MFS SPECIAL VALUE TRUST N-CSR
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF

REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-5912

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)

Kristin V. Collins

Massachusetts Financial Services Company

111 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02199

(Name and address of agents for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end: October 31

Date of reporting period: October 31, 2015


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ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


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ANNUAL REPORT

October 31, 2015

 

LOGO

 

MFS® SPECIAL VALUE TRUST

 

LOGO

 

MFV-ANN

 


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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   
Management review     4   
Performance summary     7   
Investment objective, principal investment strategies and risks of the fund     9   
Portfolio managers’ profiles     15   
Dividend reinvestment and cash purchase plan     16   
Portfolio of investments     17   
Statement of assets and liabilities     32   
Statement of operations     33   
Statements of changes in net assets     34   
Financial highlights     35   
Notes to financial statements     36   
Report of independent registered public accounting firm     47   
Results of shareholder meeting     48   
Trustees and officers     49   
Board review of investment advisory agreement     55   
Proxy voting policies and information     59   
Quarterly portfolio disclosure     59   
Further information     59   
Federal tax information     59   
MFS® privacy notice     60   
Contact information    back cover   

 

NOT FDIC INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE NO BANK GUARANTEE



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LOGO

 

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

 

Dear Shareholders:

The global economy remains vulnerable as central banks continue to play a major role in supporting growth.

Even the resilient U.S. economy has had slower growth, as a strong U.S. dollar and weak overseas markets have hurt exporters. However, robust consumer demand and a recovering housing market have aided the domestic economy, fueled by cheap gasoline and an improving labor market.

China’s transition to a consumer-based, slower-growth economy has weighed on many commodity-exporting nations. And concerns about weakness in China have eroded investor and business confidence around the world. Meanwhile, rising geopolitical concerns will weigh on the eurozone, which is still reliant on the European Central Bank’s support.

As markets have become more focused on short-term trends in recent years, we believe it’s important for investors to lengthen their investment time horizon. At MFS®, we don’t trade on headlines or trends; we invest for the long term.

We believe that this approach, coupled with the professional guidance of a financial advisor, will help you reach your investment goals.

Respectfully,

 

LOGO

Robert J. Manning

Chairman

MFS Investment Management

December 15, 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.

 

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PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Portfolio structure (i)

 

LOGO

 

Top ten holdings (i)  
NASDAQ, Inc.     1.7%   
Travelers Cos., Inc.     1.7%   
JPMorgan Chase & Co.     1.6%   
PPG Industries, Inc.     1.6%   
Duke Energy Corp.     1.5%   
Texas Instruments, Inc.     1.5%   
Danaher Corp.     1.4%   
Accenture PLC, “A”     1.4%   
Verizon Communications, Inc.     1.3%   
Johnson & Johnson     1.3%   
Equity sectors  
Financial Services     9.4%   
Health Care     4.3%   
Consumer Staples     3.9%   
Industrial Goods & Services     3.3%   
Utilities & Communications     2.9%   
Basic Materials     2.7%   
Technology     2.3%   
Energy     1.9%   
Special Products & Services     1.7%   
Retailing     1.6%   
Leisure     1.1%   
Autos & Housing (o)     0.0%   
Fixed income sectors (i)  
High Yield Corporates     58.9%   
Emerging Markets Bonds     2.8%   
Investment Grade Corporates     1.4%   
Floating Rate Loans     1.3%   
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities     0.1%   
Composition including fixed income credit quality (a)(i)    
BBB     1.6%   
BB     20.6%   
B     32.6%   
CCC     9.2%   
C (o)     0.0%   
D     0.2%   
Not Rated     0.3%   
Non-Fixed Income     35.1%   
Cash & Cash Equivalents     0.4%   
Other (o)     0.0%   
 

 

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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 & Cash Equivalents includes any cash, investments in money market funds, short-term securities, and other assets less liabilities. Please see the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for additional information related to the fund’s cash position and other assets and liabilities.

Other includes currency derivatives and/or any offsets to derivative positions.

Percentages are based on net assets as of 10/31/15.

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

 

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MANAGEMENT REVIEW

Summary of Results

For the twelve months ended October 31, 2015, the MFS Special Value Trust (“fund”) provided a total return of –0.28%, at net asset value and a total return of –19.11%, at market value. This compares with a return of –1.91% for the fund’s benchmark, the Barclays U.S. High-Yield Corporate Bond 2% Issuer Capped Index (“Barclays Index”). The fund’s other benchmark, the MFS Special Value Trust Blended Index (“Blended Index”), generated a return of –0.86%. The Blended Index reflects the blended returns of various equity and fixed income market indices, with percentage allocations to each index designed to resemble the allocations of the fund. The market indices and related percentage allocations used to compile the Blended Index are set forth in the Performance Summary.

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

Market Environment

Sluggish global growth weighed on both developed and emerging market (“EM”) economies during the reporting period. EM economies have been particularly lackluster. While the US Federal Reserve appears ready to tighten monetary conditions, other large developed economies continued to embrace accommodative monetary policies, particularly the European Central Bank, which instituted a large quantitative easing program in January of 2015. Poor policy management by the Chinese government roiled global markets over the summer, beginning with the poorly executed response to the stock market’s boom and bust and then the confusing decision to devalue the renminbi in August. China subsequently stabilized the currency and ramped up a wide range of monetary and fiscal measures to stimulate the economy and bolster sentiment.

During the second half of the reporting period, the US faced an earnings recession caused primarily by the sharp decline in the prices of oil and other commodities. Earnings contractions were concentrated primarily in the energy, materials and industrial sectors. An additional headwind for earnings was the sharp rise in the US dollar over the period. Exports were crimped by the dollar’s strength and falling demand in emerging markets. Consumer spending held up well during the period amid a modest increase in real wages and a tailwind from falling gasoline prices. Demand for autos reached near-record territory late in the period. In emerging markets, two key factors weighed on economies and asset prices: weaker Chinese growth, and the resulting decline in commodity prices, in addition to prospects for higher US interest rates. Structural factors like floating exchange rates and fiscal buffers partially offset these cyclical headwinds.

Contributors to Performance

Within the equity portion of the fund, an underweight allocation to the energy sector boosted performance relative to the equity portion of the Blended Index as the sector lagged the broader equity market during the period. The fund’s avoidance of oil and

 

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Management Review – continued

 

gas company Exxon Mobil and integrated energy company Chevron aided relative results. Shares of Exxon Mobil depreciated as earnings fell short of consensus expectations, primarily driven by weak results in chemicals.

Stock selection in the financial services sector also boosted relative performance. Here, overweight positions in the securities trading, clearing and exchange firm NASDAQ and insurance company Travelers Companies aided relative performance. The share price of NASDAQ grew sharply after the company reported strong performance in the third quarter with record revenue and net income, paired with an improved US equities volume environment and strong cost controls.

Strong security selection in the retailing sector aided relative returns. Within this sector, overweight positions in retail giant Target and drugstore retailer CVS Health bolstered relative performance. The share price of Target grew early in the period following results that were above market expectations, driven primarily by strong sales.

Stocks in other sectors that benefited relative results included holdings of management consulting firm Accenture (b), semiconductor company Texas Instruments (b) and global food company General Mills (b). Shares of Accenture appreciated steadily during the reporting period due to consistently strong results which demonstrated revenue growth and margin improvement. An overweight position in diversified medical and industrial products and services provider Danaher also helped.

Within the fixed income portion of the fund, strong bond selection and a lesser exposure to “BB” and “CCC” rated securities supported performance relative to the fixed income portion of the Blended Index.

Detractors from Performance

Within the equity portion of the fund, stock selection in the health care sector hurt performance relative to the equity portion of the Blended Index. Here, the fund’s avoidance of strong-performing health insurance and Medicare/Medicaid provider UnitedHealth Group, pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and global health service organization Cigna hurt relative results. The share price of UnitedHealth Group appreciated sharply at the beginning of the calendar year as the company reported better-than-expected earnings due to strong growth in its Medicare, Medicaid and Optum businesses along with well-contained medical costs.

Security selection in the leisure sector also detracted from relative returns. However, there were no stocks within this sector that were among the fund’s top relative detractors over the reporting period.

An underweight allocation to the autos & housing sector and weak stock selection in the industrial goods & services sector also weakened relative performance. There were no stocks within the autos & housing sector that were among the fund’s top relative detractors over the reporting period. Within industrial goods & services, an overweight position in security systems company Tyco International, and not owning strong-performing diversified industrial conglomerate General Electric, dampened relative returns. Shares of Tyco International declined after the company released poor earnings results in the second half of the period. Unfavorable full-year guidance, reflecting a deterioration in the company’s oil and gas business and a lack of acceleration in its North American installation and services business, as well as foreign exchange headwinds, contributed to the share price fall.

 

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Management Review – continued

 

Elsewhere, overweight positions in oil and gas exploration and production company Occidental Petroleum and diversified technology products and services company International Business Machines (IBM) weighed on relative performance. Additionally, not owning shares of software giant Microsoft, network equipment company Cisco Systems and snack food and beverage producer Mondelez International also hurt relative results. Shares of Occidental Petroleum depreciated following a decline in oil prices and political instability in the Middle East. The share price of IBM came under pressure late in the reporting period after the company reported weaker-than-expected revenues driven by disappointing performance in the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and weak software growth, resulting in lower margins and earnings.

Within the fixed income segment, the portion of the fund’s return derived from yield, which was less than that of the fixed income portion of the Blended Benchmark, was a detractor from relative performance. Additionally, a greater exposure to “B” rated (r) securities and a lesser exposure to the telecom sector also held back relative results.

Respectfully,

 

William Adams   Ward Brown    Nevin Chitkara    David Cole
Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager    Portfolio Manager    Portfolio Manager
Matthew Ryan        
Portfolio Manager        

 

(b) Security is not a benchmark constituent.
(r) Bonds rated “BBB”, “Baa”, or higher are considered investment grade; bonds rated “BB”, “Ba”, or below are considered non-investment grade. The source for bond quality ratings is Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch, Inc. and are applied using the following hierarchy: If all three agencies provide a rating, the middle rating (after dropping the highest and lowest ratings) is assigned; if two of the three agencies rate a security, the lower of the two is assigned. Ratings are shown in the S&P and Fitch scale (e.g., AAA). For securities which are not rated by any of the three agencies, the security is considered Not Rated.

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

 

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PERFORMANCE SUMMARY THROUGH 10/31/15

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

Price Summary for MFS Special Value Trust

                   Date        Price       

 

Year Ended 10/31/15

     Net Asset Value        10/31/15           $6.09     
              10/31/14           $6.78     
     New York Stock Exchange Price        10/31/15           $5.53     
              11/26/14  (high) (t)         $7.65     
              9/28/15  (low) (t)         $5.13     
                10/31/14           $7.59       

Total Returns vs Benchmarks

 

         

 

Year Ended 10/31/15

     MFS Special Value Trust at     
    

New York Stock Exchange Price (r)

     (19.11)%     
    

Net Asset Value (r)

     (0.28)%     
     Barclays U.S. High-Yield Corporate Bond 2% Issuer Capped Index (f)      (1.91)%     
     MFS Special Value Trust Blended Index (f)(w)      (0.86)%     
     JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (f)      (0.50)%     
       Russell 1000 Value Index (f)        0.53%       

 

(f) Source: FactSet Research Systems Inc.

 

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

 

(t) For the period November 1, 2014 through October 31, 2015.

 

(w) As of October 31, 2015, the MFS Special Value Trust Blended Index was comprised of 57.50% Barclays U.S. High-Yield Corporate Bond 2% Issuer Capped Index, 35% Russell 1000 Value Index, and 7.50% JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global.

 

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Performance Summary – continued

 

Benchmark Definitions

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

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

Russell 1000 Value Index – constructed to provide a comprehensive barometer for the value securities in the large-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. Companies in this index generally have lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Notes to Performance Summary

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

Net asset values and performance results based on net asset value per share do not include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and may differ from amounts reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities or the Financial Highlights.

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

 

In accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the fund hereby gives notice that it may from time to time repurchase 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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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS OF THE FUND

Effective on December 9, 2015, an investment policy of the fund was changed to provide that MFS normally invests a majority of the fund’s assets in debt instruments. Thus change allows the portfolio management team greater flexibility to increase the fund’s exposure to equity securities. The fund formerly had an investment policy that MFS normally will invest the fund’s assets primarily in debt instruments. Below are the fund’s investment objective, principal investment strategies and risks.

Investment Objective

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

Principal Investment Strategies

MFS (Massachusetts Financial Services Company, the fund’s investment adviser) normally invests the majority of fund’s assets in debt instruments, including below investment grade quality debt instruments. In addition, MFS normally invests a portion of the fund’s assets in equity securities.

MFS may invest the fund’s assets in foreign securities.

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

The fund seeks to make a monthly distribution at an annual fixed rate of 10% of the fund’s average monthly net asset value.

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

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

If approved by the fund’s Board of Trustees, the fund may use leverage through the issuance of preferred shares, borrowing from banks, and/or other methods of creating leverage, and investing the proceeds pursuant to its investment strategies.

