, 2021 (n)      100,000        105,000   
Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp., 8.625%, 2017      45,000        46,688   
Swift Services Holdings, Inc., 10%, 2018 (z)      155,000        170,113   
          
             $ 825,186   
Utilities - Electric Power - 3.9%                 
AES Corp., 8%, 2017    $ 285,000      $ 309,938   
Calpine Corp., 8%, 2016 (n)      125,000        136,875   
Calpine Corp., 7.875%, 2020 (n)      120,000        129,300   
Covanta Holding Corp., 7.25%, 2020      75,000        80,179   
Dynegy Holdings, Inc., 7.5%, 2015      40,000        35,200   
Dynegy Holdings, Inc., 7.75%, 2019      195,000        152,100   
Edison Mission Energy, 7%, 2017      230,000        182,275   
Energy Future Holdings Corp., 10%, 2020      180,000        192,614   
Energy Future Holdings Corp., 10%, 2020      270,000        290,272   
Genon Escrow Corp., 9.875%, 2020 (n)      210,000        224,700   
NGC Corp. Capital Trust, 8.316%, 2027      275,000        151,250   

 

16


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Bonds - continued                 
Utilities - Electric Power - continued                 
NRG Energy, Inc., 8.25%, 2020    $ 40,000      $ 42,100   
Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, 11.5%, 2020 (z)      70,000        71,925   
          
             $ 1,998,728   
Total Bonds (Identified Cost, $36,068,438)            $ 36,398,556   
Floating Rate Loans (g)(r) - 0.6%                 
Aerospace - 0.1%                 
Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Co. LLC, Term Loan, 10.5%, 2014    $ 64,362      $ 65,327   
Broadcasting - 0.2%                 
Gray Television, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 2014    $ 49,642      $ 49,223   
Local TV Finance LLC, Term Loan B, 2.36%, 2013      11,401        11,130   
New Young Broadcasting Holding Co., Inc., Term Loan, 8%, 2015      57,673        57,997   
          
             $ 118,350   
Building - 0.0%                 
Goodman Global Holdings, Inc., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 9%, 2017    $ 5,372      $ 5,552   
Financial Institutions - 0.1%                 
Springleaf Finance Corp., Term Loan B, 7.25%, 2015    $ 19,048      $ 19,061   
Gaming & Lodging - 0.2%                 
Green Valley Ranch Gaming LLC, Second Lien Term Loan, 3.5%, 2014 (d)    $ 450,000      $ 3,527   
MGM Mirage, Term Loan, 7%, 2014      70,556        69,727   
          
             $ 73,254   
Total Floating Rate Loans (Identified Cost, $559,340)            $ 281,544   
Common Stocks - 24.1%                 
Automotive - 1.0%                 
Accuride Corp. (a)      2,414      $ 33,434   
Johnson Controls, Inc.      11,100        455,100   
          
             $ 488,534   
Broadcasting - 1.0%                 
New Young Broadcasting Holding Co., Inc. (a)      26      $ 67,600   
Viacom, Inc., “B”      8,810        450,720   
          
             $ 518,320   
Brokerage & Asset Managers - 0.6%                 
Charles Schwab Corp.      17,970      $ 329,031   

 

17


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Common Stocks - continued                 
Chemicals - 1.5%                 
3M Co.      3,170      $ 308,116   
PPG Industries, Inc.      4,690        444,002   
          
             $ 752,118   
Computer Software - Systems - 0.9%                 
Hewlett-Packard Co.      6,520      $ 263,212   
International Business Machines Corp.      1,160        197,873   
          
             $ 461,085   
Consumer Products - 0.8%                 
Avon Products, Inc.      14,010      $ 411,614   
Electrical Equipment - 1.0%                 
Danaher Corp.      9,480      $ 523,675   
Energy - Independent - 2.2%                 
Apache Corp.      4,570      $ 609,501   
Noble Energy, Inc.      5,440        523,709   
          
             $ 1,133,210   
Energy - Integrated - 1.4%                 
Exxon Mobil Corp.      7,910      $ 696,080   
General Merchandise - 1.3%                 
Kohl’s Corp.      6,500      $ 342,615   
Target Corp.      6,740        330,934   
          
             $ 673,549   
Insurance - 1.5%                 
Prudential Financial, Inc.      6,940      $ 440,135   
Travelers Cos., Inc.      5,120        323,994   
          
             $ 764,129   
Leisure & Toys - 0.4%                 
Hasbro, Inc.      4,890      $ 229,048   
Major Banks - 2.4%                 
Bank of America Corp.      20,580      $ 252,722   
Bank of New York Mellon Corp.      8,850        256,296   
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.      2,130        321,651   
JPMorgan Chase & Co.      8,500        387,855   
          
             $ 1,218,524   

 

18


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Common Stocks - continued                 
Medical Equipment - 1.8%                 
Becton, Dickinson & Co.      2,930      $ 251,804   
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (a)      10,960        657,490   
          
