<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 27, 1998
1933 Act File No. 2-38613
1940 Act File No. 811-2031
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 45
AND
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
AMENDMENT NO. 30
MFS SERIES TRUST V
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
500 Boylston, Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (617) 954-5000
Stephen E. Cavan, Massachusetts Financial Services Company
500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
|_| immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
|X| on January 28, 1998 pursuant to paragraph (b)
|_| 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
|_| on [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
|_| 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii)
|_| on [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
|_| this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment
================================================================================
<PAGE>
MFS SERIES TRUST V
MFS TOTAL RETURN FUND
MFS RESEARCH FUND
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
(Pursuant to Rule 404 showing location in Prospectus and/or Statement of
Additional Information of the responses to the Items in Parts A and B of Form
N-1A)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATEMENT OF
ITEM NUMBER ADDITIONAL
FORM N-1A, PART A PROSPECTUS CAPTION INFORMATION CAPTION
----------------- ------------------ -------------------
<S> <C> <C>
1 (a), (b) Front Cover Page *
2 (a) Expense Summary *
(b), (c) * *
3 (a) * *
(b) * *
(c) Information Concerning *
Shares of the Fund -
Performance Information
(d) * *
4 (a) The Fund; Investment *
Objectives and Policies;
Certain Securities and
Investment Techniques;
Additional Risk Factors
(b), (c) Investment Objectives and *
Policies; Certain Securities
and Investment
Techniques; Additional
Risk Factors
5 (a) The Fund; Management of *
the Fund - Investment
Adviser
(b) Front Cover Page; *
Management of the Fund -
Investment Adviser; Back
Cover Page
(c) Management of the Fund *
(d) Management of the Fund - *
Administrator
(e) Back Cover Page *
(f) Expense Summary *
(g) Investment Objectives and *
Policies - Portfolio Trading
(h) * *
5A (a), (b), (c) ** **
6 (a) Information Concerning *
Shares of the Fund -
Description of Shares,
Voting Rights and
Liabilities; Information
Concerning Shares of
the Fund - Redemptions
and Repurchases;
Information Concerning
Shares of the Fund - Purchases
(b), (c), (d) * *
(e) Shareholder Services *
(f) Information Concerning *
Shares of the Fund -
Dividends and Capital
Gain Distributions;
Shareholder Services -
Distribution Options
(g) Information Concerning *
Shares of the Fund -
Tax Status; Information
Concerning Shares of the
Fund - Dividends and
Capital Gain Distributions
(h) * *
7 (a) Front Cover Page; Management *
of the Fund - Distributor;
Back Cover Page
(b) Information Concerning *
Shares of the Fund -
Purchases
(c) Information Concerning *
Shares of the Fund -
Purchases; Information
Concerning Shares of the
Fund - Exchanges;
Shareholder Services
(d) Front Cover Page; Information *
Concerning Shares of the
Fund - Purchases
(e) Information Concerning *
Shares of the Fund -
Distribution Plan; Expense
Summary
(f) Information Concerning *
Shares of the Fund -
Distribution Plan
(g) Expense Summary; Information *
Concerning Shares of the Fund -
Purchases; Information
Concerning Shares of the Fund Exchanges;
Information Concerning Shares of the Fund
Redemptions and Repurchases; Information
Concerning Shares of the Fund -
Distribution Plan; Information Concerning
Shares of the Fund -Distributions;
Information Concerning Shares of the Fund
-Performance Information; Shareholder
Services
8 (a) Information Concerning *
Shares of the Fund -
Redemptions and
Repurchases; Information
Concerning Shares of the
Fund - Purchases
(b), (c), (d) Information Concerning *
Shares of the Fund -
Redemptions and Repurchases
9 * *
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
STATEMENT OF
ITEM NUMBER ADDITIONAL
FORM N-1A, PART B PROSPECTUS CAPTION INFORMATION CAPTION
----------------- ------------------ -------------------
<S> <C> <C>
10 (a), (b) * Front Cover Page
11 * Front Cover Page
12 * *
13 (a), (b), (c) * Investment Objectives,
Policies and Restrictions
(d) * *
14 (a), (b) * Management of the Fund -
Trustees and Officers
(c) * *
15 (a) * *
(b), (c) * Management of the Fund -
Trustees and Officers
16 (a) Management of the Fund - Management of the Fund -
Investment Adviser Investment Adviser;
Management of the Fund -
Trustees and Officers
(b) Management of the Fund - Management of the Fund -
Investment Adviser Investment Adviser
(c) * *
(d) * Management of the Fund;
Administrator
(e) * Portfolio Transactions and
Brokerage Commissions
(f) Information Concerning Distribution Plan
Shares of the Fund -
Distribution Plan
(g) * *
(h) * Management of the Fund -
Custodian; Independent
Auditors Back Cover
Page
(i) * Management of the Fund -
Shareholder Servicing
Agent
17 (a) * Portfolio Transactions and
Brokerage Commissions
(b) * *
(c) * Portfolio Transactions and
Brokerage Commissions
(d) * Portfolio Transactions and
Brokerage Commissions
(e) * *
18 (a) Information Concerning Description of Shares
Shares of the Fund - Voting Rights and
Description of Shares, Liabilities
Voting Rights and
Liabilities
(b) * *
19 (a) Information Concerning Shareholder Services
Shares of the Fund -
Purchases; Shareholder
Services
(b) Information Concerning Management of the Fund -
Shares of the Fund - Principal Underwriter;
Net Asset Value; Determination of Net
Information Concerning Asset Value and
Shares of the Fund - Performance - Net Asset
Purchases Value
(c) * *
20 * Tax Status
21 (a) * Management of the Fund -
Principal Underwriter;
Distribution Plan
(b) * Management of the Fund -
Principal Underwriter;
Distribution Plan
(c) * *
22 (a) * *
(b) * Determination of Net Asset
Value and Performance
Information
23 * Independent Auditors and
Financial Statements
-----------------------------
* Not Applicable
** Contained in Annual Report
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
MFS TOTAL RETURN FUND
SUPPLEMENT TO THE FEBRUARY 1, 1998 PROSPECTUS AND
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FUND'S
PROSPECTUS AND STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI"), DATED FEBRUARY 1,
1998, AND CONTAINS A DESCRIPTION OF CLASS I SHARES.
CLASS I SHARES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ONLY BY CERTAIN INVESTORS AS
DESCRIBED UNDER THE CAPTION "ELIGIBLE PURCHASERS" BELOW.
EXPENSE SUMMARY
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES: CLASS I
Maximum Initial Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases of Fund
Shares (as a percentage of offering price)......................... None
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage
of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable).. None
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE FUND (AS A PERCENTAGE OF
AVERAGE NET ASSETS):
Management Fees...................................................... 0.36%
Rule 12b-1 Fees...................................................... None
Other Expenses(1)(2)................................................. 0.24%
----
Total Operating Expenses............................................. 0.60%
- ---------
(1) "Other Expenses" is based on Class A expenses incurred during the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1997.
(2) The Fund has an expense offset arrangement which reduces the Fund's
custodian fee based upon the amount of cash maintained by the Fund with its
custodian and dividend disbursing agent, and may enter into other such
arrangements and directed brokerage arrangements (which would also have the
effect of reducing the Fund's expenses). Any such fee reductions are not
reflected under "Other Expenses."
EXAMPLE OF EXPENSES
An investor would pay the following dollar amounts of expenses on a $1,000
investment in Class I shares of the Fund, assuming (a) a 5% annual return and
(b) redemption at the end of each of the time periods indicated:
PERIOD CLASS I
------ -------
1 year........................................ $ 6
3 years....................................... 19
The purpose of the expense table above is to assist investors in
understanding the various costs and expenses that a shareholder of the Fund will
bear directly or indirectly. A more complete description of the Fund's
management fee is set forth under the caption "Management of the Fund" in the
Prospectus.
THE "EXAMPLE" SET FORTH ABOVE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST
OR FUTURE EXPENSES OF THE FUND; ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN
THOSE SHOWN.
<PAGE>
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following information has been audited and should be read in
conjunction with the financial statements included in the Fund's Annual Report
to Shareholders which are incorporated by reference into the SAI in reliance
upon the report of the Fund's independent auditors, given upon their authority
as experts in accounting and auditing. The Fund's independent auditors are
Deloitte & Touche LLP.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CLASS I SHARES
PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997*
-------------------
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout
the period):
Net asset value - beginning of period $ 14.70
-------
Income from investment operations# -
Net investment income $ 0.48
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments and foreign currency transactions 2.23
Total from investment operations $ 2.71
-------
Less distributions declared to shareholders -
From net investment income $ (0.49)
From net realized gain on investments and
foreign currency transactions --
Total distributions declared to shareholders $ (0.49)
--------
Net asset value - end of period $ 16.92
-------
Total return 18.69%++
Ratios (to average net assets)/
Supplemental data:
Expenses## 0.60%+
Net investment income 4.16%+
Portfolio turnover 143%
Average commission rate $0.0476
Net assets at end of period
(000,000 omitted) $ 16
- ----------------
* For the period from the inception of Class I shares, January 2, 1997 through
September 30, 1997.
+ Annualized
++ Not annualized
# Per share data are based on average shares outstanding.
## The Fund's expenses are calculated without reduction for fees paid
indirectly.
<PAGE>
ELIGIBLE PURCHASERS
Class I shares are available for purchase only by the following purchasers
("Eligible Purchasers"):
(i) certain retirement plans established for the benefit of employees of
Massachusetts Financial Services Company ("MFS"), the Fund's investment
adviser, and employees of MFS' affiliates; and
(ii) any fund distributed by MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. ("MFD"), the Fund's
distributor, if the fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing primarily in shares of the Fund and other funds distributed by
MFD.
In no event will the Fund, MFS, MFD or any of their affiliates pay any sales
commissions or compensation to any third party in connection with the sale of
Class I shares; the payment of any such sales commission or compensation would,
under the Fund's policies, disqualify the purchaser as an eligible investor of
Class I shares.
SHARE CLASSES OFFERED BY THE FUND
Four classes of shares of the Fund currently are offered for sale, Class A
shares, Class B shares, Class C shares and Class I shares. Class I shares are
available for purchase only by Eligible Purchasers, as defined above, and are
described in this Supplement. Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares
are described in the Fund's Prospectus and are available for purchase by the
general public.
Class A shares are offered at net asset value plus an initial sales charge
up to a maximum of 4.75% of the offering price (or a contingent deferred sales
charge (a "CDSC") upon redemption of 1.00% during the first year in the case of
purchases of $1 million or more and certain purchases by retirement plans), and
are subject to an annual distribution fee and service fee up to a maximum of
0.35% per annum. Class B shares are offered at net asset value without an
initial sales charge but are subject to a CDSC upon redemption (declining from
4.00% during the first year to 0% after six years) and an annual distribution
fee and service fee up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum; Class B shares convert
to Class A shares approximately eight years after purchase. Class C shares are
offered at net asset value without an initial sales charge but are subject to a
CDSC upon redemption of 1.00% during the first year and an annual distribution
fee and service fee up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum. Class I shares are
offered at net asset value without an initial sales charge or CDSC and are not
subject to a distribution or service fee. Class C and Class I shares do not
convert to any other class of shares of the Fund.
OTHER INFORMATION
Eligible Purchasers may purchase Class I shares only directly through MFD.
Eligible Purchasers may exchange Class I shares of the Fund for Class I shares
of any other MFS Fund available for purchase by such Eligible Purchasers at
their net asset value (if available for sale), and may exchange Class I shares
of the Fund for shares of the MFS Money Market Fund (if available for sale), and
may redeem Class I shares of the Fund at net asset value. Distributions paid by
the Fund with respect to Class I shares generally will be greater than those
paid with respect to Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares because
expenses attributable to Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares
generally will be higher.
THE DATE OF THIS SUPPLEMENT IS FEBRUARY 1, 1998
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
MFS(R) TOTAL FEBRUARY 1, 1998
RETURN FUND CLASS A SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
(A member of the CLASS B SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
MFS Family of Funds(R)) CLASS C SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
500 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116 (617) 954-5000
The primary investment objective of the MFS Total Return Fund (the "Fund") is
to obtain above-average income (compared to a portfolio entirely invested in
equity securities) consistent with prudent employment of capital. The Fund's
secondary objective is to take advantage of opportunities for growth of
capital and income. Under normal market conditions, at least 25% of the Fund's
assets will be invested in fixed income securities and at least 40% and no
more than 75% of the Fund's assets will be invested in equity securities (see
"Investment Objectives and Policies"). The Fund is a diversified series of MFS
Series Trust V (the "Trust"), an open-end investment company. The minimum
initial investment generally is $1,000 per account (see "Purchases").
The Fund's investment adviser and distributor are Massachusetts Financial
Services Company ("MFS") and MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. ("MFD"),
respectively, both of which are located at 500 Boylston Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02116.
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT
AGENCY, AND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED BY, ANY
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION. SHARES OF MUTUAL FUNDS ARE SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT RISKS,
INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVESTED, AND WILL FLUCTUATE
IN VALUE. YOU MAY RECEIVE MORE OR LESS THAN YOU PAID WHEN YOU REDEEM YOUR
SHARES.
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information concerning the Trust and
the Fund that a prospective investor ought to know before investing. The
Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") a Statement of Additional Information, dated February
1, 1998, as amended or supplemented from time to time (the "SAI"), which
contains more detailed information about the Trust and the Fund. The SAI is
incorporated into this Prospectus by reference. See page 41 for a further
description of the information set forth in the SAI. A copy of the SAI may be
obtained without charge by contacting the Shareholder Servicing Agent (see
back cover for address and phone number). The SEC maintains an Internet World
Wide Web site at http://www.sec.gov that contains the SAI, materials that are
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and the SAI, and other
information regarding the Fund. This Prospectus is available on the Adviser's
Internet World Wide Web site at http://www.mfs.com.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED
BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
INVESTORS SHOULD READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1. Expense Summary ................................................... 3
2. Condensed Financial Information ................................... 5
3. The Fund .......................................................... 8
4. Investment Objectives and Policies ................................ 9
5. Management of the Fund ............................................ 20
6. Information Concerning Shares of the Fund ......................... 22
Purchases ..................................................... 22
Exchanges ..................................................... 29
Redemptions and Repurchases ................................... 30
Distribution Plan ............................................. 33
Distributions ................................................. 35
Tax Status .................................................... 36
Net Asset Value ............................................... 36
Description of Shares, Voting Rights and Liabilities .......... 37
Performance Information ....................................... 37
7. Shareholder Services .............................................. 38
Appendix A ........................................................ A-1
Appendix B ........................................................ B-1
Appendix C ........................................................ B-1
<PAGE>
1. EXPENSE SUMMARY
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
------- ------- -------
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES:
Maximum Initial Sales Charge Imposed on
Purchases of Fund Shares (as a
percentage of offering price) 4.75% 0.00% 0.00%
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
(as a percentage of original purchase
price or redemption proceeds, as
applicable) ........................... See Below(1) 4.00% 1.00%
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE FUND (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS):
Management Fees ......................... 0.36% 0.36% 0.36%
Rule 12b-1 Fees ......................... 0.35%(2) 1.00%(3) 1.00%(3)
Other Expenses(4) ....................... 0.24% 0.24% 0.24%
---- ---- ----
Total Operating Expenses ................ 0.95% 1.60% 1.60%
- ------------
(1) Purchases of $1 million or more and certain purchases by retirement plans
are not subject to an initial sales charge; however, a Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge ("CDSC") of 1% will be imposed on such purchases in the event
of certain redemption transactions within 12 months following such
purchases. See "Information Concerning Shares of the Fund -- Purchases"
below.
(2) The Fund has adopted a distribution plan for its shares in accordance with
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act"), which provides that it will pay distribution/service fees
aggregating up to (but not necessarily all of) 0.35% per annum of the
average daily net assets attributable to the Class A shares. The 0.35% per
annum distribution/service fee is reduced to 0.25% per annum for shares
purchased prior to October 1, 1989. Distribution expenses paid under the
Distribution Plan with respect to Class A shares, together with the
initial sales charge, may cause long-term shareholders to pay more than
the maximum sales charge that would have been permissible if imposed
entirely as an initial sales charge. See "Information Concerning Shares of
the Fund -- Distribution Plan" below.
(3) The Fund's Distribution Plan provides that it will pay distribution/
service fees aggregating up to 1.00% per annum of the average daily net
assets attributable to Class B shares and Class C shares, respectively.
Distribution expenses paid under the Distribution Plan with respect to
Class B or Class C shares, together with any CDSC payable upon redemption
of Class B shares, may cause long-term shareholders to pay more than the
maximum sales charge that would have been permissible if imposed entirely
as an initial sales charge. See "Information Concerning Shares of the Fund
-- Distribution Plan" below.
(4) The Fund has an expense offset arrangement which reduces the Fund's
custodian fee based upon the amount of cash maintained by the Fund with
its custodian and dividend disbursing agent, and may enter into other such
arrangements and directed brokerage arrangements (which would also have
the effect of reducing the Fund's expenses). Any such fee reductions are
not reflected under "Other Expenses."
<PAGE>
EXAMPLE OF EXPENSES
An investor would pay the following dollar amounts of expenses on a $1,000
investment in the Fund, assuming (a) a 5% annual return and (b) redemption at
the end of each of the time periods indicated (unless otherwise noted):
<TABLE>
PERIOD CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
- ------ ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(1) (1)
1 year ................................ $ 57 $ 56 $ 16 $ 26 $ 16
3 years ............................... 76 80 50 50 50
5 years ............................... 98 107 87 87 87
10 years ............................... 159 172(2) 172(2) 190 190
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Assumes no redemption.
(2) Class B shares convert to Class A shares approximately eight years after
purchase; therefore, years nine and ten reflect Class A expenses.
The purpose of the expense table above is to assist investors in understanding
the various costs and expenses that a shareholder of the Fund will bear
directly or indirectly. More complete descriptions of the following Fund
expenses are set forth in the following sections of the Prospectus: (i)
varying sales charges on share purchases -- "Purchases"; (ii) varying CDSCs --
"Purchases"; (iii) management fees -- "Investment Adviser"; and (iv) Rule
12b-1 (i.e., distribution plan) fees -- "Distribution Plan."
THE "EXAMPLE" SET FORTH ABOVE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OF THE FUND; ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS
THAN THOSE SHOWN.
<PAGE>
2. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following information has been audited for at least the latest five fiscal
years of the Fund and should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements included in the Fund's Annual Report to shareholders which are
incorporated by reference into the SAI in reliance upon the report of the
Fund's independent auditors given upon their authority, as experts in
accounting and auditing. The Fund's current independent auditors are Deloitte
& Touche LLP.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
CLASS A
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE DATA (FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD):
Net asset value -- beginning of period ............. $15.03 $14.46 $12.80 $13.70 $12.42
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income from investment operations# --
Net investment income(S) ......................... $ 0.60 $ 0.64 $ 0.64 $ 0.54 $ 0.45
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency transactions .. 2.94 1.21 1.64 (0.69) 1.74
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total from investment operations ............. $ 3.54 $ 1.85 $ 2.28 $(0.15) $ 2.19
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Less distributions declared to shareholders --
From net investment income ....................... $(0.59) $(0.62) $(0.61) $(0.54) $(0.59)
From net realized gain on investments and foreign
currency transactions ............................ (1.06) (0.66) (0.01) (0.10) (0.32)
In excess of net realized gain on investments and
foreign currency transactions .................. -- -- -- (0.11) --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total distributions declared to shareholders . $(1.65) $(1.28) $(0.62) $(0.75) $(0.91)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value -- end of period ................... $16.92 $15.03 $14.46 $12.80 $13.70
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
TOTAL RETURN(+) .................................... 25.27% 13.50% 18.36% (1.07)% 18.32%
RATIOS (TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS)/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA(S):
Expenses## ....................................... 0.93% 0.91% 0.87% 0.85% 0.84%
Net investment income ............................ 3.84% 4.35% 4.82% 4.26% 4.51%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER ................................. 143% 140% 102% 91% 95%
AVERAGE COMMISSION RATE### ......................... $0.0476 $0.0547 $ -- $ -- $ --
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD (000,000 OMITTED) ...... $ 3,199 $ 2,568 $2,242 $1,857 $1,702
- ------------
#Per shares data for the periods subsequent to September 30, 1993, are based on average
shares outstanding.
##For fiscal years ending after September 1, 1995, the Fund's expenses are calculated without
reduction for fees paid indirectly.
###Average commission rate is calculated for funds with fiscal years beginning on or after
September 1, 1995.
(+)Total returns for Class A shares do not include the applicable sales charge (except for
reinvested dividends prior to October 1, 1989). If the charge had been included, the
results would have been lower.
(S)The distributor did not impose a portion of its distribution fee for the periods indicated.
If this fee had been incurred by the Fund, the net investment income per share and the
ratios would have been:
Net investment income ............................ $ -- $ -- $ 0.63 $ 0.52 $ --
Ratios (to average net assets):
Expenses## ..................................... -- -- 0.97% 0.95% --
Net investment income .......................... -- -- 4.72% 4.16% --
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS -- CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
CLASS A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE DATA (FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD):
Net asset value -- beginning of period ............. $11.82 $10.25 $11.58 $10.13 $11.47
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income from investment operations --
Net investment income ............................ $ 0.65 $ 0.67 $ 0.64 $ 0.65 $ 0.62
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency transactions .. 0.75 1.57 (1.25) 1.71 (1.07)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total from investment operations ............. $ 1.40 $ 2.24 $(0.61) $ 2.36 $(0.45)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Less distributions declared to shareholders --
From net investment income(++) ................... $(0.66) $(0.61) $(0.66) $(0.63) $(0.60)
From net realized gain on investments and foreign
currency transactions .......................... (0.14) (0.06) (0.06) (0.28) (0.08)
From paid-in capital ............................. -- -- -- -- (0.21)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total distributions declared to shareholders . $(0.80) $(0.67) $(0.72) $(0.91) $(0.89)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value -- end of period ................... $12.42 $11.82 $10.25 $11.58 $10.13
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
TOTAL RETURN(+) .................................... 12.26% 22.25% (5.59)% 23.46% (3.93)%
RATIOS (TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS)/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Expenses ......................................... 0.84% 0.87% 0.85% 0.72% 0.71%
Net investment income ............................ 5.40% 5.89% 5.71% 5.97% 6.06%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER ................................. 84% 74% 50% 53% 52%
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD (000,000 OMITTED) ...... $1,198 $ 909 $ 707 $ 628 $ 508
- ------------
(+)Total returns for Class A shares do not include the applicable sales charge (except for
reinvested dividends prior to October 1, 1989). If the charge had been included, the results
would have been lower.
(++)For the years ended September 30, 1992 and 1991, $0.0508 and $0.0596, respectively, of per
share distributions from net investment income have been redesignated as distributions from
capital gains.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS -- CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993*
---- ---- ---- ---- -----
CLASS B
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE DATA (FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD):
Net asset value -- beginning of period ............. $15.02 $14.46 $12.80 $13.70 $13.53
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income from investment operations# --
Net investment income ............................ $ 0.50 $ 0.52 $ 0.53 $ 0.39 $ 0.06
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency transactions .. 2.95 1.21 1.64 (0.65) 0.16
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total from investment operations ............. $ 3.45 $ 1.73 $ 2.17 $(0.26) $ 0.22
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Less distributions declared to shareholders --
From net investment income ....................... $(0.49) $(0.51) $(0.50) $(0.43) $(0.05)
From net realized gain on investments
and foreign currency transactions .............. (1.06) (0.66) -- -- --
In excess of net investment income ............... -- -- (0.01) (0.10) --
From paid-in capital ............................. -- -- -- (0.11) --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total distributions declared to shareholders . $(1.55) $(1.17) $(0.51) $(0.64) $(0.05)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value -- end of period ................... $16.92 $15.02 $14.46 $12.80 $13.70
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
TOTAL RETURN ....................................... 24.51% 12.49% 17.46% (1.93)% 15.24%+
RATIOS (TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS)/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Expenses## ....................................... 1.60% 1.67% 1.71% 1.70% 1.75%+
Net investment income ............................ 3.17% 3.56% 3.97% 3.45% 3.98%+
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER ................................. 143% 140% 102% 91% 95%
AVERAGE COMMISSION RATE### ......................... $0.0476 $0.0547 $ -- $ -- $ --
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD (000,000 OMITTED) ...... $ 1,707 $ 1,284 $1,005 $ 843 $ 532
- ----------
*For the period from commencement of the Fund's offering of Class B shares, August 23, 1993,
through September 30, 1993.
+Annualized.
#Per share data for the periods subsequent to September 30, 1993, are based on average
shares outstanding.
##For fiscal years ending after September 1, 1995, the Fund's expenses are calculated without
reduction for fees paid indirectly.
###Average commission rate is calculated for funds with fiscal years beginning on or after
September 1, 1995.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS -- CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
---------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994**
---- ---- ---- -----
CLASS C
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE DATA (FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD):
Net asset value -- beginning of period ............. $15.06 $14.49 $12.80 $12.92
------ ------ ------ ------
Income from investment operations# --
Net investment income ............................ $ 0.50 $ 0.53 $ 0.54 $ 0.08
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency transactions .... 2.95 1.22 1.66 (0.13)
------ ------ ------ ------
Total from investment operations ............. $ 3.45 $ 1.75 $ 2.20 $(0.05)
------ ------ ------ ------
Less distributions declared to shareholders --
From net investment income ....................... $(0.49) $(0.52) $(0.50) $(0.07)
From net realized gain on investments and
foreign currency transactions .................. (1.06) (0.66) (0.01) --
------ ------ ------ ------
Total distributions declared to shareholders . $(1.55) $(1.18) $(0.51) $(0.07)
------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value -- end of period ................... $16.96 $15.06 $14.49 $12.80
====== ====== ====== ======
TOTAL RETURN ....................................... 24.39% 12.67% 17.66% (0.41)%
RATIOS (TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS)/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Expenses## ....................................... 1.60% 1.63% 1.67% 1.76%+
Net investment income ............................ 3.16% 3.67% 4.14% 4.08%+
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER ................................. 143% 140% 102% 91%
AVERAGE COMMISSION RATE### ......................... $0.0476 $0.0547 $ -- $ --
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD (000,000 OMITTED) ...... $ 190 $ 83 $ 23 $ 1
- ----------
**For the period from commencement of the Fund's offering of Class C shares, August 1, 1994,
through September 30, 1994.
+Annualized.
#Per share data are based on average shares outstanding.
##For fiscal years ending after September 1, 1995, the Fund's expenses are calculated without
reduction for fees paid indirectly.
###Average commission rate is calculated for funds with fiscal years beginning on or after
September 1, 1995.
</TABLE>
3. THE FUND
The Fund is a diversified series of the Trust, an open-end management
investment company which was organized as a business trust under the laws of
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1984. The Fund and its predecessor have
been in business since 1970. The Trust presently consists of six series, each
of which represents a portfolio with separate investment objectives and
policies. Shares of the Fund are continuously sold to the public and the Fund
then uses the proceeds to buy securities (stocks, bonds and other instruments)
for its portfolio. Three classes of shares of the Fund currently are offered
for sale to the general public. Class A shares are offered at net asset value
plus an initial sales charge up to a maximum of 4.75% of the offering price
(or a CDSC upon redemption of 1.00% during the first year in the case of
purchases of $1 million or more and certain purchases by retirement plans) and
subject to an annual distribution and service fee up to a maximum of 0.35% per
annum. Class B shares are offered at net asset value without an initial sales
charge but subject to a CDSC upon redemption declining from 4.00% during the
first year to 0% after six years and an annual distribution fee and service
fee up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum. Class B shares will convert to Class A
shares approximately eight years after purchase. Class C shares are offered at
net asset value without an initial sales charge but are subject to a CDSC upon
redemption of 1.00% during the first year and an annual distribution fee and
service fee up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum. Class C shares do not convert
to any other class of shares of the Fund. In addition, the Fund offers an
additional class of shares, Class I shares, exclusively to certain
institutional investors. Class I shares are made available by means of a
separate Prospectus Supplement provided to institutional investors eligible to
purchase Class I shares and are offered at net asset value without an initial
sales charge or CDSC upon redemption and without an annual distribution and
service fee.
The Trust's Board of Trustees provides broad supervision over the affairs of
the Fund. Massachusetts Financial Services Company, a Delaware corporation
("MFS" or the "Adviser"), is the Fund's investment adviser. The Adviser is
responsible for the management of the Fund's assets and the officers of the
Trust are responsible for the Fund's operations. The Adviser manages the
portfolio from day to day in accordance with the Fund's investment objectives
and policies. The selection of investments and the way they are managed depend
on conditions and trends in the economy and the financial marketplaces. The
Fund also offers to buy back (redeem) its shares from its shareholders at any
time at net asset value, less any applicable CDSC.
4. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES -- The Fund's primary investment objective is to obtain
above-average income (compared to a portfolio entirely invested in equity
securities) consistent with the prudent employment of capital. While current
income is the primary objective, the Fund believes that there should also be a
reasonable opportunity for growth of capital and income, since many securities
offering a better than average yield may also possess growth potential. Thus,
in selecting securities for its portfolio, the Fund considers each of these
objectives. Under normal market conditions, at least 25% of the Fund's assets
will be invested in fixed income securities and at least 40% and no more than
75% of the Fund's assets will be invested in equity securities. Any investment
involves risk and there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its
investment objectives.
INVESTMENT POLICIES -- The Fund's policy is to invest in a broad list of
securities, including short-term obligations. The list may be diversified not
only by companies and industries, but also by type of security. Fixed income
securities and equity securities (which include: common stocks, preferred
stocks and preference stocks; securities such as bonds, warrants or rights
that are convertible into stock; and depositary receipts for those securities)
may be held by the Fund. Some fixed income securities may also have a call on
common stock by means of a conversion privilege or attached warrants. The Fund
may vary the percentage of assets invested in any one type of security in
accordance with the Adviser's interpretation of economic and money market
conditions, fiscal and monetary policy and underlying security values. The
Fund's debt investments may consist of both "investment grade" securities
(rated Baa or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB or
better by Standard and Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P"), Fitch Investors
Service, Inc. ("Fitch") or Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. ("Duff & Phelps"))
and securities that are unrated or are in the lower rating categories (rated
Ba or lower by Moody's or BB or lower by S&P, or Fitch or Duff & Phelps)
(commonly known as "junk bonds") including up to 20% of its net assets in
nonconvertible fixed income securities that are in these lower rating
categories and comparable unrated securities (see "Risk Factors -- Lower Rated
Bonds" below). Generally, most of the Fund's long-term debt investments will
consist of "investment grade" securities. It is not the Fund's policy to rely
exclusively on ratings issued by established credit rating agencies but rather
to supplement such ratings with the Adviser's own independent and ongoing
review of credit quality.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES: The Fund may also invest in U.S. Government
securities, including the following: (1) U.S. Treasury obligations, which
differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance: U.S.
Treasury bills (maturities of one year or less); U.S. Treasury notes
(maturities of one to ten years); and U.S. Treasury bonds (generally
maturities of greater than ten years), all of which are backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S. Government; and (2) obligations issued or
guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities, some of which are
backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, e.g., direct pass-
through certificates of the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA");
some of which are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S.
Government, e.g., obligations of Federal Home Loan Banks; and some of which
are backed only by the credit of the issuer itself, e.g., obligations of the
Student Loan Marketing Association.
MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES: The Fund may invest in mortgage pass-
through securities. Mortgage pass-through securities are securities
representing interests in "pools" of mortgage loans. Monthly payments of
interest and principal by the individual borrowers on mortgages are passed
through to the holders of the securities (net of fees paid to the issuer or
guarantor of the securities) as the mortgages in the underlying mortgage pools
are paid off. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage pass-through
securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be
guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of
securities guaranteed by GNMA); or guaranteed by U.S. Government-sponsored
corporations (such as the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, which are supported only by the discretionary
authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency's obligations).
Mortgage pass-through securities may also be issued by non-governmental
issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private
mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market
issuers). See the SAI for a further discussion of these securities.
ZERO COUPON BONDS, DEFERRED INTEREST BONDS AND PIK BONDS: Fixed income
securities that the Fund may invest in also include zero coupon bonds,
deferred interest bonds and bonds on which the interest is payable in kind
("PIK bonds"). Zero coupon and deferred interest bonds are debt obligations
which are issued or purchased at a significant discount from face value. The
discount approximates the total amount of interest the bonds will accrue and
compound over the period until maturity or the first interest payment date at
a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of
issuance. While zero coupon bonds do not require the periodic payment of
interest, deferred interest bonds provide for a period of delay before the
regular payment of interest begins. PIK bonds are debt obligations which
provide that the issuer thereof may, at its option, pay interest on such bonds
in cash or in the form of additional debt obligations. Such investments
benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service, but
also require a higher rate of return to attract investors who are willing to
defer receipt of such cash. Such investments may experience greater volatility
in market value due to changes in interest rates than debt obligations which
make regular payments of interest. The Fund will accrue income on such
investments for tax and accounting purposes, as required, which is
distributable to shareholders and which, because no cash is received at the
time of accrual, may require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to
satisfy the Fund's distribution obligations.
FOREIGN SECURITIES: The Fund may invest up to 20% (and generally expects to
invest between 5% and 20%) of its total assets in foreign securities which are
not traded on a U.S. exchange (not including American Depositary Receipts).
Investing in securities of foreign issuers generally involves risks not
ordinarily associated with investing in securities of domestic issuers. These
include changes in currency rates, exchange control regulations, governmental
administration or economic or monetary policy (in the United States or abroad)
or circumstances in dealings between nations. Costs may be incurred in
connection with conversions between various currencies. Special considerations
may also include more limited information about foreign issuers, higher
brokerage costs, different accounting standards and thinner trading markets.
Foreign securities markets may also be less liquid, more volatile and less
subject to government supervision than in the United States. Investments in
foreign countries could be affected by other factors including expropriation,
confiscatory taxation and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual
obligations and could be subject to extended settlement periods. The Fund may
hold foreign currency received in connection with investments in foreign
securities when, in the judgment of the Adviser, it would be beneficial to
convert such currency into U.S. dollars at a later date, based on anticipated
changes in the relevant exchange rate. The Fund may also hold foreign currency
in anticipation of purchasing foreign securities. See the SAI for further
discussion of foreign securities and the holding of foreign currency, as well
as the associated risks.
EMERGING MARKET SECURITIES: Consistent with the Fund's objective and policies,
the Fund may invest in securities of issuers whose principal activities are
located in emerging market countries. Emerging market countries include any
country determined by the Adviser to have an emerging market economy, taking
into account a number of factors, including whether the country has a low- to
middle-income economy according to the International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development, the country's foreign currency debt rating, its political and
economic stability and the development of its financial and capital markets.
The Adviser determines whether an issuer's principal activities are located in
an emerging market country by considering such factors as its country of
organization, the principal trading market for its securities and the source
of its revenues and location of its assets. The issuer's principal activities
generally are deemed to be located in a particular country if: (a) the
security is issued or guaranteed by the government of that country or any of
its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities; (b) the issuer is organized
under the laws of, and maintains a principal office in, that country; (c) the
issuer has its principal securities trading market in that country; (d) the
issuer derives 50% or more of its total revenues from goods sold or services
performed in that country; or (e) the issuer has 50% or more of its assets in
that country.
BRADY BONDS: The Fund may invest in Brady Bonds, which are securities created
through the exchange of existing commercial bank loans to public and private
entities in certain emerging markets for new bonds in connection with debt
restructurings under a debt restructuring plan introduced by former U.S.
Secretary of the Treasury, Nicholas F. Brady (the "Brady Plan"). Brady Plan
debt restructurings have been implemented to date in Argentina, Brazil,
Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jordan, Mexico,
Morocco, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Slovenia, Uruguay and
Venezuela. Brady Bonds have been issued only recently, and for that reason do
not have a long payment history. Brady Bonds may be collateralized or
uncollateralized, are issued in various currencies (but primarily the U.S.
dollar) and are actively traded in over-the-counter secondary markets. U.S.
dollar-denominated, collateralized Brady Bonds, which may be fixed rate bonds
or floating-rate bonds, are generally collateralized in full as to principal
by U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds having the same maturity as the bonds.
Brady Bonds are often viewed as having three or four valuation components: the
collateralized repayment of principal at final maturity; the collateralized
interest payments; the uncollateralized interest payments; and any
uncollateralized repayment of principal at maturity (these uncollateralized
amounts constituting the "residual risk"). In light of the residual risk of
Brady Bonds and the history of defaults of countries issuing Brady Bonds with
respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities, investments
in Brady Bonds may be viewed as speculative.
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS: The Fund may invest in American Depositary
Receipts ("ADRs") which are certificates issued by a U.S. depository (usually
a bank) and represent a specified quantity of shares of an underlying non-U.S.
stock on deposit with a custodian bank as collateral. Because ADRs trade on
United States securities exchanges, the Adviser does not treat them as foreign
securities. However, they are subject to many of the risks of foreign
securities such as changes in exchange rates and more limited information
about foreign issuers.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements in order
to earn income on available cash or as a temporary defensive measure. Under a
repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires securities subject to the seller's
agreement to repurchase at a specified time and price. If the seller becomes
subject to a proceeding under the bankruptcy laws or its assets are otherwise
subject to a stay order, the Fund's right to liquidate the securities may be
restricted (during which time the value of the securities could decline). As
discussed in the SAI, the Fund has adopted certain procedures intended to
minimize risk.
LENDING OF SECURITIES: The Fund may seek to increase its income by lending
portfolio securities. Such loans will usually be made only to member firms
(and subsidiaries thereof) of the New York Stock Exchange and to member banks
of the Federal Reserve System, and would be required to be secured
continuously by collateral in cash, U.S. Government securities or an
irrevocable letter of credit maintained on a current basis at an amount at
least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. The Fund will
continue to collect the equivalent of interest on the securities loaned and
will also receive either interest (through investment of cash collateral) or a
fee (if the collateral is U.S. Government securities or a letter of credit).
"WHEN-ISSUED" SECURITIES: The Fund may purchase securities on a "when-issued"
or on a "forward delivery" basis, which means that the securities will be
delivered to the Fund at a future date usually beyond customary settlement
time. The commitment to purchase a security for which payment will be made on
a future date may be deemed a separate security. The Fund does not pay for the
securities until received, and does not start earning interest on the
securities until the contractual settlement date. While awaiting delivery of
securities purchased on such bases, the Fund will segregate liquid assets
sufficient to cover its commitments.
INDEXED SECURITIES: The Fund may invest in indexed securities whose value is
linked to foreign currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices, or other
financial indicators. Most indexed securities are short to intermediate term
fixed-income securities whose values at maturity (i.e., principal value) or
interest rates rise or fall according to changes in the value of one or more
specified underlying instruments. Indexed securities may be positively or
negatively indexed (i.e., their principal value or interest rates may increase
or decrease if the underlying instrument appreciates), and may have return
characteristics similar to direct investments in the underlying instrument or
to one or more options on the underlying instrument. Indexed securities may be
more volatile than the underlying instrument itself and could involve the loss
of all or a portion of the principal amount of or interest on the instrument.
MORTGAGE "DOLLAR ROLL" TRANSACTIONS: The Fund may enter into mortgage "dollar
roll" transactions with selected banks and broker-dealers pursuant to which
the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the future
(generally within 30 days) and simultaneously contracts to repurchase
substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) securities on a
specified future date. The Fund will only enter into covered rolls. A "covered
roll" is a specific type of dollar roll for which there is an offsetting cash
position or a cash equivalent security position which matures on or before the
forward settlement date of the dollar roll transaction.
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND OTHER DIRECT INDEBTEDNESS: The Fund may invest a
portion of its assets in "loan participations." By purchasing a loan
participation, the Fund acquires some or all of the interest of a bank or
other lending institution in a loan to a corporate borrower. Many such loans
are secured, and most impose restrictive covenants which must be met by the
borrower. These loans are made generally to finance internal growth, mergers,
acquisitions, stock repurchases, leveraged buy-outs and other corporate
activities. Such loans may be in default at the time of purchase. The Fund may
also purchase trade or other claims against companies, which generally
represent money owed by the company to a supplier of goods or services. These
claims may also be purchased at a time when the company is in default. Certain
of the loan participations acquired by the Fund may involve revolving credit
facilities or other standby financing commitments which obligate the Fund to
pay additional cash on a certain date or on demand.
The highly leveraged nature of many such loans may make such loans especially
vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. Loan
participations and other direct investments may not be in the form of
securities or may be subject to restrictions on transfer, and only limited
opportunities may exist to resell such instruments. As a result, the Fund may
be unable to sell such investments at an opportune time or may have to resell
them at less than fair market value. For a further discussion of loan
participations and the risks related to transactions therein, see the SAI.
SWAPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS: As one way of managing its exposure to
different types of investments, the Fund may enter into interest rate swaps,
currency swaps and other types of available swap agreements, such as caps,
collars and floors. Swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party
of cash payments based upon different interest rate indices, currencies, or
other prices or rates, such as the value of mortgage prepayment rates. For
example, in the typical interest rate swap, the Fund might exchange a sequence
of cash payments based on a floating rate index for cash payments based on a
fixed rate. Payments made by both parties to a swap transaction are based on a
notional principal amount determined by the parties.
The Fund may also purchase and sell caps, floors and collars. In a typical cap
or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments only under specified
circumstances, usually in return for payment of a fee by the counterparty. For
example, the purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the buyer, to the
extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to
receive payments of interest on a contractually-based principal amount from
the counterparty selling such interest rate cap. The sale of an interest rate
floor obligates the seller to make payments to the extent that a specified
interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. A collar arrangement combines
elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.
Swap agreements could be used to shift the Fund's investment exposure from one
type of investment to another. For example, if the Fund agreed to exchange
payments in dollars for payments in foreign currency, in each case based on a
fixed rate, the swap agreement would tend to decrease the Fund's exposure to
U.S. interest rates and increase its exposure to foreign currency and interest
rates. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or writing options.
Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the
overall volatility of the Fund's investments and its share price and yield.
