MFS HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL TRUST N-CSR
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF

REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-04992

MFS HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7618

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Susan S. Newton

Massachusetts Financial Services Company

111 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7618

(Name and address of agents for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

Date of reporting period: November 30, 2012


Table of Contents
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


Table of Contents

ANNUAL REPORT

November 30, 2012

 

LOGO

 

MFS® HIGH YIELD

MUNICIPAL TRUST

 

LOGO

 

CMU-ANN

 


Table of Contents

MFS® HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL TRUST

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: CMU

 

Letter from the Chairman and CEO     1   
Portfolio composition     2   
Management review     4   
Performance summary     7   
Investment objective, principal investment strategies and
risks of the fund
    9   
Portfolio managers’ profiles     11   
Dividend reinvestment and cash purchase plan     12   
Portfolio of investments     13   
Statement of assets and liabilities     37   
Statement of operations     38   
Statements of changes in net assets     39   
Statement of cash flows     40   
Financial highlights     41   
Notes to financial statements     43   
Report of independent registered public accounting firm     55   
Results of shareholder meeting     56   
Trustees and officers     57   
Board review of investment advisory agreement     62   
Proxy voting policies and information     66   
Quarterly portfolio disclosure     66   
Further information     66   
Federal tax information     66   
MFS® privacy notice     67   
Contact information    back cover   

 

NOT FDIC INSURED Ÿ MAY LOSE VALUE Ÿ NO BANK GUARANTEE


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LOGO

 

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND CEO

 

Dear Shareholders:

The global market outlook for 2013 is one of cautious optimism. While we are seeing some positive economic trends in the United States, Europe, and China, the overall

environment remains challenging. In the United States, the recent fiscal cliff agreement was received positively by investors, even though it mostly addressed pressing taxation issues and did not resolve additional concerns, including the need for spending cuts and a large-scale reduction of the federal debt. These issues will be front and center again in the spring. Despite the ongoing uncertainty, economic tailwinds are gathering strength as the U.S. housing and job markets are improving and consumer confidence is rising.

Overseas, the debt crisis continues to weigh heavily on eurozone markets, with even Germany — long an economic

stalwart — experiencing some contraction. These ongoing challenges could be a drag on global market performance this year. In Asia, manufacturing activity has accelerated in emerging markets such as China and India, and we are seeing signs of stabilized loan growth in China, a leading indicator of that country’s economic health. In contrast, Japan’s economy is contracting sharply under deflationary pressures. Nevertheless, Japanese markets have responded favorably to early actions by the new government, which appears determined to act aggressively, along with the Bank of Japan, to stimulate growth.

As always, managing risk in the face of uncertainty remains a top priority for investors. At MFS®, our uniquely collaborative investment process revolves around global research and our disciplined risk management approach. Our global team of investment professionals shares ideas and evaluates opportunities across continents, investment disciplines and asset classes — all with a goal of building better insights, and ultimately better results, for our clients.

We remain mindful of the many economic challenges investors face today, and believe it is more important than ever to maintain a long-term view, employ time-tested principles, such as asset allocation and diversification, and work closely with investment advisors to identify and pursue the most suitable opportunities.

Respectfully,

 

LOGO

Robert J. Manning

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

MFS Investment Management®

January 15, 2013

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

 

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PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Portfolio structure at market value

 

 

 

LOGO

 

Top five industries reflecting equivalent exposure of derivative positions (i)

    

Healthcare Revenue – Hospitals     35.2%   
Healthcare Revenue – Long Term Care     17.3%   
Universities – Colleges     9.1%   
Water & Sewer Utility Revenue     9.0%   
U.S. Treasury Securities (j)     (19.4)%   

 

Portfolio structure reflecting equivalent exposure of derivative positions (i)(j)

 

LOGO

 

Composition including fixed income credit quality (a)(i)    
AAA     7.9%   
AA     34.6%   
A     24.6%   
BBB     38.9%   
BB     6.8%   
B     9.6%   
CCC (o)     0.0%   
CC (o)     0.0%   
C     0.3%   
Not Rated (j)     6.0%   
Cash & Other     (28.7)%   
Portfolio facts (i)  
Average Duration (d)     10.3   
Average Effective Maturity (m)     19.2 yrs.   
 

 

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Portfolio Composition – continued

 

(a) For all securities other than those specifically described below, ratings are assigned to underlying securities utilizing ratings from Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s rating agencies and applying the following hierarchy: If all three agencies provide a rating, the middle rating (after dropping the highest and lowest ratings) is assigned; if two of the three agencies rate a security, the lower of the two is assigned. Ratings are shown in the S&P and Fitch scale (e.g., AAA). Securities rated BBB or higher are considered investment grade. All ratings are subject to change. Not Rated includes fixed income securities, including fixed income futures contracts, which have not been rated by any rating agency. Cash & Other includes cash, other assets less liabilities, offsets to derivative positions, and short-term securities. The fund may not hold all of these instruments. The fund is not rated by these agencies.
(d) Duration is a measure of how much a bond’s price is likely to fluctuate with general changes in interest rates, e.g., if rates rise 1.00%, a bond with a 5-year duration is likely to lose about 5.00% of its value due to the interest rate move.
(i) For purposes of this presentation, the components include the market value of securities, and reflect the impact of the equivalent exposure of derivative positions, if any. These amounts may be negative from time to time. The bond component will include any accrued interest amounts. Equivalent exposure is a calculated amount that translates the derivative position into a reasonable approximation of the amount of the underlying asset that the portfolio would have to hold at a given point in time to have the same price sensitivity that results from the portfolio’s ownership of the derivative contract. When dealing with derivatives, equivalent exposure is a more representative measure of the potential impact of a position on portfolio performance than market value. Where the fund holds convertible bonds, these are treated as part of the equity portion of the portfolio.
(j) For the purpose of managing the fund’s duration, the fund holds short treasury futures with a bond equivalent exposure of (19.4)%, which reduce the fund’s interest rate exposure but not its credit exposure.
(m) In determining an instrument’s effective maturity for purposes of calculating the fund’s dollar-weighted average effective maturity, MFS uses the instrument’s stated maturity or, if applicable, an earlier date on which MFS believes it is probable that a maturity-shortening device (such as a put, pre-refunding or prepayment) will cause the instrument to be repaid. Such an earlier date can be substantially shorter than the instrument’s stated maturity.
(o) Less than 0.1%.

From time to time “Cash & Other Net Assets” may be negative due to the aggregate liquidation value of variable rate municipal term preferred shares, timing of cash receipts, and/or equivalent exposure from any derivative holdings.

Percentages are based on net assets, including the value of auction rate preferred shares, as of 11/30/12.

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

 

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MANAGEMENT REVIEW

Summary of Results

The MFS High Yield Municipal Trust (the “fund”) is a closed-end fund investing primarily in tax-exempt bonds and tax-exempt notes.

For the twelve months ended November 30, 2012, common shares of the fund provided a total return of 26.98%, at net asset value. This compares with a return of 10.17% for the fund’s benchmark, the Barclays Municipal Bond Index.

During the reporting period, the fund issued in a private placement 2,844 Variable Rate Municipal Term Preferred Shares (VMTPS) and the proceeds were used to repurchase 94.8% of the fund’s outstanding Auction Rate Preferred Shares (ARPS) tendered at a price equal to 95% of the ARPS’ per share liquidation preference, plus any unpaid dividends. The fund benefited from the tender and repurchase of a portion of the fund’s ARPS at 95% of the ARPS’ per share liquidation preference.

Market Environment

Just prior to the beginning of the reporting period, markets were roiled by several global concerns. These included the aftermath of the U.S. sovereign debt-ceiling debacle, the path of eurozone integration and the scope of its bailout facilities, and the likelihood of a Chinese hard landing. Amidst this turmoil, global equity markets had declined sharply and credit spreads widened. At the same time, global consumer and producer sentiment indicators had fallen precipitously, while highly-rated sovereign bond yields hit multi-decade lows.

During the first half of the period, however, additional liquidity from the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), in the form of “Operation Twist”, and the European Central Bank (ECB), in the form of 3-year, Long Term Refinancing Operations, or LTROs, coupled with healthier global macroeconomic conditions led by moderate but sustained U.S. growth, ushered in improved market dynamics.

During the latter part of the period, market trends were more mixed. Worsening conditions were driven by broadly weaker global macroeconomic indicators, as well as renewed concerns over the eurozone’s capacity and determination to address its ongoing crisis. However, broad market sentiment remained relatively resilient, as equity markets generally maintained gains and credit spreads did not indicate deterioration. A new round of monetary easing by the Fed (QE3) and the ECB (rate cut and a new bond purchase facility) towards the end of the period instilled additional confidence in risk markets. Nonetheless, towards the end of the period, weaker equity earnings reports and declining forward guidance caused market sentiment to soften. As we moved toward year end, the fiscal cliff negotiations between the Republicans in the U.S. Congress and President Obama appeared to have been a particular source of market attention.

Over the twelve months ended November 30, 2012, the municipal bond market continued to generate good performance relative to other rate-sensitive fixed income markets, in part as a result of falling treasury yields, but also as a consequence of very favorable supply/demand dynamics. The latter were driven by historically low yields on treasury debt and cash equivalents, which appeared to have forced income oriented

 

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Management Review – continued

 

investors to look elsewhere for yield. In addition, while municipal bond issuance increased over 2011’s depressed levels, much of it was due to the refinancing of older, higher-coupon debt versus issuance to raise money to finance new projects. In other words, net new supply remained quite low, while demand remained high. As of the end of November 2012, net inflows into municipal bond mutual funds were tracking for their second-highest calendar year on record.

Municipal bond yield spreads over treasuries tightened and all-in yield fell to multi-decade lows against a backdrop where high-profile headlines about Chapter 9 filings raised questions about the solvency of certain local issuers. Nevertheless, lower-quality bonds strongly outperformed the period, with “BBB” (r) rated municipal bonds generating total return approximately twice that of the highest-quality municipal issuance (Barclays Municipal BBB-rated up 14.08% for the twelve months ended November 30, 2012 vs. 7.30% for Barclays Municipal AAA-rated). Investors seemed willing to recognize the unique circumstances of problem credits, rather than viewing them as symptomatic of broader credit trends.

Contributors to Performance

Strong bond selection was a key factor for the fund’s positive excess return over the Barclays Municipal Bond Index. A greater exposure to “BBB” rated bonds, and a lesser exposure to “AA” rated securities, also benefited relative returns as credit spreads narrowed during the reporting period.

The fund’s favorable bond selection and greater allocation to the health care sector, and bond selection in the government obligation, tobacco, and utilities sectors, were additional factors that boosted relative results.

During the reporting period, the fund benefited from the tender and repurchase of a portion of the fund’s ARPS at 95% of the fund ARPS’ per share liquidation preference.

The fund employs leverage which has been created through the issuance of ARPS and VMTPS. To the extent that investments are purchased through the use of leverage, the fund’s net asset value will increase or decrease at a greater rate than a comparable unleveraged fund. During the reporting period, the fund’s leverage enhanced its absolute positive performance.

Detractors from Performance

The fund’s short positions in U.S. Treasury futures, which were used to hedge the duration (d) of the municipal securities held by the fund, detracted from relative performance as U.S. Treasuries rallied throughout the year. The benchmark does not hold U.S. Treasury futures.

Respectfully,

 

Gary Lasman   Geoffrey Schechter
Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager

 

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

 

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Management Review – continued

 

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

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

 

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PERFORMANCE SUMMARY THROUGH 11/30/12

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

Price Summary for MFS High Yield Municipal Trust

 

Year Ended 11/30/12

 

              Date        Price     
   Net Asset Value        11/30/12         $5.04  
            11/30/11         $4.25  
   New York Stock Exchange Price        11/30/12         $5.25  
            7/06/12  (high) (t)       $5.45  
            12/02/11  (low) (t)       $4.46  
              11/30/11         $4.57    

Total Returns vs Benchmark

 

Year Ended 11/30/12

 

       
     MFS High Yield Municipal Trust at       
  

New York Stock Exchange Price (r)

     23.01%  
  

Net Asset Value (r)(y)

     26.98%  
   Barclays Municipal Bond Index (f)      10.17%    
(f) Source: FactSet Research Systems Inc.

 

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

 

(t) For the period December 1, 2011 through November 30, 2012.

 

(y) Included in the total return at net asset value is the impact of the tender and repurchase by the fund of a portion of its ARPS at 95% of the ARPS’ per share liquidation preference. Had this transaction not occurred, the total return at net asset value would have been lower by 2.52%.

Benchmark Definition

Barclays Municipal Bond Index – a market capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of the tax-exempt bond market.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Notes to Performance Summary

The fund’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to net asset value. Shareholders do not have the right to cause the fund to repurchase their shares at net asset value.

 

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Performance Summary – continued

 

When fund shares trade at a premium, buyers pay more than the net asset value underlying fund shares, and shares purchased at a premium would receive less than the amount paid for them in the event of the fund’s liquidation. As a result, the total return that is calculated based on the net asset value and New York Stock Exchange price can be different.

Net asset values and 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities or the Financial Highlights.

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

 

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

 

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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS OF THE FUND

Investment Objective

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

Principal Investment Strategies

The fund invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets, including assets attributable to preferred shares and borrowings for investment purposes, in tax-exempt bonds and tax-exempt notes. This policy may not be changed without shareholder approval. Tax-exempt bonds and tax-exempt notes are municipal instruments, the interest of which is exempt from federal income tax. Interest from the fund’s investments may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.

MFS (Massachusetts Financial Services Company, the fund’s investment adviser) may invest 25% or more of the fund’s total assets in municipal instruments that finance similar projects, such as those relating to education, healthcare, housing, utilities, water, or sewers. Although MFS seeks to invest the funds’ assets in municipal instruments whose interest is exempt from federal personal income tax, MFS may also invest in taxable instruments, including derivatives.

MFS may invest up to 100% of the fund’s assets in less than investment grade quality debt instruments (lower quality debt instruments).

MFS may invest a relatively large percentage of the fund’s assets in a single issuer or a small number of issuers.

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

MFS uses a bottom-up investment approach to buying and selling investments for the fund. Investments are selected primarily based on fundamental analysis of individual instruments and their issuers in light of issuers’ financial condition and market, economic, political, and regulatory conditions. Factors considered may include the instrument’s credit quality, collateral characteristics, and indenture provisions, and the issuer’s management ability, capital structure, leverage, and ability to meet its current obligations. Quantitative models that systematically evaluate the structure of the debt instrument and its features may also be considered. In structuring the fund, MFS may also consider top-down factors, including sector allocations, yield curve positioning, macroeconomic factors and risk management factors.

The fund uses leverage through the issuance of preferred shares and/or the creation of tender option bonds, and then investing the proceeds pursuant to its investment strategies. If approved by the fund’s Board of Trustees, the fund may use leverage by other methods.

 

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

 

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

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

Principal Risks

The fund may not achieve its objective and/or you could lose money on your investment in the fund.

Investments in debt instruments may decline in value as the result of increases in interest rates, declines in the credit quality of the issuer, borrower, counterparty or underlying collateral or assets and the terms of the instrument, or changes in economic, political, issuer-specific, or other conditions. Certain types of debt instruments can be more sensitive to these factors and therefore more volatile.

Investments in derivatives can be used to take both long and short positions, be highly volatile, result in leverage (which can magnify losses), and involve risks in addition to the risks of the underlying indicator(s) on which the derivative is based, such as counterparty and liquidity risk.

Investments in lower-quality debt instruments can be more volatile and have greater risk of default than higher-quality debt instruments.

Investments in municipal instruments can be volatile and significantly affected by adverse tax or court rulings, legislative or political changes, market and economic conditions, issuer, industry-specific (including the credit quality of municipal insurers), and other conditions.

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

Leverage involves investment exposure in an amount exceeding the initial investment. Leverage can cause increased volatility by magnifying gains or losses.

To the extent that investments are purchased with the issuance of preferred shares, the fund’s net asset value will increase or decrease at a greater rate than a comparable unleveraged fund.

Please see the fund’s registration statement for further information regarding these and other risk considerations. A copy of the fund’s registration statement on Form N-2 is available on the EDGAR database on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Internet Web site at http://sec.gov.

