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 811-6102
MFS SERIES TRUST VI
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Susan S. Newton
Massachusetts Financial Services Company
111 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02199
(Name and address of agents for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 954-5000
Date of fiscal year end: October 31
Date of reporting period: October 31, 2014
ITEM 1. | REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS. |
ANNUAL REPORT
October 31, 2014
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808063logo_05.jpg)
MFS® GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808063art_03.jpg)
LGE-ANN
MFS® GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
CONTENTS
The report is prepared for the general information of shareholders.
It is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.
NOT FDIC INSURED Ÿ MAY LOSE VALUE Ÿ NO BANK GUARANTEE
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808063manning_photo.jpg)
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND CEO
Dear Shareholders:
The U.S. economy stands on much firmer ground than the rest of the world, expanding at an annualized pace of more than 3%. The U.S. Federal Reserve has ended its “QE3”
bond-purchasing program as the labor market has regained momentum amid other positive indicators. Improved consumer confidence and falling gasoline prices are expected to continue propelling demand for products and services heading into the end of the year.
In contrast, all other major economic regions continue to struggle. The eurozone economy is barely expanding, and deflation threatens the bloc. The European Central Bank has made several attempts to stimulate the region’s economy, but has so far held back from large-scale asset purchases, including government bonds.
Japan continues to try to strengthen its economy. After making early progress at ending deflation and stimulating growth last year, the country hit a setback last spring when the sales tax increase was introduced, causing the need for recent additional monetary stimulus. China continues to struggle, and its growth rate is projected to continue to slow as it transitions to a more sustainable economy.
As always, active risk management is integral to how we at MFS® manage your investments. We use a collaborative process, sharing insights across asset classes, regions and economic sectors. Our global investment team uses a diversified, multidisciplined, long-term approach.
We understand that these are challenging economic times. Applying proven principles, such as asset allocation and diversification, can best serve investors over the long term. We are confident that this approach can help you as you work with your financial advisors to reach your goals in the years ahead.
Respectfully,
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808063manning_sig.jpg)
Robert J. Manning
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
MFS Investment Management
December 16, 2014
The opinions expressed in this letter are subject to change and may not be relied upon for investment advice. No forecasts can be guaranteed.
1
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
Portfolio structure
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808063g56e13.jpg)
| | | | |
Top ten holdings | | | | |
Walt Disney Co. | | | 3.2% | |
Nestle S.A. | | | 2.6% | |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | | | 2.6% | |
Time Warner, Inc. | | | 2.5% | |
Honeywell International, Inc. | | | 2.5% | |
Linde AG | | | 2.5% | |
Bayer AG | | | 2.4% | |
State Street Corp. | | | 2.3% | |
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. | | | 2.3% | |
Accenture PLC, “A” | | | 2.2% | |
| |
Equity sectors | | | | |
Consumer Staples | | | 17.3% | |
Financial Services | | | 16.1% | |
Health Care | | | 13.4% | |
Leisure | | | 11.2% | |
Industrial Goods & Services | | | 8.6% | |
Basic Materials | | | 7.1% | |
Technology | | | 6.3% | |
Retailing | | | 6.2% | |
Special Products & Services | | | 4.7% | |
Transportation | | | 3.9% | |
Energy | | | 3.0% | |
Autos & Housing | | | 1.1% | |
| | | | |
Issuer country weightings (x) | |
United States | | | 54.9% | |
United Kingdom | | | 9.6% | |
Switzerland | | | 8.2% | |
France | | | 8.0% | |
Germany | | | 7.2% | |
Netherlands | | | 2.4% | |
Canada | | | 2.1% | |
Japan | | | 1.7% | |
Brazil | | | 1.0% | |
Other Countries | | | 4.9% | |
|
Currency exposure weightings (y) | |
United States Dollar | | | 57.7% | |
Euro | | | 18.3% | |
British Pound Sterling | | | 9.6% | |
Swiss Franc | | | 8.2% | |
Japanese Yen | | | 1.7% | |
Brazilian Real | | | 1.0% | |
Swedish Krona | | | 0.9% | |
Danish Krone | | | 0.8% | |
South Korean Won | | | 0.6% | |
Other Currencies | | | 1.2% | |
2
Portfolio Composition – continued
(x) | Represents the portfolio’s exposure to issuer countries as a percentage of a portfolio’s net assets. For purposes of this presentation, United States includes Cash & Other. |
(y) | Represents the portfolio’s exposure to a particular currency as a percentage of a portfolio’s net assets. For purposes of this presentation, United States Dollar includes Cash & Other. |
Cash & Other can include cash, other assets less liabilities, offsets to derivative positions, and short-term securities.
Percentages are based on net assets as of 10/31/14.
The portfolio is actively managed and current holdings may be different.
3
MANAGEMENT REVIEW
Summary of Results
For the twelve months ended October 31, 2014, Class A shares of the MFS Global Equity Fund (“fund”) provided a total return of 6.50%, at net asset value. This compares with a return of 9.25% for the fund’s benchmark, the MSCI World Index.
Market Environment
Prior to the reporting period, the decision by the US Federal Reserve (“Fed”) to postpone the tapering of its quantitative easing (“QE”) program surprised markets. Favorable market reactions were tempered, however, by tense negotiations over US fiscal policy which resulted in a 16-day partial shutdown of the federal government (from October 1 through 16, 2013) and a short-term extension in the debt ceiling. The volatility was short-lived, however, as an extension of budget and debt ceiling deadlines allowed the government to re-open, and subsequent economic data reflected moderate but resilient US growth. Also well-received was the decision by the European Central Bank (“ECB”) to cut its policy rate as inflation pressures waned in the region. In addition, equity investors appeared to have concluded that there would be no major change in US monetary policy as a result of the nomination of Janet Yellen as the new Fed Chair for a term beginning in early 2014 and that tapering would have no major impact on the trajectory.
As the period progressed, financial markets were forced to contend with a series of positive and negative return episodes. Geopolitical tensions flared in the Middle East and Russia/Ukraine. Market setbacks were short-lived, as improving economic growth in the US coupled with prospects for easier monetary policy in regions with slowing growth such as Japan, Europe and China, supported risk assets. For example, the ECB cut policy interest rates into negative territory and, by the end of the period, expectations were for additional rate cuts and the announcement for non-conventional easing measures. Similarly, the Bank of Japan surprised markets late in the period with fresh stimulus measures given lackluster growth trends and the related decline in developed market government bond yields and credit spreads were also supportive for equity markets. At the end of the period, the US equity market was trading at all-time highs.
Detractors from Performance
Stock selection in the consumer staples sector was a primary factor that detracted from performance relative to the MSCI World Index. Within this sector, the fund’s overweight positions in spirits producer Diageo (United Kingdom), consumer products manufacturer Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (Sweden) and dairy producer Danone (France) weighed on relative performance as all three stocks performed poorly during the period. Shares of Diageo came under pressure as the company faced slowing demand in North America and the Emerging Markets throughout the period.
The combination of an underweight position and weak stock selection in the technology sector was another detractor from relative returns. Not holding personal electronics maker Apple (United States) and software company Microsoft (United States) hampered results as both stocks delivered strong performance during the period. Apple continued to benefit from strong demand for its iPhone products including the release of its newest version, the iPhone 6, late in the period. Investors
4
Management Review – continued
appeared to have viewed Microsoft more favorably after the company underwent a reorganization to become more cloud-technology focused and efficiently run.
Stock selection in the health care sector also lowered relative performance. However, there were no individual stocks within this sector that were among the largest detractors during the period.
Elsewhere, the fund’s overweight position in Standard Chartered (United Kingdom) weighed on relative performance. Shares of the banking firm declined significantly late in the period after the firm reported its interim management statement for the third quarter which showed disappointing profits driven by higher costs and impairment charges. Some investors also appeared to have been concerned about the quality of Standard Chartered capital relative to other banks. Additionally, overweight positions in luxury goods companies, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (France) and Compagnie Financiere Richemont (Switzerland), industrial gas supplier Linde (Germany) and communications service provider WPP Group (United Kingdom) negatively impacted relative returns as all four stocks underperformed during the period.
Contributors to Performance
Stock selection in the leisure sector benefited relative results. Within this sector the fund’s overweight positions in diversified entertainment company Walt Disney (United States) and media company Time Warner (United States) boosted relative performance as both stocks outperformed the benchmark during the period. Shares of Walt Disney performed well, helped by exceptionally strong box office results of its hit animation film, “Frozen”, as well as strong earnings growth in its cable networks. Time Warner benefited from better-than-expected earnings throughout the period. Additionally, the company announced the spinoff of its publishing unit Time Inc., effective June 6, 2014, which appeared to have been viewed by investors as a generally positive move. The stock also got a boost from strong box office results of its new film, “Godzilla”, with $93.2 million US domestic sales in its opening weekend.
An underweight allocation to the energy sector, and the combination of an underweight position and stock selection in the autos & housing sector, supported relative results as both sectors underperformed the overall benchmark. However, there were no individual stocks within either sector that were among the fund’s top relative contributors.
Elsewhere, the fund’s overweight position in railroad company Canadian National Railway (Canada) aided relative results as the company continued to benefit from favorable demand and pricing throughout the period. Other individual stocks that supported relative performance included medical device and electronics manufacturer Hoya (Japan), life sciences supply company Thermo Fisher Scientific (United States), global payments technology company Visa (United States), diversified technology company 3M (United States), bank holding company Bank of New York Mellon (United States), pharmaceutical company Bayer (Germany) and automotive part retailer AutoZone (United States). Relative results were positively impacted as all seven stocks delivered strong performance during the period.
During the reporting period, the fund’s relative currency exposure, resulting primarily from differences between the fund’s and the benchmark’s exposures to holdings of
5
Management Review – continued
securities denominated in foreign currencies, benefited relative performance. All of MFS’ investment decisions are driven by the fundamentals of each individual opportunity and, as such, it is common for our portfolios to have different currency exposure than the benchmark.
Respectfully,
| | |
David Mannheim | | Roger Morley |
Portfolio Manager | | Portfolio Manager |
The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio managers only through the end of the period of the report as stated on the cover and do not necessarily reflect the views of MFS or any other person in the MFS organization. These views are subject to change at any time based on market or other conditions, and MFS disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice or an indication of trading intent on behalf of any MFS portfolio. References to specific securities are not recommendations of such securities, and may not be representative of any MFS portfolio’s current or future investments.
6
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY THROUGH 10/31/14
The following chart illustrates a representative class of the fund’s historical performance in comparison to its benchmark(s). Performance results include the deduction of the maximum applicable sales charge and reflect the percentage change in net asset value, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. The performance of other share classes will be greater than or less than that of the class depicted below. Benchmarks are unmanaged and may not be invested in directly. Benchmark returns do not reflect sales charges, commissions or expenses. (See Notes to Performance Summary.)
Performance data shown represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate so your shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost; current performance may be lower or higher than quoted. The performance shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes, if any, that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
Growth of a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808063g47h27.jpg)
7
Performance Summary – continued
Total Returns through 10/31/14
Average annual without sales charge
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Share class | | Class inception date | | 1-yr | | 5-yr | | 10-yr | | Life (t) | | |
| | A | | 9/07/93 | | 6.50% | | 13.01% | | 8.99% | | N/A | | |
| | B | | 12/29/86 | | 5.68% | | 12.16% | | 8.17% | | N/A | | |
| | C | | 1/03/94 | | 5.70% | | 12.17% | | 8.18% | | N/A | | |
| | I | | 1/02/97 | | 6.74% | | 13.29% | | 9.26% | | N/A | | |
| | R1 | | 4/01/05 | | 5.70% | | 12.19% | | N/A | | 7.61% | | |
| | R2 | | 10/31/03 | | 6.21% | | 12.75% | | 8.66% | | N/A | | |
| | R3 | | 4/01/05 | | 6.49% | | 13.01% | | N/A | | 8.41% | | |
| | R4 | | 4/01/05 | | 6.74% | | 13.28% | | N/A | | 8.69% | | |
| | R5 | | 6/01/12 | | 6.84% | | N/A | | N/A | | 19.86% | | |
Comparative benchmark | | | | | | | | | | |
| | MSCI World Index (f) | | 9.25% | | 12.02% | | 7.52% | | N/A | | |
Average annual with sales charge | | | | | | | | | | |
| | A
With initial Sales Charge (5.75%) | | 0.38% | | 11.68% | | 8.35% | | N/A | | |
| | B
With CDSC (Declining over six years from 4% to 0%) (v) | | 1.68% | | 11.90% | | 8.17% | | N/A | | |
| | C
With CDSC (1% for 12 months) (v) | | 4.70% | | 12.17% | | 8.18% | | N/A | | |
CDSC – Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.
Class I, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 shares do not have a sales charge.
(f) | Source: FactSet Research Systems Inc. |
(t) | For the period from the class inception date through the stated period end (for those share classes with less than 10 years of performance history). No comparative benchmark performance information is provided for “life” periods. (See Notes to Performance Summary.) |
(v) | Assuming redemption at the end of the applicable period. |
Benchmark Definition
MSCI World Index – a market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global developed markets.
It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Notes to Performance Summary
Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value for each share class for the periods presented. Life returns are presented where the share class has less than 10 years of performance history and represent the average annual total return from the class inception date to the stated period end date. As the fund’s share classes may have different inception dates, the life returns may represent different time
8
Performance Summary – continued
periods and may not be comparable. As a result, no comparative benchmark performance information is provided for life periods.
Performance results reflect any applicable expense subsidies and waivers in effect during the periods shown. Without such subsidies and waivers the fund’s performance results would be less favorable. Please see the prospectus and financial statements for complete details.
Performance results do not include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and may differ from amounts reported in the financial highlights.
From time to time the fund may receive proceeds from litigation settlements, without
which performance would be lower.
9
EXPENSE TABLE
Fund expenses borne by the shareholders during the period, May 1, 2014 through October 31, 2014
As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on certain purchase or redemption payments, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period May 1, 2014 through October 31, 2014.
Actual Expenses
The first line for each share class in the following table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line for each share class in the following table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the second line for each share class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
10
Expense Table – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share Class | | | | Annualized Expense Ratio | | | Beginning Account Value 5/01/14 | | | Ending Account Value 10/31/14 | | | Expenses Paid During Period (p) 5/01/14-10/31/14 | |
A | | Actual | | | 1.23% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,006.25 | | | | $6.22 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.23% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,019.00 | | | | $6.26 | |
B | | Actual | | | 1.98% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,002.44 | | | | $9.99 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.98% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,015.22 | | | | $10.06 | |
C | | Actual | | | 1.99% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,002.54 | | | | $10.04 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.99% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,015.17 | | | | $10.11 | |
I | | Actual | | | 0.99% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,007.49 | | | | $5.01 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 0.99% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,020.21 | | | | $5.04 | |
R1 | | Actual | | | 1.99% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,002.49 | | | | $10.04 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.99% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,015.17 | | | | $10.11 | |
R2 | | Actual | | | 1.49% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,004.96 | | | | $7.53 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.49% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,017.69 | | | | $7.58 | |
R3 | | Actual | | | 1.24% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,006.28 | | | | $6.27 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.24% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,018.95 | | | | $6.31 | |
R4 | | Actual | | | 0.99% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,007.36 | | | | $5.01 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 0.99% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,020.21 | | | | $5.04 | |
R5 | | Actual | | | 0.89% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,008.04 | | | | $4.50 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 0.89% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,020.72 | | | | $4.53 | |
(h) | 5% class return per year before expenses. |
(p) | “Expenses Paid During Period” are equal to each class’s annualized expense ratio, as shown above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses paid do not include any applicable sales charges (loads). If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher. |
11
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
10/31/14
The Portfolio of Investments is a complete list of all securities owned by your fund. It is categorized by broad-based asset classes.
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - 98.9% | | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Aerospace - 5.2% | | | | | | | | |
Honeywell International, Inc. | | | 515,934 | | | $ | 49,591,574 | |
MTU Aero Engines AG | | | 146,484 | | | | 12,825,786 | |
United Technologies Corp. | | | 381,937 | | | | 40,867,259 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 103,284,619 | |
Alcoholic Beverages - 6.0% | | | | | | | | |
AmBev S.A. | | | 1,440,406 | | | $ | 9,533,338 | |
Carlsberg Group | | | 171,630 | | | | 15,112,802 | |
Diageo PLC | | | 1,452,929 | | | | 42,719,725 | |
Heineken N.V. | | | 317,797 | | | | 23,731,557 | |
Pernod Ricard S.A. | | | 239,221 | | | | 27,228,999 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 118,326,421 | |
Apparel Manufacturers - 3.6% | | | | | | | | |
Burberry Group PLC | | | 482,886 | | | $ | 11,826,558 | |
Compagnie Financiere Richemont S.A. | | | 238,225 | | | | 20,042,939 | |
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A. | | | 212,494 | | | | 36,041,926 | |
NIKE, Inc., “B” | | | 42,103 | | | | 3,914,316 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 71,825,739 | |
Automotive - 1.1% | | | | | | | | |
Delphi Automotive PLC | | | 252,475 | | | $ | 17,415,726 | |
Harley-Davidson, Inc. | | | 58,020 | | | | 3,811,914 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 21,227,640 | |
Broadcasting - 8.3% | | | | | | | | |
Omnicom Group, Inc. | | | 254,403 | | | $ | 18,281,400 | |
Time Warner, Inc. | | | 624,250 | | | | 49,609,148 | |
Viacom, Inc., “B” | | | 88,602 | | | | 6,439,593 | |
Walt Disney Co. | | | 687,565 | | | | 62,829,690 | |
WPP Group PLC | | | 1,363,894 | | | | 26,574,583 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 163,734,414 | |
Brokerage & Asset Managers - 2.0% | | | | | | | | |
Deutsche Boerse AG | | | 150,391 | | | $ | 10,273,090 | |
Franklin Resources, Inc. | | | 516,731 | | | | 28,735,411 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 39,008,501 | |
Business Services - 4.7% | | | | | | | | |
Accenture PLC, “A” | | | 532,557 | | | $ | 43,201,024 | |
Adecco S.A. | | | 247,859 | | | | 16,757,499 | |
12
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - continued | | | | | | | | |
Business Services - continued | | | | | | | | |
Brenntag AG | | | 156,910 | | | $ | 7,589,986 | |
Compass Group PLC | | | 1,465,646 | | | | 23,586,615 | |
NOW, Inc. (a) | | | 71,791 | | | | 2,158,037 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 93,293,161 | |
Cable TV - 1.3% | | | | | | | | |
British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC | | | 719,080 | | | $ | 10,191,767 | |
Time Warner Cable, Inc. | | | 110,792 | | | | 16,309,690 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 26,501,457 | |
Chemicals - 1.9% | | | | | | | | |
3M Co. | | | 238,127 | | | $ | 36,616,789 | |
| | |
Computer Software - 2.5% | | | | | | | | |
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (a) | | | 121,575 | | | $ | 9,026,944 | |
Dassault Systemes S.A. | | | 64,727 | | | | 4,101,866 | |
Oracle Corp. | | | 910,570 | | | | 35,557,759 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 48,686,569 | |
Consumer Products - 6.0% | | | | | | | | |
Colgate-Palmolive Co. | | | 411,336 | | | $ | 27,510,152 | |
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. | | | 147,861 | | | | 14,660,418 | |
Procter & Gamble Co. | | | 81,874 | | | | 7,145,144 | |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | | | 608,375 | | | | 51,093,918 | |
Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget | | | 846,506 | | | | 18,926,774 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 119,336,406 | |
Electrical Equipment - 3.3% | | | | | | | | |
Amphenol Corp., “A” | | | 275,954 | | | $ | 13,957,753 | |
Legrand S.A. | | | 410,879 | | | | 22,109,506 | |
Rockwell Automation, Inc. | | | 44,044 | | | | 4,948,343 | |
Schneider Electric S.A. | | | 319,710 | | | | 25,192,532 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 66,208,134 | |
Electronics - 2.7% | | | | | | | | |
Altera Corp. | | | 260,750 | | | $ | 8,961,978 | |
Hoya Corp. | | | 540,500 | | | | 19,760,345 | |
Microchip Technology, Inc. | | | 294,696 | | | | 12,704,345 | |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | | | 9,953 | | | | 11,530,130 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 52,956,798 | |
Energy - Independent - 0.5% | | | | | | | | |
INPEX Corp. | | | 696,200 | | | $ | 8,923,434 | |
13
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - continued | | | | | | | | |
Food & Beverages - 5.3% | | | | | | | | |
Danone S.A. | | | 498,253 | | | $ | 33,854,195 | |
Kellogg Co. | | | 310,993 | | | | 19,891,112 | |
Nestle S.A. | | | 700,511 | | | | 51,256,015 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 105,001,322 | |
Food & Drug Stores - 0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Lawson, Inc. | | | 61,900 | | | $ | 4,232,272 | |
| | |
Gaming & Lodging - 0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Sands China Ltd. | | | 290,000 | | | $ | 1,806,155 | |
William Hill PLC | | | 1,093,706 | | | | 6,307,313 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 8,113,468 | |
General Merchandise - 0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Target Corp. | | | 63,380 | | | $ | 3,918,152 | |
| | |
Insurance - 0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Swiss Re Ltd. | | | 88,025 | | | $ | 7,108,603 | |
| | |
Internet - 0.6% | | | | | | | | |
eBay, Inc. (a) | | | 220,040 | | | $ | 11,552,100 | |
| | |
Major Banks - 5.9% | | | | | | | | |
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. | | | 829,329 | | | $ | 32,111,619 | |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | | 130,058 | | | | 24,709,719 | |
Standard Chartered PLC | | | 994,324 | | | | 14,945,466 | |
State Street Corp. | | | 608,330 | | | | 45,904,582 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 117,671,386 | |
Medical Equipment - 8.7% | | | | | | | | |
DENTSPLY International, Inc. | | | 315,406 | | | $ | 16,013,163 | |
Medtronic, Inc. | | | 402,963 | | | | 27,465,958 | |
Sonova Holding AG | | | 95,282 | | | | 14,834,738 | |
St. Jude Medical, Inc. | | | 405,311 | | | | 26,008,807 | |
Stryker Corp. | | | 285,595 | | | | 24,998,130 | |
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. | | | 383,901 | | | | 45,135,241 | |
Waters Corp. (a) | | | 168,907 | | | | 18,714,896 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 173,170,933 | |
Network & Telecom - 0.6% | | | | | | | | |
Cisco Systems, Inc. | | | 498,452 | | | $ | 12,197,120 | |
| | |
Oil Services - 2.5% | | | | | | | | |
National Oilwell Varco, Inc. | | | 166,571 | | | $ | 12,099,717 | |
Saipem S.p.A. (a) | | | 360,030 | | | | 5,639,645 | |
14
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - continued | | | | | | | | |
Oil Services - continued | | | | | | | | |
Schlumberger Ltd. | | | 331,502 | | | $ | 32,705,987 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 50,445,349 | |
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 7.8% | | | | | | | | |
American Express Co. | | | 346,221 | | | $ | 31,142,579 | |
Credicorp Ltd. | | | 30,497 | | | | 4,910,017 | |
Erste Group Bank AG | | | 302,374 | | | | 7,695,865 | |
Grupo Financiero Banorte S.A. de C.V. | | | 1,083,631 | | | | 6,951,815 | |
Itau Unibanco Holding S.A., ADR | | | 715,776 | | | | 10,564,854 | |
Julius Baer Group Ltd. | | | 261,223 | | | | 11,424,688 | |
Kasikornbank PLC | | | 1,086,580 | | | | 7,966,819 | |
Komercni Banka A.S. | | | 17,195 | | | | 3,683,174 | |
Sberbank of Russia, ADR | | | 456,330 | | | | 3,463,545 | |
UBS AG | | | 1,340,146 | | | | 23,260,862 | |
Visa, Inc., “A” | | | 178,839 | | | | 43,177,100 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 154,241,318 | |
Pharmaceuticals - 4.7% | | | | | | | | |
Bayer AG | | | 327,596 | | | $ | 46,574,280 | |
Johnson & Johnson | | | 135,980 | | | | 14,655,924 | |
Merck KGaA | | | 177,202 | | | | 16,003,914 | |
Roche Holding AG | | | 50,574 | | | | 14,912,273 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 92,146,391 | |
Railroad & Shipping - 2.3% | | | | | | | | |
Canadian National Railway Co. | | | 586,772 | | | $ | 41,414,368 | |
Kuehne + Nagel International AG | | | 29,211 | | | | 3,801,088 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 45,215,456 | |
Restaurants - 1.2% | | | | | | | | |
McDonald’s Corp. | | | 227,223 | | | $ | 21,297,612 | |
Whitbread PLC | | | 39,178 | | | | 2,735,052 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 24,032,664 | |
Specialty Chemicals - 5.2% | | | | | | | | |
Akzo Nobel N.V. | | | 355,063 | | | $ | 23,586,651 | |
L’Air Liquide S.A. | | | 87,962 | | | | 10,609,597 | |
Linde AG | | | 264,542 | | | | 48,781,815 | |
Praxair, Inc. | | | 164,279 | | | | 20,697,511 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 103,675,574 | |
Specialty Stores - 2.2% | | | | | | | | |
AutoZone, Inc. (a) | | | 35,198 | | | $ | 19,482,797 | |
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. (a) | | | 500,682 | | | | 14,674,989 | |
15
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - continued | | | | | | | | |
Specialty Stores - continued | | | | | | | | |
Urban Outfitters, Inc. (a) | | | 310,330 | | | $ | 9,421,619 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | $ | 43,579,405 | |
Trucking - 1.6% | | | | | | | | |
United Parcel Service, Inc., “B” | | | 309,167 | | | $ | 32,434,710 | |
Total Common Stocks (Identified Cost, $1,438,466,661) | | | $ | 1,958,666,305 | |
| | |
Money Market Funds - 0.8% | | | | | | | | |
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio, 0.09%, at Cost and Net Asset Value (v) | | | 15,193,238 | | | $ | 15,193,238 | |
Total Investments (Identified Cost, $1,453,659,899) | | | $ | 1,973,859,543 | |
| |
Other Assets, Less Liabilities - 0.3% | | | | 5,854,784 | |
Net Assets - 100.0% | | | $ | 1,979,714,327 | |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
(v) | Underlying affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies managed by MFS. The rate quoted for the MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. |
The following abbreviations are used in this report and are defined:
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
PLC | | Public Limited Company |
See Notes to Financial Statements
16
Financial Statements
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
At 10/31/14
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, $1,438,466,661) | | | $1,958,666,305 | |
Underlying affiliated funds, at cost and value | | | 15,193,238 | |
Total investments, at value (identified cost, $1,453,659,899) | | | $1,973,859,543 | |
Receivables for | | | | |
Investments sold | | | 5,202,199 | |
Fund shares sold | | | 3,244,342 | |
Interest and dividends | | | 2,826,054 | |
Total assets | | | $1,985,132,138 | |
Liabilities | | | | |
Payables for | | | | |
Investments purchased | | | $1,452,923 | |
Fund shares reacquired | | | 2,200,094 | |
Payable to affiliates | | | | |
Investment adviser | | | 79,398 | |
Shareholder servicing costs | | | 1,113,172 | |
Distribution and service fees | | | 18,446 | |
Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation | | | 10,601 | |
Deferred country tax expense payable | | | 341,443 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 201,734 | |
Total liabilities | | | $5,417,811 | |
Net assets | | | $1,979,714,327 | |
Net assets consist of | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | | $1,436,157,678 | |
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies (net of $341,443 deferred country tax) | | | 519,777,884 | |
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 8,257,026 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 15,521,739 | |
Net assets | | | $1,979,714,327 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding | | | 55,663,788 | |
17
Statement of Assets and Liabilities – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Net assets | | | Shares outstanding | | | Net asset value per share (a) | |
Class A | | | $592,610,370 | | | | 16,715,784 | | | | $35.45 | |
Class B | | | 26,117,663 | | | | 795,180 | | | | 32.84 | |
Class C | | | 111,902,354 | | | | 3,541,455 | | | | 31.60 | |
Class I | | | 681,258,698 | | | | 18,749,131 | | | | 36.34 | |
Class R1 | | | 3,776,187 | | | | 117,387 | | | | 32.17 | |
Class R2 | | | 57,257,501 | | | | 1,662,270 | | | | 34.45 | |
Class R3 | | | 90,863,739 | | | | 2,579,378 | | | | 35.23 | |
Class R4 | | | 109,066,596 | | | | 3,064,125 | | | | 35.59 | |
Class R5 | | | 306,861,219 | | | | 8,439,078 | | | | 36.36 | |
(a) | Maximum offering price per share was equal to the net asset value per share for all share classes, except for Class A, for which the maximum offering price per share was $37.61 [100 / 94.25 x $35.45]. On sales of $50,000 or more, the maximum offering price of Class A shares is reduced. A contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed on redemptions of Class A, Class B, and Class C shares. Redemption price per share was equal to the net asset value per share for Classes I, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5. |
See Notes to Financial Statements
18
Financial Statements
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year ended 10/31/14
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 | | | | |
Dividends | | | $39,246,561 | |
Interest | | | 372,869 | |
Dividends from underlying affiliated funds | | | 23,169 | |
Foreign taxes withheld | | | (2,047,154 | ) |
Total investment income | | | $37,595,445 | |
Expenses | | | | |
Management fee | | | $15,717,676 | |
Distribution and service fees | | | 3,208,217 | |
Shareholder servicing costs | | | 1,682,621 | |
Administrative services fee | | | 252,114 | |
Independent Trustees’ compensation | | | 34,078 | |
Custodian fee | | | 305,289 | |
Shareholder communications | | | 78,081 | |
Audit and tax fees | | | 71,150 | |
Legal fees | | | 18,187 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 238,170 | |
Total expenses | | | $21,605,583 | |
Fees paid indirectly | | | (27 | ) |
Reduction of expenses by investment adviser and distributor | | | (104,150 | ) |
Net expenses | | | $21,501,406 | |
Net investment income | | | $16,094,039 | |
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | |
Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis) | | | | |
Investments (net of $85,139 country tax) | | | $19,932,439 | |
Foreign currency | | | (156,131 | ) |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | $19,776,308 | |
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Investments (net of $320,169 increase in deferred country tax) | | | $82,161,262 | |
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | | (91,568 | ) |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency translation | | | $82,069,694 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | $101,846,002 | |
Change in net assets from operations | | | $117,940,041 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
19
Financial Statements
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
These statements describe the increases and/or decreases in net assets resulting from operations, any distributions, and any shareholder transactions.
| | | | | | | | |
| | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Change in net assets | | | | | | |
From operations | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | $16,094,039 | | | | $9,569,524 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 19,776,308 | | | | 18,345,691 | |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency translation | | | 82,069,694 | | | | 273,914,639 | |
Change in net assets from operations | | | $117,940,041 | | | | $301,829,854 | |
Distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(7,871,999 | ) | | | $(9,500,116 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (15,876,404 | ) | | | (2,356,443 | ) |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(23,748,403 | ) | | | $(11,856,559 | ) |
Change in net assets from fund share transactions | | | $237,877,856 | | | | $513,286,536 | |
Total change in net assets | | | $332,069,494 | | | | $803,259,831 | |
Net assets | | | | | | | | |
At beginning of period | | | 1,647,644,833 | | | | 844,385,002 | |
At end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $15,521,739 and $7,339,607, respectively) | | | $1,979,714,327 | | | | $1,647,644,833 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
20
Financial Statements
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund’s financial performance for the past 5 years (or life of a particular share class, if shorter). 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $33.74 | | | | $26.46 | | | | $23.79 | | | | $23.14 | | | | $20.30 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.26 | | | | $0.22 | | | | $0.23 | | | | $0.20 | | | | $0.14 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 1.90 | | | | 7.40 | | | | 2.78 | | | | 0.55 | | | | 2.88 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $2.16 | | | | $7.62 | | | | $3.01 | | | | $0.75 | | | | $3.02 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.13 | ) | | | $(0.27 | ) | | | $(0.19 | ) | | | $(0.10 | ) | | | $(0.18 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.45 | ) | | | $(0.34 | ) | | | $(0.34 | ) | | | $(0.10 | ) | | | $(0.18 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $35.45 | | | | $33.74 | | | | $26.46 | | | | $23.79 | | | | $23.14 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(t)(x) | | | 6.50 | | | | 29.12 | | | | 12.96 | | | | 3.23 | | | | 14.97 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.23 | | | | 1.29 | | | | 1.34 | | | | 1.37 | | | | 1.43 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.22 | | | | 1.29 | | | | 1.34 | | | | 1.37 | | | | 1.43 | |
Net investment income | | | 0.75 | | | | 0.71 | | | | 0.93 | | | | 0.82 | | | | 0.63 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 11 | | | | 11 | | | | 13 | | | | 16 | | | | 26 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $592,610 | | | | $512,447 | | | | $344,016 | | | | $310,964 | | | | $305,179 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
21
Financial Highlights – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $31.40 | | | | $24.64 | | | | $22.13 | | | | $21.61 | | | | $18.97 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) (d) | | | $(0.00 | )(w) | | | $(0.01 | ) | | | $0.04 | | | | $0.01 | | | | $(0.02 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 1.76 | | | | 6.92 | | | | 2.62 | | | | 0.51 | | | | 2.69 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $1.76 | | | | $6.91 | | | | $2.66 | | | | $0.52 | | | | $2.67 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $— | | | | $(0.08 | ) | | | $— | | | | $— | | | | $(0.03 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.32 | ) | | | $(0.15 | ) | | | $(0.15 | ) | | | $— | | | | $(0.03 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $32.84 | | | | $31.40 | | | | $24.64 | | | | $22.13 | | | | $21.61 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(t)(x) | | | 5.68 | | | | 28.19 | | | | 12.13 | | | | 2.41 | | | | 14.10 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.98 | | | | 2.04 | | | | 2.09 | | | | 2.12 | | | | 2.18 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.98 | | | | 2.04 | | | | 2.09 | | | | 2.12 | | | | 2.18 | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.02 | ) | | | 0.16 | | | | 0.06 | | | | (0.12 | ) |
Portfolio turnover | | | 11 | | | | 11 | | | | 13 | | | | 16 | | | | 26 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $26,118 | | | | $24,395 | | | | $18,799 | | | | $20,797 | | | | $25,796 | |
| |
Class C | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $30.22 | | | | $23.75 | | | | $21.37 | | | | $20.87 | | | | $18.35 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) (d) | | | $(0.00 | )(w) | | | $(0.02 | ) | | | $0.04 | | | | $0.01 | | | | $(0.02 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 1.70 | | | | 6.66 | | | | 2.53 | | | | 0.49 | | | | 2.60 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $1.70 | | | | $6.64 | | | | $2.57 | | | | $0.50 | | | | $2.58 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $— | | | | $(0.10 | ) | | | $(0.04 | ) | | | $— | | | | $(0.06 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.32 | ) | | | $(0.17 | ) | | | $(0.19 | ) | | | $— | | | | $(0.06 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $31.60 | | | | $30.22 | | | | $23.75 | | | | $21.37 | | | | $20.87 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(t)(x) | | | 5.70 | | | | 28.15 | | | | 12.17 | | | | 2.40 | | | | 14.12 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.98 | | | | 2.04 | | | | 2.09 | | | | 2.12 | | | | 2.18 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.98 | | | | 2.04 | | | | 2.09 | | | | 2.12 | | | | 2.18 | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | (0.00 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | 0.17 | | | | 0.07 | | | | (0.11 | ) |
Portfolio turnover | | | 11 | | | | 11 | | | | 13 | | | | 16 | | | | 26 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $111,902 | | | | $74,448 | | | | $32,071 | | | | $28,756 | | | | $28,424 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
22
Financial Highlights – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $34.56 | | | | $27.09 | | | | $24.35 | | | | $23.68 | | | | $20.76 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.35 | | | | $0.30 | | | | $0.30 | | | | $0.27 | | | | $0.21 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 1.95 | | | | 7.58 | | | | 2.85 | | | | 0.55 | | | | 2.94 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $2.30 | | | | $7.88 | | | | $3.15 | | | | $0.82 | | | | $3.15 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.20 | ) | | | $(0.34 | ) | | | $(0.26 | ) | | | $(0.15 | ) | | | $(0.23 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.52 | ) | | | $(0.41 | ) | | | $(0.41 | ) | | | $(0.15 | ) | | | $(0.23 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $36.34 | | | | $34.56 | | | | $27.09 | | | | $24.35 | | | | $23.68 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 6.77 | | | | 29.44 | | | | 13.26 | | | | 3.47 | | | | 15.26 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 0.98 | | | | 1.04 | | | | 1.09 | | | | 1.12 | | | | 1.17 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 0.98 | | | | 1.04 | | | | 1.09 | | | | 1.12 | | | | 1.17 | |
Net investment income | | | 0.99 | | | | 0.98 | | | | 1.18 | | | | 1.08 | | | | 0.96 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 11 | | | | 11 | | | | 13 | | | | 16 | | | | 26 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $681,259 | | | | $638,111 | | | | $356,027 | | | | $281,561 | | | | $159,723 | |
| |
Class R1 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $30.76 | | | | $24.13 | | | | $21.67 | | | | $21.16 | | | | $18.61 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) (d) | | | $(0.00 | )(w) | | | $(0.00 | )(w) | | | $0.03 | | | | $0.01 | | | | $(0.02 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 1.73 | | | | 6.76 | | | | 2.59 | | | | 0.50 | | | | 2.64 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $1.73 | | | | $6.76 | | | | $2.62 | | | | $0.51 | | | | $2.62 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $— | | | | $(0.06 | ) | | | $(0.01 | ) | | | $— | | | | $(0.07 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.32 | ) | | | $(0.13 | ) | | | $(0.16 | ) | | | $— | | | | $(0.07 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $32.17 | | | | $30.76 | | | | $24.13 | | | | $21.67 | | | | $21.16 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 5.70 | | | | 28.17 | | | | 12.23 | | | | 2.41 | | | | 14.13 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.98 | | | | 2.04 | | | | 2.09 | | | | 2.12 | | | | 2.18 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.98 | | | | 2.04 | | | | 2.09 | | | | 2.12 | | | | 2.18 | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | 0.15 | | | | 0.03 | | | | (0.12 | ) |
Portfolio turnover | | | 11 | | | | 11 | | | | 13 | | | | 16 | | | | 26 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $3,776 | | | | $3,718 | | | | $2,968 | | | | $3,581 | | | | $4,405 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
23
Financial Highlights – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R2 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $32.81 | | | | $25.76 | | | | $23.16 | | | | $22.55 | | | | $19.78 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.17 | | | | $0.14 | | | | $0.16 | | | | $0.14 | | | | $0.08 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 1.85 | | | | 7.21 | | | | 2.73 | | | | 0.51 | | | | 2.83 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $2.02 | | | | $7.35 | | | | $2.89 | | | | $0.65 | | | | $2.91 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.06 | ) | | | $(0.23 | ) | | | $(0.14 | ) | | | $(0.04 | ) | | | $(0.14 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.38 | ) | | | $(0.30 | ) | | | $(0.29 | ) | | | $(0.04 | ) | | | $(0.14 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $34.45 | | | | $32.81 | | | | $25.76 | | | | $23.16 | | | | $22.55 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 6.24 | | | | 28.82 | | | | 12.71 | | | | 2.90 | | | | 14.80 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.48 | | | | 1.54 | | | | 1.59 | | | | 1.62 | | | | 1.68 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.48 | | | | 1.54 | | | | 1.59 | | | | 1.62 | | | | 1.68 | |
Net investment income | | | 0.49 | | | | 0.48 | | | | 0.65 | | | | 0.58 | | | | 0.37 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 11 | | | | 11 | | | | 13 | | | | 16 | | | | 26 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $57,258 | | | | $54,726 | | | | $30,799 | | | | $21,832 | | | | $21,201 | |
| |
Class R3 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $33.55 | | | | $26.32 | | | | $23.66 | | | | $23.02 | | | | $20.20 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.26 | | | | $0.21 | | | | $0.22 | | | | $0.20 | | | | $0.14 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 1.88 | | | | 7.37 | | | | 2.79 | | | | 0.54 | | | | 2.87 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $2.14 | | | | $7.58 | | | | $3.01 | | | | $0.74 | | | | $3.01 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.14 | ) | | | $(0.28 | ) | | | $(0.20 | ) | | | $(0.10 | ) | | | $(0.19 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.46 | ) | | | $(0.35 | ) | | | $(0.35 | ) | | | $(0.10 | ) | | | $(0.19 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $35.23 | | | | $33.55 | | | | $26.32 | | | | $23.66 | | | | $23.02 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 6.49 | | | | 29.11 | | | | 12.99 | | | | 3.21 | | | | 14.97 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.23 | | | | 1.29 | | | | 1.34 | | | | 1.37 | | | | 1.43 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.23 | | | | 1.29 | | | | 1.34 | | | | 1.37 | | | | 1.43 | |
Net investment income | | | 0.74 | | | | 0.67 | | | | 0.91 | | | | 0.83 | | | | 0.65 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 11 | | | | 11 | | | | 13 | | | | 16 | | | | 26 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $90,864 | | | | $62,218 | | | | $21,664 | | | | $13,294 | | | | $13,903 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
24
Financial Highlights – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R4 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $33.87 | | | | $26.55 | | | | $23.88 | | | | $23.22 | | | | $20.37 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.35 | | | | $0.31 | | | | $0.31 | | | | $0.25 | | | | $0.18 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 1.89 | | | | 7.42 | | | | 2.77 | | | | 0.56 | | | | 2.90 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $2.24 | | | | $7.73 | | | | $3.08 | | | | $0.81 | | | | $3.08 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.20 | ) | | | $(0.34 | ) | | | $(0.26 | ) | | | $(0.15 | ) | | | $(0.23 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.52 | ) | | | $(0.41 | ) | | | $(0.41 | ) | | | $(0.15 | ) | | | $(0.23 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $35.59 | | | | $33.87 | | | | $26.55 | | | | $23.88 | | | | $23.22 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 6.74 | | | | 29.47 | | | | 13.23 | | | | 3.50 | | | | 15.21 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 0.98 | | | | 1.04 | | | | 1.09 | | | | 1.12 | | | | 1.18 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 0.98 | | | | 1.04 | | | | 1.09 | | | | 1.12 | | | | 1.18 | |
Net investment income | | | 0.99 | | | | 1.02 | | | | 1.23 | | | | 1.04 | | | | 0.85 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 11 | | | | 11 | | | | 13 | | | | 16 | | | | 26 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $109,067 | | | | $90,239 | | | | $37,929 | | | | $15,009 | | | | $9,364 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R5 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 (i) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $34.58 | | | | $27.10 | | | | $24.19 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.42 | | | | $0.08 | | | | $0.05 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 1.90 | | | | 7.81 | | | | 2.86 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $2.32 | | | | $7.89 | | | | $2.91 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.22 | ) | | | $(0.34 | ) | | | $— | |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.54 | ) | | | $(0.41 | ) | | | $— | |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $36.36 | | | | $34.58 | | | | $27.10 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 6.84 | | | | 29.50 | | | | 12.03 | (n) |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 0.90 | | | | 0.95 | | | | 1.04 | (a) |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 0.90 | | | | 0.95 | | | | 1.04 | (a) |
Net investment income | | | 1.16 | | | | 0.24 | | | | 0.50 | (a) |
Portfolio turnover | | | 11 | | | | 11 | | | | 13 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $306,861 | | | | $187,343 | | | | $112 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
25
Financial Highlights – continued
(d) | Per share data is based on average shares outstanding. |
(f) | Ratios do not reflect reductions from fees paid indirectly, if applicable. |
(i) | For the period from the class inception, June 1, 2012, through the stated period end. |
(r) | Certain expenses have been reduced without which performance would have been lower. |
(s) | From time to time the fund may receive proceeds from litigation settlements, without which performance would be lower. |
(t) | Total returns do not include any applicable sales charges. |
(w) | Per share amount was less than $0.01. |
(x) | The net asset values per share and total returns have been calculated on net assets which include adjustments made in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles required at period end for financial reporting purposes. |
See Notes to Financial Statements
26
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Business and Organization
MFS Global Equity Fund (the fund) is a diversified series of MFS Series Trust VI (the trust). The trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company.
The fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies.
(2) Significant Accounting Policies
General – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the preparation of these financial statements, management has evaluated subsequent events occurring after the date of the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities through the date that the financial statements were issued. The fund invests in foreign securities. Investments in foreign securities are vulnerable to the effects of changes in the relative values of the local currency and the U.S. dollar and to the effects of changes in each country’s legal, political, and economic environment.
In June 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860) – Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures (“ASU 2014-11”). ASU 2014-11 changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions (i.e., repurchase agreements that settle at the same time as the maturity of the transferred financial asset) and enhances the required disclosures for repurchase agreements and other similar transactions. Although still evaluating the potential impacts of ASU 2014-11 to the fund, management expects that the impact of the fund’s adoption will be limited to additional financial statement disclosures which would first be effective for interim reporting periods beginning after March 15, 2015.
Balance Sheet Offsetting – The fund’s accounting policy with respect to balance sheet offsetting is that, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement does not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the fund and the applicable counterparty. The fund’s right to setoff may be restricted or prohibited by the bankruptcy or insolvency laws of the particular jurisdiction to which a specific master netting agreement counterparty is subject. Balance sheet offsetting disclosures, to the extent applicable to the fund, have been included in the fund’s Significant Accounting Policies note under the captions for each of the fund’s in-scope financial instruments and transactions.
27
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
Investment Valuations – Equity securities, including restricted equity securities, are generally valued at the last sale or official closing price as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market or exchange on which they are primarily traded. Equity securities, for which there were no sales reported that day, are generally valued at the last quoted daily bid quotation as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market or exchange on which such securities are primarily traded. Short-term instruments with a maturity at issuance of 60 days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Open-end investment companies are generally valued at net asset value per share. Securities and other assets generally valued on the basis of information from a third-party pricing service may also be valued at a broker/dealer bid quotation. Values obtained from third-party pricing services can utilize both transaction data and market information such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data. The values of foreign securities and other assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars using the mean of bid and asked prices for rates provided by a third-party pricing service.
The Board of Trustees has delegated primary responsibility for determining or causing to be determined the value of the fund’s investments (including any fair valuation) to the adviser pursuant to valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board. If the adviser determines that reliable market quotations are not readily available, investments are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the adviser in accordance with such procedures under the oversight of the Board of Trustees. Under the fund’s valuation policies and procedures, market quotations are not considered to be readily available for most types of debt instruments and floating rate loans and many types of derivatives. These investments are generally valued at fair value based on information from third-party pricing services. In addition, investments may be valued at fair value if the adviser determines that an investment’s value has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the investment is principally traded (such as foreign exchange or market) and prior to the determination of the fund’s net asset value, or after the halting of trading of a specific security where trading does not resume prior to the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded. Events that occur on a frequent basis after foreign markets close (such as developments in foreign markets and significant movements in the U.S. markets) and prior to the determination of the fund’s net asset value may be deemed to have a material effect on the value of securities traded in foreign markets. Accordingly, the fund’s foreign equity securities may often be valued at fair value. The adviser generally relies on third-party pricing services or other information (such as the correlation with price movements of similar securities in the same or other markets; the type, cost and investment characteristics of the security; the business and financial condition of the issuer; and trading and other market data) to assist in determining whether to fair value and at what value to fair value an investment. The value of an investment for purposes of calculating the fund’s net asset value can differ depending on the source and method used to determine value. When fair valuation is used, the value of an investment used to determine the fund’s net asset value may differ from quoted or published prices for the same investment. There can be no assurance that
28
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
the fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it were to sell the investment at the same time at which the fund determines its net asset value per share.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s assets or liabilities. These inputs are categorized into three broad levels. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fund’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment. Level 1 includes unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 includes other significant observable market-based inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speed, and credit risk). Level 3 includes unobservable inputs, which may include the adviser’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. The following is a summary of the levels used as of October 31, 2014 in valuing the fund’s assets or liabilities:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments at Value | | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Equity Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States | | | $1,065,638,608 | | | | $— | | | | $— | | | | $1,065,638,608 | |
United Kingdom | | | 189,980,996 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 189,980,996 | |
Switzerland | | | 163,398,706 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 163,398,706 | |
France | | | 159,138,621 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 159,138,621 | |
Germany | | | 142,048,871 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 142,048,871 | |
Netherlands | | | 47,318,208 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 47,318,208 | |
Canada | | | 41,414,368 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 41,414,368 | |
Japan | | | — | | | | 32,916,051 | | | | — | | | | 32,916,051 | |
Brazil | | | 20,098,192 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 20,098,192 | |
Other Countries | | | 77,216,735 | | | | 19,496,949 | | | | — | | | | 96,713,684 | |
Mutual Funds | | | 15,193,238 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 15,193,238 | |
Total Investments | | | $1,921,446,543 | | | | $52,413,000 | | | | $— | | | | $1,973,859,543 | |
For further information regarding security characteristics, see the Portfolio of Investments.
Of the level 2 investments presented above, equity investments amounting to $44,446,181 would have been considered level 1 investments at the beginning of the period. The primary reason for changes in the classifications between levels 1 and 2 occurs when foreign equity securities are fair valued using other observable market-based inputs in place of the closing exchange price due to events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the investment is principally traded. The fund’s foreign equity securities may often be valued at fair value. The fund’s policy is to recognize transfers between the levels as of the end of the period.
Foreign Currency Translation – Purchases and sales of foreign investments, income, and expenses are converted into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions or on the reporting date for foreign denominated receivables and payables. Gains and losses attributable to foreign currency exchange rates on sales of securities are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. Gains and losses attributable
29
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
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.
Security Loans – Under its Securities Lending Agency Agreement with the fund, JPMorgan Chase and Co. (“Chase”), as lending agent, loans the securities of the fund to certain qualified institutions (the “Borrowers”) approved by the fund. The loans are collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Treasury and federal agency obligations in an amount typically at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. On loans collateralized by cash, the cash collateral is invested in a money market fund. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the fund on the next business day. Chase provides the fund with indemnification against Borrower default. In the event of Borrower default, Chase will for the benefit of the fund either purchase securities identical to those loaned or, when such purchase is commercially impracticable, pay the fund the market value of the loaned securities. In return, Chase assumes the fund’s rights to the related collateral. If the collateral value is less than the cost to purchase identical securities, Chase is responsible for the shortfall, but only to the extent that such shortfall is not due to a decline in collateral value resulting from collateral reinvestment for which the fund bears the risk of loss. A portion of the income generated upon investment of the collateral is remitted to the Borrowers, and the remainder is allocated between the fund and the lending agent. On loans collateralized by U.S. Treasury and/or federal agency obligations, a fee is received from the Borrower, and is allocated between the fund and the lending agent. Income from securities lending is included in “Interest” income in the Statement of Operations. The dividend and interest income earned on the securities loaned is accounted for in the same manner as other dividend and interest income. At October 31, 2014, there were no securities on loan or collateral outstanding.
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. 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
30
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
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 year ended October 31, 2014, is shown as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations.
Tax Matters and Distributions – The fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company, as defined under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including realized capital gains. As a result, no provision for federal income tax is required. The fund’s federal tax returns, when filed, will remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a three year period. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken on federal and state tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability. Foreign taxes, if any, have been accrued by the fund in the accompanying financial statements in accordance with the applicable foreign tax law. Foreign income taxes may be withheld by certain countries in which the fund invests. Additionally, capital gains realized by the fund on securities issued in or by certain foreign countries may be subject to capital gains tax imposed by
those countries.
Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. 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 wash sale loss deferrals and treating a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as a distribution for tax purposes.
The tax character of distributions declared to shareholders for the last two fiscal years is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 10/31/14 | | | 10/31/13 | |
Ordinary income (including any short-term capital gains) | | | $11,159,040 | | | | $10,338,577 | |
Long-term capital gain | | | 12,589,363 | | | | 1,517,982 | |
Total distributions | | | $23,748,403 | | | | $11,856,559 | |
31
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
The federal tax cost and the tax basis components of distributable earnings were as follows:
| | | | |
As of 10/31/14 | | | |
Cost of investments | | | $1,464,632,477 | |
Gross appreciation | | | 537,224,565 | |
Gross depreciation | | | (27,997,499 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | $509,227,066 | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | | 18,342,482 | |
Undistributed long-term capital gains | | | 16,419,453 | |
Other temporary differences | | | (432,352 | ) |
Multiple Classes of Shares of Beneficial Interest – The fund offers multiple classes of shares, which differ in their respective distribution and service fees. The fund’s income, realized and unrealized gain (loss), and common expenses are allocated to shareholders based on the daily net assets of each class. Dividends are declared separately for each class. Differences in per share dividend rates are generally due to differences in separate class expenses. Class B shares will convert to Class A shares approximately eight years after purchase. The fund’s distributions declared to shareholders as reported in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets are presented by class as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | From net investment income | | | From net realized gain on investments | |
| | Year ended 10/31/14 | | | Year ended 10/31/13 | | | Year ended 10/31/14 | | | Year ended 10/31/13 | |
Class A | | | $2,004,335 | | | | $3,594,377 | | | | $4,940,235 | | | | $944,700 | |
Class B | | | — | | | | 59,127 | | | | 254,927 | | | | 53,481 | |
Class C | | | — | | | | 140,166 | | | | 855,561 | | | | 95,739 | |
Class I | | | 3,750,145 | | | | 4,676,953 | | | | 6,042,277 | | | | 997,993 | |
Class R1 | | | — | | | | 7,441 | | | | 38,715 | | | | 8,269 | |
Class R2 | | | 100,419 | | | | 295,466 | | | | 534,211 | | | | 91,145 | |
Class R3 | | | 274,464 | | | | 230,880 | | | | 611,539 | | | | 59,378 | |
Class R4 | | | 548,426 | | | | 494,284 | | | | 874,936 | | | | 105,442 | |
Class R5 | | | 1,194,210 | | | | 1,422 | | | | 1,724,003 | | | | 296 | |
Total | | | $7,871,999 | | | | $9,500,116 | | | | $15,876,404 | | | | $2,356,443 | |
(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 the following annual rates:
| | | | |
First $1 billion of average daily net assets | | | 0.90 | % |
Next $1 billion of average daily net assets | | | 0.75 | % |
Average daily net assets in excess of $2 billion | | | 0.65 | % |
Effective August 1, 2014, the investment adviser has agreed in writing to reduce its management fee to 0.60% of average daily net assets in excess of $5 billion. This
32
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
written agreement will continue until modified by the fund’s Board of Trustees, but such agreement will continue at least until February 29, 2016. For the period August 1, 2014 to October 31, 2014, the fund’s average daily net assets did not exceed $5 billion and therefore, the management fee was not reduced in accordance with this agreement. MFS has also agreed in writing to reduce its management fee by a specified amount if certain MFS mutual fund assets exceed thresholds agreed to by MFS and the fund’s Board of Trustees. For the year ended October 31, 2014, this management fee reduction amounted to $76,621, which is included in the reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations. The management fee incurred for the year ended October 31, 2014 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.82% of the fund’s average daily net assets.
Distributor – MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. (MFD), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MFS, as distributor, received $354,825 for the year ended October 31, 2014, as its portion of the initial sales charge on sales of Class A shares of the fund.
The Board of Trustees has adopted a distribution plan for certain share classes pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
The fund’s distribution plan provides that the fund will pay MFD for services provided by MFD and financial intermediaries in connection with the distribution and servicing of certain share classes. One component of the plan is a distribution fee paid to MFD and another component of the plan is a service fee paid to MFD. MFD may subsequently pay all, or a portion, of the distribution and/or service fees to financial intermediaries.
Distribution Plan Fee Table:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Distribution Fee Rate (d) | | | Service Fee Rate (d) | | | Total Distribution Plan (d) | | | Annual Effective Rate (e) | | | Distribution and Service Fee | |
Class A | | | — | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | $1,431,757 | |
Class B | | | 0.75% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 260,515 | |
Class C | | | 0.75% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 992,303 | |
Class R1 | | | 0.75% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 37,448 | |
Class R2 | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.50% | | | | 0.50% | | | | 290,306 | |
Class R3 | | | — | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 195,888 | |
Total Distribution and Service Fees | | | | $3,208,217 | |
(d) | In accordance with the distribution plan for certain classes, the fund pays distribution and/or service fees equal to these annual percentage rates of each class’s average daily net assets. The distribution and service fee rates disclosed by class represent the current rates in effect at the end of the reporting period. Any rate changes, if applicable, are detailed below. |
(e) | The annual effective rates represent actual fees incurred under the distribution plan for the year ended October 31, 2014 based on each class’s average daily net assets. MFD has voluntarily agreed to rebate a portion of each class’s 0.25% service fee attributable to accounts for which MFD retains the 0.25% service fee except for accounts attributable to MFS or its affiliates’ seed money. For the year ended October 31, 2014, this rebate amounted to $23,262, $450, $314, and $169 for Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class R3, respectively, and is included in the reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations. |
Certain Class A shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) in the event of a shareholder redemption within 18 months of purchase for shares purchased on or after August 1, 2012, and within 24 months of purchase for shares purchased
33
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
prior to August 1, 2012. Class C shares are subject to a CDSC in the event of a shareholder redemption within 12 months of purchase. Class B shares are subject to a CDSC in the event of a shareholder redemption within six years of purchase. All contingent deferred sales charges are paid to MFD and during the year ended October 31, 2014, were as follows:
| | | | |
| | Amount | |
Class A | | | $5,964 | |
Class B | | | 25,849 | |
Class C | | | 18,762 | |
Shareholder Servicing Agent – MFS Service Center, Inc. (MFSC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MFS, receives a fee from the fund for its services as shareholder servicing agent calculated as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the fund as determined periodically under the supervision of the fund’s Board of Trustees. For the year ended October 31, 2014, the fee was $252,452, which equated to 0.0133% annually of the fund’s average daily net assets. MFSC also receives payment from the fund for out-of-pocket expenses, sub-accounting and other shareholder servicing costs which may be paid to affiliated and unaffiliated service providers. Class R5 shares do not incur sub-accounting fees. For the year ended October 31, 2014, these out-of-pocket expenses, sub-accounting and other shareholder servicing costs amounted to $1,430,169.
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 year ended October 31, 2014 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0133% of the fund’s average daily net assets.
Trustees’ and Officers’ Compensation – The fund pays compensation to independent Trustees in the form of a retainer, attendance fees, and additional compensation to Board and Committee chairpersons. The fund does not pay compensation directly to Trustees or officers of the fund who are also officers of the investment adviser, all of whom receive remuneration for their services to the fund from MFS. Certain officers and Trustees of the fund are officers or directors of MFS, MFD, and MFSC.
Prior to December 31, 2001, the fund had an unfunded defined benefit plan (“DB plan”) for independent Trustees. As of December 31, 2001, the Board took action to terminate the DB plan with respect to then-current and any future independent Trustees, such that the DB plan covers only certain of those former independent Trustees who retired on or before December 31, 2001. Effective January 1, 2002, accrued benefits under the DB plan for then-current independent Trustees who continued were credited to an unfunded retirement deferral plan (the “Retirement Deferral plan”), which was established for and exists solely with respect to these credited amounts, and is not available for other deferrals by these or other independent Trustees. Although the Retirement Deferral plan is unfunded, amounts deferred under the plan are periodically adjusted for investment experience as if they
34
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
had been invested in shares of the fund. The DB plan resulted in a pension expense of $1,024 and the Retirement Deferral plan resulted in an expense of $1,409. Both amounts are included in independent Trustees’ compensation for the year ended October 31, 2014. The liability for deferred retirement benefits payable to certain independent Trustees under both plans amounted to $10,592 at October 31, 2014, and is included in “Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Other – This fund and certain other funds managed by MFS (the funds) have entered into 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 funds can terminate the Agreements with Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC at any time under the terms of the Agreements. Frank L. Tarantino serves as the ICCO and is an officer of the funds and the sole member of Tarantino LLC. Prior to June 1, 2014, Robyn L. Griffin served as the Assistant ICCO and was an officer of the funds. Ms. Griffin is the sole member of Griffin Compliance LLC. Effective May 31, 2014, Ms. Griffin resigned as Assistant ICCO and the service agreement between the funds and Griffin Compliance LLC was terminated. For the year ended October 31, 2014, the aggregate fees paid by the fund to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC were $9,211 and are included in “Miscellaneous” expense in 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 $3,334, which is included in the 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. On October 31, 2014, Mr. Tarantino resigned as ICCO and the service agreement between the funds and Tarantino LLC for the services of an ICCO was terminated. Effective November 1, 2014, the funds entered into a service agreement which provides for payment of fees solely by the funds to Tarantino LLC in return for the provision of services of an Independent Senior Officer (ISO). Additionally, MFS has agreed to bear all expenses associated with office space, other administrative support, and supplies provided to the ISO.
The fund invests in the MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio which is managed by MFS and seeks current income consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity. Income earned on this investment is included in “Dividends from underlying affiliated funds” in the Statement of Operations. This money market fund does not pay a management fee to MFS.
(4) Portfolio Securities
For the year ended October 31, 2014, purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $318,769,258 and $199,514,706, respectively.
35
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
(5) Shares of Beneficial Interest
The fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest. Transactions in fund shares were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year ended 10/31/14 | | | Year ended 10/31/13 | |
| | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
Shares sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 4,663,605 | | | | $162,562,958 | | | | 5,417,195 | | | | $164,047,168 | |
Class B | | | 187,923 | | | | 6,088,188 | | | | 219,395 | | | | 6,285,361 | |
Class C | | | 1,576,926 | | | | 49,090,760 | | | | 1,403,229 | | | | 39,165,752 | |
Class I | | | 5,274,884 | | | | 188,189,049 | | | | 12,235,113 | | | | 380,190,522 | |
Class R1 | | | 22,034 | | | | 703,196 | | | | 33,283 | | | | 916,330 | |
Class R2 | | | 450,121 | | | | 15,325,142 | | | | 809,948 | | | | 23,603,271 | |
Class R3 | | | 1,401,952 | | | | 48,487,960 | | | | 1,444,356 | | | | 44,047,519 | |
Class R4 | | | 995,971 | | | | 34,908,235 | | | | 2,036,371 | | | | 61,711,437 | |
Class R5 | | | 3,603,836 | | | | 124,805,012 | | | | 5,514,585 | | | | 183,266,071 | |
| | | 18,177,252 | | | | $630,160,500 | | | | 29,113,475 | | | | $903,233,431 | |
| | |
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 189,505 | | | | $6,263,145 | | | | 151,060 | | | | $4,123,932 | |
Class B | | | 7,859 | | | | 242,225 | | | | 4,184 | | | | 106,995 | |
Class C | | | 22,188 | | | | 657,882 | | | | 7,988 | | | | 196,595 | |
Class I | | | 257,058 | | | | 8,688,558 | | | | 182,329 | | | | 5,085,164 | |
Class R1 | | | 1,282 | | | | 38,715 | | | | 627 | | | | 15,710 | |
Class R2 | | | 18,364 | | | | 590,958 | | | | 14,036 | | | | 373,346 | |
Class R3 | | | 26,979 | | | | 886,003 | | | | 10,695 | | | | 290,258 | |
Class R4 | | | 42,989 | | | | 1,423,362 | | | | 21,936 | | | | 599,726 | |
Class R5 | | | 86,338 | | | | 2,918,213 | | | | 62 | | | | 1,718 | |
| | | 652,562 | | | | $21,709,061 | | | | 392,917 | | | | $10,793,444 | |
| | | | |
Shares reacquired | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (3,323,643 | ) | | | $(116,412,180 | ) | | | (3,382,547 | ) | | | $(100,243,459 | ) |
Class B | | | (177,551 | ) | | | (5,757,489 | ) | | | (209,463 | ) | | | (5,847,864 | ) |
Class C | | | (521,323 | ) | | | (16,241,826 | ) | | | (298,063 | ) | | | (8,086,384 | ) |
Class I | | | (5,247,078 | ) | | | (188,139,144 | ) | | | (7,096,963 | ) | | | (233,248,932 | ) |
Class R1 | | | (26,792 | ) | | | (853,045 | ) | | | (36,062 | ) | | | (987,166 | ) |
Class R2 | | | (474,131 | ) | | | (16,153,925 | ) | | | (351,451 | ) | | | (10,213,477 | ) |
Class R3 | | | (704,159 | ) | | | (24,438,381 | ) | | | (423,628 | ) | | | (12,878,899 | ) |
Class R4 | | | (639,341 | ) | | | (22,390,341 | ) | | | (822,218 | ) | | | (25,950,034 | ) |
Class R5 | | | (668,591 | ) | | | (23,605,374 | ) | | | (101,286 | ) | | | (3,284,124 | ) |
| | | (11,782,609 | ) | | | $(413,991,705 | ) | | | (12,721,681 | ) | | | $(400,740,339 | ) |
36
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year ended 10/31/14 | | | Year ended 10/31/13 | |
| | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
Net change | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 1,529,467 | | | | $52,413,923 | | | | 2,185,708 | | | | $67,927,641 | |
Class B | | | 18,231 | | | | 572,924 | | | | 14,116 | | | | 544,492 | |
Class C | | | 1,077,791 | | | | 33,506,816 | | | | 1,113,154 | | | | 31,275,963 | |
Class I | | | 284,864 | | | | 8,738,463 | | | | 5,320,479 | | | | 152,026,754 | |
Class R1 | | | (3,476 | ) | | | (111,134 | ) | | | (2,152 | ) | | | (55,126 | ) |
Class R2 | | | (5,646 | ) | | | (237,825 | ) | | | 472,533 | | | | 13,763,140 | |
Class R3 | | | 724,772 | | | | 24,935,582 | | | | 1,031,423 | | | | 31,458,878 | |
Class R4 | | | 399,619 | | | | 13,941,256 | | | | 1,236,089 | | | | 36,361,129 | |
Class R5 | | | 3,021,583 | | | | 104,117,851 | | | | 5,413,361 | | | | 179,983,665 | |
| | | 7,047,205 | | | | $237,877,856 | | | | 16,784,711 | | | | $513,286,536 | |
(6) Line of Credit
The fund and certain other funds managed by MFS participate in a $1.1 billion unsecured committed line of credit, subject to a $1 billion sublimit, provided by a syndication of banks under a credit agreement. Borrowings may be made for temporary financing needs. Interest is charged to each fund, based on its borrowings, generally at a rate equal to the higher of the Federal Reserve funds rate or one month LIBOR plus an agreed upon spread. A commitment fee, based on the average daily, unused portion of the committed line of credit, is allocated among the participating funds at the end of each calendar quarter. In addition, the fund and other funds managed by MFS have established unsecured uncommitted borrowing arrangements with certain banks for temporary financing needs. Interest is charged to each fund, based on its borrowings, at a rate equal to the Federal Reserve funds rate plus an agreed upon spread. For the year ended October 31, 2014, the fund’s commitment fee and interest expense were $7,370 and $0, respectively, and are included in “Miscellaneous” expense in the Statement of Operations.
(7) Transactions in Underlying Affiliated Funds-Affiliated Issuers
An affiliated issuer may be considered one in which the fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common control. For the purposes of this report, the fund assumes the following to be an affiliated issuer:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Underlying Affiliated Fund | | Beginning Shares/Par Amount | | | Acquisitions Shares/Par Amount | | | Dispositions Shares/Par Amount | | | Ending Shares/Par Amount | |
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio | | | 20,403,361 | | | | 285,553,353 | | | | (290,763,476 | ) | | | 15,193,238 | |
| | | | |
Underlying Affiliated Fund | | Realized Gain (Loss) | | | Capital Gain Distributions | | | Dividend Income | | | Ending Value | |
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio | | | $— | | | | $— | | | | $23,169 | | | | $15,193,238 | |
37
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Trustees of MFS Series Trust VI and Shareholders of MFS Global Equity Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of MFS Global Equity Fund (the Fund) (one of the series constituting MFS Series Trust VI) as of October 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MFS Global Equity Fund (one of the series constituting MFS Series Trust VI) at October 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808063ernst_youngllp.jpg)
Boston, Massachusetts
December 18, 2014
38
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS — IDENTIFICATION AND BACKGROUND
The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, as of December 1, 2014, are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. (Their titles may have varied during that period.) The address of each Trustee and Officer is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7618.
| | | | | | | | |
Name, Age | | Position(s) Held with Fund | | Trustee/Officer Since (h) | | Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years | | Other Directorships (j) |
INTERESTED TRUSTEES |
Robert J. Manning (k) (age 51) | | Trustee | | February 2004 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director; President (until 2009); Chief Investment Officer (until 2010) | | N/A |
Robin A. Stelmach (k) (age 53) | | Trustee and President | | January 2014 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | | N/A |
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES | | |
David H. Gunning (age 72) | | Trustee and Chair of Trustees | | January 2004 | | Private investor | | Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (welding equipment manufacturer), Director; Development Alternatives, Inc. (consulting), Director/Non-Executive Chairman |
Steven E. Buller (age 63) | | Trustee | | February 2014 | | Chairman, Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council; Standing Advisory Group, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, Member; BlackRock, Inc. (investment management), Managing Director (until 2014), BlackRock Finco UK(investment management), Director (until 2014) | | N/A |
39
Trustees and Officers – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Name, Age | | Position(s) Held with Fund | | Trustee/Officer Since (h) | | Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years | | Other Directorships (j) |
Robert E. Butler (age 73) | | Trustee | | January 2006 | | Consultant – investment company industry regulatory and compliance matters | | N/A |
Maureen R. Goldfarb (age 59) | | Trustee | | January 2009 | | Private investor | | N/A |
William R. Gutow (age 73) | | Trustee | | December 1993 | | Private investor and real estate consultant; Capitol Entertainment Management Company (video franchise), Vice Chairman | | Texas Donuts (donut franchise), Vice Chairman (until 2010) |
Michael Hegarty (age 69) | | Trustee | | December 2004 | | Private investor | | Brookfield Office Properties, Inc. (real estate), Director; Rouse Properties Inc. (real estate), Director; Capmark Financial Group Inc. (real estate), Director |
John P. Kavanaugh (age 60) | | Trustee | | January 2009 | | Private investor | | N/A |
Maryanne L. Roepke (age 58) | | Trustee | | May 2014 | | American Century Investments (investment management), Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (until 2014) | | N/A |
Laurie J. Thomsen (age 57) | | Trustee | | March 2005 | | Private investor; New Profit, Inc. (venture philanthropy), Executive Partner (until 2010) | | The Travelers Companies (insurance), Director |
Robert W. Uek (age 73) | | Trustee | | January 2006 | | Consultant to investment company industry | | N/A |
OFFICERS |
Christopher R. Bohane (k) (age 40) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | July 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel | | N/A |
Kino Clark (k) (age 46) | | Assistant Treasurer | | January 2012 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President | | N/A |
40
Trustees and Officers – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Name, Age | | Position(s) Held with Fund | | Trustee/Officer Since (h) | | Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years | | Other Directorships (j) |
Thomas H. Connors (k) (age 55) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | September 2012 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel; Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (financial service provider), Director and Senior Counsel (until 2012) | | N/A |
Ethan D. Corey (k) (age 51) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | July 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel | | N/A |
David L. DiLorenzo (k) (age 46) | | Treasurer | | July 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President | | N/A |
Timothy M. Fagan (k) (age 46) | | Chief Compliance Officer | | November 2014 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chief Compliance Officer; Vice President and Senior Counsel (until 2012) | | N/A |
Brian E. Langenfeld (k) (age 41) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | June 2006 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel | | N/A |
Susan S. Newton (k) (age 64) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | May 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel | | N/A |
Susan A. Pereira (k) (age 44) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | July 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel | | N/A |
Kasey L. Phillips (k) (age 43) | | Assistant Treasurer | | September 2012 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President; Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Senior Vice President, Fund Treasurer (until 2012) | | N/A |
41
Trustees and Officers – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Name, Age | | Position(s) Held with Fund | | Trustee/Officer Since (h) | | Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years | | Other Directorships (j) |
Mark N. Polebaum (k) (age 62) | | Secretary and Clerk | | January 2006 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | | N/A |
Matthew A. Stowe (k) (age 40) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | October 2014 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel | | N/A |
Frank L. Tarantino (age 70) | | Independent Senior Officer | | June 2004 | | Tarantino LLC (provider of compliance services), Principal | | N/A |
Richard S. Weitzel (k) (age 44) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | October 2007 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel | | N/A |
James O. Yost (k) (age 54) | | Deputy Treasurer | | September 1990 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President | | N/A |
(h) | Date first appointed to serve as Trustee/officer of an MFS Fund. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise. For the period from December 15, 2004 until February 22, 2005, Mr. Manning served as Advisory Trustee. Prior to January 2012, Messrs. DiLorenzo and Yost served as Assistant Treasurers of the Funds. Ms. Stelmach was appointed as President of the Funds as of October 1, 2014. |
(j) | Directorships or trusteeships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (i.e., “public companies”). |
(k) | “Interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (referred to as the 1940 Act), which is the principal federal law governing investment companies like the fund, as a result of position with MFS. The address of MFS is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7618. |
Each Trustee (except Ms. Stelmach, Mr. Buller and Ms. Roepke) has been elected by shareholders and each Trustee and officer holds office until his or her successor is chosen and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal. The Trust does not hold annual meetings for the purpose of electing Trustees, and Trustees are not elected for fixed terms. Messrs. Butler, Kavanaugh, Uek and Mses. Thomsen and Roepke are members of the Trust’s Audit Committee.
Each of the Fund’s Trustees and officers holds comparable positions with certain other funds of which MFS or a subsidiary is the investment adviser or distributor, and, in the case of the officers, with certain affiliates of MFS. As of January 1, 2014, the Trustees served as board members of 142 funds within the MFS Family of Funds.
42
Trustees and Officers – continued
The Statement of Additional Information for the Fund includes further information about the Trustees and is available without charge upon request by calling 1-800-225-2606.
| | |
Investment Adviser | | Custodian |
Massachusetts Financial Services Company 111 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02199-7618 | | JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA 4 Metrotech Center New York, NY 11245 |
Distributor | | Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. 111 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02199-7618 | | Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116 |
Portfolio Managers | | |
David Mannheim Roger Morley | | |
43
BOARD REVIEW OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The Investment Company Act of 1940 requires that both the full Board of Trustees and a majority of the non-interested (“independent”) Trustees, voting separately, annually approve the continuation of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with MFS. The Trustees consider matters bearing on the Fund and its advisory arrangements at their meetings throughout the year, including a review of performance data at each regular meeting. In addition, the independent Trustees met several times over the course of three months beginning in May and ending in July, 2014 (“contract review meetings”) for the specific purpose of considering whether to approve the continuation of the investment advisory agreement for the Fund and the other investment companies that the Board oversees (the “MFS Funds”). The independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately from MFS during various contract review meetings. The independent Trustees were also assisted in this process by the MFS Funds’ Independent Chief Compliance Officer, a full-time senior officer appointed by and reporting to the independent Trustees.
In connection with their deliberations regarding the continuation of the investment advisory agreement, the Trustees, including the independent Trustees, considered such information and factors as they believed, in light of the legal advice furnished to them and their own business judgment, to be relevant. The investment advisory agreement for the Fund was considered separately, although the Trustees also took into account the common interests of all MFS Funds in their review. As described below, the Trustees considered the nature, quality, and extent of the various investment advisory, administrative, and shareholder services performed by MFS under the existing investment advisory agreement and other arrangements with the Fund.
In connection with their contract review meetings, the Trustees received and relied upon materials that included, among other items: (i) information provided by Lipper Inc., an independent third party, on the investment performance of the Fund for various time periods ended December 31, 2013 and the investment performance of a group of funds with substantially similar investment classifications/objectives (the “Lipper performance universe”), (ii) information provided by Lipper Inc. on the Fund’s advisory fees and other expenses and the advisory fees and other expenses of comparable funds identified by Lipper Inc. (the “Lipper expense group”), (iii) information provided by MFS on the advisory fees of comparable portfolios of other clients of MFS, including institutional separate accounts and other clients, (iv) information as to whether and to what extent applicable expense waivers, reimbursements or fee “breakpoints” are observed for the Fund, (v) information regarding MFS’ financial results and financial condition, including MFS’ and certain of its affiliates’ estimated profitability from services performed for the Fund and the MFS Funds as a whole, and compared to MFS’ institutional business, (vi) MFS’ views regarding the outlook for the mutual fund industry and the strategic business plans of MFS, (vii) descriptions of various functions performed by MFS for the Funds, such as compliance monitoring and portfolio trading practices, and (viii) information regarding the overall organization of MFS, including information about MFS’ senior management and other personnel providing investment advisory, administrative and other services to
44
Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued
the Fund and the other MFS Funds. The comparative performance, fee and expense information prepared and provided by Lipper Inc. was not independently verified and the independent Trustees did not independently verify any information provided to them by MFS.
The Trustees’ conclusion as to the continuation of the investment advisory agreement was based on a comprehensive consideration of all information provided to the Trustees and not the result of any single factor. Some of the factors that figured particularly in the Trustees’ deliberations are described below, although individual Trustees may have evaluated the information presented differently from one another, giving different weights to various factors. It is also important to recognize that the fee arrangements for the Fund and other MFS Funds are the result of years of review and discussion between the independent Trustees and MFS, that certain aspects of such arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than in others, and that the Trustees’ conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of these same arrangements during the course of the year and in prior years.
Based on information provided by Lipper Inc. and MFS, the Trustees reviewed the Fund’s total return investment performance as well as the performance of peer groups of funds over various time periods. The Trustees placed particular emphasis on the total return performance of the Fund’s Class A shares in comparison to the performance of funds in its Lipper performance universe over the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, which the Trustees believed was a long enough period to reflect differing market conditions. The total return performance of the Fund’s Class A shares was in the 1st quintile relative to the other funds in the universe for this three-year period (the 1st quintile being the best performers and the 5th quintile being the worst performers). The total return performance of the Fund’s Class A shares was in the 2nd quintile for the one-year period and the 1st quintile for the five-year period ended December 31, 2013 relative to the Lipper performance universe. Because of the passage of time, these performance results may differ from the performance results for more recent periods, including those shown elsewhere in this report.
In the course of their deliberations, the Trustees took into account information provided by MFS in connection with the contract review meetings, as well as during investment review meetings conducted with portfolio management personnel during the course of the year regarding the Fund’s performance. After reviewing these and related factors, the Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the investment advisory agreement, that they were satisfied with MFS’ responses and efforts relating to investment performance.
In assessing the reasonableness of the Fund’s advisory fee, the Trustees considered, among other information, the Fund’s advisory fee and the total expense ratio of the Fund’s Class A shares as a percentage of average daily net assets and the advisory fee and total expense ratios of peer groups of funds based on information provided by Lipper Inc. The Trustees considered that, according to the Lipper data (which takes into account any fee reductions or expense limitations that were in effect during the Fund’s last fiscal year), the Fund’s effective advisory fee rate was approximately at the Lipper expense group median and the Fund’s total expense ratio was lower than the Lipper expense group median.
45
Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued
The Trustees also considered the advisory fees charged by MFS to any comparable institutional accounts. In comparing these fees, the Trustees considered information provided by MFS as to the generally broader scope of services provided by MFS to the Fund in comparison to institutional accounts, the higher demands placed on MFS’ investment personnel and trading infrastructure as a result of the daily cash in-flows and out-flows of the Fund, and the impact on MFS and expenses associated with the more extensive regulatory regime to which the Fund is subject in comparison to institutional accounts.
The Trustees also considered whether the Fund may benefit from any economies of scale in the management of the Fund in the event of growth in assets of the Fund and/or growth in assets of the MFS Funds as a whole. They noted that the Fund’s advisory fee rate schedule is subject to contractual breakpoints that reduce the Fund’s advisory fee rate on average daily net assets over $1 billion and $2 billion, and that MFS has agreed in writing to implement an additional breakpoint that reduces its advisory fee rate on the Fund’s average daily net assets over $5 billion, which may not be changed without the Trustees’ approval. The Trustees also noted that MFS has agreed in writing to waive a portion of the management fees of certain MFS Funds, including the Fund, if the total combined assets of certain funds within the MFS Funds’ complex increase above agreed upon thresholds (the “group fee waiver”), enabling the Fund’s shareholders to share in the benefits from any economies of scale at the complex level. The group fee waiver is reviewed and renewed annually between the Board and MFS. The Trustees concluded that the breakpoints and the group fee waiver were sufficient to allow the Fund to benefit from economies of scale as its assets and overall complex assets grow.
The Trustees also considered information prepared by MFS relating to MFS’ costs and profits with respect to the Fund, the MFS Funds considered as a group, and other investment companies and accounts advised by MFS, as well as MFS’ methodologies used to determine and allocate its costs to the MFS Funds, the Fund and other accounts and products for purposes of estimating profitability.
After reviewing these and other factors described herein, the Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the investment advisory agreement, that the advisory fees charged to the Fund represent reasonable compensation in light of the services being provided by MFS to the Fund.
In addition, the Trustees considered MFS’ resources and related efforts to continue to retain, attract and motivate capable personnel to serve the Fund. The Trustees also considered current and developing conditions in the financial services industry, including the presence of large and well-capitalized companies which are spending, and appear to be prepared to continue to spend, substantial sums to engage personnel and to provide services to competing investment companies. In this regard, the Trustees also considered the financial resources of MFS and its ultimate parent, Sun Life Financial Inc. The Trustees also considered the advantages and possible disadvantages to the Fund of having an adviser that also serves other investment companies as well as other accounts.
The Trustees also considered the nature, quality, cost, and extent of administrative, transfer agency, and distribution services provided to the Fund by MFS and its affiliates
46
Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued
under agreements and plans other than the investment advisory agreement, including any 12b-1 fees the Fund pays to MFS Fund Distributors, Inc., an affiliate of MFS. The Trustees also considered the nature, extent and quality of certain other services MFS performs or arranges for on the Fund’s behalf, which may include securities lending programs, directed expense payment programs, class action recovery programs, and MFS’ interaction with third-party service providers, principally custodians and sub-custodians. The Trustees concluded that the various non-advisory services provided by MFS and its affiliates on behalf of the Fund were satisfactory.
The Trustees also considered benefits to MFS from the use of the Fund’s portfolio brokerage commissions, if applicable, to pay for investment research and various other factors. Additionally, the Trustees considered so-called “fall-out benefits” to MFS such as reputational value derived from serving as investment manager to the Fund.
Based on their evaluation of factors that they deemed to be material, including those factors described above, the Board of Trustees, including the independent Trustees, concluded that the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with MFS should be continued for an additional one-year period, commencing August 1, 2014.
47
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND INFORMATION
MFS votes proxies on behalf of the fund pursuant to proxy voting policies and procedures that are available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-225-2606, by visiting the Proxy Voting section of mfs.com or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
Information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge by visiting the Proxy Voting section of mfs.com or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO DISCLOSURE
The fund will file a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. A shareholder can obtain the quarterly portfolio holdings report at mfs.com. The fund’s Form N-Q is also available on the EDGAR database on the Commission’s Internet Web site at http://www.sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the:
Public Reference Room
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE, Room 1580
Washington, D.C. 20549
Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. Copies of the fund’s Form N-Q also may be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the Public Reference Section at the above address.
FURTHER INFORMATION
From time to time, MFS may post important information about the fund or the MFS funds on the MFS web site (mfs.com). This information is available by visiting the “Market Commentary” and “Announcements” sub sections in the “Market Outlooks” section of mfs.com or by clicking on the fund’s name under “Mutual Funds” in the “Products” section of mfs.com.
FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)
The fund will notify shareholders of amounts for use in preparing 2014 income tax forms in January 2015. The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
The fund designates the maximum amount allowable as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at the same rate as long-term capital gain.
The fund designates $16,895,000 as capital gain dividends paid during the fiscal year.
For corporate shareholders, 71.50% of the ordinary income dividends paid during the fiscal year qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction.
48
rev. 3/11
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| | |
FACTS | | WHAT DOES MFS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? | | ![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808063logo_07.jpg) |
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Why? | | Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. |
| | |
What? | | The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include: • Social Security number and account balances • Account transactions and transaction history • Checking account information and wire transfer instructions When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice. |
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How? | | All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons MFS chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. |
| | | | |
Reasons we can share your personal information | | Does MFS share? | | Can you limit this sharing? |
For our everyday business purposes – such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus | | Yes | | No |
For our marketing purposes – to offer our products and services to you | | No | | We don’t share |
For joint marketing with other financial companies | | No | | We don’t share |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your transactions and experiences | | No | | We don’t share |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness | | No | | We don’t share |
For nonaffiliates to market to you | | No | | We don’t share |
| | |
Questions? | | Call 800-225-2606 or go to mfs.com. |
49
| | |
Who we are |
Who is providing this notice? | | MFS Funds, MFS Investment Management, MFS Institutional Advisors, Inc., MFS Fund Distributors, Inc., MFS Heritage Trust Company, and MFS Service Center, Inc. |
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What we do |
How does MFS protect my personal information? | | To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include procedural, electronic, and physical safeguards for the protection of the personal information we collect about you. |
How does MFS collect my personal information? | | We collect your personal information, for example, when you • open an account or provide account information • direct us to buy securities or direct us to sell your securities • make a wire transfer We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates and other companies. |
Why can’t I limit all sharing? | | Federal law gives you the right to limit only • sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness • affiliates from using your information to market to you • sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. |
| | |
Definitions |
Affiliates | | Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. • MFS does not share personal information with affiliates, except for everyday business purposes as described on page one of this notice. |
Nonaffiliates | | Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. • MFS does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. |
Joint Marketing | | A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. • MFS doesn’t jointly market. |
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Other important information |
If you own an MFS product or receive an MFS service in the name of a third party such as a bank or broker-dealer, their privacy policy may apply to you instead of ours. |
50
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Save paper with eDelivery.
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| MFS® will send you prospectuses, |
reports, and proxies directly via e-mail so you will get information faster with less mailbox clutter.
To sign up:
1. Go to mfs.com.
2. Log in via MFS® Access.
3. Select eDelivery.
If you own your MFS fund shares through a financial institution or a retirement plan, MFS® TALK, MFS® Access, or eDelivery may not be available to you.
CONTACT
WEB SITE
mfs.com
MFS TALK
1-800-637-8255
24 hours a day
ACCOUNT SERVICE AND LITERATURE
Shareholders
1-800-225-2606
Financial advisors
1-800-343-2829
Retirement plan services
1-800-637-1255
MAILING ADDRESS
MFS Service Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 55824
Boston, MA 02205-5824
OVERNIGHT MAIL
MFS Service Center, Inc.
c/o Boston Financial Data Services
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021-2809
ANNUAL REPORT
October 31, 2014
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808073logo_05.jpg)
MFS® GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808073art_03.jpg)
MWT-ANN
MFS® GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND
CONTENTS
The report is prepared for the general information of shareholders.