Swap agreements are sophisticated hedging instruments that typically involve a
small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of risks assumed or no
investment of cash. As a result, swaps can be highly volatile and may have a
considerable impact on the Fund's performance. Swap agreements are subject to
risks related to the counterparty's ability to perform, and may decline in
value if the counterparty's creditworthiness deteriorates. The Fund may also
suffer losses if it is unable to terminate outstanding swap agreements or
reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions.
Swaps, caps, floors and collars are highly specialized activities which
involve certain risks. See the SAI for risks involved in these activities.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES: The Fund may also purchase securities that are not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 ("1933 Act") ("restricted
securities"), including those that can be offered and sold to "qualified
institutional buyers" under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act ("Rule 144A
securities"). A determination is made, based upon a continuing review of the
trading markets for a specific Rule 144A security, whether such security is
liquid and thus not subject to the Fund's limitation on investing not more
than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. The Board of Trustees has
adopted guidelines and delegated to MFS the daily function of determining and
monitoring the liquidity of Rule 144A securities. The Board, however, retains
oversight of the liquidity determinations, focusing on factors, such as
valuation, liquidity and availability of information. Investing in Rule 144A
securities could have the effect of decreasing the level of liquidity in the
Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time
uninterested in purchasing Rule 144A securities held in the Fund's portfolio.
Subject to the Fund's 15% limitation on investments in illiquid investments,
the Fund may also invest in restricted securities that may not be sold under
Rule 144A, which presents certain risks. As a result, the Fund might not be
able to sell these securities when the Adviser wishes to do so, or might have
to sell them at less than fair value. In addition, market quotations are less
readily available. Therefore, judgment may at times play a greater role in
valuing these securities than in the case of unrestricted securities.
CORPORATE ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES: The Fund may invest in corporate asset-
backed securities. These securities, issued by trusts and special purpose
corporations, are backed by a pool of assets, such as credit card or
automobile loan receivables, representing the obligations of a number of
different parties. Corporate asset-backed securities present certain risks.
For instance, in the case of credit card receivables, these securities may not
have the benefit of any security interest in the related collateral. See the
SAI for further information on these securities.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES: The Fund may write (sell) covered put and call options
on securities and purchase put and call options on securities. The Fund will
write such options for the purpose of increasing its return and/or to protect
the value of its portfolio. In particular, where the Fund writes an option
which expires unexercised or is closed out by the Fund at a profit, it will
retain the premium paid for the option, which will increase its gross income
and will offset in part the reduced value of a portfolio security in
connection with which the option may have been written or the increased cost
of portfolio securities to be acquired. However, the writing of options
constitutes only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium, less any
transaction costs. In contrast, if the price of the security underlying the
option moves adversely to the Fund's position, the option may be exercised and
the Fund will be required to purchase or sell the security at a
disadvantageous price, resulting in losses which may only be partially offset
by the amount of the premium. The Fund may also write combinations of put and
call options on the same security, known as "straddles." Such transactions can
generate additional premium income but also present increased risk.
The Fund may purchase put or call options in anticipation of declines in the
value of portfolio securities or increases in the value of securities to be
acquired. In the event that such declines or increases occur, the Fund may be
able to offset the resulting adverse effect on its portfolio, in whole or in
part, through the options purchased. The risk assumed by the Fund in
connection with such transactions is limited to the amount of the premium and
related transaction costs associated with the option, although the Fund may be
required to forfeit such amounts in the event that the prices of securities
underlying the options do not move in the direction or to the extent
anticipated.
The Fund may also enter into options on the yield "spread," or yield
differential, between two securities, a transaction referred to as a "yield
curve" option, for hedging and non-hedging (an effort to increase current
income) purposes. In contrast to other types of options, a yield curve option
is based on the difference between the yields of designated securities rather
than the actual prices of the individual securities, and is settled through
cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder
if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of
a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying securities increase
or decrease. Yield curve options written by the Fund will be covered as
described in the SAI. The trading of yield curve options is subject to all the
risks associated with trading other types of options, as discussed below under
"Risk Factors" and in the SAI. In addition, such options present risks of loss
even if the yield on one of the underlying securities remains constant, if the
spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.
OPTIONS ON STOCK INDICES: The Fund may write (sell) covered call and put
options and purchase call and put options on stock indices. The Fund may write
options on stock indices for the purpose of increasing its gross income and to
protect its portfolio against declines in the value of securities it owns or
increases in the value of securities to be acquired. When the Fund writes an
option on a stock index, and the value of the index moves adversely to the
holder's position, the option will not be exercised, and the Fund will either
close out the option at a profit or allow it to expire unexercised. The Fund
will thereby retain the amount of the premium, which will increase its gross
income and offset part of the reduced value of portfolio securities or the
increased cost of securities to be acquired. Such transactions, however, will
constitute only partial hedges against adverse price fluctuations, since any
such fluctuations will be offset only to the extent of the premium received by
the Fund for the writing of the option. In addition, if the value of an
underlying index moves adversely to the Fund's option position, the option may
be exercised, and the Fund will experience a loss which may only be partially
offset by the amount of the premium received.
The Fund may also purchase put or call options on stock indices in order,
respectively, to hedge its investments against a decline in value or to
attempt to reduce the risk of missing a market or industry segment advance.
The Fund's possible loss in either case will be limited to the premium paid
for the option, plus related transaction costs.
OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES: The Fund may also purchase and write options on
foreign currencies ("Options on Foreign Currencies") for the purpose of
protecting against declines in the dollar value of portfolio securities and
against increases in the dollar cost of securities to be acquired. As in the
case of other types of options, however, the writing of an Option on Foreign
Currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium
received, and the Fund may be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies
at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of
an Option on Foreign Currency may constitute an effective hedge against
fluctuations in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements
adverse to the Fund's position, it may forfeit the entire amount of the
premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs. The Fund may also
choose to, or be required to, receive delivery of the foreign currencies
underlying Options on Foreign Currencies it has entered into. Under certain
circumstances, such as where the Adviser believes that the applicable exchange
rate is unfavorable at the time the currencies are received or the Adviser
anticipates, for any other reason, that the exchange rate will improve, the
Fund may hold such currencies for an indefinite period of time. See
"Investment Objectives and Policies -- Foreign Securities" in the SAI for
information on the risks associated with holding foreign currency.
FUTURES CONTRACTS: The Fund may enter into contracts for the purchase or sale
for future delivery of fixed income securities or foreign currencies or
contracts based on indices of securities or currencies (including any index of
U.S. or foreign securities) as such instruments become available for trading
("Futures Contracts"). Such transactions will be entered into for hedging
purposes, in order to protect the Fund's current or intended investments from
the effects of changes in interest or exchange rates or declines in a
securities market, as well as for non-hedging purposes, to the extent
permitted by applicable law. The Fund will incur brokerage fees when it
purchases and sells Futures Contracts, and will be required to maintain margin
deposits. In addition, Futures Contracts entail risks. Although the Adviser
believes that use of such contracts will benefit the Fund, if its investment
judgment about the general direction of interest or exchange rates or a
securities market is incorrect, the Fund's overall performance may be poorer
than if it had not entered into any such contract and the Fund may realize a
loss.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS: The Fund may purchase and write options on
Futures Contracts ("Options on Futures Contracts") for hedging purposes or for
non-hedging purposes to the extent permitted by applicable law. Purchases of
Options on Futures Contracts may present less risk in hedging the Fund's
portfolio than the purchase or sale of the underlying Futures Contracts since
the potential loss is limited to the amount of the premium plus related
transaction costs, although it may be necessary to exercise the option to
realize any profit, which results in the establishment of a futures position.
The writing of Options on Futures Contracts, however, does not present less
risk than the trading of Futures Contracts and will constitute only a partial
hedge, up to the amount of the premium received. In addition, if an option is
exercised, the Fund may suffer a loss on the transaction.
FORWARD CONTRACTS: The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange
contracts for the purchase or sale of a fixed quantity of a foreign currency
at a future date ("Forward Contracts"). The Fund may enter into Forward
Contracts for hedging purposes as well as for non-hedging purposes (i.e.,
speculative purposes). By entering into transactions in Forward Contracts, for
hedging purposes, the Fund may be required to forego the benefits of
advantageous changes in exchange rates and, in the case of Forward Contracts
entered into for non-hedging purposes, the Fund may sustain losses which will
reduce its gross income. Such transactions, therefore, could be considered
speculative. Forward Contracts are traded over-the-counter and not on
organized commodities or securities exchanges. As a result, Forward Contracts
operate in a manner distinct from exchange-traded instruments, and their use
involves certain risks beyond those associated with transactions in Futures
Contracts or options traded on exchanges. The Fund may choose to, or be
required to, receive delivery of the foreign currencies underlying Forward
Contracts it has entered into. Under certain circumstances, such as where the
Adviser believes that the applicable exchange rate is unfavorable at the time
the currencies are received or the Adviser anticipates, for any other reason,
that the exchange rate will improve, the Fund may hold such currencies for an
indefinite period of time. The Fund may also enter into a Forward Contract on
one currency to hedge against risk of loss arising from fluctuations in the
value of a second currency (referred to as a "cross hedge") if, in the
judgment of the Adviser, a reasonable degree of correlation can be expected
between movements in the values of the two currencies. The Fund has
established procedures which require the use of segregated assets or "cover"
in connection with the purchase and sale of such contracts. See "Investment
Objective and Policies -- Foreign Securities" in the SAI for information on
the risks associated with holding foreign currency.
RISK FACTORS --
LOWER RATED BONDS: The Fund may invest in fixed income securities rated
Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P or Fitch and comparable unrated securities. These
securities, while normally exhibiting adequate protection parameters, have
speculative characteristics and changes in economic conditions or other
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal
and interest payments than in the case of higher grade fixed income
securities.
The Fund may also invest in securities rated Ba or lower by Moody's or BB or
lower by S&P or Fitch and comparable unrated securities (commonly known as
"junk bonds") to the extent described above. No minimum rating standard is
required by the Fund. These securities are considered speculative and, while
generally providing greater income than investments in higher rated
securities, will involve greater risk of principal and income (including the
possibility of default or bankruptcy of the issuers of such securities) and
may involve greater volatility of price (especially during periods of economic
uncertainty or change) than securities in the higher rating categories.
However, since yields vary over time, no specific level of income can ever be
assured. These lower rated high yielding fixed income securities generally
tend to reflect economic changes and short-term corporate and industry
developments to a greater extent than higher rated securities which react
primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates (although
these lower rated fixed income securities are also affected by changes in
interest rates, the market's perception of their credit quality, and the
outlook for economic growth). In the past, economic downturns or an increase
in interest rates have, under certain circumstances, caused a higher incidence
of default by the issuers of these securities and may do so in the future,
especially in the case of highly leveraged issuers. During certain periods,
the higher yields on the Fund's lower rated high yielding fixed income
securities are paid primarily because of the increased risk of loss of
principal and income, arising from such factors as the heightened possibility
of default or bankruptcy of the issuers of such securities. Due to the fixed
income payments of these securities, the Fund may continue to earn the same
level of interest income while its net asset value declines due to portfolio
losses, which could result in an increase in the Fund's yield despite the
actual loss of principal. The market for these lower rated fixed income
securities may be less liquid than the market for investment grade fixed
income securities, and judgment may at times play a greater role in valuing
these securities than in the case of investment grade fixed income securities.
Changes in the value of securities subsequent to their acquisition will not
affect cash income or yield to maturity to the Fund but will be reflected in
the net asset value of shares of the Fund. See the SAI for more information on
lower rated securities.
OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND FORWARD CONTRACTS: Although the Fund will
enter into transactions in options, Futures Contracts, Options on Futures
Contracts and Options on Foreign Currencies for hedging purposes, such
transactions nevertheless involve certain risks. For example, a lack of
correlation between the instrument underlying an option or Futures Contract
and the assets being hedged, or unexpected adverse price movements, could
render the Fund's hedging strategy unsuccessful and could result in losses.
The Fund also may enter into transactions in options, Futures Contracts,
Options on Futures Contracts and Forward Contracts for other than hedging
purposes, which involves greater risk. In particular, such transactions may
result in losses for the Fund which are not offset by gains on other portfolio
positions, thereby reducing gross income. In addition, foreign currency
markets may be extremely volatile from time to time. There also can be no
assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any contract purchased
or sold, and the Fund may be required to maintain a position until exercise or
expiration, which could result in losses. The SAI contains a description of
the nature and trading mechanics of options, Futures Contracts, Options on
Futures Contracts, Forward Contracts and Options on Foreign Currencies, and
includes a discussion of the risks related to transactions therein.
Transactions in Forward Contracts may be entered into only in the over-the-
counter market. Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts may be
entered into on U.S. exchanges regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission and on foreign exchanges. In addition, the securities underlying
options, Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts traded by the Fund
will include both domestic and foreign securities.
EMERGING MARKET SECURITIES: The risks of investing in foreign securities
may be intensified in the case of investments in emerging markets. Securities
of many issuers in emerging markets may be less liquid and more volatile than
securities of comparable domestic issuers. Emerging markets also have
different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there
have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume
of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions.
Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the
assets of the Fund is uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The
inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement
problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities.
Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could
result in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the
portfolio security, a decrease in the level of liquidity in the Fund
portfolio, or if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, in
possible liability to the purchaser. Certain markets may require payment for
securities before delivery and in such markets the Fund bears the risk that
the securities will not be delivered and that the Fund's payments will not be
returned. Securities prices in emerging markets can be significantly more
volatile than in the more developed nations of the world, reflecting the
greater uncertainties of investing in less established markets and economies.
In particular, countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable
governments, present the risk of nationalization of businesses, restrictions
on foreign ownership, or prohibitions of repatriation of assets, and may have
less protection of property rights than more developed countries. The
economies of countries with emerging markets may be predominantly based on
only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global
trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens or
inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of
securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading
volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of substantial holdings
difficult or impossible at times. Securities of issuers located in countries
with emerging markets may have limited marketability and may be subject to
more abrupt or erratic price movements.
Certain emerging markets may require governmental approval for the
repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of
securities by foreign investors. In addition, if a deterioration occurs in an
emerging market's balance of payments or for other reasons, a country could
impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. The Fund could
be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required
governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the
application to the Fund of any restrictions on investments.
Investment in certain foreign emerging market debt obligations may be
restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls
may at times preclude investment in certain foreign emerging market debt
obligations and increase the expenses of the Fund.
--------------------
PORTFOLIO TRADING: The primary consideration in placing portfolio security
transactions with broker-dealers for execution is to obtain and maintain the
availability of execution at the most favorable prices and in the most
effective manner possible. Consistent with the foregoing primary
consideration, the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"), and such other policies as the Trustees may
determine, the Adviser may consider sales of shares of the Fund and of the
other investment company clients of MFD as a factor in the selection of
broker-dealers to execute the Fund's portfolio transactions. From time to
time, the Adviser may direct certain portfolio transactions to broker-dealer
firms which, in turn, have agreed to pay a portion of the Fund's operating
expenses (e.g., fees charged by the custodian of the Fund's assets). For a
further discussion of portfolio trading, see "Portfolio Transactions and
Brokerage Commissions" in the SAI. For the fiscal year ended September 30,
1997, the Fund had a portfolio turnover rate in excess of 100%. Transaction
costs incurred by the Fund and the realized capital gains and losses of the
Fund may be greater than that of a fund with a lesser portfolio turnover rate.
The portfolio will be managed actively with respect to the Fund's fixed income
securities and the asset allocations modified as the Adviser deems necessary.
Although the Fund does not intend to seek short-term profits, fixed income
securities in its portfolio will be sold whenever the Adviser believes it is
appropriate to do so without regard to the length of time the particular asset
may have been held.
With respect to its equity securities, the Fund does not intend to trade in
securities for short-term profits and anticipates that such securities
ordinarily will be held for one year or longer. However, the Fund will effect
trades whenever it believes that changes in its portfolio securities are
appropriate.
--------------------
The investment objectives and policies described above, including investing in
Options, Options on Foreign Currency, Futures Contracts, Options on Futures
Contracts and Forward Contracts, are not fundamental and may be changed
without shareholder approval. A change in the Fund's investment objectives may
result in the Fund having investment objectives different from the objectives
which the shareholder considered appropriate at the time of investment in the
Fund.
The SAI includes a discussion of other investment policies and a listing of
specific investment restrictions which govern the Fund's investment policies.
The specific investment restrictions listed in the SAI may be changed without
shareholder approval unless indicated otherwise (see "Investment Restrictions"
in the SAI). Except with respect to the Fund's policy on borrowing and
investing in illiquid securities, the Fund's investment limitations, policies
and rating standards are adhered to at the time of purchase or utilization of
assets; a subsequent change in circumstances will not be considered to result
in a violation of policy.
5. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT ADVISER -- The Adviser manages the Fund pursuant to an Investment
Advisory Agreement, dated January 18, 1985 (the "Advisory Agreement"). Under
the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides the Fund with overall investment
advisory services. David M. Calabro, a Vice President of the Adviser, Geoffrey
L. Kurinsky, a Senior Vice President of the Adviser, Judith N. Lamb, a Vice
President of the Adviser, Lisa B. Nurme, a Vice President of the Adviser, and
Maura A. Shaughnessy, a Vice President of the Adviser, are the Fund's
portfolio managers. Mr. Calabro is the head of this portfolio management team
and a manager of the common stock portion of the Fund's portfolio. Mr. Calabro
has been employed by the Adviser as a Portfolio Manager since 1992 and served
as an analyst and sector portfolio manager with Fidelity Investments prior to
that time. Mr. Kurinsky, the manager of the Fund's fixed income securities,
has been employed by the Adviser as a Portfolio Manager since 1987. Ms. Lamb,
the manager of the Fund's convertible securities, has been employed by the
Adviser as a Portfolio Manager since 1992 and served as an analyst with
Fidelity Investments prior to that time. Ms. Nurme, a manager of the common
stock portion of the Fund's portfolio, has been employed by the Adviser as a
Portfolio Manager since 1987. Ms. Shaughnessy, also a manager of the common
stock portion of the Fund's portfolio, has been employed by the Adviser as a
Portfolio Manager since 1991 and served as an analyst with Harvard Management
Company prior to that time. Subject to such policies as the Trustees may
determine, the Adviser makes investment decisions for the Fund. For these
services and facilities, the Adviser receives a management fee, computed and
paid monthly, fixed by a formula based upon a percentage of the Fund's average
daily net assets plus a percentage of the Fund's gross income other than gains
from the sale of securities. The applicable percentages are reduced as assets
and income reach the following levels:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL RATE OF MANAGEMENT FEE BASED ON ANNUAL RATE OF MANAGEMENT FEE BASED ON
AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS GROSS INCOME
- --------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
..25% of the first $200 million 3.57% of the first $14 million
..212% of average daily net assets in excess 3.04% of gross income in excess of $14 million
of $200 million
</TABLE>
For the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, MFS received management
fees under the Advisory Agreement of $16,190,722 (of which $9,620,517 was
based on average daily net assets and $6,570,205 on gross income), equivalent,
on an annualized basis, to 0.36% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
MFS also serves as investment adviser to each of the other funds in the MFS
Family of Funds (the "MFS Funds") and to MFS(R)/Sun Life Series Trust, MFS
Institutional Trust, MFS Variable Insurance Trust, MFS Municipal Income Trust,
MFS Government Markets Income Trust, MFS Multimarket Income Trust, MFS
Intermediate Income Trust, MFS Charter Income Trust, MFS Special Value Trust,
and seven variable accounts, each of which is a registered investment company
established by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) ("Sun Life of
Canada (U.S.)") in connection with the sale of various fixed/variable annuity
contracts. MFS and its wholly-owned subsidiary, MFS Institutional Advisors,
Inc., also provide investment advice to substantial private clients.
MFS is America's oldest mutual fund organization. MFS and its predecessor
organizations have a history of money management dating from 1924 and the
founding of the first mutual fund in the United States, Massachusetts
Investors Trust. Net assets under the management of the MFS organization were
approximately $70.2 billion on behalf of approximately 2.7 million investor
accounts as of December 31, 1997. As of such date, the MFS organization
managed approximately $20.2 billion of assets in fixed income securities. MFS
is a subsidiary of Sun Life of Canada (U.S.), a subsidiary of Sun Life of
Canada (U.S.) Holdings, Inc., which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun Life"). The Directors of MFS are A.
Keith Brodkin, Jeffrey L. Shames, John D. McNeil, Donald A. Stewart and Arnold
D. Scott. Mr. Brodkin is the Chairman, Mr. Shames is the President and Mr.
Scott is the Secretary and a Senior Executive Vice President of MFS. Messrs.
McNeil and Stewart are the Chairman and the President, respectively, of Sun
Life. Sun Life, a mutual life insurance company, is one of the largest
international life insurance companies and has been operating in the U.S.
since 1895, establishing a headquarters office here in 1973. The executive
officers of MFS report to the Chairman of Sun Life.
A. Keith Brodkin, the Chairman and a director of MFS, is also the Chairman,
President and a Trustee of the Trust. W. Thomas London, Stephen E. Cavan,
James O. Yost, Ellen Moynihan, Mark E. Bradley and James R. Bordewick, Jr.,
all of whom are officers of MFS, are officers of the Trust.
In certain instances there may be securities which are suitable for the Fund's
portfolio as well as for portfolios of other clients of MFS. Some simultaneous
transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice
from MFS, particularly when the same security is suitable for more than one
client. While in some cases this arrangement could have a detrimental effect
on the price or availability of the security as far as the Fund is concerned,
in other cases, however, it may produce increased investment opportunities for
the Fund.
DISTRIBUTOR -- MFD, a wholly owned subsidiary of MFS, is the distributor of
shares of the Fund and also serves as distributor for each of the other MFS
Funds.
ADMINISTRATOR -- MFS provides the Fund with certain financial, legal,
compliance, shareholder communications and other administrative services
pursuant to a Master Administrative Services Agreement dated March 1, 1997, as
amended. Under this Agreement, the Fund pays MFS an administrative fee up to
0.015% per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets. This fee reimburses
MFS for a portion of the costs it incurs to provide such services.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT -- MFS Service Center, Inc. (the "Shareholder
Servicing Agent"), a wholly owned subsidiary of MFS, performs transfer agency
and certain other services for the Fund.
6. INFORMATION CONCERNING SHARES OF THE FUND
PURCHASES
Class A, B and C shares of the Fund may be purchased at the public offering
price through any dealer. As used in the Prospectus and any appendices thereto
the term "dealer" includes any broker, dealer, bank (including bank trust
departments), registered investment adviser, financial planner and any other
financial institutions having a selling agreement or other similar agreement
with MFD. Dealers may also charge their customers fees relating to investments
in the Fund.
This Prospectus offers Class A, B and C shares to the general public, which
bear sales charges and distribution fees in different forms and amounts, as
described below:
CLASS A SHARES: Class A shares are generally offered at net asset value plus
an initial sales charge, but in certain cases are offered at net asset value
without an initial sales charge but subject to a CDSC.
PURCHASES SUBJECT TO INITIAL SALES CHARGE. Class A shares are offered at
net asset value plus an initial sales charge as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SALES CHARGE* AS
PERCENTAGE OF:
------------------------------------ DEALER ALLOWANCE
NET AMOUNT AS A PERCENTAGE
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE OFFERING PRICE INVESTED OF OFFERING PRICE
- ------------------ -------------- -------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $100,000 ............................. 4.75% 4.99% 4.00%
$100,000 but less than $250,000 ................ 4.00 4.17 3.20
$250,000 but less than $500,000 ................ 2.95 3.04 2.25
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000 .............. 2.20 2.25 1.70
$1,000,000 or more ............................. None** None** See Below**
</TABLE>
- ------------
*Because of rounding in the calculation of offering price, actual sales
charges may be more or less than those calculated using the percentages
above.
**A CDSC will apply to such purchases, as discussed below.
MFD allows discounts to dealers (which are alike for all dealers) from the
applicable public offering price, as shown in the above table. In the case of
the maximum sales charge, the dealer retains 4% and MFD retains approximately
3/4 of 1% of the public offering price. The sales charge may vary depending on
the number of shares of the Fund as well as certain other MFS Funds owned or
being purchased, the existence of an agreement to purchase additional shares
during a 13-month period (or 36-month period for purchases of $1 million or
more) or other special purchase programs. A description of the Right of
Accumulation, Letter of Intent and Group Purchase privileges by which the
sales charge may be reduced is set forth in the SAI.
PURCHASES SUBJECT TO A CDSC (but not subject to an initial sales charge).
In the following five circumstances, Class A shares are offered at net asset
value without an initial sales charge but subject to a CDSC, equal to 1% of
the lesser of the value of the shares redeemed (exclusive of reinvested
dividend and capital gain distributions) or the total cost of such shares, in
the event of a share redemption within 12 months following the purchase:
(i) on investments of $1 million or more in Class A shares; and
(ii) on investments in Class A shares by certain retirement plans subject
to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA"), if, prior to July 1, 1996: (a) the Plan had established
an account with the Shareholder Servicing Agent and (b) the
sponsoring organization had demonstrated to the satisfaction of MFD
that either (i) the employer had at least 25 employees or (ii) the
aggregate purchases by the retirement plan of Class A shares of the
MFS Funds would be in an amount of at least $250,000 within a
reasonable period of time, as determined by MFD in its sole
discretion.
(iii) on investments in Class A shares by certain retirement plans subject
to ERISA, if: (a) the retirement plan and/or sponsoring organization
subscribes to the MFS FUNDamental 401(k) Program or any similar
recordkeeping system made available by the Shareholder Servicing
Agent (the "MFS Participant Recordkeeping System"); (b) the plan
establishes an account with the Shareholder Servicing Agent on or
after July 1, 1996; and (c) the aggregate purchases by the
retirement plan of Class A shares of the MFS Funds will be in an
aggregate amount of at least $500,000 within a reasonable period of
time, as determined by MFD in its sole discretion;
(iv) on investments in Class A shares by certain retirement plans subject
to ERISA, if: (a) the plan establishes an account with the
Shareholder Servicing Agent on or after July 1, 1996 and (b) the plan
has, at the time of purchase, a market value of $500,000 or more
invested in shares of any class or classes of the MFS Funds. THE
RETIREMENT PLAN WILL QUALIFY UNDER THIS CATEGORY ONLY IF THE PLAN OR
ITS SPONSORING ORGANIZATION INFORMS THE SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT
PRIOR TO THE PURCHASES THAT THE PLAN HAS A MARKET VALUE OF $500,000
OR MORE INVESTED IN SHARES OF ANY CLASS OR CLASSES OF THE MFS FUNDS.
THE SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT HAS NO OBLIGATION INDEPENDENTLY TO
DETERMINE WHETHER SUCH A PLAN QUALIFIES UNDER THIS CATEGORY; and
(v) on investments in Class A shares by certain retirement plans subject
to ERISA, if: (a) the plan establishes an account with the Shareholder
Servicing Agent on or after July 1, 1997; (b) such plan's records are
maintained on a pooled basis by the Shareholder Servicing Agent; and
(c) the sponsoring organization demonstrates to the satisfaction of
MFD that, at the time of purchase, the employer has at least 200
eligible employees and the plan has aggregate assets of at least
$2,000,000.
In the case of all such purchases, MFD will pay commissions to dealers on new
investments in Class A shares made through such dealers as follows:
COMMISSION PAID BY MFD TO DEALERS CUMULATIVE PURCHASE AMOUNT
--------------------------------- --------------------------
1.00% On the first $2,000,000, plus
0.80% Over $2,000,000 to $3,000,000, plus
0.50% Over $3,000,000 to $50,000,000, plus
0.25% Over $50,000,000
For purposes of determining the level of commissions to be paid to dealers
with respect to a shareholder's new investment in Class A, purchases for each
shareholder account (and certain other accounts for which the shareholder is a
record or beneficial holder) will be aggregated over a 12-month period
(commencing from the date of the first such purchase).
See "Redemptions and Repurchases -- Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" for
further discussion of the CDSC.
WAIVERS OF INITIAL SALES CHARGE AND CDSC. In certain circumstances, the
initial sales charge imposed upon purchases of Class A shares and the CDSC
imposed upon redemptions of Class A shares is waived. These circumstances are
described in Appendix A to this Prospectus. In addition to these
circumstances, the CDSC imposed upon the redemption of Class A shares is
waived with respect to shares held by certain retirement plans qualified under
Section 401(a) or 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), and subject to ERISA, where:
(i) the retirement plan and/or sponsoring organization does not subscribe
to the MFS Participant Recordkeeping System; and
(ii) the retirement plan and/or sponsoring organization demonstrates to
the satisfaction of, and certifies to the Shareholder Servicing Agent
that the retirement plan has, at the time of certification or will
have pursuant to a purchase order placed with the certification, a
market value of $500,000 or more invested in shares of any class or
classes of the MFS Funds and aggregate assets of at least $10
million;
provided, however, that the CDSC will not be waived (i.e., it will be imposed)
(a) with respect to plans which establish an account with the Shareholder
Servicing Agent on or after November 1, 1997, in the event that the Plan makes
a complete redemption of all of its shares in the MFS Funds, or (b) with
respect to plans which established an account with the Shareholder Servicing
Agent prior to November 1, 1997, in the event that there is a change in law or
regulation which results in a material adverse change to the tax advantaged
nature of the plan, or in the event that the plan and/or sponsoring
organization: (i) becomes insolvent or bankrupt; (ii) is terminated under
ERISA or is liquidated or dissolved; or (iii) is acquired by, merged into, or
consolidated with, any other entity.
CLASS B SHARES: Class B shares are offered at net asset value without an
initial sales charge but subject to a CDSC upon redemption as follows:
CONTINGENT
YEAR OF REDEMPTION DEFERRED SALES
AFTER PURCHASE CHARGE
- ------------------ --------------
First ......................................................... 4%
Second ........................................................ 4%
Third ......................................................... 3%
Fourth ........................................................ 3%
Fifth ......................................................... 2%
Sixth ......................................................... 1%
Seventh and following ......................................... 0%
The CDSC imposed is assessed against the lesser of the value of the shares
redeemed (exclusive of reinvested dividends and capital gain distributions) or
the total cost of such shares. No CDSC is assessed against shares acquired
through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions.
See "Redemptions and Repurchases -- Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" for
further discussion of the CDSC.
Except as described below, MFD will pay commissions to dealers of 3.75% of the
purchase price of Class B shares purchased through dealers. MFD will also
advance to dealers the first year service fee payable under the Fund's
Distribution Plan (see "Distribution Plan" below) at a rate equal to 0.25% of
the purchase price of such shares. Therefore, the total amount paid to a
dealer upon the sale of Class B shares is 4% of the purchase price of the
shares (commission rate of 3.75% plus a service fee equal to 0.25% of the
purchase price).
Class B shares purchased by a retirement plan whose sponsoring organization
subscribes to the MFS Participant Recordkeeping System and which has
established its account with the Shareholder Servicing Agent on or after July
1, 1996 will be subject to the CDSC described above, only under limited
circumstances, as explained below under "Waivers of CDSC." With respect to
such purchases, MFD pays an amount to dealers equal to 3.00% of the amount
purchased through such dealers (rather than the 4.00% payment described
above), which is comprised of a commission of 2.75% plus the advancement of
the first year service fee equal to 0.25% of the purchase price payable under
the Fund's Distribution Plan. As discussed above, such retirement plans are
eligible to purchase Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value without an
initial sales charge but subject to a 1% CDSC if the plan has, at the time of
purchase, a market value of $500,000 or more invested in shares of any class
or classes of the MFS Funds. IN THIS EVENT, THE PLAN OR ITS SPONSORING
ORGANIZATION SHOULD INFORM THE SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT THAT THE PLAN IS
ELIGIBLE TO PURCHASE CLASS A SHARES UNDER THIS CATEGORY; THE SHAREHOLDER
SERVICING AGENT HAS NO OBLIGATION INDEPENDENTLY TO DETERMINE WHETHER SUCH A
PLAN QUALIFIES UNDER THIS CATEGORY FOR THE PURCHASE OF CLASS A SHARES.
WAIVERS OF CDSC. In certain circumstances, the CDSC imposed upon
redemption of Class B shares is waived. These circumstances are described in
Appendix A to this Prospectus. In addition to these circumstances, the CDSC
imposed upon the redemption of Class B shares is waived with respect to shares
held by a retirement plan whose sponsoring organization subscribes to the MFS
Participant Recordkeeping System and which has established an account with the
Shareholder Servicing Agent on or after July 1, 1996; provided, however, that
the CDSC will not be waived (i.e., it will be imposed) in the event that there
is a change in law or regulations which results in a material adverse change
to the tax advantaged nature of the plan, or in the event that the plan and/or
sponsoring organization: (i) becomes insolvent or bankrupt; (ii) is terminated
under ERISA or is liquidated or dissolved; or (iii) is acquired by, merged
into, or consolidated with, any other entity.
CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES. Class B shares of the Fund that remain
outstanding for approximately eight years will convert to Class A shares of
the Fund. Shares purchased through the reinvestment of distributions paid in
respect of Class B shares will be treated as Class B shares for purposes of
the payment of the distribution and service fees under the Fund's Distribution
Plan applicable to Class B shares. See "Information Concerning Shares of the
Fund -- Distribution Plan" below. However, for purposes of conversion to
Class A shares, all shares in a shareholder's account that were purchased
through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions paid in respect of
Class B shares (and which have not converted to Class A shares as provided in
the following sentence) will be held in a separate sub-account. Each time any
Class B shares in the shareholder's account (other than those in the sub-
account) convert to Class A shares, a portion of the Class B shares then in
the sub-account will also convert to Class A shares. The portion will be
determined by the ratio that the shareholder's Class B shares not acquired
through reinvestment of dividends and distributions that are converting to
Class A shares bear to the shareholder's total Class B shares not acquired
through reinvestment. The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares is
subject to the continuing availability of a ruling from the Internal Revenue
Service or an opinion of counsel that such conversion will not constitute a
taxable event for federal tax purposes. There can be no assurance that such
ruling or opinion will be available, and the conversion of Class B shares to
Class A shares will not occur if such ruling or opinion is not available. In
such event, Class B shares would continue to be subject to higher expenses
than Class A shares for an indefinite period.
CLASS C SHARES: Class C shares are offered at net asset value without an
initial sales charge or a CDSC but are subject to a CDSC upon redemption of
1.00% during the first year. Class C shares do not convert to any other class
of shares of the Fund. The maximum investment in Class C shares that may be
made is up to $1,000,000 per transaction.
The CDSC imposed is assessed against the lesser of the value of the shares
redeemed (exclusive of reinvested dividend and capital gain distributions) or
the total cost of such shares. No CDSC is assessed against shares acquired
through the automatic reinvestment of dividend or capital gain distributions.
See "Redemptions and Repurchases -- Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" below
for further discussion of the CDSC.
MFD will pay dealers 1.00% of the purchase price of Class C shares purchased
through dealers and, as compensation therefor, MFD will retain the 1.00% per
annum distribution and service fee paid under the Fund's Distribution Plan to
MFD for the first year after purchase (see "Distribution Plan" below).
Class C shares are not currently available for purchase by any retirement plan
qualified under Sections 401(a) or 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), if the retirement plan and/or the sponsoring
organization subscribe to the MFS FUNDamental 401(k) Plan or another similar
recordkeeping program made available by the Shareholder Servicing Agent.
WAIVERS OF CDSC. In certain circumstances, the CDSC imposed upon redemption of
Class C shares is waived. These circumstances are described in Appendix A to
this Prospectus.
GENERAL: The following information applies to purchases of all classes of the
Fund's shares.
MINIMUM INVESTMENT. Except as described below, the minimum initial
investment is $1,000 per account and the minimum additional investment is $50
per account. Accounts being established for monthly automatic investments and
under payroll savings programs and tax-deferred retirement programs (other
than IRAs) involving the submission of investments by means of group remittal
statements are subject to a $50 minimum on initial and additional investments
per account. The minimum initial investment for IRAs is $250 per account and
the minimum additional investment is $50 per account. Accounts being
established for participation in the Automatic Exchange Plan are subject to a
$50 minimum on initial and additional investments per account. There are also
other limited exceptions to these minimums for certain tax-deferred retirement
programs. Any minimums may be changed at any time at the discretion of MFD.
The Fund reserves the right to cease offering its shares at any time.
SUBSEQUENT INVESTMENT BY TELEPHONE: Each shareholder may purchase additional
shares of any MFS Fund by telephoning the Shareholder Servicing Agent toll-
free at (800) 225-2606. The minimum purchase amount is $50 and the maximum
purchase amount is $100,000. Shareholders wishing to avail themselves of this
telephone purchase privilege must so elect on their Account Application and
designate thereon a bank and account number from which purchases will be made.
If a telephone purchase request is received by the Shareholder Servicing Agent
on any business day prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange
(generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), the purchase will occur at the closing
net asset value of the shares purchased on that day. The Shareholder Servicing
Agent may be liable for any losses resulting from unauthorized telephone
transactions if it does not follow reasonable procedures designed to verify
the identity of the caller. The Shareholder Servicing Agent will request
personal or other information from the caller, and will normally also record
calls. Shareholders should verify the accuracy of confirmation statements
immediately after their receipt.
RIGHT TO REJECT PURCHASE ORDERS/MARKET TIMING. Purchases and exchanges
should be made for investment purposes only. The Fund and MFD each reserve the
right to reject or restrict any specific purchase or exchange request. In the
event that the Fund or MFD rejects an exchange request, neither the redemption
nor the purchase side of the exchange will be processed.
The Fund is not designed for professional market timing organizations or other
entities using programmed or frequent exchanges. The Fund defines a "market
timer" as an individual, or organization acting on behalf of one or more
individudals, if (i) the individual or organization makes three or more
exchange requests out of the Fund per calender year and (ii) any one of such
exchange requests represents shares equal in value to 1/2 of 1% or more of
the Fund's net assets at the time of the request. Accounts under common
ownership or control, including accounts administered by market timers, will
be aggregated for purposes of this definition.
As noted above, the Fund and MFD each reserves the right to reject or restrict
any specific purchase and exchange request and, in addition, may impose
specific limitations with respect to market timers, including delaying for up
to seven days the purchase side of an exchange request by market timers or
specifically rejecting or otherwise restricting purchase or exchange requests
by market timers. Other funds in the MFS Family of Funds may have different
and/or more restrictive policies with respect to market timers than the Fund.
These policies are disclosed in the prospectuses of these other MFS Funds.
DEALER CONCESSIONS. Dealers may receive different compensation with
respect to sales of Class A, Class B and Class C shares. In addition, from
time to time, MFD may pay dealers 100% of the applicable sales charge on sales
of Class A shares of certain specified MFS Funds sold by such dealer during a
specified sales period. In addition, MFD or its affiliates may, from time to
time, pay dealers an additional commission equal to 0.50% of the net asset
value of all of the Class B and/or Class C shares of certain specified MFS
Funds sold by such dealer during a specified sales period. In addition, from
time to time, MFD, at its expense, may provide additional commissions,
compensation or promotional incentives ("concessions") to dealers which sell
or arrange for the sale of shares of the Fund. Such concessions provided by
MFD may include financial assistance to dealers in connection with preapproved
conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered
representatives and other employees, payment for travel expenses, including
lodging, incurred by registered representatives and other employees for such
seminars or training programs, seminars for the public, advertising and sales
campaigns regarding one or more MFS Funds, and/or other dealer-sponsored
events. From time to time, MFD may make expense reimbursements for special
training of a dealer's registered representatives and other employees in group
meetings or to help pay the expenses of sales contests. Other concessions may
be offered to the extent not prohibited by state laws or any self-regulatory
agency, such as the NASD.
SPECIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMS. For shareholders who elect to participate in
certain investment programs (e.g., the Automatic Investment Plan) or other
shareholder services, MFD or its affiliates may either (i) give a gift of
nominal value, such as a hand-held calculator, or (ii) make a nominal
charitable contribution on their behalf.
RESTRICTIONS ON ACTIVITIES OF NATIONAL BANKS. The Glass-Steagall Act
prohibits national banks from engaging in the business of underwriting,
selling or distributing securities. Although the scope of the prohibition has
not been clearly defined, MFD believes that such Act should not preclude banks
from entering into agency agreements with MFD. If, however, a bank were
prohibited from so acting, the Trustees would consider what actions, if any,
would be necessary to continue to provide efficient and effective shareholder
services in respect of Shareholders who invested in the Fund through a
national bank. It is not expected that shareholders would suffer any adverse
financial consequence as a result of these occurrences. In addition, state
securities laws on this issue may differ from the interpretation of federal
law expressed herein and banks and financial institutions may be required to
register as broker-dealers pursuant to state law.
--------------------
A shareholder whose shares are held in the name of, or controlled by, a dealer
might not receive many of the privileges and services from the Fund (such as
Right of Accumulation, Letter of Intent and certain recordkeeping services)
that the Fund ordinarily provides.
EXCHANGES
Subject to the requirements set forth below, some or all of the shares in an
account with the Fund for which payment has been received by the Fund (i.e.,
an established account) may be exchanged for shares of the same class of any
of the other MFS Funds at net asset value (if available for sale). Shares of
one class may not be exchanged for shares of any other class.
EXCHANGES AMONG MFS FUNDS (EXCLUDING MFS MONEY MARKET FUNDS): No initial sales
charges or CDSC will be imposed in connection with an exchange from shares of
an MFS Fund to shares of any other MFS Fund, except with respect to exchanges
from an MFS money market fund to another MFS Fund which is not an MFS money
market fund (discussed below). With respect to an exchange involving shares
subject to a CDSC, the CDSC will be unaffected by the exchange and the holding
period for purposes of calculating the CDSC will carry over to the acquired
shares.
EXCHANGES FROM AN MFS MONEY MARKET FUND: Special rules apply with respect to
the imposition of an initial sales charge or a CDSC for exchanges from an MFS
money market fund to another MFS Fund which is not an MFS money market fund.
These rules are described under the caption "Exchanges" in the Prospectuses of
those MFS money market funds.
