MFS CHARTER INCOME TRUST N-CSRS
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF

REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-5822

MFS CHARTER INCOME TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Susan S. Newton

Massachusetts Financial Services Company

500 Boylston Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(Name and address of agents for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

Date of reporting period: May 31, 2009


Table of Contents
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


Table of Contents

LOGO

LOGO

Semiannual report

MFS® Charter Income Trust

5/31/09

MCR-SEM


Table of Contents

MFS® Charter Income Trust

 

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: MCR

 

LETTER FROM THE CEO   1
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION   2
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS OF THE FUND   4
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS’ PROFILES   6
OTHER NOTES   6
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN   7
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS   9
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES   30
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS   31
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   32
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   33
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   34
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   51
BOARD REVIEW OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT   52
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND INFORMATION   52
QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO DISCLOSURE   52
CONTACT INFORMATION   BACK COVER

 

NOT FDIC INSURED Ÿ MAY LOSE VALUE Ÿ NO BANK GUARANTEE

 


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

LETTER FROM THE CEO

Dear Shareholders:

The market downturns and economic setbacks of late probably rank among the worst financial declines most of us have experienced. Inevitably, people may be questioning their commitment to investing. Still, it is important to remember that downturns are an inescapable part of the business cycle. Such troughs have been seen before, and if we can use history as a guide, market recoveries typically have followed.

Recent market events have shown the value of certain types of investments. In down markets especially, the benefits that funds offer — diversification, professional management, and transparency of operations — become even more important for investors.

This year, MFS celebrates the 85th anniversary of its flagship fund, Massachusetts Investors Trust. Founded in 1924, Massachusetts Investors Trust was America’s first mutual fund. Over the years, MFS has managed money through wars, recessions, and countless boom and bust market cycles. As dire as today’s economic climate may seem, experience has taught us the benefits of maintaining a long-term view. No one can predict when the market will fully recover. Still, we remain fully confident that the hallmarks of funds — diversification, professional management, and transparency — can serve long-term investors well through any type of market climate.

Respectfully,

LOGO

Robert J. Manning

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer

MFS Investment Management®

July 15, 2009

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

Before investing, consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. For a prospectus containing this and other information, contact MFS or view online. Read it carefully.

MFS Fund Distributors, Inc., 500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116

 

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PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Portfolio structure (i)

LOGO

 

Fixed income sectors (i)  
High Yield Corporates   37.3%
Non-U.S. Government Bonds   15.6%
High Grade Corporates   11.8%
Emerging Markets Bonds   9.5%
Mortgage-Backed Securities   7.5%
U.S. Treasury Securities   6.2%
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities   5.9%
Floating Rate Loans   2.0%
Asset-Backed Securities   0.9%
U.S. Government Agencies   0.7%
Collateralized Debt Obligations   0.1%
Credit quality of bonds (r)  
AAA   26.8%
AA   9.6%
A   6.7%
BBB   11.6%
BB   17.3%
B   17.3%
CCC   7.9%
CC   1.0%
C   0.1%
D   0.7%
Not Rated   1.0%
Portfolio facts  
Average Duration (d)(i)   4.7
Average Effective Maturity (i)(m)   6.7 yrs.
Average Credit Quality of Rated Securities (long-term) (a)   BBB
Average Credit Quality of Rated Securities (short-term) (a)   A-1
Country weightings (i)  
United States   70.1%
Japan   3.8%
Italy   2.7%
United Kingdom   2.2%
Germany   2.2%
France   2.0%
Canada   1.8%
Spain   1.2%
Brazil   1.1%
Other Countries   12.9%

 

 

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Portfolio Composition – continued

 

(a) The average credit quality of rated securities is based upon a market weighted average of portfolio holdings that are rated by public rating agencies.

 

(d) Duration is a measure of how much a bond’s price is likely to fluctuate with general changes in interest rates, e.g., if rates rise 1.00%, a bond with a 5-year duration is likely to lose about 5.00% of its value.

 

(i) For purposes of this presentation, the bond component includes accrued interest amounts and may be positively or negatively impacted by the equivalent exposure from any derivative holdings, if applicable.

 

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

 

(o) Less than 0.1%.

 

(r) Each security is assigned a rating from Moody’s Investors Service. If not rated by Moody’s, the rating will be that assigned by Standard & Poor’s. Likewise, if not assigned a rating by Standard & Poor’s, it will be based on the rating assigned by Fitch, Inc. For those portfolios that hold a security which is not rated by any of the three agencies, the security is considered Not Rated. Holdings in U.S. Treasuries and government agency mortgage-backed securities, if any, are included in the “AAA”-rating category. Percentages are based on the total market value of investments as of 5/31/09.

Percentages are based on net assets as of 5/31/09, unless otherwise noted.

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

 

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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

OF THE FUND

Investment Objective

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

Principal Investment Strategies

MFS normally invests the fund’s assets primarily in debt instruments.

MFS normally invests the fund’s assets in U.S. Government securities, foreign government securities, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities of U.S. and/or foreign issuers, corporate bonds of U.S. and/or foreign issuers, and/or debt instruments of issuers located in emerging market countries. MFS allocates the fund’s assets across these categories with a view toward broad diversification across and within these categories.

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

MFS may invest a relatively high percentage of the fund’s assets in a single country, a small number of countries, or a particular geographic region.

MFS may invest the fund’s assets in mortgage dollar rolls.

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

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

The fund may use leverage by borrowing up to 33 1/3% of the fund’s assets, including borrowings for investment purposes, and investing the proceeds pursuant to its investment strategies. If approved by the fund’s Board of Trustees, the fund may use leverage by other methods.

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

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

 

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

 

Principal Risks

The portfolio’s yield and share prices change daily based on the credit quality of its investments and changes in interest rates. In general, the value of debt securities will decline when interest rates rise and will increase when interest rates fall. Debt securities with longer maturity dates will generally be subject to greater price fluctuations than those with shorter maturities. Mortgage securities are subject to prepayment risk which can offer less potential for gains in a declining interest rate environment and greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. The fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in mortgage-backed securities. The value of mortgage-backed securities may depend, in part, on the issuer’s or borrower’s credit quality or ability to pay principal and interest when due and may fall if an issuer or borrower defaults on its obligation to pay principal or interest or if the instrument’s credit rating is downgraded by a credit rating agency. U.S. Government securities not supported as to the payment of principal or interest by the U.S. Treasury, such as those issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are subject to greater credit risk than are U.S. Government securities supported by the U.S. Treasury, such as those issued by Ginnie Mae. Derivatives can be highly volatile and involve risks in addition to those of the underlying indicators upon whose value the derivative is based. Gains or losses from derivatives can be substantially greater than the derivatives’ original cost. Lower quality debt securities involve substantially greater risk of default and their value can decline significantly over time. Foreign investments can be more volatile than U.S. investments. Changes in currency exchange rates can affect the U.S. dollar rate of foreign currency investments and investments denominated in foreign currency. Investing in emerging markets can involve risks in addition to those generally associated with investing in more developed foreign markets. To the extent that investments are purchased with the proceeds from the borrowings from a bank, the fund’s net asset value will increase or decrease at a greater rate than a comparable unleveraged fund. When you sell your shares, they may be worth more or less than the amount you paid for them. Please see the fund’s registration statement for further information regarding these and other risk considerations. A copy of the fund’s registration statement on Form N-2 is available on the EDGAR database on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Internet Web site at http://sec.gov and on the MFS Web site at mfs.com.

 

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

 

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PORTFOLIO MANAGERS’ PROFILES

 

Richard Hawkins     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 1988. Portfolio Manager of the Fund since July 2004.
John Addeo     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 1998. Portfolio Manager of the Fund since February 2005.
David Cole     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 2004. High Yield Analyst at Franklin Templeton Investments from 1999 to 2004. Portfolio Manager of the Fund since October 2006.
Matthew Ryan     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 1997. Portfolio Manager of the Fund since September 2004.

OTHER NOTES

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

The fund’s monthly distributions may include a return of capital to shareholders. 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 addition, distributions of current year long-term gains may be recharacterized as ordinary income. Returns of shareholder capital have the effect of reducing the fund’s assets and may increase the fund’s expense ratio.

 

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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN

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

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

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

If you have any questions or for further information or a copy of the Plan, contact the Plan Agent Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the Transfer Agent for the fund) at 1-800-637-2304, at the Plan Agent’s website at

 

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Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan – continued

 

www.computershare.com, or by writing to the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940-3078.

The following changes in the Plan will take effect on September 1, 2009:

 

  Ÿ  

When dividend reinvestment is being made through purchases in the open market, such purchases will be made on or shortly after the payment date for such distribution (except where temporary limits on purchases are legally required) and in no event more than 15 days thereafter (instead of 45 days as previously specified).

 

  Ÿ  

In an instance where the Plan Agent either cannot invest the full amount of the distribution through open market purchases or the fund’s shares are no longer selling at a discount to the current net asset value per share, the fund will supplementally issue additional shares at the greater of net asset value per share or 95% of the current market value price per share calculated on the date that such request is made (instead of the distribution date net asset value as previously specified). This price may be greater or lesser than the fund’s net asset value per share on the distribution payment date.

 

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PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

5/31/09 (unaudited)

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

 

Bonds - 92.0%           
Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Aerospace - 0.3%           
Bombardier, Inc., 6.3%, 2014 (n)    $    1,000,000   $ 875,000
Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Co. LLC, 8.5%, 2015    795,000     333,900
TransDigm Group, Inc., 7.75%, 2014    390,000     376,350
        
         $ 1,585,250
Airlines - 0.3%           
AMR Corp., 7.858%, 2011    $    1,110,000   $ 1,015,650
Continental Airlines, Inc., 7.339%, 2014    431,000     293,080
Delta Air Lines, Inc., 7.111%, 2011    85,000     79,050
        
         $ 1,387,780
Asset Backed & Securitized - 6.8%           
Asset Securitization Corp., FRN, 8.335%, 2029    $       759,930   $ 839,888
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc., FRN, 6.165%, 2051    6,000,000     4,855,304
Bayview Financial Acquisition Trust, FRN, 5.483%, 2041    404,000     300,469
Bayview Financial Revolving Mortgage Loan Trust, FRN, 1.116%, 2040 (z)    1,160,000     427,692
Citigroup/Deutsche Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, FRN, 5.366%, 2049    1,605,000     765,203
Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, FRN, 5.986%, 2046    230,000     119,087
Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates, FRN, 5.147%, 2035    2,000,000     1,366,715
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificate, 5.343%, 2039    1,080,744     527,896
Crest Ltd., CDO, 7%, 2040    2,000,000     150,000
CWCapital LLC, 5.223%, 2048    5,839,000     4,331,907
DLJ Commercial Mortgage Corp., 6.04%, 2031 (z)    2,000,000     1,775,172
First Union-Lehman Brothers Bank of America, FRN, 0.418%, 2035 (i)    21,471,956     331,843
First Union-Lehman Brothers Commercial Mortgage Trust, 7%, 2029 (n)    567,875     577,009
Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corp., FRN, 5.916%, 2038    4,839,456     3,975,821
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., 5.429%, 2043    6,000,000     4,789,034
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., FRN, 6.062%, 2051    185,000     38,889
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, FRN, 5.828%, 2050    185,000     45,515
Morgan Stanley Capital I, Inc., 5.168%, 2042    919,020     843,381
Mortgage Capital Funding, Inc., FRN, 2.321%, 2031 (i)    419,227     21

