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)

111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Susan S. Newton

Massachusetts Financial Services Company

111 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02199

(Name and address of agents for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end: October 31

Date of reporting period: April 30, 2015


Table of Contents
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


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SEMIANNUAL REPORT

April 30, 2015

 

LOGO

 

MFS® SPECIAL VALUE TRUST

 

LOGO

 

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.

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. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in the notice to shareholders 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’. Please refer to “Tax Matters and Distributions” under Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements for information regarding the tax character of the fund’s distributions.


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MFS® SPECIAL VALUE TRUST

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: MFV

 

Letter from the Chairman     1   
Portfolio composition     2   
Portfolio managers’ profiles     4   
Other notes     4   
Portfolio of investments     5   
Statement of assets and liabilities     21   
Statement of operations     22   
Statements of changes in net assets     23   
Financial highlights     24   
Notes to financial statements     26   
Report of independent registered public accounting firm     36   
Proxy voting policies and information     37   
Quarterly portfolio disclosure     37   
Further information     37   
Contact information    back cover   

 

NOT FDIC INSURED Ÿ MAY LOSE VALUE Ÿ NO BANK GUARANTEE


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LOGO

 

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

 

Dear Shareholders:

Global economic expansion slowed in early 2015 as the pace of U.S. growth decelerated sharply. Harsh weather hurt U.S. domestic demand, and a strong dollar

made exports more expensive. Also contributing to weakness were a slow, tentative eurozone economic recovery, a steady downturn in China’s pace of growth and ongoing sluggishness in Japan.

Asian and European central banks are making concerted stimulus efforts. The European Central Bank’s quantitative easing program shows early signs of gaining traction. The People’s Bank of China has introduced a series of targeted monetary policy actions. The Bank of Japan remains focused on its target of 2% consumer price inflation.

 

With little sign of inflation, the U.S. Federal Reserve has remained accommodative in the face of these global headwinds, though interest rate increases are expected to begin later this year.

The world’s financial markets have become increasingly complex in recent years. Now more than ever, it is important to understand companies on a global basis. At MFS®, we believe our integrated research platform, collaborative culture, active risk management process and long-term focus give us a research advantage.

As investors, we aim to add long-term value. We believe this approach will serve you well as you work with your financial advisor to reach your investment objectives.

Respectfully,

 

LOGO

Robert J. Manning

Chairman

MFS Investment Management

June 16, 2015

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

 

1


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PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Portfolio structure (i)

 

LOGO

 

Top ten holdings (i)  
Duke Energy Corp.     1.6%   
JPMorgan Chase & Co.     1.6%   
NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.     1.5%   
CVS Health Corp.     1.5%   
Travelers Cos., Inc.     1.4%   
Verizon Communications, Inc.     1.4%   
U.S. Bancorp     1.3%   
Johnson & Johnson     1.3%   
Nestle S.A., ADR     1.2%   
Merck & Co., Inc.     1.2%   
Equity sectors  
Financial Services     8.9%   
Health Care     4.8%   
Consumer Staples     3.9%   
Industrial Goods & Services     3.3%   
Utilities & Communications     3.0%   
Retailing     2.4%   
Basic Materials     2.1%   
Technology     2.1%   
Special Products & Services     1.5%   
Energy     1.0%   
Leisure     1.0%   
Autos & Housing (o)     0.0%   
Fixed income sectors (i)  
High Yield Corporates     58.7%   
Emerging Markets Bonds     3.3%   
Floating Rate Loans     1.6%   
Investment Grade Corporates     1.0%   
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities     0.1%   
Composition including fixed income credit quality (a)(i)    
BBB     1.2%   
BB     19.6%   
B     34.7%   
CCC     8.5%   
C (o)     0.0%   
D     0.3%   
Not Rated     0.4%   
Non-Fixed Income     34.0%   
Cash & Other     1.3%   
 

 

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). Securities rated BBB or higher are considered investment grade. All ratings are subject to change. Not Rated includes fixed income securities, including fixed income futures contracts, which have not been rated by any rating agency. Non-Fixed Income includes equity securities (including convertible bonds and equity derivatives) and commodities. The fund may not hold all of these instruments. The fund is not rated by these agencies.
(i) For purposes of this presentation, the components include the value of securities, and reflect the impact of the equivalent exposure of derivative positions, if any. These amounts may be negative from time to time. Equivalent exposure is a calculated amount that translates the derivative position into a reasonable approximation of the amount of the underlying asset that the portfolio would have to hold at a given point in time to have the same price sensitivity that results from the portfolio’s ownership of the derivative contract. When dealing with derivatives, equivalent exposure is a more representative measure of the potential impact of a position on portfolio performance than value. The bond component will include any accrued interest amounts.
(o) Less than 0.1%.

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

Cash & Other can include cash, other assets less liabilities, offsets to derivative positions, and short-term securities.

Percentages are based on net assets as of 4/30/15.

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

 

3


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PORTFOLIO MANAGERS’ PROFILES

 

Portfolio Manager   Primary Role   Since   Title and Five Year History
William Adams   Lower Quality
Debt Instruments
Portfolio Manager
  2011   Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 2009.
Ward Brown   Emerging Markets
Debt Instruments
Portfolio Manager
  2012   Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 2005.
Nevin Chitkara   Equity Securities
Portfolio Manager
  2012   Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 1997.
David Cole   Lower Quality
Debt Instruments
Portfolio Manager
  2006   Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 2004.
Matthew Ryan   Emerging Markets
Debt Instruments
Portfolio Manager
  2012   Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 1997.

OTHER NOTES

The fund’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to 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.

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 gains 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.

The fund’s target annual distribution rate is calculated based on an annual rate of 10.00% 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 monthly 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.

 

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PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

4/30/15 (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 - 62.1%                 
Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Aerospace - 1.6%                 
Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., 7.125%, 3/15/21    $ 125,000      $ 134,025   
Bombardier, Inc., 7.75%, 3/15/20 (n)      55,000        58,154   
Bombardier, Inc., 6.125%, 1/15/23 (n)      155,000        148,134   
Bombardier, Inc., 7.5%, 3/15/25 (n)      55,000        54,519   
CPI International, Inc., 8.75%, 2/15/18      190,000        195,344   
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., 7%, 5/15/19      45,000        40,050   
TransDigm, Inc., 6%, 7/15/22      25,000        25,156   
TransDigm, Inc., 6.5%, 7/15/24      110,000        111,634   
    

 

 

 
             $ 767,016   
Apparel Manufacturers - 0.1%                 
PVH Corp., 4.5%, 12/15/22    $ 60,000      $ 61,200   
Asset-Backed & Securitized - 0.1%                 
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, FRN, 5.899%, 12/10/49    $ 220,000      $ 29,106   
Falcon Franchise Loan LLC, FRN, 23.05%, 1/05/25 (i)(z)      18,357        4,268   
Morgan Stanley Capital I, Inc., FRN, 1.418%, 4/28/39 (i)(z)      150,883        760   
    

 

 

 
             $ 34,134   
Automotive - 1.5%                 
Accuride Corp., 9.5%, 8/01/18    $ 150,000      $ 155,625   
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 6.5%, 3/01/21      140,000        148,120   
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 7%, 5/15/22      40,000        43,800   
Lear Corp., 4.75%, 1/15/23      80,000        81,200   
Lear Corp., 5.25%, 1/15/25      65,000        66,381   
Schaeffler Holding Finance B.V., 6.25%, 11/15/19 (n)(p)      200,000        213,000   
    

 

 