             $ 909,294   
Metals & Mining - 0.2%                 
Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc.      1,060      $ 99,343   
Natural Gas - Distribution - 0.5%                 
AGL Resources, Inc.      6,520      $ 270,645   
Oil Services - 0.4%                 
Schlumberger Ltd.      2,330      $ 209,118   
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 0.5%                 
TCF Financial Corp.      16,840      $ 262,536   
Pharmaceuticals - 0.7%                 
Abbott Laboratories      6,740      $ 350,750   
Printing & Publishing - 0.2%                 
American Media Operations, Inc. (a)      6,090      $ 105,601   
Golden Books Family Entertainment, Inc. (a)      53,266        0   
          
             $ 105,601   
Special Products & Services - 0.0%                 
Mark IV Industries LLC, Common Units, “A” (a)      180      $ 10,350   
Specialty Chemicals - 0.8%                 
Airgas, Inc.      5,590      $ 388,226   
Telecommunications - Wireless - 0.8%                 
Vodafone Group PLC, ADR      14,660      $ 426,899   
Telephone Services - 0.6%                 
Adelphia Business Solutions, Inc. (a)      40,000      $ 0   
CenturyLink, Inc.      8,130        331,541   
          
             $ 331,541   
Tobacco - 0.6%                 
Reynolds American, Inc.      8,340      $ 309,497   

 

19


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
    
Common Stocks - continued                 
Trucking - 0.5%                 
United Parcel Service, Inc., “B”      3,660      $ 274,390   
Utilities - Electric Power - 0.5%                 
Entergy Corp.      3,590      $ 250,295   
Total Common Stocks (Identified Cost, $10,685,715)            $ 12,397,402   
Convertible Preferred Stocks - 0.5%                 
Automotive - 0.3%                 
General Motors Co., 4.75%      2,560      $ 127,514   
Insurance - 0.2%                 
MetLife, Inc., 5%      1,360      $ 119,054   
Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Identified Cost, $240,195)            $ 246,568   
Preferred Stocks - 0.3%                 
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 0.3%                 
Ally Financial, Inc., 7% (n)      60      $ 55,811   
Citigroup Capital XIII, 7.875%      850        23,596   
GMAC Capital Trust I, 8.125%      3,325        86,317   
          
Total Preferred Stocks (Identified Cost, $161,943)            $ 165,724   

 

     Strike Price     First Exercise                
Warrants - 0.1%                                
Broadcasting - 0.1%                                

New Young Broadcasting Holding Co., Inc.

(1 share for 1 warrant) (a)

(Identified Cost, $42,283)

  $ 0.10        7/14/10        21      $ 54,600   
Money Market Funds (v) - 1.6%                                
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio, 0.16%, at Cost and Net Asset Value                     845,146      $ 845,146   
Total Investments (Identified Cost, $48,603,060)                      $ 50,389,540   
Other Assets, Less Liabilities - 2.2%                        1,138,816   
Net Assets - 100.0%                           $ 51,528,356   

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

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

 

(e) The rate shown represents a current effective yield, not a coupon rate.

 

20


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

 

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

 

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

 

(n) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate value of these securities was $7,847,529, representing 15.2% of net assets.

 

(p) Payment-in-kind security.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Restricted Securities   Acquisition
Date
  Cost     Value  
ACL I Corp., 10.625%, 2016   2/10/11     $127,798        $129,030   
AMC Entertainment, Inc., 9.75%, 2020   12/01/10     55,000        58,575   
Allison Transmission, Inc., 7.125%, 2019   4/27/11     15,000        15,188   
American Casinos, Inc., 7.5%, 2021   3/31/11     84,259        87,019   
American Media, Inc., 13.5%, 2018   12/22/10     24,134        25,665   
Anthracite Ltd., CDO, 6%, 2037   5/14/02     417,563        337,500   
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc., FRN, 6.437%, 2051   6/19/08     239,934        179,307   
Bresnan Broadband Holdings LLC, 8%, 2018   12/01/10     25,000        26,563   
CIT Group, Inc., 6.625%, 2018   3/23/11     119,000        127,826   
CNL Lifestyle Properties, Inc., REIT, 7.25%, 2019   4/01/11     48,509        48,750   
CPI International Acquisition, Inc., 8%, 2018   2/03/11     30,000        30,150   
Cequel Communications Holdings, 8.625%, 2017   1/13/11     35,974        37,538   
Citadel Broadcasting Corp., 7.75%, 2018   12/06/10     15,000        16,238   
Cogent Communications Group, Inc., 8.375%, 2018   1/11/11     45,000        46,688   
Credit Acceptance Corp., 9.125%, 2017   1/25/10     37,053        38,019   
Falcon Franchise Loan LLC, FRN, 3.947%, 2025   1/29/03     32,874        29,551   
First Data Corp., 12.625%, 2021   4/21/11     54,934        54,813   
Griffon Corp., 7.125%, 2018   3/14/11-4/28/11     112,479        113,988   
Hillman Group, Inc., 10.875%, 2018   3/11/11     32,740        33,300   
Kennedy Wilson, Inc., 8.75%, 2019   3/31/11-4/07/11     74,695        76,688   
LBI Media, Inc., 8.5%, 2017   7/18/07     88,932        76,950   
Local TV Finance LLC, 9.25%, 2015   11/13/07-2/16/11     223,178        225,252   
Masonite International Corp., 8.25%, 2021   4/08/11     40,000        40,875   
Morgan Stanley Capital I, Inc., FRN, 1.43%, 2039   7/20/04     8,831        11,030   