 

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PORTFOLIO MANAGERS’ PROFILES

 

Gary Lasman     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 2002. Portfolio Manager of the fund since June 2007.
Geoffrey Schechter     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 1993. Portfolio Manager of the fund since June 2007.

 

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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN

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

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

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

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

 

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PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

11/30/12

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

 

Municipal Bonds - 150.0%                 
Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Airport Revenue - 3.6%                 
Burlington, VT, Airport Rev., “A”, 4%, 2028    $ 90,000      $ 87,955   
Dallas Fort Worth, TX, International Airport Rev. Improvement, “B”, AGM, 5%, 2025      3,000,000        3,213,510   
Denver, CO, City & County Airport Systems Rev., “A”, 5%, 2027      165,000        194,901   
Denver, CO, City & County Airport Systems Rev., “A”, 5%, 2028      165,000        193,345   
Denver, CO, City & County Airport Systems Rev., “B”, 5%, 2032      325,000        384,823   
Houston, TX, Airport System Rev., “B”, 5%, 2026      175,000        211,416   
Houston, TX, Airport System Rev., Subordinate Lien, “A”, 5%, 2031      155,000        178,396   
Port Authority of NY & NJ, Special Obligation Rev. (JFK International Air Terminal LLC), 6%, 2036      255,000        301,629   
Port Authority of NY & NJ, Special Obligation Rev. (JFK International Air Terminal LLC), 6%, 2042      290,000        343,029   
    

 

 

 
             $ 5,109,004   
General Obligations - General Purpose - 3.5%                 
Allegheny County, PA, “C-70”, 5%, 2037    $ 265,000      $ 303,311   
Bellwood, IL, General Obligation, 5.875%, 2027      200,000        198,916   
Bellwood, IL, General Obligation, 6.15%, 2032      200,000        198,184   
Chicago, IL, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District-Greater Chicago, “C”, 5%, 2030      780,000        948,722   
Las Vegas Valley, NV, Water District, “C”, 5%, 2029      925,000        1,114,227   
Luzerne County, PA, AGM, 6.75%, 2023      455,000        545,308   
State of California, 5.25%, 2028      335,000        414,700   
State of California, 5.25%, 2030      790,000        956,809   
State of Hawaii, “DZ”, 5%, 2031      200,000        245,814   
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,925,991   
General Obligations - Improvement - 0.1%                 
Guam Government, “A”, 7%, 2039    $ 90,000      $ 104,102   
General Obligations - Schools - 2.6%                 
Beverly Hills, CA, Unified School District (Election of 2008), Capital Appreciation, 0%, 2029    $ 2,195,000      $ 1,243,709   
Beverly Hills, CA, Unified School District (Election of 2008), Capital Appreciation, 0%, 2031      275,000        142,376   
Beverly Hills, CA, Unified School District (Election of 2008), Capital Appreciation, 0%, 2032      280,000        138,328   
Beverly Hills, CA, Unified School District (Election of 2008), Capital Appreciation, 0%, 2033      560,000        263,676   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
General Obligations - Schools - continued                 
Frisco, TX, Independent School District, School Building, “B”, 3%, 2042    $ 295,000      $ 285,944   
Irving, TX, Independent School District, Capital Appreciation, “A”, PSF, 0%, 2016      1,000,000        975,750   
Los Angeles, CA, Unified School District, “D”, 5%, 2034      165,000        191,045   
San Jacinto, TX, Community College District, 5.125%, 2038      430,000        496,203   
    

 

 

 
             $ 3,737,031   
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - 35.6%                 
Allegheny County, PA, Hospital Development Authority Rev. (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), “A”, 5.375%, 2029    $ 440,000      $ 522,289   
Allegheny County, PA, Hospital Development Authority Rev. (West Penn Allegheny Health), “A”, 5%, 2028      60,000        41,416   
Atchison, KS, Hospital Rev. (Atchison Hospital Assn.), “A”, 6.75%, 2030      320,000        350,534   
Brunswick, GA, Hospital Authority Rev. (Glynn-Brunswick Memorial Hospital), 5.625%, 2034      170,000        192,763   
Butler County, OH, Hospital Facilities Rev. (UC Health), 5.5%, 2040      590,000        649,873   
Butler County, OH, Hospital Facilities Rev. (UC Health), 5.75%, 2040      130,000        145,378   
California Health Facilities Financing Authority Rev. (St. Joseph Health System), “A”, 5.75%, 2039      185,000        215,377   
California Health Facilities Financing Authority Rev. (Sutter Health), “B”, 5.875%, 2031      660,000        806,223   
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Catholic Healthcare West), “K”, ASSD GTY, 5.5%, 2041      625,000        672,450   
Cullman County, AL, Health Care Authority (Cullman Regional Medical Center), “A”, 6.75%, 2029      60,000        65,599   
Delaware County, PA, Authority Rev. (Mercy Health Corp.), ETM, 6%, 2016 (c)      965,000        1,065,978   
Delaware County, PA, Authority Rev. (Mercy Health Corp.), ETM, 6%, 2026 (c)      500,000        559,180   
Duluth, MN, Economic Development Authority Health Care Facilities Rev. (St. Luke’s Hospital Authority Obligation Group), 5.75%, 2027      140,000        151,519   
Duluth, MN, Economic Development Authority Health Care Facilities Rev. (St. Luke’s Hospital Authority Obligation Group), 5.75%, 2032      305,000        326,463   
Duluth, MN, Economic Development Authority Health Care Facilities Rev. (St. Luke’s Hospital Authority Obligation Group), 6%, 2039      365,000        394,981   
Gallia County, OH, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Holzer Health Systems), “A”, 8%, 2042      945,000        1,105,111   
Harris County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Medical Facilities Rev. (Baylor College of Medicine), “D”, 5.625%, 2032      540,000        613,181   
Harris County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Hospital Rev. (Memorial Hermann Healthcare Systems), “B”, 7.25%, 2035      205,000        261,338   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - continued                 
Idaho Health Facilities Authority Rev. (IHC Hospitals, Inc.), ETM, 6.65%, 2021 (c)    $ 2,750,000      $ 3,840,705   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Advocate Healthcare), 4%, 2047      305,000        312,265   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Kewanee Hospital), 5.1%, 2031      385,000        406,156   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Provena Health), “A”, 7.75%, 2034      485,000        631,630   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Silver Cross Hospital & Medical Centers), 6.875%, 2038      485,000        586,409   
Indiana Health & Educational Facilities Finance Authority Rev. (Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc.), “E”, AGM, 5.25%, 2041      660,000        716,753   
Indiana Health & Educational Facilities Finance Authority, Hospital Rev. (Clarian Health), “A”, 5%, 2039      1,745,000        1,879,749   
Indiana Health & Educational Facilities Finance Authority, Hospital Rev. (Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana), 5.5%, 2037      945,000        1,038,338   
Indiana Health & Educational Financing Authority Rev. (Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana ), “A”, 6%, 2034      425,000        459,111   
Jefferson Parish, LA, Hospital Service District No. 2 (East Jefferson General Hospital), 6.25%, 2031      300,000        352,854   
Jefferson Parish, LA, Hospital Service District No. 2 (East Jefferson General Hospital), 6.375%, 2041      185,000        219,121   
Johnson City, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board, Hospital Rev. (Mountain States Health Alliance), “A”, 5.5%, 2031      1,120,000        1,224,888   
Johnson City, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board, Hospital Rev. (Mountain States Health Alliance), “A”, 5.5%, 2036      410,000        444,034   
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Baptist Healthcare System), “A”, 5.375%, 2024      300,000        347,919   
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Baptist Healthcare System), “A”, 5.625%, 2027      100,000        117,066   
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Owensboro Medical Health System), “A”, 6.375%, 2040      570,000        682,951   
Lake County, OH, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Lake Hospital Systems, Inc.), 5.625%, 2029      435,000        495,078   
Laramie County, WY, Hospital Rev. (Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Project), 5%, 2032      40,000        45,395   
Laramie County, WY, Hospital Rev. (Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Project), 5%, 2037      100,000        111,998   
Laramie County, WY, Hospital Rev. (Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Project), 5%, 2042      195,000        216,885   
Lebanon County, PA, Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Good Samaritan Hospital), 5.9%, 2028      210,000        212,081   
Louisiana Public Facilities Authority Hospital Rev. (Lake Charles Memorial Hospital), 6.375%, 2034      880,000        959,270   
Louisville & Jefferson County, KY, Metro Government Health Facilities Rev. (Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s Healthcare), 6.125%, 2018 (c)      1,315,000        1,669,485   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - continued                 
Louisville & Jefferson County, KY, Metropolitan Government Healthcare Systems Rev. (Norton Healthcare, Inc.), 5.25%, 2036    $ 1,265,000      $ 1,338,851   
Lufkin, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Rev. (Memorial Health System), 5.5%, 2037      60,000        62,266   
Martin County, FL, Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Martin Memorial Medical Center), 5.5%, 2042      300,000        332,361   
Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Anne Arundel Health System, Inc.), “A”, 6.75%, 2039      735,000        936,000   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Tufts Medical Center), “I”, 7.25%, 2032      445,000        560,736   
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Jordan Hospital), “E”, 6.75%, 2033      250,000        254,450   
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Milford-Whitinsville Hospital), “C”, 5.25%, 2018      500,000        500,360   
Michigan Finance Authority Rev. (Trinity Health Corp.), 5%, 2035      1,000,000        1,152,300   
Monroe County, PA, Hospital Authority Rev. (Pocono Medical Center), “A”, 5%, 2032      55,000        60,645   
Monroe County, PA, Hospital Authority Rev. (Pocono Medical Center), “A”, 5%, 2041      35,000        37,945   
Montgomery, AL, Medical Clinic Board Health Care Facility Rev. (Jackson Hospital & Clinic), 5.25%, 2031      125,000        129,349   
Montgomery, AL, Medical Clinic Board Health Care Facility Rev. (Jackson Hospital & Clinic), 5.25%, 2036      825,000        848,653   
Nassau County, NY, Local Economic Assistance Corp. Rev. (Winthrop-University Hospital Association Project), 5%, 2032      85,000        94,999   
Nassau County, NY, Local Economic Assistance Corp. Rev. (Winthrop-University Hospital Association Project), 5%, 2037      160,000        177,178   
New Hampshire Business Finance Authority Rev. (Elliot Hospital Obligated Group), “A”, 6%, 2027      585,000        690,148   
New Hampshire Health & Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Memorial Hospital at Conway), 5.25%, 2021      530,000        552,249   
New Hanover County, NC, Hospital Rev., AGM, 5.125%, 2031      895,000        1,014,465   
New Jersey Health Care Facilities, Financing Authority Rev. (St. Peter’s University Hospital), 5.75%, 2037      545,000        581,820   
New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council, Hospital Rev. (Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital), “A”, 5%, 2017      200,000        200,732   
New York Dormitory Authority Rev., Non-State Supported Debt (Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center), LOC, 6.5%, 2030      190,000        232,988   
New York Dormitory Authority Rev., Non-State Supported Debt (Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center), LOC, 6.25%, 2035      115,000        136,694   
Norman, OK, Regional Hospital Authority Rev., 5%, 2027      155,000        160,538   
Norman, OK, Regional Hospital Authority Rev., 5.375%, 2029      90,000        93,114   
Norman, OK, Regional Hospital Authority Rev., 5.375%, 2036      235,000        240,687   

 

16


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer

   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - continued                 
Norman, OK, Regional Hospital Authority Rev., 5.125%, 2037    $ 415,000      $ 423,093   
Olympia, WA, Healthcare Facilities Authority Rev. (Catholic Health Initiatives), “D”, 6.375%, 2036      1,095,000        1,328,826   
Palomar Pomerado Health Care District, CA, COP, 6.75%, 2039      890,000        1,023,625   
Rhode Island Health & Educational Building Corp. Rev., Hospital Financing (Lifespan Obligated Group), “A”, ASSD GTY, 7%, 2039      660,000        794,336   
Royal Oak, MI, Hospital Finance Authority Rev. (William Beaumont Hospital), 8.25%, 2039      485,000        631,693   
Salida, CO, Hospital District Rev., 5.25%, 2036      692,000        709,508   
Skagit County, WA, Public Hospital District No. 001 Rev. (Skagit Valley Hospital), 5.75%, 2032      90,000        96,220   
South Dakota Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Avera Health), “A”, 5%, 2042      105,000        117,152   
South Dakota Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Sanford), “E”, 5%, 2037      90,000        101,296   
South Dakota Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Sanford), “E”, 5%, 2042      295,000        333,610   
South Lake County, FL, Hospital District Rev. (South Lake Hospital), 6.375%, 2034      250,000        260,865   
South Lake County, FL, Hospital District Rev. (South Lake Hospital), “A”, 6%, 2029      85,000        98,520   
South Lake County, FL, Hospital District Rev. (South Lake Hospital), “A”, 6.25%, 2039      125,000        144,721   
Southeastern Ohio Port Authority, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Memorial Health System), 5.75%, 2032      300,000        321,666   
Southeastern Ohio Port Authority, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Memorial Health System), 6%, 2042      245,000        263,880   
Sullivan County, TN, Health, Educational & Housing Facilities Board Hospital Rev. (Wellmont Health Systems Project), “C”, 5.25%, 2036      1,085,000        1,158,400   
Sumner County, TN, Health, Educational & Housing Facilities Board Rev. (Sumner Regional Health Systems, Inc.), “A”, 5.5%, 2046 (a)(d)      375,000        4,688   
Tyler, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. (East Texas Medical Center), “A”, 5.25%, 2032      230,000        245,426   
Tyler, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. (East Texas Medical Center), “A”, 5.375%, 2037      190,000        199,969   
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Hospital Rev. (Wellmont Health Project), “A”, 5.25%, 2037      470,000        507,948   
Washington Health Care Facilities Authority Rev. (Multicare Health Systems), “B”, ASSD GTY, 6%, 2039      440,000        522,434   
Washington Health Care Facilities Authority Rev. (Providence Health & Services), “A”, 5%, 2033      1,105,000        1,273,468   
West Contra Costa, CA, Healthcare District, AMBAC, 5.5%, 2029      105,000        108,525   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - continued                 
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Aurora Health Care, Inc.), 6.4%, 2033    $ 350,000      $ 355,359   
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Aurora Health Care, Inc.), “A”, 5%, 2026      200,000        232,956   
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Aurora Health Care, Inc.), “A”, 5%, 2028      60,000        67,878   
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Fort Healthcare, Inc.), 6.1%, 2034      750,000        791,745   
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Meritor Hospital), “A”, 5.5%, 2031      725,000        832,619   
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Meritor Hospital), “A”, 6%, 2041      490,000        578,519   
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Wheaton Franciscan Services), 5.25%, 2034      935,000        1,002,928   
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Wheaton Franciscan Services), “A”, 5.25%, 2025      390,000        401,189   
Wood County, OH, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Wood County Hospital Project), 5%, 2037      140,000        150,360   
Wood County, OH, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Wood County Hospital Project), 5%, 2042      140,000        150,360   
    

 

 

 
             $ 50,733,104   
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - 17.5%                 
Abilene, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Retirement Facilities Rev. (Sears Methodist Retirement Systems, Inc.), “A”, 5.9%, 2025    $ 723,000      $ 475,763   
Abilene, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Retirement Facilities Rev. (Sears Methodist Retirement Systems, Inc.), “A”, 7%, 2033      200,000        131,420   
Bucks County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Retirement Community Rev. (Ann’s Choice, Inc.), “A”, 6.125%, 2025      500,000        505,425   
Bucks County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Lutheran Community Telford Center), 5.75%, 2027      90,000        92,756   
Bucks County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Lutheran Community Telford Center), 5.75%, 2037      120,000        121,730   
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (American Baptist Homes of the West), 6.25%, 2039      215,000        236,612   
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Episcopal Communities & Services for Seniors Obligated Group), 5%, 2027      15,000        17,252   
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Episcopal Communities & Services for Seniors Obligated Group), 5%, 2032      20,000        22,653   

 