EXCHANGES INVOLVING THE MFS FIXED FUND: Class A shares of any MFS Fund held by
certain qualified retirement plans may be exchanged for units of
participation of the MFS Fixed Fund (a bank collective investment fund) (the
"Units"), and Units may be exchanged for Class A shares of any MFS Fund. With
respect to exchanges between Class A shares subject to a CDSC and Units, the
CDSC will carry over to the acquired shares or Units and will be deducted from
the redemption proceeds when such shares or Units are subsequently redeemed,
assuming the CDSC is then payable (the period during which the Class A shares
and the Units were held will be aggregated for purposes of calculating the
applicable CDSC). In the event that a shareholder initially purchases Units
and then exchanges into Class A shares subject to an initial sales charge of
an MFS Fund, the initial sales charge shall be due upon such exchange, but
will not be imposed with respect to any subsequent exchanges between such
Class A shares and Units with respect to shares on which the initial sales
charge has already been paid. In the event that a shareholder initially
purchases Units and then exchanges into Class A shares subject to a CDSC of an
MFS Fund, the CDSC period will commence upon such exchange, and the
applicability of the CDSC with respect to subsequent exchanges shall be
governed by the rules set forth above in this paragraph.
GENERAL: A shareholder should read the prospectus of the other MFS Funds into
which an exchange is made and consider the differences in objectives, policies
and restrictions before making any exchange. Exchanges will be made only after
instructions in writing or by telephone (an "Exchange Request") are received
for an established account by the Shareholder Servicing Agent in proper form
(i.e., if in writing -- signed by the record owner(s) exactly as the shares
are registered; if by telephone -- proper account identification is given by
the dealer or shareholder of record) and each exchange must involve either
shares having an aggregate value of at least $1,000 ($50 in the case of
retirement plan participants whose sponsoring organizations subscribe to the
MFS FUNDamental 401(k) Plan or another similar 401(k) recordkeeping system
made available by the Shareholder Servicing Agent) or all the shares in the
account. If an Exchange Request is received by the Shareholder Servicing Agent
on any business day prior to the close of regular trading on the New York
Stock Exchange (generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the "Exchange"), the
exchange will occur on that day if all the requirements set forth above have
been complied with at that time and subject to the Fund's right to reject
purchase orders. No more than five exchanges may be made in any one Exchange
Request by telephone. Additional information concerning this exchange
privilege and prospectuses for any of the other MFS Funds may be obtained from
dealers or the Shareholder Servicing Agent. For federal and (generally) state
income tax purposes, an exchange is treated as a sale of the shares exchanged
and, therefore, an exchange could result in a gain or loss to the shareholder
making the exchange. Exchanges by telephone are automatically available to
most non-retirement plan accounts and certain retirement plan accounts. For
further information regarding exchanges by telephone, see "Redemptions by
Telephone." The exchange privilege (or any aspect of it) may be changed or
discontinued and is subject to certain limitations, including certain
restrictions on purchases by market timers.
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
A shareholder may withdraw all or any portion of the value of his account on
any date on which the Fund is open for business by redeeming shares at their
net asset value (a redemption) or by selling such shares to the Fund through a
dealer (a repurchase). Certain redemptions and repurchases are, however,
subject to a CDSC. See "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" below. Because the
net asset value of shares of the account fluctuates, redemptions or
repurchases, which are taxable transactions, are likely to result in gains or
losses to the shareholder. When a shareholder withdraws an amount from his
account, the shareholder is deemed to have tendered for redemption a
sufficient number of full and fractional shares in his account to cover the
amount withdrawn. The proceeds of a redemption or repurchase will normally be
available within seven days, except for shares purchased or received in
exchange for shares purchased by check (including certified checks or
cashier's checks). Payment of redemption proceeds may be delayed for up to 15
days from the purchase date in an effort to assure that such check has
cleared. See "Tax Status" below.
REDEMPTION BY MAIL: Each shareholder may redeem all or any portion of the
shares in his account by mailing or delivering to the Shareholder Servicing
Agent (see back cover for address) a stock power with a written request for
redemption or letter of instruction, together with his share certificates (if
any were issued), all in "good order" for transfer. "Good order" generally
means that the stock power, written request for redemption, letter of
instruction or certificate must be endorsed by the record owner(s) exactly as
the shares are registered and the signature(s) must be guaranteed in the
manner set forth below under the caption "Signature Guarantee." In addition,
in some cases "good order" will require the furnishing of additional
documents. The Shareholder Servicing Agent may make certain de minimis
exceptions to the above requirements for redemption. Within seven days after
receipt of a redemption request in "good order" by the Shareholder Servicing
Agent, the Fund will make payment in cash of the net asset value of the shares
next determined after such redemption request was received, reduced by the
amount of any applicable CDSC described above and the amount of any income tax
required to be withheld, except during any period in which the right of
redemption is suspended or date of payment is postponed because the Exchange
is closed or trading on such Exchange is restricted or to the extent otherwise
permitted by the 1940 Act if an emergency exists.
REDEMPTION BY TELEPHONE: Each shareholder may redeem an amount from his
account by telephoning the Shareholder Servicing Agent toll-free at (800)
225-2606. Shareholders wishing to avail themselves of this telephone
redemption privilege must so elect on their Account Application, designate
thereon a bank and account number to receive the proceeds of such redemption,
and sign the Account Application Form with the signature(s) guaranteed in the
manner set forth below under the caption "Signature Guarantee." The proceeds
of such a redemption, reduced by the amount of any applicable CDSC and the
amount of any income tax required to be withheld, are mailed by check to the
designated account, without charge, if the redemption proceeds do not exceed
$1,000, and are wired in federal funds to the designated account if the
redemption proceeds exceed $1,000. If a telephone redemption request is
received by the Shareholder Servicing Agent by the close of regular trading on
the Exchange on any business day, shares will be redeemed at the closing net
asset value of the Fund on that day. Subject to the conditions described in
this section, proceeds of a redemption are normally mailed or wired on the
next business day following the date of receipt of the order for redemption.
The Shareholder Servicing Agent will not be responsible for any losses
resulting from unauthorized telephone transactions if it follows reasonable
procedures designed to verify the identity of the caller. The Shareholder
Servicing Agent will request personal or other information from the caller,
and will normally also record calls. Shareholders should verify the accuracy
of confirmation statements immediately after their receipt.
REPURCHASE THROUGH A DEALER: If a shareholder desires to sell his shares
through his dealer (a repurchase), the shareholder can place a repurchase
order with his dealer, who may charge the shareholder a fee. IF THE DEALER
RECEIVES THE SHAREHOLDER'S ORDER PRIOR TO THE CLOSE OF REGULAR TRADING ON THE
EXCHANGE AND COMMUNICATES IT TO MFD BEFORE THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON THE SAME
DAY, THE SHAREHOLDER WILL RECEIVE THE NET ASSET VALUE CALCULATED ON THAT DAY,
REDUCED BY THE AMOUNT OF ANY APPLICABLE CDSC AND THE AMOUNT OF ANY INCOME TAX
REQUIRED TO BE WITHHELD.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE: Investments in Class A, Class B and Class C
shares ("Direct Purchases") will be subject to a CDSC for a period of (i) with
respect to Class A and Class C shares, 12 months (however, the CDSC on Class A
shares is only imposed with respect to purchases of $1 million or more of
Class A shares or purchases by certain retirement plans of Class A shares), or
(ii) with respect to Class B shares, six years. Purchases of Class A shares
made during a calendar month, regardless of when during the month the
investment occurred, will age one month on the last day of the month and each
subsequent month. Class C shares and Class B shares purchased on or after
January 1, 1993 will be aggregated on a calendar month basis -- all
transactions made during a calendar month, regardless of when during the month
they have occurred, will age one year at the close of business on the last day
of such month in the following calendar year and each subsequent year. For
Class B shares of the Fund purchased prior to January 1, 1993, transactions
will be aggregated on a calendar year basis -- all transactions made during a
calendar year, regardless of when during the year they have occurred, will age
one year at the close of business on December 31 of that year and each
subsequent year.
At the time of a redemption, the amount by which the value of a shareholder's
account for a particular class of shares represented by Direct Purchases
exceeds the sum of the six calendar year aggregations (12 months in the case
of purchases of Class C shares and of purchases of $1 million or more of Class
A shares or purchases by certain retirement plans of Class A shares) of Direct
Purchases may be redeemed without charge ("Free Amount"). Moreover, no CDSC is
ever assessed on additional shares acquired through the automatic reinvestment
of dividends or capital gain distributions ("Reinvested Shares"). Therefore,
at the time of redemption of a particular class, (i) any Free Amount is not
subject to the CDSC and (ii) the amount of the redemption equal to the then-
current value of Reinvested Shares is not subject to the CDSC, but (iii) any
amount of the redemption in excess of the aggregate of the then-current value
of Reinvested Shares and the Free Amount is subject to a CDSC. The CDSC will
first be applied against the amount of Direct Purchases which will result in
any such charge being imposed at the lowest possible rate. The CDSC to be
imposed upon redemptions of shares will be calculated as set forth in
"Purchases" above.
The applicability of a CDSC will be unaffected by exchanges or transfers of
registration, except as described in Appendix A hereto.
GENERAL: The following information applies to redemptions and repurchases of
all classes of the Fund's shares.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE. In order to protect shareholders against fraud, the
Fund requires, in certain instances as indicated above, that the shareholder's
signature be guaranteed. In these cases the shareholder's signature must be
guaranteed by an eligible bank, broker, dealer, credit union, national
securities exchange, registered securities association, clearing agency or
savings association. Signature guarantees shall be accepted in accordance with
policies established by the Shareholder Servicing Agent.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE. Shareholders of the Fund who have redeemed their
shares have a one-time right to reinvest the redemption proceeds in the same
class of shares of any of the MFS Funds (if shares of such Fund are available
for sale) at net asset value (with a credit for any CDSC paid) within 90 days
of the redemption pursuant to the Reinstatement Privilege. If the shares
credited for any CDSC paid are then redeemed within six years of the initial
purchase in the case of Class B shares or within 12 months of the initial
purchase for Class C shares and certain Class A share purchases, a CDSC will
be imposed upon redemption. Such purchases under the Reinstatement Privilege
are subject to all limitations in the SAI regarding this privilege.
IN-KIND DISTRIBUTIONS. The Trust agrees to redeem shares of the Fund
solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of
the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. The Fund has
reserved the right to pay other redemptions either totally or partially, by a
distribution in-kind of securities (instead of cash) from the Fund's
portfolio. The securities distributed in such a distribution would be valued
at the same amount as that assigned to them in calculating the net asset value
for the shares being sold. If a shareholder received a distribution in-kind,
the shareholder could incur brokerage or transaction charges when converting
the securities to cash.
INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTIONS/SMALL ACCOUNTS. Due to the relatively high cost of
maintaining small accounts, the Fund reserves the right to redeem shares in
any account for their then-current value if at any time the total investment
in such account drops below $500 because of redemptions or exchanges, except
in the case of accounts being established for monthly automatic investments
and certain payroll savings programs, Automatic Exchange Plan accounts and
tax-deferred retirement plans, for which there is a lower minimum investment
requirement. See "Purchases -- General -- Minimum Investment." Shareholders
will be notified that the value of their account is less than the minimum
investment requirement and allowed 60 days to make an additional investment
before the redemption is processed.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Trustees have adopted a Distribution Plan for Class A, Class B and Class C
shares pursuant to Section 12(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 12b-1 thereunder
(the "Distribution Plan"), after having concluded that there is a reasonable
likelihood that the Plan would benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
In certain circumstances, the fees described below may not be imposed or are
being waived. These circumstances, if any, are described below under the
heading "Current Level of Distribution and Service Fees."
FEATURES COMMON TO EACH CLASS OF SHARES: There are certain features of the
Distribution Plan that are common to each class of shares, as described below.
SERVICE FEES. The Distribution Plan provides that the Fund may pay MFD a
service fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to the
class of shares to which the Distribution Plan relates (i.e., Class A, Class B
or Class C shares, as appropriate) (the "Designated Class") annually in order
that MFD may pay expenses on behalf of the Fund relating to the servicing of
shares of the Designated Class. The service fee is used by MFD to compensate
dealers which enter into a sales agreement with MFD in consideration for all
personal services and/or account maintenance services rendered by the dealer
with respect to shares of the Designated Class owned by investors for whom
such dealer is the dealer or holder of record. MFD may from time to time
reduce the amount of the service fees paid for shares sold prior to a certain
date. Service fees may be reduced for a dealer that is the holder or dealer of
record for an investor who owns shares of the Fund having an aggregate net
asset value at or above a certain dollar level. Dealers may from time to time
be required to meet certain criteria in order to receive service fees. MFD or
its affiliates are entitled to retain all service fees payable under the
Distribution Plan for which there is no dealer of record or for which
qualification standards have not been met as partial consideration for
personal services and/or account maintenance services performed by MFD or its
affiliates to shareholder accounts.
DISTRIBUTION FEES. The Distribution Plan provides that the Fund may pay
MFD a distribution fee based on the average daily net assets attributable to
the Designated Class as partial consideration for distribution services
performed and expenses incurred in the performance of MFD's obligations under
its distribution agreement with the Fund. See "Management of the Fund --
Distributor" in the SAI. The amount of the distribution fee paid by the Fund
with respect to each class differs under the Distribution Plan, as does the
use by MFD of such distribution fees. Such amounts and uses are described
below in the discussion of the provisions of the Distribution Plan relating to
each class of shares. While the amount of compensation received by MFD in the
form of distribution fees during any year may be more or less than the expense
incurred by MFD under its distribution agreement with the Fund, the Fund is
not liable to MFD for any losses MFD may incur in performing services under
its distribution agreement with the Fund.
OTHER COMMON FEATURES. Fees payable under the Distribution Plan are
charged to, and therefore reduce, income allocated to shares of the Designated
Class. The provisions of the Distribution Plan relating to operating policies
as well as initial approval, renewal, amendment and termination are
substantially identical as they relate to each class of shares covered by the
Distribution Plan.
FEATURES UNIQUE TO EACH CLASS OF SHARES: There are certain features of the
Distribution Plan that are unique to each class of shares, as described below.
CLASS A SHARES. Class A shares are generally offered with an initial sales
charge, a substantial portion of which is paid to or retained by the dealer
making the sale (and the remainder of which is paid to MFD). See "Purchases
- -- Class A Shares" above. In addition to the initial sales charge, the dealer
also generally receives the ongoing 0.25% per annum service fee, as discussed
above.
The distribution fee paid to MFD under the Distribution Plan is equal, on an
annual basis, to 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to
Class A shares. As noted above, MFD may use the distribution fee to cover
distribution-related expenses incurred by it under its distribution agreement
with the Fund, including commissions to dealers and payments to wholesalers
employed by MFD (e.g., MFD pays commission to dealers with respect to
purchases of $1 million or more and purchases by certain retirement plans of
Class A shares which are sold at net asset value but which are subject to a 1%
CDSC for one year after purchase). See "Purchases -- Class A Shares" above.
In addition, to the extent that the aggregate service and distribution fees
paid under the Distribution Plan do not exceed 0.35% per annum of the average
daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Class A shares, the Fund is
permitted to pay such distribution-related expenses or other distribution-
related expenses.
CLASS B SHARES. Class B shares are offered at net asset value without an
initial sales charge but subject to a CDSC. See "Purchases -- Class B Shares"
above. MFD will advance to dealers the first year service fee described above
at a rate equal to 0.25% of the purchase price of such shares and, as
compensation therefore, MFD may retain the service fee paid by the Fund with
respect to such shares for the first year after purchase. Dealers will become
eligible to receive the ongoing 0.25% per annum service fee with respect to
such shares commencing in the thirteenth month following purchase.
Under the Distribution Plan, the Fund pays MFD a distribution fee equal, on an
annual basis, to 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to
Class B shares. As noted above, this distribution fee may be used by MFD to
cover its distribution-related expenses under its distribution agreement with
the Fund (including the 3.75% commission it pays to dealers upon purchase of
Class B shares, as described under "Purchases -- Class B Shares" above).
CLASS C SHARES. Class C shares are offered at net asset value without an
initial sales charge but subject to a CDSC. See "Purchases -- Class C shares"
above. MFD will pay a commission to dealers of 1.00% of the purchase price of
Class C shares purchased through dealers at the time of purchase. In
compensation for this 1.00% commission paid by MFD to dealers, MFD will retain
the 1.00% per annum Class C distribution and service fees paid by the Fund
with respect to such shares for the first year after purchase, and dealers
will become eligible to receive from MFD the ongoing 1.00% per annum
distribution and service fees paid by the Fund to MFD with respect to such
shares commencing in the thirteenth month following purchase.
This ongoing 1.00% fee is comprised of the 0.25% per annum service fee paid to
MFD under the Distribution Plan (which MFD in turn pays to dealers), as
discussed above, and a distribution fee paid to MFD (which MFD also in turn
pays to dealers) under the Distribution Plan equal, on an annual basis, to
0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.
CURRENT LEVEL OF DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES: The Fund's Class A, Class B
and Class C distribution and service fees for its current fiscal year are
0.35%, 1.00% and 1.00% per annum, respectively. The 0.35% per annum Class A
distribution/service fee is reduced to 0.25% per annum for shares purchased
prior to October 1, 1989.
DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund intends to declare as dividends daily and pay to its shareholders as
dividends monthly substantially all of its net investment income (dividends
will only accrue on shares for which payment has been received). Dividends
generally are distributed on the first business day of the month. The Fund may
make one or more distributions during the calendar year to its shareholders
from any long-term capital gains and may also make one or more distributions
during the calendar year to its shareholders from short-term capital gains.
Shareholders may elect to receive dividends and capital gain distributions in
either cash or additional shares of the same class with respect to which a
distribution is made (see "Tax Status" and "Shareholder Services --
Distribution Options" below). Distributions paid by the Fund with respect to
Class A shares will generally be greater than those paid with respect to Class
B and Class C shares because expenses attributable to Class B and Class C
shares will generally be higher.
TAX STATUS
The Fund is treated as an entity separate from the other series of the Trust
for federal income tax purposes. In order to minimize the taxes the Fund would
otherwise be required to pay, the Fund intends to qualify each year as a
"regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code. Because the
Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income and net realized
capital gains to its shareholders in accordance with the timing requirements
imposed by the Code, it is not expected that the Fund will be required to pay
any federal income or excise taxes, although the Fund's foreign-source income
may be subject to foreign withholding taxes.
Shareholders of the Fund normally will have to pay federal income taxes (and
any state or local taxes) on the dividends and capital gain distributions they
receive from the Fund, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional
shares. A portion of the dividends received from the Fund (but none of the
Fund's capital gains distributions) may qualify for the dividends-received
deduction for corporations. Shortly after the end of each calendar year, each
shareholder will be sent a statement setting forth the federal income tax
status of all dividends and distributions for that year, including the portion
taxable as ordinary income, the portion taxable as long term capital gain (as
well as the rate category or categories under which such gain is taxable), the
portion, if any, representing a return of capital (which generally is free of
current taxes but which results in a basis reduction), and the amount, if any,
of federal income tax withheld.
Fund distributions of net capital gains or net short-term capital gains will
reduce the Fund's net asset value per share. Shareholders who buy shares
shortly before the Fund makes such a distribution of net capital gains or net
short-term capital gains may thus pay the full price for the shares and then
effectively receive a portion of the purchase price back as a taxable
distribution.
The Fund intends to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 30% (or
any lower rate permitted under an applicable treaty) on taxable dividends and
other payments that are subject to such withholding and that are made to
persons who are neither citizens nor residents of the U.S. The Fund is also
required in certain circumstances to apply backup withholding at the rate of
31% on taxable dividends and redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder
(including a shareholder who is neither a citizen nor a resident of the U.S.)
who does not furnish to the Fund certain information and certifications or who
is otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding will not,
however, be applied to payments that have been subject to 30% withholding.
Prospective investors should read the Fund's Account Application for
additional information regarding backup withholding of federal income tax and
should consult their own tax advisers as to the tax consequences to them of an
investment in the Fund.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of each class of shares of the Fund is
determined each day during which the Exchange is open for trading. This
determination is made once each day as of the close of regular trading on the
Exchange by deducting the amount of liabilities attributable to the class from
the value of the Fund's assets attributable to the class and dividing the
difference by the number of shares of the class outstanding. Assets in the
Fund's portfolio are valued on the basis of their market values as described
in the SAI. The net asset value of each class of shares is effective for
orders received in "good order" by the dealer prior to its calculation and
received by MFD prior to the close of that business day.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES, VOTING RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES
The Fund, one of six series of the Trust, has three classes of shares which it
offers to the general public, entitled Class A, Class B and Class C Shares of
Beneficial Interest (without par value). The Fund also has a class of shares
which it offers exclusively to certain institutional investors, entitled Class
I shares. The Trust has reserved the right to create and issue additional
classes and series of shares, in which case each class of shares of a series
would participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets attributable
to that class of that particular series. Shareholders are entitled to one vote
for each share held and shares of each series would be entitled to vote
separately to approve investment advisory agreements or changes in investment
restrictions, but shares of all series would vote together in the election of
Trustees and selection of accountants. Additionally, each class of shares of a
series will vote separately on any material increases in the fees under the
Distribution Plan or on any other matter that affects solely its class of
shares, but will otherwise vote together with all other classes of shares of
the series on all other matters. The Trust does not intend to hold annual
shareholder meetings. The Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee may be
removed from office in certain instances (see "Description of Shares, Voting
Rights and Liabilities" in the SAI).
Each share of a class of the Fund represents an equal proportionate interest
in the Fund with each other class share, subject to the liabilities of that
class. Shares have no pre-emptive or conversion rights (except as set forth
above in "Purchases -- Conversion of Class B Shares"). Shares are fully paid
and non-assessable. Should the Fund be liquidated, shareholders of each class
are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets attributable to that class
available for distribution to shareholders. Shares will remain on deposit with
the Shareholder Servicing Agent and certificates will not be issued except in
connection with pledges and assignments and in certain other limited
circumstances.
The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts business
trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its
obligations. However, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on
account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both
inadequate insurance (e.g., fidelity bonding and errors and omissions
insurance) existed and the Trust itself is unable to meet its obligations.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund will provide yield, current distribution rate and
total rate of return quotations for each class of shares and may also quote
fund rankings in the relevant fund category from various sources, such as the
Lipper Analytical Securities Corporation, Inc. and Wiesenberger Investment
Companies Service. Yield quotations are based on the annualized net investment
income per share allocated to each class of the Fund over a 30-day period
stated as a percent of the maximum public offering price of that class on the
last day of that period. Yield calculations for Class B and Class C shares
assume no CDSC is paid. The current distribution rate for each class is
generally based upon the total amount of dividends per share paid by the Fund
to shareholders of that class during the past 12 months and is computed by
dividing the amount of such dividends by the maximum public offering price of
that class at the end of such period. Current distribution rate calculations
for Class B and Class C shares assume no CDSC is paid. The current
distribution rate differs from the yield calculation because it may include
distributions to shareholders from sources other than dividends and interest,
such as premium income from option writing, short-term capital gains, and
return of invested capital, and is calculated over a different period of time.
Total rate of return quotations will reflect the average annual percentage
change over stated periods in the value of an investment in each class of
shares of the Fund made at the maximum public offering price of the shares of
that class with all distributions reinvested and which will give effect to the
imposition of any applicable CDSC assessed upon redemptions of the Fund's
Class B and Class C shares. Such total rate of return quotations may be
accompanied by quotations which do not reflect the reduction in value of the
initial investment due to the sales charge or the deduction of the CDSC, and
which will thus be higher. The Fund offers multiple classes of shares which
were initially offered for sale to, and purchased by, the public on different
dates (the class "inception date"). The calculation of total rate of return
for a class of shares which has a later class inception date than another
class of shares of the Fund is based both on (i) the performance of the Fund's
newer class from its inception date and (ii) the performance of the Fund's
oldest class from its inception date up to the class inception date of the
newer class. See the SAI for further information on the calculation of total
rate of return for share classes with different class inception dates.
All performance quotations are based on historical performance and are not
intended to indicate future performance. Yield reflects only net portfolio
income as of a stated period of time and current distribution rate reflects
only the rate of distributions paid by the Fund over a stated period of time,
while total rate of return reflects all components of investment return over a
stated period of time. The Fund's quotations may from time to time be used in
advertisements, shareholder reports or other communications to shareholders.
For a discussion of the manner in which the Fund will calculate its yield,
current distribution rate and total rate of return, see the SAI. For further
information about the Fund's performance for the fiscal year ended September
30, 1997, please see the Fund's Annual Report. A copy of the Annual Report may
be obtained without charge by contacting the Shareholder Servicing Agent (see
back cover for address and phone number). In addition to information provided
in shareholder reports, the Fund may, in its discretion, from time to time,
make a list of all or a portion of its holdings available to investors upon
request.
7. SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
Shareholders with questions concerning the shareholder services described
below or concerning other aspects of the Fund, should contact their investment
dealer or the Shareholder Servicing Agent (see back cover for address and
phone number).
ACCOUNT AND CONFIRMATION STATEMENTS -- Each shareholder will receive
confirmation statements showing the transaction activity in his account. At
the end of each calendar year, each shareholder will receive information
regarding the tax status of reportable dividends and distributions for that
year (see "Tax Status" above).
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS -- The following options are available to all accounts
(except Systematic Withdrawal Plan accounts) and may be changed as often as
desired by notifying the Shareholder Servicing Agent:
-- Dividends and capital gain distributions reinvested in additional
shares. This option will be assigned if no other option is specified.
-- Dividends in cash; capital gain distributions reinvested in additional
shares.
-- Dividends and capital gain distributions in cash.
Reinvestments (net of any tax withholding) will be made in additional full and
fractional shares of the same class of shares at the net asset value in effect
at the close of business on the last business day of the quarter. Checks for
dividends and capital gain distributions in amounts less than $10 will
automatically be reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. If a shareholder
has elected to receive dividends and/or capital gain distributions in cash,
and the postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver checks to the
shareholder's address of record, or the shareholder does not respond to
mailings from the Shareholder Servicing Agent with regard to uncashed
distribution checks, such shareholders's distribution option will
automatically be converted to having all dividends and other distributions
reinvested in additional shares. Any request to change a distribution option
must be received by the Shareholder Servicing Agent by the record date for a
dividend or distribution in order to be effective for that dividend or
distribution. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed
distribution or redemption checks.
INVESTMENT AND WITHDRAWAL PROGRAMS -- For the convenience of shareholders,
the Fund makes available the following programs designed to enable
shareholders to add to their investment in an account with the Fund or
withdraw from it with a minimum of paper work. The programs involve no extra
charge to shareholders (other than a sales charge in the case of certain Class
A share purchases) and may be changed or discontinued at any time by a
shareholder or the Fund.
LETTER OF INTENT: If a shareholder (other than a group purchaser as
described in the SAI) anticipates purchasing $100,000 or more of Class A
shares of the Fund alone or in combination with shares of any class of other
MFS Funds or MFS Fixed Fund (a bank collective trust) within a 13-month period
(or 36-month period for purchases of $1 million or more), the shareholder may
obtain such shares at the same reduced sales charge as though the total
quantity were invested in one lump sum, subject to escrow agreements and the
appointment of an attorney for redemptions from the escrow amount if the
intended purchases are not completed, by completing the Letter of Intent
section of the Account Application.
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION: A shareholder qualifies for cumulative quantity
discounts on purchases of Class A shares when his new investment, together
with the current offering price value of all holdings of Class A, B and C
shares of that shareholder in the MFS Funds or MFS Fixed Fund (a bank
collective trust), reaches a discount level.
DISTRIBUTION INVESTMENT PROGRAM: Shares of a particular class of the Fund
may be sold at net asset value (and without any applicable CDSC) through the
automatic reinvestment of dividend and capital gain distributions from the
same class of another MFS Fund. Furthermore, distributions made by the Fund
may be automatically invested at net asset value in shares of the same class
of another MFS Fund, if shares of such Fund are available for sale (without a
sales charge and not subject to any applicable CDSC).
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN: A shareholder may direct the Shareholder
Servicing Agent to send him (or anyone he designates) regular periodic
payments based upon the value of his account. Each payment under a Systematic
Withdrawal Plan (a "SWP") must be at least $100, except in certain limited
circumstances. The aggregate withdrawals of Class B and Class C shares in any
year pursuant to a SWP will not be subject to a CDSC and are generally limited
to 10% of the value of the account at the time of the establishment of the
SWP. The CDSC will not be waived in the case of SWP redemptions of Class A
shares which are subject to a CDSC.
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING PROGRAMS --
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN: Cash investments of $50 or more may be made
through a shareholder's checking account on any day of the month. If the
shareholder does not specify a date, the investment will automatically occur
on the first business day of the month. Required forms are available from the
Shareholder Servicing Agent or investment dealers.
AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE PLAN: Shareholders having account balances of at least
$5,000 in any MFS Fund may exchange their shares for the same class of shares
of the other MFS Funds (and, in the case of Class C shares, for shares of MFS
Money Market Fund) under the Automatic Exchange Plan, a dollar cost averaging
program. The Automatic Exchange Plan provides for automatic monthly or
quarterly exchanges of funds from the shareholder's account in an MFS Fund for
investment in the same class of shares of other MFS Funds selected by the
shareholder if such fund is available for sale. Under the Automatic Exchange
Plan, exchanges of at least $50 each may be made to up to six different funds.
A shareholder should consider the objectives and policies of a fund and review
its prospectus before electing to exchange money into such fund through the
Automatic Exchange Plan. No transaction fee is imposed in connection with
exchange transactions under the Automatic Exchange Plan. However, exchanges of
shares of MFS Money Market Fund, MFS Government Money Market Fund or Class A
shares of MFS Cash Reserve Fund will be subject to any applicable sales
charge. For federal and (generally) state income tax purposes, an exchange is
treated as a sale of the shares exchanged and, therefore, could result in a
capital gain or loss to the shareholder making the exchange. See the SAI for
further information concerning the Automatic Exchange Plan. Investors should
consult their tax advisers for information regarding the potential capital
gain and loss consequences of transactions under the Automatic Exchange Plan.
Because a dollar cost averaging program involves periodic purchases of shares
regardless of fluctuating share offering prices, a shareholder should consider
his financial ability to continue his purchases through periods of low price
levels. Maintaining a dollar cost averaging program concurrently with a
withdrawal program could be disadvantageous because of the sales charge
included in share purchases in the case of Class A shares and because of the
assessment of the CDSC for certain share redemptions in the case of Class A
shares.
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS -- Except as noted under "Purchases -- Class C
Shares," shares of the Fund may be purchased by all types of tax-deferred
retirement plans, including IRAs, SEP-IRA plans, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans
and other corporate pension and profit-sharing plans. Investors should consult
with their tax adviser before establishing any of the tax-deferred retirement
plans described above.
--------------------
The Fund's SAI, dated February 1, 1998, as amended or supplemented from time
to time, contains more detailed information about the Trust and the Fund,
including, but not limited to, information related to (i) investment
objectives, policies and restrictions, (ii) Trustees, officers and investment
adviser, (iii) portfolio transactions and brokerage commissions, (iv)
Distribution Plan, (v) the method used to calculate performance quotations of
the Fund, and (vi) various services and privileges provided by the Fund for
the benefit of its shareholders, including additional information with respect
to the exchange privilege.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
WAIVERS OF SALES CHARGES
This Appendix sets forth the various circumstances in which all applicable
sales charges are waived (Section I), the initial sales charge and the
contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") for Class A shares are waived
(Section II), and the CDSC for Class B and Class C shares is waived (Section
III). As used in this Appendix, the term "dealer" includes any broker, dealer,
bank (including bank trust departments), registered investment adviser,
financial planner and any other financial institutions having a selling
agreement or other similar agreement with MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. ("MFD").
I. WAIVERS OF ALL APPLICABLE SALES CHARGES
In the following circumstances, the initial sales charge imposed on
purchases of Class A shares and the CDSC imposed on certain redemptions of
Class A shares and on redemptions of Class B and Class C shares, as
applicable, is waived:
1. DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
o Shares acquired through dividend or capital gain reinvestment; and
o Shares acquired by automatic reinvestment of distributions of
dividends and capital gains of any MFS Fund in the MFS Family of
Funds ("MFS Funds") pursuant to the Distribution Investment Program.
2. CERTAIN ACQUISITIONS/LIQUIDATIONS
o Shares acquired on account of the acquisition or liquidation of
assets of other investment companies or personal holding companies.
3. AFFILIATES OF AN MFS FUND/CERTAIN DEALERS. Shares acquired by:
o Officers, eligible directors, employees (including retired
employees) and agents of Massachusetts Financial Services Company
("MFS"), Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun Life") or any of
their subsidiary companies;
o Trustees and retired trustees of any investment company for which
MFD serves as distributor;
o Employees, directors, partners, officers and trustees of any sub-
adviser to any MFS Fund;
o Employees or registered representatives of dealers;
o Certain family members of any such individual and their spouses
identified above and certain trusts, pension, profit-sharing or
other retirement plans for the sole benefit of such persons,
provided the shares are not resold except to an MFS Fund; and
o Clients of MFS or MFS Institutional Advisors, Inc. ("MFSI").
4. INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTIONS (CDSC WAIVER ONLY)
o Shares redeemed at an MFS Fund's direction due to the small size of
a shareholder's account. See "Redemptions and Repurchases -- General
-- Involuntary Redemptions/ Small Accounts" in the Prospectus.
5. RETIREMENT PLANS (CDSC WAIVER ONLY). Shares redeemed on account of
distributions made under the following circumstances:
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS ("IRA'S")
o Death or disability of the IRA owner.
SECTION 401(a) PLANS ("401(a) PLANS") AND SECTION 403(b) EMPLOYER
SPONSORED PLANS ("ESP PLANS")
o Death, disability or retirement of 401(a) or ESP Plan participant;
o Loan from 401(a) or ESP Plan (repayment of loans, however, will
constitute new sales for purposes of assessing sales charges);
o Financial hardship (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section
1.401(k)-1(d)(2), as amended from time to time);
o Termination of employment of 401(a) or ESP Plan participant
(excluding, however, a partial or other termination of the Plan);
o Tax-free return of excess 401(a) or ESP Plan contributions;
o To the extent that redemption proceeds are used to pay expenses (or
certain participant expenses) of the 401(a) or ESP Plan (e.g.,
participant account fees), provided that the Plan sponsor subscribes
to the MFS FUNDamental 401(k) Plan or another similar recordkeeping
system made available by the Shareholder Servicing Agent; and
o Distributions from a 401(a) or ESP Plan that has invested its assets
in one or more of the MFS Funds for more than 10 years from the
later to occur of: (i) January 1, 1993 or (ii) the date such 401(a)
or ESP Plan first invests its assets in one or more of the MFS
Funds. The sales charges will be waived in the case of a redemption
of all of the Plan's shares in all MFS Funds (i.e., all the assets
of the 401(a) or ESP Plan invested in the MFS Funds are withdrawn),
unless immediately prior to the redemption, the aggregate amount
invested by the 401(a) or ESP Plan in shares of the MFS Funds
(excluding the reinvestment of distributions) during the prior four
years equals 50% or more of the total value of the 401(a) or ESP
Plan's assets in the MFS Funds, in which case the sales charges will
not be waived.
SECTION 403(b) SALARY REDUCTION ONLY PLANS ("SRO PLANS")
o Death or disability of SRO Plan participant.
6. CERTAIN TRANSFERS OF REGISTRATION (CDSC WAIVER ONLY). Shares
transferred:
o To an IRA rollover account where any sales charges with respect to
the shares being reregistered would have been waived had they been
redeemed; and
o From a single account maintained for a 401(a) Plan to multiple
accounts maintained by the Shareholder Servicing Agent on behalf of
individual participants of such Plan, provided that the Plan sponsor
subscribes to the MFS FUNDamental 401(k) Plan or another similar
recordkeeping system made available by the Shareholder Servicing
Agent.
7. LOAN REPAYMENTS
o Shares acquired pursuant to repayments by retirement plan
participants of loans from 401(a) or ESP Plans with respect to which
such Plan or its sponsoring organization subscribes to the MFS
FUNDamental 401(k) Program or the MFS Recordkeeper Plus Program (but
not the MFS Recordkeeper Program).
II. WAIVERS OF CLASS A SALES CHARGES
In addition to the waivers set forth in Section I above, in the following
circumstances the initial sales charge imposed on purchases of Class A
shares and the CDSC imposed on certain redemptions of Class A shares are
waived:
1. WRAP ACCOUNT AND FUND "SUPERMARKET" INVESTMENTS
o Shares acquired by investments through certain dealers (including
registered investment advisers and financial planners) which have
established certain operational arrangements with MFD which include
a requirement that such shares be sold for the sole benefit of
clients participating in a "wrap" account, mutual fund "supermarket"
account or a similar program under which such clients pay a fee to
such dealer.
2. INVESTMENT BY INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
o Shares acquired by insurance company separate accounts.
3. RETIREMENT PLANS
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ARRANGEMENTS
o Shares acquired by retirement plans or trust accounts whose third
party administrators, or dealers have entered into an administrative
services agreement with MFD or one of its affiliates to perform
certain administrative services, subject to certain operational and
minimum size requirements specified from time to time by MFD or one
or more of its affiliates.
REINVESTMENT OF DISTRIBUTIONS FROM QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS
o Shares acquired through the automatic reinvestment in Class A shares
of Class A or Class B distributions which constitute required
withdrawals from qualified retirement plans.
Shares redeemed on account of distributions made under the following
circumstances:
IRA'S
o Distributions made on or after the IRA owner has attained the age of
59 1/2 years old; and
o Tax-free returns of excess IRA contributions.
401(a) PLANS
o Distributions made on or after the 401(a) Plan participant has
attained the age of 59 1/2 years old; and
o Certain involuntary redemptions and redemptions in connection with
certain automatic withdrawals from a Plan.
ESP PLANS AND SRO PLANS
o Distributions made on or after the ESP or SRO Plan participant has
attained the age of 59 1/2 years old.
4. PURCHASES OF AT LEAST $5 MILLION (CDSC WAIVER ONLY)
o Shares acquired of Eligible Funds (as defined below) if the
shareholder's investment equals or exceeds $5 million in one or more
Eligible Funds (the "Initial Purchase") (this waiver applies to the
shares acquired from the Initial Purchase and all shares of Eligible
Funds subsequently acquired by the shareholder); provided that the
dealer through which the Initial Purchase is made enters into an
agreement with MFD to accept delayed payment of commissions with
respect to the Initial Purchase and all subsequent investments by
the shareholder in the Eligible Funds subject to such requirements
as may be established from time to time by MFD (for a schedule of
the amount of commissions paid by MFD to the dealer on such
investments, see "Purchases -- Class A Shares -- Purchases Subject
to a CDSC" in the Prospectus). The Eligible Funds are all funds
included in the MFS Family of Funds, except for Massachusetts
Investors Trust, Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund, MFS
Municipal Bond Fund, MFS Municipal Limited Maturity Fund, MFS Money
Market Fund, MFS Government Money Market Fund and MFS Cash Reserve
Fund.
III. WAIVERS OF CLASS B AND CLASS C SALES CHARGES
In addition to the waivers set forth in Section I above, in the following
circumstances the CDSC imposed on redemptions of Class B and Class C
shares is waived:
1. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
o Systematic Withdrawal Plan redemptions with respect to up to 10% per
year (or 15% per year, in the case of accounts registered as IRAs
where the redemption is made pursuant to Section 72(t) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) of the account value at
the time of establishment.
2. DEATH OF OWNER
o Shares redeemed on account of the death of the account owner if the
shares are held solely in the deceased individual's name or in a
living trust for the benefit of the deceased individual.
3. DISABILITY OF OWNER
o Shares redeemed on account of the disability of the account owner if
shares are held either solely or jointly in the disabled
individual's name or in a living trust for the benefit of the
disabled individual (in which case a disability certification form
is required to be submitted to the Shareholder Servicing Agent.).
4. RETIREMENT PLANS. Shares redeemed on account of distributions made
under the following circumstances:
IRA'S, 401(a) PLANS, ESP PLANS AND SRO PLANS
o Distributions made on or after the IRA owner or the 401(a), ESP or
SRO Plan participant, as applicable, has attained the age of 70 1/2
years old, but only with respect to the minimum distribution under
applicable Internal Revenue Code ("Code") rules.
SALARY REDUCTION EMPLOYEE PENSION PLANS ("SAR-SEP PLANS")
o Distributions made on or after the SAR-SEP Plan participant has
attained the age of 70 1/2 years old, but only with respect to the
minimum distribution under applicable Code rules;
o Death or disability of a SAR-SEP Plan participant.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS
The ratings of Moody's, S&P, Fitch and Duff & Phelps represent their opinions
as to the quality of various debt instruments. IT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED,
HOWEVER, THAT RATINGS ARE NOT ABSOLUTE STANDARDS OF QUALITY. CONSEQUENTLY,
DEBT INSTRUMENTS WITH THE SAME MATURITY, COUPON AND RATING MAY HAVE DIFFERENT
YIELDS WHILE DEBT INSTRUMENTS OF THE SAME MATURITY AND COUPON WITH DIFFERENT
RATINGS MAY HAVE THE SAME YIELD.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized
are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known
as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins
of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than Aaa
securities.
A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving
security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may
be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the
future.
Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations,
(i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest
payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain
protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable
over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal
or interest.
Ca: Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.
C: Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
ABSENCE OF RATING: Where no rating has been assigned or where a rating has
been suspended or withdrawn, it may be for reasons unrelated to the quality of
the issue.
Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:
1. An application for rating was not received or accepted.
2. The issue or issuer belongs to a group of securities or companies that
are not rated as a matter of policy.
3. There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or issuer.
4. The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not
published in Moody's publications.
Suspension or withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances arise,
the effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer
available reasonable up-to-date data to permit a judgment to be formed; if a
bond is called for redemption; or for other reasons.
NOTE: Moody's applies numerical modifiers, 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification from Aa to B. The modifier 1 indicates that the company ranks
in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a
mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the company ranks in the
lower end of its generic rating category.
STANDARD & POORS RATINGS SERVICES
AAA: Debt rated 'AAA' has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA: Debt rated 'AA' has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
A: Debt rated 'A' has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB: Debt rated 'BBB' is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
BB: Debt rated 'BB' has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure
to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The 'BB'
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied 'BBB-' rating.