 

21


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Restricted Securities - continued  

Acquisition

Date

    Cost     Value  
NAI Entertainment Holdings LLC, 8.25%, 2017     12/02/10-12/20/10        $46,536        $48,600   
Nationstar Mortgage LLC, 10.875%, 2015     3/23/10-4/14/11        219,546        232,313   
Navios S.A. Logistics, Inc., 9.25%, 2019     4/06/11-4/19/11        47,562        47,940   
Nortek, Inc., 8.5%, 2021     4/12/11        105,000        104,738   
Packaging Dynamics Corp., 8.75%, 2016     1/25/11-2/01/11        40,684        41,450   
Preferred Term Securities XII Ltd., CDO, 0%, 2033     1/07/05        127,734        68   
Preferred Term Securities XVI Ltd., CDO, 0%, 2035     12/08/04        187,576        30   
Preferred Term Securities XVII Ltd., CDO, 0%, 2035     3/09/05        114,513        19   
Realogy Corp., 11.5%, 2017     4/21/11-4/26/11        42,098        41,700   
Swift Services Holdings, Inc., 10%, 2018     12/15/10-1/04/11        159,748        170,113   
Syniverse Holdings, Inc., 9.125%, 2019     12/16/10        71,416        75,075   
Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, 11.5%, 2020     4/14/11-4/15/11        70,375        71,925   
UCI International, Inc., 8.625%, 2019     1/11/11        25,000        26,563   
USI Holdings Corp., 9.75%, 2015     4/26/07-6/08/07        186,420        189,625   
Univision Communications, Inc., 6.875%, 2019     4/25/11        25,000        25,094   
Windstream Corp., 7.75%, 2021     3/14/11        39,648        42,300   
Yankee Holdings Corp., 10.25%, 2016     2/10/11        30,653        30,900   
Total Restricted Securities         $3,014,956   
% of Net Assets         5.9%   

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

 

ADR   American Depository Receipt
CDO   Collateralized Debt Obligation
FRN   Floating Rate Note. Interest rate resets periodically and may not be the rate reported at period end.
PLC   Public Limited Company
REIT   Real Estate Investment Trust

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

 

EUR   Euro

Derivative Contracts at 4/30/11

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts at 4/30/11

 

Type   Currency   Counterparty   Contracts
to
Deliver/
Receive
    Settlement
Date Range
  In
Exchange
For
    Contracts at
Value
    Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Liability Derivatives                     
SELL   EUR   Deutsche Bank AG     28,591      7/12/11   $ 40,567      $ 42,266      $ (1,699
SELL   EUR   HSBC Bank     13,905      7/12/11     20,191        20,555        (364
SELL   EUR   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     14,271      7/12/11     20,364        21,097        (733
SELL   EUR   UBS AG     126,048      6/15/11     174,503        186,476        (11,973
                   
              $ (14,769
                   

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Futures Contracts Outstanding at 4/30/11

 

Description   Currency     Contracts     Value     Expiration Date   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Liability Derivatives          
Interest Rate Futures          
U.S. Treasury Bond 30 yr (Short)     USD        1        122,375      June - 2011     $(2,418
               

At April 30, 2011, 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 4/30/11 (unaudited)

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

 

Assets                  

Investments-

     

Non-affiliated issuers, at value (identified cost, $47,757,914)

     $49,544,394      

Underlying affiliated funds, at cost and value

     845,146            

Total investments, at value (identified cost, $48,603,060)

              $50,389,540   

Cash

     $38,162      

Restricted cash

     2,750      

Receivables for

     

Investments sold

     706,185      

Interest and dividends

     844,098      

Other assets

     16,485            

Total assets

              $51,997,220   
Liabilities                  

Payables for

     

Distributions

     $39      

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     14,769      

Daily variation margin on open futures contracts

     250      

Investments purchased

     313,917      

Payable to affiliates

     

Investment adviser

     3,949      

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     771      

Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation

     72,916      

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     62,253            

Total liabilities

              $468,864   

Net assets

              $51,528,356   
Net assets consist of                  

Paid-in capital

     $65,465,810      

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

     1,769,537      

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

     (14,412,487   

Accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income

     (1,294,504         

Net assets

              $51,528,356   

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding

              6,870,136   

Net asset value per share (net assets of
$51,528,356 / 6,870,136 shares of beneficial
interest outstanding)

              $7.50   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Six months ended 4/30/11 (unaudited)

This statement describes how much your fund earned in investment income and accrued in expenses.