18


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - continued                 
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Episcopal Communities & Services for Seniors Obligated Group), 5%, 2042    $ 55,000      $ 61,025   
Chartiers Valley, PA, Industrial & Commercial Development Authority (Friendship Village), “A”, 5.75%, 2020      1,000,000        1,002,050   
Chartiers Valley, PA, Industrial & Commercial Development Authority Rev. (Asbury Health Center), 6.375%, 2024      1,000,000        1,002,390   
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Christian Living Communities Project), “A”, 5.75%, 2037      475,000        494,698   
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Christian Living Communities), 5.125%, 2030      30,000        31,224   
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Christian Living Communities), 5.25%, 2037      45,000        46,407   
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Covenant Retirement Communities, Inc.), 5%, 2035      1,100,000        1,144,220   
Cumberland County, PA, Municipal Authority Rev. (Asbury Atlantic, Inc.), 5.25%, 2041      290,000        298,422   
Cumberland County, PA, Municipal Authority Rev. (Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries), 6.125%, 2029      695,000        785,482   
Fulton County, GA, Residential Care Facilities (Canterbury Court), “A”, 6.125%, 2026      500,000        513,870   
Hawaii Department of Budget & Finance, Special Purpose Rev. (15 Craigside Project), “A”, 9%, 2044      140,000        168,769   
Houston, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. (Buckingham Senior Living Community), “A”, 7%, 2014 (c)      500,000        544,510   
Howard County, MD, Retirement Facilities Rev. (Vantage House Corp.), “A”, 5.25%, 2033      200,000        199,984   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Evangelical Retirement Homes of Greater Chicago, Inc.), 7.25%, 2045      850,000        947,453   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Lutheran Home & Services), 5.625%, 2042      185,000        189,140   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Smith Village), “A”, 6.25%, 2035      1,000,000        1,022,540   
Illinois Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Smith Crossing), “A”, 7%, 2032      525,000        530,639   
Iowa Finance Authority, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Care Initiatives), “B”, 5.75%, 2018      365,000        365,850   
Iowa Finance Authority, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Care Initiatives), “B”, 5.75%, 2028      1,475,000        1,477,640   
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Health Care Rev. (Masonic Homes of Kentucky, Inc.), 5.375%, 2042      140,000        143,079   
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Health Care Rev. (Masonic Homes of Kentucky, Inc.), 5.5%, 2045      80,000        81,656   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - continued                 
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Health Facilities Rev. (AHF/Kentucky-Iowa, Inc.), 8%, 2029    $ 351,000      $ 360,730   
La Verne, CA, COP (Brethren Hillcrest Homes), “B”, 6.625%, 2025      525,000        532,765   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Adventcare), “A”, 6.75%, 2037      695,000        737,326   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Alliance Health of Brockton, Inc.), “A”, 7.1%, 2032      995,000        995,249   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Linden Ponds, Inc.), “A-1”, 6.25%, 2031      130,267        107,662   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Linden Ponds, Inc.), “A-1”, 6.25%, 2039      31,732        24,769   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Linden Ponds, Inc.), “A-2”, 5.5%, 2046      8,656        5,878   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Linden Ponds, Inc.), Capital Appreciation, “B”, 0%, 2056      43,059        622   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Loomis Communities, Inc.), “A”, 5.625%, 2015      120,000        120,162   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Loomis Communities, Inc.), “A”, 6.9%, 2032      125,000        127,681   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (The Groves in Lincoln), “A”, 7.75%, 2039      80,000        38,327   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (The Groves in Lincoln), “A”, 7.875%, 2044      115,000        55,097   
Montgomery County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Retirement Community Rev. (ACTS Retirement - Life Communities, Inc.), 5%, 2028      350,000        396,722   
Montgomery County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Retirement Community Rev. (ACTS Retirement - Life Communities, Inc.), 5%, 2029      130,000        145,343   
Montgomery County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Whitemarsh Continuing Care), 6.125%, 2028      150,000        153,273   
Montgomery County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Whitemarsh Continuing Care), 6.25%, 2035      600,000        612,150   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (Lions Gate), “A”, 5.75%, 2025      400,000        408,252   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (Lions Gate), “A”, 5.875%, 2037      300,000        302,979   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (Seabrook Village, Inc.), 5.25%, 2026      500,000        521,845   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (Seabrook Village, Inc.), 5.25%, 2036      500,000        515,955   
Norfolk, VA, Redevelopment & Housing Authority Rev. (Fort Norfolk Retirement Community), “A”, 6.125%, 2035      195,000        196,585   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - continued                 
Pell City, AL, Special Care Facilities, Financing Authority Rev. (Noland Health Services, Inc.), 5%, 2039    $ 175,000      $ 191,560   
Shelby County, TN, Health, Educational & Housing Facilities Board Rev. (Germantown Village), “A”, 7.25%, 2034      225,000        240,406   
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority Rev. (Woodlands at Furman), “A”, 6%, 2032      199,626        157,166   
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority Rev. (Woodlands at Furman), “A”, 6%, 2047      185,367        136,501   
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority Rev. (Woodlands at Furman), Capital Appreciation, “B”, 0%, 2047      85,554        3,307   
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority Rev. (Woodlands at Furman), Capital Appreciation, “B”, 0%, 2047      79,443        3,070   
St. John’s County, FL, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Presbyterian Retirement), “A”, 6%, 2045      610,000        690,160   
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility (Air Force Village Foundation, Inc.), 6.125%, 2029      550,000        617,760   
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility (Air Force Village Foundation, Inc.), 6.375%, 2044      415,000        459,131   
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility (Stayton at Museum Way), 8.25%, 2044      770,000        870,439   
Tempe, AZ, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Friendship Village), “A”, 6.25%, 2042      90,000        99,023   
Tempe, AZ, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Friendship Village), “A”, 6.25%, 2046      70,000        76,911   
Travis County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Rev. (Westminster Manor Health), 7%, 2030      130,000        157,184   
Travis County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Rev. (Westminster Manor Health), 7.125%, 2040      195,000        234,332   
Westmoreland County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Redstone Retirement Community), “A”, 5.875%, 2032      600,000        620,790   
Westmoreland County, PA, Industrial Development Retirement Authority Rev. (Redstone Retirement Community), “A”, 5.75%, 2026      1,250,000        1,308,188   
    

 

 

 
             $ 24,879,959   
Healthcare Revenue - Other - 0.2%                 
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Civic Investments, Inc.), “A”, 9%, 2012 (c)    $ 350,000      $ 356,486   
Industrial Revenue - Airlines - 3.4%                 
Clayton County, GA, Development Authority Special Facilities Rev. (Delta Airlines, Inc.), “A”, 8.75%, 2029    $ 200,000      $ 253,386   
Clayton County, GA, Development Authority Special Facilities Rev. (Delta Airlines, Inc.), “B”, 9%, 2035      150,000        168,432   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Industrial Revenue - Airlines - continued                 
Denver, CO, City & County Airport Rev. (United Airlines), 5.75%, 2032    $ 355,000      $ 372,608   
Houston, TX, Airport Systems Rev., Special Facilities (Continental Airlines, Inc. Terminal E project), 6.75%, 2029      155,000        155,591   
Houston, TX, Airport Systems Rev., Special Facilities (Continental Airlines, Inc. Terminal E project), 7%, 2029      200,000        200,964   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Special Facilities Rev. (Continental Airlines, Inc.), 4.875%, 2019      680,000        700,318   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Special Facilities Rev. (Continental Airlines, Inc.), 5.125%, 2023      365,000        378,600   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Special Facilities Rev. (Continental Airlines, Inc.), 5.25%, 2029 (b)      365,000        378,892   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Special Facilities Rev. (Continental Airlines, Inc.), 9%, 2033      1,250,000        1,306,188   
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agencies Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), 6.2%, 2031      385,000        409,424   
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agency Special Facility Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), “B”, 6.8%, 2028      500,000        507,950   
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,832,353   
Industrial Revenue - Chemicals - 0.8%                 
Brazos River, TX, Harbor Navigation District (Dow Chemical Co.), “B-2”, 4.95%, 2033    $ 400,000      $ 435,552   
Port of Bay, TX, City Authority (Hoechst Celanese Corp.), 6.5%, 2026      660,000        660,693   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,096,245   
Industrial Revenue - Environmental Services - 2.0%                 
California Pollution Control Financing Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Republic Services, Inc.), “B”, 5.25%, 2023 (b)    $ 135,000      $ 155,318   
California Pollution Control Financing Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Waste Management, Inc.), “C”, 5.125%, 2023      655,000        712,450   
Maine Finance Authority Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Casella Waste Systems, Inc.), 6.25%, 2025 (b)      360,000        367,200   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Resource Recovery Rev. (Convanta Energy), “A”, 4.875%, 2027      215,000        217,184   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Resource Recovery Rev. (Convanta Energy), “A”, 5.25%, 2042      705,000        718,381   
Niagara County, NY, Industrial Development Agency, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Convanta Energy), “A”, 5.25%, 2042      725,000        738,761   
    

 

 

 
             $ 2,909,294   
Industrial Revenue - Other - 1.7%                 
Annawan, IL, Tax Increment Rev. (Patriot Renewable Fuels LLC), 5.625%, 2018    $ 280,000      $ 261,293   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Industrial Revenue - Other - continued                 
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Facilities (Microgy Holdings Project), 9%, 2038 (a)(d)    $ 50,491      $ 505   
Gulf Coast, TX, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (CITGO Petroleum Corp.), 4.875%, 2025      280,000        285,790   
Gulf Coast, TX, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (CITGO Petroleum Corp.), 8%, 2028      375,000        375,428   
Houston, TX, Industrial Development Corp. (United Parcel Service, Inc.), 6%, 2023      435,000        436,205   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (GMT Realty LLC), “B”, 6.875%, 2037      1,000,000        1,015,210   
    

 

 

 
             $ 2,374,431   
Industrial Revenue - Paper - 2.4%                 
Beauregard Parish, LA (Boise Cascade Corp.), 6.8%, 2027    $ 1,000,000      $ 1,000,970   
Courtland, AL, Industrial Development Board Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Champion International Corp.), 6%, 2029      1,000,000        1,004,100   
Escambia County, FL, Environmental Improvement Rev. (International Paper Co.), “A”, 5%, 2026      980,000        980,735   
Escambia County, FL, Environmental Improvement Rev. (International Paper Co.), “A”, 4.75%, 2030      290,000        290,203   
Phenix City, AL, Industrial Development Board Environmental Improvement Rev. (MeadWestvaco Coated Board Project), “A”, 4.125%, 2035      160,000        161,232   
    

 

 

 
             $ 3,437,240   
Miscellaneous Revenue - Entertainment & Tourism - 1.0%           
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, CA, Rev., 5.6%, 2013 (n)    $ 175,000      $ 176,118   
Brooklyn, NY, Arena Local Development Corp. (Barclays Center Project), 6%, 2030      135,000        160,187   
Brooklyn, NY, Arena Local Development Corp. (Barclays Center Project), 6.25%, 2040      85,000        99,716   
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, OR, “C”, 5.625%, 2026 (n)      650,000        620,796   
Seminole Tribe, FL, Special Obligation Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2027 (n)      280,000        299,760   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,356,577   
Miscellaneous Revenue - Other - 4.4%                 
Austin, TX, Convention Center (Convention Enterprises, Inc.), “A”, SYNCORA, 5.25%, 2024    $ 305,000      $ 330,385   
Austin, TX, Convention Center (Convention Enterprises, Inc.), “A”, SYNCORA, 5%, 2034      45,000        47,209   
Citizens Property Insurance Corp., FL, “A-1”, 5%, 2019      65,000        77,028   
Citizens Property Insurance Corp., FL, “A-1”, 5%, 2020      305,000        365,064   

 

23


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Miscellaneous Revenue - Other - continued                 
Dallas, TX, Civic Center Convention Complex Rev., ASSD GTY, 5.25%, 2034    $ 845,000      $ 972,215   
District of Columbia Rev. (American Society Hematology), 5%, 2036      50,000        55,925   
District of Columbia Rev. (American Society Hematology), 5%, 2042      40,000        44,568   
Massachusetts Port Authority Facilities Rev. (Conrac Project), “A”, 5.125%, 2041      40,000        44,903   
Miami-Dade County, FL, Special Obligation, “B”, 5%, 2035      200,000        229,584   
Miami-Dade County, FL, Special Obligation, “B”, 5%, 2037      500,000        567,645   
New York Liberty Development Corp., Liberty Rev. (One Bryant Park LLC), 6.375%, 2049      545,000        647,389   
New York Liberty Development Corp., Liberty Rev. (World Trade Center Project), 5%, 2044      535,000        617,026   
Summit County, OH, Port Authority Building Rev. (Twinsburg Township), “D”, 5.125%, 2025      595,000        600,867   
V Lakes Utility District, MS, Water Systems Rev., 7%, 2037      300,000        299,997   
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority, Airport Facilities Rev. (Transportation Infrastructure Properties LLC), “B”, 5.25%, 2028      1,325,000        1,430,430   
    

 

 

 
             $ 6,330,235   
Multi-Family Housing Revenue - 4.5%                 
Broward County, FL, Housing Finance Authority Rev. (Chaves Lakes Apartments Ltd.), “A”, 7.5%, 2040    $ 490,000      $ 490,323   
Capital Trust Agency, FL, Housing Rev. (Atlantic Housing Foundation), “B”, 7%, 2032 (d)(q)      625,000        284,369   
Charter Mac Equity Issuer Trust, FHLMC, 6%, 2052 (n)      1,000,000        1,173,950   
District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (Henson Ridge), “E”, FHA, 5.1%, 2037      655,000        678,613   
Durham, NC, Durham Housing Authority Rev. (Magnolia Pointe Apartments), 5.65%, 2038      909,204        870,926   
El Paso County, TX, Housing Finance Corp. (American Housing Foundation), “C”, 8%, 2032      265,000        265,398   
El Paso County, TX, Housing Finance Corp. (American Housing Foundation), “D”, 10%, 2032      270,000        270,378   
Mississippi Home Corp., Rev. (Kirkwood Apartments), 6.8%, 2037 (d)(q)      605,000        395,271   
MuniMae TE Bond Subsidiary LLC, 5.8%, 2049 (z)      1,000,000        715,470   
Resolution Trust Corp., Pass-Through Certificates, “1993”, 8.5%, 2016 (z)      455,481        448,038   
Wilmington, DE, Multi-Family Housing Rev. (Electra Arms Senior Associates), 6.25%, 2028      755,000        752,773   
    

 

 

 
             $ 6,345,509
  

 

24


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Parking - 0.2%                 
Boston, MA, Metropolitan Transit Parking Corp., Systemwide Parking Rev., 5.25%, 2036    $ 300,000      $ 345,780   
Port Revenue - 1.3%                 
Maryland Economic Development Corp. Rev. (Port America Chesapeake Terminal Project), “B”, 5.75%, 2035    $ 285,000      $ 323,110   
Port Authority NY & NJ, Cons Thirty Seventh, AGM, 5.125%, 2030      1,450,000        1,530,504   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,853,614   
Sales & Excise Tax Revenue - 4.6%                 
Bolingbrook, IL, Sales Tax Rev., 6.25%, 2024    $ 500,000      $ 323,165   
Chicago, IL, Transit Authority Sales Tax Receipts Rev., 5.25%, 2029      165,000        198,528   
Chicago, IL, Transit Authority Sales Tax Receipts Rev., 5.25%, 2030      330,000        395,307   
Chicago, IL, Transit Authority Sales Tax Receipts Rev., 5.25%, 2031      60,000        71,663   
Colorado Regional Transportation District, Private Activity Rev. (Denver Transportation Partners), 6%, 2034      630,000        753,474   
Colorado Regional Transportation District, Private Activity Rev. (Denver Transportation Partners), 6%, 2041      300,000        355,887   
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Sales Tax Rev., “A”, 5%, 2024 (f)      1,095,000        1,450,141   
Massachusetts School Building Authority, Dedicated Sales Tax Rev., AMBAC, 4.75%, 2032      840,000        946,604   
Massachusetts School Building Authority, Dedicated Sales Tax Rev., “B”, 5%, 2032      390,000        477,820   
Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, State Tax Rev., Capital Appreciation, ETM, FGIC, 0%, 2014 (c)      1,010,000        1,000,344   
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., Sales Tax Rev., “C”,
5.25%, 2041
     35,000        37,691   
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., Sales Tax Rev., Capital Appreciation, “A”, 0% to 2016, 6.75% to 2032      460,000        481,546   
    