It is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.
NOT FDIC INSURED Ÿ MAY LOSE VALUE Ÿ NO BANK GUARANTEE
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808073manning_photo.jpg)
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND CEO
Dear Shareholders:
The U.S. economy stands on much firmer ground than the rest of the world, expanding at an annualized pace of more than 3%. The U.S. Federal Reserve has ended its “QE3”
bond-purchasing program as the labor market has regained momentum amid other positive indicators. Improved consumer confidence and falling gasoline prices are expected to continue propelling demand for products and services heading into the end of the year.
In contrast, all other major economic regions continue to struggle. The eurozone economy is barely expanding, and deflation threatens the bloc. The European Central Bank has made several attempts to stimulate the region’s economy, but has so far held back from large-scale asset purchases, including government bonds.
Japan continues to try to strengthen its economy. After making early progress at ending deflation and stimulating growth last year, the country hit a setback last spring when the sales tax increase was introduced, causing the need for recent additional monetary stimulus. China continues to struggle, and its growth rate is projected to continue to slow as it transitions to a more sustainable economy.
As always, active risk management is integral to how we at MFS® manage your investments. We use a collaborative process, sharing insights across asset classes, regions and economic sectors. Our global investment team uses a diversified, multidisciplined, long-term approach.
We understand that these are challenging economic times. Applying proven principles, such as asset allocation and diversification, can best serve investors over the long term. We are confident that this approach can help you as you work with your financial advisors to reach your goals in the years ahead.
Respectfully,
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808073manning_sig.jpg)
Robert J. Manning
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
MFS Investment Management
December 16, 2014
The opinions expressed in this letter are subject to change and may not be relied upon for investment advice. No forecasts can be guaranteed.
1
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
Portfolio structure (i)
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808073g56e13.jpg)
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Top ten holdings (i) | | | | |
Government of Japan, 1.1%, 6/20/20 | | | 2.1% | |
Government of Japan, 2.1%, 9/20/24 | | | 1.9% | |
KDDI Corp. | | | 1.6% | |
Johnson & Johnson | | | 1.5% | |
Republic of Italy, 3.75%, 3/01/21 | | | 1.4% | |
Wells Fargo & Co. | | | 1.2% | |
Nestle S.A. | | | 1.2% | |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | | | 1.2% | |
Kao Corp. | | | 1.1% | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 1.1% | |
|
Composition including fixed income credit quality (a)(i) | |
AAA | | | 7.7% | |
AA | | | 4.9% | |
A | | | 8.2% | |
BBB | | | 10.1% | |
U.S. Government | | | 2.2% | |
Federal Agencies | | | 3.0% | |
Not Rated | | | (0.3)% | |
Non-Fixed Income | | | 59.2% | |
Cash & Other | | | 5.0% | |
| | | | |
Equity sectors | | | | |
Financial Services | | | 11.9% | |
Consumer Staples | | | 10.8% | |
Health Care | | | 7.9% | |
Industrial Goods & Services | | | 5.3% | |
Technology | | | 3.7% | |
Utilities & Communications | | | 3.3% | |
Leisure | | | 3.1% | |
Energy | | | 3.1% | |
Special Products & Services | | | 3.0% | |
Basic Materials | | | 2.4% | |
Retailing | | | 2.0% | |
Transportation | | | 1.4% | |
Autos & Housing | | | 1.3% | |
|
Fixed income sectors (i) | |
Non-U.S. Government Bonds | | | 20.6% | |
Investment Grade Corporates | | | 8.2% | |
Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | 2.7% | |
U.S. Treasury Securities | | | 1.9% | |
Emerging Markets Bonds | | | 1.1% | |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | 0.7% | |
Collateralized Debt Obligations | | | 0.3% | |
U.S. Government Agencies | | | 0.3% | |
High Yield Corporates (o) | | | 0.0% | |
2
Portfolio composition – continued
| | | | |
Issuer country weightings (i)(x) | |
United States | | | 46.7% | |
Japan | | | 12.6% | |
United Kingdom | | | 8.8% | |
Germany | | | 4.4% | |
Switzerland | | | 4.3% | |
France | | | 4.3% | |
Canada | | | 3.0% | |
Netherlands | | | 2.8% | |
Italy | | | 2.3% | |
Other Countries | | | 10.8% | |
| | | | |
Currency exposure weightings (i)(y) | |
United States Dollar | | | 50.7% | |
Euro | | | 16.6% | |
Japanese Yen | | | 13.2% | |
British Pound Sterling | | | 8.8% | |
Swiss Franc | | | 4.0% | |
Canadian Dollar | | | 2.1% | |
Australian Dollar | | | 1.1% | |
Swedish Krona | | | 0.9% | |
Taiwan Dollar | | | 0.7% | |
Other Currencies | | | 1.9% | |
(a) | For all securities other than those specifically described below, ratings are assigned to underlying securities utilizing ratings from Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s rating agencies and applying the following hierarchy: If all three agencies provide a rating, the middle rating (after dropping the highest and lowest ratings) is assigned; if two of the three agencies rate a security, the lower of the two is assigned. Ratings are shown in the S&P and Fitch scale (e.g., AAA). Securities rated BBB or higher are considered investment grade. All ratings are subject to change. U.S. Government includes securities issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Federal Agencies includes rated and unrated U.S. Agency fixed-income securities, U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities, and collateralized mortgage obligations of U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities. Not Rated includes fixed income securities, including fixed income futures contracts, which have not been rated by any rating agency. Non-Fixed Income includes equity securities (including convertible bonds and equity derivatives) and commodities. The fund may not hold all of these instruments. The fund is not rated by these agencies. |
(i) | For purposes of this presentation, the components include the value of securities, and reflect the impact of the equivalent exposure of derivative positions, if any. These amounts may be negative from time to time. Equivalent exposure is a calculated amount that translates the derivative position into a reasonable approximation of the amount of the underlying asset that the portfolio would have to hold at a given point in time to have the same price sensitivity that results from the portfolio’s ownership of the derivative contract. When dealing with derivatives, equivalent exposure is a more representative measure of the potential impact of a position on portfolio performance than value. The bond component will include any accrued interest amounts. |
(x) | Represents the portfolio’s exposure to issuer countries as a percentage of a portfolio’s net assets. For purposes of this presentation, United States includes Cash & Other. |
(y) | Represents the portfolio’s exposure to a particular currency as a percentage of a portfolio’s net assets. For purposes of this presentation, United States Dollar includes Cash & Other. |
Where the fund holds convertible bonds, these are treated as part of the equity portion of the portfolio.
Cash & Other can include cash, other assets less liabilities, offsets to derivative positions, and short-term securities.
Percentages are based on net assets as of 10/31/14.
The portfolio is actively managed and current holdings may be different.
3
MANAGEMENT REVIEW
Summary of Results
For the twelve months ended October 31, 2014, Class A shares of the MFS Global Total Return Fund (“fund”) provided a total return of 5.47%, at net asset value. This compares with returns of 9.25% and 0.22% for the fund’s benchmarks, the MSCI World Index and the Barclays Global Aggregate Bond Index (“Barclays Index”), respectively. The fund’s other benchmark, the MFS Global Total Return Blended Index (“Blended Index”), generated a total return of 5.62%. The Blended Index reflects the blended returns of the equity and fixed income market indices, with percentage allocations to each index designed to resemble the equity and fixed income allocations of the fund. The market indices and related percentage allocations used to compile the Blended Index are set forth in the Performance Summary.
Market Environment
Prior to the reporting period, the decision by the US Federal Reserve (“Fed”) to postpone the tapering of its quantitative easing (“QE”) program surprised markets. Favorable market reactions were tempered, however, by tense negotiations over US fiscal policy which resulted in a 16-day partial shutdown of the federal government (from October 1 through 16, 2013) and a short-term extension in the debt ceiling. The volatility was short-lived, however, as an extension of budget and debt ceiling deadlines allowed the government to re-open, and subsequent economic data reflected moderate but resilient US growth. Also well-received was the decision by the European Central Bank (“ECB”) to cut its policy rate as inflation pressures waned in the region. In addition, equity investors appeared to have concluded that there would be no major change in US monetary policy as a result of the nomination of Janet Yellen as the new Fed Chair for a term beginning in early 2014 and that tapering would have no major impact on the trajectory.
As the period progressed, financial markets were forced to contend with a series of positive and negative return episodes. Geopolitical tensions flared in the Middle East and Russia/Ukraine. Market setbacks were short-lived, as improving economic growth in the US coupled with prospects for easier monetary policy in regions with slowing growth such as Japan, Europe and China, supported risk assets. For example, the ECB cut policy interest rates into negative territory and, by the end of the period, expectations were for additional rate cuts and the announcement for non-conventional easing measures. Similarly, the Bank of Japan surprised markets late in the period with fresh stimulus measures given lackluster growth trends and the related decline in developed market government bond yields and credit spreads were also supportive for equity markets. At the end of the period, the US equity market was trading at all-time highs.
Detractors from Performance
Within the equity portion of the fund, the combination of weak stock selection and an underweight position in the technology sector detracted from performance relative to the MSCI World Index. Not holding computer and personal electronics maker Apple and software company Microsoft, and an overweight position in electronic products manufacturer Hirose Electric (Japan), weighed on relative performance. Shares of Apple
4
Management Review – continued
rose during the period as the company announced strong second and third-quarter 2014 results, driven by sales of the iPhone and Mac products. Additionally, the much-anticipated release of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models aided the stock’s performance. Shares of Microsoft rose on better-than-expected PC sales in 2014 driven by a corporate PC refresh cycle after Microsoft end-of-lifed Windows 8 drove strong relative performance for shares of Microsoft during the period.
Stock selection in the health care sector also held back relative performance. The fund’s overweight position in pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline (United Kingdom), and not holding equity shares of biotechnology firm Gilead Sciences, hampered relative performance during the reporting period. GlaxoSmithKline delivered earnings results during the reporting period which fell short of market consensus due, in part, to increased pricing pressure in the company’s respiratory segment and manufacturing issues in its consumer health division. Gilead Sciences reported strong earnings and higher-than-expected revenue guidance driven by sales of their hepatitis C infection drug Sovaldi.
Within the consumer staples sector, overweight positions in dairy producer Danone (France), chemical products company Henkel KGaA (German) and tobacco company Japan Tobacco (Japan) were among the fund’s top relative detractors. Shares of Danone fell as investors appeared to have had concerns relating to allegations of bribery at its infant-nutrition division in China and contamination fears related to a Fonterra ingredient used in the company’s baby formula.
Elsewhere, Henkel KGaA declined after its organic sales growth missed market expectations across all divisions. Holdings of oil and gas exploration company Cairn Energy (b) (United Kingdom) and television network operator Fuji Television Network (b) (Japan) also weakened relative returns as both stocks underperformed the benchmark.
During the reporting period, the fund’s relative currency exposure in the equity portion of the portfolio, resulting primarily from differences between the portfolio’s and the benchmark’s exposures to holdings of securities denominated in foreign currencies, detracted from relative performance.
Within the fixed income portion of the fund, there were no factors that materially impacted performance relative to the Barclays Index.
Contributors to Performance
Within the equity portion of the fund, strong stock selection in the financial services sector benefited performance relative to the MSCI World Index. An overweight position in financial services firm Wells Fargo supported relative returns. The company experienced solid fee revenue growth in its asset management, retail brokerage, investment banking and insurance segments. Additionally, investors appeared to have been encouraged to see positive loan growth trends, reflective of an improving economic environment in the US.
Favorable stock selection in the industrial goods & services sector was another positive factor for relative results. An overweight position in defense contractor Lockheed Martin boosted relative returns as the company reported solid results that were above market consensus. Profit margins continued to offset revenue declines resulting from defense budget pressures. Additionally, the company benefited from cost cutting initiatives.
5
Management Review – continued
Stock selection in the basic materials sector contributed to relative performance. An overweight position in diversified industrial company 3M, and not holding poor-performing diversified natural resources company BHP Billiton (Australia), supported relative results. 3M’s stock traded higher towards the end of 2013 after management announced more aggressive capital deployment actions, raising its dividend and increasing its share repurchase program for 2014.
Elsewhere, overweight positions in drug store retailer CVS Health, telecommunications company KDDI (Japan), diversified entertainment company Walt Disney, health care products manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and Japanese skincare and cosmetics company Kao bolstered relative performance. CVS Health posted earnings results that were ahead of expectations, led largely by better-than-expected results from its pharmacy benefit manager business segment (PBM). KDDI’s increased share price was primarily driven by customer base growth and monetization. The fund’s holdings of semiconductor manufacturer Taiwan Semiconductor (b) (Taiwan) also bolstered relative performance.
Within the fixed income portion of the fund, the return from yield, which was greater than that of the Barclays Index, was a key contributor to relative performance. Bond selection was another primary driver of positive relative returns.
Respectfully,
| | | | |
Nevin Chitkara | | Pablo De La Mata | | Pilar Gomez-Bravo |
Portfolio Manager | | Portfolio Manager | | Portfolio Manager |
| | |
Steven Gorham | | Richard Hawkins | | Robert Persons |
Portfolio Manager | | Portfolio Manager | | Portfolio Manager |
| | |
Benjamin Stone | | Erik Weisman | | Barnaby Wiener |
Portfolio Manager | | Portfolio Manager | | Portfolio Manager |
(b) | Security is not a benchmark constituent. |
Note to Shareholders: Effective September 30, 2014, Pablo De La Mata became a Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Effective December 1, 2014, Jonathan Sage is also a Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Effective December 31, 2014, Barnaby Wiener is no longer a Portfolio Manager of the Fund.
The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio managers only through the end of the period of the report as stated on the cover and do not necessarily reflect the views of MFS or any other person in the MFS organization. These views are subject to change at any time based on market or other conditions, and MFS disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice or an indication of trading intent on behalf of any MFS portfolio. References to specific securities are not recommendations of such securities, and may not be representative of any MFS portfolio’s current or future investments.
6
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY THROUGH 10/31/14
The following chart illustrates a representative class of the fund’s historical performance in comparison to its benchmark(s). Performance results include the deduction of the maximum applicable sales charge and reflect the percentage change in net asset value, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. The performance of other share classes will be greater than or less than that of the class depicted below. Benchmarks are unmanaged and may not be invested in directly. Benchmark returns do not reflect sales charges, commissions or expenses. (See Notes to Performance Summary.)
Performance data shown represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate so your shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost; current performance may be lower or higher than quoted. The performance shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes, if any, that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
Growth of a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808073g47h27.jpg)
7
Performance Summary – continued
Total Returns through 10/31/14
Average annual without sales charge
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Share class | | Class inception date | | 1-yr | | 5-yr | | 10-yr | | Life (t) | | |
| | A | | 9/04/90 | | 5.47% | | 8.49% | | 7.13% | | N/A | | |
| | B | | 9/07/93 | | 4.66% | | 7.67% | | 6.38% | | N/A | | |
| | C | | 1/03/94 | | 4.64% | | 7.68% | | 6.38% | | N/A | | |
| | I | | 1/02/97 | | 5.72% | | 8.76% | | 7.45% | | N/A | | |
| | R1 | | 4/01/05 | | 4.63% | | 7.67% | | N/A | | 5.94% | | |
| | R2 | | 10/31/03 | | 5.16% | | 8.21% | | 6.85% | | N/A | | |
| | R3 | | 4/01/05 | | 5.42% | | 8.48% | | N/A | | 6.73% | | |
| | R4 | | 4/01/05 | | 5.72% | | 8.75% | | N/A | | 7.01% | | |
| | R5 | | 6/01/12 | | 5.79% | | N/A | | N/A | | 12.18% | | |
Comparative benchmarks | | | | | | | | | | |
| | MSCI World Index (f) | | 9.25% | | 12.02% | | 7.52% | | N/A | | |
| | MFS Global Total Return Blended Index (f)(w) | | 5.62% | | 8.37% | | 6.43% | | N/A | | |
| | Barclays Global Aggregate Bond Index (f) | | 0.22% | | 2.59% | | 4.14% | | N/A | | |
Average annual with sales charge | | | | | | | | | | |
| | A
With initial Sales Charge (5.75%) | | (0.59)% | | 7.21% | | 6.50% | | N/A | | |
| | B
With CDSC (Declining over six years from 4% to 0%) (v) | | 0.66% | | 7.37% | | 6.38% | | N/A | | |
| | C
With CDSC (1% for 12 months) (v) | | 3.64% | | 7.68% | | 6.38% | | N/A | | |
CDSC – Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.
Class I, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 shares do not have a sales charge.
(f) | Source: FactSet Research Systems Inc. |
(t) | For the period from the class inception date through the stated period end (for those share classes with less than 10 years of performance history). No comparative benchmark performance information is provided for “life” periods. (See Notes to Performance Summary.) |
(v) | Assuming redemption at the end of the applicable period. |
(w) | MFS Global Total Return Blended Index is at a point in time and allocations during the period can change. As of October 31, 2014, the blended index was comprised of 60% MSCI World Index and 40% Barclays Global Aggregate Bond Index. |
Benchmark Definitions
Barclays Global Aggregate Bond Index – provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed income markets. The three major components of this index are the U.S. Aggregate, the Pan-European Aggregate, and the Asian-Pacific Aggregate
8
Performance Summary – continued
Indices. The index also includes Eurodollar and Euro-Yen corporate bonds, Canadian government, agency and corporate securities, and USD investment grade 144A securities.
MSCI World Index – a market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global developed markets.
It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Notes to Performance Summary
Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value for each share class for the periods presented. Life returns are presented where the share class has less than 10 years of performance history and represent the average annual total return from the class inception date to the stated period end date. As the fund’s share classes may have different inception dates, the life returns may represent different time periods and may not be comparable. As a result, no comparative benchmark performance information is provided for life periods.
Performance results reflect any applicable expense subsidies and waivers in effect during the periods shown. Without such subsidies and waivers the fund’s performance results would be less favorable. Please see the prospectus and financial statements for complete details.
Performance results do not include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and may differ from amounts reported in the financial highlights.
From time to time the fund may receive proceeds from litigation settlements, without which performance would be lower.
9
EXPENSE TABLE
Fund expenses borne by the shareholders during the period, May 1, 2014 through October 31, 2014
As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on certain purchase or redemption payments, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period May 1, 2014 through October 31, 2014.
Actual Expenses
The first line for each share class in the following table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line for each share class in the following table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the second line for each share class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
10
Expense Table – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share Class | | | | Annualized Expense Ratio | | | Beginning Account Value 5/01/14 | | | Ending Account Value 10/31/14 | | | Expenses Paid During Period (p) 5/01/14-10/31/14 | |
A | | Actual | | | 1.15% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,008.65 | | | | $5.82 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.15% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,019.41 | | | | $5.85 | |
B | | Actual | | | 1.90% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,005.13 | | | | $9.60 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.90% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,015.63 | | | | $9.65 | |
C | | Actual | | | 1.90% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,004.84 | | | | $9.60 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.90% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,015.63 | | | | $9.65 | |
I | | Actual | | | 0.90% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,010.00 | | | | $4.56 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 0.90% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,020.67 | | | | $4.58 | |
R1 | | Actual | | | 1.90% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,004.81 | | | | $9.60 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.90% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,015.63 | | | | $9.65 | |
R2 | | Actual | | | 1.41% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,007.84 | | | | $7.14 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.41% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,018.10 | | | | $7.17 | |
R3 | | Actual | | | 1.15% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,009.25 | | | | $5.82 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.15% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,019.41 | | | | $5.85 | |
R4 | | Actual | | | 0.90% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,010.48 | | | | $4.56 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 0.90% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,020.67 | | | | $4.58 | |
R5 | | Actual | | | 0.81% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,010.38 | | | | $4.10 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 0.81% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,021.12 | | | | $4.13 | |
(h) | 5% class return per year before expenses. |
(p) | “Expenses Paid During Period” are equal to each class’s annualized expense ratio, as shown above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses paid do not include any applicable sales charges (loads). If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher. |
Notes to Expense Table
Changes to the fund’s fee arrangements occurred during the six month period. Had these fee changes been in effect throughout the entire six month period, the annualized expense ratios, the actual expenses paid during the period and the hypothetical expenses paid during the period would have been approximately 1.13%, $5.72 and $5.75 for Class A, 1.88%, $9.50 and $9.55 for Class B, 1.88%, $9.50 and $9.55 for Class C, 0.88%, $4.46 and $4.48 for Class I, 1.88%, $9.50 and $9.55 for Class R1, 1.38%, $6.98 and $7.02 for Class R2, 1.13%, $5.72 and $5.75 for Class R3, 0.88%, $4.46 and $4.48 for Class R4, and 0.78%, $3.95 and $3.97 for Class R5, respectively. For further information about the fund’s fee arrangements and changes to those fee arrangements, please see Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements.
11
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
10/31/14
The Portfolio of Investments is a complete list of all securities owned by your fund. It is categorized by broad-based asset classes.
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - 58.5% | | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Aerospace - 3.4% | | | | | | | | |
Cobham PLC | | | 906,396 | | | $ | 4,217,938 | |
Honeywell International, Inc. | | | 114,726 | | | | 11,027,463 | |
Lockheed Martin Corp. | | | 84,595 | | | | 16,121,269 | |
Northrop Grumman Corp. | | | 42,573 | | | | 5,873,371 | |
United Technologies Corp. | | | 111,008 | | | | 11,877,856 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 49,117,897 | |
Alcoholic Beverages - 1.6% | | | | | | | | |
Heineken N.V. | | | 153,562 | | | $ | 11,467,274 | |
Pernod Ricard S.A. | | | 100,170 | | | | 11,401,711 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 22,868,985 | |
Automotive - 0.7% | | | | | | | | |
Johnson Controls, Inc. | | | 111,064 | | | $ | 5,247,774 | |
USS Co. Ltd. | | | 311,600 | | | | 5,034,485 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 10,282,259 | |
Broadcasting - 1.6% | | | | | | | | |
Fuji Television Network, Inc. | | | 165,000 | | | $ | 2,250,415 | |
Nippon Television Holdings, Inc. | | | 176,900 | | | | 2,708,132 | |
Omnicom Group, Inc. | | | 88,224 | | | | 6,339,777 | |
Viacom, Inc., “B” | | | 51,431 | | | | 3,738,005 | |
Walt Disney Co. | | | 82,715 | | | | 7,558,497 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 22,594,826 | |
Brokerage & Asset Managers - 1.1% | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock, Inc. | | | 20,358 | | | $ | 6,944,317 | |
Computershare Ltd. | | | 209,144 | | | | 2,267,532 | |
Daiwa Securities Group, Inc. | | | 389,000 | | | | 3,100,538 | |
Franklin Resources, Inc. | | | 62,120 | | | | 3,454,493 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 15,766,880 | |
Business Services - 3.0% | | | | | | | | |
Accenture PLC, “A” | | | 161,369 | | | $ | 13,090,253 | |
Amadeus Holdings AG | | | 189,352 | | | | 6,952,493 | |
Bunzl PLC | | | 260,438 | | | | 7,061,754 | |
Compass Group PLC | | | 639,646 | | | | 10,293,811 | |
Nomura Research Institute Ltd. | | | 192,600 | | | | 6,410,770 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 43,809,081 | |
12
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - continued | | | | | | | | |
Cable TV - 0.8% | | | | | | | | |
Comcast Corp., “Special A” | | | 197,450 | | | $ | 10,887,393 | |
| | |
Chemicals - 1.9% | | | | | | | | |
3M Co. | | | 91,614 | | | $ | 14,087,485 | |
Givaudan S.A. | | | 3,655 | | | | 6,089,451 | |
PPG Industries, Inc. | | | 36,418 | | | | 7,417,982 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 27,594,918 | |
Computer Software - 0.5% | | | | | | | | |
Oracle Corp. | | | 195,176 | | | $ | 7,621,623 | |
| | |
Computer Software - Systems - 0.6% | | | | | | | | |
International Business Machines Corp. | | | 56,394 | | | $ | 9,271,174 | |
| | |
Construction - 0.6% | | | | | | | | |
Geberit AG | | | 13,537 | | | $ | 4,611,992 | |
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | | | 39,943 | | | | 3,740,263 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 8,352,255 | |
Consumer Products - 2.8% | | | | | | | | |
Kao Corp. | | | 434,700 | | | $ | 16,675,726 | |
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | | 60,500 | | | | 3,828,178 | |
Kose Corp. | | | 77,900 | | | | 3,208,928 | |
Procter & Gamble Co. | | | 90,278 | | | | 7,878,561 | |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | | | 103,599 | | | | 8,700,684 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 40,292,077 | |
Containers - 0.5% | | | | | | | | |
Brambles Ltd. | | | 671,000 | | | $ | 5,651,522 | |
Crown Holdings, Inc. (a) | | | 36,103 | | | | 1,730,417 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 7,381,939 | |
Electrical Equipment - 1.6% | | | | | | | | |
Danaher Corp. | | | 74,167 | | | $ | 5,963,027 | |
Legrand S.A. | | | 104,910 | | | | 5,645,234 | |
Pentair PLC | | | 21,345 | | | | 1,431,182 | |
Spectris PLC | | | 122,310 | | | | 3,525,781 | |
Tyco International Ltd. | | | 135,615 | | | | 5,821,952 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 22,387,176 | |
Electronics - 1.8% | | | | | | | | |
Halma PLC | | | 328,530 | | | $ | 3,274,173 | |
Hirose Electric Co. Ltd. | | | 34,300 | | | | 4,258,966 | |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR | | | 433,419 | | | | 9,543,886 | |
13
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - continued | | | | | | | | |
Electronics - continued | | | | | | | | |
Texas Instruments, Inc. | | | 194,627 | | | $ | 9,665,177 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 26,742,202 | |
Energy - Independent - 0.6% | | | | | | | | |
Cairn Energy PLC (a) | | | 574,281 | | | $ | 1,333,001 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | | 85,104 | | | | 7,568,299 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 8,901,300 | |
Energy - Integrated - 2.5% | | | | | | | | |
Chevron Corp. | | | 55,118 | | | $ | 6,611,404 | |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | 137,222 | | | | 13,270,740 | |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, “A” | | | 329,345 | | | | 11,777,803 | |
Suncor Energy, Inc. | | | 129,230 | | | | 4,588,780 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 36,248,727 | |
Food & Beverages - 2.7% | | | | | | | | |
General Mills, Inc. | | | 146,750 | | | $ | 7,625,130 | |
Groupe Danone | | | 224,154 | | | | 15,230,321 | |
Nestle S.A. | | | 229,029 | | | | 16,757,929 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 39,613,380 | |
Food & Drug Stores - 1.3% | | | | | | | | |
CVS Health Corp. | | | 174,015 | | | $ | 14,932,227 | |
Lawson, Inc. | | | 60,100 | | | | 4,109,201 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 19,041,428 | |
General Merchandise - 0.5% | | | | | | | | |
Target Corp. | | | 124,972 | | | $ | 7,725,769 | |
| | |
Insurance - 4.1% | | | | | | | | |
ACE Ltd. | | | 43,052 | | | $ | 4,705,584 | |
Aon PLC | | | 81,682 | | | | 7,024,652 | |
Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. | | | 18,013 | | | | 8,229,834 | |
Hiscox Ltd. | | | 251,177 | | | | 2,736,311 | |
ING Groep N.V. (a) | | | 457,084 | | | | 6,535,589 | |
MetLife, Inc. | | | 178,398 | | | | 9,676,308 | |
Prudential Financial, Inc. | | | 64,203 | | | | 5,684,534 | |
Travelers Cos., Inc. | | | 101,413 | | | | 10,222,430 | |
Zurich Insurance Group AG | | | 15,259 | | | | 4,611,877 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 59,427,119 | |
Leisure & Toys - 0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Hasbro, Inc. | | | 57,880 | | | $ | 3,329,836 | |
14
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - continued | | | | | | | | |
Machinery & Tools - 0.4% | | | | | | | | |
GLORY Ltd. | | | 84,100 | | | $ | 2,232,511 | |
Neopost S.A. | | | 46,575 | | | | 3,234,030 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 5,466,541 | |
Major Banks - 4.9% | | | | | | | | |
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. | | | 222,846 | | | $ | 8,628,597 | |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | | 37,784 | | | | 7,178,582 | |
HSBC Holdings PLC | | | 811,458 | | | | 8,301,281 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 273,205 | | | | 16,523,438 | |
State Street Corp. | | | 100,494 | | | | 7,583,277 | |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | | | 63,000 | | | | 2,560,970 | |
Toronto-Dominion Bank | | | 51,321 | | | | 2,525,865 | |
Wells Fargo & Co. | | | 339,066 | | | | 18,001,014 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 71,303,024 | |
Medical Equipment - 1.4% | | | | | | | | |
Abbott Laboratories | | | 191,972 | | | $ | 8,368,059 | |
Medtronic, Inc. | | | 122,834 | | | | 8,372,365 | |
St. Jude Medical, Inc. | | | 58,328 | | | | 3,742,908 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 20,483,332 | |
Network & Telecom - 0.7% | | | | | | | | |
Ericsson, Inc., “B” | | | 852,582 | | | $ | 10,045,115 | |
| | |
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 1.0% | | | | | | | | |
DNB A.S.A. | | | 309,613 | | | $ | 5,687,374 | |
Hachijuni Bank Ltd. | | | 204,000 | | | | 1,268,236 | |
North Pacific Ltd. | | | 188,100 | | | | 780,947 | |
U.S. Bancorp | | | 157,873 | | | | 6,725,390 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 14,461,947 | |
Pharmaceuticals - 6.5% | | | | | | | | |
Bayer AG | | | 88,024 | | | $ | 12,514,360 | |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | | | 600,412 | | | | 13,614,791 | |
Johnson & Johnson | | | 196,452 | | | | 21,173,597 | |
Novartis AG | | | 169,340 | | | | 15,716,949 | |
Pfizer, Inc. | | | 513,415 | | | | 15,376,779 | |
Roche Holding AG | | | 41,254 | | | | 12,164,174 | |
Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | | 63,400 | | | | 3,805,367 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 94,366,017 | |
Printing & Publishing - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Moody’s Corp. | | | 17,796 | | | $ | 1,765,897 | |
15
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - continued | | | | | | | | |
Railroad & Shipping - 0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Canadian National Railway Co. | | | 40,434 | | | $ | 2,853,832 | |
| | |
Real Estate - 0.8% | | | | | | | | |
Deutsche Wohnen AG | | | 518,707 | | | $ | 11,687,318 | |
| | |
Restaurants - 0.5% | | | | | | | | |
McDonald’s Corp. | | | 79,834 | | | $ | 7,482,841 | |
| | |
Specialty Stores - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Esprit Holdings Ltd. | | | 1,494,150 | | | $ | 1,888,121 | |
| | |
Telecommunications - Wireless - 2.0% | | | | | | | | |
KDDI Corp. | | | 358,400 | | | $ | 23,089,344 | |
Vodafone Group PLC | | | 1,926,363 | | | | 6,388,163 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 29,477,507 | |
Telephone Services - 1.3% | | | | | | | | |
TDC A.S. | | | 385,483 | | | $ | 2,940,691 | |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | 300,527 | | | | 15,101,482 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 18,042,173 | |
Tobacco - 3.0% | | | | | | | | |
British American Tobacco PLC | | | 178,826 | | | $ | 10,146,830 | |
Japan Tobacco, Inc. | | | 302,700 | | | | 10,487,586 | |
Lorillard, Inc. | | | 106,358 | | | | 6,541,017 | |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | | | 188,049 | | | | 16,738,241 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 43,913,674 | |
Trucking - 1.2% | | | | | | | | |
United Parcel Service, Inc., “B” | | | 68,441 | | | $ | 7,180,145 | |
Yamato Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | 475,700 | | | | 10,254,524 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 17,434,669 | |
Total Common Stocks (Identified Cost, $595,549,749) | | | $ | 849,930,252 | |
| | |
Bonds - 35.8% | | | | | | | | |
Asset-Backed & Securitized - 1.0% | | | | | | | | |
Cent LP, 2013-17A, “A1”, CLO, FRN, 1.533%, 1/30/25 (z) | | $ | 1,216,000 | | | $ | 1,202,299 | |
Citigroup/Deutsche Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, 5.322%, 12/11/49 | | | 1,489,951 | | | | 1,592,583 | |
Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, “A3”, 5.293%, 12/11/49 | | | 116,767 | | | | 117,520 | |
Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, “A4”, 5.306%, 12/10/46 | | | 976,918 | | | | 1,043,488 | |
16
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bonds - continued | | | | | | | | |
Asset-Backed & Securitized - continued | | | | | | | | |
Dryden Senior Loan Fund, 2013-26A, “A”, CLO, FRN, 1.331%, 7/15/25 (z) | | $ | 1,563,000 | | | $ | 1,536,051 | |
Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Corp., FRN, 5.797%, 8/10/45 | | | 3,180,111 | | | | 3,476,824 | |
ING Investment Management Ltd., 2013-2A, “A1”, CLO, FRN, 1.384%, 4/25/25 (z) | | | 1,419,000 | | | | 1,396,658 | |
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., “A3”, FRN, 5.786%, 6/15/49 | | | 1,058,797 | | | | 1,075,979 | |
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., “A3”, FRN, 5.93%, 2/15/51 | | | 182,670 | | | | 183,057 | |
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., “A4”, FRN, 5.786%, 6/15/49 | | | 1,040,000 | | | | 1,127,942 | |
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, “A3”, FRN, 5.835%, 6/12/50 | | | 99,494 | | | | 99,793 | |
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, FRN, 5.835%, 6/12/50 | | | 1,040,000 | | | | 1,140,520 | |
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, “A4”, FRN, 5.941%, 2/15/51 | | | 509,093 | | | | 549,799 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 14,542,513 | |
Automotive - 0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Daimler Finance North America LLC, 1.875%, 1/11/18 (n) | | $ | 492,000 | | | $ | 493,685 | |
FCE Bank, 1.875%, 5/12/16 | | EUR | 350,000 | | | | 447,506 | |
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 1.7%, 5/09/16 | | $ | 853,000 | | | | 859,364 | |
RCI Banque S.A., 4.25%, 4/27/17 | | EUR | 550,000 | | | | 746,841 | |
TRW Automotive, Inc., 4.5%, 3/01/21 (n) | | $ | 227,000 | | | | 228,135 | |
Volkswagen International Finance N.V., 1.15%, 11/20/15 (n) | | | 1,810,000 | | | | 1,821,129 | |
Volkswagen International Finance N.V., 2.375%, 3/22/17 (n) | | | 534,000 | | | | 548,098 | |
Volkswagen International Finance N.V., 3.875%, 9/29/49 | | EUR | 450,000 | | | | 598,820 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 5,743,578 | |
Biotechnology - 0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Life Technologies Corp., 6%, 3/01/20 | | $ | 432,000 | | | $ | 498,772 | |
| | |
Broadcasting - 0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Discovery Communications, Inc., 4.875%, 4/01/43 | | $ | 610,000 | | | $ | 613,209 | |
Grupo Televisa S.A.B., 5%, 5/13/45 | | | 395,000 | | | | 393,104 | |
Omnicom Group, Inc., 3.65%, 11/01/24 | | | 210,000 | | | | 208,610 | |
ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG, 2.625%, 4/15/21 | | EUR | 525,000 | | | | 678,087 | |
SES S.A., 3.6%, 4/04/23 (n) | | $ | 635,000 | | | | 647,268 | |
Vivendi S.A., 4%, 3/31/17 | | EUR | 400,000 | | | | 543,305 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 3,083,583 | |
17
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bonds - continued | | | | | | | | |
Building - 0.2% | | | | | | | | |
CRH Finance Ltd., 3.125%, 4/03/23 | | EUR | 350,000 | | | $ | 485,472 | |
Holcim Finance Luxembourg S.A., 3%, 1/22/24 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | | 418,415 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Holcim GB Finance Ltd., 8.75%, 4/24/17 | | GBP | 200,000 | | | | 372,134 | |
Mohawk Industries, Inc., 6.125%, 1/15/16 | | $ | 376,000 | | | | 398,792 | |
Owens Corning, Inc., 6.5%, 12/01/16 | | | 157,000 | | | | 172,544 | |
Owens Corning, Inc., 4.2%, 12/15/22 | | | 376,000 | | | | 378,508 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 2,225,865 | |
Business Services - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., 5%, 3/15/22 | | $ | 483,000 | | | $ | 507,110 | |
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., 3.875%, 6/05/24 | | | 749,000 | | | | 759,275 | |
Tencent Holdings Ltd., 3.375%, 5/02/19 (n) | | | 281,000 | | | | 285,716 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 1,552,101 | |
Cable TV - 0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Comcast Corp., 4.65%, 7/15/42 | | $ | 614,000 | | | $ | 645,951 | |
Cox Communications, Inc., 3.25%, 12/15/22 (n) | | | 595,000 | | | | 582,504 | |
NBCUniversal Media LLC, 5.15%, 4/30/20 | | | 728,000 | | | | 828,382 | |
Shaw Communications, 5.65%, 10/01/19 | | CAD | 510,000 | | | | 509,258 | |
Time Warner Cable Inc., 5.25%, 7/15/42 | | GBP | 100,000 | | | | 179,396 | |
Time Warner Cable, Inc., 5.75%, 6/02/31 | | GBP | 250,000 | | | | 469,874 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 3,215,365 | |
Chemicals - 0.2% | | | | | | | | |
CF Industries, Inc., 5.15%, 3/15/34 | | $ | 424,000 | | | $ | 451,379 | |
Dow Chemical Co., 8.55%, 5/15/19 | | | 580,000 | | | | 730,504 | |
LYB International Finance B.V., 4%, 7/15/23 | | | 336,000 | | | | 348,488 | |
LyondellBasell Industries N.V., 5%, 4/15/19 | | | 597,000 | | | | 658,119 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 2,188,490 | |
Computer Software - 0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Oracle Corp., 3.4%, 7/08/24 | | $ | 609,000 | | | $ | 615,871 | |
| | |
Conglomerates - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Roper Industries, Inc., 1.85%, 11/15/17 | | $ | 251,000 | | | $ | 252,802 | |
Siemens Financieringsmaat N.V., 5.25%, 9/14/66 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | | 403,671 | |
Siemens Financieringsmaat N.V., 6.125%, 9/14/66 | | GBP | 150,000 | | | | 253,752 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 910,225 | |
Consumer Products - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Newell Rubbermaid, Inc., 4.7%, 8/15/20 | | $ | 763,000 | | | $ | 823,032 | |
Prosegur Cia de Seguridad S.A., 2.75%, 4/02/18 | | EUR | 400,000 | | | | 528,428 | |
18
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bonds - continued | | | | | | | | |
Consumer Products - continued | | | | | | | | |
Reckitt Benckiser Treasury Services PLC, 3.625%, 9/21/23 (n) | | $ | 731,000 | | | $ | 759,995 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 2,111,455 | |
Defense Electronics - 0.0% | | | | | | | | |
BAE Systems, 4.125%, 6/08/22 | | GBP | 350,000 | | | $ | 590,281 | |
| | |
Electronics - 0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Tyco Electronics Group S.A., 2.375%, 12/17/18 | | $ | 522,000 | | | $ | 527,244 | |
| | |