It also describes any gains and/or losses generated by fund operations.

 

Net investment income                  

Income

     

Interest

     $1,679,802      

Dividends

     118,936      

Dividends from underlying affiliated funds

     1,085      

Foreign taxes withheld

     (81         

Total investment income

              $1,799,742   

Expenses

     

Management fee

     $232,653      

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     8,534      

Administrative services fee

     8,719      

Independent Trustees’ compensation

     12,745      

Stock exchange fee

     11,772      

Custodian fee

     9,518      

Shareholder communications

     33,004      

Auditing fees

     30,832      

Legal fees

     3,586      

Miscellaneous

     7,155            

Total expenses

              $358,518   

Fees paid indirectly

     (25   

Reduction of expenses by investment adviser

     (8,050         

Net expenses

              $350,443   

Net investment income

              $1,449,299   
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
and foreign currency transactions
                 

Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis)

     

Investment transactions

     $1,149,453      

Futures contracts

     118      

Foreign currency transactions

     (14,204         

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

              $1,135,367   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     

Investments

     $1,774,060      

Futures contracts

     (2,418   

Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies

     (1,493         

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

              $1,770,149   

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

              $2,905,516   

Change in net assets from operations

              $4,354,815   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

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

 

     Six months ended
4/30/11
(unaudited)
     Year ended
10/31/10
 
           
Change in net assets              
From operations                  

Net investment income

     $1,449,299         $3,013,390   

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

     1,135,367         109,296   

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

     1,770,149         5,108,087   

Change in net assets from operations

     $4,354,815         $8,230,773   
Distributions declared to shareholders                  

From net investment income

     $(1,449,299      $(3,480,552

From tax return of capital

             (1,235,104

From other sources

     (1,054,711        

Total distributions declared to shareholders

     $(2,504,010      $(4,715,656

Change in net assets from fund share transactions

     $216,502         $300,175   

Total change in net assets

     $2,067,307         $3,815,292   
Net assets                  

At beginning of period

     49,461,049         45,645,757   

At end of period (including accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income of $1,294,504 and $239,793, respectively)

     $51,528,356         $49,461,049   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

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

 

   

Six months
ended
4/30/11

(unaudited)

    Years ended 10/31  
      2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
                                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $7.23        $6.71        $5.36        $9.08        $9.52        $9.66   
Income (loss) from investment operations                                           

Net investment income (d)

    $0.21        $0.44        $0.56        $0.61        $0.55        $0.56   

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

    0.43        0.77        1.32        (3.52     (0.02     0.26   

Total from investment operations

    $0.64        $1.21        $1.88        $(2.91     $0.53        $0.82   
Less distributions declared to shareholders                                           

From net investment income

    $(0.22     $(0.51     $(0.54     $(0.60     $(0.89     $(0.59

From net realized gain on
investments

                                (0.08       

From tax return of capital

           (0.18            (0.21            (0.37

From other sources

    (0.15                                   

Total distributions declared to
shareholders

    $(0.37     $(0.69     $(0.54     $(0.81     $(0.97     $(0.96

Net increase from repurchase of capital
shares

    $—        $—        $0.01        $—        $—        $—   

Net asset value, end of period

    $7.50        $7.23        $6.71        $5.36        $9.08        $9.52   

Per share market value, end of period

    $8.00        $7.95        $6.23        $4.75        $8.44        $10.91   

Total return at market value (%)

    5.70 (n)      40.46        46.76        (36.80     (14.74     10.88   

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

    8.93 (n)      18.63        40.08        (33.71     5.11        8.66   
Ratios (%) (to average net assets)
and Supplemental data:
                                               

Expenses before expense reductions (f)

    1.43 (a)      1.53        1.64        1.47        1.27        1.37   

Expenses after expense reductions (f)

    1.40 (a)      1.47        1.64        1.47        1.27        1.37   

Net investment income

    5.80 (a)      6.36        10.17        7.85        5.70        5.82   

Portfolio turnover

    27        55        78        91        76        72   

Net assets at end of period
(000 omitted)

    $51,528        $49,461        $45,646        $36,948        $62,558        $65,044   

 

27


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights – continued

 

(a) Annualized.
(d) Per share data is based on average shares outstanding.
(f) Ratios do not reflect reductions from fees paid indirectly, if applicable.
(j) Total return at net asset value is calculated using the net asset value of the fund, not the publicly traded price and therefore may be different than the total return at market value.
(n) Not annualized.
(r) Certain expenses have been reduced without which performance would have been lower.
(s) From time to time the fund may receive proceeds from litigation settlements, without which performance would be lower.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

28


Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

(1)   Business and Organization

MFS Special Value 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 in foreign securities, including securities of emerging market issuers. Investments in foreign securities are vulnerable to the effects of changes in the relative values of the local currency and the U.S. dollar and to the effects of changes in each country’s legal, political, and economic environment. The markets of emerging markets countries are generally more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies. All of the risks of investing in foreign securities previously described are heightened when investing in emerging markets countries.