B: Debt rated 'B' has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the
capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business,
financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness
to pay interest and repay principal. The 'B' rating category is also used for
debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied 'BB' or
'BB-' rating.
CCC: Debt rated 'CCC' has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default,
and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions
to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have
the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The 'CCC' rating category is
also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or
implied 'B' or 'B-' rating.
CC: The rating 'CC' is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt
that is assigned an actual or implied 'CCC' rating.
C: The rating 'C' is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt
which is assigned an actual or implied 'CCC-' debt rating. The 'C' rating may
be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but
debt service payments are continued.
CI: The rating 'CI' is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.
D: Debt rated 'D' is in payment default. The 'D' rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if
the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such
payments will be made during such grace period. The 'D' rating also will be
used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are
jeopardized.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): The ratings from 'AA' to 'CCC' may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
categories.
NR: Indicates that no public rating has been requested, that there is
insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate
a particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
AAA: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit
quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and
repay principal which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable
events.
AA: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong,
although not quite as strong as bonds rated 'AAA'. Because bonds rated in the
'AAA' and 'AA' categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable
future developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated 'F-l+'.
A: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions
and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is
considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds,
and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these
bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher
ratings.
BB: Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest
and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes.
However, business and financial alternatives can be identified which could
assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B: Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued
timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin
safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout
the life of the issue.
CCC: Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which if not remedied,
may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous
business and economic environment.
CC: Bonds are minimally protect. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.
C: Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
PLUS (+) MINUS (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus
and minus signs, however, are not used in the 'AAA' category.
NR: Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
CONDITIONAL: A conditional rating is premised on the successful completion of
a project or the occurrence of a specific event.
SUSPENDED: A rating is suspended when Fitch deems the amount of information
available from the issuer to be inadequate for rating purposes.
WITHDRAWN: A rating will be withdrawn when an issue matures or is called or
refinanced and at Fitch's discretion when an issuer fails to furnish proper
and timely information.
FITCHALERT: Ratings are placed on FitchAlert to notify investors of an
occurrence that is likely to result in a rating change and the likely
direction of such change. These are designated as "Positive", indicating a
potential upgrade, "Negative", for potential downgrade, or "Evolving", where
ratings may be lowered, FitchAlert is relatively short-term, and should be
resolved within 12 months.
DUFF & PHELPS CREDIT RATING CO.
AAA: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit
quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and
repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable
events.
AA: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong,
although not quite as strong as bonds rated 'AAA'. Because bonds rated in the
'AAA' and 'AA' categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable
future developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated
'D-1+'.
A: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions
and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is
considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds,
and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these
bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher
ratings.
BB: Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest
and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes.
However, business, and financial alternatives can be identified which could
assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B: Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued
timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin
of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity
throughout the life of the issue.
CCC: Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied,
may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous
business and economic environment.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within a rating category. Plus and
minus signs, however, are not used in the 'AAA' category.
NR: Indicates that Duff & Phelps does not rate the specific issue.
DUFF & PHELPS SHORT-TERM RATINGS
D-1+: Highest certainty of timely payment. Short-term liquidity, including
internal operation factors and/or access to alternative sources of funds, is
outstanding and safety is just below risk-free U.S. Treasury short-term
obligations.
D-1: Very high certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors are excellent
and supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk factors are minor.
D-1-: High certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors are strong and
supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk factors are very small.
D-2: Good certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors and company
fundamentals are sound. Although ongoing funding needs may enlarge total
financing requirements, access to capital markets is good. Risk factors are
small.
D-3: Satisfactory liquidity and other protection factors qualify issues as to
investment grade. Risk factors are larger and subject to more variation.
Nevertheless, timely payment is expected.
D-4: Speculative investment characteristics. Liquidity is not sufficient to
insure against disruption in debt service. Operating factors and market access
may be subject to a high degree of variation.
D-5: Issuer failed to meet scheduled principal and/or interest payments.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C
MFS TOTAL RETURN FUND
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION CHART
FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
The table below shows the percentages of the Fund's assets at September 30,
1997 invested in bonds assigned to the various rating categories by S&P,
Moody's (provided only for bonds not rated by S&P), Fitch (provided only for
bonds not rated by S&P or Moody's) and Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co.
(provided only for bonds not rated by S&P, Moody's or Fitch) and in unrated
bonds determined by MFS to be of comparable quality. For split rated bonds,
the higher of S&P or Moody's is used. When neither an S&P or Moody's rating is
available, secondary sources are selected in the following order: Fitch and
Duff & Phelps.
UNRATED BONDS
COMPILED OF COMPARATIVE
RATING RATINGS QUALITY TOTAL
- ------ ------- -------------- -----
AAA/Aaa 16.73% -- 16.73%
AA/Aa 0.65 -- 0.65
A/A 3.83 -- 3.83
BBB/Baa 9.45 -- 9.45
BB/Ba 4.92 0.12% 5.04
B/B 0.79 -- 0.79
CCC/Caa -- -- --
CC/Ca -- -- --
C/C -- -- --
Default -- -- --
----- ---- -----
TOTAL 36.37% 0.12% 36.49%
The chart does not necessarily indicate what the composition of the Fund's
portfolio will be in subsequent years. Rather, the Fund's investment
objective, policies and restrictions indicate the extent to which the Fund may
purchase securities in the various categories.
<PAGE>
Investment Adviser
Massachusetts Financial
Services Company
500 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 954-5000
Distributor
MFS Fund Distributors, Inc.
500 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 954-5000
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Dividend Disbursing Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Shareholder Servicing Agent
MFS Service Center, Inc.
500 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Toll-free: (800) 225-2606
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2281
Boston, MA 02107-9906
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
125 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02110
<PAGE>
------------
[Logo](SM) BULK RATE
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT U.S. POSTAGE
We invented the mutual fund(SM) PAID
MFS
------------
MFS(R) TOTAL RETURN FUND
500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116-3741
This is your fund's current prospectus.
Please keep it with your financial records
because it provides important information
about your investment.
MTR-1-2/98/670M 15/215/315
<PAGE>
[Logo(SM)]
MFS(R) TOTAL STATEMENT OF
RETURN FUND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(A Member of the MFS Family of Funds(R)) February 1, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page
----
1. Definitions ........................................................... 2
2. Investment Objectives, Policies and Restrictions ...................... 2
3. Management of the Fund ................................................ 12
Trustees ............................................................ 12
Officers ............................................................ 13
Trustee Compensation Table .......................................... 13
Investment Adviser .................................................. 14
Administrator ....................................................... 15
Custodian ........................................................... 15
Shareholder Servicing Agent ......................................... 15
Distributor ......................................................... 15
4. Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Commissions ...................... 16
5. Shareholder Services .................................................. 17
Investment and Withdrawal Programs .................................. 17
Exchange Privilege .................................................. 19
Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans ....................................... 20
6. Tax Status ............................................................ 20
7. Determination of Net Asset Value and Performance ...................... 21
8. Distribution Plan ..................................................... 23
9. Description of Shares, Voting Rights and Liabilities .................. 24
10. Independent Auditors and Financial Statements ......................... 25
Appendix A -- Performance Information ................................. A-1
MFS TOTAL RETURN FUND
A Series of MFS Series Trust V
500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(617) 954-5000
This Statement of Additional Information, as amended or supplemented from time
to time (the "SAI"), sets forth information which may be of interest to
investors but which is not necessarily included in the Fund's Prospectus,
dated February 1, 1998. This SAI should be read in conjunction with the
Prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained without charge by contacting the
Shareholder Servicing Agent (see last page for address and phone number).
THIS SAI IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND IS AUTHORIZED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE
INVESTORS ONLY IF PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY A CURRENT PROSPECTUS.
<PAGE>
1. DEFINITIONS
"Fund" -- MFS Total Return Fund, a series of
MFS Series Trust V (the "Trust"), a
Massachusetts business trust. The
Trust was known as Massachusetts
Financial Total Return Trust until
August 3, 1992.
"MFS" or the "Adviser" -- Massachusetts Financial Services
Company, a Delaware corporation.
"MFD" -- MFS Fund Distributors, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.
"Prospectus" -- The Prospectus of the Fund, dated
February 1, 1998, as amended or
supplemented from time to time.
2. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND
RESTRICTIONS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES. The Fund's primary investment objective is to obtain
above-average income (compared to a portfolio invested entirely in equity
securities) consistent with the prudent employment of capital. While current
income is the primary objective, the Fund believes that there should also be a
reasonable opportunity for growth of capital and income, since many securities
offering a better than average yield may also possess growth potential. Thus,
in selecting securities for its portfolio, the Fund considers each of these
objectives. Any investment involves risk and there can be no assurance that
the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
INVESTMENT POLICIES. The Prospectus contains a discussion of the Fund's
policies with respect to investments in various types of securities and the
risks involved in such investments. Some of these policies are discussed
further below.
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND OTHER DIRECT INDEBTEDNESS: The Fund may purchase loan
participations and other direct claims against a borrower. In purchasing a
loan participation, the Fund acquires some or all of the interest of a bank or
other lending institution in a loan to a corporate borrower. Many such loans
are secured, although some may be unsecured. Such loans may be in default at
the time of purchase. Loans that are fully secured offer the Fund more
protection than an unsecured loan in the event of non-payment of scheduled
interest or principal. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of
collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the corporate borrower's
obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated.
These loans are made generally to finance internal growth, mergers,
acquisitions, stock repurchases, leveraged buy-outs and other corporate
activities. Such loans are typically made by a syndicate of lending
institutions, represented by an agent lending institution which has negotiated
and structured the loan and is responsible for collecting interest, principal
and other amounts due on its own behalf and on behalf of the others in the
syndicate, and for enforcing its and their other rights against the borrower.
Alternatively, such loans may be structured as a novation, pursuant to which
the Fund would assume all of the rights of the lending institution in a loan,
or as an assignment, pursuant to which the Fund would purchase an assignment
of a portion of a lender's interest in a loan either directly from the lender
or through an intermediary. The Fund may also purchase trade or other claims
against companies, which generally represent money owed by the company to a
supplier of goods or services. These claims may also be purchased at a time
when the company is in default.
Certain of the loan participations acquired by the Fund may involve revolving
credit facilities or other standby financing commitments which obligate the
Fund to pay additional cash on a certain date or on demand. These commitments
may have the effect of requiring the Fund to increase its investment in a
company at a time when the Fund might not otherwise decide to do so (including
at a time when the company's financial condition makes it unlikely that such
amounts will be repaid). To the extent that the Fund is committed to advance
additional funds, it will at all times hold and maintain in a segregated
account liquid assets in an amount sufficient to meet such commitments.
The Fund's ability to receive payments of principal, interest and other
amounts due in connection with these investments will depend primarily on the
financial condition of the borrower. In selecting the loan participations and
other direct investments which the Fund will purchase, the Adviser will rely
upon its (and not that of the original lending institution's) own credit
analysis of the borrower. As the Fund may be required to rely upon another
lending institution to collect and pass on to the Fund amounts payable with
respect to the loan and to enforce the Fund's rights under the loan, an
insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the lending institution may delay
or prevent the Fund from receiving such amounts. In such cases, the Fund will
evaluate as well the creditworthiness of the lending institution and will
treat both the borrower and the lending institution as an "issuer" of the loan
participation for purposes of certain investment restrictions pertaining to
the diversification of the Fund's portfolio investments. The highly leveraged
nature of many such loans may make such loans especially vulnerable to adverse
changes in economic or market conditions. Investments in such loans may
involve additional risks to the Fund. For example, if a loan is foreclosed,
the Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs
and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In
addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of lender
liability, the Fund could be held liable as a co-lender. It is unclear whether
loans and other forms of direct indebtedness offer securities law protections
against fraud and misrepresentation. In the absence of definitive regulatory
guidance, the Fund relies on the Adviser's research in an attempt to avoid
situations where fraud or misrepresentation could adversely affect the Fund.
In addition, loan participations and other direct investments may not be in
the form of securities or may be subject to restrictions on transfer, and only
limited opportunities may exist to resell such instruments. As a result, the
Fund may be unable to sell such investments at an opportune time or may have
to resell them at less than fair market value. To the extent that the Adviser
determines that any such investments are illiquid, the Fund will include them
in the investment limitations described below.
MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES: The Fund may invest in mortgage pass-through
securities. Mortgage pass-through securities are securities representing
interests in "pools" of mortgage loans. Monthly payments of interest and
principal by the individual borrowers on mortgages are passed through to the
holders of the securities (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the
securities) as the mortgages in the underlying mortgage pools are paid off.
The average lives of mortgage pass-throughs are variable when issued because
their average lives depend on prepayment rates. The average life of these
securities is likely to be substantially shorter than their stated final
maturity as a result of unscheduled principal prepayments. Prepayments on
underlying mortgages result in a loss of anticipated interest, and all or part
of a premium if any has been paid, and the actual yield (or total return) to
the Fund may be different than the quoted yield on the securities. Mortgage
prepayments generally increase with falling interest rates and decrease with
rising interest rates. Like other fixed income securities, when interest rates
rise the value of a mortgage pass-through security generally will decline;
however, when interest rates are declining, the value of mortgage pass-through
securities with prepayment features may not increase as much as that of other
fixed-income securities.
Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage pass-through securities
(but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities
guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"); or
guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government (such as
the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") or the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation, ("FHLMC") which are supported only by the discretionary
authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency's obligations).
Mortgage pass-through securities may also be issued by non-governmental
issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private
mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market
issuers). Some of these mortgage pass-through securities may be supported by
various forms of insurance or guarantees.
Interests in pools of mortgage-related securities differ from other forms of
debt securities, which normally provide for periodic payment of interest in
fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates.
Instead, these securities provide a monthly payment which consists of both
interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a "pass-
through" of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on their
mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such
securities. Additional payments are caused by prepayments of principal
resulting from the sale, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying
property, net of fees or costs which may be incurred. Some mortgage pass-
through securities (such as securities issued by the GNMA) are described as
"modified pass-through." These securities entitle the holder to receive all
interests and principal payments owed on the mortgages in the mortgage pool,
net of certain fees, at the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether the
mortgagor actually makes the payment.
The principal governmental guarantor of mortgage pass-through securities is
the GNMA. GNMA is a wholly-owned U.S. Government corporation within the
Department of Housing and Urban Development. GNMA is authorized to guarantee,
with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, the timely payment of
principal and interest on securities issued by institutions approved by GNMA
(such as savings and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers)
and backed by mortgage pools of Federal Housing Administration-insured or
Veterans Administration-guaranteed. These guarantees, however, do not apply to
the market value or yield of mortgage pass-through securities. GNMA securities
are often purchased at a premium over the maturity value of the underlying
mortgages. This premium is not guaranteed and will be lost if prepayment
occurs.
Government-related guarantors (i.e., whose guarantees are not backed by the
full faith and credit of the U.S. Government) include the FNMA and the FHLMC.
FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private
stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional residential mortgages
(i.e., mortgages not insured or guaranteed by any governmental agency) from a
list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally-chartered
savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks, credit
unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are
guaranteed as to timely payment by FNMA of principal and interest.
FHLMC is also a government-sponsored corporation owned by private
stockholders. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates ("PCs") which represent
interests in conventional mortgages (i.e., not federally insured or
guaranteed) from FHLMC's national portfolio. FHLMC guarantees timely payment
of interest and ultimate collection of principal regardless of the status of
the underlying mortgage loans.
Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance
companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create
pass-through pools of mortgage loans. Such issuers may also be the originators
and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage-related securities. Pools created
by such non-governmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest
than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or
indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools.
However, timely payment of interest and principal of mortgage loans in these
pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including
individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The
insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers
and the mortgage poolers. There can be no assurance that the private insurers
or guarantors can meet their obligations under the insurance policies or
guarantee arrangements. The Fund may also buy mortgage-related securities
without insurance or guarantees.
SECURITIES LENDING: The Fund may seek to increase its income by lending fixed
income portfolio securities. Such loans will usually be made only to member
banks of the Federal Reserve System and to member firms (or subsidiaries
thereof) of the New York Stock Exchange and would be required to be secured
continuously by collateral in cash, U.S. Government securities or an
irrevocable letter of credit maintained on a current basis at an amount at
least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. The Fund would have
the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on
customary industry settlement notice (which will usually not exceed five
days). During the existence of a loan, the Fund would continue to receive the
equivalent of the interest paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and
would also receive compensation based on investment of cash collateral or a
fee. The Fund would not, however, have the right to vote any securities having
voting rights during the existence of the loan, but would call the loan in
anticipation of an important vote to be taken among holders of the securities
or of the giving or withholding of their consent on a material matter
affecting the investment. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks
of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should the
borrower of the securities fail financially. However, the loans would be made
only to firms deemed by the Adviser to be of good standing, and when, in the
judgment of the Adviser, the consideration which could be earned currently
from securities loans of this type justifies the attendant risk. If the
Adviser determines to lend securities, it is not intended that the value of
the securities loaned would exceed 30% of the value of the Fund's total
assets. The Fund did not lend any of its portfolio securities during its
fiscal year ended September 30, 1997.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with
sellers who are member firms (or subsidiaries thereof) of the New York Stock
Exchange or members of the Federal Reserve System, recognized primary U.S.
Government securities dealers or institutions which the Adviser has determined
to be of comparable creditworthiness. The securities that the Fund purchases
and holds through its agent are U.S. Government securities, the values of
which are equal to or greater than the repurchase price agreed to be paid by
the seller. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the
difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may
be the same, with interest at a standard rate due to the Fund together with
the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund is
unrelated to the interest rate on the U.S. Government securities.
The repurchase agreement provides that in the event the seller fails to pay
the price agreed upon on the agreed upon delivery date or upon demand, as the
case may be, the Fund will have the right to liquidate the securities. If, at
the time the Fund is contractually entitled to exercise its right to liquidate
the securities, the seller is subject to a proceeding under the bankruptcy
laws or its assets are otherwise subject to a stay order, the Fund's exercise
of its right to liquidate the securities may be delayed and result in certain
losses and costs to the Fund. The Fund has adopted and follows procedures
which are intended to minimize the risks of repurchase agreements. For
example, the Fund only enters into repurchase agreements after the Adviser has
determined that the seller is creditworthy, and the Adviser monitors that
seller's creditworthiness on an ongoing basis. Moreover, under such
agreements, the value of the securities (which are marked to market every
business day) is required to be greater than the repurchase price, and the
Fund has the right to make margin calls at any time if the value of the
securities falls below the agreed upon margin.
"WHEN-ISSUED" SECURITIES: When the Fund commits to purchase a security on a
"when-issued" or "forward delivery" basis, it will set up procedures
consistent with the General Statement of Policy of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") concerning such purchases. Since that policy currently
recommends that an amount of the Fund's assets equal to the amount of the
purchase be held aside or segregated to be used to pay for the commitment, the
Fund will always have liquid assets sufficient to cover any commitments or to
limit any potential risk. However, although the Fund does not intend to make
such purchases for speculative purposes and intends to adhere to the
provisions of the SEC policy, purchases of securities on such basis may
involve more risk than other types of purchases. For example, the Fund may
have to sell assets which have been set aside in order to meet redemptions.
Also, if the Fund determines it necessary to sell the "when-issued" or
"forward delivery" securities before delivery, it may incur a loss because of
market fluctuations since the time the commitment to purchase such securities
was made.
INDEXED SECURITIES: The Fund may purchase securities whose prices are indexed
to the prices of other securities, securities indices, currencies, precious
metals or other commodities, or other financial indicators. Indexed securities
typically, but not always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at
maturity (i.e., principal value) or coupon rate is determined by reference to
a specific instrument or statistic. Gold-indexed securities, for example,
typically provide for a maturity value that depends on the price of gold,
resulting in a security whose price tends to rise and fall together with gold
prices. Currency-indexed securities typically are short-term to intermediate-
term debt securities whose maturity values or interest rates are determined by
reference to the values of one or more specified foreign currencies, and may
offer higher yields than U.S. dollar-denominated securities of equivalent
issuers. Currency-indexed securities may be positively or negatively indexed;
that is, their maturity value may increase when the specified currency value
increases, resulting in a security that performs similarly to a foreign-
denominated instrument, or their maturity value may decline when foreign
currencies increase, resulting in a security whose price characteristics are
similar to a put on the underlying currency. Currency-indexed securities may
also have prices that depend on the values of a number of different foreign
currencies relative to each other.
The performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the
performance of the security, currency, or other instrument to which they are
indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes in the U.S. and
abroad. At the same time, indexed securities are subject to the credit risks
associated with the issuer of the security, and their values may decline
substantially if the issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates. Recent issuers of
indexed securities have included banks, corporations, and certain U.S.
Government agencies.
MORTGAGE "DOLLAR ROLL" TRANSACTIONS: As described in the Prospectus, the Fund
may enter into mortgage "dollar roll" transactions pursuant to which it sells
mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the future and simultaneously
contracts to repurchase substantially similar securities on a specified future
date. The Fund records these transactions as sale and purchase transactions,
rather than as borrowing transactions. During the roll period, the Fund
foregoes principal and interest paid on the mortgage-backed securities. The
Fund is compensated for the lost interest by the difference between the
current sales price and the lower price for the future purchase (often
referred to as the "drop") as well as by the interest earned on the cash
proceeds of the initial sale. The Fund may also be compensated by receipt of a
commitment fee.
FOREIGN SECURITIES: The Fund may invest up to 20% (and generally expects to
invest between 5% and 20%) of its total assets in foreign securities (not
including American Depositary Receipts). As discussed in the Prospectus,
investing in foreign securities generally represents a greater degree of risk
than investing in domestic securities due to possible exchange rate
fluctuations, less publicly available information, more volatile markets, less
securities regulation, less favorable tax provisions, war or expropriation. As
a result of its investments in foreign securities, the Fund may receive
interest or dividend payments, or the proceeds of the sale or redemption of
such securities, in the foreign currencies in which such securities are
denominated. Under certain circumstances, such as where the Adviser believes
that the applicable exchange rate is unfavorable at the time the currencies
are received or the Adviser anticipates, for any other reason, that the
exchange rate will improve, the Fund may hold such currencies for an
indefinite period of time. While the holding of currencies will permit the
Fund to take advantage of favorable movements in the applicable exchange rate,
such strategy also exposes the Fund to risk of loss if exchange rates move in
a direction adverse to the Fund's position. Such losses could reduce any
profits or increase any losses sustained by the Fund from the sale or
redemption of securities and could reduce the dollar value of interest or
dividend payments received.
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS: The Fund may invest in American Depositary
Receipts ("ADRs") which are certificates issued by a U.S. depository (usually
a bank) and represent a specified quantity of shares of an underlying non-U.S.
stock on deposit with a custodian bank as collateral. ADRs may be sponsored or
unsponsored. A sponsored ADR is issued by a depository which has an exclusive
relationship with the issuer of the underlying security. An unsponsored ADR
may be issued by any number of U.S. depositories. Under the terms of most
sponsored arrangements, depositories agree to distribute notices of
shareholder meetings and voting instructions, and to provide shareholder
communications and other information to the ADR holders at the request of the
issuer of the deposited securities. The depository of an unsponsored ADR, on
the other hand, is under no obligation to distribute shareholder
communications received from the issuer of the deposited securities or to pass
through voting rights to ADR holders in respect of the deposited securities.
The Fund may invest in either type of ADR. Although the U.S. investor holds a
substitute receipt of ownership rather than direct stock certificates, the use
of the depositary receipts in the United States can reduce costs and delays as
well as potential currency exchange and other difficulties. The Fund may
purchase securities in local markets and direct delivery of these ordinary
shares to the local depository of an ADR agent bank in the foreign country.
Simultaneously, the ADR agents create a certificate which settles at the
Fund's custodian in five days. The Fund may also execute trades on the U.S.
markets using existing ADRs. A foreign issuer of the security underlying an
ADR is generally not subject to the same reporting requirements in the United
States as a domestic issuer. Accordingly the information available to a U.S.
investor will be limited to the information the foreign issuer is required to
disclose in its own country and the market value of an ADR may not reflect
undisclosed material information concerning the issuer of the underlying
security. ADRs may also be subject to exchange rate risks if the underlying
foreign securities are denominated in foreign currency.
CORPORATE ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES: The Fund may invest in corporate asset-
backed securities. These securities, issued by trusts and special purpose
corporations, are backed by a pool of assets, such as credit card and
automobile loan receivables, representing the obligations of a number of
different parties.
Corporate asset-backed securities present certain risks. For instance, in the
case of credit card receivables, these securities may not have the benefit of
any security interest in the related collateral. Credit card receivables are
generally unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number
of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the
right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing
the balance due. Most issuers of automobile receivables permit the servicers
to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to
sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser
would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the related
automobile receivables. In addition, because of the large number of vehicles
involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements under state laws,
the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have a
proper security interest in all of the obligations backing such receivables.
Therefore, there is the possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral
may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on these securities.
Corporate asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets
representing the obligations of a number of different parties. To lessen the
effect of failures by obligors to make payments on underlying assets, the
securities may contain elements of credit support which fall into two
categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses
resulting from ultimate default by an obligor on the underlying assets.
Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the
entity administering the pool of assets, to ensure that the receipt of
payments on the underlying pool occurs in a timely fashion. Protection against
losses resulting from ultimate default ensures payment through insurance
policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third
parties. The Fund will not pay any additional or separate fees for credit
support. The degree of credit support provided for each issue is generally
based on historical information respecting the level of credit risk associated
with the underlying assets. Delinquency or loss in excess of that anticipated
or failure of the credit support could adversely affect the return on an
instrument in such a security.
SWAPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS: The Fund may enter into interest rate swaps,
currency swaps and other types of available swap agreements, such as caps,
collars and floors.
Swap agreements may be individually negotiated and structured to include
exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors.
Depending on their structure, swap agreements may increase or decrease the
Fund's exposure to long or short-term interest rates (in the U.S. or abroad),
foreign currency values, mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, or
other factors such as securities prices or inflation rates. Swap agreements
can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names. The Fund is
not limited to any particular form or variety of swap agreement if MFS
determines it is consistent with the Fund's investment objective and policies.
The Fund will maintain liquid assets with its custodian to cover its current
obligations under swap transactions. If the Fund enters into a swap agreement
on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund
receiving or paying as the case may be, only the net amount of the two
payments), the Fund will maintain liquid assets with its Custodian with a
daily value at least equal to the excess, if any, of the Fund's accrued
obligations under the swap agreement over the accrued amount the Fund is
entitled to receive under the agreement. If the Fund enters into a swap
agreement on other than a net basis, it will maintain cash or liquid assets
with a value equal to the full amount of the Fund's accrued obligations under
the agreement.
The most significant factor in the performance of swaps, caps, floors and
collars is the change in the specific interest rate, currency or other factor
that determines the amount of payments to be made under the arrangement. If
MFS is incorrect in its forecasts of such factors, the investment performance
of the Fund would be less than what it would have been if these investment
techniques had not been used. If a swap agreement calls for payments by the
Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition,
if the counterparty's creditworthiness declined, the value of the swap
agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses. If the
counterparty defaults, the Fund's risk of loss consists of the net amount of
payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. The Fund
anticipates that it will be able to eliminate or reduce its exposure under
these arrangements by assignment or other disposition or by entering into an
offsetting agreement with the same or another counterparty.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN LOWER RATED BONDS: The Fund may invest in fixed income
securities rated Baa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB by
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P"), Fitch Investors Service, Inc.
("Fitch") or Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. ("Duff & Phelps") and comparable
unrated securities. These securities, while normally exhibiting adequate
protection parameters, have speculative characteristics and changes in
economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a
weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than in the case of
higher grade fixed income securities.
The Fund may also invest in fixed income securities rated Ba or lower by
Moody's or BB or lower by S&P, Fitch or Duff & Phelps and comparable unrated
securities (commonly known as "junk bonds") to the extent described in the
Prospectus. No minimum rating standard is required by the Fund. These
securities are considered speculative and, while generally providing greater
income than investments in higher rated securities, will involve greater risk
of principal and income (including the possibility of default or bankruptcy of
the issuers of such securities) and may involve greater volatility of price
(especially during periods of economic uncertainty or change) than securities
in the higher rating categories and because yields vary over time, no specific
level of income can ever be assured. These lower rated high yielding fixed
income securities generally tend to reflect economic changes (and the outlook
for economic growth), short-term corporate and industry developments and the
market's perception of their credit quality (especially during times of
adverse publicity) to a greater extent than higher rated securities which
react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates
(although these lower rated fixed income securities are also affected by
changes in interest rates). In the past, economic downturns or an increase in
interest rates have, under certain circumstances, caused a higher incidence of
default by the issuers of these securities and may do so in the future,
especially in the case of highly leveraged issuers. The prices for these
securities may be affected by legislative and regulatory developments. The
market for these lower rated fixed income securities may be less liquid than
the market for investment grade fixed income securities. Furthermore, the
liquidity of these lower rated securities may be affected by the market's
perception of their credit quality. Therefore, the Adviser's judgment may at
times play a greater role in valuing these securities than in the case of
investment grade fixed income securities, and it also may be more difficult
during times of certain adverse market conditions to sell these lower rated
securities to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in the market.
While the Adviser may refer to ratings issued by established credit rating
agencies, it is not the Fund's policy to rely exclusively on ratings issued by
these rating agencies, but rather to supplement such ratings with the
Adviser's own independent and ongoing review of credit quality. To the extent
the Fund invests in these lower rated securities, the achievement of its
investment objectives may be more dependent on the Adviser's own credit
analysis than in the case of a fund investing in higher quality fixed income
securities. These lower rated securities may also include zero coupon bonds,
deferred interest bonds and bonds on which interest is payable in kind ("PIK
Bonds") which are described in the Prospectus.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES: The Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options
on securities and purchase call and put options on securities. The Fund may
write options on securities for the purpose of increasing its return on such
securities and for hedging purposes.
A call option written by the Fund is covered if the Fund owns the security
underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire such
security without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash
consideration held in a segregated account by its custodian) upon conversion
or exchange of other securities held in its portfolio. A call option is also
covered if a Fund holds a call on the same security and in the same principal
amount as the call written where the exercise price of the call held (a) is
equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (b) is greater
than the exercise price of the call written if the difference is maintained by
the Fund in liquid assets in a segregated account with its custodian. A put
option written by the Fund is covered if the Fund maintains liquid assets in a
segregated account with its custodian, or else holds a put on the same
security and in the same principal amount as the put written where the
exercise price of the put held (i) is equal to or greater than the exercise
price of the put written or (ii) is less than the exercise price of the put
written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in liquid assets in a
segregated account with its custodian. Put and call options written by the
Fund may also be covered in such other manner as may be in accordance with the
requirements of the exchange on which, or the counterparty with which, the
option is traded, and applicable laws and regulations.
Effecting a closing transaction in the case of a written call option will
permit the Fund to write another call option on the underlying security with
either a different exercise price or expiration date or both, or in the case
of a written put option will permit the Fund to write another put option to
the extent that the exercise price thereof is secured by deposited cash or
short-term securities. Such transactions permit the Fund to generate
additional premium income, which will partially offset declines in the value
of portfolio securities or increases in the cost of securities to be acquired.
Also, effecting a closing transaction will permit the proceeds from the
concurrent sale of any securities subject to the option to be used for other
investments of the Fund, provided that another option on such security is not
written. If the Fund desires to sell a particular security from its portfolio
on which it has written a call option, it will effect a closing transaction in
connection with the option prior to or concurrent with the sale of the
security.
The Fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the premium paid
in connection with the closing of an option written by the Fund is less than
the premium received from writing the option, or if the premium received in
connection with the closing of an option purchased by the Fund is more than
the premium paid for the original purchase. Conversely, the Fund will suffer a
loss if the premium paid or received in connection with a closing transaction
is more or less, respectively, than the premium received or paid in
establishing the option position. Because increases in the market price of a
call option will generally reflect increases in the market price of the
underlying security, any loss resulting from the closing out of a call option
previously written by the Fund is likely to be offset in whole or in part by
appreciation of the underlying security owned by the Fund.
The Fund may write options in connection with buy-and-write transactions; that
is, the Fund may purchase a security and then write a call option against that
security. The exercise price of the call option the Fund determines to write
will depend upon the expected price movement of the underlying security. The
exercise price of a call option may be below ("in-the-money"), equal to ("at-
the-money") or above ("out-of-the-money") the current value of the underlying
security at the time the option is written. If the call options are exercised
in such transactions, the Fund's maximum gain will be the premium received by
it for writing the option, adjusted upwards or downwards by the difference
between the Fund's purchase price of the security and the exercise price, less
related transaction costs. If the options are not exercised and the price of
the underlying security declines, the amount of such decline will be offset in
part, or entirely, by the premium received.
The writing of covered put options is similar in terms of risk/return
characteristics to buy-and-write transactions. Put options could be used by
the Fund in the same market environments that call options would be used in
equivalent buy-and-write transactions.
The Fund may write combinations of put and call options on the same security,
a practice known as a "straddle." By writing a straddle, the Fund undertakes a
simultaneous obligation to sell and purchase the same security in the event
that one of the options is exercised. If the price of the security
subsequently rises sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the amount
of the premium and transaction costs, the call will likely be exercised and
the Fund will be required to sell the underlying security at a below market
price. This loss may be offset, however, in whole or in part, by the premiums
received on the writing of the two options. Conversely, if the price of the
security declines by a sufficient amount, the put will likely be exercised.
The writing of straddles will likely be effective, therefore, only where the
price of a security remains stable and neither the call nor the put is
exercised. In an instance where one of the options is exercised, the loss on
the purchase or sale of the underlying security may exceed the amount of the
premiums received.
By writing a call option, the Fund limits its opportunity to profit from any
increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise
price of the option. By writing a put option, the Fund assumes the risk that
it may be required to purchase the underlying security for an exercise price
above its then current market value, resulting in a capital loss unless the
security subsequently appreciates in value. The writing of options on
securities will be undertaken by the Fund for purposes in addition to hedging,
and could involve certain risks which are not present in the case of hedging
transactions. Moreover, even where options are written for hedging purposes,
such transactions will constitute only a partial hedge against declines in the
value of portfolio securities or against increases in the value of securities
to be acquired, up to the amount of the premium.
The Fund also may purchase put and call options on securities. Put options
would be purchased to hedge against a decline in the value of securities held
in the Fund's portfolio. If such a decline occurs, the put options will permit
the Fund to sell the underlying securities at the exercise price, or to close
out the options at a profit. By using put options in this way, the Fund will
reduce any profit it might otherwise have realized in the underlying security
by the amount of the premium paid for the put option and related transaction
costs. The Fund may purchase call options to hedge against an increase in the
price of securities that the Fund anticipates purchasing in the future. If
such an increase occurs, the call option will permit the Fund to purchase the
securities at the exercise price or to close out the option at a profit. The
premium paid for a call or put option plus any transaction costs will reduce
the benefit, if any, realized by the Fund upon exercise of the option, and,
unless the price of the underlying security rose or declined sufficiently, the
option may expire worthless to the Fund.
OPTIONS ON STOCK INDICES: The Fund may write (sell) covered call and put
options on stock indices and purchase call and put options on stock indices
for the purpose of increasing its gross income and to protect its portfolio
against declines in the value of securities it owns or increases in the value
of securities to be acquired.
The Fund may cover call options on stock indices by owning securities whose
price changes, in the opinion of the Adviser, are expected to be similar to
those of the index, or by having an absolute and immediate right to acquire
such securities without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash
consideration held in a segregated account by its custodian) upon conversion
or exchange of other securities in its portfolio. Nevertheless, where the Fund
covers a call option on a stock index through ownership of securities, such
securities may not match the composition of the index and, in that event, the
Fund will not be fully covered and could be subject to risk of loss in the
event of adverse changes in the value of the index. A Fund may also cover call
options on stock indices by holding a call on the same index and in the same
principal amount as the call written where the exercise price of the call held
(a) is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (b) is
greater than the exercise price of the call written if the difference is
maintained by the Fund in liquid assets in a segregated account with its
custodian. The Fund may cover put options on stock indices by maintaining
liquid assets in a segregated account with its custodian, or else by holding a
put on the same security and in the same principal amount as the put written
where the exercise price of the put held (a) is equal to or greater than the
exercise price of the put written or (b) is less than the exercise price of
the put written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in liquid assets
in a segregated account with its custodian. Put and call options on stock
indices written by the Fund may also be covered in such other manner as may be
in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which, or the counterparty
with which, the option is traded, and applicable laws and regulations.
The Fund will receive a premium from writing a put or call option, which
increases the Fund's gross income in the event the option expires unexercised
or is closed out at a profit. If the value of an index on which the Fund has
written a call option falls or remains the same, the Fund will realize a
profit in the form of the premium received (less transaction costs) that could
offset all or a portion of any decline in the value of the securities it owns.
If the value of the index rises, however, the Fund will realize a loss in its
call option position, which will reduce the benefit of any unrealized
appreciation in the Fund's stock investments. By writing a put option, the
Fund assumes the risk of a decline in the index. To the extent that the price
changes of securities owned by a Fund correlate with changes in the value of
the index, writing covered put options on indices will increase the Fund's
losses in the event of a market decline, although such losses will be offset
in part by the premium received for writing the option.
The purchase of call options on stock indices may be used by the Fund to
attempt to reduce the risk of missing a broad market advance, or an advance in
an industry or market segment, at a time when the Fund holds uninvested cash
or short-term debt securities awaiting investment. When purchasing call
options for this purpose, the Fund will also bear the risk of losing all or a
portion of the premium paid, and related transaction costs, if the value of
the index does not rise. The purchase of call options on stock indices when
the Fund is substantially fully invested is a form of leverage, up to the
amount of the premium and related transaction costs, and involves risks of
loss and of increased volatility similar to those involved in purchasing calls
on securities the Fund owns.
The Fund also may purchase put options on stock indices to hedge its
investments against a decline in value. By purchasing a put option on a stock
index, the Fund will seek to offset a decline in the value of securities it
owns through appreciation of the put option. If the value of the Fund's
investments does not decline as anticipated, or if the value of the option
does not increase, the Fund's loss will be limited to the premium paid for the
option, plus related transaction costs. The success of this strategy will
largely depend on the accuracy of the correlation between the changes in value
of the index and the changes in value of the Fund's security holdings.
YIELD CURVE OPTIONS: The Fund may also enter into options on the "spread," or
yield differential, between two fixed income securities, in transactions
referred to as "yield curve" options. In contrast to other types of options, a
yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of designated
securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is
settled through cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable
to the holder if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows
(in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying
securities increase or decrease.
Yield curve options may be used for the same purposes as other options on
securities. Specifically, the Fund may purchase or write such options for
hedging purposes. For example, the Fund may purchase a call option on the
yield spread between two securities, if it owns one of the securities and
anticipates purchasing the other security and wants to hedge against an
adverse change in the yield spread between the two securities. The Fund may
also purchase or write yield curve options for other than hedging purposes
(i.e., in an effort to increase its current income) if, in the judgment of the
Adviser, the Fund will be able to profit from movements in the spread between
the yields of the underlying securities. The trading of yield curve options is
subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of
options. In addition, however, such options present risk of loss even if the
yield of one of the underlying securities remains constant, if the spread
moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated. Yield curve
options written by the Fund will be "covered". A call (or put) option is
covered if the Fund holds another call (or put) option on the spread between
the same two securities and maintains in a segregated account with its
custodian liquid assets sufficient to cover the Fund's net liability under the
two options. Therefore, the Fund's liability for such a covered option is
generally limited to the difference between the amount of the Fund's liability
under the option written by the Fund less the value of the option held by the
Fund. Yield curve options may also be covered in such other manner as may be
in accordance with the requirements of the counterparty with which the option
is traded and applicable laws and regulations. Yield curve options are traded
over-the-counter and because they have been only recently introduced,
established trading markets for these securities have not yet developed.
Because these securities are traded over-the-counter, the SEC has taken the
position that yield curve options are illiquid and, therefore, cannot exceed
the SEC illiquidity ceiling. See the paragraph below for a discussion of the
policies the Adviser intends to follow to limit a Fund's investment in these
securities.
The staff of the SEC has taken the position that purchased over-the-counter
options and assets used to cover written over-the-counter options are illiquid
and, therefore, together with other illiquid securities, cannot exceed a
certain percentage of the Fund's assets (the "SEC illiquidity ceiling").
Although the Adviser disagrees with this position, the Adviser intends to
limit the Fund's writing of over-the-counter options in accordance with the
following procedure. Except as provided below, the Fund intends to write over-
the-counter options only with primary U.S. Government securities dealers
recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Also, the contracts which
the Fund has in place with such primary dealers will provide that the Fund has
the absolute right to repurchase an option it writes at any time at a price
which represents the fair market value, as determined in good faith through
negotiation between the parties, but which in no event will exceed a price
determined pursuant to a formula in the contract. Although the specific
formula may vary between contracts with different primary dealers, the formula
will generally be based on a multiple of the premium received by the Fund for
writing the option, plus the amount, if any, of the option's intrinsic value
(i.e., the amount that the option is in-the-money). The formula may also
include a factor to account for the difference between the price of the
security and the strike price of the option if the option is written out-of-
money. The Fund will treat all or a part of the formula price as illiquid for
purposes of the SEC illiquidity ceiling. The Fund may also write over-the-
counter options with non-primary dealers, including foreign dealers, and will
treat the assets used to cover these options as illiquid for purposes of such
SEC illiquidity ceiling.
OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES: The Fund may purchase and write put and call
options on foreign currencies ("Options on Foreign Currencies") for the
purpose of protecting against declines in the dollar value of foreign
portfolio securities and against increases in the dollar cost of foreign
securities to be acquired. For example, a decline in the dollar value of a
foreign currency in which portfolio securities are denominated will reduce the
dollar value of such securities, even if their value in the foreign currency
remains constant. In order to protect against such diminutions in the value of
portfolio securities, the Fund may purchase put Options on the Foreign
Currency. If the value of the currency did decline, the Fund would have the
right to sell such currency for a fixed amount in dollars and would thereby
offset, in whole or in part, the adverse effect on its portfolio which
otherwise would have resulted.