 
             $ 708,126   
Broadcasting - 1.4%                 
AMC Networks, Inc., 7.75%, 7/15/21    $ 101,000      $ 110,090   
Clear Channel Communications, Inc., 9%, 3/01/21      152,000        145,730   
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc., “A”, 6.5%, 11/15/22      25,000        26,188   
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc., “B”, 6.5%, 11/15/22      85,000        89,888   
Liberty Media Corp., 8.5%, 7/15/29      110,000        123,200   
Liberty Media Corp., 8.25%, 2/01/30      35,000        38,763   
Netflix, Inc., 5.375%, 2/01/21      70,000        73,150   
Netflix, Inc., 5.875%, 2/15/25 (n)      30,000        31,950   
Univision Communications, Inc., 5.125%, 2/15/25 (n)      35,000        35,263   
    

 

 

 
             $ 674,222   

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Brokerage & Asset Managers - 0.2%                 
E*Trade Financial Corp., 4.625%, 9/15/23    $ 70,000      $ 71,488   
Building - 1.8%                 
Allegion U.S. Holding Co., Inc., 5.75%, 10/01/21    $ 140,000      $ 147,350   
Building Materials Corp. of America, 5.375%, 11/15/24 (n)      75,000        76,875   
Building Materials Holding Corp., 6.75%, 5/01/21 (n)      30,000        31,875   
Gibraltar Industries, Inc., 6.25%, 2/01/21      30,000        30,450   
HD Supply, Inc., 7.5%, 7/15/20      110,000        117,975   
Headwaters, Inc., 7.25%, 1/15/19      70,000        73,325   
Nortek, Inc., 8.5%, 4/15/21      150,000        162,000   
Roofing Supply Group LLC/Roofing Supply Finance, Inc., 10%, 6/01/20 (n)      179,000        180,790   
    

 

 

 
             $ 820,640   
Business Services - 0.5%                 
Equinix, Inc., 4.875%, 4/01/20    $ 55,000      $ 56,788   
Equinix, Inc., 5.375%, 1/01/22      25,000        25,938   
Equinix, Inc., 5.375%, 4/01/23      35,000        36,138   
Iron Mountain, Inc., REIT, 6%, 8/15/23      30,000        31,950   
NeuStar, Inc., 4.5%, 1/15/23      110,000        96,800   
    

 

 

 
             $ 247,614   
Cable TV - 3.6%                 
Altice Financing S.A., 7.875%, 12/15/19 (n)    $ 200,000      $ 212,510   
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 6.5%, 4/30/21      60,000        62,348   
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 5.125%, 5/01/23 (n)      70,000        69,300   
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 5.75%, 1/15/24      115,000        116,438   
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 5.375%, 5/01/25 (n)      25,000        24,563   
Cequel Communications Holdings, 6.375%, 9/15/20 (n)      115,000        121,181   
DISH DBS Corp., 6.75%, 6/01/21      60,000        63,530   
DISH DBS Corp., 5%, 3/15/23      90,000        85,275   
DISH DBS Corp., 5.875%, 11/15/24      30,000        29,550   
Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., 6.625%, 12/15/22      105,000        103,688   
Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., 5.5%, 8/01/23      100,000        94,125   
Intelsat Luxembourg S.A., 8.125%, 6/01/23      170,000        155,603   
LGE Holdco VI B.V., 7.125%, 5/15/24 (n)    EUR 100,000        126,601   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 4.25%, 5/15/20 (n)    $ 10,000        9,950   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 5.875%, 10/01/20 (n)      10,000        10,438   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 4.625%, 5/15/23 (n)      85,000        82,450   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 6%, 7/15/24 (n)      50,000        51,875   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 5.375%, 4/15/25 (n)      45,000        45,225   
Unitymedia KabelBW GmbH, 6.125%, 1/15/25 (n)      200,000        208,750   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,673,400   

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Chemicals - 1.7%                 
Celanese U.S. Holdings LLC, 5.875%, 6/15/21    $ 63,000      $ 69,143   
Celanese U.S. Holdings LLC, 4.625%, 11/15/22      20,000        20,450   
Evolution Escrow Issuer Co., 7.5%, 3/15/22 (n)      125,000        126,563   
Hexion U.S. Finance Corp., 6.625%, 4/15/20      65,000        60,775   
Hexion U.S. Finance Corp./Hexion Nova Scotia Finance, 8.875%, 2/01/18      140,000        124,775   
INEOS Group Holdings S.A., 5.875%, 2/15/19 (n)      200,000        202,500   
Tronox Finance LLC, 6.375%, 8/15/20      185,000        181,300   
    

 

 

 
             $ 785,506   
Computer Software - 0.2%                 
Syniverse Holdings, Inc., 9.125%, 1/15/19    $ 40,000      $ 37,600   
VeriSign, Inc., 4.625%, 5/01/23      35,000        34,983   
    

 

 

 
             $ 72,583   
Conglomerates - 1.6%                 
Amsted Industries Co., 5%, 3/15/22 (n)    $ 105,000      $ 108,281   
BC Mountain LLC, 7%, 2/01/21 (n)      95,000        90,013   
EnerSys, 5%, 4/30/23 (n)      130,000        131,625   
EnPro Industries, Inc., 5.875%, 9/15/22 (n)      100,000        104,500   
Entegris, Inc., 6%, 4/01/22 (n)      165,000        172,425   
Renaissance Acquisition, 6.875%, 8/15/21 (n)      145,000        134,850   
    

 

 

 
             $ 741,694   
Construction - 0.2%                 
Empresas ICA S.A.B. de C.V., 8.9%, 2/04/21    $ 125,000      $ 115,275   
Consumer Products - 0.5%                 
Prestige Brands, Inc., 8.125%, 2/01/20    $ 30,000      $ 32,250   
Prestige Brands, Inc., 5.375%, 12/15/21 (n)      55,000        55,688   
Spectrum Brands, Inc., 6.375%, 11/15/20      110,000        116,600   
Spectrum Brands, Inc., 6.125%, 12/15/24 (n)      10,000        10,600   
    

 

 

 
             $ 215,138   
Consumer Services - 1.8%                 
ADT Corp., 6.25%, 10/15/21    $ 165,000      $ 177,375   
Garda World Security Corp., 7.25%, 11/15/21 (n)      60,000        59,700   
Garda World Security Corp., 7.25%, 11/15/21 (n)      30,000        29,850   
Grupo Posadas S.A.B. de C.V., 7.875%, 11/30/17      150,000        149,625   
Interval Acquisition Corp., 5.625%, 4/15/23 (z)      125,000        126,563   
Monitronics International, Inc., 9.125%, 4/01/20      145,000        143,550   
Sabre GLBL, Inc., 5.375%, 4/15/23 (n)      80,000        81,600   
Service Corp. International, 5.375%, 5/15/24      50,000        53,125   
    

 

 

 
             $ 821,388   

 

7


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Containers - 2.3%                 
Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC, 9.125%, 10/15/20 (n)    $ 200,000      $ 214,000   
Ball Corp., 5%, 3/15/22      95,000        99,038   
Berry Plastics Group, Inc., 9.75%, 1/15/21      20,000        21,950   
Berry Plastics Group, Inc., 5.5%, 5/15/22      125,000        129,531   
Crown American LLC, 4.5%, 1/15/23      85,000        85,425   
Multi-Color Corp., 6.125%, 12/01/22 (n)      100,000        104,000   
Reynolds Group, 5.75%, 10/15/20      50,000        52,250   
Reynolds Group, 8.25%, 2/15/21      115,000        122,331   
Sealed Air Corp., 4.875%, 12/01/22 (n)      80,000        82,200   
Sealed Air Corp., 5.125%, 12/01/24 (n)      25,000        26,063   
Signode Industrial Group, 6.375%, 5/01/22 (n)      115,000        115,000   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,051,788   
Electrical Equipment - 0.1%                 
Avaya, Inc., 10.5%, 3/01/21 (n)    $ 70,000      $ 61,600   
Electronics - 0.8%                 
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., 6.75%, 3/01/19    $ 120,000      $ 104,400   
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., 7.5%, 8/15/22      35,000        28,700   
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., 7%, 7/01/24      65,000        50,538   
Micron Technology, Inc., 5.875%, 2/15/22      40,000        42,050   
Micron Technology, Inc., 5.5%, 2/01/25 (n)      65,000        64,675   
Sensata Technologies B.V., 5.625%, 11/01/24 (n)      40,000        42,700   
Sensata Technologies B.V., 5%, 10/01/25 (n)      40,000        41,300   
    