Investment Valuations – Equity securities, including restricted equity securities, are generally valued at the last sale or official closing price as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market or exchange on which they are primarily traded. Equity securities, for which there were no sales reported that day, are generally valued at the last quoted daily bid quotation as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market or exchange on which such securities are primarily traded. Equity securities held short, for which there were no sales reported for that day, are generally valued at the last quoted daily ask quotation as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market or exchange on which such securities are primarily traded. 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

 

29


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

generally valued at last posted settlement price as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market on which they are primarily traded. Futures contracts for which there were no trades that day for a particular position are generally valued at the closing bid quotation as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market on which such futures contracts are primarily traded. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are generally valued at the mean of bid and asked prices for the time period interpolated from rates provided by a third-party pricing service for proximate time periods. Open-end investment companies are generally valued at net asset value per share. Securities and other assets generally valued on the basis of information from a third-party pricing service may also be valued at a broker/dealer bid quotation. Values obtained from third-party pricing services can utilize both transaction data and market information such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data. The values of foreign securities and other assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars using the mean of bid and asked prices for rates provided by a third-party pricing service.

The Board of Trustees has delegated primary responsibility for determining or causing to be determined the value of the fund’s investments (including any fair valuation) to the adviser pursuant to valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board. If the adviser determines that reliable market quotations are not readily available, investments are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the adviser in accordance with such procedures under the oversight of the Board of Trustees. Under the fund’s valuation policies and procedures, market quotations are not considered to be readily available for most types of debt instruments and floating rate loans and many types of derivatives. These investments are generally valued at fair value based on information from third-party pricing services. In addition, investments may be valued at fair value if the adviser determines that an investment’s value has been materially effected 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. Events that occur on a frequent basis after foreign markets close (such as developments in foreign markets and significant movements in the U.S. markets) and prior to the determination of the fund’s net asset value may be deemed to have a material effect on the value of securities traded in foreign markets. Accordingly, the fund’s foreign equity securities may often be valued at fair value. 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,

 

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cost and investment characteristics of the security; the business and financial condition of the issuer; and trading and other market data) to assist in determining whether to fair value and at what value to fair value an investment. The value of an investment for purposes of calculating the fund’s net asset value can differ depending on the source and method used to determine value. When fair valuation is used, the value of an investment used to determine the fund’s net asset value may differ from quoted or published prices for the same investment. There can be no assurance that the fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it were to sell the investment at the same time at which the fund determines its net asset value per share.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s assets or liabilities. These inputs are categorized into three broad levels. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fund’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment. Level 1 includes unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 includes other significant observable market-based inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speed, and credit risk). Level 3 includes unobservable inputs, which may include the adviser’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in total investments, such as futures and forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The following is a summary of the levels used as of April 30, 2011 in valuing the fund’s assets or liabilities:

 

Investments at Value    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Equity Securities:            

United States

     $12,143,433         $188,361         $105,601         $12,437,395   

United Kingdom

     426,899                         426,899   
Non-U.S. Sovereign Debt              584,415                 584,415   
Corporate Bonds              29,699,830         0         29,699,830   
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities              1,137,040                 1,137,040   
Asset-Backed Securities
(including CDOs)
             337,617                 337,617   
Foreign Bonds              4,639,654                 4,639,654   
Floating Rates Loans              281,544                 281,544   
Mutual Funds      845,146                         845,146   
Total Investments      $13,415,478         $36,868,461         $105,601         $50,389,540   
Other Financial Instruments                            
Futures      $(2,418      $—         $—         $(2,418
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts              (14,769              (14,769

 

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

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

 

     Equity
Securities
     Corporate
Bonds
 
Balance as of 10/31/10      $24,298         $0   

Realized gain (loss)

     (8,496        

Change in unrealized appreciation

     (15,802        

Transfers into level 3

     105,601           
Balance as of 4/30/11      $105,601         $0   

The net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments still held as level 3 at April 30, 2011 is $0.

