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 811-5078
MFS GOVERNMENT MARKETS INCOME TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Susan S. Newton
Massachusetts Financial Services Company
500 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(Name and address of agents for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 954-5000
Date of fiscal year end: November 30
Date of reporting period: November 30, 2007
| ITEM 1. | REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS. |
Annual report
MFS® Government Markets Income Trust
11/30/07
MGF-ANN
MFS® Government Markets Income Trust
| CONTACT INFORMATION | BACK COVER |
New York Stock Exchange Symbol: MGF
NOT FDIC INSURED Ÿ MAY LOSE VALUE Ÿ
NO BANK OR CREDIT UNION GUARANTEE Ÿ NOT A DEPOSIT Ÿ
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR
NCUA/NCUSIF
Dear Shareholders:
The past year has been a great example of why investors should keep their eyes on the long term.
In 2006 the Dow Jones Industrial Average returned 19% and was fairly stable. This year we have seen a greater level of volatility than has been experienced in recent years. The Dow hit several new highs but also experienced swift drops as a global credit crisis swept through markets, spurred by defaults on U.S. subprime loans and a liquidity crunch. Still, even with this volatility, the Dow ended the first three quarters of 2007 with a return near 13%.
U.S. Treasury bonds gained ground, especially in the third quarter as investors sought less risky asset classes. The spreads of many lower-quality debt investments widened.
In 2007 the U.S. dollar fell against the euro, oil prices hit their highest levels yet, and gold spiked to its steepest price in 28 years. Around the globe, stocks sold off as risk aversion mounted. As we have said before, markets can be volatile, and investors should make sure they have an investment plan that can carry them through the peaks and troughs.
If you are focused on a long-term investment strategy, the short-term ups and downs of the markets should not necessarily dictate portfolio action on your part. In our view, investors who remain committed to a long-term plan are more likely to achieve their financial goals.
In any market environment, we believe individual investors are best served by following a three-pronged investment strategy of allocating their holdings across the major asset classes, diversifying within each class, and regularly rebalancing their portfolios to maintain their desired allocations. Of course, these strategies cannot guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. Investing and planning for the long term require diligence and patience, two traits that in our experience are essential to capitalizing on the many opportunities the financial markets can offer — through both up and down economic cycles.
Respectfully,
Robert J. Manning
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer
MFS Investment Management
January 15, 2008
The opinions expressed in this letter are subject to change, may not be relied upon for investment advice, and no forecasts can be guaranteed.
1
| (a) | The average credit quality of rated securities is based upon a market weighted average of portfolio holdings that are rated by public rating agencies. |
| (d) | Duration is a measure of how much a bond’s price is likely to fluctuate with general changes in interest rates, e.g., if rates rise 1.00%, a bond with a 5-year duration is likely to lose about 5.00% of its value. |
| (i) | For purposes of this presentation, the bond component includes accrued interest amounts and may be positively or negatively impacted by the equivalent exposure from any derivative holdings, if applicable, which may result in the investment in a sector less than 0%. |
| (m) | The average maturity shown is calculated using the final stated maturity on the portfolio’s holdings without taking into account any holdings which have been pre-refunded or pre-paid to an earlier date or which have a mandatory put date prior to the stated maturity. The average life shown takes into account these earlier dates. |
| (r) | Each security is assigned a rating from Moody’s Investors Service. If not rated by Moody’s, the rating will be that assigned by Standard & Poor’s. Likewise, if not assigned a rating by Standard & Poor’s, it will be based on the rating assigned by Fitch, Inc. For those portfolios that hold a security which is not rated by any of the three agencies, the security is considered Not Rated. Holdings in U.S. Treasuries and government agency mortgage-backed securities, if any, are included in the “AAA”-rating category. Percentages are based on the total market value of investments as of 11/30/07. |
Percentages are based on net assets as of 11/30/07, unless otherwise noted.
The portfolio is actively managed and current holdings may be different.
2
Summary of results
The MFS Government Markets Income Trust (the “fund”) is a closed-end fund and maintains a portfolio that includes investments in U.S. government securities, mortgage-backed securities, international and emerging markets debt securities, and U.S. investment grade corporate bonds.
For the twelve months ended November 30, 2007, the MFS Government Markets Income Trust provided a total return of 6.91%, at net asset value. This compares with a return of 6.92% for the fund’s benchmark, the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Mortgage Bond Index (Lehman Index). Total return for the fund is also calculated using the New York Stock Exchange price which can differ from the net asset value and accordingly the total return that is calculated based on the net asset value and the New York Stock Exchange price can be different. See the Performance Summary for additional information.
Market environment
Despite seemingly robust growth rates during the second and third quarters of 2007, underlying economic activity in the U.S. remained muted relative to other major economies. Overall, global economies witnessed moderate to strong growth during the reporting period as domestic demand improved and world trade accelerated.
With the strong global growth, however, concerns emerged about rising global inflation, especially as capacity became more constrained, wages rose, and energy and food prices advanced. During the reporting period, global central banks tightened monetary conditions, which in turn pushed global bond yields to their highest levels during this economic expansion.
However, financial markets – particularly in the mortgage and structured-products areas – experienced substantial volatility in recent months. Beginning in late July, heightened uncertainty and distress concerning the subprime mortgage market caused several global credit markets to tighten up, forcing central banks to inject liquidity and to reassess their tightening biases as sovereign bond yields declined and credit spreads widened. While credit conditions improved somewhat by late October as the Federal Reserve Board cut interest rates, the level of market turbulence remained significant into November. Increased market turmoil was also exacerbated by U.S. home foreclosures and uncertainties surrounding falling housing prices. Despite increased volatility across all asset classes and the widening in credit spreads, U.S. labor markets were resilient and wages rose modestly. More broadly, global equity markets rebounded following summer losses and generally held those gains through the end of the reporting period.
3
Management review – continued
Detractors from performance
For the MFS Government Markets Income Trust, an overweighted exposure to government agency securities held back performance relative to the Lehman Index as spreads on agency debt widened towards the latter part of the period. The fund’s shorter duration(d) stance also hampered relative returns as interest rates generally declined during the reporting period.
Contributors to performance
The fund’s underweighted exposure to mortgage-backed securities was a contributor to relative performance as spreads in the mortgage sector widened substantially amid the credit crisis.
Respectfully,
| Geoffrey Schechter |
| 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. |
The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio manager 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.
4
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY THROUGH 11/30/07
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.
| Price Summary Year Ended 11/30/07 | ||||||||||
| Date | Price | |||||||||
| Net Asset Value | 11/30/07 | $7.35 | ||||||||
| 11/30/06 | $7.28 | |||||||||
| New York Stock Exchange Price | 11/30/07 | $6.59 | ||||||||
| 10/05/07 (high) (t) | $6.96 | |||||||||
| 2/09/07 (low) (t) | $6.48 | |||||||||
| 11/30/06 | $6.60 | |||||||||
Total Returns vs Index
Year ended 11/30/07
| New York Stock Exchange Price (r) | 5.73% | |||||
| Net Asset Value (r)(x) | 6.91% | |||||
| Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Mortgage Bond Index (f) | 6.92% | |||||
| (f) | Source: FactSet Research Systems Inc. |
| (r) | Includes reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions. |
| (t) | For the period December 1, 2006 through November 30, 2007. |
| (x) | Includes 0.58% positive impact as a result of the fund’s tender offer conducted in November 2007. |
Index Definition
Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Mortgage Bond Index – a market capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of debt issued by the U.S. Government, and its agencies, as well as mortgage-backed pass-through securities of Ginnie Mae (GNMA), Fannie Mae (FNMA), and Freddie Mac (FHLMC).
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.
5
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.
Effective September 1, 2007, the fund implemented a target annual distribution rate calculated based on the fund’s average monthly net asset value, not a fixed share price. The fund’s dividend amount will fluctuate with changes in the fund’s average monthly net assets.
The fund’s monthly distributions may include a return of capital to shareholders. Distributions that are treated for federal income tax purposes as a return of capital will reduce each shareholder’s basis in his or her shares and, to the extent the return of capital exceeds such basis, will be treated as gain to the shareholder from a sale of shares. The target annual distribution rate may also result in a recharacterization of what economically represents a return of capital to ordinary income in those situations where a fund has current year long-term capital gains and a capital loss carryforward. Returns of shareholder capital have the effect of reducing the fund’s assets and may increase the fund’s expense ratio.
From time to time the fund may receive proceeds from litigation settlements, without which performance would be lower.
In accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the fund hereby gives notice that it may from time to time repurchase shares of the fund in the open market at the option of the Board of Trustees and on such terms as the Trustees shall determine.
6
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS OF THE FUND
Investment Objective
The fund’s investment objective is to seek high current income, but may also consider capital appreciation. The fund’s objective may be changed without shareholder approval.
Principal Investment Strategies
MFS normally invests at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in U.S. and non-U.S. government securities. MFS may invest the fund’s assets in other types of debt instruments. MFS generally invests substantially all of the fund’s assets in investment grade debt instruments.
MFS may invest the fund’s assets in U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging market securities. MFS may invest a relatively high percentage of the fund’s assets in a single country or a small number of countries.
Effective September 1, 2007, the fund seeks to make a monthly distribution at an annual fixed rate of up to 7.25% of the fund’s average monthly net asset value.
MFS may invest the fund’s assets in mortgage dollar rolls.
MFS may use derivatives for different purposes, including to earn income and enhance returns, to increase or decrease exposure to a particular market, to manage or adjust the risk profile of the fund, or as alternatives to direct investments.
MFS uses a bottom-up investment approach in buying and selling investments for the fund. Investments are selected primarily based on fundamental analysis of instruments and their issuers in light of current market, economic, political, and regulatory conditions. Factors considered may include the instrument’s credit quality, collateral characteristics, and indenture provisions, and the issuer’s management ability, capital structure, leverage, and ability to meet its current obligations. Quantitative analysis of the structure of the instrument and its features may also be considered.
Principal Risks
The portfolio’s yield and share prices change daily based on the credit quality of its investments and changes in interest rates. In general, the value of debt securities will decline when interest rates rise and will increase when interest rates fall. Debt securities with longer maturity dates will generally be subject to greater price fluctuations than those with shorter maturities. Mortgage securities are subject to prepayment risk which can offer less potential for gains in a declining interest rate environment and greater potential for loss in
7
Investment Objective, Principal Investment Strategies and Risks of the Fund – continued
a rising interest rate environment. Derivatives can be highly volatile and involve risks in addition to those of the underlying indicator’s in whose value the derivative is based. Gains or losses from derivatives can be substantially greater than the derivatives’ original cost. Interest payments on inflation adjusted debt instruments can be unpredictable and vary based on the level of inflation. Foreign investments can be more volatile than U.S. investments. Changes in currency exchange rates can affect the U.S. dollar rate of foreign currency investments and investments denominated in foreign currency. Investing in emerging markets can involve risks in addition to those generally associated with investing in more developed foreign markets. When you sell your shares, they may be worth more or less than the amount you paid for them. Please see the prospectus for further information regarding these and other risk considerations. A copy of the fund’s prospectus is available on the EDGAR database on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Internet Web site at http://www.sec.gov
8
| Geoffrey Schechter | — | Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 1993. Manager of the Fund since April 2006. |
9
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN
The fund offers a Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan that allows you to reinvest either all of the distributions paid by the fund or only the long-term capital gains. 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 discounted price of either the net asset value or 95% of the market price, whichever is greater. Twice each year you can also buy shares. Investments may be made in any amount over $100 in January and July on the 15th of the month or shortly thereafter.