 

 

 
             $ 374,363   
Emerging Market Quasi-Sovereign - 0.1%                 
NOVA Chemicals Corp., 5%, 5/01/25 (n)    $ 38,000      $ 40,043   
Emerging Market Sovereign - 0.6%                 
Republic of Ecuador, 10.5%, 3/24/20 (n)    $ 200,000      $ 216,000   
Republic of Venezuela, 7%, 3/31/38      203,000        82,723   
    

 

 

 
             $ 298,723   
Energy - Independent - 4.8%                 
Afren PLC, 11.5%, 2/01/16 (a)(d)(n)    $ 200,000      $ 88,000   
Afren PLC, 15%, 4/25/16      174,593        164,991   
American Energy-Permian Basin LLC, 7.125%, 11/01/20 (n)      35,000        25,725   
American Energy-Permian Basin LLC, 7.375%, 11/01/21 (n)      135,000        99,563   
Baytex Energy Corp., 5.625%, 6/01/24 (n)      95,000        91,913   
Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc., 6.75%, 4/15/21      30,000        30,525   
Chaparral Energy, Inc., 7.625%, 11/15/22      115,000        92,000   
Chesapeake Energy Corp., 5.75%, 3/15/23      100,000        97,750   
Concho Resources, Inc., 5.5%, 4/01/23      40,000        40,550   
EP Energy LLC, 6.875%, 5/01/19      35,000        36,085   

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Energy - Independent - continued                 
EP Energy LLC, 9.375%, 5/01/20    $ 110,000      $ 117,700   
EP Energy LLC, 7.75%, 9/01/22      150,000        157,500   
Halcon Resources Corp., 8.875%, 5/15/21      130,000        101,530   
Hilcorp Energy I/Hilcorp Finance Co., 8%, 2/15/20 (n)      40,000        41,400   
Linn Energy LLC/Linn Energy Finance Corp., 8.625%, 4/15/20      15,000        13,659   
Linn Energy LLC/Linn Energy Finance Corp., 7.75%, 2/01/21      160,000        137,600   
Linn Energy LLC/Linn Energy Finance Corp., 6.5%, 9/15/21      45,000        36,675   
MEG Energy Corp., 6.5%, 3/15/21 (n)      85,000        83,938   
MEG Energy Corp., 7%, 3/31/24 (n)      75,000        73,890   
Northern Blizzard Resources, Inc., 7.25%, 2/01/22 (n)      80,000        76,000   
Oasis Petroleum, Inc., 6.875%, 3/15/22      90,000        91,575   
QEP Resources, Inc., 5.25%, 5/01/23      60,000        60,151   
Rosetta Resources, Inc., 5.625%, 5/01/21      130,000        130,163   
RSP Permian, Inc., 6.625%, 10/01/22 (n)      80,000        83,040   
Sanchez Energy Corp., 6.125%, 1/15/23      110,000        107,800   
SM Energy Co., 6.5%, 11/15/21      120,000        124,800   
SM Energy Co., 6.125%, 11/15/22 (n)      50,000        52,500   
    

 

 

 
             $ 2,257,023   
Entertainment - 0.8%                 
Activision Blizzard, Inc., 6.125%, 9/15/23 (n)    $ 95,000      $ 104,679   
Cedar Fair LP, 5.25%, 3/15/21      105,000        108,938   
Cedar Fair LP, 5.375%, 6/01/24 (n)      35,000        36,138   
Cinemark USA, Inc., 5.125%, 12/15/22      50,000        51,685   
Six Flags Entertainment Corp., 5.25%, 1/15/21 (n)      90,000        92,925   
    

 

 

 
             $ 394,365   
Financial Institutions - 3.2%                 
Aircastle Ltd., 5.125%, 3/15/21    $ 40,000      $ 41,948   
Aircastle Ltd., 5.5%, 2/15/22      40,000        42,700   
Aviation Capital Group, 4.625%, 1/31/18 (n)      55,000        57,589   
Aviation Capital Group, 6.75%, 4/06/21 (n)      25,000        29,036   
CIT Group, Inc., 5.25%, 3/15/18      40,000        41,460   
CIT Group, Inc., 6.625%, 4/01/18 (n)      119,000        127,628   
CIT Group, Inc., 5.5%, 2/15/19 (n)      148,000        154,845   
CIT Group, Inc., 5%, 8/15/22      35,000        36,050   
Credit Acceptance Co., 7.375%, 3/15/23 (n)      85,000        84,575   
Icahn Enterprises LP, 6%, 8/01/20      55,000        57,830   
Icahn Enterprises LP, 5.875%, 2/01/22      110,000        113,702   
Nationstar Mortgage LLC/Capital Corp., 6.5%, 8/01/18      60,000        61,050   
Nationstar Mortgage LLC/Capital Corp., 7.875%, 10/01/20      305,000        314,150   
Navient Corp., 5.875%, 3/25/21      60,000        59,700   
SLM Corp., 8%, 3/25/20      135,000        150,355   
SLM Corp., 7.25%, 1/25/22      80,000        84,800   

 

9


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Financial Institutions - continued                 
SLM Corp., 6.125%, 3/25/24    $ 50,000      $ 48,563   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,505,981   
Food & Beverages - 0.5%                 
Darling Ingredients, Inc., 5.375%, 1/15/22    $ 75,000      $ 76,313   
Sun Merger Sub, Inc., 5.875%, 8/01/21 (n)      130,000        136,500   
    

 

 

 
             $ 212,813   
Forest & Paper Products - 0.2%                 
Appvion, Inc., 9%, 6/01/20 (n)    $ 70,000      $ 45,850   
Tembec Industries, Inc., 9%, 12/15/19 (n)      60,000        61,200   
    

 

 

 
             $ 107,050   
Gaming & Lodging - 2.0%                 
CCM Merger, Inc., 9.125%, 5/01/19 (n)    $ 150,000      $ 162,938   
Chester Downs & Marina LLC, 9.25%, 2/01/20 (n)      45,000        34,425   
Greektown Holdings LLC, 8.875%, 3/15/19 (n)      145,000        153,338   
Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC/Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp., 5.625%, 10/15/21      120,000        126,600   
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., 8.875%, 6/15/20      35,000        38,325   
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., 5.875%, 3/15/21      85,000        87,763   
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., 5.875%, 3/15/21 (n)      20,000        20,650   
MGM Resorts International, 6.625%, 12/15/21      90,000        96,300   
MGM Resorts International, 6%, 3/15/23      65,000        67,316   
RHP Hotel Properties, 5%, 4/15/23 (n)      25,000        25,313   
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., REIT, 5%, 4/15/21      120,000        121,944   
    

 

 

 
             $ 934,912   
Industrial - 0.8%                 
Dematic S.A., 7.75%, 12/15/20 (n)    $ 180,000      $ 189,450   
Howard Hughes Corp., 6.875%, 10/01/21 (n)      105,000        110,775   
SPL Logistics Escrow LLC, 8.875%, 8/01/20 (n)      90,000        94,725   
    

 

 

 
             $ 394,950   
Machinery & Tools - 0.9%                 
H&E Equipment Services Co., 7%, 9/01/22    $ 145,000      $ 151,888   
Jurassic Holdings III, Inc., 6.875%, 2/15/21 (n)      95,000        81,700   
Light Tower Rentals, Inc., 8.125%, 8/01/19 (n)      110,000        91,025   
RSC Equipment Rental, Inc., 8.25%, 2/01/21      60,000        64,725   
United Rentals North America, Inc., 7.625%, 4/15/22      48,000        52,920   
    