Conversely, where a rise in the dollar value of a currency in which securities
to be acquired are denominated is projected, thereby increasing the cost of
such securities, the Fund may purchase call options thereon. The purchase of
such options could offset, at least partially, the effects of the adverse
movements in exchange rates. As in the case of other types of options,
however, the benefit to the Fund deriving from purchases of Options on Foreign
Currencies would be reduced by the amount of the premium and related
transaction costs. In addition, where currency exchange rates do not move in
the direction or to the extent anticipated, the Fund could sustain losses on
transactions in Options on Foreign Currencies which would require it to forego
a portion or all of the benefits of advantageous changes in such rates.
The Fund may write Options on Foreign Currencies for the same types of hedging
purposes. For example, where the Fund anticipates a decline in the dollar
value of foreign-denominated securities due to adverse fluctuations in
exchange rates it may, instead of purchasing a put option, write a call option
on the relevant currency. If the expected decline occurred, the option would
most likely not be exercised, and the diminution in value of portfolio
securities would be offset by the amount of the premium received less related
transaction costs. As in the case of other types of options, therefore, the
writing of Options on Foreign Currencies will constitute only a partial hedge.
FUTURES CONTRACTS: The Fund may enter into contracts for the purchase or sale
for future delivery of fixed income securities or foreign currencies or
contracts based on indices of securities of currencies (including any index of
U.S. or foreign securities) as such instruments become available for trading
("Futures Contracts"). A Futures Contract is a bilateral agreement providing
for the purchase and sale of a specified type and amount of a financial
instrument, or foreign currency, or for the making and acceptance of a cash
settlement, at a stated time in the future for a fixed price. By its terms, a
Futures Contract provides for a specified settlement date on which, in the
case of the majority of foreign currency futures contracts, the currency or
the contract are delivered by the seller and paid for by the purchaser, or on
which, in the case of stock index futures contracts and certain foreign
currency futures contracts, the difference between the price at which the
contract was entered into and the contract's closing value is settled between
the purchaser and seller in cash. Futures contracts differ from options in
that they are bilateral agreements, with both the purchaser and the seller
equally obligated to complete the transaction. Futures Contracts call for
settlement only on the expiration date and cannot be "exercised" at any other
time during their term.
The purchase or sale of a Futures Contract differs from the purchase or sale
of a security or the purchase of an option in that no purchase price is paid
or received. Instead, an amount of liquid assets, which varies but may be as
low as 5% or less of the value of the contract, must be deposited with the
broker as "initial margin." Subsequent payments to and from the broker,
referred to as "variation margin," are made on a daily basis as the value of
the index or instrument underlying the Futures Contract fluctuates, making
positions in the Futures Contract more or less valuable -- a process known as
"marking to the market."
Purchases or sales of stock index futures contracts may be used to attempt to
protect a Fund's current or intended stock investments from broad fluctuations
in stock prices. For example, a Fund may sell stock index futures contracts in
anticipation of or during a market decline to attempt to offset the decrease
in market value of the Fund's securities portfolio that might otherwise
result. If such decline occurs, the loss in value of portfolio securities may
be offset, in whole or part, by gains on the futures position. When a Fund is
not fully invested in the securities market and anticipates a significant
market advance, it may purchase stock index futures contracts in order to gain
rapid market exposure that may, in part or entirely, offset increases in the
cost of securities that the Fund intends to purchase. As such purchases are
made, the corresponding positions in stock index futures contracts will be
closed out. In a substantial majority of these transactions, the Fund will
purchase such securities upon termination of the futures position, but under
unusual market conditions, a long futures position may be terminated without a
related purchase of securities.
As noted in the Prospectus, the Fund may purchase and sell foreign currency
futures contracts for hedging purposes, to attempt to protect its current or
intended investments from fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Such
fluctuations could reduce the dollar value of portfolio securities denominated
in foreign currencies, or increase the cost of foreign-denominated securities
to be acquired, even if the value of such securities in the currencies in
which they are denominated remains constant. A Fund may sell futures contracts
on a foreign currency, for example, where it holds securities denominated in
such currency and it anticipates a decline in the value of such currency
relative to the dollar. In the event such decline occurs, the resulting
adverse effect on the value of foreign-denominated securities may be offset,
in whole or in part, by gains on the futures contracts.
Conversely, a Fund could protect against a rise in the dollar cost of foreign-
denominated securities to be acquired by purchasing futures contracts on the
relevant currency, which could offset, in whole or in part, the increased cost
of such securities resulting from a rise in the dollar value of the underlying
currencies. Where a Fund purchases futures contracts under such circumstances,
however, and the prices of securities to be acquired instead decline, the Fund
will sustain losses on its futures position which could reduce or eliminate
the benefits of the reduced cost of portfolio securities to be acquired.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS: The Fund may write or purchase options to buy or
sell Futures Contracts ("Options on Futures Contracts"), for hedging purposes
or for non-hedging purposes, to the extent permitted by applicable law. The
writing of a call Option on a Futures Contract constitutes a partial hedge
against declining prices of the securities or other instruments required to be
delivered under the terms of the Futures Contract. If the futures price at
expiration of the option is below the exercise price, the Fund will retain the
full amount of the option premium, less related transaction costs, which
provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the
Fund's portfolio holdings. The writing of a put Option on a Futures Contract
constitutes a partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities or
other instruments required to be delivered under the terms of the Futures
Contract. If the futures price at expiration of the option is higher than the
exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium,
less related transaction costs, which provides a partial hedge against any
increase in the price of securities which the Fund intends to purchase. If a
put or call option the Fund has written is exercised, the Fund will incur a
loss which will be reduced by the amount of the premium it receives. Depending
on the degree of correlation between changes in the value of its portfolio
securities and changes in the value of its futures positions, the Fund's
losses from existing Options on Futures Contracts may to some extent be
reduced or increased by changes in the value of portfolio securities.
The Fund may cover the writing of call Options on Futures Contracts (a)
through purchases of the underlying Futures Contract, (b) through ownership of
the instrument, or instruments included in the index, underlying the Futures
Contract, or (c) through the holding of a call on the same Futures Contract
and in the same principal amount as the call written where the exercise price
of the call held (i) is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call
written or (ii) is greater than the exercise price of the call written if the
difference is maintained by the Fund in liquid assets in a segregated account
with its custodian. The Fund may cover the writing of put Options on Futures
Contracts (a) through sales of the underlying Futures Contract, (b) through
segregation of liquid assets in an amount equal to the value of the security
or index underlying the Futures Contract, or (c) through the holding of a put
on the same Futures Contract and in the same principal amount as the put
written where the exercise price of the put held (i) is equal to or greater
than the exercise price of the put written or (ii) is less than the exercise
price of the put written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in liquid
assets in a segregated account with its custodian. Put and call Options on
Futures Contracts written by the Fund may also be covered in such other manner
as may be in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which, or the
counterparty with which, the option is traded, and applicable laws and
regulations. Upon the exercise of a call Option on a Futures Contract written
by the Fund, the Fund will be required to sell the underlying Futures Contract
which, if the Fund has covered its obligation through the purchase of such
Contract, will serve to liquidate its futures position. Similarly, where a put
Option on a Futures Contract written by the Fund is exercised, the Fund will
be required to purchase the underlying Futures Contract which, if the Fund has
covered its obligation through the sale of such Contract, will close out its
futures position.
The Fund may purchase Options on Futures Contracts for hedging purposes as an
alternative to purchasing or selling the underlying Futures Contracts. For
example, where a decrease in the value of portfolio securities is anticipated
as a result of a projected market-wide decline or changes in interest or
exchange rates, the Fund could, in lieu of selling Futures Contracts, purchase
put options thereon. In the event that such decrease occurs, it may be offset,
in whole or part, by a profit on the option. Conversely, where it is projected
that the value of securities to be acquired by the Fund will increase prior to
acquisition, due to a market advance or changes in interest or exchange rates,
the Fund could purchase call Options on Futures Contracts, rather than
purchasing the underlying Futures Contracts.
In order to assure that the Fund will not be deemed to be a "commodity pool"
for purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act, regulations of the Commodities
Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") require that the Fund enter into
transactions in Futures Contracts, Options on Futures
Contracts and Options on Foreign Currencies traded on a CFTC-regulated
exchange only (i) for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined in CFTC
regulations), or (ii) for non-bona fide hedging purposes, provided that the
aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish on such non-bona
fide hedging positions does not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the
Fund's assets, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized
losses on any such contracts the Fund has entered into, and excluding, in
computing such 5%, the in-the-money amount with respect to an option that is
in-the-money at the time of purchase.
FORWARD CONTRACTS: The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange
contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific currency at a future date at
a price set at the time of the contract (a "Forward Contract"). The Fund may
enter into Forward Contracts for hedging purposes as well as for non-hedging
purposes. The Fund may also enter into Forward Contracts for "cross-hedging"
as noted in the Prospectus. Transactions in Forward Contracts entered into for
hedging purposes will include forward purchases or sales of foreign currencies
for the purpose of protecting the dollar value of securities denominated in a
foreign currency or protecting the dollar equivalent of interest or dividends
to be paid on such securities. By entering into such transactions, however,
the Fund may be required to forego the benefits of advantageous changes in
exchange rates. The Fund may also enter into transactions in Forward Contracts
for other than hedging purposes which presents greater profit potential but
also involves increased risk. For example, if the Adviser believes that the
value of a particular foreign currency will increase or decrease relative to
the value of the U.S. dollar, the Fund may purchase or sell such currency,
respectively, through a Forward Contract. If the expected changes in the value
of the currency occur, the Fund will realize profits which will increase its
gross income. Where exchange rates do not move in the direction or to the
extent anticipated, however, the Fund may sustain losses which will reduce its
gross income. Such transactions, therefore, could be considered speculative.
The Fund has established procedures which require the use of segregated assets
or "cover" in connection with the purchase and sale of such contracts. In
those instances in which the Fund satisfies this requirement through
segregation of assets, it will maintain, in a segregated account, liquid
assets, which will be marked to market on a daily basis, in an amount equal to
the value of its commitments under Forward Contracts.
RISK FACTORS: IMPERFECT CORRELATION OF HEDGING INSTRUMENTS WITH THE FUND'S
PORTFOLIO -- The Fund's ability effectively to hedge all or a portion of its
portfolio through transactions in options, Futures Contracts, and Forward
Contracts will depend on the degree to which price movements in the underlying
index or instrument correlate with price movements in the relevant portion of
the Fund's portfolio. Because the securities in the Fund's portfolio will most
likely not be the same as those securities underlying a stock index, the
correlation between movements in the portfolio and in the securities
underlying the index will not be perfect. The trading of Futures Contracts and
options entails the additional risk of imperfect correlation between movements
in the futures or option price and the price of the underlying index or
obligation. The anticipated spread between the prices may be distorted due to
the differences in the nature of the markets, such as differences in margin
requirements, the liquidity of such markets and the participation of
speculators in such markets. In this regard, trading by speculators in options
and Futures Contracts has in the past occasionally resulted in market
distortions, which may be difficult or impossible to predict, particularly
near the expiration of such contracts. It should be noted that Futures
Contracts or options based upon a narrower index of securities, such as those
of a particular industry group, may present greater risk than options or
Futures Contracts based on a broad market index, because a narrower index is
more susceptible to rapid and extreme fluctuations as a result of changes in
the value of a small number of securities. The trading of Options on Futures
Contracts also entails the risk that changes in the value of the underlying
Futures Contracts will not be fully reflected in the value of the option.
Further, with respect to options on securities, options on stock indices and
Options on Futures Contracts, the Fund is subject to the risk of market
movements between the time that the option is exercised and the time of
performance thereunder. In writing a covered call option on a security, index
or Futures Contract, the Fund also incurs the risk that changes in the value
of the instruments used to cover the position will not correlate closely with
changes in the value of the option or underlying index or instrument.
The Fund will invest in a hedging instrument only if, in the judgment of its
Adviser, there would be expected to be a sufficient degree of correlation
between movements in the value of the instrument and movements in the value of
the relevant portion of the Fund's portfolio for such hedge to be effective.
There can be no assurance that the Adviser's judgment will be accurate.
It should also be noted that the Fund may enter into transactions in options,
futures contracts, options on futures contracts and forward contracts not only
for hedging purposes, but also for non-hedging purposes, including the purpose
of increasing its return on portfolio securities. As a result, in the event of
adverse market movements, the Fund might be subject to losses, which would not
be offset by increases in the value of portfolio securities or declines in the
cost of securities to be acquired. In addition, the method of covering an
option employed by the Fund may not fully protect it against risk of loss and,
in any event, the Fund could suffer losses on the option position which might
not be offset by corresponding portfolio gains.
With respect to the writing of straddles on securities, the Fund incurs the
risk that the price of the underlying security will not remain stable, that
one of the options written will be exercised and that the resulting loss will
not be offset by the amount of the premiums received.
POTENTIAL LACK OF A LIQUID SECONDARY MARKET -- Prior to exercise or
expiration, a futures or option position can only be terminated by entering
into a closing purchase or sale transaction. This requires a secondary market
for such instruments on the exchange on which the initial transaction was
entered into. While the Fund will enter into options or futures positions only
if there appears to be a liquid secondary market therefor, there can be no
assurance that such a market will exist for any particular contracts at any
specific time. In that event, it may not be possible to close out a position
held by the Fund, and the Fund could be required to purchase or sell the
instrument underlying an option, make or receive a cash settlement or meet
ongoing variation margin requirements. Under such circumstances, if the Fund
had insufficient cash available to meet margin requirements, it might be
necessary to liquidate portfolio securities at a time when it would be
disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close out options and futures
positions, therefore, could have an adverse impact on the Fund's ability
effectively to hedge its portfolios, and could result in trading losses. The
liquidity of a secondary market in a Futures Contract or options thereon may
also be adversely affected by "daily price fluctuation limits," established by
exchanges, which limit the amount of fluctuation in the price of a contract
during a single trading day. The trading of Futures Contracts and options is
also subject to the risk of trading halts, suspensions, exchange or clearing
house equipment failures, government intervention, insolvency of a brokerage
firm or clearing house or other disruptions of normal trading activity, which
could at times make it difficult or impossible to liquidate existing positions
or to recover excess variation margin payments.
MARGIN -- Because of low initial margin deposits made upon the opening of a
futures position and the writing of an option, such transactions involve
substantial leverage. As a result, relatively small movements in the price of
the contract can result in substantial unrealized gains or losses. Because the
Fund would engage in the purchase or sale of Futures Contracts and the writing
of Options on Futures Contracts solely for hedging purposes, however, and
would purchase and write options on securities and stock indices in part for
hedging purposes, any losses incurred in connection therewith should, if the
hedging strategy is successful, be offset, in whole or in part, by increases
in the value of securities held by the Fund or decreases in the prices of
securities the Fund intends to acquire. Where the Fund writes options on
securities or options on stock indices for other than hedging purposes, the
margin requirements associated with such transactions could expose the Fund to
greater risk.
TRADING AND POSITION LIMITS -- The exchanges on which Futures Contracts and
options are traded may impose limitations governing the maximum number of
positions on the same side of the market and involving the same underlying
instrument which may be held by a single investor, whether acting alone or in
concert with others (regardless of whether such contracts are held on the same
or different exchanges or held or written in one or more accounts or through
one or more brokers). In addition, the CFTC and the various contract markets
have established limits referred to as "speculative position limits" on the
maximum net long or net short position which any person may hold or control in
a particular futures or option contract. An exchange may order the liquidation
of positions found to be in violation of these limits and it may impose other
sanctions or restrictions. The Adviser does not believe that these trading and
position limits will have any adverse impact on the strategies for hedging the
portfolio of the Fund.
RISK OF OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS -- The amount of risk the Fund assumes
when it purchases an Option on a Futures Contract is the premium paid for the
option, plus related transaction costs. In order to profit from an option
purchased, however, it may be necessary to exercise the option and to
liquidate the underlying Futures Contract, subject to the risks of the
availability of a liquid offset market described herein. The writer of an
Option on a Futures Contract is subject to the risks of commodity futures
trading, including the requirement of initial and variation margin payments,
as well as the additional risk that movements in the price of the option may
not correlate with movements in the price of the underlying index or Futures
Contract.
ADDITIONAL RISKS OF TRANSACTIONS NOT CONDUCTED ON EXCHANGES -- Transactions in
Forward Contracts are subject to all of the correlation, liquidity and other
risks outlined above. In addition, however, such transactions are subject to
the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in or the prices of
currencies underlying such contracts, which could restrict or eliminate
trading and could have a substantial adverse effect on the value of positions
held by the Fund. In addition, the value of such positions could be adversely
affected by a number of other complex political and economic factors
applicable to the countries issuing the underlying currencies. Further, unlike
trading in most other types of instruments, there is no systematic reporting
of last sale information with respect to the foreign currencies underlying
contracts thereon. As a result, the available information on which trading
systems will be based may not be as complete as the comparable data on which
the Fund makes investment and trading decisions in connection with other
transactions. Moreover, because the foreign currency market is a global, 24-
hour market, events could occur on that market which would not be reflected in
the forward markets until the following day, thereby preventing the Fund from
responding to such events in a timely manner. Settlements of exercises of
Forward Contracts generally must occur within the country issuing the
underlying currency, which in turn requires traders to accept or make delivery
of such currencies in conformity with any United States or foreign
restrictions and regulations regarding the maintenance of foreign banking
relationships, fees, taxes or other charges.
Forward Contracts, and over-the-counter options on securities, are not traded
on exchanges regulated by the CFTC or the SEC, but through financial
institutions acting as market-makers. In an over-the-counter trading
environment, many of the protections afforded to exchange participants will
not be available. In addition, over-the-counter transactions can only be
entered into with a financial institution willing to take the opposite side,
as principal, of the Fund's position unless the institution acts as broker and
is able to find another counterparty willing to enter into the transaction
with the Fund. Where no such counterparty is available, it will not be
possible to enter into a desired transaction. There also may be no liquid
secondary market in the trading of over-the-counter contracts, and the Fund
could be required to retain options purchased or written, or Forward Contracts
entered into, until exercise, expiration or maturity. This in turn could limit
the Fund's ability to profit from open positions or to reduce losses
experienced, and could result in greater losses. Further, over-the-counter
transactions are not subject to the performance guarantee of an exchange
clearing house, and the Fund will therefore be subject to the risk of default
by, or the bankruptcy of, the financial institution serving as its
counterparty.
While Forward Contracts are not presently subject to regulation by the CFTC,
the CFTC may in the future assert or be granted authority to regulate such
instruments. In such event, the Fund's ability to utilize Forward Contracts in
the manner set forth above could be restricted.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. The Fund has adopted the following restrictions which
cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the
Fund's shares (which, as used in this SAI, means the lesser of (i) more than
50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust (or a class or series, as
applicable), or (ii) 67% or more of the outstanding shares of the Trust (or a
class or series, as applicable) present at a meeting if holders of more than
50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust (or a class or series, as
applicable) are represented at such meeting in person or by proxy):
The Fund may not:
(1) Borrow amounts in excess of 5% of its gross assets (taken at the lower
of cost or market value), and then only as a temporary measure for
extraordinary or emergency purposes;
(2) Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate an amount of assets which (taken at
market value) exceeds 33 1/3% of its gross assets taken at the lower of cost
or market value. For the purpose of this restriction, collateral
arrangements with respect to options on securities, stock indices and
foreign currencies ("Options"), Futures Contracts, Options on Futures
Contracts, Forward Contracts, and payments of initial and variation margin
in connection therewith are not considered a pledge of assets;
(3) Underwrite securities issued by other persons except insofar as the
Fund may technically be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of
1933 in selling a portfolio security;
(4) Concentrate its investments in any particular industry, but if it is
deemed appropriate for the attainment of its investment objectives, up to
25% of its assets, at market value at the time of each investment, may be
invested in any one industry;
(5) Purchase or sell real estate (including limited partnership interests
but excluding securities of companies, such as real estate investment
trusts, which deal in real estate or interests therein) or mineral leases,
commodities or commodity contracts (except for Options, Futures Contracts,
Options on Futures Contracts and Forward Contracts) in the ordinary course
of its business. The Fund reserves the freedom of action to hold and to sell
real estate or mineral leases, commodities or commodity contracts acquired
as a result of the ownership of securities. The Fund will not purchase
securities for the purpose of acquiring real estate or mineral leases,
commodities or commodity contracts (except for Options, Futures Contracts,
Options on Futures Contracts and Forward Contracts);
(6) Make loans to other persons except through the lending of its
portfolio securities and by entering into repurchase agreements (see the
discussion above under the caption "Investment Policies"). Not more than 10%
of the Fund's total assets will be invested in repurchase agreements
maturing in more than seven days. The Fund may purchase a portion of an
issue of debt securities of types commonly distributed privately to
financial institutions. For these purposes the purchase of short-term
commercial paper or a portion of an issue of debt securities which are part
of an issue to the public shall not be considered the making of a loan;
(7) Purchase the securities of any issuer if such purchase, at the time
thereof, would cause more than 5% of its total assets (taken at market
value) to be invested in the securities of such issuer, other than U.S.
Government securities;
(8) Purchase voting securities of any issuer if such purchase, at the time
thereof, would cause more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
such issuer to be held by the Fund; or purchase securities of any issuer if
such purchase at the time thereof would cause the Fund to hold more than 10%
of any class of securities of such issuer. For this purpose all indebtedness
of an issuer shall be deemed a single class and all preferred stock of an
issuer shall be deemed a single class;
(9) Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management;
(10) Purchase securities issued by any other investment company or
investment trust except by purchase in the open market where no commission
or profit to a sponsor or dealer results from such purchase other than the
customary broker's commission, or except when such purchase, though not made
in the open market, is part of a plan of merger or consolidation, provided,
however, that the Fund shall not purchase the securities of any investment
company or investment trust if such purchase at the time thereof would cause
more than 10% of the Fund's total assets (taken at market value) to be
invested in the securities of such issuer, and provided, further, that the
Fund shall not purchase securities issued by any open-end investment
company;
(11) Invest more than 5% of its assets in companies which, including
predecessors, have a record of less than three years" continuous operation;
(12) Purchase or retain in its portfolio any securities issued by an
issuer any of whose officers, directors, trustees or security holders is an
officer or Trustee of the Trust, or is an officer or director of the
Adviser, if after the purchase of the securities of such issuer by the Fund
one or more of such persons owns beneficially more than 1/2 of 1% of the
shares or securities, or both, all taken at market value, of such issuer,
and such persons owning more than 1/2 of 1% of such shares or securities
together own beneficially more than 5% of such shares or securities, or
both, all taken at market value;
(13) Purchase any securities on margin except that the Fund may obtain
such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
and sales of securities and except that the Fund may make margin deposits in
connection with Options, Futures Contracts, Options on Futures Contracts and
Forward Contracts;
(14) Sell any security which the Fund does not own unless by virtue of its
ownership of other securities the Fund has at the time of sale a right to
obtain securities without payment of further consideration equivalent in
kind and amount to the securities sold and provided that if such right is
conditional the sale is made upon the same conditions; or
(15) Purchase or sell any put or call options or any combination thereof,
provided, that this shall not prevent the purchase, ownership, holding or
sale of warrants where the grantor of the warrants is the issuer of the
underlying securities or the writing, purchasing and selling of puts, calls
or combinations thereof with respect to securities, foreign currencies,
indices of securities and Futures Contracts.
As a matter of non-fundamental policy, the Fund may not invest in securities
(other than repurchase agreements maturing in seven days or less) which are
subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or for which there is
no readily available market (unless the Board of Trustees has determined that
such securities are liquid based upon trading markets for the specific
security) if more than 15% of the Fund's assets (taken at market value) would
be invested in such securities. The Fund also may not invest more than 5% of
the value of the Fund's net assets, valued at the lower of cost or market, in
warrants. Included within such amount, but not to exceed 2% of the value of
the Fund's net assets, may be warrants which are not listed on the New York or
American Stock Exchange. Warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached to
Securities may be deemed to be without value. The Fund also may not invest 25%
or more of the market value of its total assets in any one industry.
Except for Investment Restriction (1) and the Fund's non-fundamental
investment policy regarding illiquid investments set forth above, these
investment restrictions are adhered to at the time of purchase or utilization
of assets; a subsequent change in circumstances will not be considered to
result in a violation of policy.
3. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Board of Trustees provides broad supervision over the affairs of the Fund.
The Adviser is responsible for the management of the Fund's assets, and the
officers of the Trust are responsible for the Fund's operations. The Trust's
officers and Trustees are listed below, together with their principal
occupations during the past five years. (Their titles may have varied during
that period.)
TRUSTEES
A. KEITH BRODKIN,* Chairman and President (born 8/4/35)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chairman
RICHARD B. BAILEY* (born 9/14/26)
Private investor; Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Former Chairman
(prior to September 30, 1991); Cambridge Bancorp, Director; Cambridge Trust
Company, Director
PETER G. HARWOOD (born 4/3/26)
Private Investor
Address: 211 Lindsay Pond Road, Concord, Massachusetts
J. ATWOOD IVES (born 5/1/36)
Eastern Enterprises (diversified services company), Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
Address: 9 Riverside Road, Weston, Massachusetts
LAWRENCE T. PERERA (born 6/23/35)
Hemenway & Barnes (attorneys), Partner
Address: 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts
WILLIAM J. POORVU (born 4/10/35)
Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration, Adjunct
Professor; CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (a real estate investment
trust), Director; The Baupost Fund (a registered investment company), Vice
Chairman (since November 1993), Chairman and Trustee (prior to November
1993)
Address: Harvard Business School, Soldier's Field Road, Cambridge,
Massachusetts
CHARLES W. SCHMIDT (born 3/18/28)
Private investor; OHM Corporation, Director; Mohawk Paper Company, Director
Address: 30 Colpitts Road, Weston, Massachusetts
ARNOLD D. SCOTT,* Senior Executive Vice President and Secretary
(born 12/16/42)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company
JEFFREY L. SHAMES,* President (born 6/2/55)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company
ELAINE R. SMITH (born 4/25/46)
Independent Consultant; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer (prior to September 1992)
Address: Weston, Massachusetts
DAVID B. STONE (born 9/2/27)
North American Management Corp. (investment adviser), Chairman and Director;
Eastern Enterprises, Trustee
Address: Ten Post Office Square, Suite 300, Boston Massachusetts
OFFICERS
W. THOMAS LONDON,* Treasurer (born 3/1/44)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President
JAMES O. YOST,* Assistant Treasurer (born 6/12/60)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President
ELLEN MOYNIHAN,* Assistant Treasurer (born 11/13/57)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President (since September,
1996); Deloitte & Touche LLP, Senior Manager (until September 1996)
MARK E. BRADLEY,* Assistant Treasurer (born 11/23/59)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President (since March, 1997);
Putnam Investments, Vice President (from September 1994 until March 1997);
Ernst & Young, Senior Tax Manager (until September 1994)
STEPHEN E. CAVAN,* Secretary and Clerk (born 11/6/53)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Assistant Secretary
JAMES R. BORDEWICK, JR.,* Assistant Secretary (born 3/6/59)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate
General Counsel
- ----------
*"Interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act")) of the Adviser whose address is 500 Boylston
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
Each Trustee and officer holds comparable positions with certain MFS
affiliates or with certain other funds of which MFS or a subsidiary of MFS is
the investment adviser or distributor. Mr. Brodkin, the Chairman of MFD,
Messrs. Shames and Scott, Directors of MFD, and Mr. Cavan, the Secretary of
MFD, hold similar positions with certain other MFS affiliates. Mr. Bailey is a
Director of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) ("Sun Life of Canada
(U.S.)"), the corporate parent of MFS.
The Fund pays the compensation of non-interested Trustees and Mr. Bailey who
currently receive a fee of $6,500 per year plus $300 per meeting and $275 per
committee meeting attended, together with such Trustee's out-of-pocket
expenses. The Trust has adopted a retirement plan for non-interested Trustees
and Mr. Bailey. Under the plan, a Trustee will retire upon reaching age 73 and
if the Trustee has completed at least five years of service, he would be
entitled to annual payments during his lifetime of up to 50% of such Trustee's
average annual compensation (based on the three years prior to his retirement)
depending on his length of service. A Trustee may also retire prior to age 73
and receive reduced payments if he has completed at least five years of
service. Under the plan, a Trustee (or his beneficiaries) will also receive
benefits for a period of time in the event the Trustee is disabled or dies.
These benefits will also be based on the Trustee's average annual compensation
and length of service. There is no retirement plan provided by the Trust for
Messrs. Brodkin, Scott and Shames. The Fund will accrue its allocable share of
compensation expenses each year to cover current year's service and amortize
past service cost.
Set forth below is certain information concerning the cash compensation paid
to the Trustees and benefits accrued, and estimated benefits payable, under
the retirement plan.
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION TABLE
RETIREMENT
BENEFIT ESTIMATED TOTAL TRUSTEE
TRUSTEE ACCRUED AS CREDITED FEES FROM
FEES FROM PART OF FUND YEARS OF FUND AND FUND
TRUSTEE FUND(1) EXPENSE(1) SERVICE(2) COMPLEX(3)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard B. Bailey $10,500 $2,431 8 $283,647
A. Keith Brodkin --0-- --0-- N/A --0--
Peter G. Harwood 11,050 1,790 5 121,105
J. Atwood Ives 10,500 2,527 17 108,720
Lawrence T. Perera 11,600 4,139 26 127,055
William J. Poorvu 10,800 4,432 25 121,105
Charles W. Schmidt 11,050 4,326 20 121,105
Arnold D. Scott --0-- --0-- N/A --0--
Jeffrey L. Shames --0-- --0-- N/A --0--
Elaine R. Smith 12,125 2,596 27 132,035
David B. Stone 11,550 4,549 14 127,055
(1) For fiscal year ended September 30, 1997.
(2) Based on normal retirement age of 73. See the table below for the
estimated annual benefits payable upon retirement by the Fund to a Trustee
based on his or her estimated years of service.
(3) For calendar year 1997. All Trustees receiving compensation served as
Trustees of 27 funds within the MFS fund complex (having aggregate net
assets at December 31, 1997, of approximately $28.9 billion) except Mr.
Bailey, who served as Trustee of 69 funds within the MFS fund complex
(having aggregate net assets at December 31, 1997, of approximately $47.8
billion).
ESTIMATED ANNUAL BENEFITS
PAYABLE BY FUND UPON RETIREMENT(4)
YEARS OF SERVICE
-------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE TRUSTEE FEES 3 5 7 10 OR MORE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 9,450 $1,418 $2,363 $3,308 $4,725
10,228 1,534 2,557 3,580 5,114
11,005 1,651 2,751 3,852 5,503
11,783 1,767 2,946 4,124 5,891
12,560 1,884 3,140 4,396 6,280
13,338 2,001 3,334 4,668 6,669
(4) Other funds in the MFS fund complex provide similar retirement benefits to
the Trustees.
As of December 31, 1997, all Trustees and officers as a group owned less than
1% of the Fund's shares outstanding. As of December 31, 1997, Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, FL
32246-6484 was the record owner of approximately 6.58% of the outstanding
Class C shares of the Fund. As of December 31, 1997, MFS Defined Contribution
Plan, c/o Mark Leary, Massachusetts Financial Services, 500 Boylston Street,
Boston, MA 02116-3740, and MFS 401(k) Plan, c/o Mark Leary, 500 Boylston
Street, Boston, MA 02116-3740 owned 84.09% and 15.91%, respectively, of the
outstanding Class I shares of the Fund.
The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trust will indemnify the Trustees
and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with
litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the
Trust, unless, as to liabilities to the Trust or its shareholders, it is
finally adjudicated that they engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in their offices, or
with respect to any matter unless it is adjudicated that they did not act in
good faith in the reasonable belief that their actions were in the best
interest of the Trust. In the case of a settlement, such indemnification will
not be provided unless it has been determined pursuant to the Declaration of
Trust, that such officers or Trustees have not engaged in willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in
their offices.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
MFS and its predecessor organizations have a history of money management
dating from 1924. MFS is an indirect subsidiary of Sun Life of Canada (U.S.),
which in turn is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance
Company of Canada ("Sun Life").
The Adviser manages the Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement,
dated January 18, 1985 (the "Advisory Agreement"). Under the Advisory
Agreement, the Adviser provides the Fund with overall investment advisory
services. Subject to such policies as the Trustees may determine, the Adviser
makes investment decisions for the Fund. For these services and facilities,
the Adviser receives a management fee, computed and paid monthly, on the basis
of a formula based upon a percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets
plus a percentage of its gross income (i.e., income other than gains from the
sale of securities). The applicable percentages are reduced as assets and
income reach the following levels:
ANNUAL RATE OF MANAGEMENT FEE ANNUAL RATE OF MANAGEMENT FEE
BASED ON AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS BASED ON GROSS INCOME
- -------------------------------------- --------------------------------
..25% of the first $200 million 3.57% of the first $14 million
..212% of average daily net assets in 3.04% of gross income in excess
excess of $200 million of $14 million
For the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, MFS received management
fees under the Advisory Agreement of $16,190,722 (of which $9,620,517 was
based on average daily net assets and $6,570,205 on gross income), equivalent,
on an annualized basis, to 0.36% of the Fund's average daily net assets. For
the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, MFS received management fees
under the Advisory Agreement of $13,607,772 (of which $7,760,009 was based on
average daily net assets and $5,847,763 on gross income), equivalent on an
annualized basis, to 0.38% of the Fund's average daily net assets. For the
Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1995, MFS received management fees
under the Advisory Agreement of $11,256,389 (of which $6,210,710 was based on
average daily net assets and $5,045,679 on gross income), equivalent on an
annualized basis, to 0.39% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
The Fund pays all of the Fund's expenses (other than those assumed by MFS or
MFD), including: governmental fees; interest charges; taxes; membership dues
in the Investment Company Institute allocable to the Fund; fees and expenses
of independent auditors, of legal counsel, and of any transfer agent,
registrar or dividend disbursing agent of the Fund; expenses of repurchasing
and redeeming shares; expenses of preparing, printing and mailing share
certificates, shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to
governmental officers and commissions; brokerage and other expenses connected
with the execution, recording and settlement of portfolio security
transactions; insurance premiums; fees and expenses of State Street Bank and
Trust Company, the Fund's custodian, for all services to the Fund, including
safekeeping of funds and securities and maintaining required books and
accounts; expenses of calculating the net asset value of shares of the Fund;
and expenses of shareholder meetings. Expenses relating to the issuance,
registration and qualification of shares of the Fund and the preparation,
printing and mailing of prospectuses for such purposes are borne by the Fund
except that its Distribution Agreement with MFD, the Fund's Distributor,
requires MFD to pay for prospectuses that are to be used for sales purposes.
Expenses of the Trust which are not attributable to a specific series are
allocated among the series in a manner believed by management of the Trust to
be fair and equitable. For a list of the Fund's expenses, including the
compensation paid to the Trustees who are not officers of MFS during the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, see "Financial Statements -- Statement
of Operations" in the Annual Report to shareholders. Payment by the Fund of
brokerage commissions for brokerage and research services of value to the
Adviser in serving its clients is discussed under the caption "Portfolio
Transactions and Brokerage Commissions."
MFS pays the compensation of the Trust's officers and of any Trustee who is an
officer of MFS. The Adviser also furnishes at its own expense all necessary
administrative services, including office space, equipment, clerical
personnel, investment advisory facilities, and all executive and supervisory
personnel necessary for managing the Fund's investments, effecting its
portfolio transactions, and, in general, administering its affairs.
The Advisory Agreement will remain in effect until August 1, 1998, and will
continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority
of the Fund's outstanding voting securities (as defined under "Investment
Restrictions") and, in either case, by a majority of the Trustees who are not
parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party. The
Advisory Agreement terminates automatically if it is assigned and may be
terminated without penalty by vote of a majority of the Fund's shares (as
defined in "Investment Restrictions") or by either party on not more than 60
days" nor less than 30 days' written notice. MFS may render services to others
and neither the Adviser nor its personnel shall be liable for any error of
judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or
for any act or omission in the execution and management of the Fund, except
for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of
its or their duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its or their
obligations and duties under the Advisory Agreement.
ADMINISTRATOR
MFS provides the Fund with certain financial, legal, compliance, shareholder
communications and other administrative services pursuant to a Master
Administrative Services Agreement dated March 1, 1997, as amended. Under this
Agreement, the Fund pays MFS an administrative fee up to 0.015% per annum of
the Fund's average daily net assets. This fee reimburses MFS for a portion of
the costs it incurs to provide such services. For the period commencing March
1, 1997 through the period ended September 30, 1997, MFS received $220,890
under the Agreement.
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian") is the custodian of the
Fund's assets. The Custodian's responsibilities include safekeeping and
controlling the Fund's cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery
of securities, determining income and collecting interest and dividends on the
Fund's investments, maintaining books of original entry for portfolio and fund
accounting and other required books and accounts, and calculating the daily
net asset value of shares of each class of the Fund. The Custodian does not
determine the investment policies of the Fund or decide which securities the
Fund will buy or sell. The Fund may, however, invest in securities of the
Custodian and may deal with the Custodian as principal in securities
transactions.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT
MFS Service Center, Inc. (the "Shareholder Servicing Agent"), a wholly owned
subsidiary of MFS, is the Fund's shareholder servicing agent, pursuant to a
Shareholder Servicing Agreement, effective August 1, 1985, as amended (the
"Agency Agreement") with the Trust. The Shareholder Servicing Agent's
responsibilities under the Agency Agreement include administering and
performing transfer agent functions and keeping records in connection with the
issuance, transfer and redemption of each class of shares of the Fund. For
these services, the Shareholder Servicing Agent will receive a fee calculated
as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund at an effective
annual rate of 0.1125%. In addition, the Shareholder Servicing Agent will be
reimbursed by the Fund for certain expenses incurred by the Shareholder
Servicing Agent on behalf of the Fund. State Street Bank and Trust Company,
the dividend and distribution disbursing agent, has contracted with the
Shareholder Servicing Agent to administer and perform certain dividend
disbursing agent functions for the Fund.
DISTRIBUTOR
MFD, a wholly owned subsidiary of MFS, serves as distributor for the
continuous offering of shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution
Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1995 (the "Distribution Agreement"). Prior
to January 1, 1995, MFS Financial Services, Inc. ("FSI"), another wholly owned
subsidiary of MFS, was the Fund's distributor. Where this SAI refers to MFD in
relation to the receipt or payment of money with respect to a period or
periods prior to January 1, 1995, such reference shall be deemed to include
FSI, as the predecessor in interest to MFD.
CLASS A SHARES: MFD acts as agent in selling Class A shares of the Fund to
dealers. The public offering price of Class A shares of the Fund is their net
asset value next computed after the sale plus a sales charge which varies
based upon the quantity purchased. The public offering price of a Class A
share of the Fund is calculated by dividing net asset value of a Class A share
by the difference (expressed as a decimal) between 100% and the sales charge
percentage of offering price applicable to the purchase (see "Purchases" in
the Prospectus). The sales charge scale set forth in the Prospectus applies to
purchases of Class A shares of the Fund alone or in combination with shares of
all classes of certain other funds in the MFS Family of Funds (the "MFS
Funds") and other funds (as noted under Right of Accumulation) by any person,
including members of a family unit (e.g., husband, wife and minor children)
and bona fide trustees, and also applies to purchases made under the Right of
Accumulation or a Letter of Intent (see "Investment and Withdrawal Programs"
in this SAI). A group might qualify to obtain quantity sales charge discounts
(see "Investment and Withdrawal Programs").
Class A shares of the Fund may be sold at their net asset value to certain
persons or in certain circumstances as described in the Prospectus. Such sales
are made without a sales charge to promote good will with employees and others
with whom MFS, MFD and/or the Fund have business relationships, and because
the sales effort, if any, involved in making such sales is negligible.
MFD allows discounts to dealers (which are alike for all dealers) from the
applicable public offering price of the Class A shares. Dealer allowances
expressed as a percentage of offering price for all offering prices are set
forth in the Prospectus (see "Purchases" in the Prospectus). The difference
between the total amount invested and the sum of (a) the net proceeds to the
Fund and (b) the dealer commission is the commission paid to the distributor.
Because of rounding in the computation of offering price, the portion of the
sales charge paid to the distributor may vary and the total sales charge may
be more or less than the sales charge calculated using the sales charge
expressed as a percentage of the offering price or as a percentage of the net
amount invested as listed in the Prospectus. In the case of the maximum sales
charge, the dealer retains 4% and MFD retains approximately 3/4 of 1% of the
public offering price. In addition, MFD, on behalf of the Fund, will pay a
commission to dealers who initiate and are responsible for purchases of $1
million or more as described in the Prospectus.
CLASS B, CLASS C AND CLASS I SHARES: MFD acts as agent in selling Class B,
Class C and Class I shares of the Fund to dealers. The public offering price
of Class B, Class C and Class I shares is their net asset value next computed
after the sale (see "Purchases" in the Prospectus and the Prospectus
Supplement pursuant to which Class I shares are offered).
GENERAL: Neither MFD nor dealers are permitted to delay the placement of
orders to benefit themselves by a price change. On occasion, MFD may obtain
brokers loans from various banks, including the Custodian for the MFS Funds,
to facilitate the settlement of sales of shares of the Fund to dealers. MFD
may benefit from its temporary holding of funds paid to it by investment
dealers for the purchase of Fund shares.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, MFD and dealers and
certain other financial institutions received net commissions of $1,022,760
and $5,856,862, respectively (as their concession on gross commissions of
$6,879,622), for selling Class A shares of the Fund. The Fund received
$454,614,566 representing the aggregate net asset value of such shares. During
the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, MFD and dealers and certain
other financial institutions received net commissions of $1,144,503 and
$6,409,441, respectively (as their concession on gross commissions of
$7,553,944), for selling Class A shares of the Fund. The Fund received
$427,829,505 representing the aggregate net asset value of such shares. During
the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1995, MFD and dealers and certain
other financial institutions received net commissions of $862,946 and
$4,972,643, respectively (as their concession on gross commissions of
$5,835,589), for selling Class A shares of the Fund. The Fund received
$339,269,433 representing the aggregate net asset value of such shares.