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Bonds - continued           
Asset Backed & Securitized - continued           
New Century Home Equity Loan Trust, FRN, 4.532%, 2035    $      1,566,923   $ 1,505,274
PNC Mortgage Acceptance Corp., FRN, 7.1%, 2032 (z)    2,510,000     2,332,588
Spirit Master Funding LLC, 5.05%, 2023 (z)    1,640,995     1,185,273
Structured Asset Securities Corp., FRN, 4.67%, 2035    947,820     784,595
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, FRN, 5.69%, 2047    1,503,155     242,460
        
         $ 32,111,036
Automotive - 1.7%           
Accuride Corp., 8.5%, 2015    $         780,000   $ 230,100
Allison Transmission, Inc., 11%, 2015 (n)    1,855,000     1,446,900
FCE Bank PLC, 7.125%, 2012    EUR      2,800,000     3,364,604
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 9.75%, 2010    $      1,240,000     1,174,096
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 12%, 2015    362,000     332,834
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 8%, 2016    250,000     200,761
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 9%, 2015    880,000     840,400
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 10.5%, 2016    385,000     383,075
        
         $ 7,972,770
Broadcasting - 1.5%           
Allbritton Communications Co., 7.75%, 2012    $      2,085,000   $ 1,454,287
Clear Channel Communications, Inc., 6.25%, 2011    1,240,000     415,400
Clear Channel Communications, Inc., 10.75%, 2016    280,000     67,200
Intelsat Jackson Holdings Ltd., 9.5%, 2016 (n)    1,415,000     1,407,925
Lamar Media Corp., 7.25%, 2013    675,000     617,625
Lamar Media Corp., 6.625%, 2015    1,085,000     922,250
Lamar Media Corp., “C”, 6.625%, 2015    245,000     198,450
LIN TV Corp., 6.5%, 2013    1,415,000     979,887
Local TV Finance LLC, 9.25%, 2015 (p)(z)    900,000     121,125
Newport Television LLC, 13%, 2017 (n)(p)    105,000     2,122
News America, Inc., 6.2%, 2034    325,000     265,191
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., 7%, 2014    168,000     58,380
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., 0.5% to 2011, 7% to 2014 (p)(z)    507,439     144,176
Univision Communications, Inc., 9.75%, 2015 (n)(p)    965,000     277,196
        
         $ 6,931,214
Brokerage & Asset Managers - 0.3%           
Janus Capital Group, Inc., 6.95%, 2017    $      1,420,000   $ 1,118,926
Nuveen Investments, Inc., 10.5%, 2015 (n)    1,020,000     545,700
        
         $ 1,664,626

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Bonds - continued           
Building - 0.8%           
Associated Materials, Inc., 9.75%, 2012    $    1,075,000   $ 908,375
Building Materials Corp. of America, 7.75%, 2014    300,000     262,500
CRH PLC, 8.125%, 2018    898,000     840,708
Nortek, Inc., 10%, 2013    1,245,000     806,138
Ply Gem Industries, Inc., 11.75%, 2013    1,435,000     918,400
        
         $ 3,736,121
Business Services - 0.8%           
First Data Corp., 9.875%, 2015    $    1,990,000   $ 1,353,200
Iron Mountain, Inc., 6.625%, 2016    775,000     716,875
SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 9.125%, 2013    205,000     197,312
SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 10.25%, 2015    1,760,000     1,597,200
        
         $ 3,864,587
Cable TV - 2.6%           
CCO Holdings LLC, 8.75%, 2013    $    1,500,000   $ 1,372,500
Charter Communications, Inc., 10.375%, 2014 (n)    590,000     560,500
Charter Communications, Inc., 10.875%, 2014 (n)    395,000     406,850
CSC Holdings, Inc., 8.5%, 2014 (n)    270,000     268,650
CSC Holdings, Inc., 8.5%, 2015 (n)    1,980,000     1,950,300
DirectTV Holdings LLC, 7.625%, 2016    2,890,000     2,796,075
Mediacom LLC, 9.5%, 2013    850,000     811,750
TCI Communications, Inc., 9.8%, 2012    701,000     777,721
Videotron LTEE, 6.875%, 2014    925,000     874,125
Virgin Media Finance PLC, 9.5%, 2016    395,000     377,517
Virgin Media, Inc., 9.125%, 2016    2,185,000     2,108,525
        
         $ 12,304,513
Chemicals - 0.8%           
Innophos Holdings, Inc., 8.875%, 2014    $       850,000   $ 762,875
Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., 10.125%, 2014 (p)    690,616     169,215
Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., 11.5%, 2016    837,000     196,695
Mosaic Co., 7.625%, 2016 (n)    1,525,000     1,517,375
Nalco Co., 7.75%, 2011    97,000     97,970
Yara International A.S.A., 5.25%, 2014 (n)    1,200,000     1,103,533
        
         $ 3,847,663
Computer Software - 0.4%           
Seagate Technology HDD Holdings, 6.375%, 2011    $    1,950,000   $ 1,823,250
Computer Software - Systems - 0.3%           
International Business Machines Corp., 8%, 2038    $    1,000,000   $ 1,277,815

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Bonds - continued           
Conglomerates - 0.4%           
Actuant Corp., 6.875%, 2017    $    1,005,000   $ 899,475
Kennametal, Inc., 7.2%, 2012    1,140,000     1,131,665
        
         $ 2,031,140
Construction - 0.1%           
Lennar Corp., 12.25%, 2017 (n)    $       345,000   $ 355,350
Consumer Goods & Services - 1.6%           
Corrections Corp. of America, 6.25%, 2013    $       310,000   $ 293,725
Fortune Brands, Inc., 5.125%, 2011    671,000     680,460
GEO Group, Inc., 8.25%, 2013    125,000     121,875
Jarden Corp., 7.5%, 2017    1,405,000     1,215,325
KAR Holdings, Inc., 10%, 2015    1,040,000     837,200
KAR Holdings, Inc., FRN, 5.027%, 2014    380,000     285,000
Service Corp. International, 7%, 2017    3,030,000     2,764,875
Ticketmaster, 10.75%, 2016 (n)    1,510,000     1,208,000
        
         $ 7,406,460
Containers - 0.7%           
Crown Americas LLC, 7.625%, 2013    $       500,000   $ 487,500
Crown Americas LLC, 7.75%, 2015    565,000     550,875
Graham Packaging Holdings Co., 9.875%, 2014    800,000     712,000
Greif, Inc., 6.75%, 2017    855,000     793,013
Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc., 8.25%, 2013    940,000     940,000
        
         $ 3,483,388
Defense Electronics - 0.8%           
BAE Systems Holdings, Inc., 4.75%, 2010 (n)    $       474,000   $ 477,017
BAE Systems Holdings, Inc., 5.2%, 2015 (n)    750,000     704,224
L-3 Communications Corp., 5.875%, 2015    1,145,000     1,019,050
L-3 Communications Corp., 6.375%, 2015    1,500,000     1,365,000
        
         $ 3,565,291
Electronics - 0.4%           
Avago Technologies Ltd., 11.875%, 2015    $       500,000   $ 455,000
Flextronics International Ltd., 6.25%, 2014    1,170,000     1,047,150
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 8.875%, 2014    635,000     285,750
Spansion, Inc., 11.25%, 2016 (d)(n)    620,000     139,500
        
         $ 1,927,400
Emerging Market Quasi-Sovereign - 4.1%           
Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social, 6.369%, 2018 (n)    $       116,000   $ 117,450

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Bonds - continued           
Emerging Market Quasi-Sovereign - continued           
Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile, 7.5%, 2019 (n)    $       253,000   $ 284,996
Export-Import Bank of Korea, 8.125%, 2014    633,000     696,072
Gazprom International S.A., 7.201%, 2020    415,334     390,414
Hana Bank, 6.5%, 2012 (n)    548,000     569,199
Industrial Bank of Korea, 7.125%, 2014 (n)    945,000     956,404
KazMunaiGaz Finance B.V., 8.375%, 2013 (n)    251,000     228,410
KazMunaiGaz Finance B.V., 9.125%, 2018 (n)    733,000     670,695
Korea Development Bank, 8%, 2014    168,000     181,919
Majapahit Holding B.V., 7.25%, 2017 (n)    1,478,000     1,278,470
Mubadala Development Co., 5.75%, 2014 (n)    941,000     942,741
Mubadala Development Co., 7.625%, 2019 (n)    1,869,000     1,874,046
National Power Corp., 7.25%, 2019 (z)    752,000     765,160
National Power Corp., FRN, 5.5%, 2011    390,000     390,479
Pemex Project Funding Master Trust, 5.75%, 2018    2,006,000     1,885,640
Pemex Project Funding Master Trust, FRN, 1.864%, 2012    1,100,000     1,036,750
Petrobras International Finance Co., 7.875%, 2019    581,000     633,290
Petroleos de Venezuela S.A., 5.25%, 2017    950,000     403,750
Petroleos Mexicanos, 8%, 2019 (n)    1,101,000     1,203,393
Petroleum Co. of Trinidad & Tobago Ltd., 6%, 2022 (n)    430,000     331,917
Petronas Capital Ltd., 7.875%, 2022    600,000     696,421
Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co. Ltd., 8.294%, 2014 (n)    2,490,000     2,620,700
SB Capital S.A., 5.93%, 2011    930,000     920,700
TransCapitalInvest Ltd., 5.67%, 2014    115,000     99,913
        
         $ 19,178,929
Emerging Market Sovereign - 3.0%           
Emirate of Abu Dhabi, 6.75%, 2019 (z)    $       218,000   $ 226,276
Federative Republic of Brazil, 6%, 2017    1,670,000     1,722,605
Republic of Argentina, FRN, 1.683%, 2012    1,947,150     1,231,508
Republic of Colombia, 7.375%, 2017    1,393,000     1,506,529
Republic of Columbia, 7.375%, 2019    465,000     492,900
Republic of Indonesia, 10.375%, 2014 (n)    252,000     289,170
Republic of Indonesia, 6.875%, 2017 (n)    171,000     164,587
Republic of Indonesia, 6.875%, 2018 (n)    531,000     505,778
Republic of Indonesia, 6.875%, 2018    204,000     194,310
Republic of Indonesia, 11.625%, 2019 (n)    1,703,000     2,137,265
Republic of Indonesia, 7.75%, 2038 (n)    593,000     551,490
Republic of Panama, 9.375%, 2029    1,747,000     2,157,545
Republic of Peru, 7.125%, 2019    298,000     318,860
Republic of South Africa, 6.875%, 2019    167,000     167,835
Republic of Turkey, 7.5%, 2019    289,000     295,503

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Bonds - continued           
Emerging Market Sovereign - continued           
State of Qatar, 5.15%, 2014 (n)    $    1,249,000   $ 1,273,980
State of Qatar, 6.55%, 2019 (n)    864,000     896,400
        