 

 

 
             $ 442,258   
Major Banks - 1.8%                 
Bank of America Corp., FRN, 6.1%, 12/29/49    $ 130,000      $ 132,600   
Bank of America Corp., FRN, 5.2%, 12/31/49      171,000        164,374   

 

10


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Major Banks - continued                 
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6% to 8/01/23, FRN to 12/31/49    $ 135,000      $ 138,713   
RBS Capital Trust II, 6.425% to 1/03/34, FRN to 12/29/49      95,000        109,488   
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 6.99% to 10/04/17, FRN to 10/29/49 (n)      100,000        118,500   
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 7.648% to 9/30/31, FRN to 12/31/49      150,000        191,250   
    

 

 

 
             $ 854,925   
Medical & Health Technology & Services - 3.1%                 
CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., 5.125%, 8/01/21    $ 15,000      $ 15,525   
CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., 6.875%, 2/01/22      195,000        206,944   
Davita Healthcare Partners, Inc., 5%, 5/01/25      110,000        109,794   
Davita, Inc., 5.125%, 7/15/24      45,000        45,793   
HCA, Inc., 7.5%, 2/15/22      150,000        175,500   
HCA, Inc., 5.875%, 3/15/22      45,000        50,344   
HCA, Inc., 5%, 3/15/24      65,000        69,076   
HCA, Inc., 5.375%, 2/01/25      60,000        63,000   
HealthSouth Corp., 5.125%, 3/15/23      120,000        123,600   
LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., 5.5%, 12/01/21      150,000        157,665   
Tenet Healthcare Corp., 8%, 8/01/20      165,000        172,631   
Tenet Healthcare Corp., 4.5%, 4/01/21      120,000        119,550   
Tenet Healthcare Corp., 8.125%, 4/01/22      55,000        60,019   
Universal Health Services, Inc., 7.625%, 8/15/20      105,000        92,138   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,461,579   
Medical Equipment - 0.6%                 
Biomet, Inc., 6.5%, 8/01/20    $ 56,000      $ 59,290   
DJO Finco, Inc., 8.125%, 6/15/21 (z)      55,000        55,825   
Physio-Control International, Inc., 9.875%, 1/15/19 (n)      62,000        66,185   
Teleflex, Inc., 6.875%, 6/01/19      50,000        51,813   
Teleflex, Inc., 5.25%, 6/15/24      55,000        55,550   
    

 

 

 
             $ 288,663   
Metals & Mining - 2.7%                 
Arch Coal, Inc., 8%, 1/15/19 (n)    $ 45,000      $ 18,675   
Century Aluminum Co., 7.5%, 6/01/21 (n)      90,000        91,913   
Consol Energy, Inc., 5.875%, 4/15/22      140,000        128,450   
Consol Energy, Inc., 8%, 4/01/23 (n)      55,000        55,756   
EVRAZ, Inc. N.A. Canada, 7.5%, 11/15/19 (n)      155,000        151,590   
First Quantum Minerals Ltd., 7.25%, 10/15/19 (n)      200,000        192,000   
GrafTech International Co., 6.375%, 11/15/20      100,000        85,500   
Hudbay Minerals, Inc., 9.5%, 10/01/20      60,000        62,850   
Lundin Mining Corp., 7.5%, 11/01/20 (n)      50,000        52,505   
Lundin Mining Corp., 7.875%, 11/01/22 (n)      100,000        106,000   

 

11


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Metals & Mining - continued                 
Steel Dynamics, Inc., 5.125%, 10/01/21 (n)    $ 45,000      $ 46,013   
Steel Dynamics, Inc., 5.25%, 4/15/23      20,000        20,450   
Steel Dynamics, Inc., 5.5%, 10/01/24 (n)      45,000        46,463   
Suncoke Energy Partners LP/Suncoke Energy Partners Finance Corp., 7.375%, 2/01/20 (n)      30,000        30,825   
Suncoke Energy Partners LP/Suncoke Energy Partners Finance Corp., 7.375%, 2/01/20 (n)      50,000        51,375   
Suncoke Energy, Inc., 7.625%, 8/01/19      33,000        33,908   
TMS International Corp., 7.625%, 10/15/21 (n)      70,000        70,000   
Walter Energy, Inc., 9.5%, 10/15/19 (n)      50,000        31,875   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,276,148   
Midstream - 3.6%                 
AmeriGas Finance LLC, 6.75%, 5/20/20    $ 150,000      $ 159,188   
Blue Racer Midstream LLC/Blue Racer Finance Corp.,
6.125%, 11/15/22 (n)
     60,000        62,400   
Crestwood Midstream Partners LP, 6%, 12/15/20      95,000        97,375   
Crestwood Midstream Partners LP, 6.125%, 3/01/22      55,000        56,788   
Crestwood Midstream Partners LP, 6.25%, 4/01/23 (n)      35,000        36,575   
El Paso Corp., 7.75%, 1/15/32      195,000        232,708   
Energy Transfer Equity LP, 7.5%, 10/15/20      135,000        151,875   
Ferrellgas LP/Ferrellgas Finance Corp., 6.5%, 5/01/21      60,000        60,900   
Ferrellgas LP/Ferrellgas Finance Corp., 6.75%, 1/15/22      120,000        123,300   
MarkWest Energy Partners LP/MarkWest Energy Finance Corp., 5.5%, 2/15/23      155,000        161,588   
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, 5.625%, 4/15/23      145,000        146,450   
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, 5.75%, 5/15/24      100,000        101,000   
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, 5.625%, 3/01/25 (n)      69,000        69,383   
Summit Midstream Holdings LLC/Summit Midstream Finance Corp., 7.5%, 7/01/21      65,000        67,600   
Summit Midstream Holdings LLC/Summit Midstream Finance Corp., 5.5%, 8/15/22      45,000        42,975   
Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Finance Corp., 5%, 1/15/18 (n)      25,000        25,938   
Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Finance Corp., 4.125%, 11/15/19 (n)      50,000        50,125   
Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Finance Corp., 5.25%, 5/01/23      30,000        30,600   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,676,768   
Network & Telecom - 0.7%                 
Centurylink, Inc., 6.75%, 12/01/23    $ 30,000      $ 32,453   
Centurylink, Inc., 7.65%, 3/15/42      95,000        95,475   
Citizens Communications Co., 9%, 8/15/31      100,000        105,250   

 

12


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Network & Telecom - continued                 
Colombia Telecomunicaciones S.A., 8.5% to 3/30/20, FRN to 12/29/49 (n)    $ 26,000      $ 26,780   
Frontier Communications Corp., 8.125%, 10/01/18      30,000        33,788   
Telecom Italia Capital, 6%, 9/30/34      35,000        36,575   
    

 

 

 
             $ 330,321   
Oil Services - 0.8%                 
Bristow Group, Inc., 6.25%, 10/15/22    $ 170,000      $ 166,600   
Pacific Drilling S.A., 5.375%, 6/01/20 (n)      145,000        122,888   
Shale-Inland Holdings LLC/Finance Co., 8.75%, 11/15/19 (n)      80,000        66,000   
    

 

 

 
             $ 355,488   
Oils - 0.4%                 
CITGO Holding, Inc., 10.75%, 2/15/20 (n)    $ 65,000      $ 68,673   
CITGO Petroleum Corp., 6.25%, 8/15/22 (n)      110,000        107,525   
    

 

 