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

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

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

 

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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 April 30, 2011 as reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

        Fair Value (a)  
Risk   Derivative   Liability Derivatives  

Interest Rate

  Interest Rate Futures     $(2,418

Foreign Exchange

  Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts     (14,769
Total       $(17,187

 

(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 six months ended April 30, 2011 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Futures
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Transactions
 
Interest Rate      $118         $—   
Foreign Exchange              (14,756
Total      $118         $(14,756

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives held by the fund for the six months ended April 30, 2011 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Futures
Contracts
     Translation
of Assets
and
Liabilities in
Foreign
Currencies
 
Interest Rate      $(2,418      $—   
Foreign Exchange              (1,366
Total      $(2,418      $(1,366

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

 

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Agreement gives the fund the right, upon an event of default by the applicable counterparty or a termination of the agreement, to close out all transactions traded under such agreement and to net amounts owed under each transaction to one net amount payable by one party to the other. This right to close out and net payments across all transactions traded under the ISDA Master Agreement could result in a reduction of the fund’s credit risk to such counterparty equal to any amounts payable by the fund under the applicable transactions, if any. However, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the ISDA Master Agreement does not result in an offset of reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the fund and the applicable counterparty.

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

Futures Contracts – The fund entered into futures contracts which may be used to hedge against or obtain 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

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

fund’s maximum risk of loss due to counterparty credit risk is equal to the margin posted by the fund to the broker plus any gains or minus any losses on the outstanding futures contracts.

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

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

Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from unanticipated movements in the value of the contract and from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. Generally, the fund’s maximum risk due to counterparty credit risk is the unrealized gain on the contract due to our use of Continuous Linked Settlement, an industry accepted settlement system. This risk is mitigated in cases where there is an ISDA Master Agreement between the fund and the counterparty providing for netting as described above and for posting of collateral by the counterparty to the fund to cover the fund’s exposure to the counterparty under such ISDA Master Agreement.

Security Loans – State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), as lending agent, loans the securities of the fund to certain qualified institutions (the “Borrowers”) approved by the fund. The loans are collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Treasury and federal agency obligations in an amount typically at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the fund on the next business day. State Street provides the fund with indemnification against Borrower default. The fund bears the risk of loss with respect to the investment of cash collateral. On loans collateralized by cash, the cash collateral is invested in a money

 

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market fund or short-term securities. A portion of the income generated upon investment of the collateral is remitted to the Borrowers, and the remainder is allocated between the fund and the lending agent. On loans collateralized by U.S. Treasury and/or federal agency obligations, a fee is received from the Borrower, and is allocated between the fund and the lending agent. Income from securities lending is included in interest income on the Statement of Operations. The dividend and interest income earned on the securities loaned is accounted for in the same manner as other dividend and interest income.

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

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

Investment Transactions and Income – Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. All premium and discount is amortized or accreted for financial statement purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The fund earns certain fees in connection with its floating rate loan purchasing activities. These fees are in addition to interest payments earned and may include amendment fees, commitment fees, facility fees, consent fees, and prepayment fees. Commitment fees are recorded on an accrual basis as income in the accompanying financial statements. Dividends received in cash are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Certain dividends from foreign securities will be recorded when the fund is informed of the dividend if such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Dividend and interest payments received in 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.

 

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

Fees Paid Indirectly – The fund’s custody fee may be reduced according to an arrangement that measures the value of cash deposited with the custodian by the fund. This amount, for the six months ended April 30, 2011, is shown as a reduction of total expenses on the Statement of Operations.

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

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The fund seeks to pay monthly distributions based on an annual rate of 10% of the fund’s average monthly net asset value. As a result, distributions may exceed actual earnings which may result in a tax return of capital or, to the extent the fund has long-term gains, distributions of current year long-term gains may be recharacterized as ordinary income. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Certain capital accounts in the financial statements are periodically adjusted for permanent differences in order to reflect their tax character. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or net asset value per share. Temporary differences which arise from recognizing certain items of income, expense, gain or loss in different periods for financial statement and tax purposes will reverse at some time in the future. Distributions from other sources, in excess of net investment income or net realized gains are temporary overdistributions for financial statement purposes resulting from differences in the recognition or classification of income or distributions for financial statement and tax purposes.

Book/tax differences primarily relate to amortization and accretion of debt securities, defaulted bonds, and deferred trustee compensation.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

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

 

     10/31/10  
Ordinary income (including any short-term
capital gains)
     $3,480,552   
Tax return of capital (b)      1,235,104   
Total distributions      $4,715,656   

(b)  Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a tax return of capital.

      

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

 

As of 4/30/11       
Cost of investments      $49,540,756   
Gross appreciation      4,781,819   
Gross depreciation      (3,933,035
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      $848,784   
As of 10/31/10       
Capital loss carryforwards      (14,578,972
Other temporary differences      (252,825
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      (956,462

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

As of October 31, 2010, the fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized gains. Such losses expire as follows:

 

10/31/16      $(9,776,970
10/31/17      (4,711,246
10/31/18      (90,756
Total      $(14,578,972

 

(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 0.68% of the fund’s average daily net assets and 3.40% of gross income. Gross income is calculated based on tax elections that generally include the accretion of discount and exclude the amortization of premium, which may differ from investment income reported in the Statement of Operations. The investment adviser has agreed in writing to reduce its management fee to the lesser of the contractual management fee as set forth above or 0.90% of the average daily net assets. This written agreement will

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

continue until modified by the fund’s boards of Trustees, but such an agreement will continue at least until October 31, 2011. This management fee reduction amounted to $7,953, which is shown as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations. The management fee, from net assets and gross income, incurred for the six months ended April 30, 2011, was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.90% of the fund’s average daily net assets.