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

 

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

 

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

Principal Investment Types

The principal investment types in which the fund may invest are:

Debt Instruments: Debt instruments represent obligations of corporations, governments, and other entities to repay money borrowed. The issuer or borrower usually pays a fixed, variable, or floating rate of interest, and must repay the amount borrowed, usually at the maturity of the instrument. Some debt instruments, such as zero coupon bonds or payment-in-kind bonds, do not pay current interest. Other debt instruments, such as certain mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities, make periodic payments of interest and/or principal. Some debt instruments are partially or fully secured by collateral supporting the payment of interest and principal.

Corporate Bonds: Corporate bonds are debt instruments issued by corporations or similar entities.

U.S. Government Securities: U.S. Government securities are securities issued or guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest by the U.S. Treasury, by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government, or by a U.S. Government-sponsored entity. Certain U.S. Government securities are not supported as to the payment of principal and interest by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury or the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Some U.S. Government securities are supported as to the payment of principal and interest only by the credit of the entity issuing or guaranteeing the security. U.S. Government securities include mortgage-backed securities and other types of asset-backed securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government, or by a U.S. Government-sponsored entity.

Foreign Government Securities: Foreign government securities are debt instruments issued, guaranteed, or supported, as to the payment of principal and interest, by foreign governments, foreign government agencies, foreign semi-governmental entities or supranational entities, or debt instruments issued by entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring outstanding foreign government securities. Foreign government securities may not be supported as to the payment of principal and interest by the full faith and credit of the foreign government.

Equity Securities: Equity securities represent an ownership interest, or the right to acquire an ownership interest, in a company or other issuer. Different types of equity securities provide different voting and dividend rights and priorities in the event of bankruptcy of the issuer. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into stocks, equity interests in real estate investment trusts (REITs), and depositary receipts for such securities.

Derivatives: Derivatives are financial contracts whose value is based on the value of one or more underlying indicators or the difference between underlying indicators. Underlying indicators may include a security or other financial instrument, asset, currency, interest rate, credit rating, commodity, volatility measure, or index. Derivatives often involve a counterparty to the transaction. Derivatives include futures, forward contracts, options, structured securities and swaps.

 

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

 

Principal Risks

As with any mutual fund, the fund may not achieve its objective and/or you could lose money on your investment in the fund. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

The principal risks of investing in the fund are:

Debt Market Risk: Debt markets can be volatile and can decline significantly in response to changes in, or investor perceptions of changes in, market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, and other conditions that affect a particular type of instrument, issuer, or borrower, and/or that affect the debt market generally. Certain events, such as market or economic developments, regulatory or government actions, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war, and other geopolitical events can have a dramatic adverse effect on the debt market and may lead to periods of high volatility and reduced liquidity in the debt market.

Interest Rate Risk: The price of a debt instrument changes in response to interest rate changes. Interest rates change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. In general, the price of a debt instrument falls when interest rates rise and rises when interest rates fall. Interest rate risk is generally greater for instruments with longer maturities, or that do not pay current interest. In addition, short-term and long-term interest rates, and interest rates in different countries, do not necessarily move in the same direction or by the same amount. An instrument’s reaction to interest rate changes depends on the timing of its interest and principal payments and the current interest rate for each of those time periods. Instruments with floating interest rates can be less sensitive to interest rate changes.

Credit Risk: The price of a debt instrument depends, in part, on the issuer’s or borrower’s credit quality or ability to pay principal and interest when due. The price of a debt instrument is likely to fall if an issuer or borrower defaults on its obligation to pay principal or interest, if the instrument’s credit rating is downgraded by a credit rating agency, or based on other changes in the financial condition of the issuer or borrower. For certain types of instruments, including derivatives, the price of the instrument depends in part on the credit quality of the counterparty to the transaction. For other types of debt instruments, including asset-backed securities, the price of the debt instrument also depends on the credit quality and adequacy of the underlying assets or collateral as well as whether there is a security interest in the underlying assets or collateral. Enforcing rights, if any, against the underlying assets or collateral may be difficult.

Below investment grade quality debt instruments can involve a substantially greater risk of default or can already be in default, and their values can decline significantly over short periods of time. Below investment grade quality debt instruments are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and principal. Below investment grade quality debt instruments tend to be more sensitive to adverse news about the issuer, or the market or economy in general, than higher quality debt instruments. The market for below investment grade quality debt instruments can be less liquid, especially during periods of recession or general market decline.

 

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

 

Foreign Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers, securities of companies with significant foreign exposure, and foreign currencies can involve additional risks relating to market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, and other conditions. Political, social, and economic instability, U.S. and foreign government action such as the imposition of currency or capital controls, economic and trade sanctions or embargoes, or the expropriation or nationalization of assets in a particular country, can cause dramatic declines in certain or all securities with exposure to that country. Economies and financial markets are becoming more connected, which increases the likelihood that conditions in one country or region can adversely impact issuers in different countries and regions. Less stringent regulatory, accounting, and disclosure requirements for issuers and markets are more common in certain foreign countries. Enforcing legal rights can be difficult, costly, and slow in certain foreign countries, and can be particularly difficult against foreign governments. Changes in currency exchange rates can affect the U.S. dollar value of foreign currency investments and investments denominated in foreign currencies. Additional risks of foreign investments include trading, settlement, custodial, and other operational risks, and withholding and other taxes. These factors can make foreign investments, especially those in emerging markets, more volatile and less liquid than U.S. investments. In addition, foreign markets can react differently to market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, and other conditions than the U.S. market.

Prepayment/Extension Risk: Many types of debt instruments, including mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, certain corporate bonds, and municipal housing bonds, and certain derivatives, are subject to the risk of prepayment and/or extension. Prepayment occurs when unscheduled payments of principal are made or the instrument is called or redeemed prior to an instrument’s maturity. When interest rates decline, the instrument is called, or for other reasons, these debt instruments may be repaid more quickly than expected. As a result, the holder of the debt instrument may not be able to reinvest the proceeds at the same interest rate or on the same terms, reducing the potential for gain. When interest rates increase or for other reasons, these debt instruments may be repaid more slowly than expected, increasing the potential for loss. In addition, prepayment rates are difficult to predict and the potential impact of prepayment on the price of a debt instrument depends on the terms of the instrument.

Stock Market Risk: The price of an equity security fluctuates in response to issuer, market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, and other conditions, as well as to investor perceptions of these conditions. Prices can decrease significantly in response to these conditions, and these conditions can affect a single issuer, issuers within a broad market sector, industry or geographic region, or the market in general. Different parts of the market and different types of securities can react differently to these conditions. For example, the stocks of growth companies can react differently from the stocks of value companies, and the stocks of large cap companies can react differently from the stocks of small cap companies. Certain events, such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war, and other geopolitical events, can have a dramatic adverse effect on stock markets.

Company Risk: Changes in the financial condition of a company or other issuer, changes in specific market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, and

 

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

 

other conditions that affect a particular type of investment or issuer, and changes in general market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical and other conditions can adversely affect the price of an investment. The price of securities of smaller, less well-known issuers can be more volatile than the price of securities of larger issuers or the market in general.

Managed Distribution Plan Risk: The fund may not be able to maintain a monthly distribution at an annual fixed rate of up to 10% of the fund’s average monthly net asset value. If income from the fund’s investments is less than the amount needed to make a monthly distribution, portfolio investments may be sold to fund the distribution. Distributions that are treated as return of capital will have the effect of reducing the fund’s assets and could increase the fund’s expense ratio. If a portion of the fund’s distributions represents returns of capital over extended periods, the fund’s assets may be reduced over time to levels where the fund is no longer viable and might be liquidated.

Leveraging Risk: If the fund utilizes investment leverage, there can be no assurance that such a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. The use of leverage is a speculative investment technique that results in greater volatility in the fund’s net asset value. To the extent that investments are purchased with the proceeds from the borrowings from a bank, the issuance of preferred shares, or the creation of tender option bonds, the fund’s net asset value will increase or decrease at a greater rate than a comparable unleveraged fund. If the investment income or gains earned from the investments purchased with the proceeds from the borrowings from a bank, the issuance of preferred shares, or the creation of tender option bonds, fails to cover the expenses of leveraging, the fund’s net asset value is likely to decrease more quickly than if the fund weren’t leveraged. In addition, the fund’s distributions could be reduced. The fund is currently required under the 1940 Act to maintain asset coverage of 200% on outstanding preferred shares and 300% on outstanding indebtedness. If asset coverage declines below those levels (as a result of market fluctuation or otherwise), the fund may be required to sell a portion of its investments at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. The expenses of leveraging are paid by the holders of common shares.

Certain transactions and investment strategies can result in leverage. Because movements in a fund’s share price generally correlate over time with the fund’s net asset value, the market price of a leveraged fund will also tend to be more volatile than that of a comparable unleveraged fund. The costs of an offering of preferred shares and/or borrowing program would be borne by shareholders.

Under the terms of any loan agreement, the fund may be required to, among other things, limit its ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debts, engage in certain transactions, and pledge some or all of its assets. Such agreements could limit the fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategies. The terms of any loan agreement could be more or less restrictive than those described.

Under guidelines generally required by a rating agency providing a rating for any preferred shares, the fund may be required to, among other things, maintain certain asset coverage requirements, restrict certain investments and practices, and adopt certain redemption requirements relating to preferred shares. Such agreements could

 

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

 

limit the fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategies. The guidelines imposed with respect to preferred shares by a rating agency could be more or less restrictive than those described.

Derivatives Risk: Derivatives can be highly volatile and involve risks in addition to, and potentially greater than, the risks of the underlying indicator(s). Gains or losses from derivatives can be substantially greater than the derivatives’ original cost and can sometimes be unlimited. Derivatives can involve leverage. Derivatives can be complex instruments and can involve analysis and processing that differs from that required for other investment types used by the fund. If the value of a derivative does not change as expected relative to the value of the market or other indicator the derivative is intended to provide exposure to, the derivative may not have the effect intended. Derivatives can also reduce the opportunity for gains or result in losses by offsetting positive returns in other investments. Derivatives can be less liquid than other types of investments.

Anti-Takeover Provisions Risk: The fund’s declaration of trust includes provisions that could limit the ability of other persons or entities to acquire control of the fund, to convert the fund to an open-end fund, or to change the composition of the fund’s Board of Trustees. These provisions could reduce the opportunities for shareholders to sell their shares at a premium over the then-current market price.

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

Counterparty and Third Party Risk: Transactions involving a counterparty other than the issuer of the instrument, including clearing organizations, or a third party responsible for servicing the instrument or effecting the transaction, are subject to the credit risk of the counterparty or third party, and to the counterparty’s or third party’s ability or willingness to perform in accordance with the terms of the transaction.

Liquidity Risk: Certain investments and types of investments are subject to restrictions on resale, may trade in the over-the-counter market, or may not have an active trading market due to adverse market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, and other conditions. At times, all or a large portion of segments of the market may not have an active trading market. Without an active trading market, it may be difficult to value, and it may not be possible to sell, these investments and the fund may have to sell certain of these investments at a price or time that is not advantageous in order to meet redemptions or other cash needs.

Investment Selection Risk: MFS’ investment analysis and its selection of investments may not produce the intended results and/or can lead to an investment focus that results in the fund underperforming other funds with similar investment strategies and/or underperforming the markets in which the fund invests.

 

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PORTFOLIO MANAGERS’ PROFILES

 

Portfolio Manager   Primary Role   Since   Title and Five Year History
William Adams   Below Investment
Grade Debt
Instruments
Portfolio Manager
  2011   Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 2009; Credit Analyst at MFS from 1997 to 2005.
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   Below Investment
Grade 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.