         $ 14,132,541
Energy - Independent - 3.2%           
Anadarko Petroleum Corp., 6.45%, 2036    $       160,000   $ 133,232
Chaparral Energy, Inc., 8.875%, 2017    1,205,000     694,381
Chesapeake Energy Corp., 9.5%, 2015    335,000     330,813
Chesapeake Energy Corp., 6.375%, 2015    2,200,000     1,886,500
Chesapeake Energy Corp., 6.875%, 2016    1,070,000     922,875
Forest Oil Corp., 8.5%, 2014 (n)    70,000     67,550
Forest Oil Corp., 7.25%, 2019    1,985,000     1,707,100
Hilcorp Energy I LP, 9%, 2016 (n)    1,095,000     963,600
Mariner Energy, Inc., 8%, 2017    1,310,000     1,034,900
McMoRan Exploration Co., 11.875%, 2014    645,000     499,875
Newfield Exploration Co., 6.625%, 2014    650,000     598,000
Newfield Exploration Co., 6.625%, 2016    225,000     203,625
OPTI Canada, Inc., 8.25%, 2014    1,340,000     924,600
Petrohawk Energy Corp., 10.5%, 2014 (n)    740,000     758,500
Plains Exploration & Production Co., 7%, 2017    1,520,000     1,322,400
Quicksilver Resources, Inc., 8.25%, 2015    290,000     242,150
Quicksilver Resources, Inc., 7.125%, 2016    1,620,000     1,182,600
Range Resources Corp., 8%, 2019    440,000     433,400
SandRidge Energy, Inc., 9.875%, 2016 (z)    250,000     238,125
SandRidge Energy, Inc., 8%, 2018 (n)    1,020,000     861,900
Talisman Energy, Inc., 7.75%, 2019    280,000     293,542
        
         $ 15,299,668
Energy - Integrated - 0.2%           
ConocoPhillips, 6.5%, 2039    $       170,000   $ 175,686
Hess Corp., 8.125%, 2019    100,000     109,876
Husky Energy, Inc., 5.9%, 2014    306,000     312,820
Husky Energy, Inc., 7.25%, 2019    324,000     338,121
        
         $ 936,503
Entertainment - 0.4%           
AMC Entertainment, Inc., 11%, 2016    $    1,200,000   $ 1,206,000
AMC Entertainment, Inc., 8.75%, 2019 (z)    660,000     635,250
        
         $ 1,841,250
Financial Institutions - 1.0%           
GMAC LLC, 6.875%, 2011 (z)    $    2,324,000   $ 2,079,980
GMAC LLC, 7%, 2012 (z)    455,000     398,125

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Bonds - continued           
Financial Institutions - continued           
GMAC LLC, 6.75%, 2014 (z)    $       615,000   $ 513,525
GMAC LLC, 8%, 2031 (z)    799,000     599,250
ILFC E-Capital Trust I, 5.9% to 2010, FRN to 2065 (n)    2,500,000     950,000
        
         $ 4,540,880
Food & Beverages - 1.3%           
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., 6.875%, 2019 (z)    $    1,300,000   $ 1,314,882
ARAMARK Corp., 8.5%, 2015    1,154,000     1,100,628
B&G Foods, Inc., 8%, 2011    170,000     167,450
Conagra Foods, Inc., 7%, 2019    430,000     462,622
Dean Foods Co., 7%, 2016    1,300,000     1,218,750
Del Monte Corp., 6.75%, 2015    1,170,000     1,108,575
General Mills, Inc., 5.65%, 2012    156,000     166,702
Tyson Foods, Inc., 7.85%, 2016    912,000     858,469
        
         $ 6,398,078
Food & Drug Stores - 0.2%           
CVS Caremark Corp., 6.6%, 2019    $       740,000   $ 768,523
Forest & Paper Products - 1.6%           
Buckeye Technologies, Inc., 8.5%, 2013    $       425,000   $ 393,125
Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc., 11.5%, 2014 (z)    770,000     752,675
Georgia-Pacific Corp., 7.125%, 2017 (n)    2,085,000     1,959,900
Georgia-Pacific Corp., 8%, 2024    140,000     119,000
Graphic Packaging International Corp., 9.5%, 2013    1,310,000     1,224,850
International Paper Co., 7.4%, 2014    900,000     886,482
Jefferson Smurfit Corp., 8.25%, 2012 (d)    1,425,000     448,875
NewPage Holding Corp., 10%, 2012    1,000,000     560,000
Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., 8%, 2017 (d)    536,000     174,200
Stora Enso Oyj, 6.404%, 2016 (n)    1,560,000     1,138,800
        
         $ 7,657,907
Gaming & Lodging - 2.3%           
Ameristar Casinos, Inc., 9.25%, 2014 (z)    $       305,000   $ 308,050
Boyd Gaming Corp., 6.75%, 2014    1,255,000     978,900
Firekeepers Development Authority, 13.875%, 2015 (z)    270,000     243,000
Fontainebleau Las Vegas Holdings LLC, 10.25%, 2015 (a)(n)    460,000     20,700
Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 11.25%, 2017 (z)    280,000     271,600
Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 10%, 2018 (z)    735,000     490,613
Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 10%, 2018 (z)    2,024,000     1,351,020
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., 7.125%, 2013    470,000     437,100
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., 6.75%, 2016    880,000     756,800
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., 9%, 2017 (z)    130,000     122,200

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Bonds - continued           
Gaming & Lodging - continued           
MGM Mirage, 6.75%, 2013    $           20,000   $ 13,300
MGM Mirage, 5.875%, 2014    480,000     304,800
MGM Mirage, 10.375%, 2014 (z)    145,000     149,350
MGM Mirage, 7.5%, 2016    640,000     416,000
MGM Mirage, 11.125%, 2017 (z)    365,000     382,338
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., 7.5%, 2015    2,440,000     2,037,400
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., 7%, 2013    545,000     453,712
Scientific Games Corp., 6.25%, 2012    380,000     349,600
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., 7.875%, 2012    325,000     316,062
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., 6.75%, 2018    235,000     199,750
Station Casinos, Inc., 6%, 2012 (d)    1,730,000     622,800
Station Casinos, Inc., 6.5%, 2014 (d)    25,000     750
Station Casinos, Inc., 6.875%, 2016 (d)    980,000     29,400
Trump Entertainment Resorts Holdings, Inc., 8.5%, 2015 (d)    1,540,000     184,800
Wyndham Worldwide Corp., 6%, 2016    705,000     528,351
        
         $ 10,968,396
Industrial - 0.2%           
Baldor Electric Co., 8.625%, 2017    $         530,000   $ 482,300
Blount International, Inc., 8.875%, 2012    180,000     179,100
JohnsonDiversey, Inc., 9.625%, 2012    EUR         125,000     156,390
JohnsonDiversey, Inc., “B”, 9.625%, 2012    $         310,000     302,250
        
         $ 1,120,040
Insurance - Property & Casualty - 1.1%           
Allstate Corp., 7.45%, 2019    $         850,000   $ 887,922
AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd., 5.75%, 2014    1,689,000     1,463,133
Fund American Cos., Inc., 5.875%, 2013    811,000     650,591
USI Holdings Corp., FRN, 4.758%, 2014 (n)    1,005,000     550,238
ZFS Finance USA Trust V, 6.5% to 2017, FRN to 2037 (n)    2,490,000     1,643,400
        
         $ 5,195,284
International Market Quasi-Sovereign - 0.6%           
Canada Housing Trust, 4.6%, 2011 (n)    CAD         392,000   $ 382,916
ING Bank N.V., 3.9%, 2014 (n)    $      1,390,000     1,429,761
Societe Financement de l’ Economie, 3.375%, 2014 (n)    1,000,000     1,002,099
        
         $ 2,814,776
International Market Sovereign - 14.2%           
Federal Republic of Germany, 5.25%, 2010    EUR      3,901,000   $ 5,767,366
Federal Republic of Germany, 3.75%, 2015    EUR      1,906,000     2,818,081
Federal Republic of Germany, 6.25%, 2030    EUR         926,000     1,613,526
Government of Canada, 4.5%, 2015    CAD      1,035,000     1,041,181

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Bonds - continued           
International Market Sovereign - continued           
Government of Canada, 5.75%, 2033    CAD         238,000   $ 271,576
Government of Japan, 0.8%, 2010    JPY  187,800,000     1,989,832
Government of Japan, 1.5%, 2012    JPY  552,000,000     5,961,542
Government of Japan, 1.3%, 2014    JPY  227,600,000     2,431,751
Government of Japan, 1.7%, 2017    JPY  125,600,000     1,357,065
Government of Japan, 2.2%, 2027    JPY  504,000,000     5,379,010
Kingdom of Belgium, 5.5%, 2017    EUR      1,254,000     1,959,630
Kingdom of Netherlands, 3.75%, 2014    EUR      1,072,000     1,567,497
Kingdom of Spain, 5.35%, 2011    EUR      2,742,000     4,185,852
Kingdom of Spain, 4.6%, 2019    EUR         815,000     1,180,788
Kingdom of Sweden, 4.5%, 2015    SEK      2,635,000     373,148
Republic of Austria, 4.65%, 2018    EUR         737,000     1,077,321
Republic of France, 4.75%, 2012    EUR         769,000     1,174,073
Republic of France, 5%, 2016    EUR         374,000     578,688
Republic of France, 6%, 2025    EUR         524,000     874,111
Republic of France, 4.75%, 2035    EUR      2,110,000     3,058,970
Republic of Greece, 3.6%, 2016    EUR      2,208,000     2,923,611
Republic of Ireland, 4.6%, 2016    EUR      1,179,000     1,649,017
Republic of Italy, 4.75%, 2013    EUR      4,881,000     7,335,949
Republic of Italy, 5.25%, 2017    EUR      2,865,000     4,372,527
Republic of Portugal, 4.45%, 2018    EUR      1,115,000     1,600,218
United Kingdom Treasury, 8%, 2015    GBP         875,000     1,859,600
United Kingdom Treasury, 8%, 2021    GBP         588,000     1,333,370
United Kingdom Treasury, 4.25%, 2036    GBP         808,000     1,235,317
        
         $ 66,970,617
Machinery & Tools - 0.2%           
Case New Holland, Inc., 7.125%, 2014    $         995,000   $ 922,863
Major Banks - 2.4%           
Bank of America Corp., 7.375%, 2014    $      1,000,000   $ 1,052,416
Bank of America Corp., 7.625%, 2019    370,000     374,234
Bank of America Corp., 8% to 2018, FRN to 2049    600,000     469,518
BNP Paribas, 5.186% to 2015, FRN to 2049 (n)    1,667,000     1,096,416
Credit Suisse New York, 5.5%, 2014    1,000,000     1,009,999
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 6%, 2014    2,000,000     2,033,462
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.3%, 2019    1,000,000     994,909
Kookmin Bank, 7.25%, 2014 (z)    600,000     609,193
Morgan Stanley, 5.75%, 2016    397,000     375,994
Morgan Stanley, 6.625%, 2018    391,000     386,535
Morgan Stanley, 7.3%, 2019    830,000     850,204
MUFG Capital Finance 1 Ltd., 6.346% to 2016, FRN to 2049    289,000     250,892