If your shares are in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you can ask the firm or nominee to participate in the plan on your behalf. If the nominee does not offer the plan, you may wish to request that your shares be re-registered in your own name so that you can participate.
There is no service charge to reinvest distributions, nor are there brokerage charges for shares issued directly by the fund. However, when shares are bought on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise on the open market, each participant pays a pro rata share of the transaction expenses, including commissions. The automatic reinvestment of distributions does not relieve you of any income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on the distributions.
To enroll in or withdraw from the plan, or if you have any questions, call 1-800-637-2304 any business day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. Please have available the name of the fund and your account and Social Security numbers. For certain types of registrations, such as corporate accounts, instructions must be submitted in writing. Please call for additional details. When you withdraw from the plan, you can receive the value of the reinvested shares in one of two ways: a check for the value of the full and fractional shares, or a certificate for the full shares and a check for the fractional shares.
Effective May 1, 2007, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the Transfer Agent for the fund) became the agent for the plan.
10
11/30/07
The Portfolio of Investments is a complete list of all securities owned by your fund. It is categorized by broad-based asset classes.
| Bonds - 99.3% | ||||||
| Issuer | Shares/Par | Value ($) | ||||
| U.S. Bonds - 94.0% | ||||||
| Agency - Other - 12.7% | ||||||
| Financing Corp., 10.7%, 2017 | $ | 4,095,000 | $ | 6,065,264 | ||
| Financing Corp., 9.4%, 2018 | 3,085,000 | 4,277,278 | ||||
| Financing Corp., 9.8%, 2018 | 4,350,000 | 6,186,305 | ||||
| Financing Corp., 10.35%, 2018 | 6,820,000 | 10,056,035 | ||||
| Financing Corp., STRIPS, 0%, 2017 | 5,000,000 | 3,204,845 | ||||
| $ | 29,789,727 | |||||
| Asset Backed & Securitized - 1.0% | ||||||
| Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, FRN, 6.022%, 2017 | $ | 750,000 | $ | 695,042 | ||
| Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corp., FRN, 7.373%, 2013 (z) | 1,819,000 | 1,708,417 | ||||
| $ | 2,403,459 | |||||
| Brokerage & Asset Managers - 0.3% | ||||||
| Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., 6.05%, 2016 | $ | 750,000 | $ | 733,996 | ||
| Medical & Health Technology & Services - 0.2% | ||||||
| Covidien Ltd., 6.55%, 2037 (n) | $ | 500,000 | $ | 523,057 | ||
| Mortgage Backed - 63.2% | ||||||
| Fannie Mae, 5.78%, 2008 | $ | 888,341 | $ | 889,377 | ||
| Fannie Mae, 4.79%, 2012 | 3,522,804 | 3,552,617 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.543%, 2013 | 839,027 | 836,538 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 5%, 2013 - 2027 | 2,956,191 | 2,975,546 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 5.06%, 2013 | 397,101 | 402,849 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 5.37%, 2013 | 1,029,000 | 1,067,174 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.547%, 2014 | 937,369 | 930,586 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.621%, 2014 | 2,039,484 | 2,032,795 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.77%, 2014 | 487,257 | 488,063 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.839%, 2014 | 3,235,524 | 3,257,070 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.871%, 2014 | 1,785,723 | 1,801,102 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 5.1%, 2014 | 521,627 | 533,273 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.7%, 2015 | 477,648 | 477,821 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.74%, 2015 | 386,733 | 385,346 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.78%, 2015 | 541,958 | 543,781 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.815%, 2015 | 543,000 | 542,814 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.82%, 2015 | 1,449,791 | 1,454,234 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.85%, 2015 | 340,281 | 343,312 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.86%, 2015 | 161,214 | 162,905 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.87%, 2015 | 360,607 | 363,828 | ||||
11
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| Issuer | Shares/Par | Value ($) | ||||
| Bonds - continued | ||||||
| U.S. Bonds - continued | ||||||
| Mortgage Backed - continued | ||||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.89%, 2015 | $ | 404,071 | $ | 408,386 | ||
| Fannie Mae, 4.925%, 2015 | 1,336,407 | 1,347,074 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 5.471%, 2015 | 916,190 | 950,766 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 5.09%, 2016 | 500,000 | 508,880 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 5.423%, 2016 | 795,693 | 823,287 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 5.845%, 2016 | 485,936 | 512,800 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 6.5%, 2016 - 2036 | 7,652,313 | 7,910,546 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 5.05%, 2017 | 525,300 | 533,256 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 5.3%, 2017 | 596,442 | 614,331 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 5.5%, 2017 - 2035 | 58,775,538 | 59,052,944 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 6%, 2017 - 2037 | 18,650,432 | 19,006,450 | ||||
| Fannie Mae, 4.88%, 2020 | 341,174 | 342,330 | ||||
| Freddie Mac, 4.5%, 2013 - 2021 | 1,434,884 | 1,430,903 | ||||
| Freddie Mac, 5%, 2016 - 2027 | 7,375,197 | 7,387,527 | ||||
| Freddie Mac, 6%, 2021 - 2036 | 2,788,294 | 2,833,946 | ||||
| Freddie Mac, 3.75%, 2024 | 645,663 | 638,501 | ||||
| Freddie Mac, 4%, 2024 | 701,315 | 695,511 | ||||
| Freddie Mac, 5.5%, 2024 - 2035 | 10,918,489 | 10,956,757 | ||||
| Freddie Mac, 6.5%, 2037 | 2,999,376 | 3,084,057 | ||||
| Ginnie Mae, 5.5%, 2033 | 6,762,142 | 6,864,527 | ||||
| $ | 148,943,810 | |||||
| Municipals - 1.9% | ||||||
| California Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Stanford University), “T-1”, 5%, 2039 | $ | 3,075,000 | $ | 3,431,669 | ||
| Minnesota Public Facilities Authority Rev., Water Pollution Control, “B”, 5%, 2018 | 895,000 | 991,758 | ||||
| $ | 4,423,427 | |||||
| Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 0.3% | ||||||
| UBS Preferred Funding Trust V, 6.243% to 2016, FRN to 2049 | $ | 750,000 | $ | 702,106 | ||
| Real Estate - 0.3% | ||||||
| Simon Property Group LP, REIT, 5.875%, 2017 | $ | 750,000 | $ | 743,867 | ||
| Retailers - 0.2% | ||||||
| Target Corp., 6.5%, 2037 | $ | 465,000 | $ | 451,240 | ||
| U.S. Government Agencies - 9.0% | ||||||
| Aid-Egypt, 4.45%, 2015 | 1,755,000 | $ | 1,761,774 | |||
| Farmer Mac, 5.5%, 2011 (n) | 3,010,000 | 3,172,239 | ||||
| Freddie Mac, 6.625%, 2009 | 3,159,000 | 3,315,759 | ||||
12
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| Issuer | Shares/Par | Value ($) | ||||
| Bonds - continued | ||||||
| U.S. Bonds - continued | ||||||
| U.S. Government Agencies - continued | ||||||
| Small Business Administration, 8.875%, 2011 | $ | 120,358 | $ | 122,279 | ||
| Small Business Administration, 6.34%, 2021 | 896,570 | 944,446 | ||||
| Small Business Administration, 6.35%, 2021 | 1,053,390 | 1,109,091 | ||||
| Small Business Administration, 6.44%, 2021 | 984,007 | 1,038,777 | ||||
| Small Business Administration, 6.625%, 2021 | 1,091,262 | 1,172,272 | ||||
| Small Business Administration, 5.52%, 2024 | 1,222,152 | 1,271,169 | ||||
| U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, 6.36%, 2016 | 1,580,000 | 1,677,445 | ||||
| U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, 6.59%, 2016 | 5,612,000 | 5,698,823 | ||||
| $ | 21,284,074 | |||||
| U.S. Treasury Obligations - 4.9% | ||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bonds, 11.25%, 2015 | $ | 499,000 | $ | 731,113 | ||
| U.S. Treasury Bonds, 5%, 2037 (f) | 2,800,000 | 3,074,750 | ||||
| U.S. Treasury Bonds, STRIPS, 0%, 2021 | 4,547,000 | 2,420,868 | ||||
| U.S. Treasury Bonds, STRIPS, 0%, 2027 | 3,064,000 | 1,236,661 | ||||
| U.S. Treasury Notes, TIPS, 2.375%, 2017 | 3,834,179 | 4,075,613 | ||||
| $ | 11,539,005 | |||||
| Total U.S. Bonds | $ | 221,537,768 | ||||
| Foreign Bonds - 5.3% | ||||||
| Chile - 0.8% | ||||||
| Codelco, Inc., 6.15%, 2036 | $ | 1,092,000 | $ | 1,111,547 | ||
| HQI Transelec Chile S.A., 7.875%, 2011 | 680,000 | 738,094 | ||||
| $ | 1,849,641 | |||||
| Italy - 0.4% | ||||||
| Enel Finance International S.A., 6.8%, 2037 (z) | $ | 750,000 | $ | 783,634 | ||
| Unicredit Luxembourg Finance S.A., 6%, 2017 (n) | 200,000 | 201,948 | ||||
| $ | 985,582 | |||||
| Malaysia - 0.6% | ||||||
| Petroliam Nasional Berhad, 7.625%, 2026 | $ | 739,000 | $ | 915,146 | ||
| Petronas Capital Ltd., 7.875%, 2022 | 433,000 | 541,218 | ||||
| $ | 1,456,364 | |||||
| Mexico - 0.9% | ||||||
| Pemex Project Funding Master Trust, 9.375%, 2008 | $ | 541,000 | $ | 563,722 | ||
| United Mexican States, 8.3%, 2031 | 128,000 | 167,206 | ||||
| United Mexican States, 6.75%, 2034 | 1,164,000 | 1,302,516 | ||||
| $ | 2,033,444 | |||||
13
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| Issuer | Shares/Par | Value ($) | ||||
| Bonds - continued | ||||||
| Foreign Bonds - continued | ||||||
| Portugal - 0.0% | ||||||
| EDP Finance B.V., 6%, 2018 (n) | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,914 | ||
| Russia - 1.1% | ||||||
| Gazprom International S.A., 7.201%, 2020 | $ | 709,714 | $ | 723,491 | ||
| OAO Gazprom, 6.51%, 2022 | 1,078,000 | 1,040,270 | ||||
| OAO Gazprom, 7.288%, 2037 (n) | 731,000 | 747,813 | ||||
| $ | 2,511,574 | |||||
| South Africa - 0.6% | ||||||
| Republic of South Africa, 5.875%, 2022 | $ | 1,480,000 | $ | 1,485,328 | ||
| United Kingdom - 0.5% | ||||||
| Diageo Capital PLC, 5.75%, 2017 | $ | 520,000 | $ | 526,383 | ||
| Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 6.99% to 2017, FRN to 2049 (n) | 750,000 | 738,110 | ||||
| $ | 1,264,493 | |||||
| Trinidad & Tobago - 0.4% | ||||||
| Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, 9.75%, 2020 | $ | 676,000 | $ | 907,665 | ||
| Total Foreign Bonds | $ | 12,595,005 | ||||
| Total Bonds (Identified Cost, $229,928,915) | $ | 234,132,773 | ||||
| Repurchase Agreements - 0.1% | ||||||
| Merrill Lynch, 4.62%, dated 11/30/07, due 12/03/07, total to be received $150,058 (secured by various U.S. Treasury and Federal Agency obligations and Mortgage Backed securities in a jointly traded account), at Cost | $ | 150,000 | $ | 150,000 | ||
| Total Investments (Identified Cost, $230,078,915) (k) | $ | 234,282,773 | ||||
| Other Assets, Less Liabilities - 0.6% | 1,370,756 | |||||
| Net Assets - 100.0% | $ | 235,653,529 | ||||
| (f) | All or a portion of the security has been segregated as collateral for an open futures contract. |
| (k) | As of November 30, 2007, the fund held securities fair valued in accordance with the policies adopted by the Board of Trustees, aggregating $234,132,773 and 99.94% of market value. An independent pricing service provided an evaluated bid for 99.23% of the market value. |
| (n) | Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate value of these securities was $5,484,081, representing 2.3% of net assets. |
14