 
             $ 176,198   
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 0.6%                 
Groupe BPCE S.A., 12.5% to 9/30/19, FRN to 8/29/49 (n)    $ 200,000      $ 270,376   
Pharmaceuticals - 1.3%                 
Endo Finance LLC/Endo Finco, Inc., 7.25%, 1/15/22 (n)    $ 135,000      $ 142,763   
Mallinckrodt International Finance S.A., 5.75%, 8/01/22 (n)      90,000        93,150   
Mallinckrodt International Finance S.A., 5.5%, 4/15/25 (n)      10,000        10,200   
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., 7%, 10/01/20 (n)      150,000        157,125   
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., 7.25%, 7/15/22 (n)      55,000        58,644   
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., 5.5%, 3/01/23 (n)      20,000        20,250   
Vantage Point Imaging, 7.5%, 7/15/21 (n)      45,000        48,825   
VRX Escrow Corp., 5.875%, 5/15/23 (n)      55,000        56,444   
    

 

 

 
             $ 587,401   
Pollution Control - 0.3%                 
Abengoa Finance S.A.U., 7.75%, 2/01/20 (z)    $ 150,000      $ 149,400   
Precious Metals & Minerals - 0.8%                 
Aurico Gold, Inc., 7.75%, 4/01/20 (n)    $ 195,000      $ 199,875   
Eldorado Gold Corp., 6.125%, 12/15/20 (n)      180,000        177,300   
    

 

 

 
             $ 377,175   
Printing & Publishing - 0.7%                 
American Media, Inc., 13.5%, 6/15/18 (z)    $ 23,764      $ 25,086   
Gannett Co., Inc., 4.875%, 9/15/21 (n)      45,000        46,238   
Gannett Co., Inc., 6.375%, 10/15/23      60,000        64,950   
Nielsen Finance LLC, 5%, 4/15/22 (n)      130,000        130,715   

 

13


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Printing & Publishing - continued                 
Outdoor Americas Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp., 5.625%, 2/15/24    $ 50,000      $ 52,063   
Outfront Media Cap LLC, 5.625%, 2/15/24 (n)      5,000        5,188   
    

 

 

 
             $ 324,240   
Real Estate - Healthcare - 0.4%                 
MPT Operating Partnership LP, REIT, 6.375%, 2/15/22    $ 160,000      $ 172,800   
Real Estate - Other - 0.6%                 
CNL Lifestyle Properties, Inc., REIT, 7.25%, 4/15/19    $ 75,000      $ 77,625   
DuPont Fabros Technology LP, REIT, 5.875%, 9/15/21      135,000        139,894   
Felcor Lodging LP, REIT, 5.625%, 3/01/23      65,000        67,600   
    

 

 

 
             $ 285,119   
Retailers - 1.5%                 
Best Buy Co., Inc., 5.5%, 3/15/21    $ 130,000      $ 136,825   
Bon Ton Stores, Inc., 8%, 6/15/21      70,000        58,450   
DriveTime Automotive Group, Inc./DT Acceptance Corp., 8%, 6/01/21 (n)      67,000        65,158   
Family Tree Escrow LLC, 5.75%, 3/01/23 (n)      130,000        136,500   
Jo-Ann Stores Holdings, Inc., 9.75%, 10/15/19 (n)(p)      55,000        53,075   
Neiman Marcus Group Ltd., 8%, 10/15/21 (n)      70,000        75,075   
Rite Aid Corp., 9.25%, 3/15/20      70,000        77,350   
Rite Aid Corp., 6.75%, 6/15/21      30,000        31,763   
Rite Aid Corp., 6.125%, 4/01/23 (n)      20,000        20,725   
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., 6.875%, 11/15/19      45,000        47,588   
    

 

 

 
             $ 702,509   
Specialty Chemicals - 0.3%                 
Chemtura Corp., 5.75%, 7/15/21    $ 145,000      $ 149,894   
Specialty Stores - 1.2%                 
Argos Merger Sub, Inc., 7.125%, 3/15/23 (n)    $ 95,000      $ 99,750   
Group 1 Automotive, Inc., 5%, 6/01/22 (n)      125,000        125,625   
Michaels Stores, Inc., 5.875%, 12/15/20 (n)      100,000        103,750   
Office Depot de Mexico S.A. de C.V., 6.875%, 9/20/20 (n)      200,000        215,000   
    

 

 

 
             $ 544,125   
Telecommunications - Wireless - 3.8%                 
Digicel Group Ltd., 7.125%, 4/01/22 (n)    $ 200,000      $ 189,375   
Eileme 2 AB, 11.625%, 1/31/20 (n)      200,000        223,900   
Numericable Group S.A., 6%, 5/15/22 (n)      200,000        204,875   
Sprint Capital Corp., 6.875%, 11/15/28      105,000        95,025   
Sprint Corp., 7.875%, 9/15/23      145,000        145,544   

 

14


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                 
Telecommunications - Wireless - continued                 
Sprint Corp., 7.125%, 6/15/24    $ 75,000      $ 72,094   
Sprint Nextel Corp., 9%, 11/15/18 (n)      50,000        56,891   
Sprint Nextel Corp., 6%, 11/15/22      110,000        103,950   
T-Mobile USA, Inc., 6.125%, 1/15/22      10,000        10,313   
T-Mobile USA, Inc., 6.5%, 1/15/24      40,000        41,750   
T-Mobile USA, Inc., 6.464%, 4/28/19      25,000        25,813   
T-Mobile USA, Inc., 6.25%, 4/01/21      140,000        146,300   
T-Mobile USA, Inc., 6.633%, 4/28/21      50,000        52,750   
Wind Acquisition Finance S.A., 4.75%, 7/15/20 (n)      200,000        200,000   
Wind Acquisition Finance S.A., 7.375%, 4/23/21 (n)      200,000        204,750   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,773,330   
Telephone Services - 0.4%                 
Frontier Communications Corp., 6.25%, 9/15/21    $ 30,000      $ 29,775   
Level 3 Financing, Inc., 8.625%, 7/15/20      45,000        48,825   
Level 3 Financing, Inc., 5.125%, 5/01/23 (n)      55,000        54,863   
Level 3 Financing, Inc., 5.375%, 5/01/25 (n)      45,000        44,944   
    

 

 

 
             $ 178,407   
Transportation - Services - 1.1%                 
Jack Cooper Holdings Corp., 9.25%, 6/01/20 (n)    $ 110,000      $ 94,875   
Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp., 8.125%, 11/15/21 (n)      117,000        119,633   
Navios Maritime Holding, Inc., 7.375%, 1/15/22 (n)      85,000        78,200   
Stena AB, 7%, 2/01/24 (n)      200,000        192,000   
Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) Ltd., 8.875%, 6/15/21      28,000        25,760   
    

 

 

 
             $ 510,468   
Utilities - Electric Power - 1.5%                 
Calpine Corp., 5.5%, 2/01/24    $ 150,000      $ 150,000   
Covanta Holding Corp., 7.25%, 12/01/20      95,000        100,700   
Covanta Holding Corp., 6.375%, 10/01/22      35,000        37,188   
Covanta Holding Corp., 5.875%, 3/01/24      40,000        41,400   
NRG Energy, Inc., 8.25%, 9/01/20      195,000        205,725   
NRG Energy, Inc., 6.25%, 7/15/22      45,000        46,688   
NRG Energy, Inc., 6.625%, 3/15/23      100,000        105,250   
    

 

 

 
             $ 686,951   
Total Bonds (Identified Cost, $28,959,395)            $ 29,017,578   
Common Stocks - 34.0%                 
Aerospace - 1.0%                 
United Technologies Corp.      3,989      $ 453,749   
Alcoholic Beverages - 0.8%                 
Diageo PLC, ADR      3,253      $ 361,148   

 