 

17


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Bonds - continued           
Major Banks - continued           
Natixis S.A., 10% to 2018, FRN to 2049 (n)    $    2,510,000   $ 1,381,052
UniCredito Luxembourg Finance S.A., 6%, 2017 (n)    830,000     675,413
        
         $ 11,560,237
Medical & Health Technology & Services - 4.1%           
Biomet, Inc., 10%, 2017    $       615,000   $ 628,838
Biomet, Inc., 11.625%, 2017    2,260,000     2,226,100
Community Health Systems, Inc., 8.875%, 2015    1,510,000     1,493,013
Cooper Cos., Inc., 7.125%, 2015    570,000     545,775
DaVita, Inc., 6.625%, 2013    294,000     275,625
DaVita, Inc., 7.25%, 2015    1,595,000     1,499,300
Fisher Scientific International, Inc., 6.125%, 2015    1,254,000     1,254,000
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, 9%, 2015 (n)    665,000     688,275
HCA, Inc., 8.75%, 2010    480,000     480,000
HCA, Inc., 9.25%, 2016    4,130,000     4,057,725
HCA, Inc., 8.5%, 2019 (n)    605,000     591,388
Hospira, Inc., 6.05%, 2017    655,000     617,631
McKesson Corp., 7.5%, 2019    110,000     121,390
Owens & Minor, Inc., 6.35%, 2016    970,000     853,092
Psychiatric Solutions, Inc., 7.75%, 2015 (z)    260,000     231,400
Psychiatric Solutions, Inc., 7.75%, 2015    850,000     765,000
U.S. Oncology, Inc., 10.75%, 2014    1,340,000     1,276,350
Universal Hospital Services, Inc., 8.5%, 2015 (p)    1,030,000     988,800
VWR Funding, Inc., 10.25%, 2015 (p)    1,000,000     750,000
        
         $ 19,343,702
Metals & Mining - 2.2%           
Arch Western Finance LLC, 6.75%, 2013    $    1,655,000   $ 1,506,050
FMG Finance Ltd., 10.625%, 2016 (n)    1,135,000     1,007,313
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., 8.375%, 2017    3,670,000     3,642,475
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., FRN, 4.995%, 2015    265,000     238,500
International Steel Group, Inc., 6.5%, 2014    1,300,000     1,195,516
Ispat Inland ULC, 9.75%, 2014    1,200,000     1,190,743
Peabody Energy Corp., 5.875%, 2016    675,000     592,313
Peabody Energy Corp., 7.375%, 2016    1,245,000     1,185,863
        
         $ 10,558,773
Mortgage Backed - 7.5%           
Fannie Mae, 3.81%, 2013    $       321,004   $ 327,680
Fannie Mae, 4.1%, 2013    522,612     538,671
Fannie Mae, 4.19%, 2013    422,613     436,743
Fannie Mae, 4.845%, 2013    143,128     151,220
Fannie Mae, 4.589%, 2014    327,462     342,215

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Bonds - continued           
Mortgage Backed - continued           
Fannie Mae, 4.6%, 2014    $       433,971   $ 453,589
Fannie Mae, 4.609%, 2014    495,855     518,762
Fannie Mae, 4.77%, 2014    338,049     355,070
Fannie Mae, 4.56%, 2015    182,168     189,258
Fannie Mae, 4.665%, 2015    147,663     154,164
Fannie Mae, 4.7%, 2015    140,934     147,361
Fannie Mae, 4.74%, 2015    348,805     364,414
Fannie Mae, 4.78%, 2015    407,251     426,564
Fannie Mae, 4.815%, 2015    360,000     377,052
Fannie Mae, 4.87%, 2015    297,909     313,473
Fannie Mae, 4.89%, 2015    99,443     104,831
Fannie Mae, 4.921%, 2015    995,880     1,049,836
Fannie Mae, 6%, 2016 - 2037    4,837,223     5,091,314
Fannie Mae, 5.5%, 2019 - 2035    13,688,669     14,237,203
Fannie Mae, 4.88%, 2020    289,035     298,712
Fannie Mae, 6.5%, 2032 - 2033    1,147,108     1,235,793
Fannie Mae, 5%, 2034    3,782,130     3,887,360
Freddie Mac, 5%, 2024    73,570     75,097
Freddie Mac, 5.5%, 2034    3,226,541     3,348,343
Freddie Mac, 6%, 2034    829,088     873,211
        
         $ 35,297,936
Natural Gas - Distribution - 0.6%           
AmeriGas Partners LP, 7.25%, 2015    $       670,000   $ 629,800
AmeriGas Partners LP, 7.125%, 2016    925,000     856,781
EQT Corp., 8.125%, 2019    1,000,000     1,031,570
Inergy LP, 6.875%, 2014    585,000     535,275
        
         $ 3,053,426
Natural Gas - Pipeline - 1.7%           
Atlas Pipeline Partners LP, 8.125%, 2015    $    1,500,000   $ 922,500
Atlas Pipeline Partners LP, 8.75%, 2018    250,000     152,500
CenterPoint Energy, Inc., 7.875%, 2013    960,000     1,008,000
Deutsche Bank (El Paso Performance-Linked Trust, CLN), 7.75%, 2011 (n)    1,890,000     1,866,959
El Paso Corp., 8.25%, 2016    675,000     669,938
El Paso Corp., 7.25%, 2018    595,000     548,032
El Paso Corp., 7.75%, 2032    201,000     159,500
Kinder Morgan, Inc., 6.5%, 2012    210,000     203,175
MarkWest Energy Partners LP, 6.875%, 2014 (z)    720,000     579,600
Spectra Energy Capital LLC, 8%, 2019    810,000     842,701
Williams Partners LP, 7.25%, 2017    1,355,000     1,219,500
        
         $ 8,172,405

 

19


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Bonds - continued           
Network & Telecom - 2.8%           
AT&T, Inc., 6.55%, 2039    $       170,000   $ 166,025
Cincinnati Bell, Inc., 8.375%, 2014    1,000,000     946,250
Citizens Communications Co., 9.25%, 2011    815,000     844,544
Citizens Communications Co., 9%, 2031    405,000     341,719
Nordic Telephone Co. Holdings, 8.875%, 2016 (n)    1,177,000     1,177,000
Qwest Communications International, Inc., 7.25%, 2011    2,500,000     2,425,000
Qwest Corp., 7.875%, 2011    1,020,000     1,016,175
Qwest Corp., 8.875%, 2012    980,000     987,350
Qwest Corp., 8.375%, 2016 (z)    278,000     273,135
Telemar Norte Leste S.A., 9.5%, 2019 (n)    1,578,000     1,672,680
TELUS Corp., 8%, 2011    779,000     837,496
Verizon New York, Inc., 6.875%, 2012    1,525,000     1,602,348
Windstream Corp., 8.625%, 2016    980,000     962,850
        
         $ 13,252,572
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 0.6%           
Bosphorus Financial Services Ltd., FRN, 2.683%, 2012 (z)    $    1,031,250   $ 893,763
Resona Bank Ltd., 5.85% to 2016, FRN to 2049 (n)           655,000     484,700
Woori Bank, 6.125% to 2011, FRN to 2016 (n)    1,490,000     1,327,346
        
         $ 2,705,809
Pharmaceuticals - 0.1%           
Roche Holdings, Inc., 6%, 2019 (n)    $       290,000   $ 300,350
Roche Holdings, Inc., 7%, 2039 (n)    115,000     122,826
        
         $ 423,176
Pollution Control - 0.0%           
Allied Waste North America, Inc., 7.125%, 2016    $         75,000   $ 73,313
Precious Metals & Minerals - 0.7%           
Alrosa Finance S.A., 8.875%, 2014    $    2,016,000   $ 1,663,200
Teck Resources Ltd., 9.75%, 2014 (n)    365,000     363,175
Teck Resources Ltd., 10.75%, 2019 (n)    1,480,000     1,522,550
        
         $ 3,548,925
Printing & Publishing - 0.5%           
American Media Operations, Inc., 9%, 2013 (p)(z)    $         10,399   $ 5,064
American Media Operations, Inc., 14%, 2013 (p)(z)    108,581     41,538
Dex Media West LLC, 9.875%, 2013 (d)    1,855,000     398,825
Idearc, Inc., 8%, 2016 (d)    568,000     12,780
Nielsen Finance LLC, 10%, 2014    1,605,000     1,528,763
Nielsen Finance LLC, 11.5%, 2016 (n)    295,000     280,250
        
         $ 2,267,220

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Bonds - continued           
Railroad & Shipping - 0.1%           
Kansas City Southern Railway, 8%, 2015    $       340,000   $ 292,400
Real Estate - 0.3%           
HRPT Properties Trust, REIT, 6.25%, 2016    $       853,000   $ 688,177
Simon Property Group, Inc., REIT, 5.875%, 2017    756,000     674,689
        
         $ 1,362,866
Retailers - 0.8%           
Couche-Tard, Inc., 7.5%, 2013    $       350,000   $ 345,625
Dollar General Corp., 11.875%, 2017 (p)    130,000     137,150
General Nutrition Centers, Inc., FRN, 6.403%, 2014 (p)    740,000     612,350
Home Depot, Inc., 5.875%, 2036    509,000     408,265
Limited Brands, Inc., 5.25%, 2014    180,000     150,063
Macy’s Retail Holdings, Inc., 5.35%, 2012    295,000     271,303
Macy’s Retail Holdings, Inc., 5.75%, 2014    680,000     571,324
Rite Aid Corp., 7.5%, 2017    355,000     278,675
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., 10.5%, 2016    985,000     987,463
        
         $ 3,762,218
Specialty Chemicals - 0.2%           
Ashland, Inc., 9.125%, 2017 (z)    $       730,000   $ 740,950
Specialty Stores - 0.1%           
GSC Holdings Corp., 8%, 2012    $       220,000   $ 220,825
Payless ShoeSource, Inc., 8.25%, 2013    170,000     146,200
        
         $ 367,025
Supermarkets - 0.4%           
Delhaize America, Inc., 9%, 2031    $       980,000   $ 1,077,046
SUPERVALU, Inc., 8%, 2016    1,020,000     999,600
        
         $ 2,076,646
Supranational - 0.9%           
Central American Bank, 4.875%, 2012 (n)    $    1,426,000   $ 1,445,036
European Investment Bank, 5.125%, 2017        2,593,000     2,742,310
        
         $ 4,187,346
Telecommunications - Wireless - 1.7%           
AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., 8.75%, 2031    $       900,000   $ 1,048,428
Cingular Wireless LLC, 6.5%, 2011    1,020,000     1,109,497
Cricket Communications, Inc., 7.75%, 2016 (z)    560,000     541,100
Crown Castle International Corp., 9%, 2015    975,000     984,750
Crown Castle International Corp., 7.75%, 2017 (z)    365,000     359,525

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Bonds - continued           
Telecommunications - Wireless - continued           
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., 9.25%, 2014    $    1,205,000   $ 1,209,519
Nextel Communications, Inc., 6.875%, 2013    695,000     578,587
Sprint Nextel Corp., 8.375%, 2012    1,290,000     1,270,650
Sprint Nextel Corp., 8.75%, 2032    380,000     300,200
Wind Acquisition Finance S.A., 10.75%, 2015 (z)    408,000     428,400
        