Portfolio of Investments – continued
| (z) | Restricted securities are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and are subject to legal restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are subsequently registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. The fund holds the following restricted securities: |
| Restricted Securities | Acquisition Date |
Acquisition Cost |
Current Market Value |
% of Net Assets | ||||||
| Enel Finance International S.A., 6.8%, 2037 |
10/03/07 | $ | 775,238 | $ | 783,634 | |||||
| Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corp., FRN, 7.373%, 2013 | 12/06/04 | 2,019,445 | 1,708,417 | |||||||
| Total Restricted Securities | $ | 2,492,051 | 1.1% | |||||||
The following abbreviations are used in this report and are defined:
| FRN | Floating Rate Note. Interest rate resets periodically and may not be the rate reported at period end. |
| REIT | Real Estate Investment Trust |
| STRIPS | Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities |
| TIPS | Treasury Inflation Protected Security |
Abbreviations indicate amounts shown in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. All amounts are stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. A list of abbreviations is shown below:
| CAD | Canadian Dollar | |
| DKK | Danish Krone | |
| EUR | Euro | |
| GBP | British Pound | |
| JPY | Japanese Yen | |
| SEK | Swedish Krona |
See Notes to Financial Statements
15
Portfolio of Investments – continued
Derivative Contracts at 11/30/07
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts at 11/30/07
| Type | Currency | Contracts to Deliver/Receive |
Settlement Date Range |
In Exchange for |
Contracts at Value |
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
||||||||||
| Appreciation | ||||||||||||||||
| SELL | CAD | 965,284 | 1/09/08 | $ | 1,028,321 | $ | 964,664 | $ | 63,657 | |||||||
| BUY | EUR | 13,377,905 | 12/14/07- 1/16/08 |
19,506,284 | 19,597,096 | 90,812 | ||||||||||
| SELL | EUR | 12,893,720 | 1/16/08 | 18,909,542 | 18,888,712 | 20,830 | ||||||||||
| BUY | GBP | 1,040,771 | 12/19/07 | 2,125,629 | 2,139,439 | 13,810 | ||||||||||
| SELL | SEK | 1,203,293 | 1/15/08 | 191,040 | 188,465 | 2,575 | ||||||||||
| $ | 191,684 | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | ||||||||||||||||
| BUY | CAD | 1,010,356 | 1/09/08 | $ | 1,034,898 | $ | 1,009,707 | $ | (25,191 | ) | ||||||
| BUY | DKK | 1,753,018 | 12/10/07 | 344,519 | 344,141 | (378 | ) | |||||||||
| SELL | DKK | 1,785,489 | 12/10/07 | 339,028 | 350,516 | (11,488 | ) | |||||||||
| SELL | EUR | 315,929 | 12/19/07 | 439,117 | 462,610 | (23,493 | ) | |||||||||
| SELL | GBP | 1,000,455 | 12/19/07 | 2,004,912 | 2,056,565 | (51,653 | ) | |||||||||
| BUY | JPY | 1,005,621,555 | 1/16/08 | 9,174,333 | 9,099,216 | (75,117 | ) | |||||||||
| SELL | JPY | 984,379,214 | 1/15/08 | 8,820,602 | 8,905,961 | (85,359 | ) | |||||||||
| BUY | SEK | 1,216,415 | 1/15/08 | 192,289 | 190,520 | (1,769 | ) | |||||||||
| $ | (274,448 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Futures contracts outstanding at 11/30/07
| Description | Contracts | Value | Expiration Date |
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
|||||||
| U.S. Treasury Note (Short) | 40 | $ | 4,687,500 | Mar-08 | $ | 3,610 | |||||
| U.S. Treasury Note 10 yr (Short) | 222 | 25,131,094 | Mar-08 | (36,121 | ) | ||||||
| $ | (32,511 | ) | |||||||||
At November 30, 2007, the fund had sufficient cash and/or other liquid securities to cover any commitments under these derivative contracts.
See Notes to Financial Statements
16
Financial Statements
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
At 11/30/07
This statement represents your fund’s balance sheet, which details the assets and liabilities comprising the total value of the fund.
| Assets | |||||
| Investments, at value (identified cost, $230,078,915) | $234,282,773 | ||||
| Cash | 43,662 | ||||
| Receivable for forward foreign currency exchange contracts | 191,684 | ||||
| Receivable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts | 38,875 | ||||
| Interest receivable | 1,861,502 | ||||
| Other assets | 16,576 | ||||
| Total assets | $236,435,072 | ||||
| Liabilities | |||||
| Distributions payable | $108,703 | ||||
| Payable for forward foreign currency exchange contracts | 274,448 | ||||
| Payable to affiliates | |||||
| Management fee |
8,083 | ||||
| Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs |
16,846 | ||||
| Administrative services fee |
253 | ||||
| Payable for independent trustees’ compensation | 177,072 | ||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 196,138 | ||||
| Total liabilities | $781,543 | ||||
| Net assets | $235,653,529 | ||||
| Net assets consist of: | |||||
| Paid-in capital | $251,650,497 | ||||
| Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | 4,088,583 | ||||
| Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | (19,883,911 | ) | |||
| Accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income | (201,640 | ) | |||
| Net assets | $235,653,529 | ||||
| Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (63,046,687 issued, less 30,963,841 treasury shares) | 32,082,846 | ||||
| Net asset value per share (net assets of $235,653,529 / 32,082,846 shares of beneficial interest outstanding) | $7.35 |
See Notes to Financial Statements
17
Financial Statements
Year ended 11/30/07
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 |
$18,938,283 | |||||
| Foreign taxes withheld |
(228 | ) | ||||
| Total investment income | $18,938,055 | |||||
| Expenses | ||||||
| Management fee |
$2,262,049 | |||||
| Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs |
127,713 | |||||
| Administrative services fee |
70,459 | |||||
| Independent trustees’ compensation |
77,096 | |||||
| Stock exchange fee |
55,703 | |||||
| Custodian fee |
97,680 | |||||
| Shareholder communications |
93,467 | |||||
| Auditing fees |
60,037 | |||||
| Legal fees |
365,149 | |||||
| Miscellaneous |
24,623 | |||||
| Total expenses | $3,233,976 | |||||
| Fees paid indirectly |
(5,069 | ) | ||||
| Reduction of expenses by investment adviser |
(1,807 | ) | ||||
| Net expenses | $3,227,100 | |||||
| Net investment income | $15,710,955 | |||||
| Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | ||||||
| Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis) | ||||||
| Investment transactions |
$554,695 | |||||
| Futures contracts |
710,234 | |||||
| Foreign currency transactions |
(2,832,397 | ) | ||||
| Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | $(1,567,468 | ) | ||||
| Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | ||||||
| Investments |
$3,689,906 | |||||
| Futures contracts |
(6,551 | ) | ||||
| Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies |
1,129,510 | |||||
| Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency translation | $4,812,865 | |||||
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency | $3,245,397 | |||||
| Change in net assets from operations | $18,956,352 |
See Notes to Financial Statements
18
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.
| Year ended 11/30 | ||||||
| 2007 | 2006 | |||||
| Change in net assets | ||||||
| From operations | ||||||
| Net investment income | $15,710,955 | $15,920,038 | ||||
| Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | (1,567,468 | ) | (1,841,399 | ) | ||
| Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency translation | 4,812,865 | 4,024,134 | ||||
| Change in net assets from operations | $18,956,352 | $18,102,773 | ||||
| Distributions declared to shareholders | ||||||
| From net investment income | $(18,505,397 | ) | $(18,296,971 | ) | ||
| From paid in capital | (1,244,254 | ) | — | |||
| Total distributions declared to shareholders | $(19,749,651 | ) | $(18,296,971 | ) | ||
| Change in net assets from fund share transactions | $(137,057,928 | ) | $(5,014,933 | ) | ||
| Total change in net assets | $(137,851,227 | ) | $(5,209,131 | ) | ||
| Net assets | ||||||
| At beginning of period | 373,504,756 | 378,713,887 | ||||
| At end of period (including accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income of $201,640 and undistributed net investment income of $900,239) | $235,653,529 | $373,504,756 | ||||
See Notes to Financial Statements
19
Financial Statements
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund’s financial performance for the past 5 years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate by which an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the fund share class (assuming reinvestment of all distributions) held for the entire period.
| Years ended 11/30 | |||||||||||||||
| 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | |||||||||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $7.28 | $7.27 | $7.43 | $7.44 | $7.49 | ||||||||||
| Income (loss) from investment operations | |||||||||||||||
| Net investment income (d) |
$0.32 | $0.31 | $0.31 | $0.31 | $0.26 | ||||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency |
0.09 | 0.04 | (0.17 | ) | (0.02 | ) | 0.02 | ||||||||
| Total from investment operations | $0.41 | $0.35 | $0.14 | $0.29 | $0.28 | ||||||||||
| Less distributions declared to shareholders | |||||||||||||||
| From net investment income |
$(0.36 | ) | $(0.35 | ) | $(0.32 | ) | $(0.33 | ) | $(0.36 | ) | |||||
| From paid in capital |
(0.02 | ) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Total distributions declared to shareholders |
$(0.38 | ) | $(0.35 | ) | $(0.32 | ) | $(0.33 | ) | $(0.36 | ) | |||||
| Net increase from repurchase of capital shares |
$0.04 | $0.01 | $0.02 | $0.03 | $0.03 | ||||||||||
| Net asset value, end of period | $7.35 | $7.28 | $7.27 | $7.43 | $7.44 | ||||||||||
| Per share market value, end of period | $6.59 | $6.60 | $6.39 | $6.55 | $6.71 | ||||||||||
| Total return at market value (%) | 5.73 | 9.06 | 2.36 | 2.49 | 4.38 | ||||||||||
| Ratios (%) (to average net assets) and Supplemental data: |
|||||||||||||||
| Expenses before expense reductions (f) |
0.89 | 0.80 | 0.83 | 0.81 | 0.79 | ||||||||||
| Expenses after expense reductions (f) |
0.89 | 0.80 | 0.83 | 0.81 | N/A | ||||||||||
| Net investment income | 4.33 | 4.29 | 4.20 | 4.12 | 3.41 | ||||||||||
| Portfolio turnover | 28 | 26 | 68 | 71 | 108 | ||||||||||
| Net assets at end of period (000 omitted) |
$235,654 | $373,505 | $378,714 | $399,061 | $414,095 | ||||||||||
| (d) | Per share data are based on average shares outstanding. |
| (f) | Ratios do not reflect reductions from fees paid indirectly. |
See Notes to Financial Statements
20
| (1) | Business and Organization |
MFS Government Markets Income Trust (the fund) is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a closed-end management investment company.
| (2) | Significant Accounting Policies |
General – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The fund can invest in foreign securities, including securities of emerging market issuers. Investments in foreign securities are vulnerable to the effects of changes in the relative values of the local currency and the U.S. dollar and to the effects of changes in each country’s legal, political, and economic environment. The markets of emerging markets countries are generally more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies. All of the risks of investing in foreign securities previously described are heightened when investing in emerging markets countries.