Emerging Market Quasi-Sovereign - 0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Comision Federal De Electricidad, 4.875%, 1/15/24 | | $ | 535,000 | | | $ | 564,425 | |
Comision Federal de Electricidad, 5.75%, 2/14/42 (n) | | | 677,000 | | | | 715,928 | |
Corporacion Nacional del Cobre de Chile, 3.75%, 11/04/20 (n) | | | 271,000 | | | | 278,942 | |
Corporacion Nacional del Cobre de Chile, 2.25%, 7/09/24 (z) | | EUR | 104,000 | | | | 132,806 | |
Empresa Nacional del Petroleo, 6.25%, 7/08/19 | | $ | 265,000 | | | | 298,736 | |
Pemex Project Funding Master Trust, 5.75%, 3/01/18 | | | 523,000 | | | | 578,072 | |
Petroleos Mexicanos, 5.5%, 1/21/21 | | | 232,000 | | | | 256,488 | |
Petroleos Mexicanos, 4.25%, 1/15/25 (z) | | | 10,000 | | | | 10,123 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 2,835,520 | |
Emerging Market Sovereign - 0.3% | | | | | | | | |
Republic of Colombia, 6.125%, 1/18/41 | | $ | 613,000 | | | $ | 735,600 | |
Republic of Indonesia, 2.875%, 7/08/21 (z) | | EUR | 400,000 | | | | 508,779 | |
Republic of Peru, 7.35%, 7/21/25 | | $ | 700,000 | | | | 925,750 | |
United Mexican States, 8.5%, 5/31/29 | | MXN | 27,890,000 | | | | 2,463,741 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 4,633,870 | |
Energy - Independent - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., 3.8%, 4/15/24 | | $ | 528,000 | | | $ | 531,332 | |
Continental Resources, Inc., 4.9%, 6/01/44 | | | 305,000 | | | | 301,211 | |
EOG Resources, Inc., 2.625%, 3/15/23 | | | 269,000 | | | | 259,070 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 1,091,613 | |
Energy - Integrated - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
BG Energy Capital PLC, 6.5%, 11/30/72 | | EUR | 350,000 | | | $ | 493,711 | |
BP Capital Markets PLC, 2.521%, 1/15/20 | | $ | 164,000 | | | | 164,721 | |
Eni S.p.A., 4%, 6/29/20 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | | 439,553 | |
Repsol International Finance B.V., 3.625%, 10/07/21 | | EUR | 400,000 | | | | 573,247 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 1,671,232 | |
Financial Institutions - 0.0% | | | | | | | | |
International Lease Finance Corp., 7.125%, 9/01/18 (n) | | $ | 569,000 | | | $ | 644,393 | |
19
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bonds - continued | | | | | | | | |
Food & Beverages - 0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A., 5.375%, 1/15/20 | | $ | 1,008,000 | | | $ | 1,144,702 | |
BRF S.A., 4.75%, 5/22/24 | | | 703,000 | | | | 703,879 | |
Coca-Cola Co., 4.25%, 11/16/16 | | EUR | 350,000 | | | | 469,759 | |
Conagra Foods, Inc., 3.2%, 1/25/23 | | $ | 528,000 | | | | 511,969 | |
Mead Johnson Nutrition Co., 4.6%, 6/01/44 | | | 576,000 | | | | 591,856 | |
Tyson Foods, Inc., 6.6%, 4/01/16 | | | 1,200,000 | | | | 1,292,046 | |
Tyson Foods, Inc., 5.15%, 8/15/44 | | | 191,000 | | | | 203,930 | |
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., 2.9%, 10/21/19 (n) | | | 277,000 | | | | 281,695 | |
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., 3.375%, 10/21/20 (n) | | | 300,000 | | | | 306,449 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 5,506,285 | |
Food & Drug Stores - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
CVS Health Corp., 3.375%, 8/12/24 | | $ | 387,000 | | | $ | 385,872 | |
CVS Health Corp., 5.75%, 6/01/17 | | | 189,000 | | | | 209,782 | |
Loblaw Cos. Ltd., 4.86%, 9/12/23 | | CAD | 518,000 | | | | 499,450 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 1,095,104 | |
Forest & Paper Products - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Georgia-Pacific LLC, 5.4%, 11/01/20 (n) | | $ | 793,000 | | | $ | 906,019 | |
Packaging Corp. of America, 3.9%, 6/15/22 | | | 483,000 | | | | 493,871 | |
Packaging Corp. of America, 3.65%, 9/15/24 | | | 343,000 | | | | 337,539 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 1,737,429 | |
Gaming & Lodging - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Wyndham Worldwide Corp., 2.5%, 3/01/18 | | $ | 500,000 | | | $ | 502,922 | |
Wyndham Worldwide Corp., 5.625%, 3/01/21 | | | 350,000 | | | | 391,207 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 894,129 | |
Insurance - 0.3% | | | | | | | | |
American International Group, Inc., 4.875%, 6/01/22 | | $ | 226,000 | | | $ | 252,078 | |
American International Group, Inc., 4.875%, 3/15/67 | | EUR | 600,000 | | | | 784,973 | |
Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., 7.75%, 12/12/42 | | EUR | 200,000 | | | | 313,914 | |
Aviva PLC, FRN, 5.7%, 9/29/49 | | EUR | 470,000 | | | | 604,732 | |
CNP Assurances S.A., 6% to 2020, FRN to 9/14/40 | | EUR | 450,000 | | | | 644,276 | |
Delta Lloyd Levensverzek, FRN, 9%, 8/29/42 | | EUR | 450,000 | | | | 734,221 | |
UnumProvident Corp., 6.85%, 11/15/15 (n) | | $ | 697,000 | | | | 736,868 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 4,071,062 | |
Insurance - Health - 0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Aetna, Inc., 1.5%, 11/15/17 | | $ | 528,000 | | | $ | 527,168 | |
| | |
Insurance - Property & Casualty - 0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Amlin PLC, 6.5%, 12/19/26 | | GBP | 200,000 | | | $ | 331,138 | |
AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd., 5.75%, 12/01/14 | | $ | 1,440,000 | | | | 1,446,060 | |
20
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bonds - continued | | | | | | | | |
Insurance - Property & Casualty - continued | | | | | | | | |
AXIS Specialty Finance LLC, 2.65%, 4/01/19 | | $ | 86,000 | | | $ | 86,467 | |
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., 4.5%, 2/11/43 | | | 490,000 | | | | 509,155 | |
Chubb Corp., 6.375% to 4/15/17, FRN to 3/29/67 | | | 730,000 | | | | 795,700 | |
Clerical Medical Finance PLC, 4.25%, 6/29/49 | | EUR | 500,000 | | | | 626,811 | |
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc., 2.55%, 10/15/18 | | $ | 293,000 | | | | 299,414 | |
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc., 3.5%, 6/03/24 | | | 500,000 | | | | 502,781 | |
QBE Capital Funding IV LP, 7.5% to 2021, FRN to 5/24/41 | | GBP | 300,000 | | | | 535,771 | |
ZFS Finance USA Trust II, 6.45% to 6/15/16, FRN to 12/15/65 (n) | | $ | 759,000 | | | | 808,335 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 5,941,632 | |
International Market Quasi-Sovereign - 0.3% | | | | | | | | |
Caisse D’amortissement de la Dette Sociale, 1%, 5/25/18 | | EUR | 400,000 | | | $ | 516,393 | |
Electricite de France, 6% to 2026, FRN to 12/29/49 | | GBP | 300,000 | | | | 511,104 | |
ESB Finance Ltd., 4.375%, 11/21/19 | | EUR | 400,000 | | | | 583,853 | |
Statoil A.S.A., 4.25%, 11/23/41 | | $ | 660,000 | | | | 660,996 | |
Statoil A.S.A., FRN, 0.524%, 5/15/18 | | | 477,000 | | | | 476,507 | |
Temasek Financial I Ltd., 2.375%, 1/23/23 (n) | | | 1,450,000 | | | | 1,402,082 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 4,150,935 | |
International Market Sovereign - 20.1% | | | | | | | | |
Federal Republic of Germany, 2.5%, 7/04/44 | | EUR | 2,852,000 | | | $ | 4,210,868 | |
Federal Republic of Germany, 3.25%, 7/04/21 | | EUR | 4,570,000 | | | | 6,826,860 | |
Federal Republic of Germany, 6.25%, 1/04/30 | | EUR | 4,888,000 | | | | 10,324,969 | |
Government of Australia, 5.75%, 5/15/21 | | AUD | 15,381,000 | | | | 15,721,092 | |
Government of Canada, 4.5%, 6/01/15 | | CAD | 4,984,000 | | | | 4,511,138 | |
Government of Canada, 4.25%, 6/01/18 | | CAD | 7,496,000 | | | | 7,331,920 | |
Government of Canada, 3.25%, 6/01/21 | | CAD | 2,949,000 | | | | 2,866,473 | |
Government of Canada, 5.75%, 6/01/33 | | CAD | 3,267,000 | | | | 4,314,944 | |
Government of Canada, 4%, 6/01/41 | | CAD | 890,000 | | | | 1,003,223 | |
Government of Japan, 1.1%, 6/20/20 | | JPY | 3,293,400,000 | | | | 30,879,558 | |
Government of Japan, 2.1%, 9/20/24 | | JPY | 2,730,350,000 | | | | 28,140,872 | |
Government of Japan, 2.2%, 9/20/27 | | JPY | 1,256,700,000 | | | | 13,226,939 | |
Government of Japan, 2.4%, 3/20/37 | | JPY | 325,150,000 | | | | 3,429,453 | |
Government of Japan, 2%, 3/20/52 | | JPY | 127,000,000 | | | | 1,215,919 | |
Government of New Zealand, 5%, 3/15/19 | | NZD | 6,155,000 | | | | 5,030,517 | |
Government of New Zealand, 5.5%, 4/15/23 | | NZD | 1,780,000 | | | | 1,533,989 | |
Kingdom of Belgium, 4%, 3/28/32 | | EUR | 1,839,000 | | | | 3,035,064 | |
Kingdom of Belgium, 4.25%, 9/28/21 | | EUR | 5,416,000 | | | | 8,471,948 | |
Kingdom of Denmark, 3%, 11/15/21 | | DKK | 11,296,000 | | | | 2,230,688 | |
Kingdom of Norway, 3.75%, 5/25/21 | | NOK | 7,983,000 | | | | 1,333,745 | |
Kingdom of Spain, 5.4%, 1/31/23 | | EUR | 2,960,000 | | | | 4,742,371 | |
Kingdom of Spain, 5.5%, 7/30/17 | | EUR | 3,857,000 | | | | 5,459,131 | |
Kingdom of Spain, 4.6%, 7/30/19 | | EUR | 4,313,000 | | | | 6,306,363 | |
21
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bonds - continued | | | | | | | | |
International Market Sovereign - continued | | | | | | | | |
Kingdom of Sweden, 5%, 12/01/20 | | SEK | 40,470,000 | | | $ | 6,911,767 | |
Kingdom of Sweden, 3.5%, 6/01/22 | | SEK | 10,830,000 | | | | 1,749,485 | |
Kingdom of the Netherlands, 3.5%, 7/15/20 | | EUR | 8,909,000 | | | | 13,159,041 | |
Kingdom of the Netherlands, 5.5%, 1/15/28 | | EUR | 2,389,000 | | | | 4,519,924 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Republic of Austria, 4.65%, 1/15/18 | | EUR | 2,195,000 | | | | 3,158,038 | |
Republic of Austria, 1.75%, 10/20/23 | | EUR | 4,268,000 | | | | 5,748,658 | |
Republic of Finland, 3.875%, 9/15/17 | | EUR | 2,248,000 | | | | 3,129,045 | |
Republic of France, 2.5%, 10/25/20 | | EUR | 2,381,000 | | | | 3,344,784 | |
Republic of France, 6%, 10/25/25 | | EUR | 5,592,000 | | | | 10,385,706 | |
Republic of France, 4.75%, 4/25/35 | | EUR | 3,510,000 | | | | 6,433,505 | |
Republic of Iceland, 4.875%, 6/16/16 (n) | | $ | 2,826,000 | | | | 2,965,435 | |
Republic of Ireland, 5.4%, 3/13/25 | | EUR | 1,304,000 | | | | 2,158,166 | |
Republic of Italy, 5.25%, 8/01/17 | | EUR | 7,852,000 | | | | 11,024,438 | |
Republic of Italy, 3.75%, 3/01/21 | | EUR | 14,062,000 | | | | 19,941,246 | |
United Kingdom Treasury, 5%, 3/07/18 | | GBP | 3,229,000 | | | | 5,818,445 | |
United Kingdom Treasury, 8%, 6/07/21 | | GBP | 2,024,000 | | | | 4,484,861 | |
United Kingdom Treasury, 4.25%, 12/07/27 | | GBP | 3,083,000 | | | | 5,907,055 | |
United Kingdom Treasury, 4.25%, 3/07/36 | | GBP | 2,376,000 | | | | 4,644,213 | |
United Kingdom Treasury, 3.25%, 1/22/44 | | GBP | 1,634,000 | | | | 2,756,629 | |
United Kingdom Treasury, 3.75%, 7/22/52 | | GBP | 711,000 | | | | 1,337,783 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 291,726,268 | |
Major Banks - 1.5% | | | | | | | | |
ABN AMRO Bank N.V., 4.25%, 2/02/17 (n) | | $ | 865,000 | | | $ | 917,618 | |
ABN AMRO Bank N.V., 7.125%, 7/06/22 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | | 489,079 | |
Banco Santander U.S. Debt S.A.U., 3.781%, 10/07/15 (n) | | $ | 500,000 | | | | 512,688 | |
Bank of America Corp., 4.125%, 1/22/24 | | | 1,184,000 | | | | 1,231,388 | |
Bank of America Corp., 4.2%, 8/26/24 | | | 710,000 | | | | 715,084 | |
Bank of America Corp., 4.875%, 4/01/44 | | | 449,000 | | | | 480,844 | |
Barclays Bank PLC, 6%, 1/14/21 | | EUR | 617,000 | | | | 932,035 | |
Barclays Bank PLC, 6.75%, 1/16/23 | | GBP | 250,000 | | | | 436,469 | |
BBVA Senior Finance S.A., 3.25%, 3/21/16 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | | 390,329 | |
Credit Agricole S.A., 7.375%, 12/18/23 | | GBP | 200,000 | | | | 399,361 | |
Credit Suisse Group AG, 6.5%, 8/08/23 (n) | | $ | 820,000 | | | | 904,050 | |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 5.75%, 1/24/22 | | | 1,181,000 | | | | 1,360,550 | |
HSBC Bank PLC, FRN, 0.874%, 5/15/18 (n) | | | 1,116,000 | | | | 1,125,349 | |
HSBC USA, Inc., 4.875%, 8/24/20 | | | 1,000,000 | | | | 1,101,173 | |
ING Bank N.V., 4.875%, 1/18/21 | | EUR | 250,000 | | | | 389,175 | |
ING Bank N.V., 5.8%, 9/25/23 (n) | | $ | 630,000 | | | | 701,141 | |
ING Bank N.V., FRN, 3.5%, 11/21/23 | | EUR | 550,000 | | | | 726,440 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 4.25%, 10/15/20 | | $ | 634,000 | | | | 680,468 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.75% to 2/01/24, FRN to 1/29/49 | | | 515,000 | | | | 542,604 | |
Morgan Stanley, 7.3%, 5/13/19 | | | 980,000 | | | | 1,169,833 | |
Morgan Stanley, 5.5%, 7/28/21 | | | 490,000 | | | | 558,687 | |
22
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bonds - continued | | | | | | | | |
Major Banks - continued | | | | | | | | |
Nordea Bank AB, FRN, 0.694%, 5/13/16 (n) | | $ | 2,050,000 | | | $ | 2,058,421 | |
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., FRN, 6.75%, 12/31/49 | | | 640,000 | | | | 698,560 | |
Regions Financial Corp., 2%, 5/15/18 | | | 602,000 | | | | 597,152 | |
Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, 5.5%, 3/23/20 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | | 464,913 | |
Societe Generale S.A., 4.25%, 7/13/22 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | | 464,900 | |
Wells Fargo & Co., 3.3%, 9/09/24 | | $ | 500,000 | | | | 498,739 | |
Wells Fargo & Co., 5.9% to 6/15/24, FRN to 12/29/49 | | | 650,000 | | | | 668,265 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 21,215,315 | |
Metals & Mining - 0.3% | | | | | | | | |
Barrick International (Barbados) Corp., 5.75%, 10/15/16 (n) | | $ | 705,000 | | | $ | 761,400 | |
Cameco Corp., 5.67%, 9/02/19 | | CAD | 855,000 | | | | 845,730 | |
Glencore Finance Europe, 6.5%, 2/27/19 | | GBP | 200,000 | | | | 365,034 | |
Plains Exploration & Production Co., 6.875%, 2/15/23 | | $ | 681,000 | | | | 770,170 | |
Southern Copper Corp., 6.75%, 4/16/40 | | | 559,000 | | | | 617,835 | |
Xstrata Finance Canada Ltd., 5.25%, 6/13/17 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | | 418,791 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 3,778,960 | |
Midstream - 0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Enbridge, Inc., 3.19%, 12/05/22 | | CAD | 600,000 | | | $ | 534,211 | |
Energy Transfer Partners LP, 4.65%, 6/01/21 | | $ | 482,000 | | | | 514,429 | |
Energy Transfer Partners LP, 3.6%, 2/01/23 | | | 399,000 | | | | 390,895 | |
Enterprise Products Operating LLC, 3.9%, 2/15/24 | | | 346,000 | | | | 356,092 | |
Enterprise Products Operating LLC, 4.85%, 3/15/44 | | | 198,000 | | | | 203,911 | |
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, 5.4%, 9/01/44 | | | 321,000 | | | | 314,439 | |
Plains All American Pipeline LP, 3.6%, 11/01/24 | | | 335,000 | | | | 333,024 | |
Spectra Energy Partners LP, 4.75%, 3/15/24 | | | 1,158,000 | | | | 1,255,049 | |
Sunoco Logistics Partners LP, 5.3%, 4/01/44 | | | 571,000 | | | | 590,742 | |
Williams Cos., Inc., 3.7%, 1/15/23 | | | 861,000 | | | | 809,957 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 5,302,749 | |
Mortgage-Backed - 2.7% | | | | | | | | |
Fannie Mae, 5.5%, 2/01/15 - 1/01/37 | | $ | 337,591 | | | $ | 348,007 | |
Fannie Mae, 4.78%, 8/01/15 | | | 315,705 | | | | 321,284 | |
Fannie Mae, 4.856%, 8/01/15 | | | 249,926 | | | | 254,272 | |
Fannie Mae, 5.433%, 2/01/16 | | | 260,983 | | | | 270,212 | |
Fannie Mae, 5.09%, 12/01/16 | | | 353,261 | | | | 379,997 | |
Fannie Mae, 5.012%, 1/01/17 | | | 61,541 | | | | 61,545 | |
Fannie Mae, 5.05%, 1/01/17 | | | 307,656 | | | | 326,876 | |
Fannie Mae, 5.205%, 1/01/18 | | | 521,811 | | | | 548,684 | |
Fannie Mae, 3.849%, 7/01/18 | | | 382,564 | | | | 409,723 | |
Fannie Mae, 2.578%, 9/25/18 | | | 900,000 | | | | 924,993 | |
Fannie Mae, 5.1%, 3/01/19 | | | 320,689 | | | | 359,543 | |
Fannie Mae, 5.18%, 3/01/19 | | | 321,071 | | | | 348,823 | |
23
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bonds - continued | | | | | | | | |
Mortgage-Backed - continued | | | | | | | | |
Fannie Mae, 5%, 12/01/20 - 8/01/40 | | $ | 3,863,513 | | | $ | 4,295,854 | |
Fannie Mae, 4.5%, 3/01/25 - 4/01/44 | | | 2,492,898 | | | | 2,709,574 | |
Fannie Mae, 6%, 9/01/37 - 6/01/38 | | | 662,951 | | | | 752,910 | |
Fannie Mae, 4%, 2/01/41 | | | 1,284,649 | | | | 1,366,252 | |
Fannie Mae, 3.5%, 5/01/43 | | | 3,489,500 | | | | 3,626,906 | |
Freddie Mac, 1.426%, 8/25/17 | | | 927,000 | | | | 933,806 | |
Freddie Mac, 3.882%, 11/25/17 | | | 733,000 | | | | 784,186 | |
Freddie Mac, 2.412%, 8/25/18 | | | 802,000 | | | | 825,011 | |
Freddie Mac, 5.085%, 3/25/19 | | | 589,000 | | | | 664,427 | |
Freddie Mac, 1.883%, 5/25/19 | | | 1,250,000 | | | | 1,250,656 | |
Freddie Mac, 3.32%, 7/25/20 | | | 417,544 | | | | 438,591 | |
Freddie Mac, 5.5%, 7/01/37 | | | 231,100 | | | | 259,174 | |
Freddie Mac, 4.5%, 5/01/40 | | | 3,310,694 | | | | 3,589,781 | |
Freddie Mac, TBA, 4%, 12/01/44 | | | 5,180,000 | | | | 5,480,480 | |
Ginnie Mae, 5%, 5/15/40 | | | 1,113,612 | | | | 1,234,502 | |
Ginnie Mae, 3.5%, 6/20/43 | | | 3,184,484 | | | | 3,336,190 | |
Ginnie Mae, TBA, 4%, 12/01/44 | | | 3,338,000 | | | | 3,562,403 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 39,664,662 | |
Natural Gas - Distribution - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Centrica PLC, 4.375%, 3/13/29 | | GBP | 300,000 | | | $ | 503,454 | |
GDF Suez, 3% to 6/02/19, FRN to 6/29/49 | | EUR | 400,000 | | | | 511,414 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 1,014,868 | |
Network & Telecom - 0.2% | | | | | | | | |
British Telecommunications PLC, 1.125%, 6/10/19 | | EUR | 400,000 | | | $ | 508,563 | |
British Telecommunications PLC, 5.75%, 12/07/28 | | GBP | 165,000 | | | | 313,896 | |
Deutsche Telekom I, 4.875%, 4/22/25 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | | 485,542 | |
Verizon Communications, Inc., 6.4%, 9/15/33 | | $ | 725,000 | | | | 883,096 | |
Verizon Communications, Inc., 5.05%, 3/15/34 | | | 395,000 | | | | 418,098 | |
Verizon Communications, Inc., 6.55%, 9/15/43 | | | 525,000 | | | | 661,818 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 3,271,013 | |
Oils - 0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Marathon Petroleum Corp., 3.625%, 9/15/24 | | $ | 326,000 | | | $ | 324,782 | |
| | |
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 0.9% | | | | | | | | |
Banco de Credito del Peru, 6.125% to 4/24/22, FRN to 4/24/27 (n) | | $ | 840,000 | | | $ | 903,000 | |
Banque Federative du Credit Mutuel, 2%, 9/19/19 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | | 398,917 | |
BB&T Corp., 3.95%, 4/29/16 | | $ | 1,290,000 | | | | 1,350,675 | |
BBVA Bancomer S.A. de C.V., 6.75%, 9/30/22 (n) | | | 901,000 | | | | 1,020,383 | |
BBVA Subordinated Capital SAU, 3.5% to 4/11/19, FRN to 4/11/24 | | EUR | 500,000 | | | | 648,493 | |
24
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bonds - continued | | | | | | | | |
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - continued | | | | | | | | |
BPCE S.A., 4.5%, 3/15/25 (n) | | $ | 600,000 | | | $ | 582,788 | |
Caixabank S.A., 3.25%, 1/22/16 | | EUR | 400,000 | | | | 518,107 | |
Capital One Bank (USA) N.A., 3.375%, 2/15/23 | | $ | 900,000 | | | | 891,310 | |
Citigroup, Inc., 3.75%, 6/16/24 | | | 753,000 | | | | 765,159 | |
Discover Bank, 7%, 4/15/20 | | | 1,065,000 | | | | 1,260,540 | |
Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A., 4.125%, 9/19/16 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | | 400,289 | |
Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A., 5.25%, 1/28/22 | | GBP | 300,000 | | | | 530,371 | |
KBC Ifima N.V., 4.5%, 3/27/17 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | | 411,868 | |
Lloyds TSB Bank PLC, 6.5%, 3/24/20 | | EUR | 350,000 | | | | 537,464 | |
Macquarie Group Ltd., 3%, 12/03/18 (n) | | $ | 418,000 | | | | 430,342 | |
Rabobank Nederland N.V., 4%, 9/19/22 | | GBP | 250,000 | | | | 429,322 | |
Svenska Handelsbanken AB, FRN, 0.683%, 3/21/16 | | $ | 1,210,000 | | | | 1,215,060 | |
Swedbank AB, 1.75%, 3/12/18 (n) | | | 728,000 | | | | 727,447 | |
U.S. Bancorp, 2.95%, 7/15/22 | | | 196,000 | | | | 192,283 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 13,213,818 | |
Personal Computers & Peripherals - 0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Equifax, Inc., 3.3%, 12/15/22 | | $ | 483,000 | | | $ | 478,916 | |
| | |
Pharmaceuticals - 0.3% | | | | | | | | |
AbbVie, Inc., 1.75%, 11/06/17 | | $ | 528,000 | | | $ | 529,487 | |
Amgen, Inc., 2.3%, 6/15/16 | | | 626,000 | | | | 639,424 | |
Bayer AG, 3% to 7/01/20, FRN to 7/01/75 | | EUR | 395,000 | | | | 509,275 | |
Bayer U.S. Finance LLC, 3.375%, 10/08/24 (n) | | $ | 303,000 | | | | 303,886 | |
Celgene Corp., 1.9%, 8/15/17 | | | 483,000 | | | | 487,398 | |
Gilead Sciences, Inc., 3.7%, 4/01/24 | | | 988,000 | | | | 1,015,870 | |
Mylan, Inc., 2.55%, 3/28/19 | | | 216,000 | | | | 215,208 | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance B.V., 2.95%, 12/18/22 | | | 602,000 | | | | 583,743 | |
Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1.875%, 10/01/17 | | | 531,000 | | | | 526,335 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 4,810,626 | |
Printing & Publishing - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Moody’s Corp., 4.875%, 2/15/24 | | $ | 670,000 | | | $ | 729,668 | |
| | |
Railroad & Shipping - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
CSX Corp., 4.1%, 3/15/44 | | $ | 969,000 | | | $ | 922,764 | |
| | |
Real Estate - Apartment - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
AvalonBay Communities, Inc., REIT, 3.625%, 10/01/20 | | $ | 102,000 | | | $ | 106,327 | |
Deutsche Annington Finance B.V., 2.125%, 7/09/22 | | EUR | 500,000 | | | | 647,252 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 753,579 | |
Real Estate - Healthcare - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
HCP, Inc., REIT, 3.875%, 8/15/24 | | $ | 700,000 | | | $ | 699,689 | |
25
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bonds - continued | | | | | | | | |
Real Estate - Office - 0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Boston Properties, Inc., REIT, 3.125%, 9/01/23 | | $ | 669,000 | | | $ | 649,586 | |
| | |
Real Estate - Retail - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Hammerson PLC, 2.75%, 9/26/19 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | $ | 406,949 | |
Hammerson PLC, 6%, 2/23/26 | | GBP | 220,000 | | | | 427,195 | |
Simon Property Group, Inc., REIT, 5.65%, 2/01/20 | | $ | 640,000 | | | | 740,225 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 1,574,369 | |
Restaurants - 0.0% | | | | | | | | |
YUM! Brands, Inc., 5.35%, 11/01/43 | | $ | 346,000 | | | $ | 363,720 | |
| | |
Retailers - 0.3% | | | | | | | | |
Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc., 5.165%, 8/01/44 | | $ | 501,000 | | | $ | 500,535 | |
Cencosud S.A., 5.5%, 1/20/21 | | | 586,000 | | | | 625,566 | |
Dollar General Corp., 4.125%, 7/15/17 | | | 500,000 | | | | 520,718 | |
Gap, Inc., 5.95%, 4/12/21 | | | 738,000 | | | | 833,437 | |
Home Depot, Inc., 5.95%, 4/01/41 | | | 678,000 | | | | 857,881 | |
Marks & Spencer PLC, 4.75%, 6/12/25 | | GBP | 300,000 | | | | 504,785 | |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 4.3%, 4/22/44 | | $ | 459,000 | | | | 478,421 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 4,321,343 | |
Specialty Chemicals - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Ecolab, Inc., 3%, 12/08/16 | | $ | 500,000 | | | $ | 519,005 | |
Mexichem S.A.B. de C.V., 6.75%, 9/19/42 (n) | | | 584,000 | | | | 639,480 | |
Mexichem S.A.B. de C.V., 5.875%, 9/17/44 (z) | | | 209,000 | | | | 209,000 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 1,367,485 | |
Supermarkets - 0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Delhaize Group, 3.125%, 2/27/20 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | $ | 410,724 | |
Morrison (WM) Supermarkets, 3.5%, 7/27/26 | | GBP | 200,000 | | | | 288,727 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 699,451 | |
Supranational - 0.0% | | | | | | | | |
European Investment Bank, 4.25%, 4/15/19 | | EUR | 450,000 | | | $ | 664,976 | |
| | |
Telecommunications - Wireless - 0.3% | | | | | | | | |
America Movil S.A.B. de C.V., 1%, 6/04/18 | | EUR | 200,000 | | | $ | 254,056 | |
America Movil S.A.B. de C.V., 4.75%, 6/28/22 | | EUR | 500,000 | | | | 774,873 | |
American Tower Corp., REIT, 4.7%, 3/15/22 | | $ | 167,000 | | | | 173,627 | |
American Tower Corp., REIT, 3.5%, 1/31/23 | | | 502,000 | | | | 480,429 | |
Bharti Airtel International (Netherlands) B.V., 3.375%, 5/20/21 (n) | | EUR | 266,000 | | | | 353,428 | |
Crown Castle Towers LLC, 6.113%, 1/15/20 (n) | | $ | 615,000 | | | | 710,549 | |
Rogers Communications, Inc., 5%, 3/15/44 | | | 344,000 | | | | 358,615 | |
26
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bonds - continued | | | | | | | | |
Telecommunications - Wireless - continued | | | | | | | | |
SBA Tower Trust, 2.898%, 10/15/19 (n) | | $ | 588,000 | | | $ | 589,562 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 3,695,139 | |
Telephone Services - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
TELUS Corp., 5.05%, 7/23/20 | | CAD | 855,000 | | | $ | 845,047 | |
| | |
Tobacco - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Altria Group, Inc., 2.85%, 8/09/22 | | $ | 960,000 | | | $ | 930,290 | |
Lorillard Tobacco Co., 8.125%, 6/23/19 | | | 434,000 | | | | 531,660 | |
Philip Morris International, Inc., 2.875%, 3/03/26 | | EUR | 400,000 | | | | 550,871 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 2,012,821 | |
Transportation - Services - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
ERAC USA Finance Co., 2.75%, 3/15/17 (n) | | $ | 192,000 | | | $ | 198,067 | |
ERAC USA Finance Co., 7%, 10/15/37 (n) | | | 627,000 | | | | 824,893 | |
Hit Finance B.V., 4.875%, 10/27/21 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | | 461,986 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 1,484,946 | |
U.S. Government Agencies and Equivalents - 0.3% | | | | | |
Aid-Egypt, 4.45%, 9/15/15 | | $ | 1,113,000 | | | $ | 1,153,084 | |
Small Business Administration, 5.09%, 10/01/25 | | | 59,164 | | | | 64,423 | |
Small Business Administration, 5.21%, 1/01/26 | | | 813,342 | | | | 879,370 | |
Small Business Administration, 5.31%, 5/01/27 | | | 526,130 | | | | 586,843 | |
Small Business Administration, 2.22%, 3/01/33 | | | 1,184,881 | | | | 1,156,808 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 3,840,528 | |
U.S. Treasury Obligations - 2.2% | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 4.5%, 8/15/39 | | $ | 6,535,600 | | | $ | 8,303,787 | |
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.625%, 2/15/44 | | | 2,550,000 | | | | 2,829,903 | |
U.S. Treasury Notes, 4.75%, 8/15/17 (f) | | | 3,896,000 | | | | 4,309,950 | |
U.S. Treasury Notes, 3.5%, 5/15/20 | | | 5,955,000 | | | | 6,503,045 | |
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.75%, 2/15/24 | | | 9,120,000 | | | | 9,471,977 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 31,418,662 | |
Utilities - Electric Power - 0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Alabama Power Co., 4.15%, 8/15/44 | | $ | 252,000 | | | $ | 256,308 | |
American Electric Power Co., Inc., 1.65%, 12/15/17 | | | 528,000 | | | | 529,220 | |
CMS Energy Corp., 5.05%, 3/15/22 | | | 631,000 | | | | 707,000 | |
Colbun S.A., 4.5%, 7/10/24 (n) | | | 201,000 | | | | 202,536 | |
E.On International Finance, 6.375%, 6/07/32 | | GBP | 250,000 | | | | 509,725 | |
Empresa Nacional de Electricidad S.A., 4.25%, 4/15/24 | | $ | 462,000 | | | | 468,335 | |
Enel Finance International N.V., 4.875%, 3/11/20 | | EUR | 350,000 | | | | 524,043 | |
Enel S.p.A., 6.25%, 6/20/19 | | GBP | 300,000 | | | | 554,770 | |
NGG Finance PLC, 5.625%, 6/18/73 | | | 300,000 | | | | 504,385 | |
27
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Bonds - continued | | | | | | | | |
Utilities - Electric Power - continued | | | | | | | | |
PPL Capital Funding, Inc., 5%, 3/15/44 | | $ | 331,000 | | | $ | 356,645 | |
PPL WEM Holdings PLC, 5.375%, 5/01/21 (n) | | | 189,000 | | | | 213,269 | |
Progress Energy, Inc., 7.05%, 3/15/19 | | | 460,000 | | | | 549,553 | |
Red Electrica Finance S.A., 4.75%, 2/16/18 | | EUR | 300,000 | | | | 425,464 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 5,801,253 | |
Total Bonds (Identified Cost, $522,029,738) | | | | | | $ | 519,252,718 | |
| | |
Preferred Stocks - 0.7% | | | | | | | | |
Consumer Products - 0.7% | | | | | | | | |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Identified Cost, $5,697,150) | | | 108,100 | | | $ | 10,671,973 | |
| | |
Money Market Funds - 5.0% | | | | | | | | |
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio, 0.09%, at Cost and Net Asset Value (v) | | | 73,098,625 | | | $ | 73,098,625 | |
Total Investments (Identified Cost, $1,196,375,262) | | | $ | 1,452,953,568 | |
| | |
Other Assets, Less Liabilities - (0.0)% | | | | | | | (160,000 | ) |
Net Assets - 100.0% | | | | | | $ | 1,452,793,568 | |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
(f) | All or a portion of the security has been segregated as collateral for open futures contracts. |
(n) | Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate value of these securities was $29,092,973 representing 2.0% of net assets. |
(v) | Underlying affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies managed by MFS. The rate quoted for the MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. |
(z) | Restricted securities are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and are subject to legal restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are subsequently registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. The fund holds the following restricted securities: |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Restricted Securities | | Acquisition Date | | Cost | | | Value | |
Cent LP, 2013-17A, “A1”, CLO, FRN, 1.533%, 1/30/25 | | 9/26/14 | | | $1,208,457 | | | | $1,202,299 | |
Corporacion Nacional del Cobre de Chile, 2.25%, 7/09/24 | | 7/02/14 | | | 140,220 | | | | 132,806 | |
Dryden Senior Loan Fund, 2013-26A, “A”, CLO, FRN, 1.331%, 7/15/25 | | 9/26/14 | | | 1,540,189 | | | | 1,536,051 | |
ING Investment Management Ltd., 2013-2A, “A1”, CLO, FRN, 1.384%, 4/25/25 | | 9/26/14 | | | $1,402,097 | | | | $1,396,658 | |
28
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | | | |
Restricted Securities - continued | | Acquisition Date | | Cost | | | Value | |
Mexichem S.A.B. de C.V., 5.875%, 9/17/44 | | 9/09/14 | | | $207,226 | | | | $209,000 | |
Petroleos Mexicanos, 4.25%, 1/15/25 | | 10/06/14 | | | 9,943 | | | | 10,123 | |
Republic of Indonesia, 2.875%, 7/08/21 | | 7/02/14 | | | 542,874 | | | | 508,779 | |
Total Restricted Securities | | | | | | | | | $4,995,716 | |
% of Net assets | | | | | | | | | 0.3% | |
The following abbreviations are used in this report and are defined:
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
CLO | | Collateralized Loan Obligation |
FRN | | Floating Rate Note. Interest rate resets periodically and may not be the rate reported at period end. |
PLC | | Public Limited Company |
REIT | | Real Estate Investment Trust |
Abbreviations indicate amounts shown in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. All amounts are stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. A list of abbreviations is shown below:
Derivative Contracts at 10/31/14
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts at 10/31/14
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Type | | Currency | | Counter- party | | Contracts to Deliver/ Receive | | | Settlement Date Range | | | In Exchange For | | | Contracts at Value | | | Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Asset Derivatives | | | | | | | |
SELL | | BRL | | UBS AG | | | 15,047,812 | | | | 12/02/14 | | | | $6,125,463 | | | | $6,020,586 | | | | $104,877 | |
SELL | | CAD | | Goldman Sachs International | | | 2,723 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 2,430 | | | | 2,412 | | | | 18 | |
29
Portfolio of Investments – continued
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts at 10/31/14 - continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Type | | Currency | | Counter- party | | Contracts to Deliver/ Receive | | | Settlement Date Range | | | In Exchange For | | | Contracts at Value | | | Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Asset Derivatives - continued | | | | | | | |
SELL | | CAD | | Merrill Lynch International | | | 3,338,774 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | $2,971,391 | | | | $2,957,350 | | | | $14,041 | |
SELL | | CAD | | UBS AG | | | 6,061,104 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 5,391,751 | | | | 5,368,680 | | | | 23,071 | |
SELL | | DKK | | Barclays Bank PLC | | | 1,747,494 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 295,785 | | | | 294,352 | | | | 1,433 | |
SELL | | DKK | | UBS AG | | | 1,747,494 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 295,759 | | | | 294,352 | | | | 1,407 | |
SELL | | EUR | | Credit Suisse Group | | | 22,401,643 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 28,305,484 | | | | 28,085,096 | | | | 220,388 | |
SELL | | EUR | | Goldman Sachs International | | | 521,256 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 657,645 | | | | 653,502 | | | | 4,143 | |
SELL | | GBP | | Goldman Sachs International | | | 879,180 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 1,417,997 | | | | 1,405,668 | | | | 12,329 | |
SELL | | JPY | | Goldman Sachs International | | | 183,457,000 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 1,639,941 | | | | 1,634,671 | | | | 5,270 | |
SELL | | JPY | | JPMorgan Chase Bank | | | 612,121,866 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 5,538,783 | | | | 5,454,235 | | | | 84,548 | |
SELL | | MXN | | UBS AG | | | 8,971,258 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 663,555 | | | | 663,542 | | | | 13 | |
SELL | | NOK | | Deutsche Bank AG | | | 36,540,000 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 5,534,016 | | | | 5,404,936 | | | | 129,080 | |
SELL | | NZD | | JPMorgan Chase Bank | | | 7,498,811 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 5,817,000 | | | | 5,806,794 | | | | 10,206 | |
SELL | | SEK | | Goldman Sachs International | | | 42,123,221 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 5,825,104 | | | | 5,705,403 | | | | 119,701 | |
BUY | | ZAR | | JPMorgan Chase Bank | | | 12,998,933 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 1,143,425 | | | | 1,164,889 | | | | 21,464 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $751,989 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liability Derivatives | | | | | | | |
SELL | | AUD | | Westpac Banking Corp. | | | 9,345,299 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | $8,087,374 | | | | $8,184,705 | | | | $(97,331 | ) |
BUY | | BRL | | Citibank N.A. | | | 15,328,875 | | | | 12/02/14 | | | | 6,150,000 | | | | 6,133,038 | | | | (16,962 | ) |
SELL | | CHF | | UBS AG | | | 1,130,000 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 1,171,293 | | | | 1,175,249 | | | | (3,956 | ) |
BUY | | CZK | | Barclays Bank PLC | | | 12,895,000 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 594,193 | | | | 581,310 | | | | (12,883 | ) |
BUY | | EUR | | Barclays Bank PLC | | | 8,500,114 | | | | 12/18/14 | | | | 11,013,768 | | | | 10,654,989 | | | | (358,779 | ) |
30
Portfolio of Investments – continued
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts at 10/31/14 - continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Type | | Currency | | Counter- party | | Contracts to Deliver/ Receive | | | Settlement Date Range | | | In Exchange For | | | Contracts at Value | | | Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Liability Derivatives - continued | | | | | | | |
BUY | | EUR | | Goldman Sachs International | | | 1,400,000 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | $1,774,720 | | | | $1,755,190 | | | | $(19,530 | ) |
BUY | | GBP | | Credit Suisse Group | | | 2,372,809 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 3,799,994 | | | | 3,793,745 | | | | (6,249 | ) |
BUY | | GBP | | Merrill Lynch International | | | 1,907,809 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 3,054,393 | | | | 3,050,284 | | | | (4,109 | ) |
SELL | | GBP | | Barclays Bank PLC | | | 2,626,047 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 4,174,134 | | | | 4,198,631 | | | | (24,497 | ) |
BUY | | ILS | | Goldman Sachs International | | | 554,000 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 149,322 | | | | 145,850 | | | | (3,472 | ) |
BUY | | ILS | | JPMorgan Chase Bank | | | 1,848,000 | | | | 11/17/14 | | | | 505,494 | | | | 486,286 | | | | (19,208 | ) |
BUY | | INR | | Barclays Bank PLC | | | 151,814,000 | | | | 11/21/14 | | | | 2,481,026 | | | | 2,463,597 | | | | (17,429 | ) |
BUY | | INR | | JPMorgan Chase Bank | | | 185,548,000 | | | | 11/28/14 | | | | 3,022,447 | | | | 3,006,639 | | | | (15,808 | ) |
BUY | | JPY | | Credit Suisse Group | | | 220,000,000 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 2,036,549 | | | | 1,960,283 | | | | (76,266 | ) |
BUY | | JPY | | Deutsche Bank AG | | | 1,568,130,628 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 14,499,785 | | | | 13,972,632 | | | | (527,153 | ) |
BUY | | KRW | | JPMorgan Chase Bank | | | 6,618,049,000 | | | | 12/16/14 | | | | 6,198,997 | | | | 6,182,032 | | | | (16,965 | ) |
BUY | | MYR | | Barclays Bank PLC | | | 3,549,863 | | | | 11/07/14 | | | | 1,083,332 | | | | 1,078,972 | | | | (4,360 | ) |
BUY | | NOK | | JPMorgan Chase Bank | | | 33,090,246 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 5,102,464 | | | | 4,894,654 | | | | (207,810 | ) |
SELL | | NZD | | Westpac Banking Corp. | | | 7,556,380 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 5,847,354 | | | | 5,851,373 | | | | (4,019 | ) |
BUY | | PLN | | Goldman Sachs International | | | 4,070,803 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 1,231,871 | | | | 1,204,719 | | | | (27,152 | ) |
BUY | | SGD | | Citibank N.A. | | | 1,036,000 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 811,293 | | | | 806,253 | | | | (5,040 | ) |
BUY | | THB | | JPMorgan Chase Bank | | | 37,630,750 | | | | 12/08/14 | | | | 1,155,026 | | | | 1,151,827 | | | | (3,199 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $(1,472,177 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
31
Portfolio of Investments – continued
Futures Contracts Outstanding at 10/31/14
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description | | Currency | | | Contracts | | | Value | | Expiration Date | | | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Liability Derivatives | | | | | |
Interest Rate Futures | | | | | |
US Treasury Note 10 yr (Short) | | | USD | | | | 36 | | | $4,548,938 | | | December - 2014 | | | | $(24,550 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At October 31, 2014, the fund had cash collateral of $770,000 and other liquid securities with an aggregate value of $50,888 to cover any commitments for certain derivative contracts. Cash collateral is comprised of “Restricted cash” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
See Notes to Financial Statements
32
Financial Statements
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
At 10/31/14
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, $1,123,276,637) | | | $1,379,854,943 | |
Underlying affiliated funds, at cost and value | | | 73,098,625 | |
Total investments, at value (identified cost, $1,196,375,262) | | | $1,452,953,568 | |
Cash | | | 16,544 | |
Restricted cash | | | 770,000 | |
Receivables for | | | | |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts | | | 751,989 | |
Daily variation margin on open futures contracts | | | 9,562 | |
Investments sold | | | 1,905,003 | |
Fund shares sold | | | 3,803,639 | |
Interest and dividends | | | 7,462,966 | |
Receivable from investment adviser | | | 92,304 | |
Total assets | | | $1,467,765,575 | |
Liabilities | | | | |
Payables for | | | | |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts | | | $1,472,177 | |
Investments purchased | | | 1,885,970 | |
TBA purchase commitments | | | 8,994,636 | |
Fund shares reacquired | | | 1,568,972 | |
Payable to affiliates | | | | |
Shareholder servicing costs | | | 811,262 | |
Distribution and service fees | | | 31,523 | |
Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation | | | 6,629 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 200,838 | |
Total liabilities | | | $14,972,007 | |
Net assets | | | $1,452,793,568 | |
Net assets consist of | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | | $1,194,328,505 | |
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | | 255,578,203 | |
Accumulated distributions in excess of net realized gain on investments and foreign currency | | | (3,256,199 | ) |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 6,143,059 | |
Net assets | | | $1,452,793,568 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding | | | 86,317,213 | |
33
Statement of Assets and Liabilities – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Net assets | | | Shares outstanding | | | Net asset value per share (a) | |
Class A | | | $772,768,730 | | | | 45,997,430 | | | | $16.80 | |
Class B | | | 66,527,852 | | | | 3,866,115 | | | | 17.21 | |
Class C | | | 308,268,967 | | | | 18,138,736 | | | | 17.00 | |
Class I | | | 193,306,985 | | | | 11,609,287 | | | | 16.65 | |
Class R1 | | | 3,517,974 | | | | 207,787 | | | | 16.93 | |
Class R2 | | | 9,812,354 | | | | 588,215 | | | | 16.68 | |
Class R3 | | | 13,576,302 | | | | 810,581 | | | | 16.75 | |
Class R4 | | | 10,042,312 | | | | 597,082 | | | | 16.82 | |
Class R5 | | | 74,972,092 | | | | 4,501,980 | | | | 16.65 | |
(a) | Maximum offering price per share was equal to the net asset value per share for all share classes, except for Class A, for which the maximum offering price per share was $17.82 [100 / 94.25 x $16.80]. On sales of $50,000 or more, the maximum offering price of Class A shares is reduced. A contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed on redemptions of Class A, Class B, and Class C shares. Redemption price per share was equal to the net asset value per share for Classes I, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5. |
See Notes to Financial Statements
34
Financial Statements
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year ended 10/31/14
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 | | | | |
Dividends | | | $27,703,698 | |
Interest | | | 14,174,448 | |
Dividends from underlying affiliated funds | | | 54,759 | |
Foreign taxes withheld | | | (998,783 | ) |
Total investment income | | | $40,934,122 | |
Expenses | | | | |
Management fee | | | $11,116,018 | |
Distribution and service fees | | | 5,403,440 | |
Shareholder servicing costs | | | 1,403,475 | |
Administrative services fee | | | 179,794 | |
Independent Trustees’ compensation | | | 25,133 | |
Custodian fee | | | 257,571 | |
Shareholder communications | | | 90,754 | |
Audit and tax fees | | | 67,597 | |
Legal fees | | | 12,086 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 231,617 | |
Total expenses | | | $18,787,485 | |
Fees paid indirectly | | | (91 | ) |
Reduction of expenses by investment adviser and distributor | | | (1,286,282 | ) |
Net expenses | | | $17,501,112 | |
Net investment income | | | $23,433,010 | |
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | |
Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis) | | | | |
Investments | | | $15,525,109 | |
Futures contracts | | | (208,045 | ) |
Foreign currency | | | 2,245,506 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | $17,562,570 | |
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Investments | | | $25,318,507 | |
Futures contracts | | | 91,451 | |
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | | (1,254,201 | ) |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency translation | | | $24,155,757 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | $41,718,327 | |
Change in net assets from operations | | | $65,151,337 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
35
Financial Statements
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
These statements describe the increases and/or decreases in net assets resulting from operations, any distributions, and any shareholder transactions.