 

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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN

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

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

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

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

 

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PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

10/31/15

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 - 1.4%                
Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., 7.125%, 3/15/21   $ 125,000      $ 131,376   
Bombardier, Inc., 6.125%, 1/15/23 (n)     155,000        120,125   
Bombardier, Inc., 7.5%, 3/15/25 (n)     40,000        31,100   
CPI International, Inc., 8.75%, 2/15/18     190,000        190,950   
TransDigm, Inc., 6%, 7/15/22     25,000        25,250   
TransDigm, Inc., 6.5%, 7/15/24     125,000        127,188   
   

 

 

 
            $ 625,989   
Apparel Manufacturers - 0.1%                
PVH Corp., 4.5%, 12/15/22   $ 60,000      $ 60,150   
Asset-Backed & Securitized - 0.1%                
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, FRN, 5.711%, 12/10/49   $ 220,000      $ 31,855   
Falcon Franchise Loan LLC, FRN, 32.869%, 1/05/25 (i)(z)     11,758        2,840   
Morgan Stanley Capital I, Inc., FRN, 1.42%, 4/28/39 (i)(z)     139,232        702   
   

 

 

 
            $ 35,397   
Automotive - 1.6%                
Accuride Corp., 9.5%, 8/01/18   $ 150,000      $ 150,000   
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 6.5%, 3/01/21     140,000        148,750   
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 7%, 5/15/22     40,000        43,500   
Lear Corp., 4.75%, 1/15/23     80,000        80,500   
Lear Corp., 5.25%, 1/15/25     65,000        66,300   
Schaeffler Holding Finance B.V., 6.25%, 11/15/19 (n)(p)     200,000        211,000   
   

 

 

 
            $ 700,050   
Broadcasting - 1.8%                
Activision Blizzard, Inc., 6.125%, 9/15/23 (n)   $ 95,000      $ 103,431   
AMC Networks, Inc., 7.75%, 7/15/21     101,000        108,323   
Clear Channel Communications, Inc., 9%, 3/01/21     152,000        125,020   
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc., “A”, 6.5%, 11/15/22     25,000        25,750   
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc., “B”, 6.5%, 11/15/22     85,000        88,613   
Liberty Media Corp., 8.5%, 7/15/29     110,000        115,225   
Liberty Media Corp., 8.25%, 2/01/30     35,000        36,050   
Netflix, Inc., 5.375%, 2/01/21     70,000        73,938   
Netflix, Inc., 5.875%, 2/15/25 (n)     30,000        31,725   
Tribune Media Co., 5.875%, 7/15/22 (n)     65,000        66,788   
   

 

 

 
            $ 774,863   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                
Building - 1.9%                
Allegion PLC, 5.875%, 9/15/23   $ 20,000      $ 20,950   
Allegion U.S. Holding Co., Inc., 5.75%, 10/01/21     140,000        147,000   
Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., 6.375%, 10/01/23 (n)     65,000        68,413   
Building Materials Corp. of America, 5.375%, 11/15/24 (n)     75,000        77,156   
Building Materials Corp. of America, 6%, 10/15/25 (n)     55,000        58,438   
Gibraltar Industries, Inc., 6.25%, 2/01/21     95,000        97,850   
HD Supply, Inc., 7.5%, 7/15/20     110,000        117,150   
Headwaters, Inc., 7.25%, 1/15/19     70,000        72,450   
Nortek, Inc., 8.5%, 4/15/21     95,000        100,700   
PriSo Acquisition Corp., 9%, 5/15/23 (n)     65,000        62,563   
   

 

 

 
            $ 822,670   
Business Services - 0.7%                
Equinix, Inc., 4.875%, 4/01/20   $ 55,000      $ 57,475   
Equinix, Inc., 5.375%, 1/01/22     25,000        26,118   
Equinix, Inc., 5.375%, 4/01/23     35,000        36,400   
Iron Mountain, Inc., REIT, 6%, 10/01/20 (n)     40,000        42,400   
Iron Mountain, Inc., REIT, 6%, 8/15/23     30,000        31,463   
NeuStar, Inc., 4.5%, 1/15/23     110,000        94,600   
   

 

 

 
            $ 288,456   
Cable TV - 4.3%                
Altice Financing S.A., 7.875%, 12/15/19 (n)   $ 200,000      $ 208,875   
Altice Financing S.A., 6.625%, 2/15/23 (n)     200,000        200,500   
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 6.5%, 4/30/21     60,000        62,963   
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 5.125%, 5/01/23 (n)     70,000        70,175   
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 5.75%, 1/15/24     115,000        116,725   
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 5.375%, 5/01/25 (n)     25,000        24,750   
Cequel Communications Holdings, 6.375%, 9/15/20 (n)     115,000        115,144   
DISH DBS Corp., 6.75%, 6/01/21     60,000        61,950   
DISH DBS Corp., 5%, 3/15/23     90,000        83,250   
DISH DBS Corp., 5.875%, 11/15/24     30,000        28,695   
Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., 7.25%, 4/01/19     60,000        56,250   
Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., 6.625%, 12/15/22     125,000        98,750   
Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., 5.5%, 8/01/23     100,000        82,438   
Intelsat Luxembourg S.A., 8.125%, 6/01/23     170,000        100,725   
LGE Holdco VI B.V., 7.125%, 5/15/24 (n)   EUR 100,000        119,433   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 4.25%, 5/15/20 (n)   $ 10,000        10,125   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 5.875%, 10/01/20 (n)     10,000        10,630   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 4.625%, 5/15/23 (n)     85,000        83,938   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 6%, 7/15/24 (n)     50,000        52,790   
SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc., 5.375%, 4/15/25 (n)     45,000        46,069   
Unitymedia KabelBW GmbH, 6.125%, 1/15/25 (n)     200,000        204,750   
   

 

 

 
            $ 1,838,925   

 

18


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                
Chemicals - 1.4%                
Evolution Escrow Issuer Co., 7.5%, 3/15/22 (n)   $ 125,000      $ 88,438   
Hexion U.S. Finance Corp., 6.625%, 4/15/20     55,000        46,613   
Hexion U.S. Finance Corp./Hexion Nova Scotia Finance, 8.875%, 2/01/18     115,000        87,975   
INEOS Group Holdings S.A., 5.875%, 2/15/19 (n)     200,000        200,000   
Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., 3.88%, 10/24/21     30,000        24,000   
The Chemours Co., 6.625%, 5/15/23 (n)     55,000        41,044   
Tronox Finance LLC, 6.375%, 8/15/20     170,000        121,074   
   

 

 

 
            $ 609,144   
Computer Software - 0.1%                
Syniverse Holdings, Inc., 9.125%, 1/15/19   $ 40,000      $ 33,500   
VeriSign, Inc., 4.625%, 5/01/23     35,000        35,063   
   

 

 

 
            $ 68,563   
Computer Software - Systems - 0.3%                
Sabre GLBL, Inc., 5.375%, 4/15/23 (n)   $ 115,000      $ 116,725   
Conglomerates - 1.8%                
Amsted Industries Co., 5%, 3/15/22 (n)   $ 125,000      $ 126,250   
ATS Automation Tooling Systems, Inc., 6.5%, 6/15/23 (n)     30,000        30,750   
BC Mountain LLC, 7%, 2/01/21 (n)     110,000        88,550   
EnerSys, 5%, 4/30/23 (n)     130,000        131,950   
Enpro Industries, Inc., 5.875%, 9/15/22     115,000        115,863   
Entegris, Inc., 6%, 4/01/22 (n)     165,000        169,950   
Renaissance Acquisition, 6.875%, 8/15/21 (n)     145,000        125,425   
   

 

 

 
            $ 788,738   
Construction - 0.1%                
Empresas ICA S.A.B. de C.V., 8.9%, 2/04/21   $ 125,000      $ 34,688   
Consumer Products - 0.6%                
Prestige Brands, Inc., 8.125%, 2/01/20   $ 30,000      $ 31,425   
Prestige Brands, Inc., 5.375%, 12/15/21 (n)     55,000        55,000   
Spectrum Brands, Inc., 6.375%, 11/15/20     110,000        117,425   
Spectrum Brands, Inc., 6.125%, 12/15/24 (n)     10,000        10,775   
Spectrum Brands, Inc., 5.75%, 7/15/25 (n)     40,000        42,650   
   

 

 

 
            $ 257,275   
Consumer Services - 1.9%                
ADT Corp., 6.25%, 10/15/21   $ 165,000      $ 178,200   
CEB, Inc., 5.625%, 6/15/23 (n)     85,000        86,381   
Garda World Security Corp., 7.25%, 11/15/21 (n)     60,000        54,750   
Garda World Security Corp., 7.25%, 11/15/21 (n)     40,000        36,500   
Grupo Posadas S.A.B. de C.V., 7.875%, 6/30/22 (n)     150,000        144,000   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                
Consumer Services - continued                
Interval Acquisition Corp., 5.625%, 4/15/23 (n)   $ 125,000      $ 128,125   
Monitronics International, Inc., 9.125%, 4/01/20     145,000        126,150   
Service Corp. International, 5.375%, 5/15/24     50,000        53,313   
   

 

 

 
            $ 807,419   
Containers - 2.5%                
Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC, 9.125%, 10/15/20 (n)   $ 200,000      $ 209,502   
Ball Corp., 5%, 3/15/22     95,000        98,088   
Berry Plastics Group, Inc., 5.5%, 5/15/22     125,000        128,750   
Berry Plastics Group, Inc., 6%, 10/15/22 (z)     30,000        31,350   
Crown American LLC, 4.5%, 1/15/23     85,000        85,213   
Multi-Color Corp., 6.125%, 12/01/22 (n)     100,000        102,750   
Reynolds Group, 5.75%, 10/15/20     50,000        52,000   
Reynolds Group, 8.25%, 2/15/21     115,000        119,456   
Sealed Air Corp., 4.875%, 12/01/22 (n)     115,000        118,163   
Sealed Air Corp., 5.125%, 12/01/24 (n)     25,000        25,688   
Signode Industrial Group, 6.375%, 5/01/22 (n)     115,000        107,813   
   

 

 

 
      $ 1,078,773   
Electrical Equipment - 0.1%                
Avaya, Inc., 10.5%, 3/01/21 (n)   $ 70,000      $ 27,125   
Electronics - 0.9%                
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., 6.75%, 3/01/19   $ 120,000      $ 92,400   
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., 7.5%, 8/15/22     35,000        25,375   
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., 7%, 7/01/24     65,000        45,500   
Micron Technology, Inc., 5.875%, 2/15/22     40,000        40,700   
Micron Technology, Inc., 5.5%, 2/01/25     95,000        90,488   
Sensata Technologies B.V., 5.625%, 11/01/24 (n)     40,000        40,700   
Sensata Technologies B.V., 5%, 10/01/25 (n)     40,000        39,050   
   

 

 

 
      $ 374,213   
Emerging Market Sovereign - 0.6%                
Republic of Ecuador, 10.5%, 3/24/20 (n)   $ 200,000      $ 166,000   
Republic of Venezuela, 7%, 3/31/38     203,000        75,618   
   

 

 

 
      $ 241,618   
Energy - Independent - 3.7%                
Afren PLC, 11.5%, 2/01/16 (a)(d)(n)   $ 200,000      $ 3,500   
Afren PLC, 15%, 4/25/16 (d)(p)     181,223        126,426   
Baytex Energy Corp., 5.625%, 6/01/24 (n)     80,000        66,000   
Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc., 6.75%, 4/15/21     90,000        64,800   
Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc., 5.75%, 2/01/23     25,000        16,750   
Chaparral Energy, Inc., 7.625%, 11/15/22     115,000        37,950   

 

20


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                
Energy - Independent - continued                
Chesapeake Energy Corp., 5.75%, 3/15/23   $ 130,000      $ 81,900   
Concho Resources, Inc., 5.5%, 4/01/23     75,000        75,375   
EP Energy LLC, 9.375%, 5/01/20     110,000        95,700   
EP Energy LLC, 7.75%, 9/01/22     150,000        115,500   
Halcon Resources Corp., 8.875%, 5/15/21     150,000        50,344   
Linn Energy LLC/Linn Energy Finance Corp., 8.625%, 4/15/20     15,000        3,900   
Linn Energy LLC/Linn Energy Finance Corp., 7.75%, 2/01/21     160,000        36,800   
Linn Energy LLC/Linn Energy Finance Corp., 6.5%, 9/15/21     55,000        12,100   
MEG Energy Corp., 6.5%, 3/15/21 (n)     85,000        74,588   
MEG Energy Corp., 7%, 3/31/24 (n)     65,000        56,225   
Noble Energy, Inc., 5.625%, 5/01/21     105,000        106,469   
Northern Blizzard Resources, Inc., 7.25%, 2/01/22 (n)     80,000        65,600   
Oasis Petroleum, Inc., 6.875%, 3/15/22     75,000        63,938   
QEP Resources, Inc., 5.25%, 5/01/23     85,000        75,438   
RSP Permian, Inc., 6.625%, 10/01/22     70,000        69,300   
Sanchez Energy Corp., 6.125%, 1/15/23     160,000        116,000   
SM Energy Co., 6.5%, 11/15/21     130,000        128,050   
SM Energy Co., 6.125%, 11/15/22     50,000        48,500   
   

 

 

 
      $ 1,591,153   
Entertainment - 0.8%                
Carmike Cinemas, Inc., 6%, 6/15/23 (n)   $ 45,000      $ 46,629   
Cedar Fair LP, 5.25%, 3/15/21     105,000        109,463   
Cedar Fair LP, 5.375%, 6/01/24     35,000        35,788   
Cinemark USA, Inc., 5.125%, 12/15/22     50,000        50,250   
Six Flags Entertainment Corp., 5.25%, 1/15/21 (n)     90,000        93,375   
   

 

 

 
      $ 335,505   
Financial Institutions - 3.4%                
Aircastle Ltd., 5.125%, 3/15/21   $ 40,000      $ 42,200   
Aircastle Ltd., 5.5%, 2/15/22     40,000        42,300   
Aviation Capital Group, 6.75%, 4/06/21 (n)     25,000        28,313   
CIT Group, Inc., 5.25%, 3/15/18     40,000        41,950   
CIT Group, Inc., 6.625%, 4/01/18 (n)     119,000        128,223   
CIT Group, Inc., 5.5%, 2/15/19 (n)     148,000        157,065   
CIT Group, Inc., 5%, 8/15/22     35,000        36,881   
Credit Acceptance Co., 7.375%, 3/15/23 (n)     75,000        77,625   
Icahn Enterprises LP, 6%, 8/01/20     55,000        57,406   
Icahn Enterprises LP, 5.875%, 2/01/22     110,000        113,300   
Nationstar Mortgage LLC/Capital Corp., 6.5%, 8/01/18     75,000        73,594   
Nationstar Mortgage LLC/Capital Corp., 7.875%, 10/01/20     305,000        300,425   
Navient Corp., 5.875%, 3/25/21     45,000        42,581   
PHH Corp., 6.375%, 8/15/21     65,000        59,313   
SLM Corp., 8%, 3/25/20     135,000        143,100   