 

 

 
             $ 6,492,170   
Single Family Housing - Local - 0.8%                 
Minneapolis & St. Paul Housing Authority Rev. (City Living), “A-2”, GNMA, 5%, 2038    $ 254,126      $ 260,365   
Pittsburgh, PA, Urban Redevelopment Authority Rev., “C”, GNMA, 4.8%, 2028      915,000        939,220   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,199,585   
Single Family Housing - State - 1.0%                 
California Housing Finance Agency Rev. (Home Mortgage), “G”, 5.5%, 2042    $ 250,000      $ 262,085   
Colorado Housing & Finance Authority, “A”, 5.5%, 2029      950,000        971,632   

 

25


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Single Family Housing - State - continued                 
Iowa Finance Authority, Single Family Mortgage Rev., “E”, 5.4%, 2032    $ 135,000      $ 135,805   
Kentucky Counties Single Family Mortgage Rev., “A”, NATL, 9%, 2016      5,000        5,002   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,374,524   
Solid Waste Revenue - 0.1%                 
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, Sewer Sludge Disposal Rev. (Philadelphia Biosolids Facility), 6.25%, 2032    $ 75,000      $ 86,551   
State & Agency - Other - 0.4%                 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Mepsi Campus), “A”, 6.5%, 2037    $ 500,000      $ 520,880   
State & Local Agencies - 3.8%                 
Alabama Incentives Financing Authority Special Obligation, “A”,
5%, 2037
   $ 145,000      $ 167,736   
Dorchester County, SC, School District No. 2, Growth Remedy Opportunity Tax Hike, 5.25%, 2029      500,000        540,915   
Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., Enhanced, “A”, FGIC, 5%, 2035      110,000        116,513   
Guam Government Department of Education (John F. Kennedy High School), “A”, COP, 6.875%, 2040      295,000        330,854   
Laurens County, SC, School District No. 55, Installment Purchase Rev., 5.25%, 2030      700,000        741,615   
Mississippi Development Bank Special Obligation (Marshall County Industrial Development Authority Mississippi Highway Construction Project), 5%, 2028      120,000        144,863   
Newberry, SC, Investing in Children’s Education (Newberry County School District Program), 5%, 2030      400,000        420,948   
Philadelphia, PA, Municipal Authority Rev., 6.5%, 2034      135,000        157,451   
Puerto Rico Public Finance Corp., “E”, ETM, 6%, 2026 (c)      80,000        116,871   
Puerto Rico Public Finance Corp., “E”, ETM, 6%, 2026 (c)      820,000        1,222,677   
Puerto Rico Public Finance Corp., Commonwealth Appropriations, “B”, 6%, 2026      225,000        254,122   
Puerto Rico Public Finance Corp., Commonwealth Appropriations, “B”, 5.5%, 2031      325,000        348,065   
Wisconsin General Fund Annual Appropriation Rev., “A”, 5.75%, 2033      660,000        811,661   
    

 

 

 
             $ 5,374,291   
Student Loan Revenue - 0.9%                 
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corp., “A-2”, 5.5%, 2025    $ 200,000      $ 225,616   
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corp., “A-2”, 5.6%, 2026      200,000        226,442   

 

26


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Student Loan Revenue - continued                 
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corp., “A-2”, 5.7%, 2027    $ 20,000      $ 22,713   
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corp., “A-2”, 5.75%, 2028      370,000        419,362   
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, Education Loan Rev., “H”, ASSD GTY, 6.35%, 2030      385,000        430,646   
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, Education Loan Rev., “I-A”, 5.5%, 2022      25,000        29,094   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,353,873   
Tax - Other - 2.2%                 
Allentown, PA, Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority Tax Rev., “A”, 5%, 2035    $ 100,000      $ 107,528   
Allentown, PA, Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority Tax Rev., “A”, 5%, 2042      420,000        446,540   
Dallas County, TX, Flood Control District, 7.25%, 2032      750,000        756,803   
Hudson Yards, NY, Infrastructure Corp. Rev., “A”, 5%, 2047      360,000        392,166   
Hudson Yards, NY, Infrastructure Corp. Rev., “A”, 5.75%, 2047      370,000        447,001   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev., 5%, 2025      135,000        156,987   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev., 5%, 2026      65,000        75,295   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev., 5%, 2028      25,000        28,737   
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev., 5%, 2029      25,000        28,670   
New York, NY, City Transitional Finance Authority Building Aid Rev., “S-3”, 5.25%, 2039      440,000        498,828   
Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority Rev. (Diageo Project), “A”, 6.75%, 2037      205,000        243,331   
    

 

 

 
             $ 3,181,886   
Tax Assessment - 4.9%                 
Anne Arundel County, MD, Special Obligation (National Business Park-North Project), 6.1%, 2040    $ 140,000      $ 153,038   
Atlanta, GA, Tax Allocation (Eastside Project), “B”, 5.4%, 2020      500,000        546,230   
Capital Region Community Development District, FL, Capital Improvement Rev., “A”, 7%, 2039      225,000        225,099   
Celebration Community Development District, FL, “A”, 6.4%, 2034      665,000        675,381   
Chicago, IL, Tax Increment Allocation (Pilsen Redevelopment), “B”, 6.75%, 2022      310,000        322,657   
Du Page County, IL, Special Service Area No. 31 Special Tax (Monarch Landing Project), 5.625%, 2036      250,000        250,673   
Heritage Harbour North Community Development District, FL, Capital Improvement Rev., 6.375%, 2038      315,000        316,112   
Homestead, Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “A”, 6%, 2037      365,000        274,378   
Homestead, Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “B”, 5.9%, 2013      60,000        48,723   

 

27


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Tax Assessment - continued                 
Huntington Beach, CA, Community Facilities District, Special Tax (Grand Coast Resort), “2000-1”, 6.45%, 2031    $ 500,000      $ 505,075   
Lincolnshire, IL, Special Service Area No. 1 (Sedgebrook Project), 6.25%, 2034      250,000        254,293   
Main Street Community Development District, FL, “A”, 6.8%, 2038      280,000        276,940   
Ohio County, WV, Commission Tax Increment Rev. (Fort Henry Centre), “A”, 5.85%, 2034      125,000        131,841   
Plano, IL, Special Service Area No. 4 (Lakewood Springs Project Unit 5-B), 6%, 2035      1,435,000        1,446,035   
Tuscany Reserve Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “B”, 5.25%, 2016      185,000        176,190   
West Villages Improvement District, FL, Special Assessment Rev. (Unit of Development No. 3), 5.5%, 2037 (a)(d)      470,000        202,100   
Westridge, FL, Community Development District, Capital Improvement Rev., 5.8%, 2037 (a)(d)      960,000        364,800   
Yorba Linda, CA, Redevelopment Agency, Tax Allocation Rev., Capital Appreciation, “A”, NATL, 0%, 2024      1,325,000        746,333   
    

 

 

 
             $ 6,915,898   
Tobacco - 7.8%                 
Buckeye, OH, Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, “A-2”, 5.125%, 2024    $ 3,270,000      $ 2,934,433   
Buckeye, OH, Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, “A-2”, 5.875%, 2047      250,000        222,080   
Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., “A-1”, 6.25%, 2013 (c)      785,000        808,001   
Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., “A-1”, 5.75%, 2047      525,000        489,421   
Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., Asset Backed, “A-1”, 5%, 2033      440,000        391,354   
Illinois Railsplitter Tobacco Settlement Authority, 6%, 2028      1,365,000        1,683,700   
New Jersey Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., “1-A”, 5%, 2041      3,355,000        3,017,353   
Rhode Island Tobacco Settlement Authority, 6%, 2023      920,000        921,730   
Suffolk, NY, Tobacco Asset Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement, “B”, 5.25%, 2037      80,000        86,975   
Washington Tobacco Settlement Authority Rev., 6.625%, 2032      500,000        513,550   
    

 

 

 
             $ 11,068,597   
Toll Roads - 6.3%                 
Chesapeake, VA, Toll Road Rev. (Transportation System), “A”, 5%, 2047    $ 105,000      $ 116,579   
Chesapeake, VA, Toll Road Rev. Convertible Capital Appreciation (Transportation System), “B”, 0%, 2032      125,000        80,110   

 

28


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Toll Roads - continued                 
Chesapeake, VA, Toll Road Rev. Convertible Capital Appreciation (Transportation System), “B”, 0%, 2040    $ 145,000      $ 91,657   
E-470 Public Highway Authority, CO, Capital Appreciation, “B”, NATL, 0%, 2018      1,500,000        1,262,235   
Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, FL, Springing Lien Rev., “A”, 7.25%, 2040      445,000        580,151   
North Texas Tollway Authority Rev., 6%, 2038      765,000        922,950   
North Texas Tollway Authority Rev. (Special Projects System), “D”, 5%, 2031      1,200,000        1,439,364   
San Joaquin Hills, CA, Transportation Corridor Agency, Toll Road Rev., Capital Appreciation, “A”, NATL, 0%, 2015      3,000,000        2,817,810   
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority Rev. (Elizabeth River Crossings Opco LLC Project), 5.25%, 2032      285,000        319,351   
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority Rev. (Elizabeth River Crossings Opco LLC Project), 6%, 2037      470,000        550,661   
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority Rev. (Elizabeth River Crossings Opco LLC Project), 5.5%, 2042      755,000        848,144   
    

 

 

 
             $ 9,029,012   
Universities - Colleges - 9.2%                 
Allegheny County, PA, Higher Education Building Authority Rev. (Chatham University), “A”, 5%, 2030    $ 80,000      $ 90,038   
Brevard County, FL, Industrial Development Rev. (TUFF Florida Tech LLC Project), 6.75%, 2039      540,000        610,038   
California Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Chapman University), 5%, 2031      145,000        166,788   
California Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (University of Southern California), “A”, 5.25%, 2038      1,270,000        1,508,036   
California Municipal Finance Authority Rev. (Biola University), 5.8%, 2028      100,000        111,435   
Florida Higher Educational Facilities, Financial Authority Rev. (University of Tampa Project), “A”, 5%, 2032      25,000        27,542   
Florida Higher Educational Facilities, Financial Authority Rev. (University of Tampa Project), “A”, 5.25%, 2042      210,000        233,356   
Florida State University Board of Governors, System Improvement Rev., 6.25%, 2030      1,000,000        1,244,570   
Grand Valley, MI, State University Rev., 5.5%, 2027      135,000        158,582   
Grand Valley, MI, State University Rev., 5.625%, 2029      65,000        76,392   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Illinois Institute of Technology), “A”, 5%, 2036      110,000        106,174   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Roosevelt University Project), 6.25%, 2029      670,000        769,529   
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Roosevelt University Project), 6.5%, 2039      155,000        177,825   

 

29


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Universities - Colleges - continued                 
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (University of Chicago), “A”, 5%, 2051    $ 165,000      $ 188,209   
Lakeland, FL, Educational Facilities Rev. (Florida Southern College), “A”, 5%, 2032      75,000        81,881   
Lakeland, FL, Educational Facilities Rev. (Florida Southern College), “A”, 5%, 2037      125,000        135,098   
Lakeland, FL, Educational Facilities Rev. (Florida Southern College), “A”, 5%, 2042      65,000        69,979   
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (The Broad Institute, Inc.), “A”, 5.25%, 2037      580,000        664,419   
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Simmons College), “I”, 8%, 2029      255,000        300,548   
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Suffolk University), “A”, 6.25%, 2030      725,000        859,357   
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Suffolk University), “A”, 5.75%, 2039      455,000        521,526   
New York Dormitory Authority Rev., Non-State Supported Debt (Rochester Institute of Technology), 4%, 2030      120,000        133,723   
New York Dormitory Authority Rev., Non-State Supported Debt (Rochester Institute of Technology), 4%, 2031      115,000        127,535   
New York Dormitory Authority Rev., Non-State Supported Debt (Rochester Institute of Technology), 4%, 2032      95,000        104,849   
New York Dormitory Authority Rev., Non-State Supported Debt (Rochester Institute of Technology), 4%, 2033      80,000        87,870   
Onondaga, NY, Civic Development Corp. (Le Moyne College), 5%, 2042      115,000        125,790   
Portage County, OH, Port Authority Rev. (Northeast Ohio Medical University Project), 5%, 2037      200,000        218,970   
Puerto Rico Industrial, Tourist, Medical, & Environmental Central Facilities (University of Sacred Heart), 4.375%, 2031      45,000        44,570   
Puerto Rico Industrial, Tourist, Medical, & Environmental Central Facilities (University of Sacred Heart), 5%, 2042      25,000        25,328   
Savannah, GA, Economic Development Authority Rev. (AASU Student Union LLC), ASSD GTY, 5.125%, 2039      335,000        372,453   
Texas Tech University Rev., Refunding & Improvement, “A”, 5%, 2030      195,000        237,126   
Texas Tech University Rev., Refunding & Improvement, “A”, 5%, 2031      85,000        102,989   
Texas Tech University Rev., Refunding & Improvement, “A”, 5%, 2032      80,000        96,581   
Texas Tech University Rev., Refunding & Improvement, “A”, 5%, 2037      150,000        178,619   
University of Illinois Rev. (Auxiliary Facilities Systems), “A”, 5.125%, 2029      1,880,000        2,142,091   
University of Southern Indiana Rev. (Student Fee), “J”, ASSD GTY, 5.75%, 2028      300,000        379,047   

 

30


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Universities - Colleges - continued                 
University of Southern Mississippi Educational Building Corp. Rev. (Campus Facilities Project), 5.25%, 2032    $ 220,000      $ 258,940   
University of Southern Mississippi Educational Building Corp. Rev. (Campus Facilities Project), 5.375%, 2036      80,000        93,801   
Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Whitworth University), 5.875%, 2034      280,000        316,406   
    

 

 

 
             $ 13,148,010   
Universities - Dormitories - 2.6%                 
Bowling Green, OH, Student Housing Rev. (State University Project), 5.75%, 2031    $ 175,000      $ 195,970   
Buffalo & Erie County, NY, Industrial Land Development Corp. Rev. (Buffalo State College), “A”, 5.375%, 2041      200,000        234,422   
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Lancer Educational Student Housing Project), 5.625%, 2033      735,000        790,581   
Illinois Finance Authority Student Housing Rev. (Illinois State University), 6.75%, 2031      240,000        286,126   
Illinois Finance Authority Student Housing Rev. (Northern Illinois University Project), 6.625%, 2031      615,000        743,640   
Mississippi State University, Educational Building Corp., 5%, 2036      440,000        509,898   
Oregon Facilities Authority, Student Housing Rev. (Southern Oregon University), ASSD GTY, 4.7%, 2033      50,000        55,618   
Oregon Facilities Authority, Student Housing Rev. (Southern Oregon University), ASSD GTY, 5%, 2044      60,000        68,048   
Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Edinboro University Foundation), 5.8%, 2030      80,000        91,629   
Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Edinboro University Foundation), 6%, 2043      110,000        125,403   
Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Shippensburg University), 5%, 2030      105,000        117,250   
Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Shippensburg University), 5%, 2044      110,000        119,508   
Platteville, WI, Redevelopment Authority, Redevelopment Rev. (Platteville Real Estate), 5%, 2032      100,000        106,737   
Platteville, WI, Redevelopment Authority, Redevelopment Rev. (Platteville Real Estate), 5%, 2042      215,000        222,940   
    

 

 

 
             $ 3,667,770   
Universities - Secondary Schools - 1.1%                 
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Idea Public Schools), 5.5%, 2031    $ 95,000      $ 106,484   
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Idea Public Schools), 5.75%, 2041      75,000        85,202   

 