For the Fund's fiscal years ended September 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge ("CDSC") imposed on redemption of Class A
shares was $58,236, $13,595 and $27,736, respectively. For the Fund's fiscal
years ended September 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the CDSC imposed on redemption
of Class B shares was $1,791,715, $1,500,543 and $1,756,259, respectively.
During the Fund's fiscal years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, the CDSC
imposed on redemption of Class C shares was $35,597 and $3,178, respectively.
The Distribution Agreement will remain in effect until August 1, 1998, and
will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority
of the Trust's shares (as defined in "Investment Restrictions") and, in either
case, by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution
Agreement or interested persons of any such party. The Distribution Agreement
terminates automatically if it is assigned and may be terminated without
penalty by either party on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days'
notice.
4. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS
Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by a
portfolio committee consisting of persons who are employees of the Adviser and
who are appointed and supervised by its senior officers. Changes in the Fund's
investments are reviewed by the Board of Trustees. Members of the Fund's
portfolio committee may serve other clients of the Adviser or any subsidiary
of the Adviser in similar capacities.
The primary consideration in placing portfolio security transactions with
broker-dealers for execution is to obtain and maintain the availability of
execution at the most favorable prices and in the most effective manner
possible. The Adviser attempts to achieve this result by selecting broker-
dealers to execute portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund and other
clients of the Adviser on the basis of their professional capability, the
value and quality of their brokerage services, and the general level of their
brokerage commissions. In the case of securities traded in the over-the-
counter market (where no stated commissions are paid but the prices include a
dealer's markup or markdown), the Adviser normally seeks to deal directly with
the primary market-makers, unless, in its opinion, best execution is available
elsewhere. In the case of securities purchased from underwriters, the cost of
such securities generally includes a fixed underwriting commission or
concession. From time to time, soliciting dealer fees are available to the
Adviser on the tender of the Fund's portfolio securities in so-called tender
or exchange offers. Such soliciting dealer fees are in effect recaptured for
the Fund by the Adviser. At present no other recapture arrangements are in
effect.
Consistent with the foregoing primary consideration, the Conduct Rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") and such other
policies as the Trustees may determine, the Adviser may consider sales of
shares of the Fund and of other investment company clients of MFD as a factor
in the selection of broker-dealers to execute the Fund's portfolio
transactions.
Under the Advisory Agreement and as permitted by Section 28(e) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Adviser may cause the Fund to pay a
broker-dealer which provides brokerage and research services to the Adviser an
amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction for the Fund in
excess of the amount other broker-dealers would have charged for the
transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that the greater
commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and
research services provided by the executing broker-dealer viewed in terms of
either a particular transaction or the Adviser's overall responsibilities to
the Fund or to its other clients. Not all of such services are useful or of
value in advising the Fund.
The term "brokerage and research services" includes: advice as to the value of
securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling
securities, and the availability of securities or of purchasers or sellers of
securities; furnishing analyses and reports concerning issues, industries,
securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the
performance of accounts; and effecting securities transactions and performing
functions incidental thereto such as clearance and settlement.
Although commissions paid on every transaction will, in the judgment of the
Adviser, be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage services
provided, commissions exceeding those which another broker might charge may be
paid to broker-dealers who were selected to execute transactions on behalf of
the Fund and the Adviser's other clients in part for providing advice as to
the availability of securities or of purchasers or sellers of securities and
services in effecting securities transactions and performing functions
incidental thereto such as clearance and settlement.
Broker-dealers may be willing to furnish statistical, research and other
factual information or services ("Research") to the Adviser for no
consideration other than brokerage or underwriting commissions. Securities may
be bought or sold from time to time through such broker-dealers on behalf of
the Fund. The Trust's Trustees (together with the Trustees of the other MFS
Funds) have directed the Adviser to allocate a total of $50,950 of commission
business from the MFS Funds to the Pershing Division of Donaldson, Lufkin &
Jenrette as consideration for the annual renewal of certain publications
provided by Lipper Analytical Securities Corporation (which provides
information useful to the Trustees in reviewing the relationship between the
Fund and the Adviser).
The Adviser's investment management personnel attempt to evaluate the quality
of Research provided by brokers. The Adviser sometimes uses evaluations
resulting from this effort as a consideration in the selection of brokers to
execute portfolio transactions. However, the Adviser is unable to quantify the
amount of commissions set forth below which were paid as a result of such
Research because a substantial number of transactions were effected through
brokers which provide Research but which were selected principally because of
their execution capabilities.
The management fee that the Fund pays to the Adviser will not be reduced as a
consequence of the Adviser's receipt of brokerage and research services. To
the extent the Fund's portfolio transactions are used to obtain such services,
the brokerage commissions paid by the Fund will exceed those that might
otherwise be paid by an amount which cannot be presently determined. Such
services would be useful and of value to the Adviser in serving both the Fund
and other clients and, conversely, such services obtained by the placement of
brokerage business of other clients would be useful to the Adviser in carrying
out its obligations to the Fund. While such services are not expected to
reduce the expenses of the Adviser, the Adviser would, through use of the
services, avoid the additional expenses which would be incurred if it should
attempt to develop comparable information through its own staff.
For the Fund's fiscal years ended September 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, total
brokerage commissions of $1,333,734, $3,740,816 and $4,286,823 on total
transactions of $829,696,064, $2,942,323,293 and $3,605,738,508, respectively,
were paid. Not all of the Fund's transactions are equity security transactions
which involve the payment of brokerage commissions. During the Fund's fiscal
year ended September 30, 1997, the Fund owned securities issued by HSBC
Securities, Inc. which securities had a value of $7,915,875 at the end of such
fiscal year, by Lehman Brothers, Inc. which securities had a value of
$28,335,551 at the end of such fiscal year, by A.G. Edwards, Inc. which
securities had a value of $12,617,700 at the end of such fiscal year, by
Salomon Brothers, Inc. which securities had a value of $19,283,803 at the end
of such fiscal year, by Morgan Stanley which securities had a value of
$8,622,969 at the end of such fiscal year, and by Bear Stearns which
securities had a value of $1,518,480 at the end of such fiscal year. Each of
these entities are regular broker dealers of the Fund.
In certain instances there may be securities which are suitable for the Fund's
portfolio as well as for that of one or more of the other clients of the
Adviser or any subsidiary of the Adviser. Investment decisions for the Fund
and for such other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective
investment objectives. It may develop that a particular security is bought or
sold for only one client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold
for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or
more clients when one or more other clients are selling that same security.
Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive
investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same
security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client.
When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of
the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner
believed by the Adviser to be 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 other cases, however, the
Fund believes that its ability to participate in volume transactions will
produce better executions for the Fund.
5. SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
INVESTMENT AND WITHDRAWAL PROGRAMS -- The Fund makes available the following
programs designed to enable shareholders to add to their investment or
withdraw from it with a minimum of paper work. These are described below and,
in certain cases, in the Prospectus. The programs involve no extra charge to
shareholders (other than a sales charge in the case of certain Class A share
purchases) and may be changed or discontinued at any time by a shareholder or
the Fund.
LETTER OF INTENT: If a shareholder (other than a group purchaser described
below) anticipates purchasing $100,000 or more of Class A shares of the Fund
alone or in combination with shares of Class B or Class C of the Fund or any
of the Classes of other MFS Funds, or MFS Fixed Fund (a bank collective trust)
within a 13-month period (or 36-month period in the case of purchases of $1
million or more), the shareholder may obtain Class A shares of the Fund at the
same reduced sales charge as though the total quantity were invested in one
lump sum by completing the Letter of Intent section of the Fund's Account
Application or filing a seperate Letter of Intent application (available from
the Shareholder Servicing Agent) within 90 days of the commencement of
purchases. Subject to acceptance by MFD and the conditions mentioned below,
each purchase will be made at a public offering price applicable to a single
transaction of the dollar amount specified in the Letter of Intent
application. The shareholder or his dealer must inform MFD that the Letter of
Intent is in effect each time shares are purchased. The shareholder makes no
commitment to purchase additional shares, but if his purchases within 13
months (or 36-months in the case of purchases of $1 million or more) plus the
value of shares credited toward completion of the Letter of Intent do not
total the sum specified, he will pay the increased amount of the sales charge
as described below. Instructions for issuance of shares in the name of a
person other than the person signing the Letter of Intent application must be
accompanied by a written statement from the dealer stating that the shares
were paid for by the person signing such Letter. Neither income dividends nor
capital gain distributions taken in additional shares will apply toward the
completion of the Letter of Intent. Dividends and distributions of other MFS
Funds automatically reinvested in shares of the Fund pursuant to the
Distribution Investment Program will also not apply toward completion of the
Letter of Intent.
Out of the shareholder's initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if
necessary), 5% of the dollar amount specified in the Letter of Intent
application shall be held in escrow by the Shareholder Servicing Agent in the
form of shares registered in the shareholder's name. All income dividends and
capital gain distributions on escrowed shares will be paid to the shareholder
or to his order. When the minimum investment so specified is completed (either
prior to or by the end of the 13-month period or 36-month period, as
applicable), the shareholder will be notified and the escrowed shares will be
released.
If the intended investment is not completed, the Shareholder Servicing Agent
will redeem an appropriate number of the escrowed shares in order to realize
such difference. Shares remaining after any such redemption will be released
by the Shareholder Servicing Agent. By completing and signing the Account
Application or separate Letter of Intent application, the shareholder
irrevocably appoints the Shareholder Servicing Agent his attorney to surrender
for redemption any or all escrowed shares with full power of substitution in
the premises.
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION: A shareholder qualifies for cumulative quantity
discounts on the purchase of Class A shares when that shareholder's new
investment, together with the current offering price value of all the holdings
of Class A, B and C shares of that shareholder in the MFS Funds or MFS Fixed
Fund (a bank collective trust) reaches a discount level (see "Purchases" in
the Prospectus for the sales charges on quantity purchases). For example, if a
shareholder owns shares valued at $75,000 and purchases an additional $25,000
of Class A shares of the Fund, the sales charge for the $25,000 purchase would
be at the rate of 4% (the rate applicable to single transactions of $100,000).
A shareholder must provide the Shareholder Servicing Agent (or his investment
dealer must provide MFD) with information to verify that the quantity sales
charge discount is applicable at the time the investment is made. See the
prospectus for further information on the Right of Accumulation.
SUBSEQUENT INVESTMENT BY TELEPHONE: Each shareholder may purchase additional
shares of any MFS Fund by telephoning the Shareholder Servicing Agent toll-
free at (800) 225-2606. The minimum purchase amount is $50 and the maximum
purchase amount is $100,000. Shareholders wishing to avail themselves of this
telephone purchase privilege must so elect on their Account Application and
designate thereon a bank and account number from which purchases will be made.
If a telephone purchase request is received by the Shareholder Servicing Agent
on any business day prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange
(generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), the purchase will occur at the closing
net asset value of the shares purchased on that day. The Shareholder Servicing
Agent may be liable for any losses resulting from unauthorized telephone
transactions if it does not follow reasonable procedures designed to verify
the identity of the caller. The Shareholder Servicing Agent will request
personal or other information from the caller, and will normally also record
calls. Shareholders should verify the accuracy of confirmation statements
immediately after their receipt.
DISTRIBUTION INVESTMENT PROGRAM: Distributions of dividends and capital
gains made by the Fund with respect to a particular class of shares may be
automatically invested in shares of the same class of one of the other MFS
Funds, if shares of the fund are available for sale. Such investments will be
subject to additional purchase minimums. Distributions will be invested at net
asset value (exclusive of any sales charge) and will not be subject to any
CDSC. Distributions will be invested at the close of business on the payable
date for the distribution. A shareholder considering the Distribution
Investment Program should obtain and read the prospectus of the other fund and
consider the differences in objectives and policies before making any
investment.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN: A shareholder may direct the Shareholder
Servicing Agent to send him (or anyone he designates) regular periodic
payments based upon the value of his account. Each payment under a Systematic
Withdrawal Plan (a "SWP") must be at least $100, except in certain limited
circumstances. The aggregate withdrawals of Class B shares in any year
pursuant to a SWP generally are limited to 10% of the value of the account at
the time of the establishment of the SWP. SWP payments are drawn from the
proceeds of share redemptions (which would be a return of principal and, if
reflecting a gain, would be taxable). Redemptions of Class B and Class C
shares will be made in the following order: (i) any "Free Amount"; (ii) to the
extent necessary, any "Reinvested Shares"; and (iii) to the extent necessary,
the "Direct Purchase" subject to the lowest CDSC (as such terms are defined in
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" in the Prospectus). The CDSC will be waived
in the case of redemptions of Class B and Class C shares pursuant to a SWP,
but will not be waived in the case of SWP redemptions of Class A shares which
are subject to a CDSC. To the extent that redemptions for such periodic
withdrawals exceed dividend income reinvested in the account, such redemptions
will reduce and may eventually exhaust the number of shares in the
shareholder's account. All dividend and capital gain distributions for an
account with a SWP will be reinvested in full and fractional shares of the
Fund at the net asset value in effect at the close of business on the record
date for such distributions. To initiate this service, shares having an
aggregate value of at least $5,000 either must be held on deposit by, or
certificates for such shares must be deposited with, the Shareholder Servicing
Agent. With respect to Class A shares, maintaining a withdrawal plan
concurrently with an investment program would be disadvantageous because of
the sales charges included in share purchases and the imposition of a CDSC on
certain redemptions. The shareholder may deposit into the account additional
shares of the Fund, change the payee or change the dollar amount of each
payment. The Shareholder Servicing Agent may charge the account for services
rendered and expenses incurred beyond those normally assumed by the Fund with
respect to the liquidation of shares. No charge is currently assessed against
the account, but one could be instituted by the Shareholder Servicing Agent on
60 days' notice in writing to the shareholder in the event that the Fund
ceases to assume the cost of these services. The Fund may terminate any SWP
for an account if the value of the account falls below $5,000 as a result of
share redemptions (other than as a result of a SWP) or an exchange of shares
of the Fund for shares of another MFS Fund. Any SWP may also be terminated at
any time by either the shareholder or the Fund.
INVEST BY MAIL: Additional investments of $50 or more may be made at any
time by mailing a check payable to the Fund directly to the Shareholder
Servicing Agent. The shareholder's account number and the name of his
investment dealer must be included with each investment.
GROUP PURCHASES: A bona fide group and all of its members may be treated as
a single purchaser and, under the Right of Accumulation (but not a Letter of
Intent), obtain quantity sales charge discounts on the purchase of Class A
shares if the group (1) gives its endorsement or authorization to the
investment program so it may be used by the investment dealer to facilitate
solicitation of the membership, thus effecting economies of sales effort; (2)
has been in existence for at least six months and has a legitimate purpose
other than to purchase mutual fund shares at a discount; (3) is not a group of
individuals whose sole organizational nexus is as credit cardholders of a
company, policyholders of an insurance company, customers of a bank or broker-
dealer, clients of an investment adviser or other similar groups; and (4)
agrees to provide certification of membership of those members investing money
in the MFS Funds upon the request of MFD.
AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE PLAN: Shareholders having account balances of at least
$5,000 in any MFS Fund may exchange their shares for the same class of shares
of other MFS Funds (if available for sale) under the Automatic Exchange Plan.
The Automatic Exchange Plan provides for automatic exchanges of funds from the
shareholder's account in a MFS Fund for investment in other MFS Funds selected
by the shareholder. Under the Automatic Exchange Plan, exchanges of at least
$50 each may be made to up to six different funds effective on the seventh day
of each month or of every third month, depending whether monthly or quarterly
exchanges are elected by the shareholder. If the seventh day of the month is
not a business day, the transaction will be processed on the next business
day. Generally, the initial exchange will occur after receipt and processing
by the Shareholder Servicing Agent of an application in good order. Exchanges
will continue to be made from a shareholder's account in any MFS Fund, as long
as the balance of the account is sufficient to complete the exchanges.
Additional payments made to a shareholder's account in such MFS Fund will
extend the period that exchanges will continue to be made under the Automatic
Exchange Plan. However, if additional payments are added to an account subject
to the Automatic Exchange Plan shortly before an exchange is scheduled, such
funds may not be available for exchanges until the following month; therefore,
care should be used to avoid inadvertently terminating the Automatic Exchange
Plan through exhaustion of the account balance.
No transaction fee for exchanges will be charged in connection with the
Automatic Exchange Plan. However, exchanges of shares of MFS Money Market
Fund, MFS Government Money Market Fund and Class A shares of MFS Cash Reserve
Fund will be subject to any applicable sales charge. Changes in amounts to be
exchanged to each fund, the funds to which exchanges are to be made and the
timing of exchanges (monthly or quarterly), or termination of a shareholder's
participation in the Automatic Exchange Plan will be made after instructions
in writing or by telephone (an "Exchange Change Request") are received by the
Shareholder Servicing Agent in proper form (i.e., if in writing -- signed by
the record owner(s) exactly as shares of the MFS Fund are registered; if by
telephone -- proper account identification is given by the dealer or
shareholder of record). Each Exchange Change Request (other than termination
of participation in the program) must involve at least $50. Generally, if an
Exchange Change Request is received before the close of business on the last
business day of a month, the Exchange Change Request will be effective for the
following month's exchange.
A shareholder's right to make additional investments in any of the MFS Funds,
to make exchanges of shares from one MFS Fund to another and to withdraw from
an MFS Fund, as well as a shareholder's other rights and privileges, are not
affected by a shareholder's participation in the Automatic Exchange Plan.
The Automatic Exchange Plan is part of the Exchange Privilege. For additional
information regarding the Automatic Exchange Plan including the treatment of
any CDSC, see "Exchange Privilege" below.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE: Shareholders of the Fund and shareholders of the
other MFS Funds (except MFS Money Market Fund, MFS Government Money Market
Fund and holders of Class A shares of MFS Cash Reserve Fund in the case where
the shares of such funds are acquired through direct purchase or reinvested
dividends) who have redeemed their shares have a one-time right to reinvest
the redemption proceeds in the same class of shares of any of the MFS Funds
(if shares of the fund are available for sale) at net asset value (without a
sales charge) and, if applicable, with credit for any CDSC paid. In the case
of proceeds reinvested in shares of MFS Money Market Fund, MFS Government
Money Market Fund and Class A shares of MFS Cash Reserve Fund, the shareholder
has the right to exchange the acquired shares for shares of another MFS Fund
at net asset value pursuant to the exchange privilege described below. Such a
reinvestment must be made within 90 days of the redemption and is limited to
the amount of the redemption proceeds. If the shares credited for any CDSC
paid are then redeemed within six years of their initial purchase in the case
of Class B shares or within 12 months of the initial purchase of Class C
shares and certain Class A shares, a CDSC will be imposed upon redemption.
Although redemptions and repurchases of shares are taxable events, a
reinvestment within a certain period of time in the same fund may be
considered a "wash sale" and may result in the inability to recognize
currently any loss realized on the original redemption for federal income tax
purposes. Please see your tax adviser for further information.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE -- Subject to the requirements set forth below, some or all
of the shares for which payment has been received by the Fund (i.e., an
established account) may be exchanged for shares of the same class of any of
the other MFS Funds (if available for sale and if the purchaser is eligible to
purchase the class of shares) at net asset value. Exchanges will be made only
after instructions in writing or by telephone (an "Exchange Request") are
received for an established account by the Shareholder Servicing Agent.
Each Exchange Request must be in proper form (i.e., if in writing -- signed by
the record owner(s) exactly as the shares are registered; if by telephone --
proper account identification is given by the dealer or shareholder of record)
and each exchange must involve either shares having an aggregate value of at
least $1,000 or all the shares in the account (except that the minimum is $50
for accounts of retirement plan participants whose sponsoring organizations
subscribe to the MFS FUNDamental 401(k) Plan or another similar 401(k)
recordkeeping system made available by the Shareholder Servicing Agent). Each
exchange involves the redemption of the shares of the Fund to be exchanged and
the purchase at net asset value (i.e., without a sales charge) of shares of
the same class of the other MFS Fund. Any gain or loss on the redemption of
the shares exchanged is reportable on the shareholder's federal income tax
return, unless both the shares received and the shares surrendered in the
exchange are held in a tax-deferred retirement plan or other tax-exempt
account. No more than five exchanges may be made in any one Exchange Request
by telephone. If the Exchange Request is received by the Shareholder Servicing
Agent prior to the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange
(the "Exchange"), the exchange usually will occur on that day if all of the
requirements set forth above have been complied with at that time. However,
payment of the redemption proceeds by the Fund, and thus purchase of shares of
the other MFS Fund, may be delayed for up to seven days if the Fund determines
that such a delay would be in the best interest of all its shareholders.
Investment dealers which have satisfied criteria established by MFD may also
communicate a shareholder's Exchange Request to MFD by facsimile subject to
the requirements set forth above.
No CDSC is imposed on exchanges among the MFS Funds, although liability for
the CDSC is carried forward to the exchanged shares. For purposes of
calculating the CDSC upon redemption of shares acquired in an exchange, the
purchase of shares acquired in one or more exchanges is deemed to have
occurred at the time of the original purchase of the exchanged shares.
Additional information with respect to any of the MFS Funds, including a copy
of its current prospectus, may be obtained from investment dealers or the
Shareholder Servicing Agent. A shareholder considering an exchange should
obtain and read the prospectus of the other MFS Fund and consider the
differences in objectives and policies before making any exchange.
Shareholders in the other MFS Funds (except holders of shares of MFS Money
Market Fund, MFS Government Money Market Fund and Class A shares of MFS Cash
Reserve Fund acquired through direct purchase and dividends reinvested prior
to June 1, 1992) have the right to exchange their shares for shares of the
Fund, subject to the conditions, if any, set forth in their respective
prospectuses. In addition, unitholders of the MFS Fixed Fund (a bank
collective investment fund) have the right to exchange their units (except
units acquired through direct purchases) for shares of the MFS Funds, subject
to the conditions, if any, imposed upon such unitholders by the MFS Fixed
Fund.
Any state income tax advantages for investment in shares of each state-
specific series of MFS Municipal Series Trust may only benefit residents of
such states. Investors should consult their own tax advisers to be sure this
is an appropriate investment, based on their residency and each state's income
tax laws.
The exchange privilege (or any aspect of it) may be changed or discontinued
and is subject to certain limitations (see "Purchases" in the Prospectus).
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS -- Shares of the Fund may be purchased by all
types of tax-deferred retirement plans. MFD makes available through investment
dealers plans and/or custody agreements for the following:
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) (for individuals and their non-
employed spouses who desire to make limited contributions to a tax-deferred
retirement program and, if eligible, to receive a federal income tax
deduction for amounts contributed);
Simplified Employee Pension (SEP-IRA) Plans;
Retirement Plans Qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (the "Code"), as amended;
403(b) Plans (deferred compensation arrangements for employees of public
school systems and certain non-profit organizations); and
Certain other qualified pension and profit-sharing plans.
The plan documents provided by MFD designate a trustee or custodian (unless
another trustee or custodian is designated by the individual or group
establishing the plan) and contain specific information about the plans. Each
plan provides that dividends and distributions will be reinvested
automatically. For further details with respect to any plan, including fees
charged by the trustee, custodian or MFD, tax consequences and redemption
information, see the specific documents for that plan. Plan documents other
than those provided by MFD may be used to establish any of the plans described
above. Third party administrative services, available for some corporate
plans, may limit or delay the processing of transactions.
Investors should consult with their tax adviser before establishing any of the
tax-deferred retirement plans described above.
6. TAX STATUS
The Fund has elected to be treated and intends to qualify each year as a
"regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code, by meeting all
applicable requirements of Subchapter M, including requirements as to the
nature of the Fund's gross income, the amount of Fund distributions, and the
composition of the Fund's portfolio assets. Because the Fund intends to
distribute all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains to
shareholders in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code,
it is not expected that the Fund will be required to pay any federal income or
excise taxes, although the Fund's foreign-source income may be subject to
foreign withholding taxes. If the Fund should fail to qualify as a "regulated
investment company" in any year, the Fund would incur a regular corporate
federal income tax upon its taxable income and Fund distributions would
generally be taxable as ordinary dividend income to the shareholders.
Shareholders of the Fund normally will have to pay federal income taxes, and
any state or local taxes, on the dividends and capital gain distributions they
receive from the Fund. Dividends from ordinary income and any distributions
from net short-term capital gains are taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income for federal income tax purposes (whether the distributions are paid in
cash or reinvested in additional shares). A portion of the Fund's ordinary
income dividends is normally eligible for the dividends received deduction for
corporations if the recipient otherwise qualifies for that deduction with
respect to its holding of Fund shares. Availability of the deduction for
particular corporate shareholders is subject to certain limitations, and
deducted amounts may be subject to the alternative minimum tax or result in
certain basis adjustments. Distributions of net capital gains (i.e., the
excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses),
whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares, are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains for federal income tax purposes
without regard to the length of time the shareholders have held their shares.
Such capital gains may be taxable to shareholders that are individuals,
estates, or trusts at maximum rates of 20%, 25%, or 28%, depending upon the
source of the gains. Any Fund dividend that is declared in October, November
or December of any calendar year, that is payable to shareholders of record in
such a month, and that is paid the following January will be treated as if
received by the shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend
is declared. The Fund will notify shareholders regarding the federal tax
status of its distributions after the end of each calendar year.
Any Fund distribution of net capital gains or net short-term capital gains
will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset value of shares in
the Fund by the amount of the distribution. Shareholders purchasing shares
shortly before the record date of any such distribution may thus pay the full
price for the shares and then effectively receive a portion of the purchase
price back as a taxable distribution.
In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares of
the Fund by a shareholder that holds such shares as a capital asset will be
treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for
more than twelve months and otherwise as a short-term capital gain or loss; a
long-term capital gain realized by an individual, estate or trust may be
eligible for reduced tax rates if the shares were held for more than 18
months. However, any loss realized upon a disposition of shares in the Fund
held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the
extent of any distributions of net capital gain made with respect to those
shares. Any loss realized upon a disposition of shares may also be disallowed
under rules relating to wash sales. Gain may be increased (or loss reduced)
upon a redemption of Class A shares of the Fund within ninety days after their
purchase followed by any purchase (including purchases by exchange or by
reinvestment) without payment of an additional sales charge of Class A shares
of the Fund or of another MFS Fund (or any other shares of an MFS Fund
generally sold subject to a sales charge).
Any investment in zero coupon securities, deferred interest bonds, payment-in-
kind bonds, and certain securities purchased at a market discount will cause
the Fund to recognize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with
respect to those securities. In order to distribute this income and avoid a
tax on the Fund, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities
that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in
additional taxable gain or loss to the Fund.
The Fund's transactions in options, Futures Contracts, Forward Contracts, and
swaps and related transactions will be subject to special tax rules that may
affect the amount, timing, and character of Fund income and distributions to
shareholders. For example, certain positions held by the Fund on the last
business day of each taxable year will be marked to market (i.e., treated as
if closed out) on that day, and any gain or loss associated with the positions
will be treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss.
Certain positions held by the Fund that substantially diminish its risk of
loss with respect to other positions in its portfolio may constitute
"straddles," and may be subject to special tax rules that would cause deferral
of Fund losses, adjustments in the holding periods of Fund securities, and
conversion of short-term into long-term capital losses. Certain tax elections
exist for straddles which could alter the effects of these rules. The Fund
will limit its activities in options, Futures Contracts, Forward Contracts and
swaps and related transactions to the extent necessary to meet the
requirements of Subchapter M of the Code.
Special tax considerations apply with respect to foreign investments of the
Fund. Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the Fund will generally be
treated as ordinary income and losses. Use of foreign currencies for non-
hedging purposes and investment by the Fund in certain "passive foreign
investment companies" may be limited in order to avoid a tax on the Fund. The
Fund may elect to mark to market, any investments, in "passive foreign
investment companies" on the last day of each year. This election may cause
the Fund to recognize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with
respect to those investments; in order to distribute this income and avoid a
tax on the Fund, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities
that it might otherwise have continued to hold. Investment income received by
the Fund from foreign securities may be subject to foreign income taxes
withheld at the source; the Fund does not expect to be able to pass through
to shareholders foreign tax credits with respect to such foreign taxes. The
United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries that
may entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of tax or an exemption from tax on such
income; the Fund intends to qualify for treaty reduced rates where available.
It is not possible, however, to determine the Fund's effective rate of foreign
tax in advance since the amount of the Fund's assets to be invested within
various countries is not known.
Dividends and certain other payments to persons who are not citizens or
residents of the United States or U.S. entities ("Non-U.S. Persons") are
generally subject to U.S. tax withholding at a rate of 30%. The Fund intends
to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 30% (or any lower rate
permitted under an applicable treaty) on taxable dividends and other payments
to Non-U.S. Persons that are subject to such withholding. Any amounts
overwithheld may be recovered by such persons by filing a claim for refund
with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service within the time period appropriate to
such claims. Distributions received from the Fund by Non-U.S. Persons may also
be subject to tax under the laws of their own jurisdictions. The Fund is also
required in certain circumstances to apply backup withholding at the rate of
31% on taxable dividends and redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder
(including a Non-U.S. Person) who does not furnish to the Fund certain
information and certifications or who is otherwise subject to backup
withholding. Backup withholding will not, however, be applied to payments that
have been subject to 30% withholding.
As long as it qualifies as a regulated investment company under the Code, the
Fund will not be required to pay Massachusetts income or excise taxes.
7. DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND PERFORMANCE
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of each class of the Fund is determined each day
during which the Exchange is open for trading. (As of the date of this SAI,
the Exchange is open for trading every weekday except for the following
holidays or the day on which they are observed: New Year's Day, Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.) This determination is made
once each day as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange by deducting
the amount of the liabilities attributable to the class from the value of the
assets attributable to the class and dividing the difference by the number of
shares of the class outstanding.
Bonds and other fixed income securities (other than short-term obligations) in
the Fund's portfolio are valued on the basis of valuations furnished by a
pricing service which utilizes both dealer-supplied valuations and electronic
data processing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as
institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality,
coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market
data, without exclusive reliance upon exchange or over-the-counter prices,
since such valuations are believed to reflect more accurately the fair value
of such securities. Forward Contracts will be valued using a pricing model
taking into consideration market data from an external pricing source. Use of
the pricing service has been approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees. All
other securities, futures contracts and options in the Fund's portfolio (other
than short-term obligations) for which the principal market is one or more
securities or commodities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign) will be
valued at the last reported sale price or at the settlement price prior to the
determination (or if there has been no current sale, at the closing bid price)
on the primary exchange on which such securities, futures contracts or options
are traded; but if a securities exchange is not the principal market for
securities, such securities will, if market quotations are readily available,
be valued at current bid prices, unless such securities are reported on the
Nasdaq system, in which case they are valued at the last sale price or, if no
sales occurred during the day, at the last quoted bid price. Short-term
obligations with a remaining maturity in excess of 60 days will be valued
based upon dealer supplied valuations. Other short-term obligations are valued
at amortized cost, which constitutes fair value as determined by the Board of
Trustees. Portfolio securities for which there are no such quotations or
valuations are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or at the
direction of the Board of Trustees.
Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day
at various times prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange.
Occasionally, events affecting the values of such securities may occur between
the times at which they are determined and the close of regular trading on the
Exchange which will not be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net
asset value unless the Trustees deem that such event would materially affect
the net asset value in which case an adjustment would be made.
All investments and assets are expressed in U.S. dollars based upon current
currency exchange rates. A share's net asset value is effective for orders
received by the dealer prior to its calculation and received by MFD in its
capacity as the Fund's distributor, or its agent, the shareholder servicing
agent, prior to the close of that business day.
The Trustees review the appropriateness of the time of day as of which the net
asset value is computed.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
TOTAL RATE OF RETURN: The Fund will calculate its total rate of return for
each class of shares for certain periods by determining the average annual
compounded rates of return over those periods that would cause an investment
of $1,000 (made with all distributions reinvested and reflecting the CDSC or
the maximum public offering price) to reach the value of that investment at
the end of the periods. The Fund may also calculate (i) a total rate of
return, which is not reduced by the CDSC (4% maximum for Class B shares and 1%
maximum for Class C shares) and therefore may result in a higher rate of
return, (ii) a total rate of return assuming an initial account value of
$1,000, which will result in a higher rate of return since the value of the
initial account will not be reduced by the maximum sales charge (currently
4.75% on Class A shares) and/or (iii) total rates of return which represent
aggregate performance over a period or year-by-year performance, and which may
or may not reflect the effect of the maximum or other sales charge or CDSC.
Prior to October 1, 1989, the maximum sales charge on Class A shares was
7.25%. On October 1, 1989, the maximum sales charge on Class A shares was
lowered to 4.75%, a sales charge on reinvested dividends was eliminated and a
Distribution Plan (described below) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act
was implemented with respect to Class A shares.
The Fund offers multiple classes of shares which were initially offered for
sale to, and purchased by, the public on different dates (the class "inception
date"). The calculation of total rate of return for a class of shares which
has a later class inception date than another class of shares of the Fund is
based both on (i) the performance of the Fund's newer class from its inception
date and (ii) the performance of the Fund's oldest class from its inception
date up to the class inception date of the newer class.
As discussed in the Prospectus, the sales charges, expenses and expense
ratios, and therefore the performance, of the Fund's classes of shares differ.
In calculating total rate of return for a newer class of shares in accordance
with certain formulas required by the SEC, the performance will be adjusted to
take into account the fact that the newer class is subject to a different
sales charge than the oldest class (e.g., if the newer class is Class A
shares, the total rate of return quoted will reflect the deduction of the
initial sales charge applicable to Class A shares; if the newer class is Class
B shares, the total rate of return quoted will reflect the deduction of the
CDSC applicable to Class B shares). However, the performance will not be
adjusted to take into account the fact that the newer class of shares bears
different class specific expenses than the oldest shares (e.g., Rule 12b-1
fees). Therefore, the total rate of return quoted for a newer class of shares
will differ from the return that would be quoted had the newer class of shares
been outstanding for the entire period over which the calculation is based
(i.e., the total rate of return quoted for the newer class will be higher than
the return that would have been quoted had the newer class of shares been
outstanding for the entire period over which the calculation is based if the
class specific expenses for the newer class are higher than the class specific
expenses of the oldest class, and the total rate of return quoted for the
newer class will be lower than the return that would be quoted had the newer
class of shares been outstanding for this entire period if the class specific
expenses for the newer class are lower than the class specific expenses of the
oldest class).
Total rate of return quotations for each class are presented in Appendix A
attached hereto under the heading "Performance Quotations."
PERFORMANCE RESULTS: The performance results for Class A shares presented in
Appendix A attached hereto under the heading "Performance Results" assume an
initial investment of $10,000 in Class A shares and cover the period from
January 1, 1988 through December 31, 1997 for Class A shares. It has been
assumed that dividends and capital gain distributions were reinvested in
additional shares. These performance results, as well as any total rate of
return quotations provided by the Fund, should not be considered as
representative of the performance of the Fund in the future since the net
asset value and public offering price of shares of the Fund will vary based
not only on the type, quality and maturities of the securities held in the
Fund's portfolio, but also on changes in the current value of such securities
and on changes in the expenses of the Fund. These factors and possible
differences in the methods used to calculate yields and total rates of return
should be considered when comparing the yield and total rate of return of the
Fund to yields and total rates of return published for other investment
companies or other investment vehicles. Total rate of return reflects the
performance of both principal and income. Current net asset value and account
balance information may be obtained by calling 1-800-MFS-TALK (637-8255).
YIELD: Any yield quotation for a class of shares of the Fund is based on the
annualized net investment income per share of that class over a 30-day period.
The yield for each class of shares of the Fund is calculated by dividing the
net investment income per share allocated to that class earned during the
period by the maximum offering price per share of that class of the Fund on
the last day of that period. The resulting figure is then annualized. Net
investment income per share of a class is determined by dividing (i) the
dividends and interest allocated to that class during the period, minus
accrued expenses of that class for the period, by (ii) the average number of
shares of the class, entitled to receive dividends during the period
multiplied by the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the
period. The yield calculation for Class A shares assumes a maximum sales
charge of 4.75%. The yield calculations for Class B and Class C shares assume
no CDSC is paid. Yield quotations for each class of shares are presented in
Appendix A attached hereto under the heading "Performance Quotations".
CURRENT DISTRIBUTION RATE: Yield, which is calculated according to a formula
prescribed by the SEC, is not indicative of the amounts which were or will be
paid to the Fund's shareholders. Amounts paid to shareholders of each class
are reflected in the "current distribution rate" for that class. The current
distribution rate for a class is computed by dividing the total amount of
dividends per share paid by the Fund to shareholders of that class during the
past 12 months by the maximum public offering price of that class at the end
of such period. Under certain circumstances, such as when there has been a
change in the amount of dividend payout, or a fundamental change in investment
policies, it might be appropriate to annualize the dividends paid over the
period such policies were in effect, rather than using the dividends during
the past 12 months. The current distribution rate differs from the yield
computation because it may include distributions to shareholders from sources
other than dividends and interest, such as premium income from option writing,
short-term capital gains and return of invested capital, and is calculated
over a different period of time. The Fund's current distribution rate
calculation for Class A shares assumes a maximum sales charge of 4.75%. The
Fund's current distribution rate calculation for Class B and Class C shares
assumes no CDSC is paid. Current distribution rate quotations for each class
of shares are presented in Appendix A attached hereto under the heading
"Performance Quotations."
GENERAL: From time to time the Fund may, as appropriate, quote Fund rankings
or reprint all or a portion of evaluations of fund performance and operations
appearing in various independent publications, including but not limited to
the following: Money, Fortune, U.S. News and World Report, Kiplinger's
Personal Finance, The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, Investors Business Daily,
Newsweek, Financial World, Financial Planning, Investment Advisor, USA Today,
Pensions and Investments, SmartMoney, Forbes, Global Finance, Registered
Representative, Institutional Investor, the Investment Company Institute,
Johnson's Charts, Morningstar, Lipper Analytical Securities Corporation, CDA
Wiesenberger, Shearson Lehman and Salomon Bros. Indices, Ibbotson, Business
Week, Lowry Associates, Media General, Investment Company Data, The New York
Times, Your Money, Strangers Investment Advisor, Financial Planning on Wall
Street, Standard and Poor's, Individual Investor, The 100 Best Mutual Funds
You Can Buy, by Gordon K. Williamson, Consumer Price Index, and Sanford C.
Bernstein & Co. Fund performance may also be compared to the performance of
other mutual funds tracked by financial or business publications or
periodicals.
From time to time, the Fund may discuss or quote its current portfolio manager
as well as other investment personnel, including such persons' views on: the
economy; securities markets; portfolio securities and their issuers;
investment philosophies, strategies, techniques and criteria used in the
selection of securities to be purchased or sold for the Fund; the Fund's
portfolio holdings; the investment research and analysis process; the
formulation and evaluation of investment recommendations; and the assessment
and evaluation of credit, interest rate, market and economic risks and similar
or related matters.
The Fund may also quote evaluations mentioned in independent radio or
television broadcasts.
From time to time the Fund may use charts and graphs to illustrate the past
performance of various indices such as those mentioned above and illustrations
using hypothetical rates of return to illustrate the effects of compounding
and tax-deferral.
From time to time the Fund may also discuss or quote the views of its
distributor, its investment adviser and other financial planning, legal, tax,
accounting, insurance, estate planning and other professionals, or from
surveys, regarding individual and family financial planning. Such views may
include information regarding the following: retirement planning; tax
management strategies; estate planning; general investment techniques (e.g.,
asset allocation and disciplined saving and investing); business succession;
ideas and information provided through the MFS Heritage Planningsm program, an
inter-generational financial planning assistance program; issues with respect
to insurance (e.g., disability and life insurance and Medicare supplemental
insurance); issues regarding financial and health care management for elderly
family members; and other similar or related matters.
The Fund may advertise examples of the effects of periodic investment plans,
including the principle of dollar cost averaging. In such a program, an
investor invests a fixed dollar amount in a fund at periodic intervals,
thereby purchasing fewer shares when prices are high and more shares when
prices are low. While such a strategy does not assure a profit or guard
against a loss in a declining market, the investor's average cost per share
can be lower than if fixed numbers of shares are purchased at the same
intervals.
MFS FIRSTS: MFS has a long history of innovations.
-- 1924 -- Massachusetts Investors Trust is established
as the first open-end mutual fund in America.
-- 1924 -- Massachusetts Investors Trust is the first
mutual fund to make full public disclosure of its
operations in shareholder reports.
-- 1932 -- One of the first internal research departments
is established to provide in-house analytical
capability for an investment management firm.
-- 1933 -- Massachusetts Investors Trust is the first
mutual fund to register under the Securities Act of
1933 ("Truth in Securities Act" or "Full Disclosure
Act").
-- 1936 -- Massachusetts Investors Trust is the first
mutual fund to allow shareholders to take capital gain
distributions either in additional shares or in cash.
-- 1976 -- MFS(R) Municipal Bond Fund is among the first
municipal bond funds established.
-- 1979 -- Spectrum becomes the first combination fixed/
variable annuity with no initial sales charge.
-- 1981 -- MFS(R) World Governments Fund is established as
America's first globally diversified fixed-income
mutual fund.
-- 1984 -- MFS(R) Municipal High Income Fund is the first
open-end mutual fund to seek high tax-free income from
lower-rated municipal securities.
-- 1986 -- MFS(R) Managed Sectors Fund becomes the first
mutual fund to target and shift investments among
industry sectors for shareholders.
-- 1986 -- MFS(R) Municipal Income Trust is the first
closed-end, high-yield municipal bond fund traded on
the New York Stock Exchange.
-- 1987 -- MFS(R) Multimarket Income Trust is the first
closed-end, multimarket high income fund listed on the
New York Stock Exchange.
-- 1989 -- MFS(R) Regatta becomes America's first non-
qualified market-value-adjusted fixed/variable annuity.
-- 1990 -- MFS(R) World Total Return Fund is the first
global balanced fund.
-- 1993 -- MFS(R) World Growth Fund is the first global
emerging markets fund to offer the expertise of two
sub-advisers.