         $ 7,830,656
Telephone Services - 0.1%           
Frontier Communications Corp., 8.25%, 2014    $       685,000   $ 669,588
Tobacco - 0.4%           
Altria Group, Inc., 9.7%, 2018    $       300,000   $ 341,424
Reynolds American, Inc., 6.75%, 2017    1,790,000     1,687,406
        
         $ 2,028,830
Transportation - 0.0%           
Peru Enhanced Pass-Through Trust, 0%, 2018 (n)    $       233,190   $ 159,735
Transportation - Services - 0.3%           
Hertz Corp., 8.875%, 2014    $       920,000   $ 837,200
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp., 6.875%, 2013    370,000     362,600
        
         $ 1,199,800
U.S. Government Agencies and Equivalents - 0.7%           
Freddie Mac, 5.5%, 2017    $    3,060,000   $ 3,410,015
U.S. Treasury Obligations - 4.1%           
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 10.625%, 2015    $    2,010,000   $ 2,918,582
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 7.5%, 2016    3,450,000     4,430,014
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 6.25%, 2023 (f)    1,800,000     2,183,344
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 5.375%, 2031    477,000     544,451
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 4.5%, 2036    158,000     161,678
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 4.75%, 2037    2,986,200     3,173,303
U.S. Treasury Notes, 9.875%, 2015    3,015,000     4,268,109
U.S. Treasury Notes, 6.375%, 2027    1,410,000     1,773,736
        
         $ 19,453,217
Utilities - Electric Power - 4.5%           
AES Corp., 8%, 2017    $    1,590,000   $ 1,478,700
Allegheny Energy Supply Co. LLC, 8.25%, 2012 (n)    370,000     384,638
Bruce Mansfield Unit, 6.85%, 2034    1,547,000     1,207,584
Calpine Corp., 8%, 2016 (z)    695,000     661,119
CenterPoint Energy, Inc., 6.5%, 2018    400,000     342,466

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Bonds - continued           
Utilities - Electric Power - continued           
Dynegy Holdings, Inc., 7.5%, 2015    $    1,335,000   $ 1,074,675
Dynegy Holdings, Inc., 7.75%, 2019    635,000     461,963
Edison Mission Energy, 7%, 2017    1,490,000     1,080,250
EDP Finance B.V., 6%, 2018 (n)    798,000     789,078
Enersis S.A., 7.375%, 2014    509,000     547,875
Exelon Generation Co. LLC, 6.95%, 2011    1,492,000     1,573,133
HQI Transelec Chile S.A., 7.875%, 2011    1,500,000     1,560,802
ISA Capital do Brasil S.A., 7.875%, 2012 (n)    149,000     152,725
ISA Capital do Brasil S.A., 7.875%, 2012    922,000     945,050
Mirant Americas Generation LLC, 8.3%, 2011    100,000     99,500
Mirant North America LLC, 7.375%, 2013    1,940,000     1,857,550
NiSource Finance Corp., 7.875%, 2010    687,000     699,117
NorthWestern Corp., 5.875%, 2014    861,000     860,829
NRG Energy, Inc., 7.375%, 2016    1,465,000     1,378,931
RRI Energy, Inc., 7.875%, 2017    971,000     815,640
System Energy Resources, Inc., 5.129%, 2014 (z)    1,495,872     1,378,954
Texas Competitive Electric Holdings LLC, 10.25%, 2015    3,420,000     2,026,350
        
         $ 21,376,929
Total Bonds (Identified Cost, $456,747,006)        $ 435,197,624
Convertible Bonds - 0.0%           
Telephone Services - 0.0%           
Virgin Media, Inc., 6.5%, 2016 (z) (Identified Cost, $20,449)    $         35,000   $ 27,081
Floating Rate Loans (g)(r) - 2.0%           
Aerospace - 0.1%           
Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Co. LLC, Letter of Credit, 3.22%, 2014    $         51,209   $ 29,388
Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Co. LLC, Term Loan, 2.61%, 2014    998,639     573,108
        
         $ 602,496
Automotive - 0.5%           
Accuride Corp., Term Loan, 3%, 2012    $         90,346   $ 65,162
Allison Transmission, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.14%, 2014    245,569     189,395
Federal-Mogul Corp., Term Loan B, 2.34%, 2014    331,076     203,888
Ford Motor Co., Term Loan, 3.61%, 2013    549,616     389,026
General Motors, Term Loan B, 8%, 2013    1,002,253     938,777
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Second Lien Term Loan, 2.07%, 2014    480,501     401,744
        
         $ 2,187,992

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Floating Rate Loans (g)(r) - continued           
Broadcasting - 0.0%           
Gray Television, Inc., Term Loan, 2014 (o)    $         90,332   $ 48,497
Building - 0.0%           
Building Materials Holding Corp., Term Loan, 3.06%, 2014    $       104,259   $ 87,925
Business Services - 0.1%           
First Data Corp., Term Loan B-1, 3.05%, 2014    $       421,638   $ 309,114
Cable TV - 0.2%           
Charter Communications Operating LLC, Term Loan, 6.25%, 2014    $       922,272   $ 781,626
CSC Holdings, Inc., Incremental Term Loan, 2.09%, 2013    330,160     309,422
        
         $ 1,091,048
Consumer Goods & Services - 0.0%           
KAR Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.05%, 2013    $       133,994   $ 114,732
Electronics - 0.0%           
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Term Loan B, 2.16%, 2013    $       285,793   $ 175,286
Forest & Paper Products - 0.0%           
Abitibi-Consolidated, Inc., Term Loan, 11.5%, 2010 (d)    $       119,955   $ 91,916
Gaming & Lodging - 0.1%           
MGM Mirage, Term Loan, 2011 (o)    $       301,721   $ 228,828
Industrial - 0.0%           
Oshkosh Truck Corp., Term Loan B, 7.24%, 2013    $       131,315   $ 112,438
Printing & Publishing - 0.2%           
Nielsen Finance LLC, Term Loan, 2.38%, 2013    $       765,208   $ 673,742
Specialty Chemicals - 0.2%           
LyondellBasell, DIP Term Loan, 9.16%, 2009 (q)    $       249,041   $ 255,143
LyondellBasell, DIP Term Loan B-3, 5.94%, 2009    248,918     198,582
LyondellBasell, Dutch Tranche Revolving Credit Loan, 5.75%, 2013 (o)    15,855     6,659
LyondellBasell, Dutch Tranche Term Loan, 5.75%, 2013 (o)    37,438     15,724
LyondellBasell, German Tranche Term Loan B-1, 6%, 2014 (o)    45,517     19,117
LyondellBasell, German Tranche Term Loan B-2, 6%, 2014 (o)    45,517     19,117
LyondellBasell, German Tranche Term Loan B-3, 6%, 2014 (o)    45,517     19,117
LyondellBasell, U.S. Tranche Revolving Credit Loan, 5.75%, 2013 (o)    59,455     24,971

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Floating Rate Loans (g)(r) - continued           
Specialty Chemicals - continued           
LyondellBasell, U.S. Tranche Term Loan, 5.75%, 2013 (o)    $       113,278   $ 47,577
LyondellBasell, U.S. Tranche Term Loan B-1, 7%, 2014 (o)    197,512     82,955
LyondellBasell, U.S. Tranche Term Loan B-2, 7%, 2014 (o)    197,512     82,955
LyondellBasell, U.S. Tranche Term Loan B-3, 7%, 2014 (o)    197,512     82,955
        
         $ 854,872
Specialty Stores - 0.1%           
Michaels Stores, Inc., Term Loan B, 2.67%, 2013 (o)    $       824,263   $ 588,662
Utilities - Electric Power - 0.5%           
Calpine Corp., DIP Term Loan, 4.09%, 2014 (o)    $    1,003,510   $ 865,998
NRG Energy, Inc., Letter of Credit, 2.82%, 2013 (o)    110,972     102,638
NRG Energy, Inc., Term Loan, 2.97%, 2013 (o)    208,104     192,474
Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, Term Loan B-3, 3.88%, 2014 (o)    1,368,163     935,140
        
         $ 2,096,250
Total Floating Rate Loans (Identified Cost, $9,256,121)        $ 9,263,798
Common Stocks - 0.0%           
Printing & Publishing - 0.0%           
American Media, Inc. (a)    1,991   $ 2,667
Golden Books Family Entertainment, Inc. (a)    3,683     0
Total Common Stocks (Identified Cost, $4,261)        $ 2,667
Preferred Stocks - 0.0%           
Financial Institutions - 0.0%           
Preferred Blocker, Inc., 7% (z) (Identified Cost, $327,250)    425   $ 179,257
Money Market Funds (v) - 4.6%           
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio, 0.23%,
at Cost and Net Asset Value
   21,611,744   $ 21,611,744
Issuer/Expiration Date/Strike Price    Number
of Contracts
    
Call Options Purchased - 0.0%           
U.S. Treasury Note 10 year Futures - June 2009 @ $118 (a) (Premiums Paid, $39,224)    64   $ 59,000
Total Investments (Identified Cost, $488,006,055)        $ 466,341,171
Other Assets, Less Liabilities - 1.4%          6,741,031
Net Assets - 100.0%        $ 473,082,202

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

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

 

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

 

(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 $59,938,511, representing 12.7% of net assets.

 

(o) All or a portion of this position has not settled. Upon settlement date, interest rates for unsettled amounts will be determined. The rate shown represents the weighted average coupon rate for settled amounts.

 

(p) Payment-in-kind security.

 

(q) All or a portion of this position represents an unfunded loan commitment. The rate shown represents a weighted average coupon rate on the full position, including the unfunded loan commitment which has no current coupon rate.