31


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Universities - Secondary Schools - continued                 
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Uplift Education), “A”, 6.125%, 2040    $ 215,000      $ 245,033   
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Uplift Education), “A”, 6.25%, 2045      135,000        154,306   
Florida Development Finance Corp. Educational Facilities Rev. (Renaissance Charter School), “A”, 6%, 2032      115,000        115,910   
Florida Development Finance Corp. Educational Facilities Rev. (Renaissance Charter School), “A”, 6.125%, 2043      240,000        239,501   
La Vernia, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (KIPP, Inc.), “A”, 6.25%, 2039      195,000        226,366   
North Texas Education Finance Corp., Education Rev. (Uplift Education), “A”, 4.875%, 2032      70,000        74,512   
North Texas Education Finance Corp., Education Rev. (Uplift Education), “A”, 5.125%, 2042      170,000        182,201   
Philadelphia, PA, Authority for Industrial Development Rev. (MaST Charter School), 6%, 2035      50,000        56,392   
Phoenix, AZ, Industrial Development Authority Education Rev. (Choice Academies, Inc. Project), 5.625%, 2042      135,000        138,395   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,624,302   
Utilities - Cogeneration - 0.2%                 
Puerto Rico Industrial, Tourist, Educational, Medical & Environmental Central Facilities (Cogeneration Facilities - AES Puerto Rico Project), 6.625%, 2026    $ 320,000      $ 320,221   
Utilities - Investor Owned - 5.2%                 
Apache County, AZ, Industrial Development Authority, Pollution Control Rev. (Tucson Electric Power Co.), ”A”, 4.5%, 2030    $ 325,000      $ 344,913   
Brazos River Authority, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (TXU Electric Co. LLC), “C”, 6.75%, 2038      555,000        69,114   
Bryant, IL, Pollution Control Rev. (Central Illinois Light Co.), 5.9%, 2023      975,000        978,608   
Chula Vista, CA, Industrial Development Rev. (San Diego Gas & Electric Co.), “E”, 5.875%, 2034      245,000        294,083   
Farmington, NM, Pollution Control Rev. (Public Service New Mexico), “D”, 5.9%, 2040      500,000        563,020   
Fort Bend County, TX, Industrial Development Corp. (NRG Energy, Inc.), “A”, 4.75%, 2038      335,000        352,011   
Hawaii Department of Budget & Finance Special Purpose Rev. (Hawaiian Electric Co. & Subsidiary), 6.5%, 2039      390,000        457,150   
Maricopa County, AZ, Pollution Control Rev. (El Paso Electric Co. Palo Verde Project), “A”, 4.5%, 2042      150,000        155,708   

 

32


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                 
Utilities - Investor Owned - continued                 
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Dominion Energy Brayton), 5.75%, 2042 (b)    $ 85,000      $ 105,052   
Matagorda County, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (Central Power & Light Co.), “A”, 6.3%, 2029      275,000        323,161   
Mississippi Business Finance Corp., Pollution Control Rev. (Systems Energy Resources Project), 5.875%, 2022      1,500,000        1,503,450   
New Hampshire Business Finance Authority, Pollution Control Rev. (Public Service of New Hampshire), “B”, NATL, 4.75%, 2021      250,000        260,685   
Owen County, KY, Waterworks System Rev. (American Water Co. Project), “A”, 6.25%, 2039      205,000        230,508   
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority (Allegheny Energy Supply Co. LLC), 7%, 2039      600,000        725,712   
Pima County, AZ, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Tucson Electric Power Co.), 5.75%, 2029      1,015,000        1,081,919   
    

 

 

 
             $ 7,445,094   
Utilities - Municipal Owned - 1.0%                 
Guam Power Authority Rev., “A”, AGM, 5%, 2025    $ 95,000      $ 111,409   
Guam Power Authority Rev., “A”, AGM, 5%, 2026      80,000        93,522   
Guam Power Authority Rev., “A”, AGM, 5%, 2027      30,000        34,904   
Guam Power Authority Rev., “A”, 5%, 2034      95,000        105,585   
Harris County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Financial Corp., Thermal Utilities Rev. (Teco Project), “A”, 5.25%, 2035      140,000        160,937   
Los Angeles, CA, Department of Water & Power Rev. (Power System), “B”, 5%, 2038      355,000        420,501   
Sacramento, CA, Municipal Utility District, “X”, 5%, 2028      365,000        442,887   
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,369,745   
Utilities - Other - 3.9%                 
California M-S-R Energy Authority Gas Rev., “A”, 7%, 2034    $ 155,000      $ 225,331   
California M-S-R Energy Authority Gas Rev., “A”, 6.5%, 2039      335,000        477,174   
Georgia Main Street Natural Gas, Inc., Gas Project Rev., “A”, 5.5%, 2028      335,000        416,144   
Indiana Bond Bank Special Program, Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2018      230,000        273,663   
Public Authority for Colorado Energy Natural Gas Purchase Rev., 6.5%, 2038      25,000        35,967   
Salt Verde Financial Corp., AZ, Senior Gas Rev., 5%, 2037      705,000        848,418   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2021      1,710,000        2,038,542   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2022      270,000        319,961   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2026      165,000        197,470   
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “C”, 5%, 2025      240,000        278,743   
Texas Gas Acquisition & Supply Corp., Gas Supply Rev., 5%, 2031      150,000        166,211   
Texas Gas Acquisition & Supply Corp., Gas Supply Rev., 5%, 2032      240,000        264,878   
    

 

 

 
             $ 5,542,502   

 

33


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Issuer   Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Municipal Bonds - continued                
Water & Sewer Utility Revenue - 9.2%                
Atlanta, GA, Water & Wastewater Rev., “A”, 6%, 2022   $ 370,000      $ 479,675   
Birmingham, AL, Waterworks Board Water Rev., “A”, ASSD GTY, 5.125%, 2034     595,000        674,230   
California Department of Water Resources, Center Valley Project Rev., “AJ”, 5%, 2035     1,010,000        1,216,656   
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority Rev., “A”, 5.75%, 2037     290,000        307,960   
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority Rev., “A”, 6%, 2038     655,000        698,276   
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority Rev., “A”, 6%, 2044     135,000        142,630   
DeKalb County, GA, Water & Sewer Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2028     125,000        154,739   
DeKalb County, GA, Water & Sewer Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2029     115,000        141,718   
DeKalb County, GA, Water & Sewer Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2030     75,000        92,035   
DeKalb County, GA, Water & Sewer Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2031     15,000        18,287   
DeKalb County, GA, Water & Sewer Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2041     420,000        491,690   
Houston, TX, Utility System Rev., “D”, 5%, 2036     435,000        517,833   
King County, WA, Sewer Rev., 5%, 2040     1,395,000        1,622,706   
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, “B”, 5%, 2041     275,000        323,521   
New York Environmental Facilities Corp., Clean Drinking Water Revolving Funds, 5%, 2024     215,000        273,448   
New York Environmental Facilities Corp., Clean Drinking Water Revolving Funds, 5%, 2041     685,000        808,862   
New York Environmental Facilities, “C”, 5%, 2041     945,000        1,114,382   
New York, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer System Rev., “AA”, 5%, 2034     1,980,000        2,343,013   
New York, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer Systems Rev., “DD”, 4.75%, 2035     790,000        886,870   
Surprise, AZ, Municipal Property Corp., 4.9%, 2032     700,000        716,639   
   

 

 

 
            $ 13,025,170   
Total Municipal Bonds (Identified Cost, $192,482,579)      $ 213,467,036   
Money Market Funds - 1.2%                
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio, 0.17%,
at Cost and Net Asset Value (v)
    1,770,392      $ 1,770,392   
Total Investments (Identified Cost, $194,252,971)      $ 215,237,428   
Other Assets, Less Liabilities - 1.5%             2,077,941   
ARPS, at liquidation value (issued by the fund) - (2.7)%             (3,900,000
VMTPS, at liquidation value (issued by thefund) - (50.0)%             (71,100,000
Net assets applicable to common shares - 100.0%      $ 142,315,369   

 

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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) Mandatory tender date is earlier than stated maturity date.
(c) Refunded bond.
(d) In default. Interest and/or scheduled principal payment(s) have been missed.
(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 $2,270,624, representing 1.6% of net assets applicable to common shares.
(q) Interest received was less than stated coupon rate.
(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  
MuniMae TE Bond Subsidiary LLC, 5.8%, 2049    10/14/04    $ 1,000,000         $715,470   
Resolution Trust Corp., Pass-Through Certificates, “1993”, 8.5%, 2016    10/17/01-1/14/02      455,481         448,038   
Total Restricted Securities            $1,163,508   
% of Net assets applicable to common shares            0.8%   

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

 

ARPS   Auction Rate Preferred Shares
COP   Certificate of Participation
ETM   Escrowed to Maturity
LOC   Letter of Credit
VMTPS   Variable Rate Municipal Term Preferred Shares

 

Insurers      
AGM    Assured Guaranty Municipal
AMBAC    AMBAC Indemnity Corp.
ASSD GTY    Assured Guaranty Insurance Co.
FGIC    Financial Guaranty Insurance Co.
FHA    Federal Housing Administration
FHLMC    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
GNMA    Government National Mortgage Assn.
NATL    National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.
PSF    Permanent School Fund
SYNCORA    Syncora Guarantee Inc.

 

35


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Portfolio of Investments – continued

 

Derivative Contracts at 11/30/12

Futures Contracts Outstanding at 11/30/12

 

Description   Currency     Contracts     Value   Expiration
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Liability Derivatives           
Interest Rate Futures          
U.S. Treasury Note 10 yr (Short)     USD        188      $25,124,438     March 2013        $(31,813
U.S. Treasury Bond 30 yr (Short)     USD        22      3,301,375     March 2013        (11,249
         

 

 

 
            $(43,062
         

 

 

 

At November 30, 2012, the fund had liquid securities with an aggregate value of $352,272 to cover any commitments for certain derivative contracts.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

At 11/30/12

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, $192,482,579)

     $213,467,036   

Underlying affiliated funds, at cost and value

     1,770,392   

Total investments, at value (identified cost, $194,252,971)

     $215,237,428   

Receivables for

  

Investments sold

     1,116,348   

Interest

     3,178,863   

Deferred VMTPS offering costs

     153,873   

Other assets

     4,488   

Total assets

     $219,691,000   
Liabilities         

Payables for

  

Distributions on ARPS

     $146   

Daily variation margin on open futures contracts

     24,000   

Investments purchased

     2,108,079   

Interest expense

     84,239   

ARPS tender and repurchase costs

     22,307   

VMTPS offering costs

     15,475   

Payable to affiliates

  

Investment adviser

     7,935   

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     1,247   

Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation

     2,569   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     109,634   

VMTPS, at liquidation value

     71,100,000   

Total liabilities

     $73,475,631   

ARPS, at liquidation value

     $3,900,000   

Net assets applicable to common shares

     $142,315,369   
Net assets consist of         

Paid-in capital – common shares

     $172,480,328   

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     20,941,395   

Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments

     (51,602,941

Undistributed net investment income

     496,587   

Net assets applicable to common shares

     $142,315,369   

ARPS, at liquidation value (156 shares of Series F issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share)

     $3,900,000   

VMTPS, at liquidation value (2,844 shares of Series 2016/9 issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share)

     71,100,000   

Total preferred shares

     $75,000,000   

Net assets including preferred shares

     $217,315,369   

Common shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding

     28,255,974   

Net asset value per common share (net assets of $142,315,369 / 28,255,974 shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

     $5.04   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year ended 11/30/12

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

 

Net investment income         

Income

  

Interest

     $11,200,969   

Dividends from underlying affiliated funds

     5,113   

Total investment income

     $11,206,082   

Expenses

  

Management fee

     $1,344,290   

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     43,125   

Administrative services fee

     40,146   

Independent Trustees’ compensation

     25,573   

Stock exchange fee

     25,264   

ARPS service fee

     59,737   

Custodian fee

     19,746   

Shareholder communications

     39,658   

Audit and tax fees

     78,425   

Legal fees

     15,649   

ARPS tender and repurchase costs

     159,049   

Amortization of VMTPS offering costs

     8,914   

Interest expense

     223,083   

Miscellaneous

     37,661   

Total expenses

     $2,120,320   

Fees paid indirectly

     (36

Reduction of expenses by investment adviser

     (464

Net expenses

     $2,119,820   

Net investment income

     $9,086,262   
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments         

Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis)

  

Investments

     $(1,199,457

Futures contracts

     (1,404,199

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

     $(2,603,656

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

  

Investments

     $21,659,688   

Futures contracts

     (189,655

Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     $21,470,033   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     $18,866,377   

Distributions declared to shareholders of ARPS

     $(148,161

Change in net assets from operations

     $27,804,478   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

38


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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

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

 

     Years ended 11/30  
     2012      2011  
Change in net assets              
From operations                  

Net investment income

     $9,086,262         $9,910,163   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

     (2,603,656      (5,216,349

Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     21,470,033         5,561,140   

Distributions declared to shareholders of ARPS

     (148,161      (236,327

Change in net assets from operations

     $27,804,478         $10,018,627   
Distributions declared to common shareholders                  

From net investment income

     $(9,309,213      $(10,006,832
Share transactions applicable to common and preferred shares                  

Net asset value of shares issued to common shareholders in reinvestment of distributions

     $419,360         $461,392   

Net increase resulting from the tender and repurchase of ARPS

     3,555,000           

Change in net assets from fund share transactions

     $3,974,360         $461,392   

Total change in net assets

     $22,469,625         $473,187   
Net assets applicable to common shares                  

At beginning of period

     119,845,744         119,372,557   

At end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $496,587 and $673,491, respectively)

     $142,315,369         $119,845,744   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

39


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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Year ended 11/30/12

This statement provides a summary of cash flows from investment activity for the fund.

 

Cash flows from operating activities:         

Change in net assets from operations

     $27,804,478   
Adjustments to reconcile change in net assets from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:         

Purchase of investment securities

     (30,888,664

Proceeds from disposition of investment securities

     29,684,443   

Payments for futures contracts

     (1,404,199

Purchases of short-term investments, net

     (364,327

Realized gain/loss on investments

     1,199,457   

Realized gain/loss on futures contracts

     1,404,199   

Unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

     (21,659,688

Net amortization/accretion of income

     (481,585

Increase in interest receivable

     (63,286

Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities

     (648

Decrease in receivable on daily variation margin on open futures contracts

     111,938   

Increase in payable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

     24,000   

Decrease in other assets

     1,860   

Net cash provided by operating activities

     $5,367,978   
Cash flows from financing activities:         

Increase in deferred VMTPS offering costs

     (153,873

Cash receipts from issuance of VMTPS, at liquidation value

     71,100,000   

Cash payments to repurchase ARPS

     (67,545,000

Cash distributions paid on common shares

     (8,889,858

Decrease in payable for distributions on ARPS

     (1,268

Increase in payable for VMTPS offering costs

     15,475   

Increase in payable for ARPS tender and repurchase costs

     22,307   

Increase in payable for interest expense

     84,239   

Net cash used by financing activities

     $(5,367,978
Cash:         

Beginning of period

     $—   

End of period

     $—   

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Non-cash financing activities not included herein consist of reinvestment of dividends and distributions of $419,360.