-- 1993 -- MFS becomes money manager of MFS(R) Union
Standard Trust, the first Trust to invest in companies
deemed to be union-friendly by an Advisory Board of
senior labor officials, senior managers of companies
with significant labor contracts, academics and other
national labor leaders or experts.
8. DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Trustees have adopted a Distribution Plan for Class A, Class B and Class C
shares (the "Distribution Plan") pursuant to Section 12(b) of the 1940 Act and
Rule 12b-1 thereunder (the "Rule") after having concluded that there is a
reasonable likelihood that the Distribution Plan would benefit the Fund and
the respective class of shareholders. The provisions of the Distribution Plan
are severable with respect to each class of shares offered by the Fund. The
Distribution Plan is designed to promote sales, thereby increasing the net
assets of the Fund. Such an increase may reduce the Fund's expense ratio to
the extent the Fund's fixed costs are spread over a larger net asset base.
Also, an increase in net assets may lessen the adverse effects that could
result were the Fund required to liquidate portfolio securities to meet
redemptions. There is, however, no assurance that the net assets of the Fund
will increase or that the other benefits referred to above will be realized.
The Distribution Plan is described in the Prospectus under the caption
"Distribution Plan," which is incorporated herein by reference. The following
information supplements this Prospectus discussion.
SERVICE FEES: With respect to Class A shares, no service fees will be paid:
(i) to any dealer who is the holder or dealer of record for investors who own
Class A shares having an aggregate net asset value less than $750,000, or such
other amount as may be determined from time to time by MFD (MFD, however, may
waive this minimum amount requirement from time to time); or (ii) to any
insurance company which has entered into an agreement with the Fund and MFD
that permits such insurance company to purchase Class A shares from the Fund
at their net asset value in connection with annuity agreements issued in
connection with the insurance company's separate accounts. Dealers may from
time to time be required to meet certain other criteria in order to receive
service fees.
With respect to Class B shares, except in the case of the first year service
fee, no service fees will be paid to any securities dealer who is the holder
or dealer of record for investors who own Class B shares having an aggregate
net asset value of less than $750,000 or such other amount as may be
determined by MFD from time to time. MFD, however, may waive this minimum
amount requirement from time to time. Dealers may from time to time be
required to meet certain other criteria in order to receive service fees.
MFD or its affiliates shall be entitled to receive any service fee payable
under the Distribution Plan for which there is no dealer of record or for
which qualification standards have not been met as partial consideration for
personal services and/or account maintenance services performed by MFD or its
affiliates for shareholder accounts.
DISTRIBUTION FEES: The purpose of distribution payments to MFD under the
Distribution Plan is to compensate MFD for its distribution services to the
Fund. MFD pays commissions to dealers as well as expenses of printing
prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses with respect to the
preparation and printing of sales literature and other distribution related
expenses, including, without limitation, the cost necessary to provide
distribution-related services, or personnel, travel, office expenses and
equipment.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES PAID DURING THE FUND'S LAST FISCAL YEAR: During
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, the Fund paid the following
Distribution Plan expenses:
AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF
DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION
AND SERVICE AND SERVICE AND SERVICE
FEES PAID FEES RETAINED FEES RECEIVED
CLASSES OF SHARES BY FUND BY MFD BY DEALERS
- ----------------- ------------ ------------- ----------
Class A Shares $10,062,075 $ 3,897,279 $6,164,796
Class B Shares $14,777,960 $11,272,987 $3,504,973
Class C Shares $1,323,929 $ 10,184 $1,313,745
GENERAL: The Distribution Plan will remain in effect until August 1, 1998, and
will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by vote of both the Trustees and a majority of the
Trustees who are not "interested persons" or financially interested parties of
such Plan ("Distribution Plan Qualified Trustees"). The Distribution Plan also
requires that the Fund and MFD each shall provide the Trustees, and the
Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts
expended (and purposes therefor) under such Plan. The Distribution Plan may be
terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Distribution Plan
Qualified Trustees or by vote of the holders of a majority of the respective
class of the Fund's shares (as defined in "Investment Restrictions"). All
agreements relating to the Distribution Plan entered into between the Fund or
MFD and other organizations must be approved by the Board of Trustees,
including a majority of the Distribution Plan Qualified Trustees. Agreements
under the Distribution Plan must be in writing, will be terminated
automatically if assigned, and may be terminated at any time without payment
of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Distribution Plan Qualified
Trustees or by vote of the holders of a majority of the respective class of
the Fund's shares. The Distribution Plan may not be amended to increase
materially the amount of permitted distribution expenses without the approval
of a majority of the respective class of the Fund's shares (as defined in
"Investment Restrictions") or may not be materially amended in any case
without a vote of the Trustees and a majority of the Distribution Plan
Qualified Trustees. The selection and nomination of Distribution Plan
Qualified Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the non-interested
Trustees then in office. No Trustee who is not an "interested person" has any
financial interest in the Distribution Plan or in any related agreement.
9. DESCRIPTION OF SHARES, VOTING RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of
full and fractional Shares of Beneficial Interest (without par value) of one
or more separate series and to divide or combine the shares of any series into
a greater or lesser number of shares without thereby changing the
proportionate beneficial interests in that series. The Trustees have currently
authorized shares of the Fund and one other series. The Declaration of Trust
further authorizes the Trustees to classify or reclassify any series of shares
into one or more classes. Pursuant thereto, the Trustees have authorized the
issuance of four classes of shares of the Fund and each of the Trust's five
other series, Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares as well as
Class I shares for the Fund and each of the five other series. Each share of a
class of the Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets of
the Fund allocable to that class. Upon liquidation of the Fund, shareholders
of each class of the Fund are entitled to share pro rata in the Fund's net
assets allocable to such class available for distribution to shareholders. The
Trust reserves the right to create and issue additional series or classes of
shares, in which case the shares of each class of a series would participate
equally in the earnings, dividends and assets allocable to that class of the
particular series.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held and may vote in the
election of Trustees and on other matters submitted to meetings of
shareholders. Although Trustees are not elected annually by the shareholders,
shareholders have, under certain circumstances, the right to remove one or
more Trustees in accordance with the provisions of section 16(c) of the 1940
Act. No material amendment may be made to the Declaration of Trust without the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Trust shares (as defined in "Investment
Restrictions") or by an instrument in writing without a meeting, signed by a
majority of Trustees and consented to by the holders of not less than a
majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Shares have no pre-
emptive or conversion rights (except as described in the Prospectus under
"Purchases -- Conversion of Class B Shares"). Shares are fully paid and non-
assessable. The Trust may enter into a merger or consolidation, or sell all or
substantially all of its assets (or all or substantially all of the assets
belonging to any series of the Trust), if approved by the vote of the holders
of two-thirds of the Trust's outstanding shares voting as a single class, or
of the affected series of the Trust, as the case may be, except that if the
Trustees of the Trust recommend such merger, consolidation or sale, the
approval by vote of the holders of a majority of the Trust's or the affected
series' outstanding shares (as defined in "Investment Restrictions") will be
sufficient. The Trust or any series of the Trust may also be terminated (i)
upon liquidation and distribution of its assets, if approved by the vote of
the holders of two-thirds of its outstanding shares, or (ii) by the Trustees
by written notice to the shareholders of the Trust or the affected series. If
not so terminated the Trust will continue indefinitely.
The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts business
trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its
obligations. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer
of shareholder liability for acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust and
provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the Trust
property for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the
Trust. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust shall maintain
appropriate insurance (for example, fidelity bonding and errors and omissions
insurance) for the protection of the Trust, its shareholders, Trustees,
officers, employees and agents covering possible tort and other liabilities.
Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate
insurance existed and the Trust itself was unable to meet its obligations.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that obligations of the Trust are
not binding upon the Trustees individually but only upon the property of the
Trust and that the Trustees will not be liable for any action or failure to
act, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any
liability to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.
10. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Deloitte & Touche LLP are the Fund's independent auditors, providing audit
services, tax return preparation, and assistance and consultation with respect
to the preparation of filings with the SEC.
The Portfolio of Investments at September 30, 1997, the Statement of Assets
and Liabilities at September 30, 1997, the Statement of Operations for the
year ended September 30, 1997, the Statement of Changes in Net Assets for each
of the two years in the period ended September 30, 1997, the Notes to
Financial Statements and the Independent Auditors' Report, each of which is
included in the Annual Report to shareholders of the Fund, are incorporated by
reference into this SAI and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the
report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as experts in
accounting and auditing. A copy of the Annual Report accompanies this SAI.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The performance results and quotations below should not be considered as
representative of the performance of the Fund in the future since the net
asset value and public offering price of shares of the Fund will vary. See
"Determination of Net Asset Value and Performance" in the SAI.
PERFORMANCE RESULTS -- CLASS A SHARES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE OF VALUE OF VALUE OF
INITIAL $10,000 CAPITAL GAIN REINVESTED TOTAL
YEAR ENDED INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTIONS DIVIDENDS VALUE
---------- --------------- ------------- ---------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 1988 $10,118 $ 203 $ 636 $10,957
December 31, 1989 11,444 573 1,466 13,483
December 31, 1990 10,504 540 2,126 13,170
December 31, 1991 11,928 880 3,209 16,017
December 31, 1992 12,146 1,335 4,149 17,630
December 31, 1993 13,194 1,631 5,476 20,301
December 31, 1994 12,304 1,537 5,923 19,764
December 31, 1995 14,253 2,667 8,163 25,083
December 31, 1996 14,629 4,301 9,817 28,747
December 31, 1997 15,647 6,664 12,378 34,689
</TABLE>
Explanatory Notes: The results in the table assume that income dividends and
capital gain distributions were invested in additional shares. The results
also assume that the initial investment in Class A shares was reduced by the
current maximum applicable sales charge. No adjustment has been made for
income taxes, if any, payable by shareholders.
PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
All performance quotations are as of September 30, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACTUAL
30-DAY 30-DAY
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS YIELD YIELD
(INCLUDING (WITHOUT CURRENT
ANY ANY DISTRIBUTION
1 YEAR 5 YEAR 10 YEAR WAIVERS) WAIVERS) RATE
------ ------ ------- ---------- -------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A Shares with sales charge ............... 19.31% 13.41% 11.26% N/A 2.68% 3.35%
Class A Shares without sales charge ............ 25.27% 14.52% 11.80% N/A N/A N/A
Class B Shares with CDSC ....................... 20.51% 13.54%(1) 11.44%(1) N/A N/A N/A
Class B Shares without CDSC .................... 24.51% 13.78%(1) 11.44%(1) N/A 2.24% 2.88%
Class C Shares with CDSC ....................... 23.39% 14.02%(2) 11.55%(2) N/A N/A N/A
Class C Shares without CDSC .................... 24.39% 14.02%(2) 11.55%(2) N/A 2.24% 2.89%
Class I Shares ................................. 25.59%(3) 14.57%(3) 11.83%(3) N/A 3.12% 3.88%(3)
</TABLE>
(1) Class B share performance includes the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares for periods prior to the inception of Class B shares on August 23,
1993. Sales charges, expenses and expense ratios, and therefore
performance, for Class A and Class B shares differ. Class B share
performance has been adjusted to reflect that Class B shares generally are
subject to a CDSC (unless the performance quotation does not give effect
to the CDSC) whereas Class A shares generally are subject to an initial
sales charge. Class B share performance has not, however, been adjusted to
reflect differences in operating expenses (e.g., Rule 12b-1 fees), which
generally are lower for Class A shares.
(2) Class C share performance includes the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares for periods prior to the inception of Class C shares on August 1,
1994. Sales charges, expenses and expense ratios, and therefore
performance, for Class A and Class C shares differ. Class C share
performance has been adjusted to reflect that Class C shares generally are
subject to a CDSC (unless the performance quotation does not give effect
to the CDSC) whereas Class A shares generally are subject to an initial
sales charge. Class C share performance has not, however, been adjusted to
reflect differences in operating expenses (e.g., Rule 12b-1 fees), which
generally are lower for Class A shares.
(3) Class I share performance includes the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares for periods prior to the inception of Class I shares on January 2,
1997. Sales charges, expenses and expense ratios, and therefore
performance for Class I and A shares differ. Class I share performance has
been adjusted to reflect that Class I shares are not subject to an initial
sales charge, whereas Class A shares generally are subject to an initial
sales charge. Class I share performance has not, however, been adjusted to
reflect differences in operating expenses (e.g., Rule 12b-1 fees), which
generally are lower for Class I shares. The current distribution rate for
Class I shares is calculated by annualizing the last dividend.
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Massachusetts Financial Services Company
500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 954-5000
DISTRIBUTOR
MFS Fund Distributors, Inc.
500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 954-5000
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT
MFS Service Center, Inc.
500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
Toll free: (800) 225-2606
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 2281, Boston, MA 02107-9906
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP
125 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110
MFS(R) TOTAL
RETURN FUND
500 BOYLSTON STREET
BOSTON, MA 02116
[Logo]
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
We invented the mutual fund(SM)
Printed on recycled paper. MTR-13-2/98/500 15/215/315
<PAGE>
MFS RESEARCH FUND
SUPPLEMENT TO THE FEBRUARY 1, 1998 PROSPECTUS AND
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FUND'S
PROSPECTUS AND STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI"), DATED FEBRUARY 1,
1998, AND CONTAINS A DESCRIPTION OF CLASS I SHARES.
CLASS I SHARES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ONLY BY CERTAIN INVESTORS AS
DESCRIBED UNDER THE CAPTION "ELIGIBLE PURCHASERS" BELOW.
EXPENSE SUMMARY
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES: CLASS I
-------
Maximum Initial Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases of Fund
Shares (as a percentage of offering price)................. None
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage
of original purchase price or redemption proceeds,
as applicable) ............................................ None
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE FUND (AS A PERCENTAGE OF
AVERAGE NET ASSETS):
Management Fees............................................. 0.34%
Rule 12b-1 Fees............................................. None
Other Expenses(1)(2)........................................ 0.27%
----
Total Operating Expenses.................................... 0.61%
- ----------
(1)"Other Expenses" is based on Class A expenses incurred during the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1997.
(2)The Fund has an expense offset arrangement which reduces the Fund's
custodian fee based upon the amount of cash maintained by the Fund with its
custodian and dividend disbursing agent, and may enter into other such
arrangements and directed brokerage arrangements (which would also have the
effect of reducing the Fund's expenses). Any such fee reductions are not
reflected under "Other Expenses."
EXAMPLE OF EXPENSES
An investor would pay the following dollar amounts of expenses on a $1,000
investment in Class I shares of the Fund, assuming (a) a 5% annual return and
(b) redemption at the end of each of the time periods indicated:
PERIOD CLASS I
------ -------
1 year.......................... $ 6
3 years......................... 20
The purpose of the expense table above is to assist investors in
understanding the various costs and expenses that a shareholder of the Fund will
bear directly or indirectly. A more complete description of the Fund's
management fee is set forth under the caption "Management of the Fund" in the
Prospectus.
THE "EXAMPLE" SET FORTH ABOVE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST
OR FUTURE EXPENSES OF THE FUND; ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN
THOSE SHOWN.
<PAGE>
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following information has been audited and should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements included in the Fund's Annual Report to
Shareholders which are incorporated by reference into the SAI in reliance upon
the report of the Fund's independent auditors, given upon their authority as
experts in accounting and auditing. The Fund's independent auditors are Deloitte
& Touche LLP.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CLASS I SHARES
YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997*
-------------------
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout
the period):
Net asset value - beginning of period $ 18.34
Income from investment operations# -
Net investment income $ 0.07
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
and foreign currency transactions 4.34
Total from investment operations $ 4.41
-------
Less distributions declared to shareholders -
From net investment income $ --
In excess of net investment income --
-------
From net realized gain on investments and
foreign currency transactions --
Total distributions declared to shareholders $ --
Net asset value - end of period $ 22.75
-------
Total return 24.05%++
Ratios (to average net assets)/
Supplemental data:
Expenses## 0.63%+
Net investment income 0.51%+
Portfolio turnover 79%
Average Commission Rate $0.0388
Net assets at end of period
(000 omitted) $19,400
- --------------------------
** For the period from the inception of Class I shares, January 2, 1997 through
September 30, 1997.
+ Annualized
++ Not annualized
# Per share data are based on average shares outstanding.
## The Fund's expenses are calculated without reduction for fees paid
indirectly.
ELIGIBLE PURCHASERS
Class I shares are available for purchase only by the following purchasers
("Eligible Purchasers"):
(i) certain retirement plans established for the benefit of employees of
Massachusetts Financial Services Company ("MFS"), the Fund's investment
adviser, and employees of MFS' affiliates;
(ii) any fund distributed by MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. ("MFD"), the Fund's
distributor, if the fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing primarily in shares of the Fund and other funds distributed by
MFD.
(iii) any retirement plan, endowment or foundation which (a) purchases shares
directly through MFD (rather than through a third party broker or dealer
or other financial intermediary); (b) has, at the time of purchase of
Class I shares, aggregate assets of at least $100 million; and (c) invests
at least $10 million in Class I shares of the Fund either alone or in
combination with investments in Class I shares of other MFS funds
distributed by MFD (additional investments may be made in any amount);
provided that MFD may accept purchases from smaller plans, endowments or
foundations or in smaller amounts if it believes, in its sole discretion,
that such entity's aggregate assets will equal or exceed $100 million, or
that such entity will make additional investments which will cause its
total investment to equal or exceed $10 million, within a reasonable
period of time; and
(iv) bank trust departments which initially invest, on behalf of their trust
clients, at least $100,000 in Class I shares of the Fund (additional
investments may be made in any amount); provided that MFD may accept
smaller initial purchases if it believes, in its sole discretion, that the
bank trust department will make additional investments, on behalf of its
trust clients, which will cause its total investment to equal or exceed
$100,000 within a reasonable period of time.
In no event will the Fund, MFS, MFD or any of their affiliates pay any sales
commissions or compensation to any third party in connection with the sale of
Class I shares; the payment of any such sales commission or compensation would,
under the Fund's policies, disqualify the purchaser as an eligible investor of
Class I shares.
SHARE CLASSES OFFERED BY THE FUND
Four classes of shares of the Fund currently are offered for sale, Class A
shares, Class B shares, Class C shares and Class I shares. Class I shares are
available for purchase only by Eligible Purchasers, as defined above, and are
described in this Supplement. Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares
are described in the Fund's Prospectus and are available for purchase by the
general public.
Class A shares are offered at net asset value plus an initial sales charge up
to a maximum of 5.75% of the offering price (or a contingent deferred sales
charge (a "CDSC") upon redemption of 1.00% during the first year in the case of
purchases of $1 million or more and certain purchases by retirement plans), and
are subject to an annual distribution fee and service fee up to a maximum of
0.35% per annum. Class B shares are offered at net asset value without an
initial sales charge but are subject to a CDSC upon redemption (declining from
4.00% during the first year to 0% after six years) and an annual distribution
fee and service fee up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum; Class B shares convert
to Class A shares approximately eight years after purchase. Class C shares are
offered at net asset value without an initial sales charge but are subject to a
CDSC upon redemption of 1.00% during the first year and an annual distribution
fee and service fee up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum. Class I shares are
offered at net asset value without an initial sales charge or CDSC and are not
subject to a distribution or service fee. Class C and Class I shares do not
convert to any other class of shares of the Fund.
OTHER INFORMATION
Eligible Purchasers may purchase Class I shares only directly through MFD.
Eligible Purchasers may exchange Class I shares of the Fund for Class I shares
of any other MFS Fund available for purchase by such Eligible Purchasers at
their net asset value (if available for sale), and may exchange Class I shares
of the Fund for shares of the MFS Money Market Fund (if available for sale), and
may redeem Class I shares of the Fund at net asset value. Distributions paid by
the Fund with respect to Class I shares generally will be greater than those
paid with respect to Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares because
expenses attributable to Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares
generally will be higher.
THE DATE OF THIS SUPPLEMENT IS FEBRUARY 1, 1998
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
FEBRUARY 1, 1998
MFS(R) RESEARCH CLASS A SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
(A member of the CLASS B SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
MFS Family of Funds(R)) CLASS C SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
500 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116 (617) 954-5000
The investment objective of MFS Research Fund (the "Fund") is to provide long-
term growth of capital and future income (see "Investment Objective and
Policies"). The Fund is a diversified series of MFS Series Trust V (the
"Trust"), an open-end investment company. The minimum initial investment is
generally $1,000 per account (see "Purchases").
The Fund's investment adviser and distributor are Massachusetts Financial
Services Company ("MFS") and MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. ("MFD"),
respectively, both of which are located at 500 Boylston Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02116.
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT
AGENCY, AND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED BY, ANY
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION. SHARES OF MUTUAL FUNDS ARE SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT RISKS,
INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVESTED, AND WILL FLUCTUATE
IN VALUE. YOU MAY RECEIVE MORE OR LESS THAN YOU PAID WHEN YOU REDEEM YOUR
SHARES.
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information concerning the Trust and
the Fund that a prospective investor ought to know before investing. The
Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") a Statement of Additional Information dated February 1,
1998, as amended or supplemented from time to time (the "SAI"), which contains
more detailed information about the Trust and the Fund. The SAI is
incorporated into this Prospectus by reference. See page 33 for a further
description of the information set forth in the SAI. A copy of the SAI may be
obtained without charge by contacting the Shareholder Servicing Agent (see
back cover for address and phone number). The SEC maintains an Internet World
Wide Web site at http://www.sec.gov that contains the SAI, materials that are
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and the SAI, and other
information regarding the Fund. This Prospectus is available on the Adviser's
Internet World Wide Web site at http://www.mfs.com.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
INVESTORS SHOULD READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
1. Expense Summary ................................................... 3
2. Condensed Financial Information ................................... 5
3. The Fund .......................................................... 8
4. Investment Objective and Policies ................................. 9
5. Certain Securities, Investment Techniques and Risk Factors ........ 10
6. Additional Risk Factors ........................................... 11
7. Management of the Fund ............................................ 14
8. Information Concerning Shares of the Fund ......................... 15
Purchases ..................................................... 15
Exchanges ..................................................... 22
Redemptions and Repurchases ................................... 23
Distribution Plan ............................................. 26
Distributions ................................................. 28
Tax Status .................................................... 29
Net Asset Value ............................................... 29
Description of Shares, Voting Rights and Liabilities .......... 30
Performance Information ....................................... 30
9. Shareholder Services .............................................. 31
Appendix A ........................................................ A-1
<PAGE>
1. EXPENSE SUMMARY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
<S> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES:
Maximum Initial Sales Charge Imposed on
Purchases of Fund Shares (as a percentage
of offering price) ........................ 5.75% 0.00% 0.00%
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
(as a percentage of original purchase price
or
redemption proceeds, as applicable) ....... See Below(1) 4.00% 1.00%
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE FUND (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS):
Management Fees ............................. 0.34% 0.34% 0.34%
Rule 12b-1 Fees ............................. 0.35%(2) 1.00%(3) 1.00%(3)
Other Expenses(4) ........................... 0.27% 0.27% 0.27%
---- ---- ----
Total Operating Expenses .................... 0.96% 1.61% 1.61%
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Purchases of $1 million or more and certain purchases by retirement plans
are not subject to an initial sales charge; however, a Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge ("CDSC") of 1% will be imposed on such purchases in the event
of certain redemption transactions within 12 months following such
purchases. See "Information Concerning Shares of the Fund -- Purchases"
below.
(2) The Fund has adopted a distribution plan for its shares in accordance with
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act") (the "Distribution Plan"), which provides that it will pay
distribution/service fees aggregating up to (but not necessarily all of)
0.35% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to the Class
A shares. The 0.35% per annum distribution/service fee is reduced to 0.25%
per annum for shares purchased prior to March 1, 1991. Distribution
expenses paid under the Plan, together with the initial sales charge, may
cause long-term shareholders to pay more than the maximum sales charge
that would have been permissible if imposed entirely as an initial sales
charge. See "Information Concerning Shares of the Fund -- Distribution
Plan" below.
(3) The Fund's Distribution Plan provides that it will pay distribution/
service fees aggregating up to (but not necessarily all of) 1.00% per
annum of the average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares and
Class C shares, respectively. Distribution expenses paid under the
Distribution Plan with respect to Class B or Class C shares, together with
any CDSC payable upon redemption of Class B or Class C shares, may cause
long-term shareholders to pay more than the maximum sales charge that
would have been permissible if imposed entirely as an initial sales
charge. See "Information Concerning Shares of the Fund -- Distribution
Plan" below.
(4) The Fund has an expense offset arrangement which reduces the Fund's
custodian fee based upon the amount of cash maintained by the Fund with
its custodian and dividend disbursing agent, and may enter into other such
arrangements and directed brokerage arrangements (which would also have
the effect of reducing the Fund's expenses). Any such fee reductions are
not reflected under "Other Expenses."
<PAGE>
EXAMPLE OF EXPENSES
An investor would pay the following dollar amounts of expenses on a $1,000
investment in the Fund, assuming (a) a 5% annual return and (b) redemption at
the end of each of the time periods indicated (unless otherwise noted):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
------- --------------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(1) (1)
1 year ............................... $ 67 $ 56 $ 16 $ 26 $ 16
3 years .............................. 86 81 51 51 51
5 years .............................. 108 108 88 88 88
10 years .............................. 169 174(2) 174(2) 191 191
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Assumes no redemption.
(2) Class B shares convert to Class A shares approximately eight years after
purchase; therefore, years nine and ten reflect Class A expenses.
The purpose of the expense table above is to assist investors in understanding
the various costs and expenses that a shareholder of the Fund will bear
directly or indirectly. More complete descriptions of the following Fund
expenses are set forth in the following sections of the Prospectus: (i)
varying sales charges on share purchases -- "Purchases"; (ii) varying CDSCs --
"Purchases"; (iii) management fees -- "Investment Adviser"; and (iv) Rule
12b-1 (i.e., distribution plan) fees -- "Distribution Plan."
THE "EXAMPLE" SET FORTH ABOVE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OF THE FUND; ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS
THAN THOSE SHOWN.
<PAGE>
2. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following information has been audited for at least the latest five fiscal
years of the Fund and should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements included in the Fund's Annual Report to shareholders which are
incorporated by reference into the SAI in reliance upon the report of the
Fund's independent auditors given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing. The Fund's current independent auditors are Deloitte
& Touche LLP.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CLASS A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE DATA (FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD):
Net asset value -- beginning of
period ......................... $18.53 $15.61 $12.59 $14.47 $12.18 $11.84
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income from investment operations# --
Net investment income(S) ....... $ 0.04 $ 0.06 $ 0.08 $ 0.02 $ 0.11 $ 0.07
Net realized and unrealized gain
on investments and foreign
currency transactions ........ 5.07 3.88 2.99 1.01 3.15 1.27
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total from investment
operations ............... $ 5.11 $ 3.94 $ 3.07 $ 1.03 $ 3.26 $ 1.34
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Less distributions declared to shareholders --
From net investment income ..... $(0.01) $(0.05) $(0.02) $(0.03) $(0.07) $ --
From net realized gain on
investments and foreign
currency transactions ........ (0.92) (0.97) (0.03) (2.87) (0.90) (1.00)
In excess of net investment
income ....................... (0.02) -- -- (0.01) -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total distributions declared
to shareholders .......... $(0.95) $(1.02) $(0.05) $(2.91) $(0.97) $(1.00)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value -- end of period . $22.69 $18.53 $15.61 $12.59 $14.47 $12.18
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Total return(+) .................. 28.72% 26.54% 24.49% 7.72% 28.87% 11.79%
RATIOS (TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS)/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA(S):
Expenses## ..................... 0.96% 0.91% 0.95% 0.91% 0.90% 0.84%
Net investment income .......... 0.18% 0.36% 0.58% 0.14% 0.36% 0.59%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER ............... 79% 81% 94% 79% 93% 74%
AVERAGE COMMISSION RATE### ....... $0.0388 $0.0269 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD (000
OMITTED)........................ $2,201,849 $972,353 $507,784 $318,170 $294,019 $240,366
- ------------
(+) Total return for Class A shares do not include the applicable sales charge. If the charge had been included, the results
would have been lower.
# Per share data for the periods subsequent to September 30, 1993, are based on average shares outstanding.
## For fiscal years ending after September 1, 1995, the Fund's expenses are calculated without reduction for fees paid
indirectly.
### Average commission rate is calculated for fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995.
(S) The distributor did not impose a portion of its distribution fee for the periods indicated. If this fee had been incurred
by the Fund, the net investment income per share and the ratios would have been:
Net investment income ........ $ -- $ -- $ 0.07 $ 0.01 $ -- $ --
RATIOS (TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS):
Expenses ................... -- -- 1.05% 1.01% -- --
Net investment income ...... -- -- 0.48% 0.04% -- --
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS -- CONTINUED
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CLASS A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE DATA (FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD):
Net asset value -- beginning of period ..... $ 9.62 $11.49 $10.20 $12.54 $10.42
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income from investment operations --
Net investment income .................... $ 0.27 $ 0.36 $ 0.39 $ 0.23 $ 0.19
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
transactions ........................... 2.21 (1.52) 2.30 (2.19) 4.43
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total from investment operations ..... $ 2.48 $(1.16) $ 2.69 $(1.96) $ 4.62
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Less distributions declared to shareholders --
From net investment income ............... $(0.26) $(0.36) $(0.39) $(0.24) $(0.19)
From net realized gain on investments .... -- (0.35)* (1.01) (0.14) (2.31)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total distributions declared to
shareholders ....................... $(0.26) $(0.71) $(1.40) $(0.38) $(2.50)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value -- end of period ........... $11.84 $ 9.62 $11.49 $10.20 $12.54
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Total return(+) ............................ 25.87% (12.73)% 26.91% (15.60)% 44.80%
RATIOS (TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS)/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Expenses ................................. 0.95% 0.83% 0.88% 0.86% 0.73%
Net investment income .................... 2.48% 3.21% 3.48% 2.36% 1.51%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER ......................... 177% 79% 99% 116% 101%
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD (000 OMITTED) .. $231,316 $202,377 $251,857 $239,616 $321,050
- ----------
* For the year ended September 30, 1990, the per share distribution from paid-in-capital was $0.0009.
(+) Total return for Class A shares do not include the applicable sales charge (except for reinvested dividends prior to
October 1, 1989). If the charge had been included, the results would have been lower.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS -- CONTINUED
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993**
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CLASS B
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE DATA (FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD):
Net asset value -- beginning of period .... $18.19 $15.40 $12.50 $14.47 $13.95
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income from investment operations# --
Net investment income (loss) ............ $(0.10) $(0.06) $(0.03) $(0.08) $(0.04)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments and foreign currency
transactions .......................... 4.97 3.82 2.96 1.00 0.56
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total from investment operations .... $ 4.87 $ 3.76 $ 2.93 $ 0.92 $ 0.52
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Less distributions declared to shareholders --
From net investment income .............. $ -- $ -- $ -- +++ $(0.02) $ --
From net realized gain on investments and
foreign currency transactions ......... (0.90) (0.97) (0.03) (2.87) --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total distributions declared to
shareholders $(0.90) $(0.97) $(0.03) $(2.89) $ --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value -- end of period .......... $22.16 $18.19 $15.40 $12.50 $14.47
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Total return .............................. 27.88% 25.59% 23.55% 6.91% 3.73%++
RATIOS (TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS)/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Expenses## .............................. 1.63% 1.66% 1.78% 1.82% 2.33%+
Net investment income (loss) ............ (0.49)% (0.37)% (0.21)% (0.65)% (0.89)%+
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER ........................ 79% 81% 94% 79% 93%
AVERAGE COMMISSION RATE### ................ $0.0388 $ 0.0269 $ -- $ -- $ --
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD (000 OMITTED) . $1,860,130 $680,456 $178,117 $25,672 $ 447
- ----------
** For the period from the commencement of the Fund's offering of Class B shares, September 7, 1993, through September 30, 1993.
+ Annualized.
++ Not annualized.
+++ For the year ended September 30, 1995, the per share distribution from net investment income was $0.00003.
# Per share data for the periods subsequent to September 30, 1993, are based on average shares outstanding.
## For fiscal years ending after September 1, 1995, the Fund's expenses are calculated without reduction for fees paid indirectly.
### Average commission rate is calculated with fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS -- CONTINUED
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
---------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994***
------ ------ ------ ------
CLASS C
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE DATA (FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD):
Net asset value -- beginning of period ............ $18.22 $15.42 $12.51 $13.18
------ ------ ------ ------
Income from investment operations# --
Net investment income (loss) .................... $(0.09) $(0.06) $(0.02) $(0.04)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency transactions 4.96 3.83 2.96 0.62
------ ------ ------ ------
Total from investment operations ............ $ 4.87 $ 3.77 $ 2.94 $ 0.58
------ ------ ------ ------
Less distributions declared to shareholders --
From net investment income ...................... $ -- +++ $ -- $ -- $ --
In excess of net investment income .............. -- +++ -- +++ -- --
From net realized gain on investments and foreign
currency transactions ......................... (0.92) (0.97) (0.03) (1.25)
------ ------ ------ ------
Total distributions declared to shareholders $(0.92) $(0.97) $(0.03) $(1.25)
------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value -- end of period .................. $22.17 $18.22 $15.42 $12.51
====== ====== ====== ======
Total return ...................................... 27.87% 25.67% 23.58% 4.43%++
RATIOS (TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS)/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Expenses## ...................................... 1.62% 1.67% 1.71% 1.74%+
Net investment income (loss) .................... (0.47)% (0.38)% (0.15)% (0.54)%+
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER ................................ 79% 81% 94% 79%
$ $
AVERAGE COMMISSION RATE### ........................ $ 0.0388 $ 0.0269 -- --
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD (000 OMITTED) ......... $459,809 $136,032 $ 25,737 $ 4,821
- ----------
*** For the period from the commencement of the Fund's offering of Class C shares, January 3, 1994, through September 30, 1994.
+ Annualized.
++ Not annualized.
+++ For the year ended September 30, 1997, the per share distribution from net investment income was $0.0004, and for the years
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, the per share distribution in excess of net investment income were $0.0012 and $0.0027
respectively.
# Per share data for the periods subsequent to September 30, 1993, are based on average shares outstanding.
## For fiscal years ending after September 1, 1995, the Fund's expenses are calculated without reduction for fees paid indirectly.
### Average commission rate is calculated for fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
3. THE FUND
The Fund is a diversified series of the Trust, an open-end management
investment company, which was organized as a business trust under the laws of
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1984. The Trust presently consists of two
series, each of which represents a portfolio with separate investment
objectives and policies. Shares of the Fund are continuously sold to the
public and the Fund then uses the proceeds to buy securities (stocks, bonds
and other instruments) for its portfolio. Three classes of shares of the Fund
currently are offered for sale to the general public. Class A shares are
offered at net asset value plus an initial sales charge up to a maximum of
5.75% of the offering price (or a CDSC upon redemption of 1.00% during the
first year in the case of purchases of $1 million or more and certain
purchases by retirement plans) and are subject to an annual distribution fee
and a service fee up to a maximum of 0.35% per annum. Class B shares are
offered at net asset value without an initial sales charge but are subject to
a CDSC upon redemption declining from 4.00% during the first year to 0% after
six years and an annual distribution fee and service fee up to a maximum of
1.00% per annum. Class B shares will convert to Class A shares approximately
eight years after purchase. Class C shares are offered at net asset value
without an initial sales charge but are subject to a CDSC upon redemption of
1.00% during the first year and an annual distribution fee and service fee of
up to 1.00% per annum. Class C shares do not convert to any other class of
shares of the Fund. In addition, the Fund offers an additional class of
shares, Class I shares, exclusively to certain institutional investors. Class
I shares are made available by means of a separate Prospectus Supplement
provided to institutional investors eligible to purchase Class I shares and
are offered at net asset value without an initial sales charge or CDSC upon
redemption and without an annual distribution and service fee.
The Trust's Board of Trustees provides broad supervision over the affairs of
the Fund. MFS is the Fund's investment adviser. The Adviser is responsible for
the management of the Fund's assets and the officers of the Trust are
responsible for its operations. The Adviser manages the portfolio from day to
day in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and policies. The
selection of investments and the way they are managed depend on conditions and
trends in the economy and the financial marketplaces. The Fund also offers to
buy back (redeem) its shares from its shareholders at any time at net asset
value, less any applicable CDSC.
4. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE: The Fund's investment objective is to provide long-term
growth of capital and future income. Any investment involves risk and there
can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
The portfolio securities of the Fund are selected by a committee of investment
research analysts. This committee includes investment analysts employed not
only by the Adviser but also by MFS International (U.K.) Limited, a wholly
owned subsidiary of MFS. The Fund's assets are allocated among industries by
the analysts acting together as a group. Individual analysts are then
responsible for selecting what they view as the securities best suited to meet
the Fund's investment objective within their assigned industry responsibility.
INVESTMENT POLICIES: The Fund's policy is to invest a substantial proportion
of its assets in the common stocks or securities convertible into common
stocks of companies believed to possess better than average prospects for
long-term growth. A smaller proportion of the assets may be invested in bonds,
short-term obligations, preferred stocks or common stocks whose principal
characteristic is income production rather than growth. Such securities may
also offer opportunities for growth of capital as well as income. In the case
of both growth stocks and income issues, emphasis is placed on the selection
of progressive, well-managed companies. The Fund's debt investments, if any,
may consist of "investment grade" securities (rated Baa or better by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB or better by Standard and Poor's
Ratings Services ("S&P") or Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch")), and,
with respect to no more than 10% of its net assets, securities in the lower
rated categories (rated Ba or lower by Moody's or BB or lower by S&P or Fitch)
or securities which the Adviser believes to be of similar quality to these
lower rated securities (commonly known as "junk bonds"). For a description of
bond ratings, see Appendix A to the SAI. It is not the Fund's policy to rely
exclusively on ratings issued by established credit rating agencies but rather
to supplement such ratings with the Adviser's own independent and ongoing
review of credit quality. The Fund's achievement of its investment objective
may be more dependent on the Adviser's own credit analysis than in the case of
a fund investing in primarily higher quality bonds. From time to time, the
Fund's management will exercise its judgment with respect to the proportions
invested in growth stocks, income-producing securities or cash (including
foreign currency) and cash equivalents depending on its view of their relative
attractiveness.
5. CERTAIN SECURITIES, INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND RISK FACTORS
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements in order
to earn income on available cash or as a temporary defensive measure. Under a
repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires securities subject to the seller's
agreement to repurchase at a specified time and price. If the seller becomes
subject to a proceeding under the bankruptcy laws or its assets are otherwise
subject to a stay order, the Fund's right to liquidate the securities may be
restricted (during which time the value of the securities could decline). As
discussed in the SAI, the Fund has adopted certain procedures intended to
minimize risk.
LENDING OF SECURITIES: The Fund may make loans of its fixed income portfolio
securities. Such loans will usually be made only to member banks of the
Federal Reserve System and member firms (and subsidiaries thereof) of the New
York Stock Exchange under contracts only if collateralized by U.S. Government
securities, an irrevocable letter of credit or cash. The Fund will continue to
collect the equivalent of interest on the securities loaned and will also
receive compensation based on investment of cash collateral or a fee (if the
collateral is U.S. Government securities or a letter of credit). The Fund pays
finder's and other fees in connection with securities loans.
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS: The Fund may invest in American Depositary
Receipts ("ADRs") which are certificates issued by a U.S. depository (usually
a bank) and represent a specified quantity of shares of an underlying non-U.S.
stock on deposit with a custodian bank as collateral. Because ADRs trade on
United States securities exchanges, the Adviser does not treat them as foreign
securities. However, they are subject to many of the risks of foreign
securities (described above) such as changes in exchange rates and more
limited information about foreign issuers.
EMERGING MARKET SECURITIES: Consistent with the Fund's investment objective
and policies, the Fund may invest in securities of issuers whose principal
activities are located in emerging market countries. Emerging market countries
include any country determined by the Adviser to have an emerging market
economy, taking into account a number of factors, including whether the
country has a low- to middle-income economy according to the International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the country's foreign currency debt
rating, its political and economic stability and the development of its
financial and capital markets. The Adviser determines whether an issuer's
principal activities are located in an emerging market country by considering
such factors as its country of organization, the principal trading market for
its securities and the source of its revenues and location of its assets. The
issuer's principal activities generally are deemed to be located in a
particular country if: (a) the security is issued or guaranteed by the
government of that country or any of its agencies, authorities or
instrumentalities; (b) the issuer is organized under the laws of, and
maintains a principal office in, that country; (c) the issuer has its
principal securities trading market in that country; (d) the issuer derives
50% or more of its total revenues from goods sold or services performed in
that country; or (e) the issuer has 50% of its assets in that country.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES: The Fund may also purchase securities that are not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 ("1933 Act") ("restricted
securities"), including those that can be offered and sold to "qualified
institutional buyers" under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act ("Rule 144A
securities"). A determination is made, based upon a continuing review of the
trading markets for a specific Rule 144A security, whether such security is
liquid and thus not subject to the Fund's limitation on investing not more
than 10% of its net assets in illiquid investments. The Board of Trustees has
adopted guidelines and delegated to MFS the daily function of determining and
monitoring the liquidity of Rule 144A securities. The Board, however, retains
oversight of the liquidity determinations, focusing on factors, such as
valuation, liquidity and availability of information. Investing in Rule 144A
securities could have the effect of decreasing the level of liquidity in the
Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time
uninterested in purchasing Rule 144A securities held in the Fund's portfolio.
Subject to the Fund's 10% limitation on investments in illiquid investments,
and subject to the diversification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the Fund may also invest in restricted
securities that may not be sold under Rule 144A, which presents certain risks.
As a result, the Fund might not be able to sell these securities when the
Adviser wishes to do so, or might have to sell them at less than fair value.
In addition, market quotations are less readily available. Therefore, judgment
may at times play a greater role in valuing these securities than in the case
of unrestricted securities.