 

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

 

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

 

Restricted Securities    Acquisition
Date
   Cost    Current
Market
Value
AMC Entertainment, Inc., 8.75%, 2019    5/28/09    $640,195    $635,250
American Media Operations, Inc., 9%, 2013    1/29/09 - 4/15/09    6,534    5,064
American Media Operations, Inc., 14%, 2013    1/29/09 - 4/15/09    57,792    41,538
Ameristar Casinos, Inc., 9.25%, 2014    5/12/09    296,165    308,050
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., 6.875%, 2019    5/11/09    1,295,112    1,314,882
Ashland, Inc., 9.125%, 2017    5/19/09 - 5/29/09    712,122    740,950
Bayview Financial Revolving Mortgage Loan Trust, FRN, 1.116%, 2040    3/01/06    1,160,000    427,692
Bosphorus Financial Services Ltd., FRN, 2.683%, 2012    3/08/05    1,031,250    893,763
Calpine Corp., 8%, 2016    5/12/09    663,760    661,119
Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc., 11.5%, 2014    5/19/09    742,034    752,675
Cricket Communications, Inc., 7.75%, 2016    5/28/09 - 5/29/09    539,314    541,100
Crown Castle International Corp., 7.75%, 2017    4/15/09    354,470    359,525
DLJ Commercial Mortgage Corp., 6.04%, 2031    7/23/04    1,969,453    1,775,172
Emirate of Abu Dhabi, 6.75%, 2019    4/01/09    216,348    226,276

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Restricted Securities - (continued)    Acquisition
Date
   Cost    Current
Market
Value
Firekeepers Development Authority, 13.875%, 2015    4/22/08    $262,955    $243,000
GMAC LLC, 6.875%, 2011    12/26/08 - 5/21/09    1,980,031    2,079,980
GMAC LLC, 7%, 2012    1/23/09    332,673    398,125
GMAC LLC, 6.75%, 2014    2/09/09    409,843    513,525
GMAC LLC, 8%, 2031    12/26/08 - 4/30/09    544,949    599,250
Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 11.25%, 2017    5/27/09    269,430    271,600
Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 10%, 2018    1/30/08 - 5/12/09    702,806    490,613
Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 10%, 2018    1/30/08 - 10/03/08    2,022,754    1,351,020
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., 9%, 2017    5/05/09    125,600    122,200
Kookmin Bank, 7.25%, 2014    5/06/09    592,144    609,193
Local TV Finance LLC, 9.25%, 2015    11/09/07 - 9/08/08    772,491    121,125
MGM Mirage, 10.375%, 2014    5/14/09    140,939    149,350
MGM Mirage, 11.125%, 2017    5/14/09    355,330    382,338
MarkWest Energy Partners LP, 6.875%, 2014    5/20/09    561,945    579,600
National Power Corp., 7.25%, 2019    5/19/09    749,935    765,160
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., 0.5% to 2011, 7% to 2014    5/07/08 - 6/10/08    399,414    144,176
PNC Mortgage Acceptance Corp., FRN, 7.1%, 2032    3/25/08    2,510,000    2,332,588
Preferred Blocker, Inc., 7% (Preferred Stock)    12/26/08    327,250    179,257
Psychiatric Solutions, Inc., 7.75%, 2015    5/04/09    230,992    231,400
Qwest Corp., 8.375%, 2016    4/07/09    257,429    273,135
SandRidge Energy, Inc., 9.875%, 2016    5/11/09    239,484    238,125
Spirit Master Funding LLC, 5.05%, 2023    7/15/05    1,640,511    1,185,273
System Energy Resources, Inc., 5.129%, 2014    4/16/04    1,495,872    1,378,954
Virgin Media, Inc., 6.5%, 2016    5/29/09    20,449    27,081
Wind Acquisition Finance S.A., 10.75%, 2015    3/19/08    409,020    428,400
Total Restricted Securities          $23,777,524
% of Net Assets          5.0%

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

 

CDO   Collateralized Debt Obligation
CLN   Credit-Linked Note
DIP   Debtor-in-Possession
FRN   Floating Rate Note. Interest rate resets periodically and may not be the rate reported at period end.
PLC   Public Limited Company
REIT   Real Estate Investment Trust

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

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:

 

AUD   Australian Dollar
CAD   Canadian Dollar
CHF   Swiss Franc
EUR   Euro
GBP   British Pound
IDR   Indonesian Rupiah
INR   Indian Rupee
JPY   Japanese Yen
SEK   Swedish Krona

Derivative Contracts at 5/31/09

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts at 5/31/09

 

Type   Currency   Counterparty   Contracts
to
Deliver/
Receive
  Settlement
Date Range
  In
Exchange
For
  Contracts at
Value
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Appreciation – Asset Derivatives                 
BUY   AUD   UBS AG   1,142,131   7/01/09   $ 878,988   $ 912,790   $ 33,802   
BUY   EUR   Citibank   250,000   7/20/09     348,690     353,293     4,603   
BUY   EUR   Credit Suisse Group   25,548   7/20/09     35,155     36,104     949   
BUY   EUR   UBS AG   158,719   7/15/09     216,487     224,306     7,819   
BUY   GBP   Deutsche Bank   745,528   7/15/09     1,168,987     1,204,807     35,820   
BUY   JPY   UBS AG   404,692,015   7/21/09     4,236,992     4,249,780     12,788   
                   
              $ 95,781   
                   
Depreciation – Liability Derivatives  
SELL   AUD   UBS AG   1,082,577   7/01/09   $ 779,985   $ 865,194   $ (85,209
SELL   CAD   UBS AG   1,809,831   8/17/09     1,548,373     1,658,552     (110,179
SELL   CHF   Deutsche Bank   1,288,224   7/27/09     1,184,786     1,207,176     (22,390
SELL   EUR   JPMorgan Chase Bank   239,558   7/20/09     325,080     338,536     (13,456
SELL   EUR   UBS AG   34,345,521   7/20/09     46,610,307     48,536,057     (1,925,750
SELL   GBP   Barclays Bank   1,425,331   7/15/09     2,159,604     2,303,401     (143,797
SELL   GBP   Deutsche Bank   1,425,331   7/15/09     2,159,918     2,303,401     (143,483
BUY   IDR   Merrill Lynch International   12,066,614,146   6/26/09     1,166,984     1,166,488     (496
BUY   INR   Deutsche Bank   55,054,935   6/26/09     1,168,398     1,165,751     (2,647
SELL   JPY   JPMorgan Chase Bank   2,040,989,486   7/15/09     21,330,074     21,431,600     (101,526
SELL   SEK   UBS AG   2,672,140   6/29/09     329,148     353,096     (23,948
                   
              $ (2,572,881
                   

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Futures contracts outstanding at 5/31/09

 

Description   Currency   Contracts   Value   Expiration
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
Asset Derivatives          
Interest Rate Futures          
U.S. Treasury Bond 30 yr (Long)   USD   58   $6,824,063   Sep-09   $22,453

Swap Agreements at 5/31/09

 

Expiration   Notional
Amount
  Counterparty   Cash Flows
to Receive
  Cash Flows
to Pay
  Fair
Value

Asset Derivatives

     

Credit Default Swaps

     
6/20/13   USD 1,120,000   Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc.   (1)   1.48% (fixed rate)   $ 6,047

 

(1) Fund, as protection buyer, to receive notional amount upon a defined credit event by Weyerhaeuser Co., 7.125%, 7/15/23.

At May 31, 2009, the fund had sufficient cash and/or other liquid securities to cover any commitments under these derivative contracts.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

29


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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

At 5/31/09 (unaudited)

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

 

Assets            

Investments-

     

Non-affiliated issuers, at value (identified cost, $466,394,311)

   $444,729,427      

Underlying funds, at cost and value

   21,611,744        

Total investments, at value (identified cost, $488,006,055)

          $466,341,171

Cash

   270,927      

Restricted cash

   228,000      

Receivables for

     

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   95,781      

Daily variation margin on open futures contracts

   113,281      

Investments sold

   6,289,464      

Interest and dividends

   7,821,834      

Swaps, at value

   6,047      

Other assets

   42,081        

Total assets

          $481,208,586
Liabilities            

Payables for

     

Distributions

   $151,508      

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   2,572,881      

Investments purchased

   5,037,920      

Payable to affiliates

     

Management fee

   27,999      

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

   18,714      

Administrative services fee

   1,092      

Payable for independent trustees’ compensation

   147,642      

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

   168,628        

Total liabilities

          $8,126,384

Net assets

          $473,082,202
Net assets consist of            

Paid-in capital

   $581,895,136      

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

   (24,037,381   

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

   (82,912,319   

Accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income

   (1,863,234     

Net assets

          $473,082,202

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding

          54,871,740

Net asset value per share (net assets of
$473,082,202 / 54,871,740 shares of beneficial
interest outstanding)

          $8.62

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Six months ended 5/31/09 (unaudited)

This statement describes how much your fund earned in investment income and accrued in expenses. It also describes any gains and/or losses generated by fund operations.

 

Net investment income              

Income

     

Interest

   $16,662,142      

Dividends from underlying funds

   19,158      

Dividends

   11,535      

Foreign taxes withheld

   (11,739       

Total investment income

          $16,681,096   

Expenses

     

Management fee

   $1,514,982      

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

   50,506      

Administrative services fee

   49,779      

Independent trustees’ compensation

   49,937      

Stock exchange fee

   23,433      

Custodian fee

   65,205      

Shareholder communications

   56,856      

Auditing fees

   32,862      

Legal fees

   19,107      

Miscellaneous

   63,476          

Total expenses

          $1,926,143   

Fees paid indirectly

   (518   

Reduction of expenses by investment adviser

   (1,638       

Net expenses

          $1,923,987   

Net investment income

          $14,757,109   
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions              

Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis)

     

Investment transactions

   $(10,612,269   

Futures contracts

   (1,608,107   

Swap transactions

   (188,210   

Foreign currency transactions

   (781,000       

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

          $(13,189,586

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     

Investments

   $66,340,741      

Futures contracts

   651,374      

Swap transactions

   53,526      

Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies

   (4,634,641       

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

          $62,411,000   

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

          $49,221,414   

Change in net assets from operations

          $63,978,523   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

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

 

     Six months ended
5/31/09
     Year ended
11/30/08
 
Change in net assets    (unaudited)         
From operations              

Net investment income

   $14,757,109       $26,101,970   

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

   (13,189,586    (297,035

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

   62,411,000       (94,541,903

Change in net assets from operations

   $63,978,523       $(68,736,968
Distributions declared to shareholders              

From net investment income

   $(18,392,367    $(28,101,857

Change in net assets from fund share transactions

   $(796,999    $(2,137,517

Total change in net assets

   $44,789,157       $(98,976,342
Net assets              

At beginning of period

   428,293,045       527,269,387   

At end of period (including accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income of $1,863,234 and undistributed net investment income of $1,772,024)

   $473,082,202       $428,293,045   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

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

 

    Six months
ended
5/31/09
(unaudited)
    Years ended 11/30  
    2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
                                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $7.79      $9.54      $9.64      $9.58      $9.71      $9.58   
Income (loss) from investment operations                     

Net investment income (d)

  $0.27      $0.47      $0.46      $0.44      $0.45      $0.49   

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

  0.90      (1.72   (0.08   0.09      (0.09   0.17   

Total from investment operations

  $1.17      $(1.25   $0.38      $0.53      $0.36      $0.66   
Less distributions declared to shareholders                     

From net investment income

  $(0.34   $(0.51   $(0.48   $(0.49   $(0.51   $(0.55

Net increase from repurchase of capital shares

  $ 0.00 (w)    $0.01      $—      $0.02      $0.02      $0.02   

Net asset value, end of period

  $8.62      $7.79      $9.54      $9.64      $9.58      $9.71   

Per share market value, end of period

  $7.93      $6.88      $8.30      $8.51      $8.43      $8.71   

Total return at market value (%)

  20.46 (n)    (11.63   3.20      6.98      2.57      5.52   

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

  15.65 (n)    (12.95   4.71      6.64      4.56      7.81   
Ratios (%) (to average net assets)
and Supplemental data:
                     

Expenses before expense reductions (f)

  0.87 (a)    0.78      0.73      0.76      0.79      0.80   

Expenses after expense reductions (f)

  0.86 (a)    0.78      0.73      0.76      0.79      0.80   

Net investment income

  6.63 (a)    5.18      4.89      4.62      4.64      5.11   

Portfolio turnover

  37      58      58      57      73      70   

Net assets at end of period (000 omitted)

  $473,082      $428,293      $527,269      $532,823      $539,491      $558,440   

 

(a) Annualized.
(d) Per share data is based on average shares outstanding.
(f) Ratios do not reflect reductions from fees paid indirectly, if applicable.
(n) Not annualized.
(r) Certain expenses have been reduced without which performance would have been lower.
(s) From time to time the fund may receive proceeds from litigation settlements, without which performance would have been lower.
(w) Per share amount was less than $0.01.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

(1)   Business and Organization

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

 

(2)   Significant Accounting Policies

General – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in asset-backed and/or mortgage backed securities. The value of these securities may depend, in part, on the issuer’s or borrower’s credit quality or ability to pay principal and interest when due and may fall if an issuer or borrower defaults on its obligation to pay principal or interest or if the instrument’s credit rating is downgraded by a credit rating agency. U.S. Government securities not supported as to the payment of principal or interest by the U.S. Treasury, such as those issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are subject to greater credit risk than are U.S. Government securities supported by the U.S. Treasury, such as those issued by Ginnie Mae. The fund can invest in foreign securities, including securities of emerging market issuers. Investments in foreign securities are vulnerable to the effects of changes in the relative values of the local currency and the U.S. dollar and to the effects of changes in each country’s legal, political, and economic environment. The markets of emerging markets countries are generally more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies. All of the risks of investing in foreign securities previously described are heightened when investing in emerging markets countries.