 

21


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                
Financial Institutions - continued                
SLM Corp., 7.25%, 1/25/22   $ 95,000      $ 93,575   
SLM Corp., 6.125%, 3/25/24     50,000        45,125   
   

 

 

 
      $ 1,482,976   
Food & Beverages - 0.5%                
Darling Ingredients, Inc., 5.375%, 1/15/22   $ 75,000      $ 74,438   
Sun Merger Sub, Inc., 5.875%, 8/01/21 (n)     130,000        136,500   
   

 

 

 
      $ 210,938   
Forest & Paper Products - 0.1%                
Appvion, Inc., 9%, 6/01/20 (n)   $ 70,000      $ 28,350   
Tembec Industries, Inc., 9%, 12/15/19 (n)     50,000        40,000   
   

 

 

 
      $ 68,350   
Gaming & Lodging - 2.3%                
Boyd Gaming Corp., 6.875%, 5/15/23   $ 65,000      $ 68,900   
CCM Merger, Inc., 9.125%, 5/01/19 (n)     150,000        159,000   
Eldorado Resorts, Inc., 7%, 8/01/23 (n)     25,000        25,313   
Greektown Holdings LLC, 8.875%, 3/15/19 (n)     145,000        147,175   
Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC/Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp., 5.625%, 10/15/21     120,000        125,600   
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., 8.875%, 6/15/20     35,000        37,625   
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., 5.875%, 3/15/21     105,000        110,513   
MGM Resorts International, 6.625%, 12/15/21     90,000        96,075   
MGM Resorts International, 6%, 3/15/23     70,000        71,050   
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., 5%, 4/15/23     25,000        25,813   
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., REIT, 5%, 4/15/21     120,000        121,800   
   

 

 

 
      $ 988,864   
Industrial - 0.9%                
Dematic S.A., 7.75%, 12/15/20 (n)   $ 180,000      $ 185,400   
Howard Hughes Corp., 6.875%, 10/01/21 (n)     105,000        109,200   
SPL Logistics Escrow LLC, 8.875%, 8/01/20 (n)     90,000        95,400   
   

 

 

 
      $ 390,000   
Machinery & Tools - 0.7%                
H&E Equipment Services Co., 7%, 9/01/22   $ 145,000      $ 147,175   
Jurassic Holdings III, Inc., 6.875%, 2/15/21 (n)     110,000        79,200   
Light Tower Rentals, Inc., 8.125%, 8/01/19 (n)     110,000        75,900   
   

 

 

 
      $ 302,275   
Major Banks - 1.0%                
Bank of America Corp., FRN, 6.1%, 12/29/49   $ 285,000      $ 288,206   
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6% to 8/01/23, FRN to 12/29/49     135,000        136,958   
   

 

 

 
      $ 425,164   

 

22


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                
Medical & Health Technology & Services - 3.3%                
CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., 5.125%, 8/01/21   $ 15,000      $ 15,488   
CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., 6.875%, 2/01/22     180,000        181,350   
Davita Healthcare Partners, Inc., 5%, 5/01/25     110,000        109,197   
Davita, Inc., 5.125%, 7/15/24     45,000        45,675   
HCA, Inc., 7.5%, 2/15/22     150,000        172,500   
HCA, Inc., 5.875%, 3/15/22     45,000        49,500   
HCA, Inc., 5%, 3/15/24     65,000        66,950   
HCA, Inc., 5.375%, 2/01/25     60,000        61,575   
HealthSouth Corp., 5.125%, 3/15/23     105,000        103,163   
LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., 5.5%, 12/01/21     120,000        121,800   
Tenet Healthcare Corp., 8%, 8/01/20     165,000        170,775   
Tenet Healthcare Corp., 4.5%, 4/01/21     120,000        120,000   
Tenet Healthcare Corp., 8.125%, 4/01/22     55,000        58,163   
Tenet Healthcare Corp., 6.75%, 6/15/23     30,000        29,775   
Universal Health Services, Inc., 7.625%, 8/15/20     105,000        100,144   
   

 

 

 
      $ 1,406,055   
Medical Equipment - 0.8%                
Alere, Inc., 6.375%, 7/01/23 (n)   $ 88,000      $ 91,520   
DJO Finco, Inc., 8.125%, 6/15/21 (n)     85,000        84,363   
Hologic, Inc., 5.25%, 7/15/22 (n)     100,000        104,375   
Teleflex, Inc., 5.25%, 6/15/24     80,000        81,800   
   

 

 

 
      $ 362,058   
Metals & Mining - 2.1%                
Century Aluminum Co., 7.5%, 6/01/21 (n)   $ 90,000      $ 76,050   
Consol Energy, Inc., 5.875%, 4/15/22     155,000        98,038   
Consol Energy, Inc., 8%, 4/01/23 (n)     65,000        45,338   
First Quantum Minerals Ltd., 7.25%, 10/15/19 (n)     200,000        156,000   
GrafTech International Co., 6.375%, 11/15/20     100,000        57,000   
Hudbay Minerals, Inc., 9.5%, 10/01/20     90,000        78,525   
Lundin Mining Corp., 7.5%, 11/01/20 (n)     50,000        50,500   
Lundin Mining Corp., 7.875%, 11/01/22 (n)     85,000        85,196   
Steel Dynamics, Inc., 5.125%, 10/01/21     45,000        44,663   
Steel Dynamics, Inc., 5.25%, 4/15/23     20,000        19,450   
Steel Dynamics, Inc., 5.5%, 10/01/24     45,000        44,438   
Suncoke Energy Partners LP/Suncoke Energy Partners Finance Corp., 7.375%, 2/01/20 (n)     50,000        41,500   
Suncoke Energy Partners LP/Suncoke Energy Partners Finance Corp., 7.375%, 2/01/20 (n)     30,000        24,900   
Suncoke Energy, Inc., 7.625%, 8/01/19     14,000        14,245   
TMS International Corp., 7.625%, 10/15/21 (n)     80,000        73,200   
   

 

 

 
      $ 909,043   

 

23


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                
Midstream - 3.5%                
AmeriGas Finance LLC, 6.75%, 5/20/20   $ 150,000      $ 155,438   
Blue Racer Midstream LLC/Blue Racer Finance Corp., 6.125%, 11/15/22 (n)     60,000        56,100   
Crestwood Midstream Partners LP, 6%, 12/15/20     95,000        84,075   
Crestwood Midstream Partners LP, 6.125%, 3/01/22     55,000        47,300   
El Paso Corp., 7.75%, 1/15/32     195,000        197,364   
Energy Transfer Equity LP, 7.5%, 10/15/20     160,000        172,032   
Ferrellgas LP/Ferrellgas Finance Corp., 6.5%, 5/01/21     60,000        55,650   
Ferrellgas LP/Ferrellgas Finance Corp., 6.75%, 1/15/22     120,000        111,319   
MarkWest Energy Partners LP/MarkWest Energy Finance Corp., 5.5%, 2/15/23     155,000        152,675   
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, 5.625%, 4/15/23     145,000        141,103   
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, 5.75%, 5/15/24     100,000        96,500   
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, 5.625%, 3/01/25 (n)     69,000        66,154   
Summit Midstream Holdings LLC/Summit Midstream Finance Corp., 7.5%, 7/01/21     65,000        63,050   
Summit Midstream Holdings LLC/Summit Midstream Finance Corp., 5.5%, 8/15/22     35,000        30,450   
Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Finance Corp., 5%, 1/15/18 (n)     25,000        24,625   
Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Finance Corp., 4.125%, 11/15/19     50,000        46,500   
Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Finance Corp., 5.25%, 5/01/23     30,000        27,900   
   

 

 

 
      $ 1,528,235   
Network & Telecom - 0.7%                
Centurylink, Inc., 6.45%, 6/15/21   $ 15,000      $ 15,113   
Centurylink, Inc., 7.65%, 3/15/42     95,000        81,225   
Citizens Communications Co., 9%, 8/15/31     60,000        54,270   
Colombia Telecomunicaciones S.A., 8.5% to 3/30/20, FRN to 12/29/49 (n)     26,000        23,238   
Frontier Communications Corp., 8.125%, 10/01/18     30,000        31,650   
Frontier Communications Corp., 6.25%, 9/15/21     30,000        26,790   
Frontier Communications Corp., 7.125%, 1/15/23     45,000        40,163   
Telecom Italia Capital, 6%, 9/30/34     35,000        32,900   
   

 

 

 
      $ 305,349   
Oil Services - 0.8%                
Bristow Group, Inc., 6.25%, 10/15/22   $ 230,000      $ 200,100   
Pacific Drilling S.A., 5.375%, 6/01/20 (n)     145,000        77,213   
Shale-Inland Holdings LLC/Finance Co., 8.75%, 11/15/19 (n)     70,000        52,150   
   

 

 

 
      $ 329,463   

 

24


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                
Oils - 0.6%                
CITGO Holding, Inc., 10.75%, 2/15/20 (n)   $ 135,000      $ 135,675   
CITGO Petroleum Corp., 6.25%, 8/15/22 (n)     110,000        107,800   
   

 

 

 
      $ 243,475   
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 0.6%                
Groupe BPCE S.A., 12.5% to 9/30/19, FRN to 8/29/49 (n)   $ 200,000      $ 259,500   
Pharmaceuticals - 1.3%                
Endo Finance LLC/Endo Finco, Inc., 7.75%, 1/15/22 (n)   $ 135,000      $ 140,063   
Mallinckrodt International Finance S.A., 5.75%, 8/01/22 (n)     70,000        66,543   
Mallinckrodt International Finance S.A., 5.5%, 4/15/25 (n)     25,000        22,742   
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., 7%, 10/01/20 (n)     150,000        138,750   
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., 7.25%, 7/15/22 (n)     55,000        48,950   
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., 5.5%, 3/01/23 (n)     20,000        16,800   
Vantage Point Imaging, 7.5%, 7/15/21 (n)     45,000        41,063   
VRX Escrow Corp., 5.875%, 5/15/23 (n)     95,000        79,978   
   

 

 

 
      $ 554,889   
Pollution Control - 0.1%                
Abengoa Finance S.A.U., 7.75%, 2/01/20 (n)   $ 150,000      $ 63,000   
Precious Metals & Minerals - 0.7%                
Aurico Gold, Inc., 7.75%, 4/01/20 (n)   $ 170,000      $ 160,769   
Eldorado Gold Corp., 6.125%, 12/15/20 (n)     180,000        165,150   
   

 

 

 
      $ 325,919   
Printing & Publishing - 0.7%                
American Media, Inc., 13.5%, 6/15/18 (z)   $ 23,764      $ 24,314   
Gannett Co., Inc., 4.875%, 9/15/21 (n)     45,000        44,550   
Gannett Co., Inc., 6.375%, 10/15/23     60,000        64,800   
Nielsen Finance LLC, 5%, 4/15/22 (n)     130,000        132,113   
Outdoor Americas Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp., 5.625%, 2/15/24     50,000        52,032   
Outfront Media Cap LLC, 5.625%, 2/15/24 (n)     5,000        5,203   
   

 

 

 
      $ 323,012   
Real Estate - Healthcare - 0.4%                
MPT Operating Partnership LP, REIT, 6.375%, 2/15/22   $ 160,000      $ 167,200   
Real Estate - Other - 0.5%                
DuPont Fabros Technology LP, REIT, 5.875%, 9/15/21   $ 135,000      $ 141,750   
Felcor Lodging LP, REIT, 5.625%, 3/01/23     65,000        67,275   
   

 

 

 
      $ 209,025   

 

25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                
Retailers - 1.4%                
Best Buy Co., Inc., 5.5%, 3/15/21   $ 130,000      $ 139,100   
Bon Ton Stores, Inc., 8%, 6/15/21     21,000        11,865   
DriveTime Automotive Group, Inc./DT Acceptance Corp., 8%, 6/01/21 (n)     67,000        62,310   
Family Tree Escrow LLC, 5.75%, 3/01/23 (n)     130,000        136,988   
Jo-Ann Stores Holdings, Inc., 9.75%, 10/15/19 (n)(p)     55,000        41,525   
Neiman Marcus Group Ltd., 8%, 10/15/21 (n)     80,000        83,100   
Rite Aid Corp., 9.25%, 3/15/20     40,000        42,950   
Rite Aid Corp., 6.75%, 6/15/21     30,000        32,213   
Rite Aid Corp., 6.125%, 4/01/23 (n)     55,000        59,263   
   

 

 

 
      $ 609,314   
Specialty Chemicals - 0.7%                
Chemtura Corp., 5.75%, 7/15/21   $ 145,000      $ 147,175   
Univar USA, Inc., 6.75%, 7/15/23 (n)     150,000        148,500   
   

 

 