15


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Common Stocks - continued                 
Automotive - 0.0%                 
Accuride Corp. (a)      2,414      $ 9,849   
Broadcasting - 1.0%                 
Time Warner, Inc.      5,520      $ 465,943   
Brokerage & Asset Managers - 2.6%                 
BlackRock, Inc.      1,430      $ 520,434   
NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.      14,351        697,889   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,218,323   
Business Services - 1.1%                 
Accenture PLC, “A”      5,833      $ 540,427   
Chemicals - 2.1%                 
3M Co.      3,163      $ 494,662   
PPG Industries, Inc.      2,331        516,456   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,011,118   
Computer Software - Systems - 1.0%                 
International Business Machines Corp.      2,630      $ 450,493   
Electrical Equipment - 2.3%                 
Danaher Corp.      6,773      $ 554,573   
Tyco International PLC      13,515        532,221   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,086,794   
Electronics - 1.2%                 
Texas Instruments, Inc.      10,139      $ 549,635   
Energy - Independent - 1.0%                 
Occidental Petroleum Corp.      6,157      $ 493,176   
Food & Beverages - 2.1%                 
General Mills, Inc.      7,679      $ 424,956   
Nestle S.A., ADR      7,311        567,480   
    

 

 

 
             $ 992,436   
Food & Drug Stores - 1.5%                 
CVS Health Corp.      6,925      $ 687,583   
General Merchandise - 0.9%                 
Target Corp.      5,331      $ 420,243   

 

16


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Common Stocks - continued                 
Insurance - 3.4%                 
Aon PLC      5,565      $ 535,520   
MetLife, Inc.      7,718        395,856   
Travelers Cos., Inc.      6,654        672,786   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,604,162   
Major Banks - 1.6%                 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.      11,656      $ 737,359   
Medical Equipment - 1.8%                 
St. Jude Medical, Inc.      5,381      $ 376,939   
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.      3,690        463,759   
    

 

 

 
             $ 840,698   
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 1.3%                 
U.S. Bancorp      13,806      $ 591,863   
Pharmaceuticals - 3.0%                 
Johnson & Johnson      5,907      $ 585,974   
Merck & Co., Inc.      9,455        563,140   
Pfizer, Inc.      6,996        237,374   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,386,488   
Special Products & Services - 0.3%                 
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF      1,700      $ 154,683   
Telephone Services - 1.4%                 
Verizon Communications, Inc.      12,909      $ 651,130   
Tobacco - 1.0%                 
Philip Morris International, Inc.      5,482      $ 457,583   
Utilities - Electric Power - 1.6%                 
Duke Energy Corp.      9,607      $ 745,215   
Total Common Stocks (Identified Cost, $12,042,418)            $ 15,910,098   
Floating Rate Loans (g)(r) - 1.6%                 
Aerospace - 0.1%                 
TransDigm, Inc., Term Loan C, 3.75%, 2/28/20    $ 76,164      $ 76,312   
Business Services - 0.1%                 
Fleetcor Technologies Inc., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 11/17/21    $ 26,176      $ 26,252   
Consumer Services - 0.1%                 
Realogy Corp., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 3/05/20    $ 33,771      $ 33,855   

 

17


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Floating Rate Loans (g)(r) - continued                 
Containers - 0.1%                 
Berry Plastics Group, Inc., Term Loan E, 3.75%, 1/06/21    $ 45,005      $ 45,124   
Electronics - 0.2%                 
Avago Technologies Cayman Ltd., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 5/06/21    $ 82,097      $ 82,442   
Energy - Independent - 0.1%                 
MEG Energy Corp., Term Loan, 3.75%, 3/31/20    $ 45,371      $ 44,798   
Entertainment - 0.1%                 
Cedar Fair LP, Term Loan B, 3.25%, 3/06/20    $ 43,246      $ 43,409   
Medical & Health Technology & Services - 0.2%                 
Community Health Systems, Inc., Term Loan D, 4.25%, 1/27/21    $ 15,558      $ 15,648   
DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.5%, 6/24/21      77,168        77,361   
    

 

 

 
             $ 93,009   
Supermarkets - 0.1%                 
Albertson’s Holdings LLC, Term Loan B4, 5.5%, 8/25/21    $ 53,754      $ 54,291   
Telephone Services - 0.2%                 
Level 3 Financing, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.5%, 1/31/22    $ 78,444      $ 78,721   
Transportation - Services - 0.3%                 
Commercial Barge Line Co., Term Loan, 7.5%, 9/15/19 (o)    $ 169,308      $ 169,097   
Total Floating Rate Loans (Identified Cost, $744,231)            $ 747,310   
Money Market Funds - 0.9%                 
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio, 0.09%,
at Cost and Net Asset Value (v)
     415,859      $ 415,859   
Total Investments (Identified Cost, $42,161,903)            $ 46,090,845   
Other Assets, Less Liabilities - 1.4%              645,560   
Net Assets - 100.0%            $ 46,736,405   

 

(a) Non-income producing security.
(d) In default.
(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 $12,462,471, representing 26.7% of net assets.

 

18


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

(p) Payment-in-kind security for which interest income may be received in additional securities and/or cash. During the period, the following amount of interest income was received in additional securities and/or cash:

 

Payment-in-kind Securities    Cash      Additional
Securities
 
Jo-Ann Stores Holdings, Inc., 9.75%, 10/15/19      $3,880         $—   
Schaeffler Holding Finance B.V., 6.25%, 11/15/19                
Total      $3,880         $—   

 

(o) All or a portion of this position has not settled. Upon settlement date, interest rates for unsettled amounts will be determined. The rate shown represents the weighted average coupon rate for settled amounts.
(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 for the MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end.
(z) Restricted securities are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and are subject to legal restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are subsequently registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. The fund holds the following restricted securities:

 

Restricted Securities    Acquisition
Date
  
Cost
     Value  
Abengoa Finance S.A.U., 7.75%, 2/01/20    4/08/15      $145,539         $149,400   
American Media, Inc., 13.5%, 6/15/18    12/22/10      23,967         25,086   
DJO Finco, Inc., 8.125%, 6/15/21    4/23/15-4/24/15      55,563         55,825   
Falcon Franchise Loan LLC, FRN, 23.05%, 1/05/25    1/29/03      1,339         4,268   
Interval Acquisition Corp., 5.625%, 4/15/23    4/02/15-4/10/15      125,448         126,563   
Morgan Stanley Capital I, Inc., FRN, 1.418%, 4/28/39    7/20/04      1,941         760   
Total Restricted Securities            $361,902   
% of Net assets            0.8%   

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

 

ADR   American Depositary Receipt
ETF   Exchange-Traded Fund
FRN   Floating Rate Note. Interest rate resets periodically and the current rate 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

 

19


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Derivative Contracts at 4/30/15

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts at 4/30/15

 

Type   Currency  

Counter-

party

  Contracts
to
Deliver/
Receive
    Settlement
Date Range
    In
Exchange
For
    Contracts
at Value
    Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Liability Derivatives                                   
SELL   EUR   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     58,755        7/10/15        $63,677        $66,030        $(2,353
             

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

At 4/30/15 (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, $41,746,044)

     $45,674,986   

Underlying affiliated funds, at cost and value

     415,859   

Total investments, at value (identified cost, $42,161,903)

     $46,090,845   

Cash

     13,510   

Receivables for

  

Investments sold

     841,292   

Interest and dividends

     520,220   

Other assets

     16,307   

Total assets

     $47,482,174   
Liabilities         

Payables for

  

Distributions

     $31,166   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     2,353   

Investments purchased

     647,491   

Payable to affiliates

  

Investment adviser

     2,286   

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     340   

Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation

     18,574   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     43,559   

Total liabilities

     $745,769   

Net assets

     $46,736,405   
Net assets consist of         

Paid-in capital

     $57,560,346   

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

     3,926,490   

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

     (13,228,138

Accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income

     (1,522,293

Net assets

     $46,736,405   

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding

     7,084,467   

Net asset value per share (net assets of $46,736,405 / 7,084,467 shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

     $6.60   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Six months ended 4/30/15 (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