Investment Valuations – Debt instruments (other than short-term instruments), including restricted debt instruments, are generally valued at an evaluated or composite bid as reported by an independent pricing service. Short-term instruments with a maturity at issuance of 60 days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Exchange-traded options are generally valued at the last sale or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the exchange on which such options are primarily traded. Exchange-traded options for which there were no sales reported that day are generally valued at the last daily bid quotation as reported by an independent pricing service on the exchange on which such options are primarily traded. Options not traded on an exchange are generally valued at a broker-dealer bid quotation. Foreign currency options are generally valued using an external pricing model that uses market data from an independent source. Futures contracts are generally valued at last posted settlement price as reported by an independent 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 reported by an independent pricing service on the market on which such futures contracts are primarily traded. Forward foreign currency contracts are generally valued at the mean of bid and asked prices for the time period interpolated from rates reported by an independent pricing service for
21
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
proximate time periods. Securities and other assets generally valued on the basis of information from an independent pricing service may also be valued at a broker-dealer bid quotation. Values obtained from pricing services can utilize both dealer-supplied valuations and electronic data processing techniques, which take into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data. The values of foreign securities and other assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars using the mean of bid and asked prices for rates reported by an independent pricing service.
The Board of Trustees has delegated primary responsibility for determining or causing to be determined the value of the fund’s investments (including any fair valuation) to the adviser pursuant to valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board. If the adviser determines that reliable market quotations are not readily available, investments are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the adviser in accordance with such procedures under the oversight of the Board of Trustees. Under the fund’s valuation policies and procedures, market quotations are not considered to be readily available for many types of debt instruments and certain types of derivatives. These investments are generally valued at fair value based on information from independent 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 may rely on independent 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 investments used to determine the fund’s net asset value may differ from quoted or published prices for the same investments.
In September 2006, FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (the “Statement”) was issued, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and for all interim periods within those fiscal years. This Statement provides a single definition of fair value, a hierarchy for measuring fair value and expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. Management is evaluating the application of the Statement to the fund, and
22
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
believes the impact will be limited to expanded disclosures resulting from the adoption of this Statement in the fund’s financial statements.
Repurchase Agreements – The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that the fund’s investment adviser has determined are creditworthy. Each repurchase agreement is recorded at cost. The fund requires that the securities collateral in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. The fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the collateral to ensure that its value, including accrued interest, is greater than amounts owed to the fund under each such repurchase agreement. The fund and other funds managed by Massachusetts Financial Services Company (MFS), may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into one or more repurchase agreements.
Inflation-Adjusted Debt Securities – The fund invests in inflation-adjusted debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. The fund may also invest in inflation-adjusted debt securities issued by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities other than the U.S. Treasury and by other entities such as U.S. and foreign corporations and foreign governments. The principal value of these debt securities is adjusted by references to changes in the Consumer Price Index or another general price or wage index. These debt securities typically pay a fixed rate of interest, but this fixed rate is applied to the inflation-adjusted principal amount. The principal paid at maturity of the debt security is typically equal to the inflation-adjusted principal amount, or the security’s original par value, whichever is greater. Other types of inflation-adjusted securities may use other methods to adjust for other measures of inflation.
Foreign Currency Translation – Purchases and sales of foreign investments, income, and expenses are converted into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Gains and losses attributable to foreign currency exchange rates on sales of securities are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. Gains and losses attributable to foreign exchange rate movements on income and expenses are recorded for financial statement purposes as foreign currency transaction gains and losses. That portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.
Derivative Risk – The fund may invest in derivatives 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 gain market exposure, or for hedging purposes, gains and losses from derivative instruments may be substantially greater than the derivative’s
23
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
original cost. Derivative instruments include futures contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
Purchased Options – The fund may purchase call or put options for a premium. Purchasing call options may be a hedge against an anticipated increase in the dollar cost of securities to be acquired or to increase the fund exposure to the underlying instrument. Purchasing put options may hedge against a decline in the value of portfolio securities. The premium paid is included as an investment in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and is subsequently adjusted to the current value of the option. Premiums paid for purchased options which have expired are treated as realized losses on investments in the Statement of Operations. Premiums paid for purchased options which are exercised or closed are added to the amount paid or offset against the proceeds on the underlying security or financial instrument to determine the realized gain or loss. The risk of loss associated with purchased options is limited to the premium paid.
Futures Contracts – The fund may enter into futures contracts for the delayed delivery of securities or currency, or contracts based on financial indices at a fixed price on a future date. In entering such contracts, the fund is required to deposit with the broker either in cash or securities an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. Subsequent payments 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 gains or losses by the fund. Upon entering into such contracts, the fund bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the futures contracts and may realize a loss.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts – The fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a fixed price on a future date. Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of the contract. The fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes as well as for non-hedging purposes. For hedging purposes, the fund may enter into contracts to deliver or receive foreign currency it will receive from or require for its normal investment activities. The fund may also use contracts in a manner intended to protect foreign currency denominated securities from declines in value due to unfavorable exchange rate movements. For non-hedging purposes, the fund may enter into contracts with the intent of changing the relative exposure of the fund’s portfolio of securities to different currencies to take advantage of anticipated changes. The forward foreign currency exchange contracts are
24
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any gains or losses are recorded as unrealized until the contract settlement date. On contract settlement date, the gains or losses are recorded as realized gains or losses on foreign currency transactions.
Indemnifications – Under the fund’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The fund’s maximum exposure under these agreements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred.
Investment Transactions and Income – Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. All premium and discount is amortized or accreted for financial statement purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All discount is accreted for tax reporting purposes as required by federal income tax regulations. The fund may receive proceeds from litigation settlements. Any proceeds received from litigation involving portfolio holdings are reflected in the Statement of Operations in realized gain/loss if the security has been disposed of by the fund or in unrealized gain/loss if the security is still held by the fund. Any other proceeds from litigation not related to portfolio holdings are reflected as other income in the Statement of Operations.
Fees Paid Indirectly – The fund’s custody fee may be reduced according to an arrangement that measures the value of cash deposited with the custodian by the fund. This amount, for the year ended November 30, 2007, is shown as a reduction of total expenses on the Statement of Operations.
Tax Matters and Distributions – The fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company, as defined under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax is required in the financial statements. Foreign taxes, if any, have been accrued by the fund in the accompanying financial statements.
Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Effective September 1, 2007, the fund seeks to pay monthly distributions based on an annual rate of 7.25% of the fund’s average monthly net asset value. As a result, distributions may exceed actual earnings which may result in a tax return of capital or, to the extent the fund has long-term gains, may be recharacterized as ordinary income. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Certain capital accounts in the financial statements are periodically adjusted for permanent differences in order to
25
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
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, straddle loss deferrals, and foreign currency transactions.
The tax character of distributions declared to shareholders is as follows:
| 11/30/07 | 11/30/06 | |||
| Ordinary income (including any short-term capital gains) | $18,505,397 | $18,296,971 | ||
| Tax return of capital (b) | 1,244,254 | — | ||
| Total distributions | $19,749,651 | $18,296,971 |
| (b) | Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a distribution from paid in capital. |
The federal tax cost and the tax basis components of distributable earnings were as follows:
| As of 11/30/07 | |||
| Cost of investments | $233,224,869 | ||
| Gross appreciation | 3,271,327 | ||
| Gross depreciation | (2,213,423 | ) | |
| Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | $1,057,904 | ||
| Capital loss carryforwards | (16,601,814 | ) | |
| Other temporary differences | (453,058 | ) |
As of November 30, 2007, the fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized gains. Such losses expire as follows:
| 11/30/08 | $(5,988,179 | ) | |
| 11/30/12 | (3,637,025 | ) | |
| 11/30/14 | (1,612,467 | ) | |
| 11/30/15 | (5,364,143 | ) | |
| Total | $(16,601,814 | ) |
In June 2006, FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (the “Interpretation”) was issued, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the SEC delayed the implementation of the Interpretation for regulated investment companies for
26
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
an additional six months. This Interpretation prescribes a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and requires certain expanded disclosures. Management has evaluated the application of the Interpretation to the fund, and has determined that there is no impact resulting from the adoption of this Interpretation on the fund’s financial statements.
| (3) | Transactions with Affiliates |
Investment Adviser – The fund has an investment advisory agreement with MFS to provide overall investment management and related administrative services and facilities to the fund. The management fee is computed daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.32% of the fund’s average daily net assets and 5.33% of gross income. Gross income is calculated based on tax elections that generally include the accretion of discount and exclude the amortization of premium, which may differ from investment income reported in the Statement of Operations. MFS has agreed to reduce its management fee to the lesser of the contractual management fee as set forth above or 0.85% of the average daily net assets. The management fee, from net assets and gross income, incurred for the year ended November 30, 2007 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.62% of the fund’s average daily net assets.
Transfer Agent – Prior to December 18, 2006, MFS Service Center, Inc. (MFSC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MFS, received a fee from the fund for its services as registrar and dividend-disbursing agent. Pursuant to a written agreement, the fund paid MFSC an account maintenance fee of no more than $9.00 and a dividend services fee of $0.75 per reinvestment. Effective December 18, 2006, the fund has engaged Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) as the sole transfer agent for the fund. MFSC will continue to monitor and supervise the activities of Computershare for an agreed upon fee approved by the Board of Trustees. For the year ended November 30, 2007, these fees paid to MFSC amounted to $44,420. MFSC also receives payment from the fund for out-of-pocket expenses paid by MFSC on behalf of the fund. For the year ended November 30, 2007, these costs amounted to $9,915.
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 a fixed amount plus a fee based on average daily net assets. The fund’s annual fixed amount is $17,500.