Cash paid during the year for interest $138,844.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

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

 

Common Shares   Years ended 11/30  
    2012     2011     2010     2009     2008  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $4.25        $4.25        $4.18        $3.48        $5.34   
Income (loss) from investment operations                           

Net investment income (d)

    $0.32        $0.35        $0.37        $0.38        $0.43   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments

    0.68        0.02        0.06        0.67        (1.85

Distributions declared to shareholders of ARPS

    (0.01     (0.01     (0.01     (0.02     (0.11

Total from investment operations

    $0.99        $0.36        $0.42        $1.03        $(1.53
Less distributions declared to common shareholders                           

From net investment income

    $(0.33     $(0.36     $(0.35     $(0.33     $(0.33

Net increase resulting from tender and
repurchase of ARPS

    $0.13        $—        $—        $—        $—   

Net asset value, end of period (x)

    $5.04        $4.25        $4.25        $4.18        $3.48   

Market value, end of period

    $5.25        $4.57        $4.45        $4.24        $3.04   

Total return at market value (%) (p)

    23.01        11.82        13.69        52.58        (33.26

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

    26.98        8.88        10.14        31.40        (29.90
Ratios (%) (to average net assets
applicable to common shares)
and Supplemental data:
                                       

Expenses before expense reductions (f)(p)

    1.61        1.43        1.41        1.61        1.57   

Expenses after expense reductions (f)(p)

    1.61        1.43        1.40        1.50        1.48   

Net investment income (p)

    6.89        8.49        8.57        10.17        9.02   

Portfolio turnover

    15        21        11        17        34   

Net assets at end of period (000 omitted)

    $142,315        $119,846        $119,373        $116,870        $96,955   
Supplemental Ratios (%):                                        

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
applicable to common shares after expense
reductions and excluding interest expense and
fees (f)(l)(p)

    1.32        N/A        N/A        N/A        1.44   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
applicable to common shares, ARPS, and
VMTPS after expense reductions and
excluding interest expense and fees (f)(l)(p)

    0.84        0.87        0.87        0.87        0.87   

Net investment income available to common shares

    6.78        8.29        8.32        9.68        6.66   

 

41


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Financial Highlights – continued

 

     Years ended 11/30  
     2012      2011      2010      2009      2008  
Senior Securities:                                             

ARPS

     156         3,000         3,000         3,000         3,000   

VMTPS

     2,844                                   

Total preferred shares outstanding

     3,000         3,000         3,000         3,000         3,000   

Asset coverage per preferred share (k)

     $72,438         $64,949         $64,791         $63,957         $57,318   

Involuntary liquidation preference per preferred share (m)

     $25,000         $25,000         $25,000         $25,000         $25,000   

Average market value per preferred share (m)(u)

     $25,000         $25,000         $25,000         $25,000         $25,000   
(d) Per share data is based on average shares outstanding.
(f) Ratios do not reflect reductions from fees paid indirectly, if applicable.
(j) Total return at net asset value is calculated using the net asset value of the fund, not the publicly traded price and therefore may be different than the total return at market value.
(k) Calculated by subtracting the fund’s total liabilities (not including liquidation preference of ARPS or VMTPS) from the fund’s total assets and dividing this number by the total number of preferred shares outstanding.
(l) Interest expense and fees relate to payments made to the holder of the floating rate certificate from trust assets and interest expense paid to shareholders of VMTPS. For the year ended November 30, 2012, the expense ratio also excludes fees and expenses related to the tender and repurchase of a portion of the fund’s ARPS.
(m) Amount excludes accrued unpaid distributions to ARPS and accrued interest to VMTPS.
(p) Ratio excludes dividend payment on ARPS.
(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.
(u) Average market value represents the approximate fair value of each of the fund’s ARPS and VMTPS.
(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.
(y) Included in the total return at net asset value is the impact of the tender and repurchase by the fund of a portion of its ARPS at 95% of the ARPS’ per share liquidation preference. Had this transaction not occurred, the total return at net asset value would have been lower by 2.52%.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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(1) Business and Organization

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

(2) Significant Accounting Policies

General – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the preparation of these financial statements, management has evaluated subsequent events occurring after the date of the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities through the date that the financial statements were issued. The fund invests primarily in municipal instruments. The value of municipal instruments can be affected by changes in their actual or perceived credit quality. The credit quality of municipal instruments can be affected by, among other things, the financial condition of the issuer or guarantor, the issuer’s future borrowing plans and sources of revenue, the economic feasibility of the revenue bond project or general borrowing purpose, political or economic developments in the region where the instrument is issued and the liquidity of the security. Municipal instruments generally trade in the over-the-counter market. Municipal instruments backed by current and anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets can be negatively affected by the discontinuance of the taxation supporting the projects or assets or the inability to collect revenues for the project or from the assets. If the Internal Revenue Service determines an issuer of a municipal instrument has not complied with the applicable tax requirements, the security could decline in value, interest from the security could become taxable and the funds may be required to issue Forms 1099-DIV. The fund invests in high-yield securities rated below investment grade. Investments in high-yield securities involve greater degrees of credit and market risk than investments in higher-rated securities and tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions.

In this reporting period the fund adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (“ASU 2011-04”). ASU 2011-04 seeks to improve the comparability of fair value measurements as presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by providing common requirements for fair value measurement and disclosure.

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210) – Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (“ASU 2011-11”). Effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and interim periods within those annual periods, ASU 2011-11 is intended to enhance disclosure requirements on the offsetting of financial assets and liabilities. Although still evaluating the potential impacts of ASU 2011-11 to the fund, management expects that the impact of the fund’s adoption will be limited to additional financial statement disclosures.

 

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Investment Valuations – Debt instruments and floating rate loans (other than short-term instruments), including restricted debt instruments, are generally valued at an evaluated or composite bid as provided by a third-party pricing service. Short-term instruments with a maturity at issuance of 60 days or less generally are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Futures contracts are 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. 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 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. The adviser generally relies on third-party pricing services or other information (such as the correlation with price movements of similar securities in the same or other markets; the type, cost and investment characteristics of the security; the business and financial condition of the issuer; and trading and other market data) to assist in determining whether to fair value and at what value to fair value an investment. The value of an investment for purposes of calculating the fund’s net asset value can differ depending on the source and method used to determine value. When fair valuation is used, the value of an investment used to determine the fund’s net asset value may differ from quoted or published prices for the same investment. There can be no assurance that the fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it were to sell the investment at the same time at which the fund determines its net asset value per share.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s assets or liabilities. These inputs are categorized into three broad levels. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of

 

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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. The following is a summary of the levels used as of November 30, 2012 in valuing the fund’s assets or liabilities:

 

Investments at Value    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Municipal Bonds      $—         $213,467,036         $—         $213,467,036   
Mutual Funds      1,770,392                         1,770,392   
Total Investments      $1,770,392         $213,467,036         $—         $215,237,428   
Other Financial Instruments                            
Futures Contracts      $(43,062      $—         $—         $(43,062

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

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

 

     Municipal
Bonds
 
Balance as of 11/30/11      $93,362   

Accrued discounts/premiums

     6   

Realized gain (loss) from liquidation

     (118,392

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     111,925   

Liquidation proceeds

     (86,901
Balance as of 11/30/12      $—   

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 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. The fund’s period end derivatives, as presented in the Portfolio of Investments and the associated Derivative Contract tables, generally are indicative of the volume of its derivative activity during the period.

 

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The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the fair value, on a gross basis, of the asset and liability components of derivatives held by the fund at November 30, 2012 as reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

        Fair Value (a)  
Risk   Derivative Contracts   Liability Derivatives  
Interest Rate   Interest Rate Futures     $(43,062

 

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

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the realized gain (loss) on derivatives held by the fund for the year ended November 30, 2012 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Futures Contracts  
Interest Rate      $(1,404,199

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 November 30, 2012 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Futures Contracts  
Interest Rate      $(189,655

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

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearing house for exchange traded derivatives (i.e., futures contracts and exchange-traded options) while collateral terms are contract specific for over-the-counter traded derivatives (i.e., forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swap agreements and over-the-counter options). For derivatives traded

 

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under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are netted across all transactions traded under such agreement and one amount is posted from one party to the other to collateralize such obligations. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the fund under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as restricted cash. Securities collateral pledged for the same purpose, if any, is noted in the Portfolio of Investments.

Futures Contracts – The fund entered into futures contracts which may be used to hedge against or obtain broad market exposure, interest rate 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.

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 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.

Statement of Cash Flows Information on financial transactions which have been settled through the receipt or disbursement of cash is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows. The cash amount shown in the Statement of Cash Flows is the amount included within the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities and includes cash on hand at its custodian bank and does not include any short term investments.

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. Interest payments received in additional securities are recorded on the ex-interest date in an amount equal to the value of the security on such date. Debt obligations may be placed on non-accrual status or set to accrue at a rate of interest less than the contractual coupon when the collection of all

 

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or a portion of interest has become doubtful. Interest income for those debt obligations may be further reduced by the write-off of the related interest receivables when deemed uncollectible.

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

Legal fees and other related expenses incurred to preserve and protect the value of a security owned are added to the cost of the security; other legal fees are expensed. Capital infusions made directly to the security issuer, which are generally non-recurring, incurred to protect or enhance the value of high-yield debt securities, are reported as additions to the cost basis of the security. Costs that are incurred to negotiate the terms or conditions of capital infusions or that are expected to result in a plan of reorganization are reported as realized losses. Ongoing costs incurred to protect or enhance an investment, or costs incurred to pursue other claims or legal actions, are expensed.

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 November 30, 2012, 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 and tax-exempt 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.

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 expiration of capital loss carryforwards, amortization and accretion of debt securities, defaulted bonds, and non-deductible expenses and the treatment of VMTPS as equity for tax purposes.

 

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

 

     11/30/12      11/30/11  
Ordinary income (including any short-term capital gains)      $52,477         $66,263   
Tax-exempt income      9,627,980         10,176,896   
Total distributions      $9,680,457         $10,243,159   

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

 

As of 11/30/12       
Cost of investments      $193,583,925   
Gross appreciation      24,680,074   
Gross depreciation      (3,026,571
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      $21,653,503   
Undistributed ordinary income      54,999   
Undistributed tax-exempt income      907,162   
Capital loss carryforwards      (52,213,254
Post-October capital loss deferral      (101,795
Other temporary differences      (465,574

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”), net capital losses recognized after November 30, 2011 may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term losses. Previously, net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term losses. As a transition rule, the Act requires that post-enactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses.

As of November 30, 2012, the fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized gains. Such losses expire as follows:

 

Pre-enactment losses:       
11/30/14      $(7,119,782
11/30/15      (11,048,097
11/30/16      (11,728,477
11/30/17      (10,848,523
11/30/18      (3,454,980
11/30/19      (4,608,836
Total      $(48,808,695
Post-enactment losses:       
Short-term      $(288,759
Long-term      (3,115,800
Total      $(3,404,559

 

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(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 0.65% of the fund’s average daily net assets (including the value of the auction rate preferred shares and variable rate municipal term preferred shares).

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 other than auction rate preferred shares service fees, such that total annual fund operating expenses do not exceed 0.87% annually of the fund’s average daily net assets (including the value of the auction rate preferred shares and variable rate municipal term preferred shares). This written agreement will continue until modified by the fund’s Board of Trustees, but such agreement will continue at least until November 30, 2013. For the year ended November 30, 2012, 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.

Transfer Agent – The fund engages Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) as the sole transfer agent for the fund’s common shares. MFS Service Center, Inc. (MFSC) monitors and supervises the activities of Computershare for an agreed upon fee approved by the Board of Trustees. For the year ended November 30, 2012, these fees paid to MFSC amounted to $14,953.

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 (including the value of the auction rate preferred shares and variable rate municipal term preferred shares). The administrative services fee incurred for the year ended November 30, 2012 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0194% of the fund’s average daily net assets (including the value of the auction rate preferred shares and variable rate municipal term preferred shares).

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

Deferred Trustee Compensation – Prior to MFS’ appointment as investment adviser to the fund, the fund’s former independent Trustees participated in a Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Former Colonial Trustees Plan” or “Plan”). The fund’s current independent Trustees are not allowed to defer compensation under the Former Colonial Trustees Plan. Amounts deferred under the Plan are invested in shares of certain non-MFS funds selected by the former independent Trustees as notional investments. Deferred amounts represent an unsecured obligation of the fund until

 

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distributed in accordance with the Plan. Included in “Other assets” and “Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities is $2,522 of deferred Trustees’ compensation. There is no current year expense associated with the Former Colonial Trustees Plan.

Other – This fund and certain other funds managed by MFS (the funds) have entered into services agreements (the Agreements) which provide for payment of fees by the funds to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC in return for the provision of services of an Independent Chief Compliance Officer (ICCO) and Assistant ICCO, respectively, for the funds. The ICCO and Assistant ICCO are officers of the funds and the sole members of Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC, respectively. The funds can terminate the Agreements with Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC at any time under the terms of the Agreements. For the year ended November 30, 2012, the aggregate fees paid by the fund to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC were $1,156 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 $464, which is shown as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations. Additionally, MFS has agreed to bear all expenses associated with office space, other administrative support, and supplies provided to the ICCO and Assistant ICCO.

The fund invests in the MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio which is managed by MFS and seeks 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

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $32,480,630 and $29,788,105, respectively.

(5) Shares of Beneficial Interest

The fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest. The fund reserves the right to repurchase shares of beneficial interest of the fund subject to Trustee approval. During the years ended November 30, 2012 and November 30, 2011, the fund did not repurchase any shares. Transactions in fund shares were as follows:

 

     Year ended
11/30/12
     Year ended
11/30/11
 
     Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  
Shares issued to shareholders in
reinvestment of distributions
     87,222         $419,360         110,639         $461,392   

(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

 

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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 November 30, 2012, the fund’s commitment fee and interest expense were $864 and $0, respectively, and are included in “Miscellaneous” expense in the Statement of Operations.

(7) Transactions in Underlying Affiliated Funds-Affiliated Issuers

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

 

Underlying Affiliated Fund   

Beginning

Shares/Par

Amount

    

Acquisitions

Shares/Par

Amount

    

Dispositions

Shares/Par

Amount

   

Ending

Shares/Par

Amount

 
MFS Institutional Money
Market Portfolio
     1,406,065         38,689,099         (38,324,772     1,770,392   
Underlying Affiliated Fund   

Realized

Gain (Loss)

    

Capital Gain

Distributions

    

Dividend

Income

   

Ending

Value

 
MFS Institutional Money
Market Portfolio
     $—         $—         $5,113        $1,770,392   

(8) Preferred Shares

The fund has 156 shares issued and outstanding of Auction Rate Preferred Shares (ARPS), series F. Dividends are cumulative at a rate that is reset every seven days for the series through an auction process. If the ARPS are unable to be remarketed on a remarketing date as part of the auction process, the fund would be required to pay the maximum applicable rate on ARPS to holders of such shares for successive dividend periods until such time when the shares are successfully remarketed. The maximum rate on ARPS rated aa3/AA- or better is equal to 110% of the higher of (i) the Taxable Equivalent of Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate or (ii) the “AA” Composite Commercial Paper Rate.

Since February 2008, regularly scheduled auctions for ARPS issued by closed end funds, including this fund, have consistently failed because of insufficient demand (bids to buy shares) to meet the supply (shares offered for sale) at each auction. In a failed auction, ARPS holders cannot sell their shares tendered for sale. While repeated auction failures have affected the liquidity for ARPS, they do not constitute a default or automatically alter the credit quality of the ARPS, and ARPS holders have continued to receive dividends at the previously defined “maximum rate”. During the year ended November 30, 2012, the ARPS dividend rates ranged from 0.107% to 0.396% for series F. For the year ended November 30, 2012, the average dividend rate was 0.256%. These developments with respect to ARPS do not affect the management or investment policies of the fund. However, one implication of these auction failures for common shareholders is that the fund’s cost of leverage will be higher than it

 

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otherwise would have been had the auctions continued to be successful. As a result, the fund’s future common share earnings may be lower than they otherwise would have been.

The fund pays an annual service fee to broker-dealers with customers who are beneficial owners of the ARPS. The service fee is equivalent to 0.25% of the applicable ARPS liquidation value while the ARPS auctions are successful or to 0.15% or less, varying by broker-dealer, while the auctions are failing. The outstanding ARPS are redeemable at the option of the fund in whole or in part at the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. The ARPS are also subject to mandatory redemption if certain requirements relating to its asset maintenance coverage are not satisfied.

On August 9, 2012, the fund announced a tender offer for all of its outstanding ARPS at a price equal to 95% of the ARPS’ per share liquidation preference of $25,000, or $23,750 per share, plus any unpaid dividends accrued through the expiration date of the tender offer. The tender offer expired on September 7, 2012, and the fund accepted for repurchase 2,844 ARPS, series F (approximately 94.8% of the fund’s then outstanding ARPS) with an aggregate liquidation preference of $71,100,000 for an aggregate price of $67,545,000. To finance the ARPS tender offer, the fund issued in a private placement 2,844 shares of a new type of preferred shares, Variable Rate Municipal Term Preferred Shares (VMTPS), each with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, for an aggregate price of $71,100,000. The outstanding VMTPS are redeemable at the option of the fund in whole or in part at the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, but generally solely for the purpose of decreasing the leverage of the fund. The VMTPS are subject to a mandatory term redemption date of September 30, 2016 unless extended through negotiation with the private investors. Dividends on the VMTPS are cumulative and are set weekly to a fixed spread against the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index. The average annualized dividend rate on the fund’s VMTPS from the date of initial issuance through November 30, 2012 was 1.43%. The total liquidation preference of the fund’s outstanding preferred shares, comprised of untendered ARPS and VMTPS, remained unchanged as a result of the ARPS tender and VMTPS issuance. The difference between the liquidation preference of the ARPS and the actual purchase price of the tendered ARPS (i.e. the 5% discount on the per share liquidation preference of the tendered ARPS), was recognized by the fund in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets as an increase in net assets applicable to common shares resulting from the tender and the repurchase of the ARPS by the fund.