Investment Valuations – Debt instruments and floating rate loans (other than short-term instruments), including restricted debt instruments, are generally valued at an evaluated or composite bid as provided by a third-party pricing service. 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. For securities for which there were no sales reported that day, equity securities 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. For securities held short for which there were no sales

 

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reported for that day, the position is generally valued at the last quoted daily ask quotation as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market or exchange on which such securities are primarily traded. Short-term instruments with a maturity at issuance of 60 days or less generally are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Exchange-traded options are generally valued at the last sale or official closing price as provided by a third-party pricing service on the exchange on which such options are primarily traded. Exchange-traded options for which there were no sales reported that day are generally valued at the last daily bid quotation as provided by a third-party pricing service on the exchange on which such options are primarily traded. Options not traded on an exchange are generally valued at a broker/dealer bid quotation. Foreign currency options are generally valued using an external pricing model that uses market data from a third-party source. Futures contracts are generally valued at last posted settlement price as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market on which they are primarily traded. Futures contracts for which there were no trades that day for a particular position are generally valued at the closing bid quotation as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market on which such futures contracts are primarily traded. Forward foreign currency 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. Swaps are generally valued at valuations provided by a third-party pricing service. 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 pricing services can utilize both dealer-supplied valuations and electronic data processing techniques, which take into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, 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

 

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

 

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written options. The following is a summary of the levels used as of May 31, 2009 in valuing the fund’s assets or liabilities carried at market value:

 

     Level 1    Level 2      Level 3    Total  
Investments in Securities    $21,670,744    $444,667,760       $2,667    $466,341,171   
Other Financial Instruments    $22,453    $(2,471,053    $—    $(2,448,600

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

 

     Investments
in Securities
     Other Financial
Instruments
Balance as of 11/30/08    $—       $—

Accrued discounts/premiums

        

Realized gain (loss)

        

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   (1,593   

Net purchases (sales)

   4,260      

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

        
Balance as of 5/31/09    $2,667       $—

In April 2009, FASB Staff Position (FSP) 157-4 was issued and is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods ending after June 15, 2009. FSP 157-4 clarifies FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements and requires an entity to evaluate certain factors to determine whether there has been a significant decrease in volume and level of activity for the asset or liability such that recent transactions and quoted prices may not be determinative of fair value and further analysis and adjustment may be necessary to estimate fair value. The FSP also requires enhanced disclosure regarding the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value in those instances as well as expanded disclosure of valuation levels for major security types. Management is evaluating the application of the FSP to the fund, and believes the impact resulting from the adoption of this FSP will be limited to expanded disclosure in the fund’s financial statements.

Repurchase Agreements – The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with approved counterparties. Each repurchase agreement is recorded at cost. The fund requires that the securities collateral in a repurchase transaction be transferred to a custodian. The fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure that its value, including accrued interest, is greater than amounts owed to the fund under each such repurchase agreement. The fund and other funds managed by Massachusetts Financial Services Company (MFS) may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into one or more repurchase agreements.

Foreign Currency Translation – Purchases and sales of foreign investments, income, and expenses are converted into U.S. dollars based upon currency

 

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

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

In this reporting period the fund adopted FASB Statement No. 161, Disclosure about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“FAS 161”), and FASB Staff Position FAS No. 133-1 and FIN 45-4, Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FAS 161 (“FSP FAS 133-1”).

FAS 161 amends FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging Activities (“FAS 133”). FAS 161 provides enhanced disclosures about the fund’s use of and accounting for derivative instruments and the effect of derivative instruments on the fund’s results of operations and financial position. Under FAS 161, tabular disclosure regarding derivative fair value and gain/loss by contract type (e.g., interest rate contracts, foreign exchange contracts, credit contracts, etc.) is required and derivatives accounted for as hedging instruments under FAS 133 must be disclosed separately from derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting under FAS 133. Because investment companies account for their derivatives at fair value and record any changes in fair value in current period earnings, the fund’s derivatives are not accounted for as hedging instruments under FAS 133. As such, even though the fund may use derivatives in an attempt to achieve an economic hedge, the fund’s derivatives are not considered to be hedging instruments under FAS 133.

FSP FAS 133-1 amends FAS 133 to require sellers of credit derivatives to make disclosures that will enable financial statement users to assess the potential

 

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effects of those credit derivatives on an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. As defined by FSP FAS 133-1, a credit derivative is a derivative instrument (a) in which one or more of the derivative’s underlyings are related to the credit risk of a specified entity (or group of entities) or an index based on the credit risk of a group of entities and (b) that exposes the seller to potential loss from credit-risk-related events specified in the derivative contract. The seller (or writer) is the party that provides the credit protection and assumes the credit risk on a credit derivatives contract, such as a credit default swap. Accordingly, appropriate disclosures have been included within the Swap Agreements table in the Portfolio of Investments and Significant Accounting Policies.

As defined under FAS 133, derivative instruments include written options, purchased options, futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and swap agreements.

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 May 31, 2009:

 

        Asset Derivatives     Liability Derivatives  
        Location on Statement of Assets and Liabilities   Fair
Value
  
  
  Location on Statement of Assets and Liabilities   Fair
Value
 
  
Interest Rate
Contracts
  Interest
Rate
Futures
  Unrealized appreciation on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies   $22,453 (a)    Unrealized depreciation on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies   $— (a) 
  Interest
Rate
Options
Purchased
  Total investments, at value   59,000      Total investments, at value     
Foreign
Exchange
Contracts
  Forward
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
  Receivable for forward foreign currency exchange contracts   95,781      Payable for forward foreign currency exchange contracts   (2,572,881
Credit
Contracts
  Credit
Default
Swaps
  Swaps, at value   6,047      Swaps, at value     
Total Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments Under FAS 133           $183,281          $(2,572,881

 

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

The following table presents by major type of derivative contract, the realized gain (loss) on derivatives held by the fund for the six months ended May 31, 2009 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

     Futures
Contracts
    Foreign
Currency
Transactions
    Swap
Transactions
    Total  
Interest Rate Contracts   $(1,608,107   $—      $—      $(1,608,107
Foreign Exchange Contracts        (714,491        (714,491
Credit Contracts             (188,210   (188,210

Total

  $(1,608,107   $(714,491   $(188,210   $(2,510,808

The following table presents by major type of derivative contract, the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives held by the fund for the six months ended May 31, 2009 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

     Investments
(i.e.,
Purchased
Options)
  Futures
Contracts
  Translation
of Assets
and
Liabilities in
Foreign
Currencies
    Swap
Transactions
  Total  
Interest Rate Contracts   $19,776   $651,374   $—      $—   $671,150   
Foreign Exchange Contracts       (4,859,045     (4,859,045
Credit Contracts            53,526   53,526   

Total

  $19,776   $651,374   $(4,859,045   $53,526   $(4,134,369

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

 

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an offset of reported balance sheet assets and liabilities across transactions between the fund and the applicable counterparty.

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

Purchased Options – The fund may purchase call or put options for a premium. Purchased options entitle the holder to buy or sell a specified number of shares or units of a particular security, currency or index at a specified price at a specified date or within a specified period of time. Purchasing call options may be used to hedge against an anticipated increase in the dollar cost of securities or currency to be acquired or to increase the fund’s exposure to an underlying instrument. Purchasing put options may hedge against a decline in the value of portfolio securities or currency.

The premium paid is initially recorded as an investment in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. That investment is subsequently marked-to-market daily with the difference between the premium paid and the market value of the purchased option being recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. Premiums paid for purchased options which have expired are treated as realized losses on investments in the Statement of Operations. Upon the exercise or closing of a purchased option, the premium paid is either added to the cost of the security or financial instrument in the case of a call option, or offset against the proceeds on the sale of the underlying security or financial instrument in the case of a put option, in order to determine the realized gain or loss on investments.

The risk in purchasing an option is that the fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. The fund’s maximum risk of loss due to counterparty credit risk is limited to the market value of the option. For over-the-counter options, this risk is mitigated in cases where there is an ISDA Master Agreement between the fund and the counterparty providing for netting as described above and for posting of collateral by the counterparty to the fund to cover the fund’s exposure to the counterparty under such ISDA Master Agreement.

 

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

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

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

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

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

Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from unanticipated movements in the value of the contract and from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. The fund’s maximum risk

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

due to counterparty credit risk is the notional amount of the contract. This risk is mitigated in cases where there is an ISDA Master Agreement between the fund and the counterparty providing for netting as described above and for posting of collateral by the counterparty to the fund to cover the fund’s exposure to the counterparty under such ISDA Master Agreement.

Swap Agreements – The fund may enter into swap agreements. A swap is generally an exchange of cash payments, at specified intervals or upon the occurrence of specified events, between the fund and a counterparty. The net cash payments exchanged are recorded as a realized gain or loss on swap transactions in the Statement of Operations. The value of the swap, which is adjusted daily and includes any related interest accruals to be paid or received by the fund, is recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The daily change in value, including any related interest accruals to be paid or received, is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation on swap transactions in the Statement of Operations. Amounts paid or received at the inception of the swap are reflected as premiums paid or received on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and are amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the agreement. A liquidation payment received or made upon early termination is recorded as a realized gain or loss on swap transactions in the Statement of Operations.

Risks related to swap agreements include the possible lack of a liquid market, unfavorable market and interest rate movements of the underlying instrument and the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the agreements. To address counterparty risk, swap transactions are limited to only highly-rated counterparties. The risk is further mitigated by having an ISDA Master Agreement between the fund and the counterparty providing for netting as described above and 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.