Transfer Agent – The fund engages Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) as the sole transfer agent for the fund. MFS Service Center, Inc. (MFSC) monitors and supervises the activities of Computershare for an agreed upon fee approved by the Board of Trustees. For the six months ended April 30, 2011, these fees paid to MFSC amounted to $2,271.

Administrator – MFS provides certain financial, legal, shareholder communications, compliance, and other administrative services to the fund. Under an administrative services agreement, the fund partially reimburses MFS the costs incurred to provide these services. The fund is charged an annual fixed amount of $17,500 plus a fee based on average daily net assets. The administrative services fee incurred for the six months ended April 30, 2011 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0349% of the fund’s average daily net assets.

Trustees’ and Officers’ Compensation – The fund pays compensation to independent Trustees in the form of a retainer, attendance fees, and additional compensation to Board and Committee chairpersons. The fund does not pay compensation directly to Trustees or 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.

Prior to December 31, 2001, the fund had an unfunded defined benefit plan (“DB plan”) for independent Trustees. As of December 31, 2001, the Board took action to terminate the DB plan with respect to then-current and any future independent Trustees, such that the DB Plan covers only certain of those former independent Trustees who retired on or before December 31, 2001. Effective January 1, 2002, accrued benefits under the DB Plan for then-current independent Trustees who continued were credited to an unfunded retirement deferral plan (the “Retirement Deferral plan”), which was established for and exists solely with respect to these credited amounts, and is not available for other deferrals by these or other independent Trustees. Although the Retirement Deferral plan is unfunded, amounts deferred under the plan are periodically adjusted for investment experience as if they had been invested in shares of the fund. The DB Plan resulted in a pension expense of $2,252 and the Retirement Deferral plan resulted in an expense of $5,411. Both amounts are included in independent Trustees’ compensation for the six months ended

 

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April 30, 2011. The liability for deferred retirement benefits payable to certain independent Trustees under both plans amounted to $71,669 at April 30, 2011, and is included in payable for independent Trustees’ compensation on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Other – This fund and certain other funds managed by MFS (the funds) have entered into services agreements (the Agreements) which provide for payment of fees by the funds to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC in return for the provision of services of an Independent Chief Compliance Officer (ICCO) and Assistant ICCO, respectively, for the funds. The ICCO and Assistant ICCO are officers of the funds and the sole members of Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC, respectively. The funds can terminate the Agreements with Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC at any time under the terms of the Agreements. For the six months ended April 30, 2011, the aggregate fees paid by the fund to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC were $279 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 $97, 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 affiliated 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 $13,478,575 and $13,365,142 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 Trustees have authorized the repurchase by the fund of up to 10% annually of its own shares of beneficial interest. During the six months ended April 30, 2011 and the year ended October 31, 2010, the fund did not repurchase any shares. Transactions in fund shares were as follows:

 

     Six months ended
4/30/11
     Year ended
10/31/10
 
     Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  
Shares issued to shareholders in
reinvestment of distributions
     29,074         $216,502         40,722         $300,175   

 

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(6)   Line of Credit

The fund and certain other funds managed by MFS participate in a $1.1 billion unsecured committed line of credit, subject to a $1 billion sublimit, provided by a syndication of banks under a credit agreement. Borrowings may be made for temporary financing needs. Interest is charged to each fund, based on its borrowings, generally at a rate equal to the higher of the Federal Reserve funds rate or one month LIBOR plus an agreed upon spread. A commitment fee, based on the average daily, unused portion of the committed line of credit, is allocated among the participating funds at the end of each calendar quarter. In addition, the fund and other funds managed by MFS have established unsecured uncommitted borrowing arrangements with certain banks for temporary financing needs. Interest is charged to each fund, based on its borrowings, at a rate equal to the Federal Reserve funds rate plus an agreed upon spread. For the six months ended April 30, 2011, the fund’s commitment fee and interest expense were $247 and $0, respectively, and are included in miscellaneous expense on the Statement of Operations.