In the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, the VMTPS aggregate liquidation preference is shown as a liability since they have a stated mandatory redemption date. Dividends paid to VMTPS are treated as interest expense and recorded as incurred. For the year ended November 30, 2012, interest expense related to VMTPS amounted to $223,083 and is included in “Interest expense” in the Statement of Operations. Costs directly related to the issuance of the VMTPS are considered debt issuance costs which have been deferred and are being amortized into expense over the life of the VMTPS. The period-end carrying value for the VMTPS in the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities is its liquidation value which approximates its fair value. If the VMTPS were carried at fair value, its fair value would be considered level 2 under the fair value hierarchy.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements – continued

 

Under the terms of a purchase agreement between the fund and the investor in VMTPS, the fund may only invest in “eligible assets” as defined in the purchase agreement; provided, however, that up to 2% of the fund’s total assets may be comprised of assets that do not constitute eligible assets. In addition, (i) at least 60% of the fund’s total assets must be comprised of investment grade tax-exempt municipal securities that are, or at the time of investment were, rated investment grade in accordance with the purchase agreement, (ii) no more than 40% of the fund’s total assets may be comprised of tax-exempt municipal securities that, at the time of investment, were rated below investment grade in accordance with the purchase agreement, (iii) no more than 5% of the fund’s total assets may be comprised of tax-exempt municipal securities that, at the time of investment, were rated below B3 or B- in accordance with the purchase agreement and (iv) none of the fund’s total assets may be comprised of non-municipal securities that, at the time of investment, were rated below investment grade in accordance with the purchase agreement. These investment-related requirements under the VMTPS purchase agreement are in various respects more restrictive than those to which the fund is otherwise subject in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, and may limit the investment flexibility that might otherwise be pursued by the fund if the VMTPS were not outstanding.

The fund is required to maintain certain asset coverage with respect to the ARPS and VMTPS as defined in the fund’s By-Laws and the Investment Company Act of 1940 and, as such, is not permitted to declare common share dividends unless the fund’s ARPS and VMTPS have a minimum asset coverage ratio of 200% after declaration of the common share dividends. With respect to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets of the fund, ARPS and VMTPS rank on parity with each other, and are both senior in priority to the fund’s outstanding common shares. To the extent that investments are purchased by the fund with proceeds from the issuance of preferred shares, including ARPS and VMTPS, the fund’s net asset value will increase or decrease at a greater rate than a comparable unleveraged fund.

As of November 30, 2012, the fund had issued and outstanding 156 ARPS, series F, and 2,844 VMTPS, series 2016/9.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Trustees and Shareholders of MFS High Yield Municipal Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of MFS High Yield Municipal Trust (the Fund), including the portfolio of investments, as of November 30, 2012, and the related statement of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2012, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers 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 High Yield Municipal Trust at November 30, 2012, the results of its operations and its cash flows 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 five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

January 15, 2013

 

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RESULTS OF SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS

(unaudited)

At a special meeting of shareholders of Auction Rate Preferred Shares (ARPS) of MFS High Yield Municipal Trust, which was held on August 31, 2012, the following action was taken:

Item 1: To amend the fund’s bylaws to replace Standard & Poor’s, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. with Fitch, Inc. as a rating agency for the fund’s ARPS and make other noted changes:

 

     Number of Shares  
For      1,677   
Against      207   
Withheld Authority      3   

At the annual meeting of shareholders of MFS High Yield Municipal Trust, which was held on October 31, 2012, the following actions were taken:

Item 1: To elect the following individuals as Trustees, elected by the holders of common and preferred shares together:

 

     Number of Shares  

Nominee

   For     

Withheld Authority

 
Robert E. Butler      23,611,161.442         737,832.535   
David H. Gunning      23,624,836.106         724,157.871   
J. Dale Sherratt      23,627,314.459         721,679.518   

Item 2: To elect the following individuals as Trustees, elected by the holders of preferred shares only:

 

    

Number of Shares

 

Nominee

  

For

  

Withheld Authority

 
John P. Kavanaugh    2,147      29   
Laurie J. Thomsen    2,147      29   

 

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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS — IDENTIFICATION AND BACKGROUND

The Trustees and officers of the Trust, as of January 1, 2013, are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. (Their titles may have varied during that period.) The address of each Trustee and officer is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7618.

 

Name, Age

 

Position(s)
Held

with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer
Since (h)

 

Term

Expiring

 

Principal
Occupations During

the Past Five Years

 

Other

Directorships (j)

INTERESTED TRUSTEES
Robert J. Manning (k)
(age 49)
  Trustee   February 2004   2013   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director; President (until December 2009); Chief Investment Officer (until July 2010)   N/A
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES      
David H. Gunning
(age 70)
  Trustee and Chair of Trustees   January 2004   2012   Private investor   Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (welding equipment manufacturer), Director; Development Alternatives, Inc. (consulting), Director/Non-Executive Chairman; Portman Limited (mining), Director (until 2008)
Robert E. Butler
(age 71)
  Trustee   January 2006   2012   Consultant – investment company industry regulatory and compliance matters   N/A

Maureen R. Goldfarb

(age 57)

  Trustee   January 2009   2013   Private investor   N/A
William R. Gutow
(age 71)
  Trustee   December 1993   2014   Private investor and real estate consultant; Capitol Entertainment Management Company (video franchise), Vice Chairman   Atlantic Coast Tan (tanning salons), Vice Chairman (until 2007); Texas Donuts (donut franchise), Vice Chairman (until 2010)

 

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Trustees and Officers – continued

 

Name, Age

 

Position(s)
Held

with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer
Since (h)

 

Term

Expiring

 

Principal
Occupations During

the Past Five Years

 

Other

Directorships (j)

Michael Hegarty
(age 68)
  Trustee   December 2004   2014   Private investor; Rouse Properties Inc. (real estate), Director   N/A

John P. Kavanaugh

(age 58)

  Trustee   January 2009   2012   Private investor   N/A
J. Dale Sherratt
(age 74)
  Trustee   June 1989   2012   Insight Resources, Inc. (acquisition planning specialists), President; Wellfleet Investments (investor in health care companies), Managing General Partner   N/A
Laurie J. Thomsen
(age 55)
  Trustee   March 2005   2012   Private investor; New Profit, Inc. (venture philanthropy), Executive Partner (until 2010)   The Travelers Companies (insurance), Director
Robert W. Uek
(age 71)
  Trustee   January 2006   2014   Consultant to investment company industry   N/A
OFFICERS

John M. Corcoran (k)

(age 47)

  President   October 2008   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President (since October 2008); State Street Bank and Trust (financial services provider), Senior Vice President, (until September 2008)   N/A
Christopher R. Bohane (k) (age 38)   Assistant
Secretary and Assistant Clerk
  July 2005   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel   N/A

Kino Clark (k)

(age 44)

 

Assistant

Treasurer

  January 2012   N/A  

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)

 

Term

Expiring

 

Principal
Occupations During

the Past Five Years

 

Other

Directorships (j)

Thomas H. Connors (k)

(age 53)

 

Assistant

Secretary and Assistant Clerk

  September 2012   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel; Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (financial service provider), Director and Senior Counsel (until 2012)   N/A
Ethan D. Corey (k)
(age 49)
  Assistant
Secretary and Assistant Clerk
  July 2005   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel   N/A
David L. DiLorenzo (k)
(age 44)
  Treasurer   July 2005   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President   N/A
Robyn L. Griffin
(age 37)
  Assistant
Independent
Chief Compliance
Officer
  August 2008   N/A   Griffin Compliance LLC (provider of compliance services), Principal (since August 2008); State Street Corporation (financial services provider), Mutual Fund Administration Assistant Vice President (October 2006 – July 2008)   N/A

Brian E. Langenfeld (k)

(age 39)

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

Susan S. Newton (k)

(age 62)

  Assistant
Secretary and Assistant Clerk
  May 2005   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel   N/A

 

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Trustees and Officers – continued

 

Name, Age

 

Position(s)
Held

with Fund

 

Trustee/Officer
Since (h)

 

Term

Expiring

 

Principal
Occupations During

the Past Five Years

 

Other

Directorships (j)

Susan A. Pereira (k)
(age 42)
  Assistant
Secretary and Assistant Clerk
  July 2005   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel   N/A

Kasey L. Phillips (k)

(age 42)

  Assistant Treasurer   September 2012   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President; Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Senior Vice President, Fund Treasurer (until 2012)   N/A
Mark N. Polebaum (k)
(age 60)
  Secretary and Clerk   January 2006   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary   N/A
Frank L. Tarantino
(age 68)
  Independent 
Chief Compliance Officer
  June 2004   N/A   Tarantino LLC (provider of compliance services), Principal   N/A
Richard S. Weitzel (k)
(age 42)
  Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk   October 2007   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel   N/A
James O. Yost (k)
(age 52)
  Deputy Treasurer   September 1990   N/A   Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President   N/A

 

(h) Date first appointed to serve as Trustee/officer of an MFS fund. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise. For the period from December 15, 2004 until February 22, 2005, Mr. Manning served as Advisory Trustee. For the period October 2008, until January 2012, Mr. Corcoran served as Treasurer of the Funds. Prior to January 2012, Messrs. DiLorenzo and Yost served as Assistant Treasurers of the Funds.
(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.

 

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Trustees and Officers – continued

 

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

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

Each of the Fund’s Trustees and officers holds comparable positions with certain other funds of which MFS or a subsidiary is the investment adviser or distributor, and, in the case of the officers, with certain affiliates of MFS. As of January 1, 2013, the Trustees served as board members of 143 funds within the MFS Family of Funds.

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   State Street Bank and Trust
111 Huntington Avenue   1 Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02199-7618   Boston, MA 02111-2900
Portfolio Managers   Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Gary Lasman   Ernst & Young LLP
Geoffrey Schechter   200 Clarendon Street
  Boston, MA 02116

 

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BOARD REVIEW OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The Investment Company Act of 1940 requires that both the full Board of Trustees and a majority of the non-interested (“independent”) Trustees, voting separately, annually approve the continuation of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with MFS. The Trustees consider matters bearing on the Fund and its advisory arrangements at their meetings throughout the year, including a review of performance data at each regular meeting. In addition, the independent Trustees met several times over the course of three months beginning in May and ending in July, 2012 (“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 (based on net asset value) of the Fund for various time periods ended December 31, 2011 and the investment performance (based on net asset value) of a group of funds with substantially similar investment classifications/objectives (the “Lipper performance universe”), (ii) information provided by Lipper Inc. on the Fund’s advisory fees and other expenses and the advisory fees and other expenses of comparable funds identified by Lipper Inc. (the “Lipper expense group”), (iii) information provided by MFS on the advisory fees of comparable portfolios of other clients of MFS, including institutional separate accounts and other clients, (iv) information as to whether and to what extent applicable expense waivers, reimbursements or fee “breakpoints” are observed for the Fund, (v) information regarding MFS’ financial results and financial condition, including MFS’ and certain of its affiliates’ estimated profitability from services performed for the Fund and the MFS Funds as a whole, and compared to MFS’ institutional business, (vi) MFS’ views regarding the outlook for the mutual fund industry and the strategic business plans of MFS, (vii) descriptions of various functions performed by MFS for the Funds, such as compliance monitoring and portfolio trading practices, and (viii) information regarding the overall organization of MFS, including information about MFS’ senior management and other personnel providing investment

 

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Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued

 

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

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

In June 2007, shareholders approved an investment advisory agreement between the Fund and MFS. Effective June 30, 2007, in connection with the consummation of the asset purchase agreement between MFS and Columbia Management Advisors LLC, MFS assumed investment management responsibilities for the Fund.

Based on information provided by Lipper Inc. and MFS, the Trustees reviewed the Fund’s total return investment performance as well as the performance of peer groups of funds over various time periods. The Trustees placed particular emphasis on the total return performance of the Fund’s common shares in comparison to the performance of funds in its Lipper performance universe over the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, which the Trustees believed was a long enough period to reflect differing market conditions. The total return performance of the Fund’s common shares ranked 4th out of a total of 13 funds in the Lipper performance universe for this three-year period (a ranking of first place out of the total number of funds in the performance universe indicating the best performer and a ranking of last place out of the total number of funds in the performance universe indicating the worst performer). The total return performance of the Fund’s common shares ranked 4th out of a total of 13 funds for the one-year period and 11th out of a total of 12 funds for the five-year period ended December 31, 2011. Given the size of the Lipper performance universe and information previously provided by MFS regarding differences between the Fund and other funds in its Lipper performance universe, the Trustees also reviewed the Fund’s performance in comparison to the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index. The Fund out-performed the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index for each of the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2011 (one-year: 14.5% total return for the Fund versus 10.7% total return for the benchmark; three-year: 22.7% total return for the Fund versus 8.6% total return for the benchmark) and under-performed the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index for the five-year period ended December 31, 2011 (1.3% total return for the Fund versus 5.2% total return for the benchmark). Because of the passage of time, these performance results may differ from the performance results for more recent periods, including those shown elsewhere in this report.

 

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Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued

 

In addition to considering the performance information provided in connection with the contract review meetings, the independent Trustees noted that, in light of the Fund’s substandard relative performance at the time of their contract review meetings in 2011, 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 independent Trustees further noted that the Fund’s three-year performance as compared to its benchmark improved for the period ended December 31, 2011, 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 common shares as a percentage of average daily net assets and the advisory fee and total expense ratios of peer groups of funds based on information provided by Lipper Inc. The Trustees considered that MFS currently observes an expense limitation for 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 approximately at the Lipper expense group median.

The Trustees also considered the advisory fees charged by MFS to institutional accounts, if any. 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 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 considered that, as a closed-end fund, the Fund is unlikely to experience meaningful asset growth. As a result, the Trustees did not view the potential for realization of economies of scale as the Fund’s assets grow to be a material factor in their deliberations. The Trustees noted that they would consider economies of scale in the future in the event the Fund experiences significant asset growth, such as through a material increase in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.

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

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

In addition, the Trustees considered MFS’ resources and related efforts to continue to retain, attract and motivate capable personnel to serve the Fund. The Trustees also considered current and developing conditions in the financial services industry,

 

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Board Review of Investment Advisory Agreement – continued

 

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

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

Based on their evaluation of factors that they deemed to be material, including those factors described above, the Board of Trustees, including the independent Trustees, concluded that the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with MFS should be continued for an additional one-year period, commencing August 1, 2012.

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

 

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PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND INFORMATION

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

Information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 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 “News & Commentary” section of mfs.com or by clicking on the fund’s name under “Closed End Funds” in the “Products” section of mfs.com.

FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)

The fund will notify shareholders of amounts for use in preparing 2012 income tax forms in January 2013. The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

Of the dividends paid from net investment income during the fiscal year, 99.46% is designated as exempt interest dividends for federal income tax purposes. If the fund has earned income on private activity bonds, a portion of the dividends paid may be considered a tax preference item for purposes of computing a shareholder’s alternative minimum tax.

 

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rev. 3/11

 

 

FACTS

 

  WHAT DOES MFS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?   LOGO

 

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

 

What?  

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

 

 Social Security number and account balances

 Account transactions and transaction history

 Checking account information and wire transfer instructions

 

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

 

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

 

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

For our everyday business purposes –

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

  Yes   No

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

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

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

  No   We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

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

 

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

 

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Page 2  

 

 

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

 

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

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

open an account or provide account information

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

make a wire transfer

 

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

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

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

affiliates from using your information to market to you

sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

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

 

Definitions
Affiliates  

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

 

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

Nonaffiliates  

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

 

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

Joint Marketing  

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

 

MFS doesnt jointly market.