The fund may enter into credit default swaps to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its credit risk exposure to defaults of corporate and sovereign issuers or to create exposure to corporate or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. In a credit default swap, the protection buyer can make an upfront payment and will make a stream of payments based on a fixed percentage applied to the contract notional amount to the protection seller in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a defined credit event on the reference obligation (which may be either a single security or a basket of securities issued by corporate or sovereign issuers) and, with respect to the rare cases where physical settlement applies, the delivery by the buyer to the seller of a defined deliverable reference obligation. Although contract-specific, credit events generally consist of a combination of the following: bankruptcy, failure

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

to pay, restructuring, obligation acceleration, obligation default, or repudiation/ moratorium, each as defined in the 2003 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions as amended by the relevant contract. Restructuring is generally not applicable when the reference obligation is issued by a North American corporation and obligation acceleration, obligation default, or repudiation/moratorium are generally only applicable when the reference obligation is issued by a sovereign entity or an entity in an emerging country. Upon determination of the final price for the deliverable obligation (or upon delivery of the deliverable obligation in the case of physical settlement), the difference between the value of the deliverable obligation and the swap’s notional amount is recorded as realized gain or loss on swap transactions in the Statement of Operations.

Credit default swaps are considered to have credit-risk-related contingent features since they trigger payment by the protection seller to the protection buyer upon the occurrence of a defined credit event. As discussed earlier in this note, any collateral requirements for these swaps are based generally on the market value of the swap netted against collateral requirements for other types of over-the-counter derivatives traded under each counterparty’s ISDA Master Agreement. The maximum amount of future, undiscounted payments that the fund, as protection seller, could be required to make is equal to the swap’s notional amount. The protection seller’s payment obligation would be offset to the extent of the value of the contract’s deliverable obligation.

The fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty risk, either as the protection seller or as the protection buyer, is the fair value of the contract. This risk is mitigated by having an ISDA Master Agreement between the fund and the counterparty providing for netting as described above and 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.

Hybrid Instruments – The fund may invest in indexed or hybrid securities on which any combination of interest payments, the principal or stated amount payable at maturity is determined by reference to prices of other securities, currencies, indices, economic factors or other measures, including interest rates, currency exchange rates, or securities indices. The risks of investing in hybrid instruments reflect a combination of the risks of investing in securities, swaps, options, futures and currencies. Hybrid instruments are potentially more volatile and carry greater market risks than traditional debt instruments. Depending on the structure of the particular hybrid instrument, changes in a benchmark, underlying assets or economic indicator may be magnified by the terms of the hybrid instrument and have an even more dramatic and substantial effect upon the value of the hybrid instrument. Also, the prices of the hybrid instrument and the benchmark, underlying asset or economic indicator may not move in the same direction or at the same time.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

Loans and Other Direct Debt Instruments – The fund may invest in loans and loan participations or other receivables. These investments may include standby financing commitments, including revolving credit facilities, which obligate the fund to supply additional cash to the borrower on demand. At May 31, 2009, the portfolio had unfunded loan commitments of $82,988, which could be extended at the option of the borrower and which are covered by sufficient cash and/or liquid securities held by the fund. The market value and obligation of the fund on these unfunded loan commitments is included in Investments, at value and Payable for investments purchased, respectively, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. 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.

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

Fees Paid Indirectly – The fund’s custody fee may be reduced according to an arrangement that measures the value of cash deposited with the custodian by the fund. This amount, for the six months ended May 31, 2009, is shown as a reduction of total expenses on the Statement of Operations.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

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

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

Book/tax differences primarily relate to amortization and accretion of debt securities, straddle loss deferrals, foreign currency transactions, and derivative transactions.

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

 

     11/30/08
Ordinary income (including any short-term capital gains)    $28,101,857

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

 

As of 5/31/09       
Cost of investments    $488,176,171   
Gross appreciation    19,469,445   
Gross depreciation    (41,304,445
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)    $(21,835,000
As of 11/30/08       
Undistributed ordinary income    $4,491,577   
Capital loss carryforwards    (66,111,175
Other temporary differences    (708,300
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)    (92,071,192

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

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

As of November 30, 2008, the fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized gains. Such losses expire as follows:

 

11/30/09    $(21,374,410
11/30/10    (23,905,212
11/30/14    (5,504,781
11/30/15    (2,469,155
11/30/16    (12,857,617
   $(66,111,175

 

(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 0.32% of the fund’s average daily net assets and 4.57% of gross income. Gross income is calculated based on tax elections that generally include the accretion of discount and exclude the amortization of premium, which may differ from investment income reported in the Statement of Operations. The management fee, from net assets and gross income, incurred for the six months ended May 31, 2009 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.68% of the fund’s average daily net assets.

Transfer Agent – The fund engages Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) as the sole transfer agent for the fund. MFS Service Center, Inc. (MFSC) monitors and supervises the activities of Computershare for an agreed upon fee approved by the Board of Trustees. For the six months ended May 31, 2009, these fees paid to MFSC amounted to $17,802. MFSC also receives payment from the fund for out-of-pocket expenses paid by MFSC on behalf of the fund. For the six months ended May 31, 2009, the fund did not pay any out-of-pocket expenses to MFSC.

Administrator – MFS provides certain financial, legal, shareholder communications, compliance, and other administrative services to the fund. Under an administrative services agreement, the fund partially reimburses MFS the costs incurred to provide these services. The fund is charged an annual fixed amount of $17,500 plus a fee based on average daily net assets. The administrative services fee incurred for the six months ended May 31, 2009 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0224% of the fund’s average daily net assets.

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

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

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.

For certain independent Trustees who retired on or before December 31, 2001, the fund has an unfunded, defined benefit plan which resulted in a pension expense of $2,405. For certain independent Trustees who served on the Board as of December 31, 2001, the fund also has an unfunded retirement benefit deferral plan which resulted in an expense of $7,426. Both amounts are included in independent trustees’ compensation for the six months ended May 31, 2009. The liability for deferred retirement benefits payable to certain independent trustees under both plans amounted to $139,080 at May 31, 2009, and is included in payable for independent trustees’ compensation.

Deferred Trustee Compensation – Under a Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan) independent trustees previously were allowed to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual compensation. Effective January 1, 2005, trustees are no longer allowed to defer compensation under the Plan. Amounts previously deferred are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in shares of certain MFS funds selected by the trustee. Deferred amounts represent an unsecured obligation of the fund until distributed in accordance with the Plan. Included in other assets and payable for independent trustees’ compensation is $8,520 of deferred trustees’ compensation.

Other – This fund and certain other funds managed by MFS (the funds) have entered into services agreements (the Agreements) which provide for payment of fees by the funds to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC in return for the provision of services of an Independent Chief Compliance Officer (ICCO) and Assistant ICCO, respectively, for the funds. The ICCO and Assistant ICCO are officers of the funds and the sole members of Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC, respectively. The funds can terminate the Agreements with Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC at any time under the terms of the Agreements. For the six months ended May 31, 2009, the aggregate fees paid by the fund to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC were $3,458 and are included in miscellaneous expense on the Statement of Operations. MFS has agreed to reimburse the fund for a portion of the payments made by the fund in the amount of $1,638, which is shown as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations. Additionally, MFS has agreed to bear all expenses associated with office space, other administrative support, and supplies provided to the ICCO and Assistant ICCO.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

(4)   Portfolio Securities

Purchases and sales of investments, other than purchased option transactions and short-term obligations, were as follows:

 

     Purchases    Sales
U.S. Government securities    $7,910,260    $62,009,234
Investments (non-U.S. Government securities)    $150,627,585    $108,361,922

 

(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. The fund repurchased and retired 114,800 shares of beneficial interest during the six months ended May 31, 2009 at an average price per share of $6.94 and a weighted average discount of 11.07% per share. The fund repurchased and retired 277,999 shares of beneficial interest during the year ended November 30, 2008 at an average price per share of $7.71 and a weighted average discount of 13.97% per share. Transactions in fund shares were as follows:

 

     Six months ended
5/31/09
     Year ended
11/30/08
 
     Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  
Treasury shares reacquired    (114,800    $(796,999    (277,999    $(2,137,517

 

(6)   Loan Agreement

At May 31, 2009, the fund had a credit agreement with a bank for a revolving line of credit that can be drawn upon up to $100,000,000. The credit agreement matures on August 28, 2009. Borrowing under the agreement can be made for liquidity or leverage purposes. Interest is charged at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus 1.00% or an alternate rate, at the option of the borrower, stated as the greater of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% or the bank’s prime lending rate. The fund did not incur any borrowings under this agreement at May 31, 2009. The fund did incur a commitment fee of $53,272 during the period, which is based on the average daily unused portion of the line of credit. The fund is subject to certain covenants including, but not limited to, requirements with respect to asset coverage, portfolio diversification and liquidity.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

(7)   Transactions in Underlying Funds-Affiliated Issuers

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

 

Underlying Funds    Beginning
Shares/Par
Amount
   Acquisitions
Shares/Par
Amount
   Dispositions
Shares/Par
Amount
     Ending
Shares/Par
Amount
MFS Institutional Money
Market Portfolio
      87,553,039    (65,941,295    21,611,744
Underlying Funds    Realized
Gain (Loss)
   Capital Gain
Distributions
   Dividend
Income
     Ending
Value
MFS Institutional Money
Market Portfolio
   $—    $—    $19,158       $21,611,744

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Trustees and Shareholders of the MFS Charter Income Trust

We have reviewed the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of the MFS Charter Income Trust (the Fund), including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2009, and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets, and financial highlights for the six-month period ended May 31, 2009. These interim financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management.

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

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

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the statement of changes in net assets for the year ended November 30, 2008, and financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended November 30, 2008, and in our report dated January 20, 2009, we expressed an unqualified opinion on such statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights.

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

July 17, 2009

 

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BOARD REVIEW OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

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

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND INFORMATION

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

Information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, 2008 is available without charge by visiting the Proxy Voting section of mfs.com or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO DISCLOSURE

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

Public Reference Room

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE, Room 1580

Washington, D.C. 20549

Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1.800.SEC.0330. The fund’s Form N-Q is available on the EDGAR database on the Commission’s Internet Web site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the Public Reference Section at the above address.

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

 

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CONTACT US

Transfer Agent, Registrar and Dividend Disbursing Agent

Call

1-800-637-2304

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

Write

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 43078

Providence, RI 02940-3078

LOGO

 

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


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ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

The Registrant has not amended any provision in its Code of Ethics (the “Code”) that relates to any element of the Code’s definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of Item 2 of this Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

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

 

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

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

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

There were no changes during this period.


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

MFS Charter Income Trust

 

Period

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

12/01/08-12/31/08

   114,800    7.79    114,800    5,133,654

1/01/09-1/31/09

   0    N/A    0    5,113,654

2/01/09-2/28/09

   0    N/A    0    5,113,654

3/01/09-3/31/09

   0    N/A    0    5,487,174

4/01/09-4/30/09

   0    N/A    0    5,487,174

5/01/09-5/31/09

   0    N/A    0    5,487,174
               

Total

   114,800       114,800   
               

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, 2009 plan year is 5,487,174.

 

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

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

 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

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

 

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


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ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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


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Notice

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


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SIGNATURES

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

Registrant MFS CHARTER INCOME TRUST

 

By (Signature and Title)*    MARIA F. DWYER
  Maria F. Dwyer, President

Date: July 17, 2009

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

 

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

Date: July 17, 2009

 

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

Date: July 17, 2009

 

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