The administrative services fee incurred for the year ended November 30, 2007 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0194% of the fund’s average daily net assets.
27
Notes to Financial Statements – continued
Trustees’ and Officers’ Compensation – The fund pays compensation to independent trustees in the form of a retainer, attendance fees, and additional compensation to Board and Committee chairpersons. The fund does not pay compensation directly to trustees or to officers of the fund who are also 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. The fund has an unfunded, defined benefit plan for certain retired independent trustees which resulted in a pension expense of $9,902. The fund also has an unfunded retirement benefit deferral plan for certain independent trustees which resulted in an expense of $2,821. Both amounts are included in independent trustees’ compensation for the year ended November 30, 2007. The liability for deferred retirement benefits payable to certain independent trustees under both plans amounted to $161,180 at November 30, 2007, and is included in payable for independent trustees’ compensation.
Deferred Trustee Compensation – Under a Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan) independent trustees previously were allowed to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual compensation. Trustees are no longer allowed to defer compensation under the Plan. Amounts previously deferred are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in shares of certain MFS funds selected by the trustee. Deferred amounts represent an unsecured obligation of the fund until distributed in accordance with the Plan. Included in other assets and payable for independent trustees’ compensation is $12,743 of deferred trustees’ compensation.
Other – This fund and certain other MFS funds (the funds) have entered into a services agreement (the Agreement) which provides for payment of fees by the funds to Tarantino LLC in return for the provision of services of an Independent Chief Compliance Officer (ICCO) for the funds. The ICCO is an officer of the funds and the sole member of Tarantino LLC. The funds can terminate the Agreement with Tarantino LLC at any time under the terms of the Agreement. For the year ended November 30, 2007, the fee paid to Tarantino LLC was $2,321. MFS has agreed to reimburse the fund for a portion of the payments made by the funds to Tarantino LLC in the amount of $1,807, 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.
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Notes to Financial Statements – continued
| (4) | Portfolio Securities |
Purchases and sales of investments, other than purchased option transactions and short-term obligations, were as follows:
| Purchases | Sales | |||
| U.S. government securities | $54,154,140 | $156,910,715 | ||
| Investments (non-U.S. government securities) | $41,085,939 | $62,556,983 |
| (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 repurchased 19,249,709 common shares pursuant to an issuer tender offer commenced on October 17, 2007, at $7.12 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $137,057,928. The tender offer purchase price represented a discount of 1% from the net asset value of the fund’s common shares as of November 14, 2007. Legal fees incurred in connection with the tender offer were approximately $350,000 and are included in legal fees on the Statement of Operations. Additionally, the Trustees have authorized the repurchase by the fund of up to 10% annually of its own shares of beneficial interest. During the year ended November 30, 2007, the fund did not repurchase any additional shares other than through the tender offer. The fund repurchased 782,600 shares of beneficial interest during the year ended November 30, 2006 at an average price per share of $6.41 and a weighted average discount of 10.50% per share. Transactions in fund shares were as follows:
| Year ended 11/30/07 |
Year ended 11/30/06 |
|||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | |||||||||
| Treasury shares reacquired | (19,249,709 | ) | $(137,057,928 | ) | (782,600 | ) | $(5,014,933 | ) | ||||
| (6) | Line of Credit |
The fund and other funds managed by MFS participate in a $1 billion unsecured committed line of credit provided by a syndication of banks under a credit agreement. In addition, the fund and other funds managed by MFS have established uncommitted borrowing arrangements with certain banks. 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 Federal Reserve funds rate plus 0.30%. In addition, 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. For the year ended November 30, 2007, the fund’s commitment fee and interest expense were $1,844 and $936, respectively, and are included in miscellaneous expense on the Statement of Operations.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Trustees and the Shareholders of MFS Government Markets Income Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of MFS Government Markets Income Trust (the “Fund”) as of November 30, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its 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, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2007, by correspondence with the custodian. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MFS Government Markets Income Trust as of November 30, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
January 17, 2008
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RESULTS OF SHAREHOLDER MEETING
11/30/07 (unaudited)
At the annual meeting of shareholders of MFS Government Markets Income Trust, which was held on November 1, 2007, the following actions were taken:
Item 1. To elect the following individuals as Trustees:
| Number of Shares | ||||
| Nominee |
Affirmative | Withhold Authority | ||
| Lawrence H. Cohn | 36,635,947 | 7,068,478 | ||
| Robert J. Manning | 36,661,260 | 7,043,166 | ||
| Lawrence T. Perera | 36,636,556 | 7,067,869 | ||
| Laurie J. Thomsen | 36,645,091 | 7,059,334 | ||
Item 2. To ammend the Trust’s fundamental investment policy concerning borrowing.
| Number of Shares | ||
| Affirmative | 32,974,078 | |
| Against | 1,584,826 | |
| Abstain | 521,368 |
Item 3. To act upon, if properly presented at the Meeting, a shareholder proposal that the Board of Trustees promptly take the steps necessary to open-end the Trust or otherwise enable shareholders to realize net asset value for their shares.
| Number of Shares | ||
| Affirmative | 5,046,917 | |
| Against | 23,531,992 | |
| Abstain | 6,501,360 |
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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS — IDENTIFICATION AND BACKGROUND
The Trustees and officers of the Trust, as of January 1, 2008, 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 500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
| Name, Date of Birth |
Position(s) Held |
Trustee/Officer Since(h) |
Principal Occupations During | |||
| INTERESTED TRUSTEES | ||||||
| Robert J. Manning(k) (born 10/20/63) |
Trustee | February 2004 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Investment Officer and Director | |||
| Robert C. Pozen(k) (born 8/08/46) |
Trustee | February 2004 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chairman (since February 2004); MIT Sloan School (education), Senior Lecturer (since 2006); Secretary of Economic Affairs, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts (January 2002 to December 2002); Fidelity Investments, Vice Chairman (June 2000 to December 2001); Fidelity Management & Research Company (investment adviser), President (March 1997 to July 2001); Bell Canada Enterprises (telecommunications), Director; Medtronic, Inc. (medical technology), Director; Telesat (satellite communications), Director | |||
| INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES | ||||||
| J. Atwood Ives (born 5/01/36) |
Trustee and Chair of Trustees | February 1992 | Private investor; Eastern Enterprises (diversified services company), Chairman, Trustee and Chief Executive Officer (until November 2000) | |||
| Robert E. Butler(n) (born 11/29/41) |
Trustee | January 2006 | Consultant – regulatory and compliance matters (since July 2002); PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (professional services firm), Partner (until 2002) | |||
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| Name, Date of Birth |
Position(s) Held |
Trustee/Officer Since(h) |
Principal Occupations During | |||
| Lawrence H. Cohn, M.D. (born 3/11/37) |
Trustee | August 1993 | Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Chief of Cardiac Surgery (2005); Harvard Medical School, Professor of Cardiac Surgery; Physician Director of Medical Device Technology for Partners HealthCare | |||
| David H. Gunning (born 5/30/42) |
Trustee | January 2004 | Retired; Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (mining products and service provider), Vice Chairman/Director (until May 2007); Portman Limited (mining), Director (since 2005); Encinitos Ventures (private investment company), Principal (1997 to April 2001); Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (welding equipment manufacturer), Director | |||
| William R. Gutow (born 9/27/41) |
Trustee | December 1993 | Private investor and real estate consultant; Capitol Entertainment Management Company (video franchise), Vice Chairman; Atlantic Coast Tan (tanning salons), Vice Chairman (since 2002) | |||
| Michael Hegarty (born 12/21/44) |
Trustee | December 2004 | Retired; AXA Financial (financial services and insurance), Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (until May 2001); The Equitable Life Assurance Society (insurance), President and Chief Operating Officer (until May 2001) | |||
| Lawrence T. Perera (born 6/23/35) |
Trustee | July 1981 | Hemenway & Barnes (attorneys), Partner | |||
| J. Dale Sherratt (born 9/23/38) |
Trustee | August 1993 | Insight Resources, Inc. (acquisition planning specialists), President; Wellfleet Investments (investor in health care companies), Managing General Partner (since 1993); Cambridge Nutraceuticals (professional nutritional products), Chief Executive Officer (until May 2001) |
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| Name, Date of Birth |
Position(s) Held |
Trustee/Officer Since(h) |
Principal Occupations During | |||
| Laurie J. Thomsen (born 8/05/57) |
Trustee | March 2005 | New Profit, Inc. (venture philanthropy), Partner (since 2006); Private investor; Prism Venture Partners (venture capital), Co-founder and General Partner (until June 2004); The Travelers Companies (commercial property liability insurance), Director | |||
| Robert W. Uek (born 5/18/41) |
Trustee | January 2006 | Retired (since 1999); PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (professional services firm), Partner (until 1999); Consultant to investment company industry (since 2000); TT International Funds (mutual fund complex), Trustee (2000 until 2005); Hillview Investment Trust II Funds (mutual fund complex), Trustee (2000 until 2005) | |||
| OFFICERS | ||||||
| Maria F. Dwyer(k) (born 12/01/58) |
President | November 2005 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President and Chief Regulatory Officer (since March 2004) Chief Compliance Officer (since December 2006); Fidelity Management & Research Company, Vice President (prior to March 2004); Fidelity Group of Funds, President and Treasurer (prior to March 2004) | |||
| Tracy Atkinson(k) (born 12/30/64) |
Treasurer | September 2005 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President (since September 2004); PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Partner (prior to September 2004) | |||
| Christopher R. Bohane(k) (born 1/18/74) |
Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | July 2005 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel (since April 2003); Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP (law firm), Associate (prior to April 2003) | |||
| Ethan D. Corey(k) (born 11/21/63) |
Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | July 2005 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel (since April 2006); Special Counsel (prior to April 2006); Dechert LLP (law firm), Counsel (prior to December 2004) |
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| Name, Date of Birth |
Position(s) Held |
Trustee/Officer Since(h) |
Principal Occupations During | |||
| David L. DiLorenzo(k) (born 8/10/68) |
Assistant Treasurer | July 2005 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President (since June 2005); JP Morgan Investor Services, Vice President (prior to June 2005) | |||
| Timothy M. Fagan(k) (born 7/10/68) |
Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | September 2005 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel (since September 2005); John Hancock Advisers, LLC, Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (September 2004 to August 2005), Senior Attorney (prior to September 2004); John Hancock Group of Funds, Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (September 2004 to December 2004) | |||
| Mark D. Fischer(k) (born 10/27/70) |
Assistant Treasurer | July 2005 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President (since May 2005); JP Morgan Investment Management Company, Vice President (prior to May 2005) | |||
| Brian E. Langenfeld(k) (born 3/07/73) |
Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | June 2006 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Assistant Vice President and Counsel (since May 2006); John Hancock Advisers, LLC, Assistant Vice President and Counsel (May 2005 to April 2006); John Hancock Advisers, LLC, Attorney and Assistant Secretary (prior to May 2005) | |||
| Ellen Moynihan(k) (born 11/13/57) |
Assistant Treasurer | April 1997 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President | |||
| Susan S. Newton(k) (born 3/07/50) |
Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | May 2005 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel (since April 2005); John Hancock Advisers, LLC, Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (prior to April 2005); John Hancock Group of Funds, Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (prior to April 2005) |
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| Name, Date of Birth |
Position(s) Held |
Trustee/Officer Since(h) |
Principal Occupations During | |||
| Susan A. Pereira(k) (born 11/05/70) |
Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | July 2005 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Senior Counsel (since June 2004); Bingham McCutchen LLP (law firm), Associate (prior to June 2004) | |||
| Mark N. Polebaum(k) (born 5/01/52) |
Secretary and Clerk | January 2006 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (since January 2006); Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (law firm), Partner (prior to January 2006) | |||
| Frank L. Tarantino (born 3/07/44) |
Independent Chief Compliance Officer | June 2004 | Tarantino LLC (provider of compliance services), Principal (since June 2004); CRA Business Strategies Group (consulting services), Executive Vice President (April 2003 to June 2004); David L. Babson & Co. (investment adviser), Managing Director, Chief Administrative Officer and Director (prior to March 2003) | |||
| Richard S. Weitzel(k) (born 7/16/70) |
Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk | October 2007 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel (since 2007); Vice President and Senior Counsel (since May 2004); Massachusetts Department of Business and Technology, General Counsel (February 2003 to April 2004); Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General (April 2001 to February 2003); Ropes and Gray, Associate (prior to April 2001) | |||
| James O. Yost(k) (born 6/12/60) |
Assistant Treasurer | September 1990 | Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President |
| (h) | Date first appointed to serve as Trustee/officer of an MFS fund. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise. |
| (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 500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. |
| (n) | In 2004 and 2005, Mr. Butler provided consulting services to the independent compliance consultant retained by MFS pursuant to its settlement with the SEC concerning market timing and related matters. The |
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| terms of that settlement required that compensation and expenses related to the independent compliance consultant be borne exclusively by MFS and, therefore, MFS paid Mr. Butler for the services he rendered to the independent compliance consultant. In 2004 and 2005, MFS paid Mr. Butler a total of $351,119.29. |
The Fund holds annual shareholder meetings for the purpose of electing Trustees, and Trustees are elected for fixed terms. The Board of Trustees is currently divided into three classes, each having a term of three years.