 

 

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

 

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LOGO

 

CONTACT US

TRANSFER AGENT, REGISTRAR, AND

DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT

CALL

1-800-637-2304

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

WRITE

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 43078

Providence, RI 02940-3078

 

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: CMU


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ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

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

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

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

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

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Items 4 (a) through 4(d) and 4(g):

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

For the fiscal years ended November 30, 2012 and 2011, audit fees billed to the Fund by E&Y were as follows:

 

     Audit Fees  
     2012      2011  

Fees billed by E&Y:

     

MFS High Yield Municipal Trust

     51,564         49,658   


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For the fiscal years ended November 30, 2012 and 2011, fees billed by E&Y for audit-related, tax and other services provided to the Fund and for audit-related, tax and other services provided to MFS and MFS Related Entities were as follows:

 

     Audit-Related  Fees1      Tax Fees2      All Other  Fees3  
     2012      2011      2012      2011      2012      2011  

Fees billed by E&Y:

                 

To MFS High Yield Municipal Trust

     10,504         10,110         9,481         9,125         0         0   
     Audit-Related  Fees1      Tax Fees2      All Other  Fees3  
     2012      2011      2012      2011      2012      2011  

Fees billed by E&Y:

                 

To MFS and MFS Related Entities of MFS High Yield Municipal Trust*

     0         0         0         0         0         0   

 

     2012      20114  

Aggregate fees for non-audit services:

     

To MFS High Yield Municipal Trust, MFS and MFS Related Entities#

     59,985         129,235   

 

* 

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”.

4 

E&Y fees reported in 2011 have been restated in this filing from those reported in the Registrant’s filing for the reporting period ended November 30, 2011.


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Item 4(e)(1):

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

To the extent required by applicable law, pre-approval by the Audit Committee of the Board is needed for all audit and permissible non-audit services rendered to the Fund and all permissible non-audit services rendered to MFS or MFS Related Entities if the services relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Registrant. Pre-approval is currently on an engagement-by-engagement basis. In the event pre-approval of such services is necessary between regular meetings of the Audit Committee and it is not practical to wait to seek pre-approval at the next regular meeting of the Audit Committee, pre-approval of such services may be referred to the Chair of the Audit Committee for approval; provided that the Chair may not pre-approve any individual engagement for such services exceeding $50,000 or multiple engagements for such services in the aggregate exceeding $100,000 between such regular meetings of the Audit Committee. Any engagement pre-approved by the Chair between regular meetings of the Audit Committee shall be presented for ratification by the entire Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

 

Item 4(e)(2):

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

 

Item 4(f): Not applicable.

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

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

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


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ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

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

 

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

MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

March 1, 2012

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

The MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures include:

 

  A. Voting Guidelines;

 

  B. Administrative Procedures;

 

  C Records Retention; and

 

  D. Reports.

 

A. VOTING GUIDELINES

 

1. General Policy; Potential Conflicts of Interest

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


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

As a general matter, MFS votes consistently on similar proxy proposals across all shareholder meetings. However, some proxy proposals, such as certain excessive executive compensation, environmental, social and governance matters, are analyzed on a case-by-case basis in light of all the relevant facts and circumstances of the proposal. Therefore, MFS may vote similar proposals differently at different shareholder meetings based on the specific facts and circumstances of the issuer or the terms of the proposal. In addition, MFS also reserves the right to override the guidelines with respect to a particular proxy proposal when such an override is, in MFS’ best judgment, consistent with the overall principle of voting proxies in the best long-term economic interests of MFS’ clients.

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

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

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


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2. MFS’ Policy on Specific Issues

Election of Directors

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

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

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

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


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Majority Voting and Director Elections

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

Classified Boards

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

Proxy Access

MFS analyzes proposals seeking the ability of qualifying shareholders to nominate a certain number of directors on the company’s proxy statement (“Proxy Access”) on a case-by-case basis. In its analysis, MFS will consider the proposed ownership criteria for qualifying shareholders (such as ownership threshold and holding period) as well as the proponent’s rationale for seeking Proxy Access.

Stock Plans

MFS opposes stock option programs and restricted stock plans that provide unduly generous compensation for officers, directors or employees, or that could result in excessive dilution to other shareholders. As a general guideline, MFS votes against restricted stock, stock option, non-employee director, omnibus stock plans and any other stock plan if all such plans for a particular company involve potential dilution, in the aggregate, of more than 15%. However, MFS will also vote against stock plans that involve potential dilution, in aggregate, of more than 10% at U.S. issuers that are listed in the Standard and Poor’s 100 index as of December 31 of the previous year.


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

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

Shareholder Proposals on Executive Compensation

MFS believes that competitive compensation packages are necessary to attract, motivate and retain executives. However, MFS also recognizes that certain executive compensation practices can be “excessive” and not in the best, long-term economic interest of a company’s shareholders. We believe that the election of an issuer’s board of directors (as outlined above), votes on stock plans (as outlined above) and advisory votes on pay (as outlined below) are typically the most effective mechanisms to express our view on a company’s compensation practices.

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


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Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation

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

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

“Golden Parachutes”

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

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

Anti-Takeover Measures

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


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

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

Reincorporation and Reorganization Proposals

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

Issuance of Stock

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


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Repurchase Programs

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

Cumulative Voting

MFS opposes proposals that seek to introduce cumulative voting and for proposals that seek to eliminate cumulative voting. In either case, MFS will consider whether cumulative voting is likely to enhance the interests of MFS’ clients as minority shareholders. In our view, shareholders should provide names of qualified candidates to a company’s nominating committee, which, in our view, should be comprised solely of “independent” directors.

Written Consent and Special Meetings

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

Independent Auditors

MFS believes that the appointment of auditors for U.S. issuers is best left to the board of directors of the company and therefore supports the ratification of the board’s selection of an auditor for the company. Some shareholder groups have submitted proposals to limit the non-audit activities of a company’s audit firm or prohibit any non-audit services by a company’s auditors to that company. MFS opposes proposals recommending the prohibition or limitation of the performance of non-audit services by an auditor, and proposals recommending the removal of a company’s auditor due to the performance of non-audit work for the company by its auditor. MFS believes that the board, or its audit committee, should have the discretion to hire the company’s auditor for specific pieces of non-audit work in the limited situations permitted under current law.

Other Business

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


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Adjourn Shareholder Meeting

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

Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Issues

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

MFS generally supports proposals that seek to remove governance structures that insulate management from shareholders (i.e., anti-takeover measures) or that seek to enhance shareholder rights. Many of these governance-related issues, including compensation issues, are outlined within the context of the above guidelines. In addition, MFS typically supports proposals that require an issuer to reimburse successful dissident shareholders (who are not seeking control of the company) for reasonable expenses that such dissident incurred in soliciting an alternative slate of director candidates. MFS also generally supports reasonably crafted shareholder proposals requesting increased disclosure around the company’s use of collateral in derivatives trading. MFS typically does not support proposals to separate the chairman and CEO positions as we believe that the most beneficial leadership structure of a company should be determined by the company’s board of directors. For any governance-related proposal for which an explicit guideline is not provided above, MFS will consider such proposals on a case-by-case basis and will support such proposals if MFS believes that it is in the best long-term economic interest of the company’s shareholders.

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


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

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

Foreign Issuers

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

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

Some international markets have also adopted mandatory requirements for all companies to hold shareholder votes on executive compensation. MFS will not support such proposals if MFS determines that a company’s executive compensation practices are excessive, considering such factors as the specific market’s best practices that seek to maintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment and to create long-term shareholder value.


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

In accordance with local law or business practices, some foreign companies or custodians prevent the sales of shares that have been voted for a certain period beginning prior to the shareholder meeting and ending on the day following the meeting (“share blocking”). Depending on the country in which a company is domiciled, the blocking period may begin a stated number of days prior or subsequent to the meeting (e.g. one, three or five days) or on a date established by the company. While practices vary, in many countries the block period can be continued for a longer period if the shareholder meeting is adjourned and postponed to a later date. Similarly, practices vary widely as to the ability of a shareholder to have the “block” restriction lifted early (e.g. in some countries shares generally can be “unblocked” up to two days prior to the meeting whereas in other countries the removal of the block appears to be discretionary with the issuer’s transfer agent). Due to these restrictions, MFS must balance the benefits to its clients of voting proxies against the potentially serious portfolio management consequences of a reduced flexibility to sell the underlying shares at the most advantageous time. For companies in countries with share blocking periods or in markets where some custodians may block shares, the disadvantage of being unable to sell the stock regardless of changing conditions generally outweighs the advantages of voting at the shareholder meeting for routine items. Accordingly, MFS will not vote those proxies in the absence of an unusual, significant vote that outweighs the disadvantage of being unable to sell the stock.

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


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B. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

 

1. MFS Proxy Voting Committee

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

2. Potential Conflicts of Interest

The MFS Proxy Voting Committee is responsible for monitoring potential material conflicts of interest on the part of MFS or its subsidiaries that could arise in connection with the voting of proxies on behalf of MFS’ clients. Due to the client focus of our investment management business, we believe that the potential for actual material conflict of interest issues is small. Nonetheless, we have developed precautions to assure that all proxy votes are cast in the best long-term economic interest of shareholders.1 Other MFS internal policies require all MFS employees to avoid actual and potential conflicts of interests between personal activities and MFS’ client activities. If an employee identifies an actual or potential conflict of interest with respect to any voting decision, then that employee must recuse himself/herself from participating in the voting process. Additionally, with respect to decisions concerning all Non-Standard Votes, as defined below, MFS will review the securities holdings reported by investment professionals that participate in such decisions to determine whether such person has a direct economic interest in the decision, in which case such person shall not further participate in making the decision. Any significant attempt by an employee of MFS or its subsidiaries to unduly influence MFS’ voting on a particular proxy matter should also be reported to the MFS Proxy Voting Committee.

 

1 

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


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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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


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

 

3. Gathering Proxies

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

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

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

It is the responsibility of the Proxy Administrator and MFS to monitor the receipt of ballots. When proxy ballots and materials for clients are received by the Proxy Administrator, they are input into the Proxy Administrator’s on-line system.


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The Proxy Administrator then reconciles a list of all MFS accounts that hold shares of a company’s stock and the number of shares held on the record date by these accounts with the Proxy Administrator’s list of any upcoming shareholder’s meeting of that company. If a proxy ballot has not been received, the Proxy Administrator contacts the custodian requesting the reason as to why a ballot has not been received.

 

4. Analyzing Proxies

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

As a general matter, portfolio managers and investment analysts have little or no involvement in most votes taken by MFS. This is designed to promote consistency in the application of MFS’ voting guidelines, to promote consistency in voting on the same or similar issues (for the same or for multiple issuers) across all client accounts, and to minimize the potential that proxy solicitors, issuers, or third parties might attempt to exert inappropriate influence on the vote. In limited types of votes (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, capitalization matters, potentially excessive executive compensation issues, or shareholder proposals relating to environmental and social issues), a representative of MFS Proxy Voting Committee may consult with or seek recommendations from MFS portfolio managers or investment analysts.2 However, the MFS Proxy Voting Committee would ultimately determine the manner in which all proxies are voted.

 

2 

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


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

 

5. Voting Proxies

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

 

6. Securities Lending

From time to time, the MFS Funds or other pooled investment vehicles sponsored by MFS may participate in a securities lending program. In the event MFS or its agent receives timely notice of a shareholder meeting for a U.S. security, MFS and its agent will attempt to recall any securities on loan before the meeting’s record date so that MFS will be entitled to vote these shares. However, there may be instances in which MFS is unable to timely recall securities on loan for a U.S. security, in which cases MFS will not be able to vote these shares. MFS will report to the appropriate board of the MFS Funds those instances in which MFS is not able to timely recall the loaned securities. MFS generally does not recall non-U.S. securities on loan because there may be insufficient advance notice of proxy materials, record dates, or vote cut-off dates to allow MFS to timely recall the shares in certain markets. As a result, non-U.S. securities that are on loan will not generally be voted. If MFS receives timely notice of what MFS determines to be an unusual, significant vote for a non-U.S. security whereas MFS shares are on loan, and determines that voting is in the best long-term economic interest of shareholders, then MFS will attempt to timely recall the loaned shares.

 

7. Engagement

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


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C. RECORDS RETENTION

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

 

D. REPORTS

MFS Funds

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

All MFS Advisory Clients

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


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

 

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

General. Information regarding the portfolio manager(s) of the MFS High Yield Municipal Trust (the “Fund”) is set forth below.

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Primary Role

 

Since

 

Title and Five Year History

Geoffrey L. Schechter

  Portfolio Manager   2007   Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 1993.

Gary A. Lasman

  Portfolio Manager   2007   Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 2002

Compensation.

Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed annually. As of December 31, 2011, portfolio manager total cash compensation is a combination of base salary and performance bonus:

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

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

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

The quantitative portion is based on the pre-tax performance of assets managed by the portfolio manager over one-, three-, and five-year periods relative to peer group universes and/or indices (“benchmarks”). As of December 31, 2011, the following benchmarks were used to measure the portfolio manager’s performance for the Fund and/or comparable accounts:


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Portfolio Manager                    Benchmark(s)

Geoffrey L. Schechter

   Barclays Municipal Bond Index

Gary A. Lasman

   Barclays Municipal Bond Index

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

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

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

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

Ownership of Fund Shares. The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities of the Fund beneficially owned by the Fund’s portfolio manager(s) as of the fund’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2012. The following dollar ranges apply:

N. None

A. $1 - $10,000

B. $10,001 - $50,000

C. $50,001 - $100,000

D. $100,001 - $500,000

E. $500,001 - $1,000,000

F. Over $1,000,000


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Name of Portfolio Manager

  

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Fund

    

Geoffrey L. Schechter

   N   

Gary A. Lasman

   N   

Other Accounts. In addition to the Fund, the Fund’s portfolio manager is named as a portfolio manager of certain other accounts managed or subadvised by MFS or an affiliate, the number and assets of which, as of the fund’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2012, were as follows:

 

     Registered Investment
Companies*
     Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
     Other Accounts  

Name

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

Geoffrey L. Schechter

     12       $ 12 billion         1       $ 503.7 million         0         N/A   

Gary A. Lasman

     4       $ 3.8 billion         0         N/A         0         N/A   

 

* Includes the Fund.

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

Potential Conflicts of Interest.

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

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

When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed by the Adviser to be fair and equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the Fund is concerned. In most cases, however, the Adviser believes that the Fund’s ability to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions for the Fund.

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


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

MFS High Yield Municipal Trust

 

Period

   (a) Total number
of Shares
Purchased
     (b)
Average
Price

Paid per
Share
     (c) Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of  Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
     (d) Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value) of

Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
under the Plans
or Programs
 

12/01/11-12/31/11

     0         N/A         0         2,807,701   

1/01/12-1/31/12

     0         N/A         0         2,807,701   

2/01/12-2/28/12

     0         N/A         0         2,807,701   

3/01/12-3/31/12

     0         N/A         0         2,818,507   

4/01/12-4/30/12

     0         N/A         0         2,818,507   

5/01/12-5/31/12

     0         N/A         0         2,818,507   

6/01/12-6/30/12

     0         N/A         0         2,818,507   

7/01/12-7/31/12

     0         N/A         0         2,818,507   

8/01/12-8/31/12

     0         N/A         0         2,818,507   

9/1/12-9/30/12

     0         N/A         0         2,818,507   

10/1/12-10/31/12

     0         N/A         0         2,818,507   

11/1/12-11/30/12

     0         N/A         0         2,818,507   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total

     0            0      
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Note: The Board of Trustees approves procedures to repurchase shares annually. The notification to shareholders of the program is part of the semi-annual and annual reports sent to shareholders. These annual programs begin on March 1st of each year. The programs conform to the conditions of Rule 10b-18 of the securities Exchange Act of 1934 and limit the aggregate number of shares that may be purchased in each annual period (March 1 through the following February 28) to 10% of the Registrant’s outstanding shares as of the first day of the plan year (March 1). The aggregate number of shares available for purchase for the March 1, 2012 plan year is 2,818,507.

 

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.


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ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

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

 

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


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ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

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

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

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

(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the Registrant to 10 or more persons. Not applicable.

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


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Notice

A copy of the Agreement and 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.


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SIGNATURES

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

Registrant MFS HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL TRUST

 

By (Signature and Title)*   JOHN M. CORCORAN
  John M. Corcoran, President

Date: January 15, 2013

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)*   JOHN M. CORCORAN
 

John M. Corcoran, President

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: January 15, 2013

 

By (Signature and Title)*   DAVID L. DILORENZO
 

David L. DiLorenzo, Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer

and Accounting Officer)

Date: January 15, 2013

 

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