| | | | | | | | |
| | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Change in net assets | | | | | | |
From operations | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | $23,433,010 | | | | $14,466,285 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 17,562,570 | | | | 9,109,431 | |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency translation | | | 24,155,757 | | | | 117,662,145 | |
Change in net assets from operations | | | $65,151,337 | | | | $141,237,861 | |
Distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(23,128,568 | ) | | | $(12,740,259 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (5,029,471 | ) | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(28,158,039 | ) | | | $(12,740,259 | ) |
Change in net assets from fund share transactions | | | $244,027,546 | | | | $151,346,862 | |
Total change in net assets | | | $281,020,844 | | | | $279,844,464 | |
Net assets | | | | | | | | |
At beginning of period | | | 1,171,772,724 | | | | 891,928,260 | |
At end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $6,143,059 and $3,799,648, respectively) | | | $1,452,793,568 | | | | $1,171,772,724 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
36
Financial Statements
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund’s financial performance for the past 5 years (or life of a particular share class, if shorter). 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $16.32 | | | | $14.39 | | | | $13.52 | | | | $13.31 | | | | $12.49 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.32 | | | | $0.24 | | | | $0.25 | | | | $0.26 | | | | $0.22 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 0.55 | | | | 1.91 | | | | 0.92 | | | | 0.35 | | | | 0.85 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $0.87 | | | | $2.15 | | | | $1.17 | | | | $0.61 | | | | $1.07 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.32 | ) | | | $(0.22 | ) | | | $(0.30 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) | | | $(0.25 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.07 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.39 | ) | | | $(0.22 | ) | | | $(0.30 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) | | | $(0.25 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $16.80 | | | | $16.32 | | | | $14.39 | | | | $13.52 | | | | $13.31 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(t)(x) | | | 5.41 | | | | 15.13 | | | | 8.81 | | | | 4.69 | | | | 8.71 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.27 | | | | 1.28 | | | | 1.30 | | | | 1.30 | | | | 1.33 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.17 | | | | 1.22 | | | | 1.25 | | | | 1.25 | | | | 1.25 | |
Net investment income | | | 1.93 | | | | 1.60 | | | | 1.80 | | | | 1.89 | | | | 1.71 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 23 | | | | 40 | | | | 30 | | | | 46 | | | | 66 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $772,769 | | | | $657,312 | | | | $509,475 | | | | $477,216 | | | | $466,793 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
37
Financial Highlights – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $16.70 | | | | $14.73 | | | | $13.83 | | | | $13.60 | | | | $12.76 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.20 | | | | $0.13 | | | | $0.15 | | | | $0.16 | | | | $0.12 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 0.57 | | | | 1.95 | | | | 0.94 | | | | 0.36 | | | | 0.88 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $0.77 | | | | $2.08 | | | | $1.09 | | | | $0.52 | | | | $1.00 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.19 | ) | | | $(0.11 | ) | | | $(0.19 | ) | | | $(0.29 | ) | | | $(0.16 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.07 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.26 | ) | | | $(0.11 | ) | | | $(0.19 | ) | | | $(0.29 | ) | | | $(0.16 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $17.21 | | | | $16.70 | | | | $14.73 | | | | $13.83 | | | | $13.60 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(t)(x) | | | 4.66 | | | | 14.20 | | | | 8.01 | | | | 3.94 | | | | 7.86 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 2.01 | | | | 2.03 | | | | 2.05 | | | | 2.05 | | | | 2.08 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.92 | | | | 1.97 | | | | 2.00 | | | | 2.00 | | | | 2.00 | |
Net investment income | | | 1.19 | | | | 0.86 | | | | 1.05 | | | | 1.14 | | | | 0.96 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 23 | | | | 40 | | | | 30 | | | | 46 | | | | 66 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $66,528 | | | | $64,457 | | | | $59,468 | | | | $56,479 | | | | $54,548 | |
| |
Class C | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $16.50 | | | | $14.56 | | | | $13.67 | | | | $13.45 | | | | $12.62 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.20 | | | | $0.13 | | | | $0.15 | | | | $0.16 | | | | $0.12 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 0.57 | | | | 1.92 | | | | 0.93 | | | | 0.36 | | | | 0.87 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $0.77 | | | | $2.05 | | | | $1.08 | | | | $0.52 | | | | $0.99 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.20 | ) | | | $(0.11 | ) | | | $(0.19 | ) | | | $(0.30 | ) | | | $(0.16 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.07 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.27 | ) | | | $(0.11 | ) | | | $(0.19 | ) | | | $(0.30 | ) | | | $(0.16 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $17.00 | | | | $16.50 | | | | $14.56 | | | | $13.67 | | | | $13.45 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(t)(x) | | | 4.70 | | | | 14.19 | | | | 8.05 | | | | 3.92 | | | | 7.88 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 2.02 | | | | 2.03 | | | | 2.05 | | | | 2.05 | | | | 2.08 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.92 | | | | 1.97 | | | | 2.00 | | | | 2.00 | | | | 2.00 | |
Net investment income | | | 1.17 | | | | 0.85 | | | | 1.05 | | | | 1.14 | | | | 0.96 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 23 | | | | 40 | | | | 30 | | | | 46 | | | | 66 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $308,269 | | | | $245,944 | | | | $186,974 | | | | $171,596 | | | | $170,189 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
38
Financial Highlights – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $16.17 | | | | $14.27 | | | | $13.41 | | | | $13.20 | | | | $12.39 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.35 | | | | $0.28 | | | | $0.27 | | | | $0.29 | | | | $0.25 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 0.56 | | | | 1.88 | | | | 0.92 | | | | 0.35 | | | | 0.85 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $0.91 | | | | $2.16 | | | | $1.19 | | | | $0.64 | | | | $1.10 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.36 | ) | | | $(0.26 | ) | | | $(0.33 | ) | | | $(0.43 | ) | | | $(0.29 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.07 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.43 | ) | | | $(0.26 | ) | | | $(0.33 | ) | | | $(0.43 | ) | | | $(0.29 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $16.65 | | | | $16.17 | | | | $14.27 | | | | $13.41 | | | | $13.20 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 5.72 | | | | 15.33 | | | | 9.08 | | | | 5.00 | | | | 8.97 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.02 | | | | 1.03 | | | | 1.06 | | | | 1.05 | | | | 1.08 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 0.92 | | | | 0.97 | | | | 1.00 | | | | 1.00 | | | | 1.00 | |
Net investment income | | | 2.14 | | | | 1.84 | | | | 2.00 | | | | 2.17 | | | | 1.97 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 23 | | | | 40 | | | | 30 | | | | 46 | | | | 66 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $193,307 | | | | $108,175 | | | | $67,970 | | | | $26,765 | | | | $13,801 | |
| |
Class R1 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $16.44 | | | | $14.50 | | | | $13.62 | | | | $13.40 | | | | $12.58 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.20 | | | | $0.13 | | | | $0.15 | | | | $0.15 | | | | $0.12 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 0.56 | | | | 1.92 | | | | 0.92 | | | | 0.37 | | | | 0.86 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $0.76 | | | | $2.05 | | | | $1.07 | | | | $0.52 | | | | $0.98 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.20 | ) | | | $(0.11 | ) | | | $(0.19 | ) | | | $(0.30 | ) | | | $(0.16 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.07 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.27 | ) | | | $(0.11 | ) | | | $(0.19 | ) | | | $(0.30 | ) | | | $(0.16 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $16.93 | | | | $16.44 | | | | $14.50 | | | | $13.62 | | | | $13.40 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 4.63 | | | | 14.26 | | | | 8.01 | | | | 3.95 | | | | 7.83 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 2.01 | | | | 2.03 | | | | 2.05 | | | | 2.05 | | | | 2.08 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.92 | | | | 1.97 | | | | 2.00 | | | | 2.00 | | | | 2.00 | |
Net investment income | | | 1.18 | | | | 0.87 | | | | 1.05 | | | | 1.13 | | | | 0.97 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 23 | | | | 40 | | | | 30 | | | | 46 | | | | 66 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $3,518 | | | | $3,613 | | | | $3,124 | | | | $3,126 | | | | $3,042 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
39
Financial Highlights – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R2 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $16.20 | | | | $14.29 | | | | $13.43 | | | | $13.22 | | | | $12.41 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.28 | | | | $0.21 | | | | $0.21 | | | | $0.22 | | | | $0.19 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 0.55 | | | | 1.88 | | | | 0.92 | | | | 0.36 | | | | 0.84 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $0.83 | | | | $2.09 | | | | $1.13 | | | | $0.58 | | | | $1.03 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.28 | ) | | | $(0.18 | ) | | | $(0.27 | ) | | | $(0.37 | ) | | | $(0.22 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.07 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.35 | ) | | | $(0.18 | ) | | | $(0.27 | ) | | | $(0.37 | ) | | | $(0.22 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $16.68 | | | | $16.20 | | | | $14.29 | | | | $13.43 | | | | $13.22 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 5.16 | | | | 14.79 | | | | 8.55 | | | | 4.46 | | | | 8.39 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.51 | | | | 1.53 | | | | 1.56 | | | | 1.55 | | | | 1.58 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.42 | | | | 1.47 | | | | 1.50 | | | | 1.50 | | | | 1.50 | |
Net investment income | | | 1.69 | | | | 1.38 | | | | 1.54 | | | | 1.64 | | | | 1.48 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 23 | | | | 40 | | | | 30 | | | | 46 | | | | 66 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $9,812 | | | | $10,528 | | | | $8,438 | | | | $5,687 | | | | $4,738 | |
| |
Class R3 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $16.27 | | | | $14.35 | | | | $13.48 | | | | $13.27 | | | | $12.46 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.32 | | | | $0.24 | | | | $0.24 | | | | $0.25 | | | | $0.21 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 0.55 | | | | 1.90 | | | | 0.93 | | | | 0.36 | | | | 0.85 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $0.87 | | | | $2.14 | | | | $1.17 | | | | $0.61 | | | | $1.06 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.32 | ) | | | $(0.22 | ) | | | $(0.30 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) | | | $(0.25 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.07 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.39 | ) | | | $(0.22 | ) | | | $(0.30 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) | | | $(0.25 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $16.75 | | | | $16.27 | | | | $14.35 | | | | $13.48 | | | | $13.27 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 5.42 | | | | 15.10 | | | | 8.84 | | | | 4.72 | | | | 8.65 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.27 | | | | 1.28 | | | | 1.31 | | | | 1.30 | | | | 1.33 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.17 | | | | 1.22 | | | | 1.25 | | | | 1.25 | | | | 1.25 | |
Net investment income | | | 1.93 | | | | 1.59 | | | | 1.77 | | | | 1.87 | | | | 1.70 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 23 | | | | 40 | | | | 30 | | | | 46 | | | | 66 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $13,576 | | | | $12,423 | | | | $9,575 | | | | $6,308 | | | | $5,223 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
40
Financial Highlights – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R4 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $16.33 | | | | $14.41 | | | | $13.52 | | | | $13.30 | | | | $12.49 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.36 | | | | $0.27 | | | | $0.30 | | | | $0.29 | | | | $0.25 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 0.56 | | | | 1.91 | | | | 0.90 | | | | 0.36 | | | | 0.85 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $0.92 | | | | $2.18 | | | | $1.20 | | | | $0.65 | | | | $1.10 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.36 | ) | | | $(0.26 | ) | | | $(0.31 | ) | | | $(0.43 | ) | | | $(0.29 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.07 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.43 | ) | | | $(0.26 | ) | | | $(0.31 | ) | | | $(0.43 | ) | | | $(0.29 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $16.82 | | | | $16.33 | | | | $14.41 | | | | $13.52 | | | | $13.30 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 5.72 | | | | 15.32 | | | | 9.06 | | | | 5.04 | | | | 8.90 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.02 | | | | 1.04 | | | | 1.05 | | | | 1.05 | | | | 1.08 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 0.92 | | | | 0.97 | | | | 1.00 | | | | 1.00 | | | | 1.00 | |
Net investment income | | | 2.14 | | | | 1.77 | | | | 2.19 | | | | 2.16 | | | | 1.98 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 23 | | | | 40 | | | | 30 | | | | 46 | | | | 66 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $10,042 | | | | $7,938 | | | | $2,642 | | | | $32,383 | | | | $26,752 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R5 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 (i) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $16.18 | | | | $14.27 | | | | $13.29 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.37 | | | | $0.29 | | | | $0.07 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 0.55 | | | | 1.89 | | | | 1.01 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $0.92 | | | | $2.18 | | | | $1.08 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.38 | ) | | | $(0.27 | ) | | | $(0.10 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.07 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(0.45 | ) | | | $(0.27 | ) | | | $(0.10 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $16.65 | | | | $16.18 | | | | $14.27 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 5.73 | | | | 15.49 | | | | 8.16 | (n) |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 0.93 | | | | 0.94 | | | | 1.00 | (a) |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 0.83 | | | | 0.88 | | | | 0.94 | (a) |
Net investment income | | | 2.25 | | | | 1.95 | | | | 1.24 | (a) |
Portfolio turnover | | | 23 | | | | 40 | | | | 30 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $74,972 | | | | $61,383 | | | | $44,263 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
41
Financial Highlights – continued
(d) | Per share data is based on average shares outstanding. |
(f) | Ratios do not reflect reductions from fees paid indirectly, if applicable. |
(i) | For the period from the class inception, June 1, 2012, through the stated period end. |
(r) | Certain expenses have been reduced without which performance would have been lower. |
(s) | From time to time the fund may receive proceeds from litigation settlements, without which performance would be lower. |
(t) | Total returns do not include any applicable sales charges. |
(x) | The net asset values per share and total returns have been calculated on net assets which include adjustments made in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles required at period end for financial reporting purposes. |
See Notes to Financial Statements
42
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Business and Organization
MFS Global Total Return Fund (the fund) is a diversified series of MFS Series Trust VI (the trust). The trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company.
The fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies.
(2) Significant Accounting Policies
General – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the preparation of these financial statements, management has evaluated subsequent events occurring after the date of the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities through the date that the financial statements were issued. The fund invests in foreign securities. Investments in foreign securities are vulnerable to the effects of changes in the relative values of the local currency and the U.S. dollar and to the effects of changes in each country’s legal, political, and economic environment.
In June 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860) – Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures (“ASU 2014-11”). ASU 2014-11 changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions (i.e., repurchase agreements that settle at the same time as the maturity of the transferred financial asset) and enhances the required disclosures for repurchase agreements and other similar transactions. Although still evaluating the potential impacts of ASU 2014-11 to the fund, management expects that the impact of the fund’s adoption will be limited to additional financial statement disclosures which would first be effective for interim reporting periods beginning after March 15, 2015.
Balance Sheet Offsetting – The fund’s accounting policy with respect to balance sheet offsetting is that, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement does not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the fund and the applicable counterparty. The fund’s right to setoff may be restricted or prohibited by the bankruptcy or insolvency laws of the particular jurisdiction to which a specific master netting agreement counterparty is subject. Balance sheet offsetting disclosures, to the extent applicable to the fund, have been included in the fund’s Significant Accounting Policies note under the captions for each of the fund’s in-scope financial instruments and transactions.
43
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
Investment Valuations – Equity securities, including restricted equity securities, are generally valued at the last sale or official closing price as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market or exchange on which they are primarily traded. Equity securities, for which there were no sales reported that day, are generally valued at the last quoted daily bid quotation as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market or exchange on which such securities are primarily traded. Debt instruments and floating rate loans, including restricted debt instruments, are generally valued at an evaluated or composite bid as provided by a third-party pricing service. Short-term instruments with a maturity at issuance of 60 days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. 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 exchange contracts are generally valued at the mean of bid and asked prices for the time period interpolated from rates provided by a third-party pricing service for proximate time periods. Open-end investment companies are generally valued at net asset value per share. Securities and other assets generally valued on the basis of information from a third-party pricing service may also be valued at a broker/dealer bid quotation. Values obtained from third-party pricing services can utilize both transaction data and market information such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data. The values of foreign securities and other assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars using the mean of bid and asked prices for rates provided by a third-party pricing service.
The Board of Trustees has delegated primary responsibility for determining or causing to be determined the value of the fund’s investments (including any fair valuation) to the adviser pursuant to valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board. If the adviser determines that reliable market quotations are not readily available, investments are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the adviser in accordance with such procedures under the oversight of the Board of Trustees. Under the fund’s valuation policies and procedures, market quotations are not considered to be readily available for most types of debt instruments and floating rate loans and many types of derivatives. These investments are generally valued at fair value based on information from third-party pricing services. In addition, investments may be valued at fair value if the adviser determines that an investment’s value has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the investment is principally traded (such as foreign exchange or market) and prior to the determination of the fund’s net asset value, or after the halting of trading of a specific security where trading does not resume prior to the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded. Events that occur on a frequent basis after foreign markets close (such as developments in foreign markets and significant movements in the U.S. markets) and prior to the determination of the fund’s net asset value may be deemed to have a material effect on the value of securities traded in foreign markets. Accordingly, the fund’s foreign equity securities may often be valued at fair value. The adviser generally relies on third-party pricing services or other information (such as the
44
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
correlation with price movements of similar securities in the same or other markets; the type, cost and investment characteristics of the security; the business and financial condition of the issuer; and trading and other market data) to assist in determining whether to fair value and at what value to fair value an investment. The value of an investment for purposes of calculating the fund’s net asset value can differ depending on the source and method used to determine value. When fair valuation is used, the value of an investment used to determine the fund’s net asset value may differ from quoted or published prices for the same investment. There can be no assurance that the fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it were to sell the investment at the same time at which the fund determines its net asset value per share.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s assets or liabilities. These inputs are categorized into three broad levels. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of 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 contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
45
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
The following is a summary of the levels used as of October 31, 2014 in valuing the fund’s assets or liabilities:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments at Value | | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Equity Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States | | | $451,649,853 | | | | $— | | | | $— | | | | $451,649,853 | |
Japan | | | — | | | | 106,064,826 | | | | — | | | | 106,064,826 | |
United Kingdom | | | 91,372,323 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 91,372,323 | |
Switzerland | | | 59,952,372 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 59,952,372 | |
France | | | 35,511,297 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 35,511,297 | |
Germany | | | 34,873,652 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 34,873,652 | |
Canada | | | 18,198,310 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 18,198,310 | |
Netherlands | | | 18,002,863 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 18,002,863 | |
Sweden | | | 10,045,115 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 10,045,115 | |
Other Countries | | | 25,124,444 | | | | 9,807,175 | | | | — | | | | 34,931,619 | |
U.S. Treasury Bonds & U.S. Government Agency & Equivalents | | | — | | | | 35,259,190 | | | | — | | | | 35,259,190 | |
Non-U.S. Sovereign Debt | | | — | | | | 304,011,568 | | | | — | | | | 304,011,568 | |
U.S. Corporate Bonds | | | — | | | | 68,404,831 | | | | — | | | | 68,404,831 | |
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | — | | | | 39,664,662 | | | | — | | | | 39,664,662 | |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | — | | | | 10,407,506 | | | | — | | | | 10,407,506 | |
Asset-Backed Securities (including CDOs) | | | — | | | | 4,135,008 | | | | — | | | | 4,135,008 | |
Foreign Bonds | | | — | | | | 57,369,948 | | | | — | | | | 57,369,948 | |
Mutual Funds | | | 73,098,625 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 73,098,625 | |
Total Investments | | | $817,828,854 | | | | $635,124,714 | | | | $— | | | | $1,452,953,568 | |
| | | | |
Other Financial Instruments | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Futures Contracts | | | $(24,550 | ) | | | $— | | | | $— | | | | $(24,550 | ) |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts | | | — | | | | (720,188 | ) | | | — | | | | (720,188 | ) |
For further information regarding security characteristics, see the Portfolio of Investments.
Of the level 2 investments presented above, equity investments amounting to $115,872,001 would have been considered level 1 investments at the beginning of the period. Of the level 1 investments presented above, equity investments amounting to $6,388,163 would have been considered level 2 investments at the beginning of the period. The primary reason for changes in the classifications between levels 1 and 2 occurs when foreign equity securities are fair valued using other observable market-based inputs in place of the closing exchange price due to events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the investment is principally traded. The fund’s foreign equity securities may often be valued at fair value. The fund’s policy is to recognize transfers between the levels as of the end of the period.
46
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
Foreign Currency Translation – Purchases and sales of foreign investments, income, and expenses are converted into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions or on the reporting date for foreign denominated receivables and payables. Gains and losses attributable to foreign currency exchange rates on sales of securities are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. Gains and losses attributable to foreign exchange rate movements on receivables, payables, income and expenses are recorded for financial statement purposes as foreign currency transaction gains and losses. That portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.
Derivatives – The fund uses derivatives for different purposes, primarily to increase or decrease exposure to a particular market or segment of the market, or security, to increase or decrease interest rate or currency exposure, or as alternatives to direct investments. Derivatives are used for hedging or non-hedging purposes. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains. When the fund uses derivatives as an investment to increase market exposure, or for hedging purposes, gains and losses from derivative instruments may be substantially greater than the derivative’s original cost.
The derivative instruments used by the fund were futures contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The fund’s period end derivatives, as presented in the Portfolio of Investments and the associated Derivative Contract tables, generally are indicative of the volume of its derivative activity during the period.
The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the fair value, on a gross basis, of the asset and liability components of derivatives held by the fund at October 31, 2014 as reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Fair Value (a) | |
Risk | | Derivative Contracts | | Asset Derivatives | | | Liability Derivatives | |
Interest Rate | | Interest Rate Futures | | | $— | | | | $(24,550 | ) |
Foreign Exchange | | Forward Foreign Currency Exchange | | | 751,989 | | | | (1,472,177 | ) |
Total | | | | | $751,989 | | | | $(1,496,727 | ) |
(a) | The value of futures contracts and cleared swap agreements includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the fund’s Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day variation margin for futures contracts is separately reported within the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the realized gain (loss) on derivatives held by the fund for the year ended October 31, 2014 as reported in the Statement of Operations:
| | | | | | | | |
Risk | | Futures Contracts | | | Foreign Currency | |
Interest Rate | | | $(208,045 | ) | | | $— | |
Foreign Exchange | | | — | | | | 2,438,981 | |
Total | | | $(208,045 | ) | | | $2,438,981 | |
47
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives held by the fund for the year ended October 31, 2014 as reported in the Statement of Operations:
| | | | | | | | |
Risk | | Futures Contracts | | | Translation of Assets and Liabilities in Foreign Currencies | |
Interest Rate | | | $91,451 | | | | $— | |
Foreign Exchange | | | — | | | | (961,905 | ) |
Total | | | $91,451 | | | | $(961,905 | ) |
Derivative counterparty credit risk is managed through formal evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counterparties. On certain, but not all, over-the-counter derivatives, the fund attempts to reduce its exposure to counterparty credit risk whenever possible by entering into an ISDA Master Agreement on a bilateral basis 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. Upon an event of default or a termination of the ISDA Master Agreement, the non-defaulting party has the right to close out all transactions traded under such agreement and to net amounts owed under each transaction to one net amount payable by one party to the other. This right to close out and net payments across all transactions traded under the ISDA Master Agreement could result in a reduction of the fund’s credit risk to such counterparty equal to any amounts payable by the fund under the applicable transactions, if any. The fund’s right to setoff may be restricted or prohibited by the bankruptcy or insolvency laws of the particular jurisdiction to which a specific ISDA counterparty is subject.
Collateral and margin requirements differ by type of derivative. Margin requirements are set by the broker or clearing house for cleared derivatives (i.e., futures contracts, cleared swaps, and exchange-traded options) while collateral terms are contract specific for over-the-counter traded derivatives (i.e., forward foreign currency exchange contracts, uncleared swap agreements, 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 that has been segregated to cover the fund’s collateral or margin obligations under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as “Restricted cash”. Securities pledged as collateral or margin for the same purpose, if any, are noted in the Portfolio of Investments.
Futures Contracts – The fund entered into futures contracts which may be used to hedge against or obtain broad market exposure, interest rate exposure, currency exposure, or to manage duration. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.
48
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
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 contracts 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 contracts 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 entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a fixed price on a future date. These contracts may be used to hedge the fund’s currency risk or for non-hedging purposes. For hedging purposes, the fund may enter into contracts to deliver or receive foreign currency that the fund will receive from or use in its normal investment activities. The fund may also use contracts to hedge against declines in the value of foreign currency denominated securities due to unfavorable exchange rate movements. For non-hedging purposes, the fund may enter into contracts with the intent of changing the relative exposure of the fund’s portfolio of securities to different currencies to take advantage of anticipated exchange rate changes.
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any unrealized gains or losses are recorded as a receivable or payable for forward foreign currency exchange contracts until the contract settlement date. On contract settlement date, any gain or loss on the contract is recorded as realized gains or losses on foreign currency.
Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from unanticipated movements in the value of the contract and from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. Generally, the fund’s maximum risk due to counterparty credit risk is the unrealized gain on the contract due to the use of Continuous Linked Settlement, an industry accepted settlement system. This risk is mitigated in cases where there is an ISDA Master Agreement between the fund and the counterparty providing for netting as described above and for posting of collateral by the counterparty to the fund to cover the fund’s exposure to the counterparty under such ISDA Master Agreement.
Security Loans – Under its Securities Lending Agency Agreement with the fund, JPMorgan Chase and Co. (“Chase”), as lending agent, loans the securities of the fund to certain qualified institutions (the “Borrowers”) approved by the fund. The loans are collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Treasury and federal agency obligations in an amount typically at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. On loans
49
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
collateralized by cash, the cash collateral is invested in a money market fund. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the fund on the next business day. Chase provides the fund with indemnification against Borrower default. In the event of Borrower default, Chase will for the benefit of the fund either purchase securities identical to those loaned or, when such purchase is commercially impracticable, pay the fund the market value of the loaned securities. In return, Chase assumes the fund’s rights to the related collateral. If the collateral value is less than the cost to purchase identical securities, Chase is responsible for the shortfall, but only to the extent that such shortfall is not due to a decline in collateral value resulting from collateral reinvestment for which the fund bears the risk of loss. A portion of the income generated upon investment of the collateral is remitted to the Borrowers, and the remainder is allocated between the fund and the lending agent. On loans collateralized by U.S. Treasury and/or federal agency obligations, a fee is received from the Borrower, and is allocated between the fund and the lending agent. Income from securities lending is included in “Interest” income in the Statement of Operations. The dividend and interest income earned on the securities loaned is accounted for in the same manner as other dividend and interest income. At October 31, 2014, there were no securities on loan or collateral outstanding.
Dollar Roll Transactions – The fund enters into dollar roll transactions, with respect to mortgage-backed securities issued by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, in which the fund sells mortgage backed securities to financial institutions and simultaneously agrees to purchase similar (same issuer, type and coupon) securities at a later date at an agreed-upon price. During the period between the sale and repurchase in a dollar roll transaction the fund will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold but is compensated by interest earned on the proceeds of the initial sale and by a lower purchase price on the securities to be repurchased which enhances the fund’s total return. The fund accounts for dollar roll transactions as purchases and sales and realizes gains and losses on these transactions.
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. 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.
50
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
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.
The fund purchased or sold debt securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, or in a “To Be Announced” (TBA) or “forward commitment” transaction with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time a fund enters into a commitment to purchase or sell a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the security acquired is reflected in the fund’s net asset value. The price of such security and the date that the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations. TBA securities resulting from these transactions are included in the Portfolio of Investments. TBA purchase (sale) commitments are held at carrying amount, which approximates fair value and are categorized as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. No interest accrues to the fund until payment takes place. At the time that a fund enters into this type of transaction, the fund is required to have sufficient cash and/or liquid securities to cover its commitments. Losses may arise due to changes in the value of the underlying securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract’s terms, or if the issuer does not issue the securities due to political, economic or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to declines in the value of the securities prior to settlement date.
To mitigate this risk of loss on TBA securities and other types of forward settling mortgage-backed securities, the fund whenever possible enters into a Master Securities Forward Transaction Agreement (“MSFTA”) on a bilateral basis with each of the counterparties with whom it undertakes a significant volume of transactions. The MSFTA gives each party to the agreement the right to terminate all transactions traded under such agreement if there is a certain deterioration in the credit quality of the other party. Upon an event of default or a termination of the MSFTA, the non-defaulting party has the right to close out all transactions traded under such agreement and to net amounts owed under each transaction to one net amount payable by one party to the other. This right to close out and net payments across all transactions traded under the MSFTA 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.
For mortgage-backed securities traded under a MSFTA, the collateral and margining requirements are contract specific. Collateral amounts across all transactions traded under such agreement are netted and one amount is posted from one party to the other to collateralize such obligations. Cash that has been pledged to cover the fund’s collateral or margin obligations under a MSFTA, if any, will be reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as restricted cash. Securities pledged as collateral or margin for the same purpose, if any, are noted in the Portfolio of Investments.
51
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
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 year ended October 31, 2014, is shown as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations.
Tax Matters and Distributions – The fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company, as defined under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including realized capital gains. As a result, no provision for federal income tax is required. The fund’s federal tax returns, when filed, will remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a three year period. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken on federal and state tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability. Foreign taxes, if any, have been accrued by the fund in the accompanying financial statements in accordance with the applicable foreign tax law. Foreign income taxes may be withheld by certain countries in which the fund invests. Additionally, capital gains realized by the fund on securities issued in or by certain foreign countries may be subject to capital gains tax imposed by those countries.
Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. 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, passive foreign investment companies, wash sale loss deferrals, straddle loss deferrals, derivative transactions and treating a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as a distribution for tax purposes.
The tax character of distributions declared to shareholders for the last two fiscal years is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 10/31/14 | | | 10/31/13 | |
Ordinary income (including any short-term capital gains) | | | $23,128,568 | | | | $12,740,259 | |
Long-term capital gains | | | 5,029,471 | | | | — | |
Total distributions | | | $28,158,039 | | | | $12,740,259 | |
52
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
The federal tax cost and the tax basis components of distributable earnings were as follows:
| | | | |
As of 10/31/14 | | | |
Cost of investments | | | $1,213,546,038 | |
Gross appreciation | | | 264,831,854 | |
Gross depreciation | | | (25,424,324 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | $239,407,530 | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | | 11,741,263 | |
Undistributed long-term capital gain | | | 14,552,612 | |
Other temporary differences | | | (7,236,342 | ) |
Multiple Classes of Shares of Beneficial Interest – The fund offers multiple classes of shares, which differ in their respective distribution and service fees. The fund’s income, realized and unrealized gain (loss), and common expenses are allocated to shareholders based on the daily net assets of each class. Dividends are declared separately for each class. Differences in per share dividend rates are generally due to differences in separate class expenses. Class B shares will convert to Class A shares approximately eight years after purchase. The fund’s distributions declared to shareholders as reported in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets are presented by class as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | From net investment income | | | From net realized gain on investments | |
| | Year ended 10/31/14 | | | Year ended 10/31/13 | | | Year ended 10/31/14 | | | Year ended 10/31/13 | |
Class A | | | $13,928,723 | | | | $8,126,701 | | | | $2,833,860 | | | | $— | |
Class B | | | 747,446 | | | | 428,412 | | | | 267,205 | | | | — | |
Class C | | | 3,208,700 | | | | 1,428,041 | | | | 1,049,903 | | | | — | |
Class I | | | 3,060,675 | | | | 1,368,635 | | | | 469,212 | | | | — | |
Class R1 | | | 41,617 | | | | 25,757 | | | | 14,227 | | | | — | |
Class R2 | | | 171,283 | | | | 109,187 | | | | 44,914 | | | | — | |
Class R3 | | | 254,280 | | | | 149,861 | | | | 53,083 | | | | — | |
Class R4 | | | 196,389 | | | | 72,033 | | | | 33,990 | | | | — | |
Class R5 | | | 1,519,455 | | | | 1,031,632 | | | | 263,077 | | | | — | |
Total | | | $23,128,568 | | | | $12,740,259 | | | | $5,029,471 | | | | $— | |
(3) Transactions with Affiliates
Investment Adviser – The fund has an investment advisory agreement with MFS to provide overall investment management and related administrative services and facilities to the fund. The management fee is computed daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.84 % of the fund’s average daily net assets.
The investment adviser has agreed in writing to reduce its management fee to 0.75% of average daily net assets in excess of $500 million up to $1.0 billion and 0.70% of average daily net assets in excess of $1.0 billion. This written agreement was terminated on July 31, 2014. For the period November 1, 2013 through July 31, 2014, this management fee reduction amounted to $640,965, which is included in the reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations. Effective August 1, 2014,
53
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
the investment adviser has agreed in writing to reduce its management fee to 0.75% of average daily net assets in excess of $500 million up to $1.0 billion, 0.70% of average daily net asset in excess of $1.0 billion up to $2.5 billion, and 0.65% of average daily net assets in excess of $2.5 billion. This written agreement will continue until modified by the fund’s Board of Trustees, but such agreement will continue at least until February 29, 2016. For the period August 1, 2014 through October 31, 2014, this management fee reduction amounted to $261,711, which is included in the reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations. MFS has also agreed in writing to reduce its management fee by a specified amount if certain MFS mutual fund assets exceed thresholds agreed to by MFS and the fund’s Board of Trustees. For the year ended October 31, 2014, this management fee reduction amounted to $53,611, which is included in the reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations. The management fee incurred for the year ended October 31, 2014 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.77% of the fund’s average daily net assets.
Prior to August 1, 2014, the investment adviser had agreed in writing to pay a portion of the fund’s total annual operating expenses, exclusive of interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage and transaction costs, and investment-related expenses such that total fund operating expenses did not exceed the following rates annually of each class’s average daily net assets:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Classes | |
A | | | B | | | C | | | I | | | R1 | | | R2 | | | R3 | | | R4 | | | R5 | |
| 1.20% | | | | 1.95% | | | | 1.95% | | | | 0.95% | | | | 1.95% | | | | 1.45% | | | | 1.20% | | | | 0.95% | | | | 0.89% | |
This written agreement was terminated on July 31, 2014. For the period November 1, 2013 through July 31, 2014, the fund’s actual operating expenses did not exceed the limit and therefore, the investment adviser did not pay any portion of the fund’s expenses related to this agreement. Effective August 1, 2014, the investment adviser has agreed in writing to pay a portion of the fund’s total annual operating expenses, exclusive of interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage and transaction costs, and investment-related expenses, such that total fund operating expenses do not exceed the following rates annually of each class’s average daily net assets:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Classes | |
A | | | B | | | C | | | I | | | R1 | | | R2 | | | R3 | | | R4 | | | R5 | |
| 1.13% | | | | 1.88% | | | | 1.88% | | | | 0.88% | | | | 1.88% | | | | 1.38% | | | | 1.13% | | | | 0.88% | | | | 0.82% | |
This written agreement will continue until modified by the fund’s Board of Trustees, but such agreement will continue at least until February 29, 2016. For the period August 1, 2014 through October 31, 2014, this reduction amounted to $303,001 and is included in the reduction of total expenses on the Statement of Operations.
Distributor – MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. (MFD), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MFS, as distributor, received $712,138 for the year ended October 31, 2014, as its portion of the initial sales charge on sales of Class A shares of the fund.
The Board of Trustees has adopted a distribution plan for certain share classes pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
The fund’s distribution plan provides that the fund will pay MFD for services provided by MFD and financial intermediaries in connection with the distribution and servicing of certain share classes. One component of the plan is a distribution fee paid to MFD and
54
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
another component of the plan is a service fee paid to MFD. MFD may subsequently pay all, or a portion, of the distribution and/or service fees to financial intermediaries.
Distribution Plan Fee Table:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Distribution
Fee Rate (d) | | | Service Fee Rate (d) | | | Total Distribution Plan (d) | | | Annual Effective Rate (e) | | | Distribution and Service Fee | |
Class A | | | — | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | $1,823,742 | |
Class B | | | 0.75% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 668,863 | |
Class C | | | 0.75% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 2,789,620 | |
Class R1 | | | 0.75% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 36,185 | |
Class R2 | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.50% | | | | 0.50% | | | | 51,834 | |
Class R3 | | | — | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 33,196 | |
Total Distribution and Service Fees | | | | $5,403,440 | |
(d) | In accordance with the distribution plan for certain classes, the fund pays distribution and/or service fees equal to these annual percentage rates of each class’s average daily net assets. The distribution and service fee rates disclosed by class represent the current rates in effect at the end of the reporting period. Any rate changes, if applicable, are detailed below. |
(e) | The annual effective rates represent actual fees incurred under the distribution plan for the year ended October 31, 2014 based on each class’s average daily net assets. MFD has voluntarily agreed to rebate a portion of each class’s 0.25% service fee attributable to accounts for which MFD retains the 0.25% service fee except for accounts attributable to MFS or its affiliates’ seed money. For the year ended October 31, 2014, this rebate amounted to $24,266, $88, $323, and $1 for Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class R1, respectively, and is included in the reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations. |
Certain Class A shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) in the event of a shareholder redemption within 18 months of purchase for shares purchased on or after August 1, 2012, and within 24 months of purchase for shares purchased prior to August 1, 2012. Class C shares are subject to a CDSC in the event of a shareholder redemption within 12 months of purchase. Class B shares are subject to a CDSC in the event of a shareholder redemption within six years of purchase. All contingent deferred sales charges are paid to MFD and during the year ended October 31, 2014, were as follows:
| | | | |
| | Amount | |
Class A | | | $5,913 | |
Class B | | | 93,937 | |
Class C | | | 43,432 | |
Shareholder Servicing Agent – MFS Service Center, Inc. (MFSC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MFS, receives a fee from the fund for its services as shareholder servicing agent calculated as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the fund as determined periodically under the supervision of the fund’s Board of Trustees. For the year ended October 31, 2014, the fee was $213,268, which equated to 0.0161% annually of the fund’s average daily net assets. MFSC also receives payment from the fund for out-of-pocket expenses, sub-accounting and other shareholder servicing costs which may be paid to affiliated and unaffiliated service providers. Class R5 shares do not incur sub-accounting fees. For the year ended October 31, 2014, these out-of-pocket expenses, sub-accounting and other shareholder servicing costs amounted to $1,190,207.
55
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
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 year ended October 31, 2014 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0136% of the fund’s average daily net assets.
Trustees’ and Officers’ Compensation – The fund pays compensation to independent Trustees in the form of a retainer, attendance fees, and additional compensation to Board and Committee chairpersons. The fund does not pay compensation directly to Trustees or officers of the fund who are also officers of the investment adviser, all of whom receive remuneration for their services to the fund from MFS. Certain officers and Trustees of the fund are officers or directors of MFS, MFD, and MFSC.
Prior to December 31, 2001, the fund had an unfunded defined benefit plan (“DB plan”) for independent Trustees. As of December 31, 2001, the Board took action to terminate the DB plan with respect to then-current and any future independent Trustees, such that the DB plan covers only certain of those former independent Trustees who retired on or before December 31, 2001. Effective January 1, 2002, accrued benefits under the DB plan for then-current independent Trustees who continued were credited to an unfunded retirement deferral plan (the “Retirement Deferral plan”), which was established for and exists solely with respect to these credited amounts, and is not available for other deferrals by these or other independent Trustees. Although the Retirement Deferral plan is unfunded, amounts deferred under the plan are periodically adjusted for investment experience as if they had been invested in shares of the fund. The DB plan resulted in a pension expense of $264 and the Retirement Deferral plan resulted in an expense of $1,244. Both amounts are included in independent Trustees’ compensation for the year ended October 31, 2014. The liability for deferred retirement benefits payable to certain independent Trustees under both plans amounted to $6,618 at October 31, 2014, and is included in “Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Other – This fund and certain other funds managed by MFS (the funds) have entered into 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 funds can terminate the Agreements with Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC at any time under the terms of the Agreements. Frank L. Tarantino serves as the ICCO and is an officer of the funds and the sole member of Tarantino LLC. Prior to June 1, 2014, Robyn L. Griffin served as the Assistant ICCO and was an officer of the funds. Ms. Griffin is the sole member of Griffin Compliance LLC. Effective May 31, 2014, Ms. Griffin resigned as Assistant ICCO and the service agreement between the funds and Griffin Compliance LLC was terminated. For the year ended October 31, 2014, the aggregate fees paid by the fund to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC were $6,322 and are included in “Miscellaneous” expense in the Statement of Operations. MFS has agreed to reimburse the fund for a portion of
56
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
the payments made by the fund in the amount of $2,316, which is included in the 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. On October 31, 2014, Mr. Tarantino resigned as ICCO and the service agreement between the funds and Tarantino LLC for the services of an ICCO was terminated. Effective November 1, 2014, the funds entered into a service agreement which provides for payment of fees solely by the funds to Tarantino LLC in return for the provision of services of an Independent Senior Officer (ISO). Additionally, MFS has agreed to bear all expenses associated with office space, other administrative support, and supplies provided to the ISO.
The fund invests in the MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio which is managed by MFS and seeks current income consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity. Income earned on this investment is included in “Dividends from underlying affiliated funds” in the Statement of Operations. This money market fund does not pay a management fee to MFS.