Each year the term of one class expires. Each Trustee’s term of office expires on the date of the third annual meeting following the election to office of the Trustee’s class. Each Trustee and officer will serve until next elected or his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal.
Messrs. Butler, Gutow, Sherratt and Uek and Ms. Thomsen are members of the Trust’s Audit Committee.
Each of the Fund’s Trustees and officers holds comparable positions with certain other funds of which MFS or a subsidiary is the investment adviser or distributor, and, in the case of the officers, with certain affiliates of MFS. As of January 1, 2008, the Trustees served as board members of 100 funds within the MFS Family of Funds.
The Statement of Additional Information for the Fund and further information about the Trustees are available without charge upon request by calling 1-800-225-2606.
On November 8, 2007, Maria F. Dwyer, as Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, certified to the New York Stock Exchange that as of the date of her certification she was not aware of any violation by the Fund of the corporate governance listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.
The Fund filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission the certifications of its principal executive officer and principal financial officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2003 as an exhibit to the Fund’s Form N-CSR for the period covered by this report.
| Investment Adviser | Custodian | |
| Massachusetts Financial Services Company | State Street Bank and Trust Company | |
| 500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116-3741 | 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 | |
| Portfolio Manager | Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | |
| Geoffrey Schechter | Deloitte & Touche LLP | |
| 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116 |
37
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, 2007 (“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. on the investment performance (based on net asset value) of the Fund for various time periods ended December 31, 2006 and the investment performance (based on net asset value) of a group of funds with substantially similar investment classifications/objectives (the “Lipper performance universe”), as well as the investment performance (based on net asset value) of a group of funds identified by objective criteria suggested by MFS (“MFS peer funds”), (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 (the “Lipper expense
38
group”), as well as the advisory fees and other expenses of MFS peer funds, (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, (vi) MFS’ views regarding the outlook for the mutual fund industry and the strategic business plans of MFS, (vii) descriptions of various functions performed by MFS for the Funds, such as compliance monitoring and portfolio trading practices, and (viii) information regarding the overall organization of MFS, including information about MFS’ senior management and other personnel providing investment advisory, administrative and other services to the Fund and the other MFS Funds. The comparative performance, fee and expense information prepared and provided by Lipper Inc. was not independently verified and the independent Trustees did not independently verify any information provided to them by MFS.
The Trustees’ conclusion as to the continuation of the investment advisory agreement was based on a comprehensive consideration of all information provided to the Trustees and not the result of any single factor. Some of the factors that figured particularly in the Trustees’ deliberations are described below, although individual Trustees may have evaluated the information presented differently from one another, giving different weights to various factors. It is also important to recognize that the fee arrangements for the Fund and other MFS Funds are the result of years of review and discussion between the independent Trustees and MFS, that certain aspects of such arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than in others, and that the Trustees’ conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of these same arrangements during the course of the year and in prior years.
Based on information provided by Lipper Inc. and MFS, the Trustees reviewed the Fund’s total return investment performance as well as the performance of peer groups of funds over various time periods. The Trustees placed particular emphasis on the total return performance of the Fund’s common shares in comparison to the performance of funds in its Lipper performance universe over the three-year period ended December 31, 2006, 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 1st out of a total of 2 funds in the Lipper performance universe for this three-year period (a ranking of 1st 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
39
1st out of a total of 3 funds for the one-year period and 1st out of a total of 2 funds for the five-year period ended December 31, 2006. Given the size of the Lipper performance universe and information previously provided by MFS regarding differences between the Fund and other funds in its Lipper performance universe, the Trustees also reviewed the Fund’s performance in comparison to a custom benchmark developed by MFS. The Fund under-performed a performance index designated by MFS for the one-year period ended December 31, 2006 (4.29% total return for the Fund versus 4.35% total return for the performance index) and out-performed a performance index designated by MFS for each of the three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2006 (three-year: 3.89% total return for the Fund versus 3.68% for the performance index; five-year: 5.38% total return for the Fund versus 4.74% total return for the performance index). Because of the passage of time, these performance results may differ from the performance results for more recent periods, including those shown elsewhere in this report.
In the course of their deliberations, the Trustees took into account information provided by MFS in connection with the contract review meetings, as well as during investment review meetings conducted with portfolio management personnel during the course of the year regarding the Fund’s performance. After reviewing these and related factors, the Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the investment advisory agreement, that they were satisfied with MFS’ responses and efforts relating to investment performance.
In assessing the reasonableness of the Fund’s advisory fee, the Trustees considered, among other information, the Fund’s advisory fee and the total expense ratio of the Fund’s 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. and MFS. The Trustees considered that, according to the Lipper data, 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. 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
40
significant asset growth, such as through an offering of preferred shares (which is not currently contemplated) or a material increase in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.
The Trustees also considered information prepared by MFS relating to MFS’ costs and profits with respect to the Fund, the MFS Funds considered as a group, and other investment companies and accounts advised by MFS, as well as MFS’ methodologies used to determine and allocate its costs to the MFS Funds, the Fund and other accounts and products for purposes of estimating profitability.
After reviewing these and other factors described herein, the Trustees concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions regarding the investment advisory agreement, that the advisory fees charged to the Fund represent reasonable compensation in light of the services being provided by MFS to the Fund.
In addition, the Trustees considered MFS’ resources and related efforts to continue to retain, attract and motivate capable personnel to serve the Fund. The Trustees also considered current and developing conditions in the financial services industry, including the entry into the industry 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 Funds 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 (excluding third-party research, for which MFS pays directly) 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.
41
Based on their evaluation of factors that they deemed to be material, including those factors described above, the Board of Trustees, including a majority of 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, 2007.
A discussion regarding the Board’s most recent review and renewal of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement is available by clicking on the fund’s name under “Products and Performance – Closed-End Funds” on 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. The fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the:
Public Reference Room
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE, Room 1580
Washington, D.C. 20549
Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The fund’s Form N-Q is available on the EDGAR database on the Commission’s Internet Web site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the Public Reference Section at the above address.
A shareholder can also obtain the quarterly portfolio holdings report at mfs.com.
FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)
The fund will notify shareholders of amounts for use in preparing 2007 income tax forms in January 2008.
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Privacy is a concern for every investor today. At MFS Investment Management® and the MFS funds, we take this concern very seriously. We want you to understand our policies about the investment products and services that we offer, and how we protect the nonpublic personal information of investors who have a direct relationship with us and our wholly owned subsidiaries.
Throughout our business relationship, you provide us with personal information. We maintain information and records about you, your investments, and the services you use. Examples of the nonpublic personal information we maintain include
| Ÿ | data from investment applications and other forms |
| Ÿ | share balances and transactional history with us, our affiliates, or others |
| Ÿ | facts from a consumer reporting agency |
We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law. We may share nonpublic personal information with third parties or certain of our affiliates in connection with servicing your account or processing your transactions. We may share information with companies or financial institutions that perform marketing services on our behalf or with other financial institutions with which we have joint marketing arrangements, subject to any legal requirements.
Authorization to access your nonpublic personal information is limited to appropriate personnel who provide products, services, or information to you. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to help protect the personal information we collect about you.
If you have any questions about the MFS privacy policy, please call 1-800-225-2606 any business day between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Note: If you own MFS products or receive MFS services in the name of a third party such as a bank or broker-dealer, their privacy policy may apply to you instead of ours.
44
CONTACT INFORMATION AND NUMBER OF SHAREHOLDERS
Investor Information
Transfer Agent, Registrar and Dividend Disbursing Agent
| Call | 1-800-637-2304 any business day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time | |
| Write to: | Computershare Trust Company, N.A. P.O. Box 43078 Providence, RI 02940-3078 | |
Effective December 18, 2006, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. became the Transfer Agent and Registrar and Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc. became the Dividend Disbursing Agent, succeeding MFS Service Center, Inc.
Number of Shareholders
As of November 30, 2007, our records indicate that there are 4,188 registered shareholders and approximately 14,113 shareholders owning trust shares in “street” name, such as through brokers, banks, and other financial intermediaries.