 
      $ 295,675   
Specialty Stores - 1.3%                
Argos Merger Sub, Inc., 7.125%, 3/15/23 (n)   $ 110,000      $ 115,775   
Group 1 Automotive, Inc., 5%, 6/01/22     125,000        126,250   
Michaels Stores, Inc., 5.875%, 12/15/20 (n)     100,000        105,500   
Office Depot de Mexico S.A. de C.V., 6.875%, 9/20/20 (n)     200,000        203,000   
   

 

 

 
      $ 550,525   
Telecommunications - Wireless - 3.8%                
Digicel Group Ltd., 7.125%, 4/01/22 (n)   $ 200,000      $ 165,000   
Eileme 2 AB, 11.625%, 1/31/20 (n)     200,000        216,020   
Sprint Capital Corp., 6.875%, 11/15/28     105,000        87,150   
Sprint Corp., 7.875%, 9/15/23     180,000        166,500   
Sprint Corp., 7.125%, 6/15/24     125,000        109,766   
Sprint Corp., 7%, 8/15/20     20,000        18,550   
Sprint Nextel Corp., 9%, 11/15/18 (n)     50,000        54,969   
Sprint Nextel Corp., 6%, 11/15/22     110,000        93,994   
T-Mobile USA, Inc., 6.125%, 1/15/22     10,000        10,175   
T-Mobile USA, Inc., 6.5%, 1/15/24     75,000        76,125   
T-Mobile USA, Inc., 6.464%, 4/28/19     25,000        25,719   
T-Mobile USA, Inc., 6.25%, 4/01/21     140,000        144,536   
T-Mobile USA, Inc., 6.633%, 4/28/21     50,000        51,750   
Wind Acquisition Finance S.A., 4.75%, 7/15/20 (n)     200,000        203,500   
Wind Acquisition Finance S.A., 7.375%, 4/23/21 (n)     200,000        201,500   
   

 

 

 
      $ 1,625,254   

 

26


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued                
Telephone Services - 0.4%                
Level 3 Financing, Inc., 8.625%, 7/15/20   $ 45,000      $ 47,531   
Level 3 Financing, Inc., 5.375%, 1/15/24 (n)     25,000        25,313   
Level 3 Financing, Inc., 5.375%, 5/01/25 (n)     100,000        100,250   
   

 

 

 
      $ 173,094   
Transportation - Services - 1.1%                
Jack Cooper Holdings Corp., 10.25%, 6/01/20 (n)   $ 110,000      $ 99,825   
Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp., 8.125%, 11/15/21 (n)     117,000        112,028   
Navios Maritime Holding, Inc., 7.375%, 1/15/22 (n)     95,000        74,694   
Stena AB, 7%, 2/01/24 (n)     200,000        182,500   
Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) Ltd., 8.875%, 6/15/21     28,000        17,780   
   

 

 

 
      $ 486,827   
Utilities - Electric Power - 1.7%                
Calpine Corp., 5.5%, 2/01/24   $ 120,000      $ 114,000   
Covanta Holding Corp., 7.25%, 12/01/20     95,000        98,800   
Covanta Holding Corp., 6.375%, 10/01/22     35,000        36,750   
Covanta Holding Corp., 5.875%, 3/01/24     40,000        39,700   
NRG Energy, Inc., 8.25%, 9/01/20     195,000        199,875   
NRG Energy, Inc., 6.25%, 7/15/22     20,000        18,400   
NRG Energy, Inc., 6.625%, 3/15/23     100,000        93,000   
TerraForm Power Operating LLC, 6.125%, 6/15/25 (n)     130,000        117,000   
   

 

 

 
      $ 717,525   
Total Bonds (Identified Cost, $28,964,895)           $ 26,790,443   
Common Stocks - 35.1%                
Aerospace - 0.9%                
United Technologies Corp.     3,790      $ 372,974   
Alcoholic Beverages - 0.8%                
Diageo PLC, ADR     3,090      $ 355,597   
Automotive - 0.0%                
Accuride Corp. (a)     2,414      $ 6,807   
Broadcasting - 1.1%                
Time Warner, Inc.     6,347      $ 478,183   
Brokerage & Asset Managers - 2.8%                
BlackRock, Inc.     1,358      $ 477,975   
NASDAQ, Inc.     12,814        741,802   
   

 

 

 
      $ 1,219,777   

 

27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Common Stocks - continued                
Business Services - 1.4%                
Accenture PLC, “A”     5,541      $ 593,995   
Chemicals - 2.7%                
3M Co.     3,004      $ 472,259   
PPG Industries, Inc.     6,523        680,088   
   

 

 

 
      $ 1,152,347   
Computer Software - Systems - 0.8%                
International Business Machines Corp.     2,497      $ 349,780   
Electrical Equipment - 2.5%                
Danaher Corp.     6,434      $ 600,357   
Tyco International PLC     12,837        467,780   
   

 

 

 
      $ 1,068,137   
Electronics - 1.5%                
Texas Instruments, Inc.     11,134      $ 631,520   
Energy - Independent - 1.0%                
Occidental Petroleum Corp.     5,848      $ 435,910   
Food & Beverages - 2.0%                
General Mills, Inc.     6,070      $ 352,728   
Nestle S.A., ADR     6,944        529,272   
   

 

 

 
      $ 882,000   
Food & Drug Stores - 1.3%                
CVS Health Corp.     5,719      $ 564,923   
General Merchandise - 0.3%                
Target Corp.     1,844      $ 142,320   
Insurance - 3.7%                
Aon PLC     5,286      $ 493,237   
MetLife, Inc.     7,330        369,285   
Travelers Cos., Inc.     6,320        713,465   
   

 

 

 
      $ 1,575,987   
Major Banks - 1.6%                
JPMorgan Chase & Co.     11,070      $ 711,248   
Medical Equipment - 1.8%                
St. Jude Medical, Inc.     5,111      $ 326,133   
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.     3,505        458,384   
   

 

 

 
      $ 784,517   

 

28


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Common Stocks - continued                
Oil Services - 0.9%                
Schlumberger Ltd.     4,990      $ 390,018   
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 1.3%                
U.S. Bancorp     13,113      $ 553,106   
Pharmaceuticals - 2.5%                
Johnson & Johnson     5,611      $ 566,879   
Merck & Co., Inc.     8,981        490,901   
   

 

 

 
      $ 1,057,780   
Special Products & Services - 0.3%                
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF     1,700      $ 145,469   
Telephone Services - 1.3%                
Verizon Communications, Inc.     12,261      $ 574,796   
Tobacco - 1.1%                
Philip Morris International, Inc.     5,207      $ 460,299   
Utilities - Electric Power - 1.5%                
Duke Energy Corp.     9,125      $ 652,164   
Total Common Stocks (Identified Cost, $11,674,848)           $ 15,159,654   
Floating Rate Loans (g)(r) - 1.3%                
Aerospace - 0.1%                
TransDigm, Inc., Term Loan C, 3.75%, 2/28/20   $ 67,557      $ 66,670   
Consumer Services - 0.1%                
Realogy Corp., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 3/05/20   $ 33,600      $ 33,547   
Containers - 0.1%                
Berry Plastics Holding Corp., Term Loan E, 3.75%, 1/06/21   $ 45,005      $ 44,942   
Electronics - 0.2%                
Avago Technologies Cayman Ltd., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 5/06/21   $ 81,621      $ 81,565   
Energy - Independent - 0.1%                
MEG Energy Corp., Term Loan, 3.75%, 3/31/20   $ 45,137      $ 42,379   
Entertainment - 0.1%                
Cedar Fair LP, Term Loan B, 3.25%, 3/06/20   $ 43,246      $ 43,301   

 

29


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Floating Rate Loans (g)(r) - continued                
Medical & Health Technology & Services - 0.2%                
DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.5%, 6/24/21   $ 76,779      $ 76,725   
Transportation - Services - 0.4%                
Commercial Barge Line Co., Term Loan, 7.5%, 9/22/19   $ 168,444      $ 167,076   
Total Floating Rate Loans (Identified Cost, $560,568)           $ 556,205   
Money Market Funds - 0.6%                
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio, 0.12%,
at Cost and Net Asset Value (v)
    251,394      $ 251,394   
Total Investments (Identified Cost, $41,451,705)           $ 42,757,696   
Other Assets, Less Liabilities - 0.9%             367,846   
Net Assets - 100.0%           $ 43,125,542   

 

(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 $11,682,584, representing 27.1% of net assets.
(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
 
Afren PLC, 15%, 4/25/16      $—         $6,630   
Jo-Ann Stores Holdings, Inc., 9.75%, 10/15/19      6,561           
Schaeffler Holding Finance B.V., 6.25%, 11/15/19      12,500           
Total      $19,061         $6,630   

 

(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.

 

30


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

(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  
American Media, Inc., 13.5%, 6/15/18    12/22/10      $23,940         $24,314   
Berry Plastics Group, Inc., 6%, 10/15/22    9/16/15      30,000         31,350   
Falcon Franchise Loan LLC, FRN, 32.869%, 1/05/25    1/29/03      906         2,840   
Morgan Stanley Capital I, Inc., FRN, 1.42%, 4/28/39    7/20/04      1,799         702   
Total Restricted Securities            $59,206   
% of Net assets            0.1%   

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

Derivative Contracts at 10/31/15

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts at 10/31/15

 

Type   Currency   Counter-
party
  Contracts
to
Deliver/
Receive
    Settlement
Date Range
    In
Exchange
For
    Contracts
at Value
    Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Asset Derivatives                                   
SELL   EUR   Deutsche Bank AG     111,755        1/15/16        $126,014        $123,060        $2,954   
             

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

31


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

At 10/31/15

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, $41,200,311)

     $42,506,302   

Underlying affiliated funds, at cost and value

     251,394   

Total investments, at value (identified cost, $41,451,705)

     $42,757,696   

Cash

     1,668   

Receivables for

  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     2,954   

Investments sold

     34,353   

Interest and dividends

     487,729   

Other assets

     3,977   

Total assets

     $43,288,377   
Liabilities         

Payables for

  

Distributions

     $26,188   

Investments purchased

     35,355   

Payable to affiliates

  

Investment adviser

     3,171   

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     1,276   

Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation

     16,037   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     80,808   

Total liabilities

     $162,835   

Net assets

     $43,125,542   
Net assets consist of         

Paid-in capital

     $54,799,482   

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

     1,308,891   

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

     (12,888,157

Accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income

     (94,674

Net assets

     $43,125,542   

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding

     7,084,467   

Net asset value per share (net assets of $43,125,542 / 7,084,467 shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

     $6.09   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year ended 10/31/15

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

     $1,996,304   

Dividends

     395,315   

Dividends from underlying affiliated funds

     720   

Foreign taxes withheld

     (2,259

Total investment income

     $2,390,080   

Expenses

  

Management fee

     $395,390   

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     16,969   

Administrative services fee

     17,500   

Independent Trustees’ compensation

     10,226   

Stock exchange fee

     23,748   

Custodian fee

     14,145   

Shareholder communications

     54,301   

Audit and tax fees

     71,120   

Legal fees

     20,310   

Miscellaneous

     24,666   

Total expenses

     $648,375   

Fees paid indirectly

     (26

Net expenses

     $648,349   

Net investment income

     $1,741,731   
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency   

Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis)

  

Investments

     $470,261   

Foreign currency

     6,428   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

     $476,689   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

  

Investments

     $(2,528,941

Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies

     2,739   

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

     $(2,526,202

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

     $(2,049,513

Change in net assets from operations

     $(307,782

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

33


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

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

 

     Years ended 10/31  
     2015      2014  
Change in net assets              
From operations                  

Net investment income

     $1,741,731         $1,989,914   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

     476,689         1,310,027   

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

     (2,526,202      (259,419

Change in net assets from operations

     $(307,782      $3,040,522   
Distributions declared to shareholders                  

From net investment income

     $(2,293,310      $(2,953,636

From tax return of capital

     (2,331,499      (1,971,890

Total distributions declared to shareholders

     $(4,624,809      $(4,925,526

Change in net assets from fund share transactions

     $154,096         $387,197   

Total change in net assets

     $(4,778,495      $(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 $94,674 and $51,339, respectively)

     $43,125,542         $47,904,037   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

34


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

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

 

     Years ended 10/31  
     2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

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

Net investment income (d)

     $0.25        $0.28        $0.33        $0.39        $0.40   

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

     (0.29     0.15        0.58        0.39        (0.18

Total from investment operations

     $(0.04     $0.43        $0.91        $0.78        $0.22   
Less distributions declared to shareholders   

From net investment income

     $(0.32     $(0.42     $(0.39     $(0.41     $(0.42

From tax return of capital

     (0.33     (0.28     (0.31     (0.26     (0.30

Total distributions declared to shareholders

     $(0.65     $(0.70     $(0.70     $(0.67     $(0.72

Net asset value, end of period (x)

     $6.09        $6.78        $7.05        $6.84        $6.73   

Market value, end of period

     $5.53        $7.59        $7.29        $7.46        $6.86   

Total return at market value (%)

     (19.11     14.73        7.94        19.99        (4.67

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

     (0.28     5.97        13.85        12.15        2.81   
Ratios (%) (to average net assets)
and Supplemental data:
   

Expenses before expense reductions (f)

     1.41        1.35        1.39        1.49        1.42   

Expenses after expense reductions (f)

     N/A        1.35        1.39        1.45        1.39   

Net investment income

     3.80        4.05        4.73        5.73        5.65   

Portfolio turnover

     29        39        40        49        53   

Net assets at end of period (000 omitted)

     $43,126        $47,904        $49,402        $47,596        $46,438   

 

(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.
(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 and total returns at net asset value 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

 

35


Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(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.