 

(7)   Transactions in Underlying Affiliated Funds-Affiliated Issuers

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

 

Underlying Affiliated Funds    Beginning
Shares/Par
Amount
     Acquisitions
Shares/Par
Amount
     Dispositions
Shares/Par
Amount
     Ending
Shares/Par
Amount
 
MFS Institutional Money
Market Portfolio
     728,610         7,373,802         (7,257,266      845,146   
Underlying Affiliated Funds    Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Capital Gain
Distributions
     Dividend
Income
     Ending
Value
 
MFS Institutional Money
Market Portfolio
     $—         $—         $1,085         $845,146   

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Trustees and Shareholders of MFS Special Value Trust:

We have reviewed the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of MFS Special Value Trust (the Fund), including the portfolio of investments, as of April 30, 2011, and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets, and financial highlights for the six-month period ended April 30, 2011. These interim financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management.

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

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

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the statement of changes in net assets for the year ended October 31, 2010, and financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended October 31, 2010, and in our report dated December 16, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on such statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights.

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

June 17, 2011

 

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BOARD REVIEW OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

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

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND INFORMATION

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

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

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO DISCLOSURE

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

Public Reference Room

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE, Room 1580

Washington, D.C. 20549

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

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

FURTHER INFORMATION

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

 

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rev. 3/11

 

FACTS   WHAT DOES MFS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?   LOGO

 

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

 

What?  

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

 

• Social Security number and account balances

• Account transactions and transaction history

• Checking account information and wire transfer instructions

 

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

 

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

 

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

For our everyday business purposes –

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

  Yes   No

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

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

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

  No   We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

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

 

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

 

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Page 2  

 

 

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

 

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

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

•open an account or provide account information

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

•make a wire transfer

 

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

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

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

•affiliates from using your information to market to you

•sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

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

 

Definitions
Affiliates  

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

 

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

Nonaffiliates  

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

 

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

Joint Marketing  

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

 

•MFS doesnt jointly market.

 

 

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

 

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CONTACT US

Transfer agent, Registrar, and

Dividend Disbursing Agent

Call

1-800-637-2304

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

Write

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 43078

Providence, RI 02940-3078

 

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: MFV

 

LOGO


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ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

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

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

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

 

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

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

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

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

 

Portfolio Manager

  

Primary Role

  

Since

  

Title and Five Year

History

David P. Cole

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


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Brooks A. Taylor

   Portfolio Manager    2009    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 1996.

William J. Adams

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Portfolio Manager

  

Benchmark(s)

David P. Cole

   Barclays Capital U.S. High-Yield Corporate Bond Index
  

 

JPMorgan Emerging Market Bond Index Global

  

 

Russell 1000 Value Index

Brooks A. Taylor

   Barclays Capital U.S. High-Yield Corporate Bond Index
  

 

JPMorgan Emerging Market Bond Index Global

  

 

Russell 1000 Value Index

 

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


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

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

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

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

Ownership of Fund Shares

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

N. None

A. $1 – $10,000

B. $10,001 – $50,000

C. $50,001 – $100,000

D. $100,001 – $500,000

E. $500,001 – $1,000,000

F. Over $1,000,000

 

Name of Portfolio Manager

   Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Fund

David P. Cole

   N

Brooks A. Taylor

   N

William J. Adams

   N

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 October 31, 2010, were as follows:


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     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
 

David P. Cole

   10    $ 3.9 billion       2    $ 661.4 million       0      N/A   

Brooks A. Taylor

   10    $ 14.8 billion       0      N/A       0      N/A   

William J. Adams**

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

 

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

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

Potential Conflicts of Interest.

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

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

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


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a performance adjustment and/or include an investment by the portfolio manager of a significant percentage of the portfolio manager’s assets.

 

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

MFS Special Value Trust

 

Period

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

11/01/10-11/30/10

     0         N/A         0         680,499   

12/01/10-12/31/10

     0         N/A         0         680,499   

  1/01/11-1/31/11

     0         N/A         0         680,499   

  2/01/11-2/28/11

     0         N/A         0         680,499   

  3/01/11-3/31/11

     0         N/A         0         685,573   

  4/01/11-4/30/11

     0         N/A         0         685,573   
                       

Total

     0            0      
                       

Note: The Board of Trustees approves procedures to repurchase shares annually. The notification to shareholders of the program is part of the semi-annual and annual reports sent to shareholders. These annual programs begin on March 1st of each year. The programs conform to the conditions of Rule 10b-18 of the securities Exchange Act of 1934 and limit the aggregate number of shares that may be purchased in each annual period (March 1 through the following February 28) to 10% of the Registrant’s outstanding shares as of the first day of the plan year (March 1). The aggregate number of shares available for purchase for the March 1, 2011 plan year is 685,573.

 

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

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

 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

(a)

Based upon their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”)) as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this Form N-CSR, the registrant’s principal financial officer and principal executive officer have concluded that those


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disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that the material information required to be disclosed by the registrant on this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

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

 

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  (3) Notices to Trust’s common shareholders in accordance with Investment Company Act Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1.

 

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


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Notice

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


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Registrant MFS SPECIAL VALUE TRUST

 

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

Date: June 17, 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: June 17, 2011

 

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

Date: June 17, 2011

 

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