     $1,009,947   

Dividends

     202,246   

Dividends from underlying affiliated funds

     368   

Foreign taxes withheld

     (2,277

Total investment income

     $1,210,284   

Expenses

  

Management fee

     $201,037   

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     8,369   

Administrative services fee

     8,679   

Independent Trustees’ compensation

     5,055   

Stock exchange fee

     11,775   

Custodian fee

     7,532   

Shareholder communications

     27,855   

Audit and tax fees

     35,136   

Legal fees

     6,470   

Miscellaneous

     11,285   

Total expenses

     $323,193   

Fees paid indirectly

     (18

Net expenses

     $323,175   

Net investment income

     $887,109   
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency   

Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis)

  

Investments

     $47,699   

Foreign currency

     10,130   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

     $57,829   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

  

Investments

     $94,010   

Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies

     (2,613

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

     $91,397   

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

     $149,226   

Change in net assets from operations

     $1,036,335   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

22


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
4/30/15
     Year ended
10/31/14
 
Change in net assets    (unaudited)         
From operations                  

Net investment income

     $887,109         $1,989,914   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

     57,829         1,310,027   

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

     91,397         (259,419

Change in net assets from operations

     $1,036,335         $3,040,522   
Distributions declared to shareholders                  

From net investment income

     $(887,109      $(2,953,636

From tax return of capital

             (1,971,890

From other sources

     (1,470,954        

Total distributions declared to shareholders

     $(2,358,063      $(4,925,526

Change in net assets from fund share transactions

     $154,096         $387,197   

Total change in net assets

     $(1,167,632      $(1,497,807
Net assets                  

At beginning of period

     47,904,037         49,401,844   

At end of period (including accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income of $1,522,293 and $51,339, respectively)

     $46,736,405         $47,904,037   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

23


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
4/30/15

(unaudited)

    Years ended 10/31  
      2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  
                                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $6.78        $7.05        $6.84        $6.73        $7.23        $6.71   
Income (loss) from investment operations   

Net investment income (d)

    $0.13        $0.28        $0.33        $0.39        $0.40        $0.44   

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

    0.02        0.15        0.58        0.39        (0.18     0.77   

Total from investment operations

    $0.15        $0.43        $0.91        $0.78        $0.22        $1.21   
Less distributions declared to shareholders   

From net investment income

    $(0.13     $(0.42     $(0.39     $(0.41     $(0.42     $(0.51

From tax return of capital

           (0.28     (0.31     (0.26     (0.30     (0.18

From other sources

    (0.20                                   

Total distributions declared to shareholders

    $(0.33     $(0.70     $(0.70     $(0.67     $(0.72     $(0.69

Net asset value, end of period (x)

    $6.60        $6.78        $7.05        $6.84        $6.73        $7.23   

Market value, end of period

    $6.52        $7.59        $7.29        $7.46        $6.86        $7.95   

Total return at market value (%)

    (9.78 )(n)      14.73        7.94        19.99        (4.67     40.46   

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

    2.23 (n)      5.97        13.85        12.15        2.81        18.63   
Ratios (%) (to average net assets)
and Supplemental data:
   

Expenses before expense reductions (f)

    1.38 (a)      1.35        1.39        1.49        1.42        1.53   

Expenses after expense reductions (f)

    N/A        1.35        1.39        1.45        1.39        1.47   

Net investment income

    3.80 (a)      4.05        4.73        5.73        5.65        6.36   

Portfolio turnover

    19 (n)      39        40        49        53        55   

Net assets at end of period (000 omitted)

    $46,736        $47,904        $49,402        $47,596        $46,438        $49,461   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

24


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.
(x) The net asset values per share and total returns at net asset value per share have been calculated on net assets which include adjustments made in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles required at period end for financial reporting purposes.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

25


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 diversified closed-end management investment company.

The fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies.

(2) Significant Accounting Policies

General – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the preparation of these financial statements, management has evaluated subsequent events occurring after the date of the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities through the date that the financial statements were issued. The fund invests 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. 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.

In June 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860) – Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures (“ASU 2014-11”). ASU 2014-11 changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions (i.e., repurchase agreements that settle at the same time as the maturity of the transferred financial asset) and enhances the required disclosures for repurchase agreements and other similar transactions. Although still evaluating the potential impacts of ASU 2014-11 to the fund, management expects that the impact of the fund’s adoption will be limited to additional financial statement disclosures which would first be effective for interim reporting periods beginning after March 15, 2015.

Balance Sheet Offsetting – The fund’s accounting policy with respect to balance sheet offsetting is that, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement does not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the fund and the applicable counterparty. The fund’s right to setoff may be restricted or prohibited by the bankruptcy or insolvency laws of the particular jurisdiction to which a specific master netting agreement counterparty is subject. Balance sheet

 

26


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

offsetting disclosures, to the extent applicable to the fund, have been included in the fund’s Significant Accounting Policies note under the captions for each of the fund’s in-scope financial instruments and transactions.

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. Debt instruments and floating rate loans, 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 may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. 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 affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the investment is principally traded (such as foreign exchange or market) and prior to the determination of the fund’s net asset value, or after the halting of trading of a specific security where trading does not resume prior to the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded. 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, cost and investment characteristics of the security; the business and financial

 

27


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

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 forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The following is a summary of the levels used as of April 30, 2015 in valuing the fund’s assets or liabilities:

 

Investments at Value    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Equity Securities      $15,910,098         $—         $—         $15,910,098   
Non-U.S. Sovereign Debt              338,765                 338,765   
U.S. Corporate Bonds              22,105,577                 22,105,577   
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities              34,134                 34,134   
Foreign Bonds              6,539,102                 6,539,102   
Floating Rate Loans              747,310                 747,310   
Mutual Funds      415,859                         415,859   
Total Investments      $16,325,957         $29,764,888         $—         $46,090,845   
Other Financial Instruments                            
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts      $—         $(2,353      $—         $(2,353

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

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

 

28


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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

are recorded for financial statement purposes as foreign currency transaction gains and losses. That portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.

Derivatives – The fund uses derivatives for different purposes, primarily to increase or decrease exposure to a particular market or segment of the market, or security, to increase or decrease interest rate or currency exposure, or as alternatives to direct investments. Derivatives are used for hedging or non-hedging purposes. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains. When the fund uses derivatives as an investment to increase market exposure, or for hedging purposes, gains and losses from derivative instruments may be substantially greater than the derivative’s original cost.

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

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the fair value, on a gross basis, of the asset and liability components of derivatives held by the fund at April 30, 2015 as reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

        Fair Value  
Risk   Derivative Contracts   Liability Derivatives  
Foreign Exchange   Forward Foreign Currency Exchange     $(2,353

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, 2015 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Foreign Currency  
Foreign Exchange      $10,573   

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, 2015 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk   

Translation

of Assets
and

Liabilities in

Foreign
Currencies

 
Foreign Exchange      $(2,783

Derivative counterparty credit risk is managed through formal evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counterparties. On certain, but not all, uncleared derivatives, the fund attempts to reduce its exposure to counterparty credit risk whenever possible by entering into an ISDA Master Agreement on a bilateral basis. 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

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

credit quality of the other party. Upon an event of default or a termination of the ISDA Master Agreement, the non-defaulting party has the right to close out all transactions traded under such agreement and to net amounts owed under each transaction to one net amount payable by one party to the other. This right to close out and net payments across all transactions traded under the ISDA Master Agreement could result in a reduction of the fund’s credit risk to such counterparty equal to any amounts payable by the fund under the applicable transactions, if any.