(4) Portfolio Securities
For the year ended October 31, 2014, purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases | | | Sales | |
U.S. Government securities | | | $90,953,323 | | | | $76,944,324 | |
Investments (non-U.S. Government securities) | | | $394,257,164 | | | | $207,210,047 | |
(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. Transactions in fund shares were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year ended 10/31/14 | | | Year ended 10/31/13 | |
| | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
Shares sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 11,417,119 | | | | $189,955,986 | | | | 11,377,278 | | | | $174,246,232 | |
Class B | | | 688,540 | | | | 11,730,803 | | | | 592,789 | | | | 9,310,563 | |
Class C | | | 5,430,252 | | | | 91,589,691 | | | | 3,791,698 | | | | 59,141,255 | |
Class I | | | 6,514,945 | | | | 107,777,684 | | | | 3,102,545 | | | | 47,101,357 | |
Class R1 | | | 37,495 | | | | 632,111 | | | | 67,568 | | | | 1,018,489 | |
Class R2 | | | 235,435 | | | | 3,900,357 | | | | 359,477 | | | | 5,386,621 | |
Class R3 | | | 148,102 | | | | 2,451,388 | | | | 186,936 | | | | 2,854,769 | |
Class R4 | | | 286,824 | | | | 4,807,766 | | | | 380,396 | | | | 5,850,910 | |
Class R5 | | | 1,211,880 | | | | 20,214,508 | | | | 1,567,146 | | | | 23,023,585 | |
| | | 25,970,592 | | | | $433,060,294 | | | | 21,425,833 | | | | $327,933,781 | |
57
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year ended 10/31/14 | | | Year ended 10/31/13 | |
| | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 947,166 | | | | $15,642,842 | | | | 501,766 | | | | $7,424,684 | |
Class B | | | 50,573 | | | | 852,438 | | | | 24,152 | | | | 357,818 | |
Class C | | | 190,475 | | | | 3,176,064 | | | | 69,254 | | | | 1,014,909 | |
Class I | | | 156,082 | | | | 2,562,571 | | | | 65,855 | | | | 970,730 | |
Class R1 | | | 3,358 | | | | 55,749 | | | | 1,764 | | | | 25,757 | |
Class R2 | | | 6,928 | | | | 113,454 | | | | 4,000 | | | | 58,589 | |
Class R3 | | | 18,674 | | | | 307,363 | | | | 10,155 | | | | 149,861 | |
Class R4 | | | 11,631 | | | | 192,521 | | | | 4,397 | | | | 65,745 | |
Class R5 | | | 108,853 | | | | 1,782,531 | | | | 70,153 | | | | 1,031,632 | |
| | | 1,493,740 | | | | $24,685,533 | | | | 751,496 | | | | $11,099,725 | |
| | | | |
Shares reacquired | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (6,654,074 | ) | | | $(111,036,032 | ) | | | (6,992,791 | ) | | | $(106,295,273 | ) |
Class B | | | (732,667 | ) | | | (12,498,870 | ) | | | (795,396 | ) | | | (12,377,878 | ) |
Class C | | | (2,384,622 | ) | | | (40,205,097 | ) | | | (1,801,269 | ) | | | (27,650,238 | ) |
Class I | | | (1,749,781 | ) | | | (28,765,191 | ) | | | (1,243,985 | ) | | | (18,888,682 | ) |
Class R1 | | | (52,839 | ) | | | (880,083 | ) | | | (64,991 | ) | | | (987,619 | ) |
Class R2 | | | (303,991 | ) | | | (5,059,774 | ) | | | (304,092 | ) | | | (4,575,695 | ) |
Class R3 | | | (119,927 | ) | | | (1,992,813 | ) | | | (100,605 | ) | | | (1,504,359 | ) |
Class R4 | | | (187,413 | ) | | | (3,129,743 | ) | | | (82,092 | ) | | | (1,259,260 | ) |
Class R5 | | | (613,493 | ) | | | (10,150,678 | ) | | | (944,730 | ) | | | (14,147,640 | ) |
| | | (12,798,807 | ) | | | $(213,718,281 | ) | | | (12,329,951 | ) | | | $(187,686,644 | ) |
| | | | |
Net change | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 5,710,211 | | | | $94,562,796 | | | | 4,886,253 | | | | $75,375,643 | |
Class B | | | 6,446 | | | | 84,371 | | | | (178,455 | ) | | | (2,709,497 | ) |
Class C | | | 3,236,105 | | | | 54,560,658 | | | | 2,059,683 | | | | 32,505,926 | |
Class I | | | 4,921,246 | | | | 81,575,064 | | | | 1,924,415 | | | | 29,183,405 | |
Class R1 | | | (11,986 | ) | | | (192,223 | ) | | | 4,341 | | | | 56,627 | |
Class R2 | | | (61,628 | ) | | | (1,045,963 | ) | | | 59,385 | | | | 869,515 | |
Class R3 | | | 46,849 | | | | 765,938 | | | | 96,486 | | | | 1,500,271 | |
Class R4 | | | 111,042 | | | | 1,870,544 | | | | 302,701 | | | | 4,657,395 | |
Class R5 | | | 707,240 | | | | 11,846,361 | | | | 692,569 | | | | 9,907,577 | |
| | | 14,665,525 | | | | $244,027,546 | | | | 9,847,378 | | | | $151,346,862 | |
(6) Line of Credit
The fund and certain other funds managed by MFS participate in a $1.1 billion unsecured committed line of credit, subject to a $1 billion sublimit, provided by a syndication of banks under a credit agreement. Borrowings may be made for temporary financing needs. Interest is charged to each fund, based on its borrowings, generally at a rate equal to the higher of the Federal Reserve funds rate or one month LIBOR plus an agreed upon spread. A commitment fee, based on the average daily, unused portion of the committed line of credit, is allocated among the participating
58
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
funds at the end of each calendar quarter. In addition, the fund and other funds managed by MFS have established unsecured uncommitted borrowing arrangements with certain banks for temporary financing needs. Interest is charged to each fund, based on its borrowings, at a rate equal to the Federal Reserve funds rate plus an agreed upon spread. For the year ended October 31, 2014, the fund’s commitment fee and interest expense were $4,937 and $0, respectively, and are included in “Miscellaneous” expense in the Statement of Operations.
(7) Transactions in Underlying Affiliated Funds-Affiliated Issuers
An affiliated issuer may be considered one in which the fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common control. For the purposes of this report, the fund assumes the following to be an affiliated issuer:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Underlying Affiliated Fund | | Beginning Shares/Par Amount | | | Acquisitions Shares/Par Amount | | | Dispositions Shares/Par Amount | | | Ending Shares/Par Amount | |
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio | | | 28,296,047 | | | | 280,701,678 | | | | (235,899,100 | ) | | | 73,098,625 | |
| | | | |
Underlying Affiliated Fund | | Realized Gain (Loss) | | | Capital Gain Distributions | | | Dividend Income | | | Ending Value | |
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio | | | $— | | | | $— | | | | $54,759 | | | | $73,098,625 | |
59
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Trustees of MFS Series Trust VI and Shareholders of MFS Global Total Return Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of MFS Global Total Return Fund (the Fund) (one of the series constituting MFS Series Trust VI) as of October 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MFS Global Total Return Fund (one of the series constituting MFS Series Trust VI) at October 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808073ernst_youngllp.jpg)
Boston, Massachusetts
December 18, 2014
60
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS — IDENTIFICATION AND BACKGROUND
The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, as of December 1, 2014, are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. (Their titles may have varied during that period.) The address of each Trustee and Officer is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7618.
| | | | | | | | |
Name, Age | | Position(s) Held with Fund | | Trustee/Officer Since (h) | | Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years | | Other Directorships (j) |
INTERESTED TRUSTEES |
Robert J. Manning (k) (age 51) | | Trustee | | February 2004 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director; President (until 2009); Chief Investment Officer (until 2010) | | N/A |
Robin A. Stelmach (k) (age 53) | | Trustee and President | | January 2014 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | | N/A |
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES | | |
David H. Gunning (age 72) | | Trustee and Chair of Trustees | | January 2004 | | Private investor | | Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (welding equipment manufacturer), Director; Development Alternatives, Inc. (consulting), Director/Non-Executive Chairman |
Steven E. Buller (age 63) | | Trustee | | February 2014 | | Chairman, Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council; Standing Advisory Group, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, Member; BlackRock, Inc. (investment management), Managing Director (until 2014), BlackRock Finco UK(investment management), Director (until 2014) | | N/A |
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Trustees and Officers – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Name, Age | | Position(s) Held with Fund | | Trustee/Officer Since (h) | | Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years | | Other Directorships (j) |
Robert E. Butler (age 73) | | Trustee | | January 2006 | | Consultant – investment company industry regulatory and compliance matters | | N/A |
Maureen R. Goldfarb (age 59) | | Trustee | | January 2009 | | Private investor | | N/A |
William R. Gutow (age 73) | | Trustee | | December 1993 | | Private investor and real estate consultant; Capitol Entertainment Management Company (video franchise), Vice Chairman | | Texas Donuts (donut franchise), Vice Chairman (until 2010) |
Michael Hegarty (age 69) | | Trustee | | December 2004 | | Private investor | | Brookfield Office Properties, Inc. (real estate), Director; Rouse Properties Inc. (real estate), Director; Capmark Financial Group Inc. (real estate), Director |
John P. Kavanaugh (age 60) | | Trustee | | January 2009 | | Private investor | | N/A |
Maryanne L. Roepke (age 58) | | Trustee | | May 2014 | | American Century Investments (investment management), Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (until 2014) | | N/A |
Laurie J. Thomsen (age 57) | | Trustee | | March 2005 | | Private investor; New Profit, Inc. (venture philanthropy), Executive Partner (until 2010) | | The Travelers Companies (insurance), Director |
Robert W. Uek (age 73) | | Trustee | | January 2006 | | Consultant to investment company industry | | N/A |
OFFICERS |
Christopher R. Bohane (k) (age 40) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | July 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel | | N/A |
Kino Clark (k) (age 46) | | Assistant Treasurer | | January 2012 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President | | N/A |
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Trustees and Officers – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Name, Age | | Position(s) Held with Fund | | Trustee/Officer Since (h) | | Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years | | Other Directorships (j) |
Thomas H. Connors (k) (age 55) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | September 2012 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel; Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (financial service provider), Director and Senior Counsel (until 2012) | | N/A |
Ethan D. Corey (k) (age 51) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | July 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel | | N/A |
David L. DiLorenzo (k) (age 46) | | Treasurer | | July 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President | | N/A |
Timothy M. Fagan (k) (age 46) | | Chief Compliance Officer | | November 2014 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chief Compliance Officer; Vice President and Senior Counsel (until 2012) | | N/A |
Brian E. Langenfeld (k) (age 41) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | June 2006 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel | | N/A |
Susan S. Newton (k) (age 64) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | May 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel | | N/A |
Susan A. Pereira (k) (age 44) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | July 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel | | N/A |
Kasey L. Phillips (k) (age 43) | | Assistant Treasurer | | September 2012 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President; Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Senior Vice President, Fund Treasurer (until 2012) | | N/A |
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Trustees and Officers – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Name, Age | | Position(s) Held with Fund | | Trustee/Officer Since (h) | | Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years | | Other Directorships (j) |
Mark N. Polebaum (k) (age 62) | | Secretary and Clerk | | January 2006 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | | N/A |
Matthew A. Stowe (k) (age 40) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | October 2014 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel | | N/A |
Frank L. Tarantino (age 70) | | Independent Senior Officer | | June 2004 | | Tarantino LLC (provider of compliance services), Principal | | N/A |
Richard S. Weitzel (k) (age 44) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | October 2007 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel | | N/A |
James O. Yost (k) (age 54) | | Deputy Treasurer | | September 1990 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President | | N/A |
(h) | Date first appointed to serve as Trustee/officer of an MFS Fund. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise. For the period from December 15, 2004 until February 22, 2005, Mr. Manning served as Advisory Trustee. Prior to January 2012, Messrs. DiLorenzo and Yost served as Assistant Treasurers of the Funds. Ms. Stelmach was appointed as President of the Funds as of October 1, 2014. |
(j) | Directorships or trusteeships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (i.e., “public companies”). |
(k) | “Interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (referred to as the 1940 Act), which is the principal federal law governing investment companies like the fund, as a result of position with MFS. The address of MFS is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7618. |
Each Trustee (except Ms. Stelmach, Mr. Buller and Ms. Roepke) has been elected by shareholders and each Trustee and officer holds office until his or her successor is chosen and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal. The Trust does not hold annual meetings for the purpose of electing Trustees, and Trustees are not elected for fixed terms. Messrs. Butler, Kavanaugh, Uek and Mses. Thomsen and Roepke are members of the Trust’s Audit Committee.
Each of the Fund’s Trustees and officers holds comparable positions with certain other funds of which MFS or a subsidiary is the investment adviser or distributor, and, in the case of the officers, with certain affiliates of MFS. As of January 1, 2014, the Trustees served as board members of 142 funds within the MFS Family of Funds.
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Trustees and Officers – continued
The Statement of Additional Information for the Fund includes further information about the Trustees and is available without charge upon request by calling 1-800-225-2606.
| | |
Investment Adviser | | Custodian |
Massachusetts Financial Services Company 111 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02199-7618 | | JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA 4 Metrotech Center New York, NY 11245 |
Distributor | | Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. 111 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02199-7618 | | Ernst & Young LLP 200 Clarendon Street Boston, MA 02116 |
Portfolio Managers | | |
Nevin Chitkara Pablo De La Mata Pilar Gomez-Bravo Steven Gorham Richard Hawkins Robert Persons Benjamin Stone Erik Weisman Barnaby Wiener | | |
65
BOARD REVIEW OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The Investment Company Act of 1940 requires that both the full Board of Trustees and a majority of the non-interested (“independent”) Trustees, voting separately, annually approve the continuation of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with MFS. The Trustees consider matters bearing on the Fund and its advisory arrangements at their meetings throughout the year, including a review of performance data at each regular meeting. In addition, the independent Trustees met several times over the course of three months beginning in May and ending in July, 2014 (“contract review meetings”) for the specific purpose of considering whether to approve the continuation of the investment advisory agreement for the Fund and the other investment companies that the Board oversees (the “MFS Funds”). The independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately from MFS during various contract review meetings. The independent Trustees were also assisted in this process by the MFS Funds’ Independent Chief Compliance Officer, a full-time senior officer appointed by and reporting to the independent Trustees.
In connection with their deliberations regarding the continuation of the investment advisory agreement, the Trustees, including the independent Trustees, considered such information and factors as they believed, in light of the legal advice furnished to them and their own business judgment, to be relevant. The investment advisory agreement for the Fund was considered separately, although the Trustees also took into account the common interests of all MFS Funds in their review. As described below, the Trustees considered the nature, quality, and extent of the various investment advisory, administrative, and shareholder services performed by MFS under the existing investment advisory agreement and other arrangements with the Fund.
In connection with their contract review meetings, the Trustees received and relied upon materials that included, among other items: (i) information provided by Lipper Inc., an independent third party, on the investment performance of the Fund for various time periods ended December 31, 2013 and the investment performance of a group of funds with substantially similar investment classifications/objectives (the “Lipper performance universe”), (ii) information provided by Lipper Inc. on the Fund’s advisory fees and other expenses and the advisory fees and other expenses of comparable funds identified by Lipper Inc. (the “Lipper expense group”), (iii) information provided by MFS on the advisory fees of comparable portfolios of other clients of MFS, including institutional separate accounts and other clients, (iv) information as to whether and to what extent applicable expense waivers, reimbursements or fee “breakpoints” are observed for the Fund, (v) information regarding MFS’ financial results and financial condition, including MFS’ and certain of its affiliates’ estimated profitability from services performed for the Fund and the MFS Funds as a whole, and compared to MFS’ institutional business, (vi) MFS’ views regarding the outlook for the mutual fund industry and the strategic business plans of MFS, (vii) descriptions of various functions performed by MFS for the Funds, such as compliance monitoring and portfolio trading practices, and (viii) information regarding the overall organization of MFS, including information about MFS’ senior management and other personnel providing investment advisory, administrative and other services to
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Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued
the Fund and the other MFS Funds. The comparative performance, fee and expense information prepared and provided by Lipper Inc. was not independently verified and the independent Trustees did not independently verify any information provided to them by MFS.
The Trustees’ conclusion as to the continuation of the investment advisory agreement was based on a comprehensive consideration of all information provided to the Trustees and not the result of any single factor. Some of the factors that figured particularly in the Trustees’ deliberations are described below, although individual Trustees may have evaluated the information presented differently from one another, giving different weights to various factors. It is also important to recognize that the fee arrangements for the Fund and other MFS Funds are the result of years of review and discussion between the independent Trustees and MFS, that certain aspects of such arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than in others, and that the Trustees’ conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of these same arrangements during the course of the year and in prior years.
Based on information provided by Lipper Inc. and MFS, the Trustees reviewed the Fund’s total return investment performance as well as the performance of peer groups of funds over various time periods. The Trustees placed particular emphasis on the total return performance of the Fund’s Class A shares in comparison to the performance of funds in its Lipper performance universe over the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, which the Trustees believed was a long enough period to reflect differing market conditions. The total return performance of the Fund’s Class A shares was in the 2nd quintile relative to the other funds in the universe for this three-year period (the 1st quintile being the best performers and the 5th quintile being the worst performers). The total return performance of the Fund’s Class A shares was in the 2nd quintile for the one-year period and the 5th quintile for the five-year period ended December 31, 2013 relative to the Lipper performance universe. Because of the passage of time, these performance results may differ from the performance results for more recent periods, including those shown elsewhere in this report.
In addition to considering the performance information provided in connection with the contract review meetings, the Trustees noted that, in light of the Fund’s substandard relative performance at the time of their contract review meetings in 2013, they had met at each of their regular meetings since then with MFS’ senior investment management personnel to discuss the Fund’s performance and MFS’ efforts to improve the Fund’s performance. The Trustees further noted that the Fund’s performance relative to the Lipper performance universe improved for the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, as compared to the prior year. Taking this information into account, the Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the investment advisory agreement, that they were satisfied with MFS’ responses and efforts relating to investment performance.
In assessing the reasonableness of the Fund’s advisory fee, the Trustees considered, among other information, the Fund’s advisory fee and the total expense ratio of the Fund’s Class A shares as a percentage of average daily net assets and the advisory fee and total expense ratios of peer groups of funds based on information provided by Lipper Inc. The Trustees considered that MFS currently observes an expense limitation for the Fund, and that MFS has agreed to further reduce such expense limitation for
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Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued
the Fund, which may not be changed without the Trustees’ approval. The Trustees also considered that, according to the Lipper data (which takes into account any fee reductions or expense limitations that were in effect during the Fund’s last fiscal year), the Fund’s effective advisory fee rate and total expense ratio were each higher than the Lipper expense group median.
The Trustees also considered the advisory fees charged by MFS to any comparable institutional accounts. In comparing these fees, the Trustees considered information provided by MFS as to the generally broader scope of services provided by MFS to the Fund in comparison to institutional accounts, the higher demands placed on MFS’ investment personnel and trading infrastructure as a result of the daily cash in-flows and out-flows of the Fund, and the impact on MFS and expenses associated with the more extensive regulatory regime to which the Fund is subject in comparison to institutional accounts.
The Trustees also considered whether the Fund may benefit from any economies of scale in the management of the Fund in the event of growth in assets of the Fund and/or growth in assets of the MFS Funds as a whole. They noted that MFS has agreed in writing to reduce its advisory fee rate on the Fund’s average daily net assets over $500 million and $1 billion, and that MFS has agreed in writing to implement an additional breakpoint that reduces its advisory fee rate on the Fund’s average daily net assets over $2.5 billion, each of which may not be changed without the Trustees’ approval. The Trustees also noted that MFS has agreed in writing to waive a portion of the management fees of certain MFS Funds, including the Fund, if the total combined assets of certain funds within the MFS Funds’ complex increase above agreed upon thresholds (the “group fee waiver”), enabling the Fund’s shareholders to share in the benefits from any economies of scale at the complex level. The group fee waiver is reviewed and renewed annually between the Board and MFS. The Trustees concluded that the breakpoints and the group fee waiver were sufficient to allow the Fund to benefit from economies of scale as its assets and overall complex assets grow.
The Trustees also considered information prepared by MFS relating to MFS’ costs and profits with respect to the Fund, the MFS Funds considered as a group, and other investment companies and accounts advised by MFS, as well as MFS’ methodologies used to determine and allocate its costs to the MFS Funds, the Fund and other accounts and products for purposes of estimating profitability.
After reviewing these and other factors described herein, the Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the investment advisory agreement, that the advisory fees charged to the Fund represent reasonable compensation in light of the services being provided by MFS to the Fund.
In addition, the Trustees considered MFS’ resources and related efforts to continue to retain, attract and motivate capable personnel to serve the Fund. The Trustees also considered current and developing conditions in the financial services industry, including the presence of large and well-capitalized companies which are spending, and appear to be prepared to continue to spend, substantial sums to engage personnel and to provide services to competing investment companies. In this regard, the Trustees also considered the financial resources of MFS and its ultimate parent, Sun Life
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Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued
Financial Inc. The Trustees also considered the advantages and possible disadvantages to the Fund of having an adviser that also serves other investment companies as well as other accounts.
The Trustees also considered the nature, quality, cost, and extent of administrative, transfer agency, and distribution services provided to the Fund by MFS and its affiliates under agreements and plans other than the investment advisory agreement, including any 12b-1 fees the Fund pays to MFS Fund Distributors, Inc., an affiliate of MFS. The Trustees also considered the nature, extent and quality of certain other services MFS performs or arranges for on the Fund’s behalf, which may include securities lending programs, directed expense payment programs, class action recovery programs, and MFS’ interaction with third-party service providers, principally custodians and sub-custodians. The Trustees concluded that the various non-advisory services provided by MFS and its affiliates on behalf of the Fund were satisfactory.
The Trustees also considered benefits to MFS from the use of the Fund’s portfolio brokerage commissions, if applicable, to pay for investment research and various other factors. Additionally, the Trustees considered so-called “fall-out benefits” to MFS such as reputational value derived from serving as investment manager to the Fund.
Based on their evaluation of factors that they deemed to be material, including those factors described above, the Board of Trustees, including the independent Trustees, concluded that the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with MFS should be continued for an additional one-year period, commencing August 1, 2014.
69
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND INFORMATION
MFS votes proxies on behalf of the fund pursuant to proxy voting policies and procedures that are available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-225-2606, by visiting the Proxy Voting section of mfs.com or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
Information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge by visiting the Proxy Voting section of mfs.com or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO DISCLOSURE
The fund will file a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. A shareholder can obtain the quarterly portfolio holdings report at mfs.com. The fund’s Form N-Q is also available on the EDGAR database on the Commission’s Internet Web site at http://www.sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the:
Public Reference Room
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE, Room 1580
Washington, D.C. 20549
Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. Copies of the fund’s Form N-Q also may be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the Public Reference Section at the above address.
FURTHER INFORMATION
From time to time, MFS may post important information about the fund or the MFS funds on the MFS web site (mfs.com). This information is available by visiting the “Market Commentary” and “Announcements” sub sections in the “Market Outlooks” section of mfs.com or by clicking on the fund’s name under “Mutual Funds” in the “Products” section of mfs.com.
FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)
The fund will notify shareholders of amounts for use in preparing 2014 income tax forms in January 2015. The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
The fund designates the maximum amount allowable as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at the same rate as long-term capital gain.
The fund designates $7,529,000 as capital gain dividends paid during the fiscal year.
For corporate shareholders, 37.13% of the ordinary income dividends paid during the fiscal year qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction.
70
rev. 3/11
| | | | |
| | |
FACTS | | WHAT DOES MFS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? | | ![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808073logo_07.jpg) |
| | |
Why? | | Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. |
| | |
What? | | The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include: • Social Security number and account balances • Account transactions and transaction history • Checking account information and wire transfer instructions When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice. |
| | |
How? | | All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons MFS chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. |
| | | | |
Reasons we can share your personal information | | Does MFS share? | | Can you limit this sharing? |
For our everyday business purposes – such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus | | Yes | | No |
For our marketing purposes – to offer our products and services to you | | No | | We don’t share |
For joint marketing with other financial companies | | No | | We don’t share |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your transactions and experiences | | No | | We don’t share |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness | | No | | We don’t share |
For nonaffiliates to market to you | | No | | We don’t share |
| | |
Questions? | | Call 800-225-2606 or go to mfs.com. |
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| | |
Who we are |
Who is providing this notice? | | MFS Funds, MFS Investment Management, MFS Institutional Advisors, Inc., MFS Fund Distributors, Inc., MFS Heritage Trust Company, and MFS Service Center, Inc. |
| | |
What we do |
How does MFS protect my personal information? | | To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include procedural, electronic, and physical safeguards for the protection of the personal information we collect about you. |
How does MFS collect my personal information? | | We collect your personal information, for example, when you •open an account or provide account information •direct us to buy securities or direct us to sell your securities •make a wire transfer We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates and other companies. |
Why can’t I limit all sharing? | | Federal law gives you the right to limit only •sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness •affiliates from using your information to market to you •sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. |
| | |
Definitions |
Affiliates | | Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. •MFS does not share personal information with affiliates, except for everyday business purposes as described on page one of this notice. |
Nonaffiliates | | Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. •MFS does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. |
Joint Marketing | | A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. •MFS doesn’t jointly market. |
| | |
Other important information |
If you own an MFS product or receive an MFS service in the name of a third party such as a bank or broker-dealer, their privacy policy may apply to you instead of ours. |
72
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CONTACT
WEB SITE
mfs.com
MFS TALK
1-800-637-8255
24 hours a day
ACCOUNT SERVICE AND LITERATURE
Shareholders
1-800-225-2606
Financial advisors
1-800-343-2829
Retirement plan services
1-800-637-1255
MAILING ADDRESS
MFS Service Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 55824
Boston, MA 02205-5824
OVERNIGHT MAIL
MFS Service Center, Inc.
c/o Boston Financial Data Services
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021-2809
ANNUAL REPORT
October 31, 2014
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808079logo_05.jpg)
MFS® UTILITIES FUND
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808079art_03.jpg)
MMU-ANN
MFS® UTILITIES FUND
CONTENTS
The report is prepared for the general information of shareholders.
It is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.
NOT FDIC INSURED Ÿ MAY LOSE VALUE Ÿ NO BANK GUARANTEE
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808079manning_photo.jpg)
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND CEO
Dear Shareholders:
The U.S. economy stands on much firmer ground than the rest of the world, expanding at an annualized pace of more than 3%. The U.S. Federal Reserve has ended its “QE3”
bond-purchasing program as the labor market has regained momentum amid other positive indicators. Improved consumer confidence and falling gasoline prices are expected to continue propelling demand for products and services heading into the end of the year.
In contrast, all other major economic regions continue to struggle. The eurozone economy is barely expanding, and deflation threatens the bloc. The European Central Bank has made several attempts to stimulate the region’s economy, but has so far held back from large-scale asset purchases, including government bonds.
Japan continues to try to strengthen its economy. After making early progress at ending deflation and stimulating growth last year, the country hit a setback last spring when the sales tax increase was introduced, causing the need for recent additional monetary stimulus. China continues to struggle, and its growth rate is projected to continue to slow as it transitions to a more sustainable economy.
As always, active risk management is integral to how we at MFS® manage your investments. We use a collaborative process, sharing insights across asset classes, regions and economic sectors. Our global investment team uses a diversified, multidisciplined, long-term approach.
We understand that these are challenging economic times. Applying proven principles, such as asset allocation and diversification, can best serve investors over the long term. We are confident that this approach can help you as you work with your financial advisors to reach your goals in the years ahead.
Respectfully,
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808079manning_sig.jpg)
Robert J. Manning
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
MFS Investment Management
December 16, 2014
The opinions expressed in this letter are subject to change and may not be relied upon for investment advice. No forecasts can be guaranteed.
1
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
Portfolio structure (i)
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808079g56e13.jpg)
| | | | |
Top ten holdings (i) | | | | |
PPL Corp. | | | 3.3% | |
NextEra Energy, Inc. | | | 3.2% | |
Comcast Corp., “Special A” | | | 3.0% | |
Williams Cos., Inc. | | | 3.0% | |
NRG Energy, Inc. | | | 2.8% | |
Sempra Energy | | | 2.5% | |
Kinder Morgan, Inc. | | | 2.4% | |
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. | | | 2.2% | |
Calpine Corp. | | | 2.1% | |
Exelon Corp. | | | 2.0% | |
| | | | |
Top five industries (i) | | | | |
Utilities-Electric Power | | | 47.5% | |
Natural Gas-Pipeline | | | 12.6% | |
Cable TV | | | 8.6% | |
Telephone Services | | | 7.2% | |
Telecommunications-Wireless | | | 6.9% | |
|
Issuer country weightings (i)(x) | |
United States | | | 70.3% | |
Portugal | | | 3.7% | |
United Kingdom | | | 3.7% | |
Brazil | | | 3.2% | |
Spain | | | 2.8% | |
Italy | | | 2.3% | |
Canada | | | 2.0% | |
Netherlands | | | 1.4% | |
Russia | | | 1.3% | |
Other Countries | | | 9.3% | |
(i) | For purposes of this presentation, the components include the value of securities, and reflect the impact of the equivalent exposure of derivative positions, if any. These amounts may be negative from time to time. Equivalent exposure is a calculated amount that translates the derivative position into a reasonable approximation of the amount of the underlying asset that the portfolio would have to hold at a given point in time to have the same price sensitivity that results from the portfolio’s ownership of the derivative contract. When dealing with derivatives, equivalent exposure is a more representative measure of the potential impact of a position on portfolio performance than value. The bond component will include any accrued interest amounts. |
(x) | Represents the portfolio’s exposure to issuer countries as a percentage of a portfolio’s net assets. For purposes of this presentation, United States includes Cash & Other. |
Where the fund holds convertible bonds, these are treated as part of the equity portion of the portfolio.
Cash & Other can include cash, other assets less liabilities, offsets to derivative positions, and short-term securities.
Percentages are based on net assets as of 10/31/14.
The | portfolio is actively managed and current holdings may be different. |
2
MANAGEMENT REVIEW
Summary of Results
For the twelve months ended October 31, 2014, Class A shares of the MFS Utilities Fund (“fund”) provided a total return of 14.99%, at net asset value. This compares with a return of 17.27% for the fund’s benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index, and a return of 21.89% for the fund’s other benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Utilities Index.
Market Environment
Prior to the reporting period, the decision by the US Federal Reserve (“Fed”) to postpone the tapering of its quantitative easing (“QE”) program surprised markets. Favorable market reactions were tempered, however, by tense negotiations over US fiscal policy which resulted in a 16-day partial shutdown of the federal government (from October 1 through 16, 2013) and a short-term extension in the debt ceiling. The volatility was short-lived, however, as an extension of budget and debt ceiling deadlines allowed the government to re-open, and subsequent economic data reflected moderate but resilient US growth. Also well-received was the decision by the European Central Bank (“ECB”) to cut its policy rate as inflation pressures waned in the region. In addition, equity investors appeared to have concluded that there would be no major change in US monetary policy as a result of the nomination of Janet Yellen as the new Fed Chair for a term beginning in early 2014 and that tapering would have no major impact on the trajectory.
As the period progressed, financial markets were forced to contend with a series of positive and negative return episodes. Geopolitical tensions flared in the Middle East and Russia/Ukraine. Market setbacks were short-lived, as improving economic growth in the US coupled with prospects for easier monetary policy in regions with slowing growth such as Japan, Europe and China, supported risk assets. For example, the ECB cut policy interest rates into negative territory and, by the end of the period, expectations were for additional rate cuts and the announcement for non-conventional easing measures. Similarly, the Bank of Japan surprised markets late in the period with fresh stimulus measures given lackluster growth trends and the related decline in developed market government bond yields and credit spreads were also supportive for equity markets. At the end of the period, the US equity market was trading at all-time highs.
Detractors from Performance
Stock selection in the electric power industry detracted from performance relative to the Standard & Poor’s 500 Utilities Index. Within this industry, the timing of the fund’s underweight allocation to utility services provider Exelon hampered relative results. Shares of Exelon grew steadily over the reporting period as a result of positive sentiment in gas prices which drove the stock’s performance. Additionally, holdings of integrated electric company Energias do Brasil (b) (Brazil) and electricity and natural gas provider OGE Energy (b) also hurt relative results. Shares of Energias do Brasil declined at the beginning of the calendar year after the company reported poor revenue results reflecting increased expenses and missed new contract opportunities at the company’s Pecem port location. Not holding shares of strong-performing integrated electric company Entergy also held back relative returns.
3
Management Review – continued
The fund’s out-of-benchmark exposure to both the wireless communications and telephone services industries also dampened relative results. Within the wireless communications industry, holdings of Russian telecommunications company Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (b) weighed on relative performance. Despite increased market share and a decline in operating costs, the stock failed to turn in positive performance as macroeconomic concerns over capital outflows, due to the country’s strained relationship with the Ukraine, dampened performance. Within the telephone services industry, holdings of telecommunication services providers Oi (b) (Brazil) and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (b) (Greece) also detracted from relative results. Shares of Oi depreciated steadily over the period after a mobile termination rate cut in Brazil in late February, an ongoing decline in its fixed line business and a sluggish Brazilian economy.
Elsewhere, the timing of the fund’s ownership in natural gas services provider ONEOK, and holdings of oil and natural gas company Energen (b), also detracted from relative performance.
During the reporting period, the fund’s relative currency exposure, resulting primarily from differences between the fund’s and the benchmark’s exposures to holdings of securities denominated in foreign currencies, was another detractor from relative performance. All of MFS’ investment decisions are driven by the fundamentals of each individual opportunity and as such, it is common for our portfolios to have different currency exposure than the benchmark.
Contributors to Performance
An overweight allocation to the natural gas pipeline industry boosted relative performance. The fund’s ownership of integrated natural gas company Williams Cos. (b) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals operator Cheniere Energy (b) aided relative results as both stocks outpaced the benchmark over the reporting period. The share price of Williams Cos. appreciated during the second quarter of the year after the company announced an agreement to acquire Global Infrastructure Partners’ interests in Access Midstream Partners that would rejuvenate long-term growth potential for the company.
Elsewhere, not owning shares of poor-performing diversified energy company FirstEnergy, electricity and natural gas operator Consolidated Edison and electric company Southern Company contributed to relative returns. Shares of FirstEnergy dropped early in the reporting period after management narrowed full-year guidance citing higher costs and lower capacity revenues. Additionally, holdings of cable and telecommunications company Altice S.A. (b) (Netherlands), integrated utility company EDP-Energias de Portugal (b) (Portugal) and electricity systems operator Red Electrica de Espana (b) (Spain) also aided relative performance. Shares of Altice S.A. appreciated substantially within its first few months of trading after the company floated on the Amsterdam stock exchange at the beginning of 2014. Underweight positions in
4
Management Review – continued
diversified energy companies Centerpoint Energy (h) and Dominion Resources were also among the fund’s top contributors as both stocks lagged the benchmark during the period.
Respectfully,
| | |
Claud Davis | | Maura Shaughnessy |
Portfolio Manager | | Portfolio Manager |
Note to Shareholders: Effective April 30, 2014, Claud Davis became a Portfolio Manager of the Fund.
(b) | Security is not a benchmark constituent. |
(h) | Security was not held in the portfolio at period end. |
The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio managers only through the end of the period of the report as stated on the cover and do not necessarily reflect the views of MFS or any other person in the MFS organization. These views are subject to change at any time based on market or other conditions, and MFS disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice or an indication of trading intent on behalf of any MFS portfolio. References to specific securities are not recommendations of such securities, and may not be representative of any MFS portfolio’s current or future investments.
5
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY THROUGH 10/31/14
The following chart illustrates a representative class of the fund’s historical performance in comparison to its benchmark(s). Performance results include the deduction of the maximum applicable sales charge and reflect the percentage change in net asset value, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. The performance of other share classes will be greater than or less than that of the class depicted below. Benchmarks are unmanaged and may not be invested in directly. Benchmark returns do not reflect sales charges, commissions or expenses. (See Notes to Performance Summary.)
Performance data shown represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate so your shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost; current performance may be lower or higher than quoted. The performance shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes, if any, that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
Growth of a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808079g47h27.jpg)
6
Performance Summary – continued
Total Returns through 10/31/14
Average annual without sales charge
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Share class | | Class inception date | | 1-yr | | 5-yr | | 10-yr | | Life (t) | | |
| | A | | 2/14/92 | | 14.99% | | 15.56% | | 12.97% | | N/A | | |
| | B | | 9/07/93 | | 14.15% | | 14.69% | | 12.12% | | N/A | | |
| | C | | 1/03/94 | | 14.16% | | 14.70% | | 12.12% | | N/A | | |
| | I | | 1/02/97 | | 15.28% | | 15.85% | | 13.25% | | N/A | | |
| | R1 | | 4/01/05 | | 14.18% | | 14.70% | | N/A | | 11.41% | | |
| | R2 | | 10/31/03 | | 14.74% | | 15.27% | | 12.62% | | N/A | | |
| | R3 | | 4/01/05 | | 15.00% | | 15.56% | | N/A | | 12.22% | | |
| | R4 | | 4/01/05 | | 15.26% | | 15.84% | | N/A | | 12.52% | | |
| | R5 | | 6/01/12 | | 15.42% | | N/A | | N/A | | 20.78% | | |
Comparative benchmarks | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (f) | | 17.27% | | 16.69% | | 8.20% | | N/A | | |
| | Standard & Poor’s 500 Utilities Index (f) | | 21.89% | | 14.58% | | 9.86% | | N/A | | |
Average annual with sales charge | | | | | | | | | | |
| | A
With initial Sales Charge (5.75%) | | 8.38% | | 14.20% | | 12.30% | | N/A | | |
| | B
With CDSC (Declining over six years from 4% to 0%) (v) | | 10.15% | | 14.45% | | 12.12% | | N/A | | |
| | C
With CDSC (1% for 12 months) (v) | | 13.16% | | 14.70% | | 12.12% | | N/A | | |
CDSC – Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.
Class I, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 shares do not have a sales charge.
(f) | Source: FactSet Research Systems Inc. |
(t) | For the period from the class inception date through the stated period end (for those share classes with less than 10 years of performance history). No comparative benchmark performance information is provided for “life” periods. (See Notes to Performance Summary.) |
(v) | Assuming redemption at the end of the applicable period. |
Benchmark Definitions
Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index – a market capitalization-weighted index of 500 widely held equity securities, designed to measure broad U.S. equity performance.
Standard & Poor’s 500 Utilities Index – a market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure the utilities sector, including those companies considered electric, gas or water utilities, or companies that operate as independent producers and/or distributors of power.
It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
7
Performance Summary – continued
Notes to Performance Summary
Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value for each share class for the periods presented. Life returns are presented where the share class has less than 10 years of performance history and represent the average annual total
return from the class inception date to the stated period end date. As the fund’s share classes may have different inception dates, the life returns may represent different time periods and may not be comparable. As a result, no comparative benchmark performance information is provided for life periods.
Performance results reflect any applicable expense subsidies and waivers in effect during the periods shown. Without such subsidies and waivers the fund’s performance results would be less favorable. Please see the prospectus and financial statements for complete details.
Performance results do not include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and may differ from amounts reported in the financial highlights.
From time to time the fund may receive proceeds from litigation settlements, without which performance would be lower.
8
EXPENSE TABLE
Fund expenses borne by the shareholders during the period, May 1, 2014 through October 31, 2014
As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on certain purchase or redemption payments, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period May 1, 2014 through October 31, 2014.
Actual Expenses
The first line for each share class in the following table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line for each share class in the following table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the second line for each share class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
9
Expense Table – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share Class | | | | Annualized Expense Ratio | | | Beginning Account Value 5/01/14 | | | Ending Account Value 10/31/14 | | | Expenses Paid During Period (p) 5/01/14-10/31/14 | |
A | | Actual | | | 0.96% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,042.60 | | | | $4.94 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 0.96% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,020.37 | | | | $4.89 | |
B | | Actual | | | 1.71% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,038.56 | | | | $8.79 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.71% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,016.59 | | | | $8.69 | |
C | | Actual | | | 1.71% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,038.58 | | | | $8.79 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.71% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,016.59 | | | | $8.69 | |
I | | Actual | | | 0.71% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,043.71 | | | | $3.66 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 0.71% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,021.63 | | | | $3.62 | |
R1 | | Actual | | | 1.71% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,038.64 | | | | $8.79 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.71% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,016.59 | | | | $8.69 | |
R2 | | Actual | | | 1.21% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,041.45 | | | | $6.23 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 1.21% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,019.11 | | | | $6.16 | |
R3 | | Actual | | | 0.96% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,042.62 | | | | $4.94 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 0.96% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,020.37 | | | | $4.89 | |
R4 | | Actual | | | 0.71% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,043.37 | | | | $3.66 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 0.71% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,021.63 | | | | $3.62 | |
R5 | | Actual | | | 0.63% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,044.10 | | | | $3.25 | |
| Hypothetical (h) | | | 0.63% | | | | $1,000.00 | | | | $1,022.03 | | | | $3.21 | |
(h) | 5% class return per year before expenses. |
(p) | “Expenses Paid During Period” are equal to each class’s annualized expense ratio, as shown above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses paid do not include any applicable sales charges (loads). If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher. |
10
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
10/31/14
The Portfolio of Investments is a complete list of all securities owned by your fund. It is categorized by broad-based asset classes.