If you are a “street” name shareholder and wish to directly receive our reports, which contain certain important information about the trust, please write or call:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
1-800-637-2304
500 Boylson Street, Boston, MA 02116
| 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. 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.
| ITEM 3. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT. |
Messrs. Robert E. Butler 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, 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 Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) 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, 2007 and 2006, audit fees billed to the Fund by Deloitte were as follows:
Fees billed by Deloitte:
| Audit Fees | ||||
| 2007 | 2006 | |||
| MFS Government Markets Income Trust |
48,294 | 43,663 | ||
For the fiscal years ended November 30, 2007 and 2006, fees billed by Deloitte 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:
Fees billed by Deloitte:
| Audit-Related Fees1 | Tax Fees2 | All Other Fees3 | ||||||||||
| 2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | |||||||
| To MFS Government Markets Income Trust |
10,000 | 15,000 | 6,006 | 8,400 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| To MFS and MFS Related Entities of MFS Government Markets Income Trust* |
1,177,035 | 1,047,925 | 0 | 0 | 402,488 | 429,341 | ||||||
Aggregate fees for non-audit services:
| 2007 | 2006 | |||
| To MFS Government Markets Income Trust, MFS and MFS Related Entities# |
1,807,904 | 1,643,851 |
| * |
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 Deloitte for non-audit services rendered to the Fund and for non-audit services rendered to MFS and the MFS Related Entities. |
| 1 |
The fees included under “Audit-Related Fees” are fees related to assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements, but not reported under “Audit Fees,” including accounting consultations, agreed-upon procedure reports, attestation reports, comfort letters and internal control reviews. |
| 2 |
The fees included under “Tax Fees” are fees associated with tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning, including services relating to the filing or amendment of federal, state or local income tax returns, regulated investment company qualification reviews and tax distribution and analysis. |
| 3 |
The fees included under “All Other Fees” are fees for products and services provided by Deloitte other than those reported under “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees” and “Tax Fees”, including fees for services related to sales tax refunds, consultation on internal cost allocations, consultation on allocation of monies pursuant to an administrative proceeding regarding disclosure of brokerage allocation practices in connection with fund sales, and analysis of certain portfolio holdings verses investment styles. |
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, William R. Gutow, J. Dale Sherratt and Robert W. Uek and Ms. Laurie J. Thomsen.
| ITEM 6. | SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS |
A schedule of investments of the Registrant is included as part of the report to shareholders of the Registrant under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
| ITEM 7. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
The Board of Trustees and the Board of Managers of the investment companies (the “MFS Funds”) advised by Massachusetts Financial Services Company (“MFS”) have delegated to MFS the right and obligation to vote proxies for shares that are owned by the MFS Funds, in accordance with MFS’ proxy voting policies and procedures (the “MFS Proxy Policies”). The MFS Proxy Policies are set forth below:
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
March 1, 2007
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, MFS Institutional Advisors, Inc. and MFS’ other investment adviser subsidiaries (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 registered investment companies sponsored by MFS, other than the MFS Union Standard Equity Fund (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. | Monitoring System; |
| D. | Records Retention; and |
| E. | 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, administration of 401(k) plans, and institutional relationships.
MFS periodically reviews 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. In all cases, MFS will exercise its discretion in voting on these matters in accordance with this overall principle. In other words, the underlying guidelines are simply that – guidelines. Proxy items of significance are often considered on a case-by-case basis, in light of all relevant facts and circumstances, and in certain cases MFS may vote proxies in a manner different from these guidelines.
As a general matter, MFS maintains a consistent voting position on similar proxy proposals with respect to various issuers. In addition, MFS generally votes consistently on the same matter when securities of an issuer are held by multiple client accounts. However, MFS recognizes that there are gradations in certain types of proposals that might result in different voting positions being taken with respect to different proxy statements. There also may be situations involving matters presented for shareholder vote that are not governed by the guidelines. Some items that otherwise would be acceptable will be voted against the proponent when it is seeking extremely broad flexibility without offering a valid explanation. MFS reserves the right to override the guidelines with respect to a particular shareholder vote 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.
From time to time, MFS receives comments on these guidelines as well as regarding particular voting issues from its clients. These comments are carefully considered by MFS when it reviews these guidelines each year 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 affiliates 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 E 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.
| 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 elections, we will withhold our vote for, or vote against, as applicable, a nominee to a board of a U.S. issuer if, as a result of such nominee being elected to the board, the board would be comprised of a majority of members who are not “independent” or, alternatively, the compensation, nominating or audit committees would include members who are not “independent.”
MFS will also withhold its vote for, or vote against, as applicable, a nominee to a board if we can determine that 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 stated in the proxy materials. In addition, MFS will withhold its vote for, or vote against, as applicable, all nominees standing for re-election to a board if we can determine: (1) since the last annual meeting of shareholders and without shareholder approval, the board or its compensation committee has re-priced underwater stock options; or (2) 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. Responsive action would include the rescission of the “poison pill”(without a broad reservation to reinstate the “poison pill” in the event of a hostile tender offer), or assurance in the proxy materials that the terms of the “poison pill” would be put to a binding shareholder vote within the next five to seven years.
MFS will also withhold its vote for, or vote against, as applicable, a nominee (other than a nominee who serves as the issuer’s Chief Executive Officer) standing for re-election if such nominee participated (as a director or committee member) in the approval of a senior executive compensation package MFS deems to be “excessive.” In the event that MFS determines that an issuer has adopted an “excessive” executive compensation package, MFS will withhold its vote for, or vote against, as applicable, the re-election of the issuer’s Chief Executive Officer as director regardless of whether the Chief Executive Officer participated in the approval of the package. MFS will determine whether a senior executive compensation package is excessive on a case by case basis. Examples of “excessive” executive compensation packages include packages that contain egregious employment contract terms or pension payouts, backdated stock options, overly generous hiring bonuses for chief executive officers or packages which include excessive perks.
MFS evaluates a contested 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 the nominees for both slates and an evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders.
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”).
MFS considers voting against Majority Vote Proposals if the company has adopted, or has proposed to adopt in the proxy statement, formal corporate governance principles that present a meaningful alternative to the majority voting standard and provide an adequate response to both new nominees as well as incumbent nominees who fail to receive a majority of votes cast.
MFS believes that a company’s election policy should address the specific circumstances at that company. MFS considers whether a company’s election policy articulates the following elements to address each director nominee who fails to receive an affirmative majority of votes cast in an election:
| • | Establish guidelines for the process by which the company determines the status of nominees who fail to receive an affirmative majority of votes cast and disclose the guidelines in the annual proxy statement; |
| • | Guidelines should include a reasonable timetable for resolution of the nominee’s status and a requirement that the resolution be disclosed together with the reasons for the resolution; |
| • | Vest management of the process in the company’s independent directors, other than the nominee in question; and |
| • | Outline the range of remedies that the independent directors may consider concerning the nominee. |
Classified Boards
MFS opposes proposals to classify a board (e.g., a board in which only one-third of board members are elected each year). MFS supports proposals to declassify a board.
Non-Salary Compensation Programs
MFS 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 also opposes stock option programs that allow the board or the compensation committee, without shareholder approval, to reprice underwater options or to automatically replenish shares (i.e., evergreen plans). MFS will consider on a case-by-case basis proposals to exchange existing options for newly issued options (taking into account such factors as whether there is a reasonable value-for-value exchange).
MFS opposes stock option programs and restricted stock plans that provide unduly generous compensation for officers, directors or employees, or could result in excessive dilution to other shareholders. As a general guideline, MFS votes against restricted stock plans, 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 may accept a higher percentage (up to 20%) in the case of startup or small companies which cannot afford to pay large salaries to executives, or in the case where MFS, based upon the issuer’s public disclosures, believes that the issuer has been responsible with respect to its recent compensation practices, including the mix of the issuance of restricted stock and options.
Expensing of Stock Options
MFS supports shareholder proposals to expense stock options because we believe that the expensing of options presents a more accurate picture of the company’s financial results to investors. We also believe that companies are likely to be more disciplined when granting options if the value of stock options were treated as an expense item on the company’s income statements.
Executive Compensation
MFS believes that competitive compensation packages are necessary to attract, motivate and retain executives. Therefore, except as provided in paragraph 2 above with respect to “excessive compensation” and the election of directors, MFS opposes shareholder proposals that seek to set restrictions on executive compensation. MFS also opposes shareholder requests for disclosure on executive compensation beyond regulatory requirements because we believe that current regulatory requirements for disclosure of executive compensation are appropriate and that additional disclosure is often unwarranted and costly. Although we support linking executive stock option grants to a company’s performance, MFS opposes shareholder proposals that mandate a link of performance-based options to a specific industry or peer group stock index. MFS believes that compensation committees should retain the flexibility to propose the appropriate index or other criteria by which performance-based options should be measured.
MFS 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 clearly satisfactory policy on the matter, or (ii) expressly prohibit any future backdating of stock options.
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
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.
“Golden Parachutes”
From time to time, shareholders of companies have submitted proxy proposals that would require shareholder approval of severance packages for executive officers that exceed certain predetermined thresholds. MFS votes in favor of such shareholder proposals when they would require shareholder approval of any severance package for an executive officer that exceeds a certain multiple of such officer’s annual compensation that is not determined in MFS’ judgment to be excessive.
Anti-Takeover Measures
In general, MFS votes against any measure that inhibits capital appreciation in a stock, including proposals that protect management from action by shareholders. These types of proposals take many forms, ranging from “poison pills” and “shark repellents” to super-majority requirements.
MFS will vote for proposals to rescind existing “poison pills” and proposals that would require shareholder approval to adopt prospective “poison pills.” Nevertheless, MFS will consider supporting 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 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.
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. While MFS generally votes in favor of management proposals that it believes are in the best long-term economic interests of its clients, MFS may oppose such a measure if, for example, 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 “Non-Salary Compensation Programs,” 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 15% or more), MFS generally votes against the plan. In addition, MFS 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 not warranted.
Repurchase Programs
MFS supports proposals to institute share repurchase plans in which all shareholders have the opportunity to participate on an equal basis. Such plans may include a company acquiring its own shares on the open market, or a company making a tender offer to its own shareholders.
Confidential Voting
MFS votes in favor of proposals to ensure that shareholder voting results are kept confidential. For example, MFS supports proposals that would prevent management from having access to shareholder voting information that is compiled by an independent proxy tabulation firm.
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 (for U.S. listed companies) must be comprised solely of “independent” directors.
Written Consent and Special Meetings
Because the shareholder right to act by written consent (without calling a formal meeting of shareholders) can be a powerful tool for shareholders, MFS generally opposes proposals that would prevent shareholders from taking action without a formal meeting or would take away a shareholder’s right to call a special meeting of company shareholders.
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 Corporate Governance, Corporate Responsibility and Social Issues
There are many groups advocating social change or changes to corporate governance or corporate responsibility standards, and many have chosen the publicly-held corporation as a vehicle for advancing their agenda. Generally, MFS votes with management on such proposals unless MFS can determine that the benefit to shareholders will outweigh any costs or disruptions to the business if the proposal were adopted. Common among the shareholder proposals that MFS generally votes against are proposals requiring the company to use corporate resources to further a particular social objective outside the business of the company, to refrain from investing or conducting business in certain countries, to adhere to some list of goals or principles (e.g., environmental standards), to disclose political contributions made by the issuer, to separate the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions, or to promulgate special reports on various activities or proposals for which no discernible shareholder economic advantage is evident.
The laws of various states 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
Many of the 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 in favor) for foreign issuers include 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.
MFS generally supports the election of a director nominee standing for re-election in uncontested 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. MFS will also withhold its vote for, or vote against, as applicable, a director
nominee standing for re-election of an issuer that has adopted an excessive compensation package for its senior executives as described above in the section entitled “Voting Guidelines-MFS’ Policy on Specific Issues-Election of Directors.”