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 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

 

36


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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 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

 

37


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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 October 31, 2015 in valuing the fund’s assets or liabilities:

 

Investments at Value    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Equity Securities      $15,159,654         $—         $—         $15,159,654   
Non-U.S. Sovereign Debt              241,618                 241,618   
U.S. Corporate Bonds              21,137,774                 21,137,774   
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities              35,397                 35,397   
Foreign Bonds              5,249,228         126,426         5,375,654   
Floating Rate Loans              556,205                 556,205   
Mutual Funds      251,394                         251,394   
Total Investments      $15,411,048         $27,220,222         $126,426         $42,757,696   
Other Financial Instruments                            
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts      $—         $2,954         $—         $2,954   

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

The following is a reconciliation of level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value. The fund’s policy is to recognize transfers between the levels as of the end of the period. The table presents the activity of level 3 securities held at the beginning and the end of the period.

 

     Foreign Bonds  
Balance as of 10/31/14      $—   

Transfers into level 3

     126,426   
Balance as of 10/31/15      $126,426   

At October 31, 2015, the fund held one level 3 security.

Foreign Currency Translation Purchases and sales of foreign investments, income, and expenses are converted into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions or on the reporting date for foreign denominated receivables and payables. Gains and losses attributable to foreign currency exchange rates on sales of securities are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. Gains and losses attributable to foreign exchange rate movements on receivables, payables, income and expenses are recorded for financial statement purposes as foreign currency transaction gains and

 

38


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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 October 31, 2015 as reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

        Fair Value  
Risk   Derivative Contracts   Asset Derivatives  
Foreign Exchange   Forward Foreign Currency Exchange     $2,954   

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the realized gain (loss) on derivatives held by the fund for the year ended October 31, 2015 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Foreign
Currency
 
Foreign Exchange      $6,898   

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives held by the fund for the year ended October 31, 2015 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk   

Translation

of Assets
and

Liabilities in

Foreign
Currencies

 
Foreign Exchange      $2,524   

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 credit quality of the other party. Upon an event of default or a termination of the ISDA

 

39


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

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 (e.g., futures contracts, cleared swaps, and exchange-traded options) while collateral terms are contract specific for uncleared derivatives (e.g., 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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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 – Prior to October 1, 2015, the fund’s custody fee could be reduced by a credit earned under an arrangement that measured the value of U.S. dollars deposited with the custodian by the fund. The amount of the credit, for the year ended October 31, 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,

 

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no provision for federal income tax is required. The fund’s federal tax returns, when filed, will remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a three year period. 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% 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 defaulted bonds and amortization and accretion of debt securities.

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

 

     10/31/15      10/31/14  
Ordinary income (including any short-term capital gains) (a)      $2,293,310         $2,953,636   
Tax return of capital (b)      2,331,499         1,971,890   
Total distributions      $4,624,809         $4,925,526   

 

(a) Included in the fund’s distributions from ordinary income for the years ended October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 is $429,365 and $919,037, respectively, 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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The federal tax cost and the tax basis components of distributable earnings were as follows:

 

As of 10/31/15       
Cost of investments      $41,565,391   
Gross appreciation      4,113,223   
Gross depreciation      (2,920,918
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      $1,192,305   
Capital loss carryforwards      (12,774,471
Other temporary differences      (91,774

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, 2015, the fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized gains. Such pre-enactment losses expire as follows:

 

10/31/16      $(7,973,233
10/31/17      (4,711,246
10/31/18      (89,992
Total      $(12,774,471

(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, 2016. For the year ended October 31, 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 year ended October 31, 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. (MFSC) monitors and supervises the activities of Computershare for an agreed upon fee approved by the Board of Trustees. For the year ended October 31, 2015, these fees paid to MFSC amounted to $2,951.

 

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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 year ended October 31, 2015 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0382% 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 $1,199 and is included in “Independent Trustees’ compensation” in the Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2015. The liability for deferred retirement benefits payable to certain independent Trustees under the DB plan amounted to $15,560 at October 31, 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 year ended October 31, 2015, the fee paid by the fund under this agreement was $166 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 year ended October 31, 2015, purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $12,864,778 and $14,997,920, respectively.

 

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(5) Shares of Beneficial Interest

The fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest. The Trustees have authorized the repurchase by the fund of up to 10% annually of its own shares of beneficial interest. During the years ended October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, the fund did not repurchase any shares. Other transactions in fund shares were as follows:

 

     Year ended
10/31/15
     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 Overnight Federal Reserve funds rate or daily 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 Overnight Federal Reserve funds rate plus an agreed upon spread. For the year ended October 31, 2015, the fund’s commitment fee and interest expense were $152 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         9,075,803         (9,996,713      251,394   
Underlying Affiliated Fund    Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Capital Gain
Distributions
     Dividend
Income
     Ending
Value
 
MFS Institutional Money
Market Portfolio
     $—         $—         $720         $251,394   

(8) Legal Proceedings

In May 2015, the Motors Liquidation Company Avoidance Action Trust (hereafter, “AAT”) served upon the fund a complaint in an adversary proceeding in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, captioned Motors Liquidation Company Avoidance Action Trust v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., et al. (No. 09-00504 (REG)). The complaint, which was originally filed in 2009 but not served on the fund

 

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until 2015, names as defendants over 500 entities (including the fund) that held an interest in a $1.5 billion General Motors (GM) term loan in 2009, when GM filed for bankruptcy. The AAT alleges that the fund and the other term loan lenders were improperly treated as secured lenders with respect to the term loan shortly before and immediately after GM’s bankruptcy, receiving full principal and interest payments under the loan. The AAT alleges that the fund and other term loan lenders should have been treated as unsecured (or partially unsecured) creditors because the main lien securing the collateral was allegedly not perfected at the time of GM’s bankruptcy due to an erroneous filing in October 2008 that terminated the financing statement perfecting the lien. The AAT seeks to claw back payments made to the fund and the other term loan lenders after, and during the 90 days before, GM’s June 2009 bankruptcy petition. During that time period, the fund received term loan payments of approximately $280,000. The fund cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding. Among other things, it is unclear whether AAT’s claims will succeed; what the fund would be entitled to as an unsecured (or partially unsecured) creditor, given the existence of other collateral not impacted by the erroneous October 2008 filing; and whether third parties responsible for the erroneous October 2008 filing would bear some or all of any liability. The fund will incur legal expenses associated with the defense of this action and in related claims against third parties.

 

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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 audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of MFS Special Value Trust (the Fund), including the portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2015, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MFS Special Value Trust at October 31, 2015, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

December 15, 2015

 

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RESULTS OF SHAREHOLDER MEETING

(unaudited)

At the annual meeting of shareholders of MFS Special Value Trust, which was held on October 1, 2015, the following action was taken:

Item 1: To elect the following individuals as Trustees:

 

     Number of Shares  

Nominee

  

For

    

Withheld Authority

 
Robert E. Butler      5,174,554.559         527,580.405   
David H. Gunning      5,174,554.559         527,580.405   
Robin A. Stelmach      5,341,870.559         360,264.405   

 

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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS — IDENTIFICATION AND BACKGROUND

The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, as of December 1, 2015, are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. (Their titles may have varied during that period.) The address of each Trustee and Officer is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7618.

 

Name, Age

 

Position(s)
Held

with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer

Since (h)

 

Term

Expiring

 

Principal
Occupations During

the Past Five Years

 

Other

Directorships (j)

INTERESTED TRUSTEES
Robert J. Manning (k)
(age 52)
  Trustee   February 2004   2016   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Co-Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director; Chief Investment Officer (until 2010)   N/A

Robin A. Stelmach (k)

(age 54)

  Trustee and President   January 2014   2018   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer   N/A
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES    
David H. Gunning
(age 73)
  Trustee and Chair of Trustees   January 2004   2018 (m)   Private investor   Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., Director; Development Alternatives, Inc., Director/Non-Executive Chairman

Steven E. Buller

(age 64)

  Trustee   February 2014   2017   Chairman, Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council; Standing Advisory Group, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, Member (until 2014); BlackRock, Inc. (investment management), Managing Director (until 2014), BlackRock Finco UK (investment management), Director (until 2014)   N/A

 

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Trustees and Officers – continued

 

Name, Age

 

Position(s)
Held

with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer

Since (h)

 

Term

Expiring

 

Principal
Occupations During

the Past Five Years

 

Other

Directorships (j)

Robert E. Butler
(age 74)
  Trustee   January 2006   2018 (n)   Consultant – investment company industry regulatory and compliance matters   N/A

Maureen R. Goldfarb

(age 60)

  Trustee   January 2009   2016   Private investor   N/A
William R. Gutow
(age 74)
  Trustee   December 1993   2017 (n)   Private investor and real estate consultant; Capitol Entertainment Management Company (video franchise), Vice Chairman   Texas Donuts, Vice Chairman (until 2010)
Michael Hegarty
(age 70)
  Trustee   December 2004   2017   Private investor   Rouse Properties Inc., Director; Capmark Financial Group Inc., Director

John P. Kavanaugh

(age 61)

  Trustee   January 2009   2017   Private investor   N/A

Maryanne L. Roepke

(age 59)

  Trustee   May 2014   2016   American Century Investments (investment management), Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (until 2014)   N/A
Laurie J. Thomsen
(age 58)
  Trustee   March 2005   2016   Private investor; New Profit, Inc. (venture philanthropy), Executive Partner (until 2010)   The Travelers Companies, Director; Dycom Industries, Inc., Director
Robert W. Uek
(age 74)
  Trustee   January 2006   2017 (n)   Consultant to investment company industry   N/A
OFFICERS    
Christopher R. Bohane (k) (age 41)   Assistant
Secretary and Assistant Clerk
  July 2005   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel   N/A

 

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Trustees and Officers – continued

 

Name, Age

 

Position(s)
Held

with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer

Since (h)

 

Term

Expiring

 

Principal
Occupations During

the Past Five Years

 

Other

Directorships (j)

Kino Clark (k)

(age 47)

 

Assistant

Treasurer

  January 2012   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President   N/A

Kristin V. Collins (k)

(age 42)

  Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk   September 2015   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel   N/A

Thomas H. Connors (k)

(age 56)

 

Assistant

Secretary and Assistant Clerk

  September 2012   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel; Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (financial service provider), Director and Senior Counsel (until 2012)   N/A
Ethan D. Corey (k)
(age 52)
  Assistant
Secretary and Assistant Clerk
  July 2005   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel   N/A
David L. DiLorenzo (k) (age 47)   Treasurer   July 2005   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President   N/A

Brian E. Langenfeld (k)

(age 42)

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

Kenneth Paek (k)

(age 41)

  Assistant Treasurer   February 2015   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President; Cohen & Steers, Vice President/Head of Fund Administration (until 2014)   N/A

 

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Trustees and Officers – continued

 

Name, Age

 

Position(s)
Held

with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer

Since (h)

 

Term

Expiring

 

Principal
Occupations During

the Past Five Years

 

Other

Directorships (j)

Susan A. Pereira (k)
(age 45)
  Assistant
Secretary and Assistant Clerk
  July 2005   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel   N/A

Kasey L. Phillips (k)

(age 44)

  Assistant Treasurer   September 2012   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President; Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Senior Vice President, Fund Treasurer (until 2012)   N/A
Mark N. Polebaum (k)
(age 63)
  Secretary and
Clerk
  January 2006   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary   N/A

Matthew A. Stowe (k)

(age 41)

  Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk   October 2014   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel   N/A
Frank L. Tarantino
(age 71)
  Independent Senior Officer   June 2004   N/A   Tarantino LLC (provider of compliance services), Principal   N/A
Richard S. Weitzel (k)
(age 45)
  Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk   October 2007   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel   N/A

 

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Trustees and Officers – continued

 

Name, Age

 

Position(s)
Held

with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer

Since (h)

 

Term

Expiring

 

Principal
Occupations During

the Past Five Years

 

Other

Directorships (j)

Martin J. Wolin (k)

(age 48)

  Chief Compliance Officer   July 2015   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2015); Mercer (financial service provider), Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, North America and Latin America (until June 2015)   N/A
James O. Yost (k)
(age 55)
  Deputy Treasurer   September 1990   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President   N/A

 

(h) Date first appointed to serve as Trustee/officer of an MFS Fund. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise. For the period from December 15, 2004 until February 22, 2005, Mr. Manning served as Advisory Trustee. Prior to January 2012, Messrs. DiLorenzo and Yost served as Assistant Treasurers of the Funds. Ms. Stelmach was appointed as President of the Funds as of October 1, 2014.
(j) Directorships or trusteeships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (i.e., “public companies”).
(k) “Interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (referred to as the 1940 Act), which is the principal federal law governing investment companies like the fund, as a result of a position with MFS. The address of MFS is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7618.
(m) With respect to Mr. Gunning, the Board has agreed to a one-year extension of his ability to serve as a Trustee from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, subject to Board approval for a second one-year extension for the 2017 calendar year pursuant to the retirement policy.
(n) With respect to Messrs. Butler, Gutow and Uek, the Board has agreed to a one-year extension of each Trustee’s ability to serve as a Trustee from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 pursuant to the retirement policy.