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - 89.3% | | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cable TV - 8.6% | | | | | | | | |
Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad | | | 31,270,300 | | | $ | 31,372,498 | |
Charter Communications, Inc., “A” (a) | | | 397,281 | | | | 62,925,338 | |
Comcast Corp., “Special A” | | | 3,553,981 | | | | 195,966,512 | |
Liberty Global PLC, “A” (a) | | | 438,516 | | | | 19,939,323 | |
Liberty Global PLC, “C” (a) | | | 2,003,930 | | | | 89,114,767 | |
Time Warner Cable, Inc. | | | 650,301 | | | | 95,730,810 | |
Ziggo N.V. (a) | | | 1,191,441 | | | | 58,206,721 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 553,255,969 | |
Energy - Independent - 5.1% | | | | | | | | |
Access Midstream Partners LP | | | 578,921 | | | $ | 36,060,989 | |
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. | | | 585,966 | | | | 53,779,959 | |
Antero Resources Corp. (a) | | | 332,182 | | | | 17,419,624 | |
Enable Midstream Partners LP | | | 428,387 | | | | 10,349,830 | |
Energen Corp. | | | 693,922 | | | | 46,978,519 | |
EQT Corp. | | | 683,878 | | | | 64,311,887 | |
Keyera Corp. | | | 41,004 | | | | 3,261,984 | |
Markwest Energy Partners LP | | | 412,296 | | | | 28,881,335 | |
Noble Energy, Inc. | | | 567,106 | | | | 32,682,319 | |
Western Gas Equity Partners LP | | | 596,989 | | | | 36,846,161 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 330,572,607 | |
Internet - 0.5% | | | | | | | | |
Rocket Internet AG (a) | | | 533,539 | | | $ | 28,415,687 | |
| | |
Natural Gas - Distribution - 6.3% | | | | | | | | |
AGL Energy Ltd. | | | 1,404,355 | | | $ | 16,821,935 | |
China Resources Gas Group Ltd. | | | 14,990,000 | | | | 42,813,937 | |
Gas Natural SDG S.A. | | | 1,216,102 | | | | 35,066,279 | |
GDF Suez | | | 2,778,505 | | | | 67,391,856 | |
Infraestructura Energetica Nova S.A.B. de C.V. | | | 2,233,243 | | | | 13,668,533 | |
NiSource, Inc. | | | 381,748 | | | | 16,056,321 | |
Sempra Energy | | | 1,450,646 | | | | 159,571,060 | |
Snam S.p.A. | | | 6,085,708 | | | | 32,869,374 | |
Spectra Energy Corp. | | | 644,772 | | | | 25,229,928 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 409,489,223 | |
Natural Gas - Pipeline - 12.6% | | | | | | | | |
APA Group | | | 2,214,245 | | | $ | 15,382,696 | |
Cheniere Energy, Inc. (a) | | | 439,006 | | | | 32,925,450 | |
11
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - continued | | | | | | | | |
Natural Gas - Pipeline - continued | | | | | | | | |
Cone Midstream Partners LP (a) | | | 383,890 | | | $ | 11,616,511 | |
El Paso Pipeline Partners LP | | | 90,640 | | | | 3,684,516 | |
Enagas S.A. | | | 2,098,476 | | | | 70,344,614 | |
Enbridge, Inc. | | | 1,332,637 | | | | 63,058,011 | |
Energy Transfer Equity LP | | | 1,010,461 | | | | 58,970,504 | |
JP Energy Partners LP (a) | | | 885,798 | | | | 14,978,844 | |
Kinder Morgan, Inc. (l) | | | 4,025,846 | | | | 155,800,240 | |
ONEOK Partners LP | | | 444,238 | | | | 22,700,562 | |
ONEOK, Inc. | | | 1,241,090 | | | | 73,149,845 | |
Plains All American Pipeline LP | | | 268,533 | | | | 15,131,835 | |
Plains GP Holdings LP | | | 582,630 | | | | 16,709,828 | |
SemGroup Corp., “A” | | | 420,415 | | | | 32,266,851 | |
Williams Cos., Inc. | | | 3,484,942 | | | | 193,449,130 | |
Williams Partners LP | | | 706,439 | | | | 36,416,930 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 816,586,367 | |
Oil Services - 0.2% | | | | | | | | |
Halliburton Co. | | | 239,072 | | | $ | 13,182,430 | |
| | |
Telecommunications - Wireless - 6.9% | | | | | | | | |
Advanced Info Service PLC | | | 298,400 | | | $ | 2,189,671 | |
American Tower Corp., REIT | | | 851,274 | | | | 82,999,215 | |
Cellcom Israel Ltd. | | | 1,703,611 | | | | 17,240,543 | |
Idea Cellular Ltd. | | | 2,646,670 | | | | 7,074,154 | |
KDDI Corp. | | | 595,600 | | | | 38,370,573 | |
MegaFon OJSC | | | 1,226,875 | | | | 28,708,875 | |
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (a) | | | 708,390 | | | | 4,199,916 | |
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC, ADR | | | 3,604,500 | | | | 51,544,350 | |
Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. | | | 90,555 | | | | 6,304,041 | |
SBA Communications Corp. (a) | | | 677,328 | | | | 76,084,254 | |
TIM Participacoes S.A., ADR | | | 767,399 | | | | 21,118,820 | |
Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS (a) | | | 6,561,315 | | | | 38,081,103 | |
Vivendi S.A. | | | 127,814 | | | | 3,119,313 | |
Vodafone Group PLC | | | 20,186,384 | | | | 66,941,644 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 443,976,472 | |
Telephone Services - 6.8% | | | | | | | | |
Altice S.A. (a) | | | 507,848 | | | $ | 31,623,199 | |
Bezeq - The Israel Telecommunication Corp. Ltd. | | | 32,641,534 | | | | 55,373,095 | |
Com Hem Holding AB (a) | | | 6,701,850 | | | | 49,827,206 | |
Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A. (a) | | | 3,953,713 | | | | 44,640,905 | |
Oi S.A., NPV (a) | | | 13,973,395 | | | | 7,725,716 | |
PT XL Axiata Tbk | | | 36,462,000 | | | | 16,669,636 | |
12
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - continued | | | | | | | | |
Telephone Services - continued | | | | | | | | |
Quebecor, Inc., “B” | | | 1,344,680 | | | $ | 34,516,297 | |
TDC A.S. | | | 5,078,585 | | | | 38,742,434 | |
Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a) | | | 3,009,134 | | | | 3,403,234 | |
Telecom Italia S.p.A. | | | 71,488,780 | | | | 63,874,935 | |
TELUS Corp. | | | 861,376 | | | | 30,869,062 | |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | 1,261,585 | | | | 63,394,646 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 440,660,365 | |
Utilities - Electric Power - 42.3% | | | | | | | | |
Abengoa Yield PLC (a)(l) | | | 1,426,579 | | | $ | 46,363,818 | |
AES Corp. | | | 7,649,250 | | | | 107,624,948 | |
Aksa Enerji Uretim A.S. (a) | | | 15,403,849 | | | | 18,573,467 | |
ALLETE, Inc. | | | 862,638 | | | | 45,064,209 | |
Ameren Corp. | | | 827,296 | | | | 35,027,713 | |
American Electric Power Co., Inc. | | | 1,730,985 | | | | 100,985,665 | |
Calpine Corp. (a) | | | 6,064,071 | | | | 138,382,100 | |
Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Ltd. | | | 3,881,000 | | | | 28,324,997 | |
China Longyuan Electric Power Group Corp. | | | 16,822,000 | | | | 17,960,473 | |
CMS Energy Corp. | | | 3,619,425 | | | | 118,246,615 | |
Companhia Paranaense de Energia, ADR (l) | | | 1,098,533 | | | | 15,489,315 | |
Covanta Holding Corp. | | | 727,563 | | | | 16,057,315 | |
CPFL Energia S.A. | | | 4,146,653 | | | | 31,126,254 | |
Dominion Resources, Inc. | | | 1,074,816 | | | | 76,634,381 | |
Drax Group PLC | | | 4,348,403 | | | | 41,354,254 | |
DTE Energy Co. | | | 664,665 | | | | 54,608,876 | |
Dynegy, Inc. (a) | | | 3,534,629 | | | | 107,806,185 | |
Edison International | | | 877,801 | | | | 54,932,787 | |
EDP Renovaveis S.A. | | | 17,861,225 | | | | 116,032,404 | |
Enel Green Power S.p.A. | | | 2,592,772 | | | | 6,361,801 | |
Enel S.p.A | | | 7,786,634 | | | | 39,714,329 | |
Energias de Portugal S.A. | | | 28,778,763 | | | | 123,735,950 | |
Energias do Brasil S.A. | | | 11,552,823 | | | | 45,084,870 | |
Equatorial Energia S.A. | | | 1,491,631 | | | | 15,217,899 | |
Exelon Corp. | | | 3,585,449 | | | | 131,191,579 | |
Iberdrola S.A. | | | 2,542,647 | | | | 17,974,020 | |
Infinis Energy PLC | | | 3,604,069 | | | | 12,441,796 | |
ITC Holdings Corp. | | | 405,777 | | | | 16,072,827 | |
Light S.A. | | | 2,280,636 | | | | 18,729,950 | |
NextEra Energy Partners LP (a) | | | 157,138 | | | | 5,744,965 | |
NextEra Energy, Inc. | | | 2,070,286 | | | | 207,484,063 | |
Northeast Utilities | | | 1,688,887 | | | | 83,346,573 | |
NRG Energy, Inc. | | | 6,077,421 | | | | 182,201,082 | |
NRG Yield, Inc. | | | 345,274 | | | | 17,253,342 | |
OGE Energy Corp. | | | 2,926,359 | | | | 109,123,927 | |
13
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks - continued | | | | | | | | |
Utilities - Electric Power - continued | | | | | | | | |
PG&E Corp. | | | 122,745 | | | $ | 6,176,528 | |
Pinnacle West Capital Corp. | | | 798,307 | | | | 49,071,931 | |
PPL Corp. | | | 6,076,163 | | | | 212,604,943 | |
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. | | | 3,378,274 | | | | 139,556,499 | |
Red Electrica de Espana | | | 650,124 | | | | 56,735,909 | |
SSE PLC | | | 2,528,385 | | | | 64,674,073 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 2,731,094,632 | |
Total Common Stocks (Identified Cost, $4,568,266,564) | | | $ | 5,767,233,752 | |
| | |
Bonds - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Asset-Backed & Securitized - 0.0% | | | | | | | | |
Falcon Franchise Loan LLC, FRN, 4.465%, 1/05/23 (i)(z) | | $ | 296,394 | | | $ | 23,830 | |
| | |
Utilities - Electric Power - 0.1% | | | | | | | | |
Viridian Group FundCo II, Ltd., 11.125%, 4/01/17 (n) | | $ | 5,328,000 | | | $ | 5,727,600 | |
Total Bonds (Identified Cost, $5,239,777) | | | | | | $ | 5,751,430 | |
| | |
Convertible Preferred Stocks - 4.7% | | | | | | | | |
Utilities - Electric Power - 4.7% | | | | | | | | |
Dominion Resources, Inc., “A”, 6.125% | | | 587,501 | | | $ | 33,417,057 | |
Dominion Resources, Inc., “B”, 6% | | | 714,191 | | | | 40,744,597 | |
Dominion Resources, Inc., 6.375% | | | 497,753 | | | | 25,061,864 | |
Dynegy, Inc., 5.375% | | | 643,285 | | | | 64,650,143 | |
Exelon Corp., 6.5% | | | 1,616,292 | | | | 85,146,263 | |
NextEra Energy, Inc., 5.799% | | | 120,342 | | | | 6,672,964 | |
NextEra Energy, Inc., 5.889% | | | 817,004 | | | | 51,708,183 | |
Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Identified Cost, $284,995,372) | | | | | | $ | 307,401,071 | |
| | |
Preferred Stocks - 0.8% | | | | | | | | |
Telephone Services - 0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Oi S.A. (a) | | | 50,647,002 | | | $ | 26,571,332 | |
| | |
Utilities - Electric Power - 0.4% | | | | | | | | |
Companhia Paranaense de Energia | | | 2,033,000 | | | $ | 28,395,872 | |
Total Preferred Stocks (Identified Cost, $71,927,467) | | | | | | $ | 54,967,204 | |
| | |
Money Market Funds - 3.7% | | | | | | | | |
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio, 0.09%, at Cost and Net Asset Value (v) | | | 241,096,971 | | | $ | 241,096,971 | |
14
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Collateral for Securities Loaned - 1.3% | | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Shares/Par | | | Value ($) | |
| | | | | | | | |
JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, 0.07%, at Cost and Net Asset Value (j) | | | 81,310,025 | | | $ | 81,310,025 | |
Total Investments (Identified Cost, $5,252,836,176) | | | | | | $ | 6,457,760,453 | |
| | |
Other Assets, Less Liabilities - 0.1% | | | | | | | 6,517,560 | |
Net Assets - 100.0% | | | | | | $ | 6,464,278,013 | |
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
(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. |
(j) | The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. |
(l) | A portion of this security is on loan. |
(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 $5,727,600, representing 0.1% of net assets. |
(v) | Underlying affiliated fund that is available only to investment companies managed by MFS. The rate quoted for the MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end. |
(z) | Restricted securities are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and are subject to legal restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are subsequently registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. The fund holds the following restricted securities: |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Restricted Securities | | Acquisition Date | | Cost | | | Value | |
Falcon Franchise Loan LLC, FRN, 4.465%, 1/05/23 | | 1/18/02 | | | $7,763 | | | | $23,830 | |
% of Net assets | | | | 0.0% | |
The following abbreviations are used in this report and are defined:
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
FRN | | Floating Rate Note. Interest rate resets periodically and may not be the rate reported at period end. |
PLC | | Public Limited Company |
REIT | | Real Estate Investment Trust |
Abbreviations indicate amounts shown in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. All amounts are stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. A list of abbreviations is shown below:
15
Portfolio of Investments – continued
Derivative Contracts at 10/31/14
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts at 10/31/14
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Type | | Currency | | Counter- party | | Contracts to Deliver/ Receive | | | Settlement Date Range | | | In Exchange For | | | Contracts at Value | | | Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Asset Derivatives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
SELL | | EUR | | Barclays Bank PLC | | | 75,326,407 | | | | 12/18/14 | | | | $97,601,932 | | | | $94,422,504 | | | | $3,179,428 | |
SELL | | EUR | | Citibank N.A. | | | 19,433,603 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 24,594,972 | | | | 24,364,044 | | | | 230,928 | |
SELL | | EUR | | Credit Suisse Group | | | 74,093,496 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 93,680,480 | | | | 92,891,533 | | | | 788,947 | |
SELL | | EUR | | Deutsche Bank AG | | | 64,567,768 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 81,618,827 | | | | 80,949,061 | | | | 669,766 | |
SELL | | EUR | | Deutsche Bank AG | | | 465,714 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 589,648 | | | | 583,869 | | | | 5,779 | |
SELL | | EUR | | Goldman Sachs International | | | 832,256 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 1,058,487 | | | | 1,043,405 | | | | 15,082 | |
SELL | | EUR | | JPMorgan Chase Bank | | | 91,345,814 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 115,576,205 | | | | 114,520,886 | | | | 1,055,319 | |
SELL | | EUR | | Merrill Lynch International Bank | | | 1,494,306 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 1,909,926 | | | | 1,873,422 | | | | 36,504 | |
SELL | | EUR | | Merrill Lynch International Bank | | | 813,150 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 1,036,946 | | | | 1,019,452 | | | | 17,494 | |
SELL | | EUR | | Morgan Stanley | | | 5,047,412 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 6,470,882 | | | | 6,327,975 | | | | 142,907 | |
SELL | | EUR | | UBS AG | | | 60,076,246 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 76,013,868 | | | | 75,318,010 | | | | 695,858 | |
SELL | | GBP | | Barclays Bank PLC | | | 3,608,780 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 5,820,084 | | | | 5,769,865 | | | | 50,219 | |
SELL | | GBP | | Credit Suisse Group | | | 34,452,838 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 55,123,168 | | | | 55,084,609 | | | | 38,559 | |
SELL | | GBP | | Deutsche Bank AG | | | 1,285,894 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 2,067,906 | | | | 2,055,940 | | | | 11,966 | |
SELL | | GBP | | Merrill Lynch International Bank | | | 33,741,891 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 54,020,600 | | | | 53,947,919 | | | | 72,681 | |
SELL | | GBP | | Merrill Lynch International Bank | | | 1,084,414 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 1,748,484 | | | | 1,733,805 | | | | 14,679 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $7,026,116 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Liability Derivatives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BUY | | EUR | | Citibank N.A. | | | 1,028,282 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | $1,306,881 | | | | $1,289,165 | | | | $(17,716 | ) |
BUY | | GBP | | Credit Suisse Group | | | 1,534,723 | | | | 1/09/15 | | | | 2,463,763 | | | | 2,453,778 | | | | (9,985 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $(27,701 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
16
Portfolio of Investments – continued
At October 31, 2014, the fund had cash collateral of $350,000 to cover any commitments for certain derivative contracts. Cash collateral is comprised of “Restricted cash” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
See Notes to Financial Statements
17
Financial Statements
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
At 10/31/14
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, $5,011,739,205) | | | $6,216,663,482 | |
Underlying affiliated funds, at cost and value | | | 241,096,971 | |
Total investments, at value, including $79,594,400 of securities on loan (identified cost, $5,252,836,176) | | | $6,457,760,453 | |
Restricted cash | | | 350,000 | |
Foreign currency, at value (identified cost, $679,245) | | | 679,245 | |
Receivables for | | | | |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts | | | 7,026,116 | |
Investments sold | | | 103,773,015 | |
Fund shares sold | | | 15,503,360 | |
Interest and dividends | | | 12,643,802 | |
Other assets | | | 1 | |
Total assets | | | $6,597,735,992 | |
Liabilities | | | | |
Payables for | | | | |
Distributions | | | $1,406,934 | |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts | | | 27,701 | |
Investments purchased | | | 38,448,013 | |
Fund shares reacquired | | | 6,661,753 | |
Collateral for securities loaned, at value | | | 81,310,025 | |
Payable to affiliates | | | | |
Investment adviser | | | 204,168 | |
Shareholder servicing costs | | | 4,672,000 | |
Distribution and service fees | | | 135,473 | |
Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation | | | 6,502 | |
Deferred country tax expense payable | | | 106,231 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 479,179 | |
Total liabilities | | | $133,457,979 | |
Net assets | | | $6,464,278,013 | |
Net assets consist of | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | | $4,894,594,394 | |
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies (net of $106,231 deferred country tax) | | | 1,211,396,962 | |
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 348,739,011 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 9,547,646 | |
Net assets | | | $6,464,278,013 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding | | | 277,129,835 | |
18
Statement of Assets and Liabilities – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Net assets | | | Shares outstanding | | | Net asset value per share (a) | |
Class A | | | $3,597,062,856 | | | | 154,120,153 | | | | $23.34 | |
Class B | | | 332,141,290 | | | | 14,290,386 | | | | 23.24 | |
Class C | | | 1,145,572,466 | | | | 49,289,325 | | | | 23.24 | |
Class I | | | 864,694,745 | | | | 36,935,216 | | | | 23.41 | |
Class R1 | | | 14,177,140 | | | | 610,901 | | | | 23.21 | |
Class R2 | | | 137,813,295 | | | | 5,918,097 | | | | 23.29 | |
Class R3 | | | 177,561,758 | | | | 7,611,170 | | | | 23.33 | |
Class R4 | | | 144,909,982 | | | | 6,204,733 | | | | 23.35 | |
Class R5 | | | 50,344,481 | | | | 2,149,854 | | | | 23.42 | |
(a) | Maximum offering price per share was equal to the net asset value per share for all share classes, except for Class A, for which the maximum offering price per share was $24.76 [100 / 94.25 x $23.34]. On sales of $50,000 or more, the maximum offering price of Class A shares is reduced. A contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed on redemptions of Class A, Class B, and Class C shares. Redemption price per share was equal to the net asset value per share for Classes I, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5. |
See Notes to Financial Statements
19
Financial Statements
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year ended 10/31/14
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 | | | | |
Dividends | | | $236,143,257 | |
Interest | | | 1,899,626 | |
Dividends from underlying affiliated funds | | | 138,910 | |
Foreign taxes withheld | | | (9,029,841 | ) |
Total investment income | | | $229,151,952 | |
Expenses | | | | |
Management fee | | | $33,642,169 | |
Distribution and service fees | | | 23,004,522 | |
Shareholder servicing costs | | | 6,027,243 | |
Administrative services fee | | | 517,614 | |
Independent Trustees’ compensation | | | 87,580 | |
Custodian fee | | | 766,549 | |
Shareholder communications | | | 326,989 | |
Audit and tax fees | | | 65,404 | |
Legal fees | | | 51,413 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 482,508 | |
Total expenses | | | $64,971,991 | |
Fees paid indirectly | | | (1,873 | ) |
Reduction of expenses by investment adviser and distributor | | | (70,994 | ) |
Net expenses | | | $64,899,124 | |
Net investment income | | | $164,252,828 | |
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | |
Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis) | | | | |
Investments | | | $369,478,976 | |
Foreign currency | | | 25,906,656 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | $395,385,632 | |
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Investments (net of $106,231 increase in deferred country tax) | | | $217,923,589 | |
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | | | 11,135,501 | |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency translation | | | $229,059,090 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | $624,444,722 | |
Change in net assets from operations | | | $788,697,550 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
20
Financial Statements
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
These statements describe the increases and/or decreases in net assets resulting from operations, any distributions, and any shareholder transactions.
| | | | | | | | |
| | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Change in net assets | | | | | | |
From operations | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | $164,252,828 | | | | $140,407,201 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 395,385,632 | | | | 316,670,821 | |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency translation | | | 229,059,090 | | | | 473,848,983 | |
Change in net assets from operations | | | $788,697,550 | | | | $930,927,005 | |
Distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(159,743,376 | ) | | | $(133,999,706 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (223,100,887 | ) | | | (3,193,095 | ) |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(382,844,263 | ) | | | $(137,192,801 | ) |
Change in net assets from fund share transactions | | | $650,030,340 | | | | $(119,907,834 | ) |
Total change in net assets | | | $1,055,883,627 | | | | $673,826,370 | |
Net assets | | | | | | | | |
At beginning of period | | | 5,408,394,386 | | | | 4,734,568,016 | |
At end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $9,547,646 and $7,594,868, respectively) | | | $6,464,278,013 | | | | $5,408,394,386 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
21
Financial Statements
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund’s financial performance for the past 5 years (or life of a particular share class, if shorter). 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $21.80 | | | | $18.61 | | | | $17.11 | | | | $16.01 | | | | $13.79 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.66 | | | | $0.60 | | | | $0.51 | | | | $0.61 | | | | $0.47 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 2.42 | | | | 3.17 | | | | 1.53 | | | | 1.02 | | | | 2.26 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $3.08 | | | | $3.77 | | | | $2.04 | | | | $1.63 | | | | $2.73 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.64 | ) | | | $(0.57 | ) | | | $(0.54 | ) | | | $(0.53 | ) | | | $(0.51 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.90 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(1.54 | ) | | | $(0.58 | ) | | | $(0.54 | ) | | | $(0.53 | ) | | | $(0.51 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $23.34 | | | | $21.80 | | | | $18.61 | | | | $17.11 | | | | $16.01 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(t)(x) | | | 14.99 | | | | 20.59 | | | | 12.17 | | | | 10.26 | | | | 20.17 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 0.97 | | | | 1.01 | | | | 1.02 | | | | 1.04 | | | | 1.07 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 0.97 | | | | 1.01 | | | | 1.02 | | | | 1.04 | | | | 1.07 | |
Net investment income | | | 2.97 | | | | 2.97 | | | | 2.90 | | | | 3.62 | | | | 3.20 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 46 | | | | 54 | | | | 46 | | | | 51 | | | | 54 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $3,597,063 | | | | $3,242,884 | | | | $2,699,649 | | | | $2,343,368 | | | | $1,947,269 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
22
Financial Highlights – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $21.71 | | | | $18.55 | | | | $17.05 | | | | $15.95 | | | | $13.75 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.49 | | | | $0.44 | | | | $0.37 | | | | $0.49 | | | | $0.36 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 2.41 | | | | 3.15 | | | | 1.54 | | | | 1.01 | | | | 2.24 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $2.90 | | | | $3.59 | | | | $1.91 | | | | $1.50 | | | | $2.60 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.47 | ) | | | $(0.42 | ) | | | $(0.41 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.90 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(1.37 | ) | | | $(0.43 | ) | | | $(0.41 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $23.24 | | | | $21.71 | | | | $18.55 | | | | $17.05 | | | | $15.95 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(t)(x) | | | 14.15 | | | | 19.60 | | | | 11.39 | | | | 9.47 | | | | 19.18 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.72 | | | | 1.76 | | | | 1.77 | | | | 1.79 | | | | 1.82 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.72 | | | | 1.76 | | | | 1.77 | | | | 1.79 | | | | 1.82 | |
Net investment income | | | 2.23 | | | | 2.21 | | | | 2.14 | | | | 2.88 | | | | 2.45 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 46 | | | | 54 | | | | 46 | | | | 51 | | | | 54 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $332,141 | | | | $305,988 | | | | $265,748 | | | | $233,107 | | | | $209,277 | |
| |
Class C | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $21.71 | | | | $18.55 | | | | $17.05 | | | | $15.96 | | | | $13.75 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.49 | | | | $0.44 | | | | $0.38 | | | | $0.48 | | | | $0.36 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 2.41 | | | | 3.15 | | | | 1.53 | | | | 1.01 | | | | 2.25 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $2.90 | | | | $3.59 | | | | $1.91 | | | | $1.49 | | | | $2.61 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.47 | ) | | | $(0.42 | ) | | | $(0.41 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.90 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(1.37 | ) | | | $(0.43 | ) | | | $(0.41 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $23.24 | | | | $21.71 | | | | $18.55 | | | | $17.05 | | | | $15.96 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(t)(x) | | | 14.16 | | | | 19.61 | | | | 11.40 | | | | 9.41 | | | | 19.27 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.72 | | | | 1.76 | | | | 1.77 | | | | 1.79 | | | | 1.82 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.72 | | | | 1.76 | | | | 1.77 | | | | 1.79 | | | | 1.82 | |
Net investment income | | | 2.21 | | | | 2.21 | | | | 2.15 | | | | 2.86 | | | | 2.44 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 46 | | | | 54 | | | | 46 | | | | 51 | | | | 54 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $1,145,572 | | | | $917,978 | | | | $739,959 | | | | $608,042 | | | | $459,807 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
23
Financial Highlights – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $21.86 | | | | $18.67 | | | | $17.15 | | | | $16.05 | | | | $13.82 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.71 | | | | $0.65 | | | | $0.57 | | | | $0.66 | | | | $0.50 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 2.44 | | | | 3.17 | | | | 1.53 | | | | 1.01 | | | | 2.27 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $3.15 | | | | $3.82 | | | | $2.10 | | | | $1.67 | | | | $2.77 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.70 | ) | | | $(0.62 | ) | | | $(0.58 | ) | | | $(0.57 | ) | | | $(0.54 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.90 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(1.60 | ) | | | $(0.63 | ) | | | $(0.58 | ) | | | $(0.57 | ) | | | $(0.54 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $23.41 | | | | $21.86 | | | | $18.67 | | | | $17.15 | | | | $16.05 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 15.28 | | | | 20.82 | | | | 12.54 | | | | 10.50 | | | | 20.50 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 0.72 | | | | 0.76 | | | | 0.77 | | | | 0.79 | | | | 0.82 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 0.72 | | | | 0.76 | | | | 0.77 | | | | 0.79 | | | | 0.82 | |
Net investment income | | | 3.14 | | | | 3.21 | | | | 3.22 | | | | 3.88 | | | | 3.37 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 46 | | | | 54 | | | | 46 | | | | 51 | | | | 54 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $864,695 | | | | $566,374 | | | | $462,849 | | | | $286,562 | | | | $155,487 | |
| |
Class R1 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $21.68 | | | | $18.52 | | | | $17.03 | | | | $15.94 | | | | $13.73 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.49 | | | | $0.44 | | | | $0.37 | | | | $0.48 | | | | $0.36 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 2.41 | | | | 3.15 | | | | 1.53 | | | | 1.01 | | | | 2.25 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $2.90 | | | | $3.59 | | | | $1.90 | | | | $1.49 | | | | $2.61 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.47 | ) | | | $(0.42 | ) | | | $(0.41 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.90 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(1.37 | ) | | | $(0.43 | ) | | | $(0.41 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) | | | $(0.40 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $23.21 | | | | $21.68 | | | | $18.52 | | | | $17.03 | | | | $15.94 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 14.18 | | | | 19.63 | | | | 11.35 | | | | 9.42 | | | | 19.28 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.72 | | | | 1.76 | | | | 1.77 | | | | 1.79 | | | | 1.82 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.72 | | | | 1.76 | | | | 1.77 | | | | 1.79 | | | | 1.82 | |
Net investment income | | | 2.21 | | | | 2.22 | | | | 2.15 | | | | 2.83 | | | | 2.46 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 46 | | | | 54 | | | | 46 | | | | 51 | | | | 54 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $14,177 | | | | $12,041 | | | | $12,092 | | | | $11,686 | | | | $10,157 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
24
Financial Highlights – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R2 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $21.75 | | | | $18.58 | | | | $17.07 | | | | $15.98 | | | | $13.77 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.60 | | | | $0.54 | | | | $0.46 | | | | $0.57 | | | | $0.43 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 2.42 | | | | 3.16 | | | | 1.55 | | | | 1.01 | | | | 2.25 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $3.02 | | | | $3.70 | | | | $2.01 | | | | $1.58 | | | | $2.68 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.58 | ) | | | $(0.52 | ) | | | $(0.50 | ) | | | $(0.49 | ) | | | $(0.47 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.90 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(1.48 | ) | | | $(0.53 | ) | | | $(0.50 | ) | | | $(0.49 | ) | | | $(0.47 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $23.29 | | | | $21.75 | | | | $18.58 | | | | $17.07 | | | | $15.98 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 14.74 | | | | 20.22 | | | | 11.99 | | | | 9.94 | | | | 19.83 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 1.22 | | | | 1.26 | | | | 1.27 | | | | 1.29 | | | | 1.32 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 1.22 | | | | 1.26 | | | | 1.27 | | | | 1.29 | | | | 1.32 | |
Net investment income | | | 2.69 | | | | 2.71 | | | | 2.65 | | | | 3.37 | | | | 2.93 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 46 | | | | 54 | | | | 46 | | | | 51 | | | | 54 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $137,813 | | | | $116,355 | | | | $116,173 | | | | $101,994 | | | | $79,748 | |
| |
Class R3 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $21.79 | | | | $18.59 | | | | $17.09 | | | | $15.99 | | | | $13.78 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.65 | | | | $0.52 | | | | $0.51 | | | | $0.61 | | | | $0.47 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 2.43 | | | | 3.25 | | | | 1.53 | | | | 1.02 | | | | 2.25 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $3.08 | | | | $3.77 | | | | $2.04 | | | | $1.63 | | | | $2.72 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.64 | ) | | | $(0.56 | ) | | | $(0.54 | ) | | | $(0.53 | ) | | | $(0.51 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.90 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(1.54 | ) | | | $(0.57 | ) | | | $(0.54 | ) | | | $(0.53 | ) | | | $(0.51 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $23.33 | | | | $21.79 | | | | $18.59 | | | | $17.09 | | | | $15.99 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 15.00 | | | | 20.61 | | | | 12.19 | | | | 10.27 | | | | 20.12 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 0.97 | | | | 1.00 | | | | 1.02 | | | | 1.04 | | | | 1.07 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 0.97 | | | | 1.00 | | | | 1.02 | | | | 1.04 | | | | 1.07 | |
Net investment income | | | 2.93 | | | | 2.67 | | | | 2.90 | | | | 3.62 | | | | 3.19 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 46 | | | | 54 | | | | 46 | | | | 51 | | | | 54 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $177,562 | | | | $135,710 | | | | $364,245 | | | | $324,613 | | | | $277,390 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
25
Financial Highlights – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R4 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $21.81 | | | | $18.63 | | | | $17.12 | | | | $16.02 | | | | $13.80 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.71 | | | | $0.65 | | | | $0.56 | | | | $0.64 | | | | $0.52 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 2.43 | | | | 3.16 | | | | 1.53 | | | | 1.03 | | | | 2.24 | |
Total from investment operations | | | $3.14 | | | | $3.81 | | | | $2.09 | | | | $1.67 | | | | $2.76 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.70 | ) | | | $(0.62 | ) | | | $(0.58 | ) | | | $(0.57 | ) | | | $(0.54 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.90 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(1.60 | ) | | | $(0.63 | ) | | | $(0.58 | ) | | | $(0.57 | ) | | | $(0.54 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $23.35 | | | | $21.81 | | | | $18.63 | | | | $17.12 | | | | $16.02 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 15.26 | | | | 20.82 | | | | 12.50 | | | | 10.52 | | | | 20.45 | |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 0.72 | | | | 0.76 | | | | 0.77 | | | | 0.79 | | | | 0.82 | |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 0.72 | | | | 0.76 | | | | 0.77 | | | | 0.79 | | | | 0.82 | |
Net investment income | | | 3.19 | | | | 3.22 | | | | 3.17 | | | | 3.78 | | | | 3.51 | |
Portfolio turnover | | | 46 | | | | 54 | | | | 46 | | | | 51 | | | | 54 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $144,910 | | | | $108,572 | | | | $73,570 | | | | $45,233 | | | | $24,422 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Class R5 | | Years ended 10/31 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 (i) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $21.86 | | | | $18.67 | | | | $16.71 | |
Income (loss) from investment operations | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (d) | | | $0.62 | | | | $0.72 | | | | $0.22 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | | | 2.55 | | | | 3.12 | | | | 1.96 | (g) |
Total from investment operations | | | $3.17 | | | | $3.84 | | | | $2.18 | |
Less distributions declared to shareholders | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | $(0.71 | ) | | | $(0.64 | ) | | | $(0.22 | ) |
From net realized gain on investments | | | (0.90 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | — | |
Total distributions declared to shareholders | | | $(1.61 | ) | | | $(0.65 | ) | | | $(0.22 | ) |
Net asset value, end of period (x) | | | $23.42 | | | | $21.86 | | | | $18.67 | |
Total return (%) (r)(s)(x) | | | 15.42 | | | | 20.95 | | | | 13.11 | (n) |
Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses before expense reductions (f) | | | 0.63 | | | | 0.65 | | | | 0.71 | (a) |
Expenses after expense reductions (f) | | | 0.63 | | | | 0.65 | | | | 0.71 | (a) |
Net investment income | | | 2.71 | | | | 3.48 | | | | 2.93 | (a) |
Portfolio turnover | | | 46 | | | | 54 | | | | 46 | |
Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) | | | $50,344 | | | | $2,492 | | | | $283 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
26
Financial Highlights – continued
(d) | Per share data is based on average shares outstanding. |
(f) | Ratios do not reflect reductions from fees paid indirectly, if applicable. |
(g) | The per share amount varies from the net realized and unrealized gain/loss for the period because of the timing of sales of fund shares and the per share amount of realized and unrealized gains and losses at such time. |
(i) | For the period from the class inception, June 1, 2012, through the stated period end. |
(r) | Certain expenses have been reduced without which performance would have been lower. |
(s) | From time to time the fund may receive proceeds from litigation settlements, without which performance would be lower. |
(t) | Total returns do not include any applicable sales charges. |
(x) | The net asset values per share and total returns have been calculated on net assets which include adjustments made in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles required at period end for financial reporting purposes. |
See Notes to Financial Statements
27
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Business and Organization
MFS Utilities Fund (the fund) is a diversified series of MFS Series Trust VI (the trust). The trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company.
The fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies.
(2) Significant Accounting Policies
General – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the preparation of these financial statements, management has evaluated subsequent events occurring after the date of the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities through the date that the financial statements were issued. The fund invests primarily in securities of issuers in the utility industry. Issuers in a single industry can react similarly to market, economic, political and regulatory conditions and developments. The fund invests in foreign securities. Investments in foreign securities are vulnerable to the effects of changes in the relative values of the local currency and the U.S. dollar and to the effects of changes in each country’s legal, political, and economic environment.
In June 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860) – Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures (“ASU 2014-11”). ASU 2014-11 changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions (i.e., repurchase agreements that settle at the same time as the maturity of the transferred financial asset) and enhances the required disclosures for repurchase agreements and other similar transactions. Although still evaluating the potential impacts of ASU 2014-11 to the fund, management expects that the impact of the fund’s adoption will be limited to additional financial statement disclosures which would first be effective for interim reporting periods beginning after March 15, 2015.
Balance Sheet Offsetting – The fund’s accounting policy with respect to balance sheet offsetting is that, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement does not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the fund and the applicable counterparty. The fund’s right to setoff may be restricted or prohibited by the bankruptcy or insolvency laws of the particular jurisdiction to which a specific master netting agreement counterparty is subject. Balance sheet
28
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
offsetting disclosures, to the extent applicable to the fund, have been included in the fund’s Significant Accounting Policies note under the captions for each of the fund’s in-scope financial instruments and transactions.
Investment Valuations – Equity securities, including restricted equity securities, are generally valued at the last sale or official closing price as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market or exchange on which they are primarily traded. Equity securities, for which there were no sales reported that day, are generally valued at the last quoted daily bid quotation as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market or exchange on which such securities are primarily traded. Debt instruments and floating rate loans, including restricted debt instruments, are generally valued at an evaluated or composite bid as provided by a third-party pricing service. Short-term instruments with a maturity at issuance of 60 days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are generally valued at the mean of bid and asked prices for the time period interpolated from rates provided by a third-party pricing service for proximate time periods. Open-end investment companies are generally valued at net asset value per share. Securities and other assets generally valued on the basis of information from a third-party pricing service may also be valued at a broker/dealer bid quotation. Values obtained from third-party pricing services can utilize both transaction data and market information such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data. The values of foreign securities and other assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars using the mean of bid and asked prices for rates provided by a third-party pricing service.
The Board of Trustees has delegated primary responsibility for determining or causing to be determined the value of the fund’s investments (including any fair valuation) to the adviser pursuant to valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board. If the adviser determines that reliable market quotations are not readily available, investments are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the adviser in accordance with such procedures under the oversight of the Board of Trustees. Under the fund’s valuation policies and procedures, market quotations are not considered to be readily available for most types of debt instruments and floating rate loans and many types of derivatives. These investments are generally valued at fair value based on information from third-party pricing services. In addition, investments may be valued at fair value if the adviser determines that an investment’s value has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the investment is principally traded (such as foreign exchange or market) and prior to the determination of the fund’s net asset value, or after the halting of trading of a specific security where trading does not resume prior to the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded. Events that occur on a frequent basis after foreign markets close (such as developments in foreign markets and significant movements in the U.S. markets) and prior to the determination of the fund’s net asset value may be deemed to have a material effect on the value of securities traded in foreign markets. Accordingly, the fund’s foreign equity securities may often be valued at fair value. The adviser generally relies on third-party pricing services or other information (such as the correlation with price movements of similar securities in the same or other markets; the type, cost and investment characteristics of the security; the business and financial
29
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
condition of the issuer; and trading and other market data) to assist in determining whether to fair value and at what value to fair value an investment. The value of an investment for purposes of calculating the fund’s net asset value can differ depending on the source and method used to determine value. When fair valuation is used, the value of an investment used to determine the fund’s net asset value may differ from quoted or published prices for the same investment. There can be no assurance that the fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it were to sell the investment at the same time at which the fund determines its net asset value per share.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s assets or liabilities. These inputs are categorized into three broad levels. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fund’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment. Level 1 includes unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 includes other significant observable market-based inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speed, and credit risk). Level 3 includes unobservable inputs, which may include the adviser’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in total investments, such as forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The following is a summary of the levels used as of October 31, 2014 in valuing the fund’s assets or liabilities:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments at Value | | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Equity Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States | | | $4,217,906,398 | | | | $— | | | | $— | | | | $4,217,906,398 | |
Portugal | | | 239,768,355 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 239,768,355 | |
United Kingdom | | | 231,775,585 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 231,775,585 | |
Brazil | | | 209,460,027 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 209,460,027 | |
Spain | | | 180,120,822 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 180,120,822 | |
Italy | | | 146,223,673 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 146,223,673 | |
Canada | | | 131,705,354 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 131,705,354 | |
Netherlands | | | 89,829,920 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 89,829,920 | |
Russia | | | 80,253,225 | | | | 4,199,916 | | | | — | | | | 84,453,141 | |
Other Countries | | | 463,146,628 | | | | 135,212,124 | | | | — | | | | 598,358,752 | |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | — | | | | 23,830 | | | | — | | | | 23,830 | |
Foreign Bonds | | | — | | | | 5,727,600 | | | | — | | | | 5,727,600 | |
Mutual Funds | | | 322,406,996 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 322,406,996 | |
Total Investments | | | $6,312,596,983 | | | | $145,163,470 | | | | $— | | | | $6,457,760,453 | |
| | | |
Other Financial Instruments | | | | | | | | | | |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts | | | $— | | | | $6,998,415 | | | | $— | | | | $6,998,415 | |
For further information regarding security characteristics, see the Portfolio of Investments.
30
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
Of the level 2 investments presented above, equity investments amounting to $125,948,299 would have been considered level 1 investments at the beginning of the period. Of the level 1 investments presented above, equity investments amounting to $66,941,644 would have been considered level 2 investments at the beginning of the period. The primary reason for changes in the classifications between levels 1 and 2 occurs when foreign equity securities are fair valued using other observable market-based inputs in place of the closing exchange price due to events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the investment is principally traded. The fund’s foreign equity securities may often be valued at fair value. The fund’s policy is to recognize transfers between the levels as of the end of the period.
Foreign Currency Translation – Purchases and sales of foreign investments, income, and expenses are converted into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions or on the reporting date for foreign denominated receivables and payables. Gains and losses attributable to foreign currency exchange rates on sales of securities are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. Gains and losses attributable to foreign exchange rate movements on receivables, payables, income and expenses are recorded for financial statement purposes as foreign currency transaction gains and losses. That portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.
Derivatives – The fund uses derivatives for different purposes, primarily to increase or decrease exposure to a particular market or segment of the market, or security, to increase or decrease interest rate or currency exposure, or as alternatives to direct investments. Derivatives are used for hedging or non-hedging purposes. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains. When the fund uses derivatives as an investment to increase market exposure, or for hedging purposes, gains and losses from derivative instruments may be substantially greater than the derivative’s original cost.
The derivative instruments used by the fund were forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The fund’s period end derivatives, as presented in the Portfolio of Investments and the associated Derivative Contract tables, generally are indicative of the volume of its derivative activity during the period.
The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the fair value, on a gross basis, of the asset and liability components of derivatives held by the fund at October 31, 2014 as reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Fair Value | |
Risk | | Derivative Contracts | | Asset Derivatives | | | Liability Derivatives | |
Foreign Exchange | | Forward Foreign Currency Exchange | | | $7,026,116 | | | | $(27,701) | |
31
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the realized gain (loss) on derivatives held by the fund for the year ended October 31, 2014 as reported in the Statement of Operations:
| | | | |
Risk | | Foreign Currency | |
Foreign Exchange | | | $27,601,524 | |
The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives held by the fund for the year ended October 31, 2014 as reported in the Statement of Operations:
| | | | |
Risk | | Translation of Assets and Liabilities in Foreign Currencies | |
Foreign Exchange | | | $11,296,857 | |
Derivative counterparty credit risk is managed through formal evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counterparties. On certain, but not all, over-the-counter derivatives, the fund attempts to reduce its exposure to counterparty credit risk whenever possible by entering into an ISDA Master Agreement on a bilateral basis 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. Upon an event of default or a termination of the ISDA Master Agreement, the non-defaulting party has the right to close out all transactions traded under such agreement and to net amounts owed under each transaction to one net amount payable by one party to the other. This right to close out and net payments across all transactions traded under the ISDA Master Agreement could result in a reduction of the fund’s credit risk to such counterparty equal to any amounts payable by the fund under the applicable transactions, if any. The fund’s right to setoff may be restricted or prohibited by the bankruptcy or insolvency laws of the particular jurisdiction to which a specific ISDA counterparty is subject.
Collateral and margin requirements differ by type of derivative. Margin requirements are set by the broker or clearing house for cleared derivatives (i.e., futures contracts, cleared swaps, and exchange-traded options) while collateral terms are contract specific for over-the-counter traded derivatives (i.e., forward foreign currency exchange contracts, uncleared swap agreements, 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 that has been segregated to cover the fund’s collateral or margin obligations under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as “Restricted cash” or “Deposits with brokers.” Securities pledged as collateral or margin for the same purpose, if any, are noted in the Portfolio of Investments.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts – The fund entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign
32
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
currency at a fixed price on a future date. These contracts may be used to hedge the fund’s currency risk or for non-hedging purposes. For hedging purposes, the fund may enter into contracts to deliver or receive foreign currency that the fund will receive from or use in its normal investment activities. The fund may also use contracts to hedge against declines in the value of foreign currency denominated securities due to unfavorable exchange rate movements. For non-hedging purposes, the fund may enter into contracts with the intent of changing the relative exposure of the fund’s portfolio of securities to different currencies to take advantage of anticipated exchange rate changes.
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any unrealized gains or losses are recorded as a receivable or payable for forward foreign currency exchange contracts until the contract settlement date. On contract settlement date, any gain or loss on the contract is recorded as realized gains or losses on foreign currency.
Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from unanticipated movements in the value of the contract and from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. Generally, the fund’s maximum risk due to counterparty credit risk is the unrealized gain on the contract due to the use of Continuous Linked Settlement, an industry accepted settlement system. This risk is mitigated in cases where there is an ISDA Master Agreement between the fund and the counterparty providing for netting as described above and for posting of collateral by the counterparty to the fund to cover the fund’s exposure to the counterparty under such ISDA Master Agreement.