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. 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, many foreign companies 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 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, 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.
| 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 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 conflicts of interest exist with respect to instances in which (i) MFS seeks to override these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and (ii) votes on ballot items not clearly governed by these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures; 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 affiliates that could arise in connection with the voting of proxies on behalf of MFS’ clients. Any significant attempt to influence MFS’ voting on a particular proxy matter should be reported to the MFS Proxy Voting Committee.
In cases where proxies are voted in accordance with these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, no material conflict of interest will be deemed to exist. In cases where (i) MFS is considering overriding these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, or (ii) matters presented for vote are not governed by these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, the MFS Proxy Voting Committee, or delegees, will follow these procedures:
| a. | Compare the name of the issuer of such proxy against a list of significant current and potential (i) distributors of MFS Fund shares, (ii) retirement plans administered by MFS or its affiliate MFS Retirement Services, Inc. (“RSI”), and (iii) 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, institutional business units and RSI. The MFS Significant Client List will be reviewed and updated periodically, as appropriate.
| 3. | Gathering Proxies |
Most proxies received by MFS and its clients originate at Automatic Data Processing Corp. (“ADP”) although a few proxies are transmitted to investors by corporate issuers through their custodians or depositories. ADP and issuers send proxies and related material directly to the record holders of the shares beneficially owned by MFS’ clients, usually to the client’s custodian or, less commonly, to the client itself. This material will include proxy cards, reflecting the shareholdings of Funds and of clients on the record dates for such shareholder meetings, as well as proxy statements with the issuer’s explanation of the items to be voted upon.
MFS, on behalf of itself and the Funds, has entered into an agreement with an independent proxy administration firm, Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (the “Proxy Administrator”), pursuant to which the Proxy Administrator performs various proxy vote related administrative services, such as vote processing and recordkeeping functions for MFS’ Funds and institutional client accounts. The Proxy Administrator receives proxy statements and proxy cards 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 datafeed. 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 the MFS Proxy Voting Committee.
| 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 the MFS Proxy Voting Committee. With respect to proxy matters that require the particular exercise of discretion or judgment, MFS considers and votes on those proxy matters. MFS receives research from ISS which it may take into account in deciding how to vote. In addition, MFS expects to rely on ISS to identify circumstances in which a board may have approved excessive executive compensation. 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 specific 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., corporate actions, such as mergers and acquisitions), a representative of MFS Proxy Voting Committee may consult with or seek recommendations from portfolio managers or analysts.1 However, the MFS Proxy Voting Committee would ultimately determine the manner in which all proxies are voted.
As noted above, MFS reserves the right to override the guidelines when such an override is, in MFS’ best judgment, consistent with the overall principle of voting proxies in the best long-term economic interests of MFS’ clients. Any such override of the guidelines shall be analyzed, documented and reported in accordance with the procedures set forth in these policies.
| 5. | Voting Proxies |
In accordance with its contract with MFS, the Proxy Administrator also generates a variety of reports for the MFS Proxy Voting Committee, and makes available on-line various other types of information so that the MFS Proxy Voting Committee may review and monitor the votes cast by the Proxy Administrator on behalf of MFS’ clients.
| C. | MONITORING SYSTEM |
It is the responsibility of the Proxy Administrator and MFS’ Proxy Voting Committee to monitor the proxy voting process. When proxy materials for clients are received, they are forwarded to the Proxy Administrator and are input into the Proxy Administrator’s system. Through an interface with the portfolio holdings database of MFS, the Proxy Administrator matches a list of all MFS Funds and clients who hold shares of a company’s stock and the number of shares held on the record date with the Proxy Administrator’s listing of any upcoming shareholder’s meeting of that company.
When the Proxy Administrator’s system “tickler” shows that the voting cut-off date of a shareholders’ meeting is approaching, a Proxy Administrator representative checks that the vote for MFS Funds and clients holding that security has been recorded in the computer system. If a proxy card has not been received from the client’s custodian, the Proxy Administrator calls the custodian requesting that the materials be forwarded immediately. If it is not possible to receive the proxy card from the custodian in time to be voted at the meeting, MFS may instruct the custodian to cast the vote in the manner specified and to mail the proxy directly to the issuer.
| 1 |
From time to time, due to travel schedules and other commitments, an appropriate portfolio manager or research analyst is not available to provide a recommendation on a merger or acquisition proposal. If such a recommendation cannot be obtained prior to the cut-off date of the shareholder meeting, certain members of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee may determine to abstain from voting. |
| D. | 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, Board of Directors and Board of Managers of the MFS Funds for the period required by applicable law. Proxy solicitation materials, including electronic versions of the proxy cards 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.
| E. | REPORTS |
MFS Funds
MFS will report the results of its voting to the Board of Trustees, Board of Directors and Board of Managers of the MFS Funds. These reports will include: (i) a summary of how votes were cast; (ii) a review of situations where MFS did not vote in accordance with the guidelines and the rationale therefore; (iii) a review of the procedures used by MFS to identify material conflicts of interest; and (iv) a review of these policies and the guidelines and, as necessary or appropriate, any proposed modifications thereto to reflect new developments in corporate governance and other issues. Based on these reviews, the Trustees, Directors and Managers of the MFS Funds will consider possible modifications to these policies to the extent necessary or advisable.
All MFS Advisory Clients
At any time, a report can 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.
Generally, MFS will not divulge actual voting practices to any party other than the client or its representatives (unless required by applicable law) because we consider that information to be confidential and proprietary to the client.
| ITEM 8. | PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
General. Information regarding the portfolio manager(s) of the MFS Government Markets Income Trust (the “Fund”) is set forth below.
| Portfolio Manager |
Primary Role |
Since | Title and Five Year History | |||
| Geoffrey L. Schechter | Portfolio Manager | 2004 | Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 1993. |
Compensation. 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 (generally below 33%) than incentive compensation. |
| • | Performance Bonus – Performance bonus is based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors, with more weight given to the former (generally over 60 %) and less weight given to the latter. |
| • | The quantitative portion is based on pre-tax performance of all of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager (which includes the Fund and any other accounts managed by the portfolio manager) over a one-, three- and five-year period relative to the appropriate Lipper peer group universe and/or benchmark index with respect to each account. (Generally the benchmark index used is a benchmark index set forth in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders to which the Fund’s performance is compared.) Additional or different appropriate peer group or benchmark indices may also be used. Primary weight is given to portfolio performance over three-year and five-year time periods with lesser consideration given to portfolio performance over a one-year period (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). |
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 are provided with a benefits package including a defined contribution plan, health coverage and other insurance, which are available to other employees of MFS on substantially similar terms. 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 as of the Fund’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2007. The following dollar ranges apply:
N. None
A. $1 - $10,000
B. $10,001 - $50,000
C. $50,001 - $100,000
D. $100,001 - $500,000
E. $500,001 - $1,000,000
F. Over $1,000,000
| Name of Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Fund | |
| Geoffrey L. Schechter |
N |
Other Accounts. In addition to the Fund, the Fund’s portfolio manager is responsible (either individually or jointly) for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, the number and total assets of which as of the Fund’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2007 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 |
13 | $ | 6.8 billion | 1 | $ | 245.1 million | 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. MFS seeks to identify potential conflicts of interest resulting from a portfolio manager’s management of both the Fund and other accounts, and has adopted policies and procedures designed to address such potential conflicts.
The management of multiple funds and accounts (including proprietary accounts) may give 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 may be securities which are suitable for the Fund’s portfolio as well as for accounts of MFS or its subsidiaries with similar investment objectives. A Fund’s trade allocation policies may give rise to conflicts of interest if the Fund’s orders do not get fully executed or are delayed in getting executed due to being aggregated with those of other accounts of MFS or its subsidiaries. A portfolio manager may execute transactions for another fund or
account that may adversely impact the value of the Fund’s investments. Investments selected for funds or accounts other than the Fund may outperform investments selected for the Fund.
When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed by MFS to be fair and equitable to each. 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, MFS believes that the Fund’s ability to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions for the Fund.
MFS does not receive a performance fee for its management of the Fund. As a result, MFS and/or a portfolio manager may have a financial incentive to allocate favorable or limited opportunity investments or structure the timing of investments to favor accounts other than the Fund - for instance, those that pay a higher advisory fee and/or have a performance fee.
| ITEM 9. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS. |
MFS Government Markets Income Trust
| Period |
(a) Total number of Shares Purchased |
(b) Average Price Paid per Share |
(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs |
(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Programs | |||||
| 12/1/06-12/31/06 |
0 | N/A | 0 | 4,609,276 | |||||
| 1/1/07-1/31/07 |
0 | N/A | 0 | 4,609,276 | |||||
| 2/1/07-2/28/07 |
0 | N/A | 0 | 4,609,276 | |||||
| 3/1/07-3/31/07 |
0 | N/A | 0 | 5,133,256 | |||||
| 4/1/07-4/30/07 |
0 | N/A | 0 | 5,133,256 | |||||
| 5/1/07-5/31/07 |
0 | N/A | 0 | 5,133,256 | |||||
| 6/1/07-6/30/07 |
0 | N/A | 0 | 5,133,256 | |||||
| 7/1/07-7/31/07 |
0 | N/A | 0 | 5,133,256 | |||||
| 8/1/07-8/31/07 |
0 | N/A | 0 | 5,133,256 | |||||
| 9/1/07-9/30/07 |
0 | N/A | 0 | 5,133,256 | |||||
| 10/1/07-10/31/07 |
19,249,709 | $ | 7.12 | 19,249,709 | 5,133,256 | ||||
| 11/1/07-11/30/07 |
0 | N/A | 0 | 5,133,256 | |||||
| Total |
19,249,709 | N/A | 19,249,709 | ||||||
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, 2007 plan year is 5,133,256. The 19,249,709 shares purchased were purchased pursuant to a tender offer dated October 17, 2007. A copy of this offer is attached as exhibit 12(a)(3).
| 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 7(d)(2)(ii)(G) of Schedule 14A.
| ITEM 11. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. |
| (a) | Based upon their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”)) as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this Form N-CSR, the registrant’s principal financial officer and principal executive officer have concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that the material information required to be disclosed by the registrant on this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. |
| (b) | There were no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter covered by the report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| ITEM 12. | EXHIBITS. |
(a) File the exhibits listed below as part of this form. Letter or number the exhibits in the sequence indicated.
(1) Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit: Code of Ethics attached hereto.
(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2 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. Attached hereto.
(b) If the report is filed under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provide the certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)), Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b) or 240.15d-14(b)) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) as an exhibit. A certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph will not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference: Attached hereto.
Notice
A copy of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Registrant is on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Registrant by an officer of the Registrant as an officer and not individually and the obligations of or arising out of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of the respective constituent series of the Registrant.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Registrant MFS GOVERNMENT MARKETS INCOME TRUST | ||
| By (Signature and Title)* | MARIA F. DWYER | |
| Maria F. Dwyer, President | ||
Date: January 17, 2008
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| By (Signature and Title)* | MARIA F. DWYER | |
| Maria F. Dwyer, President (Principal Executive Officer) |
Date: January 17, 2008
| By (Signature and Title)* | TRACY ATKINSON | |
| Tracy Atkinson, Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer) |
Date: January 17, 2008
| * | Print name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature. |