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

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

Each of the Fund’s Trustees and officers holds comparable positions with certain other funds of which MFS or a subsidiary is the investment adviser or distributor, and, in the case of the officers, with certain affiliates of MFS. As of December 1, 2015, the Trustees served as board members of 138 funds within the MFS Family of Funds.

 

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Trustees and Officers – continued

 

 

 

 

Investment Adviser   Custodian
Massachusetts Financial Services Company   State Street Bank and Trust Company
111 Huntington Avenue   1 Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02199-7618   Boston, MA 02111-2900
Portfolio Managers   Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
William Adams   Ernst & Young LLP
Ward Brown   200 Clarendon Street
Nevin Chitkara   Boston, MA 02116
David Cole  
Matthew Ryan  

 

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BOARD REVIEW OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The Investment Company Act of 1940 requires that both the full Board of Trustees and a majority of the non-interested (“independent”) Trustees, voting separately, annually approve the continuation of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with MFS. The Trustees consider matters bearing on the Fund and its advisory arrangements at their meetings throughout the year, including a review of performance data at each regular meeting. In addition, the independent Trustees met several times over the course of three months beginning in May and ending in July, 2015 (“contract review meetings”) for the specific purpose of considering whether to approve the continuation of the investment advisory agreement for the Fund and the other investment companies that the Board oversees (the “MFS Funds”). The independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately from MFS during various contract review meetings. The independent Trustees were also assisted in this process by the MFS Funds’ Independent Senior Officer, a senior officer appointed by and reporting to the independent Trustees.

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

In connection with their contract review meetings, the Trustees received and relied upon materials that included, among other items: (i) information provided by Lipper Inc., an independent third party, on the investment performance (based on net asset value) of the Fund for various time periods ended December 31, 2014 and the investment performance (based on net asset value) of a group of funds with substantially similar investment classifications/ objectives (the “Lipper performance universe”), (ii) information provided by Lipper Inc. on the Fund’s advisory fees and other expenses and the advisory fees and other expenses of comparable funds identified by Lipper Inc. (the “Lipper expense group”), (iii) information provided by MFS on the advisory fees of comparable portfolios of other clients of MFS, including institutional separate accounts and other clients, (iv) information as to whether and to what extent applicable expense waivers, reimbursements or fee “breakpoints” are observed for the Fund, (v) information regarding MFS’ financial results and financial condition, including MFS’ and certain of its affiliates’ estimated profitability from services performed for the Fund and the MFS Funds as a whole, and compared to MFS’ institutional business, (vi) MFS’ views regarding the outlook for the mutual fund industry and the strategic business plans of MFS, (vii) descriptions of various functions performed by MFS for the Funds, such as compliance monitoring and portfolio trading practices, and (viii) information regarding the overall organization of MFS, including information about MFS’ senior management and other personnel providing investment

 

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Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued

 

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

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

Based on information provided by Lipper Inc. and MFS, the Trustees reviewed the Fund’s total return investment performance as well as the performance of peer groups of funds over various time periods. The Trustees placed particular emphasis on the total return performance of the Fund’s common shares in comparison to the performance of funds in its Lipper performance universe over the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, which the Trustees believed was a long enough period to reflect differing market conditions. The total return performance of the Fund’s common shares ranked 3rd out of a total of 6 funds in the Lipper performance universe for this three-year period (a ranking of first place out of the total number of funds in the performance universe indicating the best performer and a ranking of last place out of the total number of funds in the performance universe indicating the worst performer). The total return performance of the Fund’s common shares ranked 1st out of a total of 7 funds for the one-year period and 1st out of a total of 4 funds for the five-year period ended December 31, 2014. Given the size of the Lipper performance universe and information previously provided by MFS regarding differences between the Fund and other funds in its Lipper performance universe, the Trustees also reviewed the Fund’s performance in comparison to a custom benchmark developed by MFS. The Fund underperformed its custom benchmark for each of the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2014 (one-year: 3.3% total return for the Fund versus 6.5% total return for the benchmark; three-year: 10.5% total return for the Fund versus 12.5% total return for the benchmark; five-year: 9.5% total return for the Fund versus 11.2% total return for the benchmark). Because of the passage of time, these performance results may differ from the performance results for more recent periods, including those shown elsewhere in this report.

In the course of their deliberations, the Trustees took into account information provided by MFS in connection with the contract review meetings, as well as during investment review meetings conducted with portfolio management personnel during the course of the year regarding the Fund’s performance. After reviewing these and related factors, the Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the investment advisory agreement, that they were satisfied with MFS’ responses and efforts relating to investment performance.

 

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Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued

 

In assessing the reasonableness of the Fund’s advisory fee, the Trustees considered, among other information, the Fund’s advisory fee and the total expense ratio of the Fund’s common shares as a percentage of average daily net assets and the advisory fee and total expense ratios of peer groups of funds based on information provided by Lipper Inc. The Trustees considered that MFS has agreed in writing to reduce its advisory fee, which may not be changed without the Trustees’ approval. The Trustees also considered that, according to the Lipper data (which takes into account any fee reductions or expense limitations that were in effect during the Fund’s last fiscal year), the Fund’s effective advisory fee rate and total expense ratio were each higher than the Lipper expense group median.

The Trustees also considered the advisory fees charged by MFS to any institutional separate accounts advised by MFS (“separate accounts”) and unaffiliated investment companies for which MFS serves as subadviser (“subadvised funds”) that have comparable investment strategies to the Fund. In comparing these fees, the Trustees considered information provided by MFS as to the generally broader scope of services provided by MFS to the Fund, as well as the more extensive regulatory burdens imposed on MFS in managing the Fund, in comparison to separate accounts and subadvised funds.

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

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

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

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

 

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Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued

 

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

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

Based on their evaluation of factors that they deemed to be material, including those factors described above, the Board of Trustees, including the independent Trustees, concluded that the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with MFS should be continued for an additional one-year period, commencing August 1, 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 most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge by visiting the Proxy Voting section of mfs.com or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO DISCLOSURE

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

Public Reference Room

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE, Room 1580

Washington, D.C. 20549

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

FURTHER INFORMATION

From time to time, MFS may post important information about the fund or the MFS funds on the MFS web site (mfs.com). This information is available by visiting the “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.

FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)

The fund will notify shareholders of amounts for use in preparing 2015 income tax forms in January 2016. The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fund designates the maximum amount allowable as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at the same rate as long-term capital gain.

For corporate shareholders, 17.75% of the ordinary income dividends paid during the fiscal year qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction.

 

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rev. 3/11

 

 

FACTS

 

  WHAT DOES MFS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?   LOGO

 

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

 

What?  

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

 

 Social Security number and account balances

 Account transactions and transaction history

 Checking account information and wire transfer instructions

 

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

 

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

 

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

For our everyday business purposes –

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

  Yes   No

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

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

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

  No   We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

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

 

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

 

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Page 2  

 


 

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

 

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

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

 open an account or provide account information

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

 make a wire transfer

 

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

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

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

 affiliates from using your information to market to you

 sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

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

 

Definitions
Affiliates  

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

 

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

Nonaffiliates  

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

 

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

Joint Marketing  

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

 

 MFS doesnt jointly market.

 

 

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

 

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LOGO

 

CONTACT US

TRANSFER AGENT, REGISTRAR, AND

DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT

CALL

1-800-637-2304

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

WRITE

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 43078

Providence, RI 02940-3078

 

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: MFV


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ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

The Registrant has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and as defined in Form N-CSR that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer. During the period covered by this report, the Registrant has not amended any provision in its Code of Ethics (the “Code”) that relates to an element of the Code’s definitions enumerated in paragraph (b) of Item 2 of this Form N-CSR. During the period covered by this report, the Registrant did not grant a waiver, including an implicit waiver, from any provision of the Code.

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

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

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

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

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

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

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2015 and 2014, audit fees billed to the Fund by E&Y were as follows:

 

     Audit Fees  
     2015      2014  

Fees billed by E&Y:

     

MFS Special Value Trust

     49,646         48,830   


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For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2015 and 2014, fees billed by E&Y for audit-related, tax and other services provided to the Fund and for audit-related, tax and other services provided to MFS and MFS Related Entities were as follows:

 

     Audit-Related  Fees1      Tax Fees2      All Other Fees3  
     2015      2014      2015      2014      2015      2014  

Fees billed by E&Y:

                 

To MFS Special Value Trust

     11,027         10,843         9,500         9,333         1,002         0   
     Audit-Related Fees1      Tax Fees2      All Other Fees3  
     2015      2014      2015      2014      2015      2014  

Fees billed by E&Y:

                 

To MFS and MFS Related Entities of MFS Special Value Trust*

     920,675         0         0         0         99,446         0   

 

    

Aggregate Fees for Non-audit

Services

 
     2015      2014  

Fees Billed by E&Y:

     

To MFS Special Value Trust, MFS and MFS Related Entities#

     1,292,650         95,176   

 

* 

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

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

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

2 

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

3 

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

Item 4(e)(1):

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

To the extent required by applicable law, pre-approval by the Audit Committee of the Board is needed for all audit and permissible non-audit services rendered to the Fund and all permissible non-audit services rendered to MFS or MFS Related Entities if the services relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Registrant. Pre-approval is currently on an engagement-by-engagement basis. In the event pre-approval of such services is necessary between regular meetings of the Audit Committee and it is not practical to wait to seek pre-approval at the next regular meeting of the Audit Committee,


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pre-approval of such services may be referred to the Chair of the Audit Committee for approval; provided that the Chair may not pre-approve any individual engagement for such services exceeding $50,000 or multiple engagements for such services in the aggregate exceeding $100,000 between such regular meetings of the Audit Committee. Any engagement pre-approved by the Chair between regular meetings of the Audit Committee shall be presented for ratification by the entire Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

Item 4(e)(2):

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

Item 4(f): Not applicable.

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

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

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

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

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

 

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


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MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

February 1, 2015

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

The MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures include:

 

  A. Voting Guidelines;

 

  B. Administrative Procedures;

 

  C Records Retention; and

 

  D. Reports.

 

A. VOTING GUIDELINES

 

1. General Policy; Potential Conflicts of Interest

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

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

As a general matter, MFS votes consistently on similar proxy proposals across all shareholder meetings. However, some proxy proposals, such as certain excessive executive compensation, environmental, social and governance matters, are analyzed on a case-by-case basis in light of all the relevant facts and


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circumstances of the proposal. Therefore, MFS may vote similar proposals differently at different shareholder meetings based on the specific facts and circumstances of the issuer or the terms of the proposal. In addition, MFS also reserves the right to override the guidelines with respect to a particular proxy proposal when such an override is, in MFS’ best judgment, consistent with the overall principle of voting proxies in the best long-term economic interests of MFS’ clients.

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

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

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

 

2. MFS’ Policy on Specific Issues

Election of Directors

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


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MFS will also not support a nominee to a board if we can determine that he or she attended less than 75% of the board and/or relevant committee meetings in the previous year without a valid reason stated in the proxy materials or other company communications. In addition, MFS may not support some or all nominees standing for re-election to a board if we can determine: (1) the board or its compensation committee has re-priced or exchanged underwater stock options since the last annual meeting of shareholders and without shareholder approval; (2) the board or relevant committee has not taken adequately responsive action to an issue that received majority support or opposition from shareholders; (3) the board has implemented a poison pill without shareholder approval since the last annual meeting and such poison pill is not on the subsequent shareholder meeting’s agenda, (including those related to net-operating loss carry-forwards); (4) the board or relevant committee has failed to adequately oversee risk by allowing the hedging and/or significant pledging of company shares by executives; or (5) there are governance concerns with a director or issuer.

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

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

Majority Voting and Director Elections

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

Classified Boards

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


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Proxy Access

MFS believes that the ability of qualifying shareholders to nominate a certain number of directors on the company’s proxy statement (“Proxy Access”) may have corporate governance benefits. However, such potential benefits must be balanced by its potential misuse by shareholders. Therefore, we support Proxy Access proposals at U.S. issuers that establish an ownership criteria of 3% of the company held continuously for a period of 3 years. MFS analyzes all other proposals seeking Proxy Access on a case-by-case basis. In its analysis, MFS will consider the proposed ownership criteria for qualifying shareholders (such as ownership threshold and holding period) as well as the proponent’s rationale for seeking Proxy Access.

Stock Plans

MFS opposes stock option programs and restricted stock plans that provide unduly generous compensation for officers, directors or employees, or that could result in excessive dilution to other shareholders. As a general guideline, MFS votes against restricted stock, stock option, non-employee director, omnibus stock plans and any other stock plan if all such plans for a particular company involve potential dilution, in the aggregate, of more than 15%. However, MFS will also vote against stock plans that involve potential dilution, in aggregate, of more than 10% at U.S. issuers that are listed in the Standard and Poor’s 100 index as of December 31 of the previous year. In the cases where a stock plan amendment is seeking qualitative changes and not additional shares, MFS will vote its shares on a case-by-case basis.