Security Loans – Under its Securities Lending Agency Agreement with the fund, JPMorgan Chase and Co. (“Chase”), as lending agent, loans the securities of the fund to certain qualified institutions (the “Borrowers”) approved by the fund. The loans are collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Treasury and federal agency obligations in an amount typically at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. On loans collateralized by cash, the cash collateral is invested in a money market fund. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the fund on the next business day. Chase provides the fund with indemnification against Borrower default. In the event of Borrower default, Chase will for the benefit of the fund either purchase securities identical to those loaned or, when such purchase is commercially impracticable, pay the fund the market value of the loaned securities. In return, Chase assumes the fund’s rights to the related collateral. If the collateral value is less than the cost to purchase identical securities, Chase is responsible for the shortfall, but only to the extent that such shortfall is not due to a decline in collateral value resulting from collateral reinvestment for which the fund bears the risk of loss. At period end, the fund had investment securities on loan with a fair value of $79,594,400 and a related liability of $81,310,025 for cash collateral received on securities loaned, both of which are presented gross in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The collateral received on securities loaned exceeded the value of securities on loan at period end. The liability for cash collateral for securities loaned is carried at fair value, which is categorized as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. A portion of the income generated upon investment of the collateral is remitted to the Borrowers, and the remainder is allocated
33
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
between the fund and the lending agent. On loans collateralized by U.S. Treasury and/or federal agency obligations, a fee is received from the Borrower, and is allocated between the fund and the lending agent. Income from securities lending is included in “Interest” income in the Statement of Operations. The dividend and interest income earned on the securities loaned is accounted for in the same manner as other dividend and interest income.
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. 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 year ended October 31, 2014, is shown as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations.
Tax Matters and Distributions – The fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company, as defined under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including realized capital gains. As a result, no provision for federal income tax is required. The fund’s federal tax returns, when filed, will remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a three year period. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken on federal and state tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability. Foreign taxes, if any, have been accrued by the fund in the accompanying financial statements in accordance with the applicable foreign tax law. Foreign income taxes may be withheld by certain countries in which the fund invests. Additionally, capital gains realized by the fund on securities issued in or by certain foreign countries may be subject to capital gains tax imposed by those countries.
34
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
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 wash sale loss deferrals, derivative transactions, treating a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as a distribution for tax purposes, and partnership adjustments.
The tax character of distributions declared to shareholders for the last two fiscal years is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 10/31/14 | | | 10/31/13 | |
Ordinary income (including any short-term capital gains) | | | $273,799,802 | | | | $133,999,706 | |
Long-term capital gains | | | 109,044,461 | | | | 3,193,095 | |
Total distributions | | | $382,844,263 | | | | $137,192,801 | |
The federal tax cost and the tax basis components of distributable earnings were as follows:
| | | | |
As of 10/31/14 | | | |
Cost of investments | | | $5,279,005,647 | |
Gross appreciation | | | 1,363,158,369 | |
Gross depreciation | | | (184,403,563 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | $1,178,754,806 | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | | 98,863,443 | |
Undistributed long-term capital gain | | | 303,029,482 | |
Other temporary differences | | | (10,964,112 | ) |
Multiple Classes of Shares of Beneficial Interest – The fund offers multiple classes of shares, which differ in their respective distribution and service fees. The fund’s income, realized and unrealized gain (loss), and common expenses are allocated to shareholders based on the daily net assets of each class. Dividends are declared separately for each class. Differences in per share dividend rates are generally due to differences in separate class expenses. Class B shares will convert to Class A shares
35
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
approximately eight years after purchase. The fund’s distributions declared to shareholders as reported in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets are presented by class as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | From net investment income | | | From net realized gain on investments | |
| | Year ended 10/31/14 | | | Year ended 10/31/13 | | | Year ended 10/31/14 | | | Year ended 10/31/13 | |
Class A | | | $97,218,583 | | | | $82,927,278 | | | | $133,161,909 | | | | $1,865,224 | |
Class B | | | 6,798,922 | | | | 5,893,682 | | | | 12,632,156 | | | | 181,966 | |
Class C | | | 21,817,584 | | | | 17,048,487 | | | | 38,095,498 | | | | 516,948 | |
Class I | | | 21,258,017 | | | | 15,358,585 | | | | 23,289,939 | | | | 312,936 | |
Class R1 | | | 278,260 | | | | 243,523 | | | | 502,602 | | | | 7,728 | |
Class R2 | | | 3,301,360 | | | | 2,911,152 | | | | 4,808,744 | | | | 74,515 | |
Class R3 | | | 4,430,526 | | | | 6,791,640 | | | | 5,570,819 | | | | 178,234 | |
Class R4 | | | 3,957,455 | | | | 2,780,051 | | | | 4,594,337 | | | | 54,856 | |
Class R5 | | | 682,669 | | | | 45,308 | | | | 444,883 | | | | 688 | |
Total | | | $159,743,376 | | | | $133,999,706 | | | | $223,100,887 | | | | $3,193,095 | |
(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 the following annual rates:
| | | | |
First $3 billion of average daily net assets | | | 0.60 | % |
Average daily net assets in excess of $3 billion | | | 0.55 | % |
The management fee incurred for the year ended October 31, 2014 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.58% of the fund’s average daily net assets.
Distributor – MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. (MFD), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MFS, as distributor, received $2,129,762 for the year ended October 31, 2014, as its portion of the initial sales charge on sales of Class A shares of the fund.
The Board of Trustees has adopted a distribution plan for certain share classes pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
The fund’s distribution plan provides that the fund will pay MFD for services provided by MFD and financial intermediaries in connection with the distribution and servicing of certain share classes. One component of the plan is a distribution fee paid to MFD and another component of the plan is a service fee paid to MFD. MFD may subsequently pay all, or a portion, of the distribution and/or service fees to financial intermediaries.
36
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
Distribution Plan Fee Table:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Distribution Fee Rate (d) | | | Service Fee Rate (d) | | | Total Distribution Plan (d) | | | Annual Effective Rate (e) | | | Distribution and Service Fee | |
Class A | | | — | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | $8,460,528 | |
Class B | | | 0.75% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 3,193,727 | |
Class C | | | 0.75% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 10,210,423 | |
Class R1 | | | 0.75% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 1.00% | | | | 129,512 | |
Class R2 | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.50% | | | | 0.50% | | | | 626,336 | |
Class R3 | | | — | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 0.25% | | | | 383,996 | |
Total Distribution and Service Fees | | | | $23,004,522 | |
(d) | In accordance with the distribution plan for certain classes, the fund pays distribution and/or service fees equal to these annual percentage rates of each class’s average daily net assets. The distribution and service fee rates disclosed by class represent the current rates in effect at the end of the reporting period. Any rate changes, if applicable, are detailed below. |
(e) | The annual effective rates represent actual fees incurred under the distribution plan for the year ended October 31, 2014 based on each class’s average daily net assets. MFD has voluntarily agreed to rebate a portion of each class’s 0.25% service fee attributable to accounts for which MFD retains the 0.25% service fee except for accounts attributable to MFS or its affiliates’ seed money. For the year ended October 31, 2014, this rebate amounted to $56,029, $1,935, and $2,836 for Class A, Class B, and Class C, respectively, and is included in the reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations. |
Certain Class A shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) in the event of a shareholder redemption within 18 months of purchase for shares purchased on or after August 1, 2012, and within 24 months of purchase for shares purchased prior to August 1, 2012. Class C shares are subject to a CDSC in the event of a shareholder redemption within 12 months of purchase. Class B shares are subject to a CDSC in the event of a shareholder redemption within six years of purchase. All contingent deferred sales charges are paid to MFD and during the year ended October 31, 2014, were as follows:
| | | | |
| | Amount | |
Class A | | | $34,017 | |
Class B | | | 227,389 | |
Class C | | | 82,885 | |
Shareholder Servicing Agent – MFS Service Center, Inc. (MFSC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MFS, receives a fee from the fund for its services as shareholder servicing agent calculated as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the fund as determined periodically under the supervision of the fund’s Board of Trustees. For the year ended October 31, 2014, the fee was $809,133, which equated to 0.0138% annually of the fund’s average daily net assets. MFSC also receives payment from the fund for out-of-pocket expenses, sub-accounting and other shareholder servicing costs which may be paid to affiliated and unaffiliated service providers. Class R5 shares do not incur sub-accounting fees. For the year ended October 31, 2014, these out-of-pocket expenses, sub-accounting and other shareholder servicing costs amounted to $5,218,110.
37
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
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 year ended October 31, 2014 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0089% of the fund’s average daily net assets.
Trustees’ and Officers’ Compensation – The fund pays compensation to independent Trustees in the form of a retainer, attendance fees, and additional compensation to Board and Committee chairpersons. The fund does not pay compensation directly to Trustees or officers of the fund who are also officers of the investment adviser, all of whom receive remuneration for their services to the fund from MFS. Certain officers and Trustees of the fund are officers or directors of MFS, MFD, and MFSC.
Prior to December 31, 2001, the fund had an unfunded defined benefit plan (“DB plan”) for independent Trustees. As of December 31, 2001, the Board took action to terminate the DB plan with respect to then-current and any future independent Trustees, such that the DB plan covers only certain of those former independent Trustees who retired on or before December 31, 2001. Effective January 1, 2002, accrued benefits under the DB plan for then-current independent Trustees who continued were credited to an unfunded retirement deferral plan (the “Retirement Deferral plan”), which was established for and exists solely with respect to these credited amounts, and is not available for other deferrals by these or other independent Trustees. Although the Retirement Deferral plan is unfunded, amounts deferred under the plan are periodically adjusted for investment experience as if they had been invested in shares of the fund. The DB plan resulted in a pension expense of $448 and the Retirement Deferral plan resulted in an expense of $1,762. Both amounts are included in independent Trustees’ compensation for the year ended October 31, 2014. The liability for deferred retirement benefits payable to certain independent Trustees under both plans amounted to $6,492 at October 31, 2014, and is included in “Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Other – This fund and certain other funds managed by MFS (the funds) have entered into 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 funds can terminate the Agreements with Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC at any time under the terms of the Agreements. Frank L. Tarantino serves as the ICCO and is an officer of the funds and the sole member of Tarantino LLC. Prior to June 1, 2014, Robyn L. Griffin served as the Assistant ICCO and was an officer of the funds. Ms. Griffin is the sole member of Griffin Compliance LLC. Effective May 31, 2014, Ms. Griffin resigned as Assistant ICCO and the service agreement between the funds and Griffin Compliance LLC was terminated. For the year ended October 31, 2014, the aggregate fees paid by the fund to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC were $27,966 and are included in “Miscellaneous” expense in the Statement of Operations. MFS has agreed to reimburse
38
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
the fund for a portion of the payments made by the fund in the amount of $10,194, which is included in the 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. On October 31, 2014, Mr. Tarantino resigned as ICCO and the service agreement between the funds and Tarantino LLC for the services of an ICCO was terminated. Effective November 1, 2014, the funds entered into a service agreement which provides for payment of fees solely by the funds to Tarantino LLC in return for the provision of services of an Independent Senior Officer (ISO). Additionally, MFS has agreed to bear all expenses associated with office space, other administrative support, and supplies provided to the ISO.
The fund invests in the MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio which is managed by MFS and seeks current income consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity. Income earned on this investment is included in “Dividends from underlying affiliated funds” in the Statement of Operations. This money market fund does not pay a management fee to MFS.
(4) Portfolio Securities
For the year ended October 31, 2014, purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $2,894,952,355 and $2,637,165,351, respectively.
(5) Shares of Beneficial Interest
The fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest. Transactions in fund shares were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year ended 10/31/14 | | | Year ended 10/31/13 | |
| | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
Shares sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 39,532,488 | | | | $885,408,658 | | | | 34,888,637 | | | | $701,129,477 | |
Class B | | | 1,714,616 | | | | 37,997,145 | | | | 2,101,282 | | | | 42,182,911 | |
Class C | | | 11,137,720 | | | | 248,282,916 | | | | 9,368,672 | | | | 188,198,160 | |
Class I | | | 17,523,370 | | | | 396,811,016 | | | | 11,481,949 | | | | 231,275,883 | |
Class R1 | | | 205,557 | | | | 4,569,431 | | | | 194,537 | | | | 3,919,092 | |
Class R2 | | | 1,872,389 | | | | 41,999,845 | | | | 1,259,943 | | | | 25,254,398 | |
Class R3 | | | 2,761,741 | | | | 61,969,815 | | | | 2,364,238 | | | | 47,243,408 | |
Class R4 | | | 2,759,787 | | | | 61,468,057 | | | | 2,084,641 | | | | 41,999,518 | |
Class R5 | | | 2,488,788 | | | | 56,424,797 | | | | 126,256 | | | | 2,576,702 | |
| | | 79,996,456 | | | | $1,794,931,680 | | | | 63,870,155 | | | | $1,283,779,549 | |
39
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year ended 10/31/14 | | | Year ended 10/31/13 | |
| | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 10,203,200 | | | | $216,704,309 | | | | 3,866,407 | | | | $77,197,519 | |
Class B | | | 804,898 | | | | 16,911,638 | | | | 264,317 | | | | 5,231,975 | |
Class C | | | 2,270,910 | | | | 47,816,546 | | | | 678,497 | | | | 13,458,907 | |
Class I | | | 1,509,871 | | | | 32,453,282 | | | | 521,104 | | | | 10,454,484 | |
Class R1 | | | 37,174 | | | | 780,649 | | | | 12,723 | | | | 251,152 | |
Class R2 | | | 361,839 | | | | 7,663,604 | | | | 141,807 | | | | 2,812,537 | |
Class R3 | | | 469,704 | | | | 10,000,086 | | | | 358,909 | | | | 6,969,013 | |
Class R4 | | | 382,598 | | | | 8,171,277 | | | | 133,934 | | | | 2,687,393 | |
Class R5 | | | 51,496 | | | | 1,127,534 | | | | 2,234 | | | | 45,993 | |
| | | 16,091,690 | | | | $341,628,925 | | | | 5,979,932 | | | | $119,108,973 | |
| | | | |
Shares reacquired | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (44,394,708 | ) | | | $(981,059,960 | ) | | | (35,002,327 | ) | | | $(697,958,184 | ) |
Class B | | | (2,321,302 | ) | | | (51,346,277 | ) | | | (2,602,174 | ) | | | (51,881,772 | ) |
Class C | | | (6,394,465 | ) | | | (141,526,773 | ) | | | (7,665,645 | ) | | | (152,500,511 | ) |
Class I | | | (8,008,508 | ) | | | (177,515,807 | ) | | | (10,888,155 | ) | | | (215,750,645 | ) |
Class R1 | | | (187,103 | ) | | | (4,126,085 | ) | | | (304,874 | ) | | | (6,011,656 | ) |
Class R2 | | | (1,665,365 | ) | | | (36,750,657 | ) | | | (2,306,102 | ) | | | (45,313,765 | ) |
Class R3 | | | (1,848,776 | ) | | | (40,946,387 | ) | | | (16,084,320 | ) | | | (328,784,721 | ) |
Class R4 | | | (1,915,898 | ) | | | (42,392,219 | ) | | | (1,190,207 | ) | | | (23,987,292 | ) |
Class R5 | | | (504,450 | ) | | | (10,866,100 | ) | | | (29,628 | ) | | | (607,810 | ) |
| | | (67,240,575 | ) | | | $(1,486,530,265 | ) | | | (76,073,432 | ) | | | $(1,522,796,356 | ) |
| | | | |
Net change | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 5,340,980 | | | | $121,053,007 | | | | 3,752,717 | | | | $80,368,812 | |
Class B | | | 198,212 | | | | 3,562,506 | | | | (236,575 | ) | | | (4,466,886 | ) |
Class C | | | 7,014,165 | | | | 154,572,689 | | | | 2,381,524 | | | | 49,156,556 | |
Class I | | | 11,024,733 | | | | 251,748,491 | | | | 1,114,898 | | | | 25,979,722 | |
Class R1 | | | 55,628 | | | | 1,223,995 | | | | (97,614 | ) | | | (1,841,412 | ) |
Class R2 | | | 568,863 | | | | 12,912,792 | | | | (904,352 | ) | | | (17,246,830 | ) |
Class R3 | | | 1,382,669 | | | | 31,023,514 | | | | (13,361,173 | ) | | | (274,572,300 | ) |
Class R4 | | | 1,226,487 | | | | 27,247,115 | | | | 1,028,368 | | | | 20,699,619 | |
Class R5 | | | 2,035,834 | | | | 46,686,231 | | | | 98,862 | | | | 2,014,885 | |
| | | 28,847,571 | | | | $650,030,340 | | | | (6,223,345 | ) | | | $(119,907,834 | ) |
(6) Line of Credit
The fund and certain other funds managed by MFS participate in a $1.1 billion unsecured committed line of credit, subject to a $1 billion sublimit, provided by a syndication of banks under a credit agreement. Borrowings may be made for temporary financing needs. Interest is charged to each fund, based on its borrowings, generally at a rate equal to the higher of the Federal Reserve funds rate or one month LIBOR plus an agreed upon spread. A commitment fee, based on the average daily, unused portion of the committed line of credit, is allocated among the participating
40
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
funds at the end of each calendar quarter. In addition, the fund and other funds managed by MFS have established unsecured uncommitted borrowing arrangements with certain banks for temporary financing needs. Interest is charged to each fund, based on its borrowings, at a rate equal to the Federal Reserve funds rate plus an agreed upon spread. For the year ended October 31, 2014, the fund’s commitment fee and interest expense were $21,495 and $0, respectively, and are included in “Miscellaneous” expense in the Statement of Operations.
(7) Transactions in Underlying Affiliated Funds-Affiliated Issuers
An affiliated issuer may be considered one in which the fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common control. For the purposes of this report, the fund assumes the following to be an affiliated issuer:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Underlying Affiliated Fund | | Beginning Shares/Par Amount | | | Acquisitions Shares/Par Amount | | | Dispositions Shares/Par Amount | | | Ending Shares/Par Amount | |
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio | | | 115,909,948 | | | | 1,280,930,403 | | | | (1,155,743,380 | ) | | | 241,096,971 | |
| | | | |
Underlying Affiliated Fund | | Realized Gain (Loss) | | | Capital Gain Distributions | | | Dividend Income | | | Ending Value | |
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio | | | $— | | | | $— | | | | $138,910 | | | | $241,096,971 | |
41
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Trustees of MFS Series Trust VI and Shareholders of MFS Utilities Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of MFS Utilities Fund (the Fund) (one of the series constituting MFS Series Trust VI) as of October 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MFS Utilities Fund (one of the series constituting MFS Series Trust VI) at October 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808079ernst_youngllp.jpg)
Boston, Massachusetts
December 18, 2014
42
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS — IDENTIFICATION AND BACKGROUND
The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, as of December 1, 2014, are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. (Their titles may have varied during that period.) The address of each Trustee and Officer is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7618.
| | | | | | | | |
Name, Age | | Position(s) Held with Fund | | Trustee/Officer Since (h) | | Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years | | Other Directorships (j) |
INTERESTED TRUSTEES |
Robert J. Manning (k) (age 51) | | Trustee | | February 2004 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director; President (until 2009); Chief Investment Officer (until 2010) | | N/A |
Robin A. Stelmach (k) (age 53) | | Trustee and President | | January 2014 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | | N/A |
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES | | |
David H. Gunning (age 72) | | Trustee and Chair of Trustees | | January 2004 | | Private investor | | Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (welding equipment manufacturer), Director; Development Alternatives, Inc. (consulting), Director/Non-Executive Chairman |
Steven E. Buller (age 63) | | Trustee | | February 2014 | | Chairman, Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council; Standing Advisory Group, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, Member; BlackRock, Inc. (investment management), Managing Director (until 2014), BlackRock Finco UK(investment management), Director (until 2014) | | N/A |
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Trustees and Officers – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Name, Age | | Position(s) Held with Fund | | Trustee/Officer Since (h) | | Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years | | Other Directorships (j) |
Robert E. Butler (age 73) | | Trustee | | January 2006 | | Consultant – investment company industry regulatory and compliance matters | | N/A |
Maureen R. Goldfarb (age 59) | | Trustee | | January 2009 | | Private investor | | N/A |
William R. Gutow (age 73) | | Trustee | | December 1993 | | Private investor and real estate consultant; Capitol Entertainment Management Company (video franchise), Vice Chairman | | Texas Donuts (donut franchise), Vice Chairman (until 2010) |
Michael Hegarty (age 69) | | Trustee | | December 2004 | | Private investor | | Brookfield Office Properties, Inc. (real estate), Director; Rouse Properties Inc. (real estate), Director; Capmark Financial Group Inc. (real estate), Director |
John P. Kavanaugh (age 60) | | Trustee | | January 2009 | | Private investor | | N/A |
Maryanne L. Roepke (age 58) | | Trustee | | May 2014 | | American Century Investments (investment management), Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (until 2014) | | N/A |
Laurie J. Thomsen (age 57) | | Trustee | | March 2005 | | Private investor; New Profit, Inc. (venture philanthropy), Executive Partner (until 2010) | | The Travelers Companies (insurance), Director |
Robert W. Uek (age 73) | | Trustee | | January 2006 | | Consultant to investment company industry | | N/A |
OFFICERS |
Christopher R. Bohane (k) (age 40) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | July 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel | | N/A |
Kino Clark (k) (age 46) | | Assistant Treasurer | | January 2012 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President | | N/A |
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Trustees and Officers – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Name, Age | | Position(s) Held with Fund | | Trustee/Officer Since (h) | | Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years | | Other Directorships (j) |
Thomas H. Connors (k) (age 55) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | September 2012 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel; Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (financial service provider), Director and Senior Counsel (until 2012) | | N/A |
Ethan D. Corey (k) (age 51) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | July 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel | | N/A |
David L. DiLorenzo (k) (age 46) | | Treasurer | | July 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President | | N/A |
Timothy M. Fagan (k) (age 46) | | Chief Compliance Officer | | November 2014 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chief Compliance Officer; Vice President and Senior Counsel (until 2012) | | N/A |
Brian E. Langenfeld (k) (age 41) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | June 2006 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel | | N/A |
Susan S. Newton (k) (age 64) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | May 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel | | N/A |
Susan A. Pereira (k) (age 44) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | July 2005 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel | | N/A |
Kasey L. Phillips (k) (age 43) | | Assistant Treasurer | | September 2012 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President; Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Senior Vice President, Fund Treasurer (until 2012) | | N/A |
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Trustees and Officers – continued
| | | | | | | | |
Name, Age | | Position(s) Held with Fund | | Trustee/Officer Since (h) | | Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years | | Other Directorships (j) |
Mark N. Polebaum (k) (age 62) | | Secretary and Clerk | | January 2006 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | | N/A |
Matthew A. Stowe (k) (age 40) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | October 2014 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel | | N/A |
Frank L. Tarantino (age 70) | | Independent Senior Officer | | June 2004 | | Tarantino LLC (provider of compliance services), Principal | | N/A |
Richard S. Weitzel (k) (age 44) | | Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | | October 2007 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel | | N/A |
James O. Yost (k) (age 54) | | Deputy Treasurer | | September 1990 | | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President | | N/A |
(h) | Date first appointed to serve as Trustee/officer of an MFS Fund. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise. For the period from December 15, 2004 until February 22, 2005, Mr. Manning served as Advisory Trustee. Prior to January 2012, Messrs. DiLorenzo and Yost served as Assistant Treasurers of the Funds. Ms. Stelmach was appointed as President of the Funds as of October 1, 2014. |
(j) | Directorships or trusteeships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (i.e., “public companies”). |
(k) | “Interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (referred to as the 1940 Act), which is the principal federal law governing investment companies like the fund, as a result of position with MFS. The address of MFS is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7618. |
Each Trustee (except Ms. Stelmach, Mr. Buller and Ms. Roepke) has been elected by shareholders and each Trustee and officer holds office until his or her successor is chosen and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal. The Trust does not hold annual meetings for the purpose of electing Trustees, and Trustees are not elected for fixed terms. Messrs. Butler, Kavanaugh, Uek and Mses. Thomsen and Roepke are members of the Trust’s Audit Committee.
Each of the Fund’s Trustees and officers holds comparable positions with certain other funds of which MFS or a subsidiary is the investment adviser or distributor, and, in the case of the officers, with certain affiliates of MFS. As of January 1, 2014, the Trustees served as board members of 142 funds within the MFS Family of Funds.
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Trustees and Officers – continued
The Statement of Additional Information for the Fund includes further information about the Trustees and is available without charge upon request by calling 1-800-225-2606.
| | |
Investment Adviser | | Custodian |
Massachusetts Financial Services Company 111 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02199-7618 | | JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA 4 Metrotech Center New York, NY 11245 |
Distributor | | Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. 111 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02199-7618 | | Ernst & Young LLP 200 Clarendon Street Boston, MA 02116 |
Portfolio Managers | | |
Claud Davis Maura Shaughnessy | | |
47
BOARD REVIEW OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The Investment Company Act of 1940 requires that both the full Board of Trustees and a majority of the non-interested (“independent”) Trustees, voting separately, annually approve the continuation of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with MFS. The Trustees consider matters bearing on the Fund and its advisory arrangements at their meetings throughout the year, including a review of performance data at each regular meeting. In addition, the independent Trustees met several times over the course of three months beginning in May and ending in July, 2014 (“contract review meetings”) for the specific purpose of considering whether to approve the continuation of the investment advisory agreement for the Fund and the other investment companies that the Board oversees (the “MFS Funds”). The independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately from MFS during various contract review meetings. The independent Trustees were also assisted in this process by the MFS Funds’ Independent Chief Compliance Officer, a full-time senior officer appointed by and reporting to the independent Trustees.
In connection with their deliberations regarding the continuation of the investment advisory agreement, the Trustees, including the independent Trustees, considered such information and factors as they believed, in light of the legal advice furnished to them and their own business judgment, to be relevant. The investment advisory agreement for the Fund was considered separately, although the Trustees also took into account the common interests of all MFS Funds in their review. As described below, the Trustees considered the nature, quality, and extent of the various investment advisory, administrative, and shareholder services performed by MFS under the existing investment advisory agreement and other arrangements with the Fund.
In connection with their contract review meetings, the Trustees received and relied upon materials that included, among other items: (i) information provided by Lipper Inc., an independent third party, on the investment performance of the Fund for various time periods ended December 31, 2013 and the investment performance of a group of funds with substantially similar investment classifications/objectives (the “Lipper performance universe”), (ii) information provided by Lipper Inc. on the Fund’s advisory fees and other expenses and the advisory fees and other expenses of comparable funds identified by Lipper Inc. (the “Lipper expense group”), (iii) information provided by MFS on the advisory fees of comparable portfolios of other clients of MFS, including institutional separate accounts and other clients, (iv) information as to whether and to what extent applicable expense waivers, reimbursements or fee “breakpoints” are observed for the Fund, (v) information regarding MFS’ financial results and financial condition, including MFS’ and certain of its affiliates’ estimated profitability from services performed for the Fund and the MFS Funds as a whole, and compared to MFS’ institutional business, (vi) MFS’ views regarding the outlook for the mutual fund industry and the strategic business plans of MFS, (vii) descriptions of various functions performed by MFS for the Funds, such as compliance monitoring and portfolio trading practices, and (viii) information regarding the overall organization of MFS, including information about MFS’ senior management and other personnel providing investment advisory, administrative and other services to
48
Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued
the Fund and the other MFS Funds. The comparative performance, fee and expense information prepared and provided by Lipper Inc. was not independently verified and the independent Trustees did not independently verify any information provided to them by MFS.
The Trustees’ conclusion as to the continuation of the investment advisory agreement was based on a comprehensive consideration of all information provided to the Trustees and not the result of any single factor. Some of the factors that figured particularly in the Trustees’ deliberations are described below, although individual Trustees may have evaluated the information presented differently from one another, giving different weights to various factors. It is also important to recognize that the fee arrangements for the Fund and other MFS Funds are the result of years of review and discussion between the independent Trustees and MFS, that certain aspects of such arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than in others, and that the Trustees’ conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of these same arrangements during the course of the year and in prior years.
Based on information provided by Lipper Inc. and MFS, the Trustees reviewed the Fund’s total return investment performance as well as the performance of peer groups of funds over various time periods. The Trustees placed particular emphasis on the total return performance of the Fund’s Class A shares in comparison to the performance of funds in its Lipper performance universe over the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, which the Trustees believed was a long enough period to reflect differing market conditions. The total return performance of the Fund’s Class A shares was in the 2nd quintile relative to the other funds in the universe for this three-year period (the 1st quintile being the best performers and the 5th quintile being the worst performers). The total return performance of the Fund’s Class A shares was in the 2nd quintile for the one-year period and the 1st quintile for the five-year period ended December 31, 2013 relative to the Lipper performance universe. Because of the passage of time, these performance results may differ from the performance results for more recent periods, including those shown elsewhere in this report.
In the course of their deliberations, the Trustees took into account information provided by MFS in connection with the contract review meetings, as well as during investment review meetings conducted with portfolio management personnel during the course of the year regarding the Fund’s performance. After reviewing these and related factors, the Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the investment advisory agreement, that they were satisfied with MFS’ responses and efforts relating to investment performance.
In assessing the reasonableness of the Fund’s advisory fee, the Trustees considered, among other information, the Fund’s advisory fee and the total expense ratio of the Fund’s Class A shares as a percentage of average daily net assets and the advisory fee and total expense ratios of peer groups of funds based on information provided by Lipper Inc. The Trustees considered that, according to the Lipper data (which takes into account any fee reductions or expense limitations that were in effect during the Fund’s last fiscal year), the Fund’s effective advisory fee rate was approximately at the Lipper expense group median, and the Fund’s total expense ratio was lower than the Lipper expense group median.
49
Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued
The Trustees also considered the advisory fees charged by MFS to any comparable institutional accounts. In comparing these fees, the Trustees considered information provided by MFS as to the generally broader scope of services provided by MFS to the Fund in comparison to institutional accounts, the higher demands placed on MFS’ investment personnel and trading infrastructure as a result of the daily cash in-flows and out-flows of the Fund, and the impact on MFS and expenses associated with the more extensive regulatory regime to which the Fund is subject in comparison to institutional accounts.
The Trustees also considered whether the Fund may benefit from any economies of scale in the management of the Fund in the event of growth in assets of the Fund. They noted that the Fund’s advisory fee rate schedule is subject to a contractual breakpoint that reduces the Fund’s advisory fee rate on average daily net assets over $3 billion. The Trustees concluded that the breakpoint was sufficient to allow the Fund to benefit from economies of scale as its assets grow.
The Trustees also considered information prepared by MFS relating to MFS’ costs and profits with respect to the Fund, the MFS Funds considered as a group, and other investment companies and accounts advised by MFS, as well as MFS’ methodologies used to determine and allocate its costs to the MFS Funds, the Fund and other accounts and products for purposes of estimating profitability.
After reviewing these and other factors described herein, the Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the investment advisory agreement, that the advisory fees charged to the Fund represent reasonable compensation in light of the services being provided by MFS to the Fund.
In addition, the Trustees considered MFS’ resources and related efforts to continue to retain, attract and motivate capable personnel to serve the Fund. The Trustees also considered current and developing conditions in the financial services industry, including the presence of large and well-capitalized companies which are spending, and appear to be prepared to continue to spend, substantial sums to engage personnel and to provide services to competing investment companies. In this regard, the Trustees also considered the financial resources of MFS and its ultimate parent, Sun Life Financial Inc. The Trustees also considered the advantages and possible disadvantages to the Fund of having an adviser that also serves other investment companies as well as other accounts.
The Trustees also considered the nature, quality, cost, and extent of administrative, transfer agency, and distribution services provided to the Fund by MFS and its affiliates under agreements and plans other than the investment advisory agreement, including any 12b-1 fees the Fund pays to MFS Fund Distributors, Inc., an affiliate of MFS. The Trustees also considered the nature, extent and quality of certain other services MFS performs or arranges for on the Fund’s behalf, which may include securities lending programs, directed expense payment programs, class action recovery programs, and MFS’ interaction with third-party service providers, principally custodians and sub-custodians. The Trustees concluded that the various non-advisory services provided by MFS and its affiliates on behalf of the Fund were satisfactory.
The Trustees also considered benefits to MFS from the use of the Fund’s portfolio brokerage commissions, if applicable, to pay for investment research and various other
50
Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued
factors. Additionally, the Trustees considered so-called “fall-out benefits” to MFS such as reputational value derived from serving as investment manager to the Fund.
Based on their evaluation of factors that they deemed to be material, including those factors described above, the Board of Trustees, including the independent Trustees, concluded that the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with MFS should be continued for an additional one-year period, commencing August 1, 2014.
51
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND INFORMATION
MFS votes proxies on behalf of the fund pursuant to proxy voting policies and procedures that are available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-225-2606, by visiting the Proxy Voting section of mfs.com or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
Information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge by visiting the Proxy Voting section of mfs.com or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO DISCLOSURE
The fund will file a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. A shareholder can obtain the quarterly portfolio holdings report at mfs.com. The fund’s Form N-Q is also available on the EDGAR database on the Commission’s Internet Web site at http://www.sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the:
Public Reference Room
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE, Room 1580
Washington, D.C. 20549
Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. Copies of the fund’s Form N-Q also may be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the Public Reference Section at the above address.
FURTHER INFORMATION
From time to time, MFS may post important information about the fund or the MFS funds on the MFS web site (mfs.com). This information is available by visiting the “Market Commentary” and “Announcements” sub sections in the “Market Outlooks” section of mfs.com or by clicking on the fund’s name under “Mutual Funds” in the “Products” section of mfs.com.
FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)
The fund will notify shareholders of amounts for use in preparing 2014 income tax forms in January 2015. The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
The fund designates the maximum amount allowable as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at the same rate as long-term capital gain.
The fund designates $149,864,000 as capital gain dividends paid during the fiscal year.
For corporate shareholders, 39.33% of the ordinary income dividends paid during the fiscal year qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction.
52
rev. 3/11
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FACTS | | WHAT DOES MFS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? | | ![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001193125-15-001248/g808079logo_07.jpg) |
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Why? | | Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. |
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What? | | The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include: • Social Security number and account balances • Account transactions and transaction history • Checking account information and wire transfer instructions When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice. |
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How? | | All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons MFS chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. |
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Reasons we can share your personal information | | Does MFS share? | | Can you limit this sharing? |
For our everyday business purposes – such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus | | Yes | | No |
For our marketing purposes – to offer our products and services to you | | No | | We don’t share |
For joint marketing with other financial companies | | No | | We don’t share |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your transactions and experiences | | No | | We don’t share |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness | | No | | We don’t share |
For nonaffiliates to market to you | | No | | We don’t share |
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Questions? | | Call 800-225-2606 or go to mfs.com. |
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| | |
Who we are |
Who is providing this notice? | | MFS Funds, MFS Investment Management, MFS Institutional Advisors, Inc., MFS Fund Distributors, Inc., MFS Heritage Trust Company, and MFS Service Center, Inc. |
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What we do |
How does MFS protect my personal information? | | To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include procedural, electronic, and physical safeguards for the protection of the personal information we collect about you. |
How does MFS collect my personal information? | | We collect your personal information, for example, when you •open an account or provide account information •direct us to buy securities or direct us to sell your securities •make a wire transfer We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates and other companies. |
Why can’t I limit all sharing? | | Federal law gives you the right to limit only •sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness •affiliates from using your information to market to you •sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. |
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Definitions |
Affiliates | | Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. •MFS does not share personal information with affiliates, except for everyday business purposes as described on page one of this notice. |
Nonaffiliates | | Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. •MFS does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. |
Joint Marketing | | A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. •MFS doesn’t jointly market. |
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Other important information |
If you own an MFS product or receive an MFS service in the name of a third party such as a bank or broker-dealer, their privacy policy may apply to you instead of ours. |
54
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Save paper with eDelivery.
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| MFS® will send you prospectuses, |
reports, and proxies directly via e-mail so you will get information faster with less mailbox clutter.
To sign up:
1. Go to mfs.com.
2. Log in via MFS® Access.
3. Select eDelivery.
If you own your MFS fund shares through a financial institution or a retirement plan, MFS® TALK, MFS® Access, or eDelivery may not be available to you.
CONTACT
WEB SITE
mfs.com
MFS TALK
1-800-637-8255
24 hours a day
ACCOUNT SERVICE AND LITERATURE
Shareholders
1-800-225-2606
Financial advisors
1-800-343-2829
Retirement plan services
1-800-637-1255
MAILING ADDRESS
MFS Service Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 55824
Boston, MA 02205-5824
OVERNIGHT MAIL
MFS Service Center, Inc.
c/o Boston Financial Data Services
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021-2809
The Registrant has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and as defined in Form N-CSR that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer. During the period covered by this report, the Registrant has not amended any provision in its Code of Ethics (the “Code”) that relates to an element of the Code’s definitions enumerated in paragraph (b) of Item 2 of this Form N-CSR. During the period covered by this report, the Registrant did not grant a waiver, including an implicit waiver, from any provision of the Code.
A copy of the Code of Ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.
ITEM 3. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT. |
Messrs. Robert E. Butler, John P. Kavanaugh and Robert W. Uek and Mses. Maryanne L. Roepke and Laurie J. Thomsen, members of the Audit Committee, have been determined by the Board of Trustees in their reasonable business judgment to meet the definition of “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Form N-CSR. In addition, Messrs. Butler, Kavanaugh and Uek and Mses. Roepke and Thomsen are “independent” members of the Audit Committee (as such term has been defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in regulations implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002). The Securities and Exchange Commission has stated that the designation of a person as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to this Item 3 on the Form N-CSR does not impose on such a person any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification.
ITEM 4. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. |
Items 4(a) through 4(d) and 4(g):
The Board of Trustees has appointed Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”) to serve as independent accountants to each series of the Registrant (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”). The tables below set forth the audit fees billed to each Fund as well as fees for non-audit services provided to each Fund and/or to the Fund’s investment adviser, Massachusetts Financial Services Company (“MFS”) and to various entities either controlling, controlled by, or under common control with MFS that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“MFS Related Entities”).
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2014 and 2013, audit fees billed to each Fund by E&Y were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Audit Fees | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Fees billed by E&Y: | | | | | | | | |
MFS Global Equity Fund | | | 47,853 | | | | 47,295 | |
MFS Global Total Return Fund | | | 55,820 | | | | 55,168 | |
MFS Utilities Fund | | | 43,772 | | | | 43,262 | |
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Total | | | 147,445 | | | | 145,725 | |
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2014 and 2013, fees billed by E&Y for audit-related, tax and other services provided to each Fund and for audit-related, tax and other services provided to MFS and MFS Related Entities were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Audit-Related Fees1 | | | Tax Fees2 | | | All Other Fees3 | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Fees billed by E&Y: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
To MFS Global Equity Fund | | | 3,750 | | | | 0 | | | | 9,132 | | | | 9,068 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
To MFS Global Total Return Fund | | | 3,750 | | | | 0 | | | | 10,398 | | | | 10,319 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
To MFS Utilities Fund | | | 3,750 | | | | 0 | | | | 8,413 | | | | 8,358 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
Total fees billed by E&Y To above Funds | | | 11,250 | | | | 0 | | | | 27,943 | | | | 27,745 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
| | | |
| | Audit-Related Fees1 | | | Tax Fees2 | | | All Other Fees3 | |
| 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Fees billed by E&Y: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
To MFS and MFS Related Entities of MFS Global Equity Fund* | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
To MFS and MFS Related Entities of MFS Global Total Return Fund* | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
To MFS and MFS Related Entities of MFS Utilities Fund* | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Aggregate fees for non-audit services: | |
| | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Fees billed by E&Y: | | | | | | | | |
To MFS Global Equity Fund, MFS and MFS Related Entities# | | | 87,882 | | | | 67,068 | |
To MFS Global Total Return Fund, MFS and MFS Related Entities# | | | 89,148 | | | | 68,319 | |
To MFS Utilities Fund, MFS and MFS Related Entities# | | | 87,163 | | | | 66,358 | |
* | This amount reflects the fees billed to MFS and MFS Related Entities for non-audit services relating directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund (portions of which services also related to the operations and financial reporting of other funds within the MFS Funds complex). |
# | This amount reflects the aggregate fees billed by E&Y for non-audit services rendered to the Fund and for non-audit services rendered to MFS and the MFS Related Entities. |
1 | The fees included under “Audit-Related Fees” are fees related to assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements, but not reported under ‘‘Audit Fees,’’ including accounting consultations, agreed-upon procedure reports, attestation reports, comfort letters and internal control reviews. |
2 | The fees included under “Tax Fees” are fees associated with tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning, including services relating to the filing or amendment of federal, state or local income tax returns, regulated investment company qualification reviews and tax distribution and analysis. |
3 | The fees under “All Other Fees” are fees for products and services provided by E&Y other than those reported under “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees” and “Tax Fees”. |
Item 4(e)(1):
Set forth below are the policies and procedures established by the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees relating to the pre-approval of audit and non-audit related services:
To the extent required by applicable law, pre-approval by the Audit Committee of the Board is needed for all audit and permissible non-audit services rendered to the Funds and all permissible non-audit services rendered to MFS or MFS Related Entities if the services relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Registrant. Pre-approval is currently on an engagement-by-engagement basis. In the event pre-approval of such services is necessary between regular meetings of the Audit Committee and it is not practical to wait to seek pre-approval at the next regular meeting of the Audit Committee, pre-approval of such services may be referred to the Chair of the Audit Committee for approval; provided that the Chair may not pre-approve any individual engagement for such services exceeding $50,000 or multiple engagements for such services in the aggregate exceeding $100,000 in each period between regular meetings of the Audit Committee. Any engagement pre-approved by the Chair between regular meetings of the Audit Committee shall be presented for ratification by the entire Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
Item 4(e)(2):
None, or 0%, of the services relating to the Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees paid by the Fund and MFS and MFS Related Entities relating directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Registrant disclosed above were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraphs (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X (which permits audit committee approval after the start of the engagement with respect to services other than audit, review or attest services, if certain conditions are satisfied).
Item 4(f): Not applicable.
Item 4(h): The Registrant’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision by a Registrant’s independent registered public accounting firm of non-audit services to MFS and MFS Related Entities that were not pre-approved by the Committee (because such services did not relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Registrant) was compatible with maintaining the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm as the Registrant’s principal auditors.
ITEM 5. | AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS. |
Not applicable to the Registrant.
A schedule of investments of 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 to the Registrant.
ITEM 8. | PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable to the Registrant.
ITEM 9. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS. |
Not applicable to the Registrant.
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 effectiveness 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 report on 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 of the period covered by the report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
(a) | File the exhibits listed below as part of this form. Letter or number the exhibits in the sequence indicated. |
| (1) | Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit: Code of Ethics attached hereto. |
| (2) | A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2): Attached hereto. |
(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. |
Notice
A copy of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, as amended, of the Registrant is on file with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Registrant by an officer of the Registrant as an officer and not individually and the obligations of or arising out of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of the respective constituent series of the Registrant.
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 SERIES TRUST VI
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By (Signature and Title)* | | ROBIN A. STELMACH |
| | Robin A. Stelmach, President |
Date: December 18, 2014
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| | |
By (Signature and Title)* | | ROBIN A. STELMACH |
| | Robin A. Stelmach, President (Principal Executive Officer) |
Date: December 18, 2014
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By (Signature and Title)* | | DAVID L. DILORENZO |
| | David L. DiLorenzo, Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer) |
Date: December 18, 2014
* | Print name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature. |