Collateral and margin requirements differ by type of derivative. Margin requirements are set by the clearing broker and the clearing house for cleared derivatives (i.e., futures contracts, cleared swaps, and exchange-traded options) while collateral terms are contract specific for uncleared derivatives (i.e., forward foreign currency exchange contracts, uncleared swap agreements, and uncleared options). For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, which contains a collateral support annex, the collateral requirements are netted across all transactions traded under such agreement and one amount is posted from one party to the other to collateralize such obligations. Cash that has been segregated to cover the fund’s collateral or margin obligations under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as “Restricted cash” or “Deposits with brokers.” Securities pledged as collateral or margin for the same purpose, if any, are noted in the Portfolio of Investments.

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.

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

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

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 contractually obligate the fund to supply additional cash to the borrower on demand. The fund generally provides this financial support in order to preserve its existing investment or to obtain a more senior secured interest in the assets of the borrower. 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.

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 U.S. dollars deposited with the custodian by the fund. This amount, for the six months ended April 30, 2015, is shown as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations.

Tax Matters and Distributions – The fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company, as defined under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including realized capital gains. As a result, no provision for federal income tax is required. The fund’s federal tax returns, when

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

filed, will remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a three year period. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken on federal and state tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability. Foreign taxes, if any, have been accrued by the fund in the accompanying financial statements in accordance with the applicable foreign tax law. Foreign income taxes may be withheld by certain countries in which the fund invests. Additionally, capital gains realized by the fund on securities issued in or by certain foreign countries may be subject to capital gains tax imposed by those countries.

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The fund seeks to pay monthly distributions based on an annual rate of 10.00% 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.

For the six months ended April 30, 2015, the amount of distributions estimated to be a tax return of capital was approximately $1,470,954. The final 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:

 

     10/31/14  
Ordinary income (including any
short-term capital gains) (a)
     $2,953,636   
Tax return of capital (b)      1,971,890   
Total distributions      $4,925,526   

 

(a) Included in the fund’s distributions from ordinary income for the year ended October 31, 2014 is $919,037 in excess of investment company taxable income which, in accordance with applicable U.S. tax law, is taxable to shareholders as ordinary income distributions.
(b) Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a tax return of capital.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

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

 

As of 4/30/15       
Cost of investments      $42,704,643   
Gross appreciation      4,828,009   
Gross depreciation      (1,441,807
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      $3,386,202   
As of 10/31/14       
Capital loss carryforwards      (13,203,836
Other temporary differences      (51,178
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      3,752,801   

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

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

As of October 31, 2014, the fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized gains. Such pre-enactment losses expire as follows:

 

10/31/16      $(8,402,598
10/31/17      (4,711,246
10/31/18      (89,992
Total      $(13,203,836

(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. MFS has agreed to reduce its management fee to the lesser of the contractual management fee as set forth above or 0.90% of the fund’s average daily net assets. This written agreement will continue until modified by the fund’s Board of Trustees, but such agreement will continue at least until October 31, 2015. For the six months ended April 30, 2015, the fund’s average daily net assets and gross income did not meet the thresholds required to waive the management fee under this agreement. The management fee, from net assets and gross income, incurred for the six months ended April 30, 2015 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.86% 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.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

(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, 2015, these fees paid to MFSC amounted to $1,272.

Administrator – MFS provides certain financial, legal, shareholder communications, compliance, and other administrative services to the fund. Under an administrative services agreement, the fund 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, 2015 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0372% of the fund’s average daily net assets.

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

Prior to December 31, 2001, the fund had an unfunded defined benefit plan (“DB plan”) for independent Trustees. As of December 31, 2001, the Board took action to terminate the DB plan with respect to then-current and any future independent Trustees, such that the DB plan covers only certain of those former independent Trustees who retired on or before December 31, 2001. The DB plan resulted in a pension expense of $542 and is included in “Independent Trustees’ compensation” in the Statement of Operations for the six months ended April 30, 2015. The liability for deferred retirement benefits payable to certain independent Trustees under the DB plan amounted to $17,317 at April 30, 2015, and is included in “Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Other – This fund and certain other funds managed by MFS (the funds) have entered into a service agreement (the ISO Agreement) which provides for payment of fees solely by the funds to Tarantino LLC in return for the provision of services of an Independent Senior Officer (ISO) for the funds. Frank L. Tarantino serves as the ISO and is an officer of the funds and the sole member of Tarantino LLC. The funds can terminate the ISO Agreement with Tarantino LLC at any time under the terms of the ISO Agreement. For the six months ended April 30, 2015, the fee paid by the fund under this agreement was $89 and is included in “Miscellaneous” expense in the Statement of Operations. MFS has agreed to bear all expenses associated with office space, other administrative support, and supplies provided to the ISO.

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

(4) Portfolio Securities

For the six months ended April 30, 2015, purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $8,940,504 and $10,130,078, respectively.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

(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, 2015 and the year ended October 31, 2014, the fund did not repurchase any shares. Other transactions in fund shares were as follows:

 

     Six months ended
4/30/15
     Year ended
10/31/14
 
     Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  
Shares issued to shareholders in
reinvestment of distributions
     22,585         $154,096         53,873         $387,197   

(6) Line of Credit

The fund and certain other funds managed by MFS participate in a $1.25 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, 2015, the fund’s commitment fee and interest expense were $86 and $0, respectively, and are included in “Miscellaneous” expense in the Statement of Operations.

(7) Transactions in Underlying Affiliated Funds-Affiliated Issuers

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

 

Underlying Affiliated Fund    Beginning
Shares/Par
Amount
     Acquisitions
Shares/Par
Amount
     Dispositions
Shares/Par
Amount
    Ending
Shares/Par
Amount
 
MFS Institutional Money
Market Portfolio
     1,172,304         5,125,178         (5,881,623     415,859   
Underlying Affiliated Fund    Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Capital Gain
Distributions
     Dividend
Income
    Ending
Value
 
MFS Institutional Money
Market Portfolio
     $—         $—         $368        $415,859   

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of 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, 2015, and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets and financial highlights for the six-month period ended April 30, 2015. 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, 2014 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended October 31, 2014, and in our report dated December 18, 2014, we expressed an unqualified opinion on such statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights.

 

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

June 16, 2015

 

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PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND INFORMATION

MFS votes proxies on behalf of the fund pursuant to proxy voting policies and procedures that are 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, 2014 is available without charge by visiting the Proxy Voting section of mfs.com or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO DISCLOSURE

The fund will file a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. A shareholder can obtain the quarterly portfolio holdings report at mfs.com. The fund’s Form N-Q is also available on the EDGAR database on the Commission’s Internet Web site at http://www.sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the:

Public Reference Room

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE, Room 1580

Washington, D.C. 20549

Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. Copies of the fund’s Form N-Q also may be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the Public Reference Section at the above address.

FURTHER INFORMATION

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

Additional information about the fund (e.g. performance, dividends and the fund’s price history) is also available by clicking on the fund’s name under “Closed-End Funds” in the “Products” section of mfs.com.

 

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Table of Contents

LOGO

 

CONTACT US

TRANSFER AGENT, REGISTRAR, AND

DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT

CALL

1-800-637-2304

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

WRITE

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 43078

Providence, RI 02940-3078

 

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: MFV


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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.

There were no changes during the period.


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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
 

11/01/14-11/30/14

     0         N/A         0         702,165   

12/01/14-12/31/14

     0         N/A         0         702,165   

1/01/15-1/31/15

     0         N/A         0         702,165   

2/01/15-2/28/15

     0         N/A         0         702,165   

3/01/15-3/31/15

     0         N/A         0         707,521   

4/01/15-4/30/15

     0         N/A         0         707,521   

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, 2015 plan year is 707,521.

 

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

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

 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

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


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(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)*    ROBIN A. STELMACH
  Robin A. Stelmach, President

Date: June 16, 2015

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)*    ROBIN A. STELMACH
  Robin A. Stelmach, President (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: June 16, 2015

 

By (Signature and Title)*    DAVID L. DILORENZO
  David L. DiLorenzo, Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer)

Date: June 16, 2015

 

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