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

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

Shareholder Proposals on Executive Compensation

MFS believes that competitive compensation packages are necessary to attract, motivate and retain executives. However, MFS also recognizes that certain executive compensation practices can be “excessive” and not in the best, long-term


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economic interest of a company’s shareholders. We believe that the election of an issuer’s board of directors (as outlined above), votes on stock plans (as outlined above) and advisory votes on pay (as outlined below) are typically the most effective mechanisms to express our view on a company’s compensation practices.

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

Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation

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

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

“Golden Parachutes”

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


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

Anti-Takeover Measures

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

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

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

Reincorporation and Reorganization Proposals

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


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Issuance of Stock

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

Repurchase Programs

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

Cumulative Voting

MFS opposes proposals that seek to introduce cumulative voting and for proposals that seek to eliminate cumulative voting. In either case, MFS will consider whether cumulative voting is likely to enhance the interests of MFS’ clients as minority shareholders.

Written Consent and Special Meetings

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

Independent Auditors

MFS believes that the appointment of auditors for U.S. issuers is best left to the board of directors of the company and therefore supports the ratification of the board’s selection of an auditor for the company. Some shareholder groups have submitted proposals to limit the non-audit activities of a company’s audit firm or prohibit any non-audit services by a company’s auditors to that company. MFS


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opposes proposals recommending the prohibition or limitation of the performance of non-audit services by an auditor, and proposals recommending the removal of a company’s auditor due to the performance of non-audit work for the company by its auditor. MFS believes that the board, or its audit committee, should have the discretion to hire the company’s auditor for specific pieces of non-audit work in the limited situations permitted under current law.

Other Business

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

Adjourn Shareholder Meeting

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

Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Issues

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

MFS generally supports proposals that seek to remove governance structures that insulate management from shareholders (i.e., anti-takeover measures) or that seek to enhance shareholder rights. Many of these governance-related issues, including compensation issues, are outlined within the context of the above guidelines. In addition, MFS typically supports proposals that require an issuer to reimburse successful dissident shareholders (who are not seeking control of the company) for reasonable expenses that such dissident incurred in soliciting an alternative slate of director candidates. MFS also generally supports reasonably crafted shareholder proposals requesting increased disclosure around the company’s use of collateral in derivatives trading. MFS typically supports proposals for an independent board chairperson. However, we may not support such proposals if we determine there to be an appropriate and effective counter-balancing leadership structure in place (e.g.; a strong, independent lead director with an appropriate level of powers and duties). For any governance-related proposal for which an explicit guideline is not provided above, MFS will consider such proposals on a case-by-case basis and will support such proposals if MFS believes that it is in the best long-term economic interest of the company’s shareholders.


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

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

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

Foreign Issuers

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


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against the board nominees or other relevant ballot item if such explanation is not satisfactory. In some circumstances, MFS may submit a vote to abstain from certain director nominees or the relevant ballot items if we have concerns with the nominee or ballot item, but do not believe these concerns rise to the level where a vote against is warranted.

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

Some international markets have also adopted mandatory requirements for all companies to hold shareholder votes on executive compensation. MFS will vote against such proposals if MFS determines that a company’s executive compensation practices are excessive, considering such factors as the specific market’s best practices that seek to maintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment and to create long-term shareholder value. We may alternatively submit an abstention vote on such proposals in circumstances where our executive compensation concerns are not as severe.

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

In accordance with local law or business practices, some foreign companies or custodians prevent the sale of shares that have been voted for a certain period beginning prior to the shareholder meeting and ending on the day following the meeting (“share blocking”). Depending on the country in which a company is domiciled, the blocking period may begin a stated number of days prior or subsequent to the meeting (e.g. one, three or five days) or on a date established by the company. While practices vary, in many countries the block period can be continued for a longer period if the shareholder meeting is adjourned and postponed to a later date. Similarly, practices vary widely as to the ability of a shareholder to have the “block” restriction lifted early (e.g. in some countries shares generally can be “unblocked” up to two days prior to the meeting whereas in other countries the removal of the block appears to be discretionary with the issuer’s transfer agent). Due to these restrictions, MFS must balance the benefits to its clients of voting proxies against the potentially serious portfolio management


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consequences of a reduced flexibility to sell the underlying shares at the most advantageous time. For companies in countries with share blocking periods or in markets where some custodians may block shares, the disadvantage of being unable to sell the stock regardless of changing conditions generally outweighs the advantages of voting at the shareholder meeting for routine items. Accordingly, MFS will not vote those proxies in the absence of an unusual, significant vote that outweighs the disadvantage of being unable to sell the stock.

From time to time, governments may impose economic sanctions which may prohibit us from transacting business with certain companies or individuals. These sanctions may also prohibit the voting of proxies at certain companies or on certain individuals. In such instances, MFS will not vote at certain companies or on certain individuals if it determines that doing so is in violation of the sanctions.

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

 

B. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

 

  1. MFS Proxy Voting Committee

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

 

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

 

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

 

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


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  2. Potential Conflicts of Interest

The MFS Proxy Voting Committee is responsible for monitoring potential material conflicts of interest on the part of MFS or its subsidiaries that could arise in connection with the voting of proxies on behalf of MFS’ clients. Due to the client focus of our investment management business, we believe that the potential for actual material conflict of interest issues is small. Nonetheless, we have developed precautions to assure that all proxy votes are cast in the best long-term economic interest of shareholders.3 Other MFS internal policies require all MFS employees to avoid actual and potential conflicts of interests between personal activities and MFS’ client activities. If an employee (including investment professionals) identifies an actual or potential conflict of interest with respect to any voting decision (including the ownership of securities in their individual portfolio), then that employee must recuse himself/herself from participating in the voting process. Any significant attempt by an employee of MFS or its subsidiaries to unduly influence MFS’ voting on a particular proxy matter should also be reported to the MFS Proxy Voting Committee.

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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


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

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

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

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

 

  3. Gathering Proxies

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


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

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

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

 

  4. Analyzing Proxies

Proxies are voted in accordance with these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures. The Proxy Administrator, at the prior direction of MFS, automatically votes all proxy matters that do not require the particular exercise of discretion or judgment with respect to these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures as determined by MFS. With respect to proxy matters that require the particular exercise of discretion or judgment, the MFS Proxy Voting Committee considers and votes on those proxy matters. MFS also receives research and recommendations from the Proxy Administrator which it may take into account in deciding how to vote. MFS uses the research of ISS to identify (i) circumstances in which a board may have approved excessive executive compensation, (ii) environmental and social proposals that warrant further consideration or (iii) circumstances in which a non-U.S. company is not in compliance with local governance or compensation best practices. In those situations where the only MFS fund that is eligible to vote at a shareholder meeting has Glass Lewis as its Proxy Administrator, then we will utilize research from Glass Lewis to identify such issues. MFS analyzes such issues independently and does not necessarily vote with the ISS or Glass Lewis recommendations on these issues. MFS may also use other research tools in order to identify the circumstances described above. Representatives of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee review, as appropriate, votes cast to ensure conformity with these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.


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As a general matter, portfolio managers and investment analysts have little involvement in most votes taken by MFS. This is designed to promote consistency in the application of MFS’ voting guidelines, to promote consistency in voting on the same or similar issues (for the same or for multiple issuers) across all client accounts, and to minimize the potential that proxy solicitors, issuers, or third parties might attempt to exert inappropriate influence on the vote. In limited types of votes (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, capitalization matters, potentially excessive executive compensation issues, or shareholder proposals relating to environmental and social issues), a representative of MFS Proxy Voting Committee may consult with or seek recommendations from MFS portfolio managers or investment analysts.4 However, the MFS Proxy Voting Committee would ultimately determine the manner in which all proxies are voted.

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

 

  5. Voting Proxies

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

For those markets that utilize a “record date” to determine which shareholders are eligible to vote, MFS generally will vote all eligible shares pursuant to these guidelines regardless of whether all (or a portion of) the shares held by our clients have been sold prior to the meeting date.

 

  6. Securities Lending

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

 

4 

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


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

 

  7. Engagement

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

 

C. RECORDS RETENTION

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

 

D. REPORTS

U.S. Registered MFS Funds

MFS publicly discloses the proxy voting records of the U.S. registered MFS Funds on a quarterly basis. MFS will also report the results of its voting to the Board of Trustees of the U.S. registered MFS Funds. These reports will include: (i)


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

Other MFS Clients

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

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


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

Portfolio Manager(s)

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

 

Portfolio Manager

  

Primary Role

  

Since

  

Title and Five Year History

William J. Adams    Below Investment Grade Debt Instruments Portfolio Manager    2011    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment are of MFS since 2009; Credit Analyst at MFS from 1997 to 2005.
Ward Brown    Emerging Markets Debt Instruments Portfolio Manager    2012    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment are of MFS since 2005
Nevin P. Chitkara    Equity Securities Portfolio Manager    2012    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment are of MFS since 1997
David P. Cole    Below Investment Grade Debt Instruments Portfolio Manager    2006    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment are of MFS since 2004
Matthew W. Ryan    Emerging Markets Debt Instruments Portfolio Manager    2012    Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment are of MFS since 1997

Compensation

Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed annually. As of December 31, 2015, portfolio manager total cash compensation is a combination of base salary and performance bonus:

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

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

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

The quantitative portion is based on the pre-tax performance of assets managed by the portfolio manager over one-, three-, and five-year periods relative to peer group universes and/or indices (“benchmarks”). As of December 31, 2015, the following benchmarks were used to measure the following portfolio manager’s performance for the Fund:

 

Fund

  

Portfolio Manager

  

Benchmark(s)

MFS Special Value Trust    William J. Adams   

Barclays U.S. High-Yield Corporate Bond 2% Issuer Capped Index

JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global

Russell 1000 Value Index

   Ward Brown    JPMorgan Emerging Markets Board Index Global
   Nevin P. Chitkara    Russell 1000 Value Index
   David P. Cole   

Barclays U.S. High-Yield Corporate Bond 2% Issuer Capped Index

JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global

Russell 1000 Value Index

   Matthew W. Ryan    JPMorgan Emerging Markets Board Index Global

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

The qualitative portion is based on the results of an annual internal peer review process (conducted by other portfolio managers, analysts, and traders) and management’s assessment of overall portfolio manager contributions to investor relations and the investment process (distinct from fund and other account performance). This performance bonus may be in the form of cash and/or a deferred cash award, at the discretion of management. A deferred cash award is issued for a cash value and becomes payable over a three-year vesting period if the portfolio manager remains in the continuous employ of MFS or its affiliates. During the vesting period, the value of the unfunded deferred cash award will fluctuate as though the portfolio manager had invested the cash value of the award in an MFS Fund(s) selected by the portfolio manager. A selected fund may be, but is not required to be, a fund that is managed by the portfolio manager.


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

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

Ownership of Fund Shares

The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities of the Fund beneficially owned by the Fund’s portfolio manager(s) as of the Fund’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2015. The following dollar ranges apply:

N. None

A. $1 – $10,000

B. $10,001 – $50,000

C. $50,001 – $100,000

D. $100,001 – $500,000

E. $500,001 – $1,000,000

F. Over $1,000,000

 

Name of Portfolio Manager

  

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Fund

William J. Adams    N
Ward Brown    N
Nevin P. Chitkara    N
David P. Cole    N
Matthew W. Ryan    N

Other Accounts

In addition to the Fund, each portfolio manager of the Fund is named as a portfolio manager of certain other accounts managed or subadvised by MFS or an affiliate. The number and assets of these accounts were as follows as of October 31, 2015:

 

     Registered Investment Companies*      Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles
     Other Accounts  

Name

   Number of
Accounts
     Total
Assets
     Number of
Accounts
     Total Assets      Number of
Accounts
     Total Assets  

William J. Adams

     13       $ 8.6 billion         5       $ 1.1 billion         1       $ 112.6 million   

Ward Brown

     10       $ 9.5 billion         6       $ 3.7 billion         5       $ 1.5 billion   

Nevin P. Chitkara

     18       $ 60.5 billion         8       $ 6.1 billion         45       $ 18.2 billion   

David P. Cole

     12       $ 8.5 billion         2       $ 995.3 million         1       $ 112.6 million   

Matthew W. Ryan

     12       $ 10.2 billion         7       $ 4.5 billion         5       $ 1.5 billion   

 

* Includes the Fund.

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


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Potential Conflicts of Interest

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

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

When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed by MFS to be fair and equitable to each. Allocations may be based on many factors and may not always be pro rata based on assets managed. The allocation methodology could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the Fund is concerned.

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

 

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

MFS 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   

  5/01/15-5/31/15

     0         N/A         0         707,521   

  6/01/15-6/30/15

     0         N/A         0         707,521   

  7/01/15-7/31/15

     0         N/A         0         707,521   

  8/01/15-8/31/15

     0         N/A         0         707,521   

  9/01/15-9/30/15

     0         N/A         0         707,521   

10/01/15-10/31/15

     0         N/A         0         707,521   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total

     0            0      
  

 

 

       

 

 

    


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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.

 

(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: Code of Ethics attached hereto.

 

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

 

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

 

(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


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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: December 15, 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: December 15, 2015

 

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

Date: December 15, 2015

 

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