PORTFOLIO TRADING: The primary consideration in placing portfolio security
transactions with broker-dealers for execution is to obtain, and maintain the
availability of, execution at the most favorable prices and in the most
effective manner possible. Consistent with the foregoing primary
consideration, the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") and such other policies as the Trustees may
determine, the Adviser may consider sales of shares of the Fund and of other
investment company clients of MFD as a factor in the selection of broker-
dealers to execute the Fund's portfolio transactions. From time to time, the
Adviser may direct certain portfolio transactions to broker-dealer firms
which, in turn, have agreed to pay a portion of the Fund's operating expenses
(e.g., fees charged by the custodian of the Fund's assets). For a further
discussion of portfolio trading, see the SAI.
Since shares of the Fund represent an investment in securities with
fluctuating market prices, shareholders should understand that the value of
their shares will vary as the aggregate value of the Fund's portfolio
securities increases or decreases. Moreover, any dividends the Fund pays will
increase or decrease in relation to the income received from its investments.
The Fund does not intend to trade in securities for short-term profits.
However, the Fund will trade whenever it believes that changes are
appropriate.
6. ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS
RISKS OF INVESTING IN FOREIGN SECURITIES: The Fund may invest up to 20% (and
generally expects to invest between 5% and 15%) of its total assets in foreign
securities which are not traded on a U.S. exchange (not including American
Depositary Receipts). Investing in securities of foreign issuers generally
involves risks not ordinarily associated with investing in securities of
domestic issuers. These include changes in currency rates, exchange control
regulations, governmental administration or economic or monetary policy (in
the United States or abroad) or circumstances in dealings between nations.
Costs may be incurred in connection with conversions between various
currencies. Special considerations may also include more limited information
about foreign issuers, higher brokerage costs, different accounting standards
and thinner trading markets. Foreign securities markets may also be less
liquid, more volatile and less subject to government supervision than in the
United States. Investments in foreign countries could be affected by other
factors including expropriation, confiscatory taxation and potential
difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations and could be subject to
extended settlement periods. The Fund may hold foreign currency received in
connection with investments in foreign securities when, in the judgment of the
Adviser, it would be beneficial to convert such currency into U.S. dollars at
a later date, based on anticipated changes in the relevant exchange rate. The
Fund may also hold foreign currency in anticipation of purchasing foreign
securities. See the SAI for further discussion of foreign securities and the
holding of foreign currency, as well as the associated risks.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN EMERGING MARKET SECURITIES: The risks of investing in
foreign securities may be intensified in the case of investments in emerging
markets. Securities of many issuers in emerging markets may be less liquid and
more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. Emerging markets
also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain
markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace
with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct
such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when
a portion of the assets of the Fund is uninvested and no return is earned
thereon. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to
settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment
opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement
problems could result in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in
value of the portfolio security, a decrease in the level of liquidity in the
Fund's portfolio, or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the
security, in possible liability to the purchaser. Certain markets may require
payment for securities before delivery, and in such markets the Fund bears the
risk that the securities will not be delivered and that the Fund's payments
will not be returned. Securities prices in emerging markets can be
significantly more volatile than in the more developed nations of the world,
reflecting the greater uncertainties of investing in less established markets
and economies. In particular, countries with emerging markets may have
relatively unstable governments, present the risk of nationalization of
businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership, or prohibitions on repatriation
of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed
countries. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be
predominantly based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to
changes in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and
volatile debt burdens or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a
small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to
increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of
substantial holdings difficult or impossible at times. Securities of issuers
located in countries with emerging markets may have limited marketability and
may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements.
Certain emerging markets may require governmental approval for the
repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of
securities by foreign investors. In addition, if a deterioration occurs in an
emerging market's balance of payments or for other reasons, a country could
impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. The Fund could
be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required
governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the
application to the Fund of any restrictions on investments.
Investment in certain foreign emerging market debt obligations may be
restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls
may at times preclude investment in certain foreign emerging market debt
obligations and increase the expenses of the Fund.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN LOWER RATED BONDS: As described above, the Fund may
invest in fixed income (i.e., debt) securities rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by
S&P and comparable unrated securities. These securities, while normally
exhibiting adequate protection parameters, have speculative characteristics
and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to
lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than in
the case of higher grade fixed income securities.
The Fund may also invest in fixed income securities that are rated Ba or lower
by Moody's or BB or lower by S&P or Fitch or comparable unrated securities
("junk bonds"). These securities are considered speculative and, while
generally providing greater income than investments in higher rated
securities, will involve greater risk of principal and income (including the
possibility of default or bankruptcy of the issuers of such securities) and
may involve greater volatility of price (especially during periods of economic
uncertainty or change) than securities in the higher rating categories.
However, since yields vary over time, no specific level of income can ever be
assured. These lower rated high yielding fixed income securities generally
tend to reflect economic changes as well as short-term corporate and industry
developments to a greater extent than higher rated securities which react
primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. These lower
rated fixed income securities are also affected by changes in interest rates,
the market's perception of their credit quality, and the outlook for economic
growth. In the past, economic downturns or an increase in interest rates have,
under certain circumstances, caused a higher incidence of default by the
issuer of these securities and may do so in the future, especially in the case
of highly leveraged issuers. During certain periods, the higher yields on the
Fund's lower rated high yielding fixed income securities are paid primarily
because of the increased risk of loss of principal and income, arising from
such factors as the heightened possibility of default or bankruptcy of the
issuers of such securities. Due to the fixed income payments of these
securities, the Fund may continue to earn the same level of interest income
while its net asset value declines due to portfolio losses, which could result
in an increase in the Fund's yield despite the actual loss of principal. The
market for these lower rated fixed income securities may be less liquid than
the market for investment grade fixed income securities. Therefore, judgment
may at times play a greater role in valuing these securities than in the case
of investment grade fixed income securities.
------------------------
The investment objective and policies described above are not fundamental and
may be changed without shareholder approval. A change in the Fund's investment
objective may result in the Fund having an investment objective different from
the objective which the Shareholder considered appropriate at the time of
investment in the Fund.
The SAI includes a discussion of other investment policies and a listing of
specific investment restrictions which govern the Fund's investment policies.
The specific investment restrictions listed in the SAI may be changed without
approval of the shareholders of the Fund, unless indicated otherwise (see
"Investment Restrictions" in the SAI). Except with respect to the Fund's
policy on borrowing and investing in illiquid securities, the Fund's
investment limitations, policies and ratings standards are adhered to at the
time of purchase or utilization of assets; a subsequent change in
circumstances will not be considered to result in a violation of policy.
7. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT ADVISER -- The Adviser manages the Fund pursuant to an Investment
Advisory Agreement, dated September 1, 1993 (the "Advisory Agreement"). Under
the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides the Fund with overall investment
advisory services. The Fund is currently managed by a committee comprised of
various equity research analysts employed by the Adviser. For these services
and facilities, the Adviser receives a management fee, computed and paid
monthly, fixed by a formula based upon a percentage of the Fund's average
daily net assets plus a percentage of the Fund's gross income (i.e., income
other than gains from the sale of securities) in each case on an annualized
basis for the Fund's then current fiscal year. The applicable percentages are
reduced as assets and income reach the following levels:
ANNUAL RATE OF MANAGEMENT FEE ANNUAL RATE OF MANAGEMENT FEE
BASED ON AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS BASED ON GROSS INCOME
- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------
0.40% of the first $100 million 5.0% of the first $2 million
0.32% of the next $400 million 4.0% of the next $8 million
0.288% of average daily net assets 3.6% of gross income in excess of
in excess of $500 million $10 million
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, MFS received management fees of
$10,295,600 (of which $9,009,037 was based on average daily net assets and
$1,286,563 on gross income), equivalent, on an annualized basis, to 0.34% of
the Fund's average daily net assets.
MFS also serves as investment adviser to each of the other funds in the MFS
Family of Funds (the "MFS Funds"), to MFS(R) Municipal Income Trust, MFS
Multimarket Income Trust, MFS Government Markets Income Trust, MFS
Intermediate Income Trust, MFS Charter Income Trust, MFS Special Value Trust,
MFS Institutional Trust, MFS Variable Insurance Trust, MFS/Sun Life Series
Trust, and seven variable accounts, each of which is a registered investment
company established by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) ("Sun Life
of Canada (U.S.)") in connection with the sale of various fixed/variable
annuity contracts. MFS and its wholly owned subsidiary, MFS Institutional
Advisors, Inc., also provide investment advice to substantial private clients.
MFS is America's oldest mutual fund organization. MFS and its predecessor
organizations have a history of money management dating from 1924 and the
founding of the first mutual fund in the United States, Massachusetts
Investors Trust. Net assets under the management of the MFS organization were
approximately $70.2 billion on behalf of over 2.7 million investor accounts as
of December 31, 1997. MFS is a subsidiary of Sun Life of Canada (U.S.), a
subsidiary of Sun Life of Canada (U.S.) Holdings, Inc. which in turn is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun Life").
The Directors of MFS are A. Keith Brodkin, Jeffrey L. Shames, John D. McNeil,
Donald A. Stewart and Arnold D. Scott. Mr. Brodkin is the Chairman, Mr. Shames
is the President and Mr. Scott is the Secretary and a Senior Executive Vice
President of MFS. Messrs. McNeil and Stewart are the Chairman and the
President, respectively, of Sun Life. Sun Life, a mutual life insurance
company, is one of the largest international life insurance companies and has
been operating in the United States since 1895, establishing a headquarters
office here in 1973. The executive officers of MFS report to the Chairman of
Sun Life.
A. Keith Brodkin, the Chairman and a director of MFS, is also the Chairman,
President and a Trustee of the Trust. W. Thomas London, Stephen E. Cavan,
James O. Yost, Ellen Moynihan, Mark E. Bradley, and James R. Bordewick, Jr.,
all of whom are officers of MFS, are also officers of the Trust.
In certain instances there may be securities which are suitable for the Fund's
portfolio as well as for portfolios of other clients of MFS. Some simultaneous
transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice
from MFS, particularly when the same security is suitable for more than one
client. While in some cases this arrangement could have a detrimental effect
on the price or availability of the security as far as the Fund is concerned,
in other cases, however, it may produce increased investment opportunities for
the Fund.
DISTRIBUTOR -- MFD, a wholly owned subsidiary of MFS, is the distributor of
shares of the Fund and also serves as distributor for each of the other MFS
Funds.
ADMINISTRATOR -- MFS provides the Fund with certain financial, legal,
compliance, shareholder communications and other administrative services
pursuant to a Master Administrative Services Agreement dated March 1, 1997, as
amended. Under this Agreement, the Fund pays MFS an administrative fee up to
0.015% per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets. This fee reimburses
MFS for a portion of the costs it incurs to provide such services.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT -- MFS Service Center, Inc. (the "Shareholder
Servicing Agent"), a wholly owned subsidiary of MFS, performs transfer agency,
certain dividend disbursing agency and other services for the Fund.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT -- MFS Service Center, Inc. (the "Shareholder
Servicing Agent"), a wholly owned subsidiary of MFS, performs transfer agency
and certain other services for the Fund.
8. INFORMATION CONCERNING SHARES OF THE FUND
PURCHASES
Class A, B and C shares of the Fund may be purchased at the public offering
price through any dealer. As used in the Prospectus and any appendices
thereto, the term "dealer" includes any broker, dealer, bank (including bank
trust departments), registered investment adviser, financial planner and any
other financial institutions having a selling agreement or other similar
agreement with MFD. Dealers may also charge their customers fees relating to
investments in the Fund.
This Prospectus offers Class A, B and C shares, which bear sales charges and
distribution fees in different forms and amounts, as described below:
CLASS A SHARES: Class A shares are generally offered at net asset value plus
an initial sales charge, but in certain cases are offered at net asset value
without an initial sales charge but subject to a CDSC.
PURCHASES SUBJECT TO INITIAL SALES CHARGE. Class A shares are offered at
net asset value plus an initial sales charge as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SALES CHARGE* AS
PERCENTAGE OF:
-------------------------------- DEALER ALLOWANCE
NET AMOUNT AS A PERCENTAGE
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE OFFERING PRICE INVESTED OF OFFERING PRICE
- ------------------ -------------- ---------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000 ................................. 5.75% 6.10% 5.00%
$50,000 but less than $100,000 .................... 4.75 4.99 4.00
$100,000 but less than $250,000 ................... 4.00 4.17 3.20
$250,000 but less than $500,000 ................... 2.95 3.05 2.25
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000 ................. 2.20 2.25 1.70
$1,000,000 or more ................................ None** None** See Below**
- ------------
* Because of rounding in the calculation of offering price, actual sales charges may be more or less than those
calculated using the percentages above.
** A CDSC will apply to such purchases, as discussed below.
</TABLE>
MFD allows discounts to dealers (which are alike for all dealers) from the
applicable public offering price, as shown in the above table. In the case of
the maximum sales charge, the dealer retains 5% and MFD retains approximately
3/4 of 1% of the public offering price. The sales charge may vary depending on
the number of shares of the Fund as well as certain other MFS Funds owned or
being purchased, the existence of an agreement to purchase additional shares
during a 13-month period (or 36-month period for purchases of $1 million or
more) or other special purchase programs. A description of the Right of
Accumulation, Letter of Intent and Group Purchase privileges by which the
sales charge may be reduced is set forth in the SAI.
PURCHASES SUBJECT TO A CDSC (but not subject to an initial sales charge).
In the following five circumstances, Class A shares are offered at net asset
value without an initial sales charge but subject to a CDSC, equal to 1% of
the lesser of the value of the shares redeemed (exclusive of reinvested
dividend and capital gain distributions) or the total cost of such shares, in
the event of a share redemption within 12 months following the purchase:
(i) on investments of $1 million or more in Class A shares;
(ii) on investments in Class A shares by certain retirement plans subject
to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA"), if, prior to July 1, 1996: (a) the Plan had established an
account with the Shareholder Servicing Agent and (b) the sponsoring
organization had demonstrated to the satisfaction of MFD that either
(i) the employer had at least 25 employees or (ii) the aggregate
purchases by the retirement plan of Class A shares of the MFS Funds
will be in an amount of at least $250,000 within a reasonable period
of time, as determined by MFD in its sole discretion;
(iii) on investments in Class A shares by certain retirement plans subject
to ERISA, if: (a) the retirement plan and/or sponsoring organization
subscribes to the MFS FUNDamental 401(k) Program or any similar
recordkeeping system made available by the Shareholder Servicing
Agent (the "MFS Participant Recordkeeping System"); (b) the plan
establishes an account with the Shareholder Servicing Agent on or
after July 1, 1996; and (c) the aggregate purchases by the retirement
plan of Class A shares of the MFS Funds will be in an aggregate
amount of at least $500,000 within a reasonable period of time, as
determined by MFD in its sole discretion;
(iv) on investments in Class A shares by certain retirement plans subject
to ERISA, if: (a) the plan establishes an account with the
Shareholder Servicing Agent on or after July 1, 1996 and (b) the plan
has, at the time of purchase, a market value of $500,000 or more
invested in shares of any class or classes of the MFS Funds. THE
RETIREMENT PLAN WILL QUALIFY UNDER THIS CATEGORY ONLY IF THE PLAN OR
ITS SPONSORING ORGANIZATION INFORMS THE SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT
PRIOR TO THE PURCHASES THAT THE PLAN HAS A MARKET VALUE OF $500,000
OR MORE INVESTED IN SHARES OF ANY CLASS OR CLASSES OF THE MFS FUNDS.
THE SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT HAS NO OBLIGATION INDEPENDENTLY TO
DETERMINE WHETHER SUCH A PLAN QUALIFIES UNDER THIS CATEGORY; AND
(v) on investments in Class A shares by certain retirement plans subject
to ERISA, if: (a) the plan establishes an account with the
Shareholder Servicing Agent on or after July 1, 1997; (b) such plan's
records are maintained on a pooled basis by the Shareholder Servicing
Agent; and (c) the sponsoring organization demonstrates to the
satisfaction of MFD that, at the time of purchase, the employer has
at least 200 eligible employees and the plan has aggregate assets of
at least $2,000,000.
In the case of all such purchases, MFD will pay commissions to dealers on new
investments in Class A shares made through such dealers as follows:
COMMISSION PAID BY MFD TO DEALERS CUMULATIVE PURCHASE AMOUNT
--------------------------------- --------------------------
1.00% On the first $2,000,000, plus
0.80% Over $2,000,000 to $3,000,000, plus
0.50% Over $3,000,000 to $50,000,000, plus
0.25% Over $50,000,000
For purposes of determining the level of commissions to be paid to dealers
with respect to a shareholder's new investment in Class A shares, purchases
for each shareholder account (and certain other accounts for which the
shareholder is a record or beneficial holder) will be aggregated over a 12-
month period (commencing from the date of the first such purchase).
See "Redemptions and Repurchases -- Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" for
further discussion of the CDSC.
WAIVERS OF INITIAL SALES CHARGE AND CDSC. In certain circumstances, the
initial sales charge imposed upon purchases of Class A shares and the CDSC
imposed upon redemptions of Class A shares is waived. These circumstances are
described in Appendix A to this Prospectus. In addition to these
circumstances, the CDSC imposed upon the redemption of Class A shares is
waived with respect to shares held by certain retirement plans qualified under
Section 401(a) or 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), and subject to ERISA, where:
(i) the retirement plan and/or sponsoring organization does not subscribe
to the MFS Participant Recordkeeping System; and
(ii) the retirement plan and/or sponsoring organization demonstrates to
the satisfaction of, and certifies to the Shareholder Servicing Agent
that the retirement plan has, at the time of certification or will
have pursuant to a purchase order placed with the certification, a
market value of $500,000 or more invested in shares of any class or
classes of the MFS Funds and aggregate assets of at least $10
million;
provided, however, that the CDSC will not be waived (i.e., it will be imposed)
(a) with respect to plans which establish an account with the Shareholder
Servicing Agent on or after November 1, 1997, in the event that the Plan makes
a complete redemption of all of its shares in the MFS Funds, or (b) with
respect to plans which established an account with the Shareholder Servicing
Agent prior to November 1, 1997, in the event that there is a change in law or
regulation which results in a material adverse change to the tax advantaged
nature of the plan, or in the event that the plan and/or sponsoring
organization: (i) becomes insolvent or bankrupt; (ii) is terminated under
ERISA or is liquidated or dissolved; or (iii) is acquired by, merged into, or
consolidated with, any other entity.
CLASS B SHARES: Class B shares are offered at net asset value without an
initial sales charge but subject to a CDSC upon redemption as follows:
CONTINGENT
YEAR OF REDEMPTION DEFERRED SALES
AFTER PURCHASE CHARGE
- ------------------ --------------
First ............................................... 4%
Second .............................................. 4%
Third ............................................... 3%
Fourth .............................................. 3%
Fifth ............................................... 2%
Sixth ............................................... 1%
Seventh and following ............................... 0%
The CDSC imposed is assessed against the lesser of the value of the shares
redeemed (exclusive of reinvested dividends and capital gain distributions) or
the total cost of such shares. No CDSC is assessed against shares acquired
through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions.
See "Redemptions and Repurchases -- Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" for
further discussion of the CDSC.
Except as described below, MFD will pay commissions to dealers of 3.75% of the
purchase price of Class B shares purchased through dealers. MFD will also
advance to dealers the first year service fee payable under the Fund's
Distribution Plan (see "Distribution Plan" below) at a rate equal to 0.25% of
the purchase price of such shares. Therefore, the total amount paid to a
dealer upon the sale of Class B shares is 4% of the purchase price of the
shares (commission rate of 3.75% plus a service fee equal to 0.25% of the
purchase price).
Class B shares purchased by a retirement plan whose sponsoring organization
subscribes to the MFS Participant Recordkeeping System and which has
established its account with the Shareholder Servicing Agent on or after July
1, 1996, will be subject to the CDSC described above, only under limited
circumstances, as explained below under "Waivers of CDSC." With respect to
such purchases, MFD pays an amount to dealers equal to 3.00% of the amount
purchased through such dealers (rather than the 4.00% payment described
above), which is comprised of a commission of 2.75% plus the advancement of
the first year service fee equal to 0.25% of the purchase price payable under
the Fund's Distribution Plan. As discussed above, such retirement plans are
eligible to purchase Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value without an
initial sales charge but subject to a 1% CDSC if the plan has, at the time of
purchase, a market value of $500,000 or more invested in shares of any class
or classes of the MFS Funds. IN THIS EVENT, THE PLAN OR ITS SPONSORING
ORGANIZATION SHOULD INFORM THE SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT THAT THE PLAN IS
ELIGIBLE TO PURCHASE CLASS A SHARES UNDER THIS CATEGORY; THE SHAREHOLDER
SERVICING AGENT HAS NO OBLIGATION INDEPENDENTLY TO DETERMINE WHETHER SUCH A
PLAN QUALIFIES UNDER THIS CATEGORY FOR THE PURCHASE OF CLASS A SHARES.
WAIVERS OF CDSC. In certain circumstances, the CDSC imposed upon
redemption of Class B shares is waived. These circumstances are described in
Appendix A to this Prospectus. In addition to these circumstances, the CDSC
imposed upon the redemption of Class B shares is waived with respect to shares
held by a retirement plan whose sponsoring organization subscribes to the MFS
Participant Recordkeeping System and which has established an account with the
Shareholder Servicing Agent on or after July 1, 1996; provided, however, that
the CDSC will not be waived (i.e., it will be imposed) in the event that there
is a change in law or regulations which results in a material adverse change
to the tax advantaged nature of the plan, or in the event that the plan and/or
sponsoring organization: (i) becomes insolvent or bankrupt; (ii) is terminated
under ERISA or is liquidated or dissolved; or (iii) is acquired by, merged
into, or consolidated with, any other entity.
CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES. Class B shares of the Fund that remain
outstanding for approximately eight years will convert to Class A shares of
the Fund. Shares purchased through the reinvestment of distributions paid in
respect of Class B shares will be treated as Class B shares for purposes of
the payment of the distribution and service fees under the Fund's Distribution
Plan. See "Information Concerning Shares of the Fund -- Distribution Plan"
below. However, for purposes of conversion to Class A shares, all shares in a
shareholder's account that were purchased through the reinvestment of
dividends and distributions paid in respect of Class B shares (and which have
not converted to Class A shares as provided in the following sentence) will be
held in a separate sub-account. Each time any Class B shares in the
shareholder's account (other than those in the sub-account) convert to Class A
shares, a portion of the Class B shares then in the sub-account will also
convert to Class A shares. The portion will be determined by the ratio that
the shareholder's Class B shares not acquired through reinvestment of
dividends and distributions that are converting to Class A shares bear to the
shareholder's total Class B shares not acquired through reinvestment. The
conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares is subject to the continuing
availability of a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of
counsel that such conversion will not constitute a taxable event for federal
tax purposes. There can be no assurance that such ruling or opinion will be
available, and the conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares will not
occur if such ruling or opinion is not available. In such event, Class B
shares would continue to be subject to higher expenses than Class A shares for
an indefinite period.
The CDSC imposed is assessed against the lesser of the value of the shares
redeemed (exclusive of reinvested dividend and capital gain distributions) or
the total cost of such shares. No CDSC is assessed against shares acquired
through the automatic reinvestment of dividend or capital gain distributions.
See "Redemptions and Repurchases -- Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" below
for further discussion of the CDSC.
MFD will pay dealers 1.00% of the purchase price of Class C shares purchased
through dealers and, as compensation therefor, MFD will retain the 1.00% per
annum distribution and service fee paid under the Fund's Distribution Plan by
the Fund to MFD for the first year after purchase (see "Distribution Plan"
below).
CLASS C SHARES: Class C shares are offered at net asset value without an
initial sales charge or a CDSC but are subject to a CDSC upon redemption of
1.00% during the first year. Class C shares do not convert to any other class
of shares of the Fund. The maximum investment in Class C shares that may be
made is up to $1,000,000 per transaction.
Class C shares are not currently available for purchase by any retirement plan
qualified under Sections 401(a) or 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), if the retirement plan and/or the sponsoring
organization subscribe to the MFS FUNDamental 401(k) Plan or another similar
recordkeeping program made available by the Shareholder Servicing Agent.
WAIVERS OF CDSC. In certain circumstances, the CDSC imposed upon redemption of
Class C shares is waived. These circumstances are described in Appendix A to
this Prospectus.
GENERAL: The following information applies to purchases of all classes of the
Fund's shares.
MINIMUM INVESTMENT. Except as described below, the minimum initial
investment is $1,000 per account and the minimum additional investment is $50
per account. Accounts being established for monthly automatic investments and
under payroll savings programs and tax-deferred retirement programs (other
than IRAs) involving the submission of investments by means of group remittal
statements are subject to a $50 minimum on initial and additional investments
per account. The minimum initial investment for IRAs is $250 per account and
the minimum additional investment is $50 per account. Accounts being
established for participation in the Automatic Exchange Plan are subject to a
$50 minimum on initial and additional investments per account. There are also
other limited exceptions to these minimums for certain tax-deferred retirement
programs. Any minimums may be changed at any time at the discretion of MFD.
The Fund reserves the right to cease offering its shares at any time.
SUBSEQUENT INVESTMENT BY TELEPHONE: Each shareholder may purchase additional
shares of any MFS Fund by telephoning the Shareholder Servicing Agent toll-
free at (800) 225-2606. The minimum purchase amount is $50 and the maximum
purchase amount is $100,000. Shareholders wishing to avail themselves of this
telephone purchase privilege must so elect on their Account Application and
designate thereon a bank and account number from which purchases will be made.
If a telephone purchase request is received by the Shareholder Servicing Agent
on any business day prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange
(generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), the purchase will occur at the closing
net asset value of the shares purchased on that day. The Shareholder Servicing
Agent may be liable for any losses resulting from unauthorized telephone
transactions if it does not follow reasonable procedures designed to verify
the identity of the caller. The Shareholder Servicing Agent will request
personal or other information from the caller, and will normally also record
calls. Shareholders should verify the accuracy of confirmation statements
immediately after their receipt.
RIGHT TO REJECT PURCHASE ORDERS/MARKET TIMING. Purchases and exchanges
should be made for investment purposes only. The Fund and MFD each reserves
the right to reject any specific purchase or exchange request. In the event
that the Fund or MFD rejects an exchange request, neither the redemption nor
the purchase side of the exchange will be processed.
The Fund is not designed for professional market timing organizations or other
entities using programmed or frequent exchanges. The Fund defines a "market
timer" as an individual, or organization acting on behalf of one or more
individudals, if (i) the individual or organization makes three or more
exchange requests out of the Fund per calender year and (ii) any one of such
exchange requests represents shares equal in value to 1/2 of 1% or more of
the Fund's net assets at the time of the request. Accounts under common
ownership or control, including accounts administered by market timers, will
be aggregated for purposes of this definition.
As noted above, the Fund and MFD each reserves the right to reject or restrict
any specific purchase and exchange request and, in addition, may impose
specific limitations with respect to market timers, including delaying for up
to seven days the purchase side of an exchange request by market timers or
specifically rejecting or otherwise restricting purchase or exchange requests
by market timers. Other funds in the MFS Family of Funds may have different
and/or more restrictive policies with respect to market timers than the Fund.
These policies are disclosed in the prospectuses of these other MFS Funds.
DEALER CONCESSIONS. Dealers may receive different compensation with
respect to sales of Class A, Class B and Class C shares. In addition, from
time to time, MFD may pay dealers 100% of the applicable sales charge on sales
of Class A shares of certain specified MFS Funds sold by such dealer during a
specified sales period. In addition, MFD or its affiliates may, from time to
time, pay dealers an additional commission equal to 0.50% of the net asset
value of all of the Class B and/or Class C shares of certain specified MFS
Funds sold by such dealer during a specified sales period. In addition, from
time to time, MFD, at its expense, may provide additional commissions,
compensation or promotional incentives ("concessions") to dealers which sell
or arrange for the sale of shares of the Fund. Such concessions provided by
MFD may include financial assistance to dealers in connection with preapproved
conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered
representatives and other employees, payment for travel expenses, including
lodging, incurred by registered representatives and other employees for such
seminars or training programs, seminars for the public, advertising and sales
campaigns regarding one or more MFS Funds, and/or other dealer-sponsored
events. From time to time, MFD may make expense reimbursements for special
training of a dealer's registered representatives and other employees in group
meetings or to help pay the expenses of sales contests. Other concessions may
be offered to the extent not prohibited by state laws or any self-regulatory
agency, such as the NASD.
SPECIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMS. For shareholders who elect to participate in
certain investment programs (e.g., the Automatic Investment Plan) or other
shareholder services, MFD or its affiliates may either (i) give a gift of
nominal value, such as a hand-held calculator, or (ii) make a nominal
charitable contribution on their behalf.
RESTRICTIONS ON ACTIVITIES OF NATIONAL BANKS. The Glass-Steagall Act
prohibits national banks from engaging in the business of underwriting,
selling or distributing securities. Although the scope of the prohibition has
not been clearly defined, MFD believes that such Act should not preclude banks
from entering into agency agreements with MFD. If, however, a bank were
prohibited from so acting, the Trustees would consider what actions, if any,
would be necessary to continue to provide efficient and effective shareholder
services in respect of Shareholders who invested in the Fund through a
national bank. It is not expected that shareholders would suffer any adverse
financial consequence as a result of these occurrences. In addition, state
securities laws on this issue may differ from the interpretation of federal
law expressed herein and banks and financial institutions may be required to
register as broker-dealers pursuant to state law.
------------------------
A shareholder whose shares are held in the name of, or controlled by, a dealer
might not receive many of the privileges and services from the Fund (such as
Right of Accumulation, Letter of Intent and certain recordkeeping services)
that the Fund ordinarily provides.
EXCHANGES
Subject to the requirements set forth below, some or all of the shares in an
account with the Fund for which payment has been received by the Fund (i.e.,
an established account) may be exchanged for shares of the same class of any
of the other MFS Funds at net asset value (if available for sale). Shares of
one class may not be exchanged for shares of any other class.
EXCHANGES AMONG MFS FUNDS (EXCLUDING MFS MONEY MARKET FUNDS): No initial sales
charges or CDSC will be imposed in connection with an exchange from shares of
an MFS Fund to shares of any other MFS Fund, except with respect to exchanges
from an MFS money market fund to another MFS Fund which is not an MFS money
market fund (discussed below). With respect to an exchange involving shares
subject to a CDSC, the CDSC will be unaffected by the exchange and the holding
period for purposes of calculating the CDSC will carry over to the acquired
shares.
EXCHANGES FROM AN MFS MONEY MARKET FUND: Special rules apply with respect to
the imposition of an initial sales charge or a CDSC for exchanges from an MFS
money market fund to another MFS Fund which is not an MFS money market fund.
These rules are described under the caption "Exchanges" in the Prospectuses of
those MFS money market funds.
EXCHANGES INVOLVING THE MFS FIXED FUND: Class A shares of any MFS Fund held by
certain qualified retirement plans may be exchanged for units of
participation of the MFS Fixed Fund (a bank collective investment fund) (the
"Units"), and Units may be exchanged for Class A shares of any MFS Fund. With
respect to exchanges between Class A shares subject to a CDSC and Units, the
CDSC will carry over to the acquired shares or Units and will be deducted from
the redemption proceeds when such shares or Units are subsequently redeemed,
assuming the CDSC is then payable (the period during which the Class A shares
and the Units were held will be aggregated for purposes of calculating the
applicable CDSC). In the event that a shareholder initially purchases Units
and then exchanges into Class A shares subject to an initial sales charge of
an MFS Fund, the initial sales charge shall be due upon such exchange, but
will not be imposed with respect to any subsequent exchanges between such
Class A shares and Units with respect to shares on which the initial sales
charge has already been paid. In the event that a shareholder initially
purchases Units and then exchanges into Class A shares subject to a CDSC of an
MFS Fund, the CDSC period will commence upon such exchange, and the
applicability of the CDSC with respect to subsequent exchanges shall be
governed by the rules set forth above in this paragraph.
GENERAL: A shareholder should read the prospectus of the other MFS Funds into
which an exchange is made and consider the differences in objectives, policies
and restrictions before making any exchange. Exchanges will be made only after
instructions in writing or by telephone (an "Exchange Request") are received
for an established account by the Shareholder Servicing Agent in proper form
(i.e., if in writing -- signed by the record owner(s) exactly as the shares
are registered; if by telephone -- proper account identification is given by
the dealer or shareholder of record) and each exchange must involve either
shares having an aggregate value of at least $1,000 ($50 in the case of
retirement plan participants whose sponsoring organizations subscribe to the
MFS FUNDamental 401(k) Plan or another similar 401(k) recordkeeping system
made available by the Shareholder Servicing Agent) or all the shares in the
account. If an Exchange Request is received by the Shareholder Servicing Agent
on any business day prior to the close of regular trading on the New York
Stock Exchange (generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the "Exchange"), the
exchange will occur on that day if all the requirements set forth above have
been complied with at that time and subject to the Fund's right to reject
purchase orders. No more than five exchanges may be made in any one Exchange
Request by telephone. Additional information concerning this exchange
privilege and prospectuses for any of the other MFS Funds may be obtained from
dealers or the Shareholder Servicing Agent. For federal and (generally) state
income tax purposes, an exchange is treated as a sale of the shares exchanged
and, therefore, an exchange could result in a gain or loss to the shareholder
making the exchange. Exchanges by telephone are automatically available to
most non-retirement plan accounts and certain retirement plan accounts. For
further information regarding exchanges by telephone, see "Redemptions by
Telephone." The exchange privilege (or any aspect of it) may be changed or
discontinued and is subject to certain limitations, including certain
restrictions on purchases by market timers.
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
A shareholder may withdraw all or any portion of the value of his account on
any date on which the Fund is open for business by redeeming shares at their
net asset value (a redemption) or by selling such shares to the Fund through a
dealer (a repurchase). Certain redemptions and repurchases are, however,
subject to a CDSC. See "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" below. Because the
net asset value of shares of the account fluctuates, redemptions or
repurchases, which are taxable transactions, are likely to result in gains or
losses to the shareholder. When a shareholder withdraws an amount from his
account, the shareholder is deemed to have tendered for redemption a
sufficient number of full and fractional shares in his account to cover the
amount withdrawn. The proceeds of a redemption or repurchase will normally be
available within seven days, except for shares purchased or received in
exchange for shares purchased by check (including certified checks or
cashier's checks). Payment of redemption proceeds may be delayed for up to 15
days from the purchase date in an effort to assure that such check has
cleared. See "Tax Status" below.
REDEMPTION BY MAIL: Each shareholder may redeem all or any portion of the
shares in his account by mailing or delivering to the Shareholder Servicing
Agent (see back cover for address) a stock power with a written request for
redemption or letter of instruction, together with his share certificates (if
any were issued), all in "good order" for transfer. "Good order" generally
means that the stock power, written request for redemption, letter of
instruction or certificate must be endorsed by the record owner(s) exactly as
the shares are registered and the signature(s) must be guaranteed in the
manner set forth below under the caption "Signature Guarantee." In addition,
in some cases "good order" will require the furnishing of additional
documents. The Shareholder Servicing Agent may make certain de minimis
exceptions to the above requirements for redemption. Within seven days after
receipt of a redemption request in "good order" by the Shareholder Servicing
Agent, the Fund will make payment in cash of the net asset value of the shares
next determined after such redemption request was received, reduced by the
amount of any applicable CDSC described above and the amount of any income tax
required to be withheld, except during any period in which the right of
redemption is suspended or date of payment is postponed because the Exchange
is closed or trading on such Exchange is restricted or to the extent otherwise
permitted by the 1940 Act if an emergency exists.
REDEMPTION BY TELEPHONE: Each shareholder may redeem an amount from his
account by telephoning the Shareholder Servicing Agent toll-free at (800)
225-2606. Shareholders wishing to avail themselves of this telephone
redemption privilege must so elect on their Account Application, designate
thereon a bank and account number to receive the proceeds of such redemption,
and sign the Account Application Form with the signature(s) guaranteed in the
manner set forth below under the caption "Signature Guarantee." The proceeds
of such a redemption, reduced by the amount of any applicable CDSC and the
amount of any income tax required to be withheld, are mailed by check to the
designated account, without charge, if the redemption proceeds do not exceed
$1,000, and are wired in federal funds to the designated account if the
redemption proceeds exceed $1,000. If a telephone redemption request is
received by the Shareholder Servicing Agent by the close of regular trading on
the Exchange on any business day, shares will be redeemed at the closing net
asset value of the Fund on that day. Subject to the conditions described in
this section, proceeds of a redemption are normally mailed or wired on the
next business day following the date of receipt of the order for redemption.
The Shareholder Servicing Agent will not be responsible for any losses
resulting from unauthorized telephone transactions if it follows reasonable
procedures designed to verify the identity of the caller. The Shareholder
Servicing Agent will request personal or other information from the caller,
and will normally also record calls. Shareholders should verify the accuracy
of confirmation statements immediately after their receipt.
REPURCHASE THROUGH A DEALER: If a shareholder desires to sell his shares
through his dealer (a repurchase), the shareholder can place a repurchase
order with his dealer, who may charge the shareholder a fee. IF THE DEALER
RECEIVES THE SHAREHOLDER'S ORDER PRIOR TO THE CLOSE OF REGULAR TRADING ON THE
EXCHANGE AND COMMUNICATES IT TO MFD BEFORE THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON THE SAME
DAY, THE SHAREHOLDER WILL RECEIVE THE NET ASSET VALUE CALCULATED ON THAT DAY,
REDUCED BY THE AMOUNT OF ANY APPLICABLE CDSC AND THE AMOUNT OF ANY INCOME TAX
REQUIRED TO BE WITHHELD.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE: Investments in Class A, Class B and Class C
shares ("Direct Purchases") will be subject to a CDSC for a period of (i) with
respect to Class A and Class C shares, 12 months (however, the CDSC on Class A
shares is only imposed with respect to purchases of $1 million or more of
Class A shares or purchases by certain retirement plans of Class A shares) or
(ii) with respect to Class B shares, six years. Purchases of Class A shares
made during a calendar month, regardless of when during the month the
investment occurred, will age one month on the last day of the month and each
subsequent month. Class C shares and Class B shares purchased on or after
January 1, 1993 will be aggregated on a calendar month basis -- all
transactions made during a calendar month, regardless of when during the month
they have occurred, will age one year at the close of business on the last day
of such month in the following calendar year and each subsequent year. For
Class B shares of the Fund purchased prior to January 1, 1993, transactions
will be aggregated on a calendar year basis -- all transactions made during a
calendar year, regardless of when during the year they have occurred, will age
one year at the close of business on December 31 of that year and each
subsequent year.
At the time of a redemption, the amount by which the value of a shareholder's
account for a particular class of shares represented by Direct Purchases
exceeds the sum of the six calendar year aggregations (12 months in the case
of purchases of Class C shares and of purchases of $1 million or more of Class
A shares or purchases by certain retirement plans of Class A shares) of Direct
Purchases may be redeemed without charge ("Free Amount"). Moreover, no CDSC is
ever assessed on additional shares acquired through the automatic reinvestment
of dividends or capital gain distributions ("Reinvested Shares"). Therefore,
at the time of redemption of a particular class, (i) any Free Amount is not
subject to the CDSC and (ii) the amount of the redemption equal to the then-
current value of Reinvested Shares is not subject to the CDSC, but (iii) any
amount of the redemption in excess of the aggregate of the then-current value
of Reinvested Shares and the Free Amount is subject to a CDSC. The CDSC will
first be applied against the amount of Direct Purchases which will result in
any such charge being imposed at the lowest possible rate. The CDSC to be
imposed upon redemptions of shares will be calculated as set forth in
"Purchases" above.
The applicability of a CDSC will be unaffected by exchanges or transfers of
registration, except as described in Appendix A hereto.
GENERAL: The following information applies to redemptions and repurchases of
all classes of the Fund's shares.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE. In order to protect shareholders against fraud, the
Fund requires, in certain instances as indicated above, that the shareholder's
signature be guaranteed. In these cases the shareholder's signature must be
guaranteed by an eligible bank, broker, dealer, credit union, national
securities exchange, registered securities association, clearing agency or
savings association. Signature guarantees shall be accepted in accordance with
policies established by the Shareholder Servicing Agent.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE. Shareholders of the Fund who have redeemed their
shares have a one-time right to reinvest the redemption proceeds in the same
class of shares of any of the MFS Funds (if shares of such Fund are available
for sale) at net asset value (with a credit for any CDSC paid) within 90 days
of the redemption pursuant to the Reinstatement Privilege. If the shares
credited for any CDSC paid are then redeemed within six years of the initial
purchase in the case of Class B shares or within 12 months of the initial
purchase for Class C shares and certain Class A share purchases, a CDSC will
be imposed upon redemption. Such purchases under the Reinstatement Privilege
are subject to all limitations in the SAI regarding this privilege.
IN-KIND DISTRIBUTIONS. The Trust agrees to redeem shares of the Fund
solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of
the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. The Fund has
reserved the right to pay other redemptions either totally or partially, by a
distribution in-kind of securities (instead of cash) from the Fund's
portfolio. The securities distributed in such a distribution would be valued
at the same amount as that assigned to them in calculating the net asset value
for the shares being sold. If a shareholder received a distribution in-kind,
the shareholder could incur brokerage or transaction charges when converting
the securities to cash.
INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTIONS/SMALL ACCOUNTS. Due to the relatively high cost of
maintaining small accounts, the Fund reserves the right to redeem shares in
any account for their then-current value if at any time the total investment
in such account drops below $500 because of redemptions or exchanges, except
in the case of accounts being established for monthly automatic investments
and certain payroll savings programs, Automatic Exchange Plan accounts and
tax-deferred retirement plans, for which there is a lower minimum investment
requirement. See "Purchases -- General -- Minimum Investment." Shareholders
will be notified that the value of their account is less than the minimum
investment requirement and allowed 60 days to make an additional investment
before the redemption is processed.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Trustees have adopted a Distribution Plan for Class A, Class B and Class C
shares pursuant to Section 12(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 12b-1 thereunder
(the "Distribution Plan"), after having concluded that there is a reasonable
likelihood that the Plan would benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
In certain circumstances, the fees described below may not be imposed or are
being waived. These circumstances, if any, are described below under the
heading "Current Level of Distribution and Service Fees."
FEATURES COMMON TO EACH CLASS OF SHARES: There are certain features of the
Distribution Plan that are common to each class of shares, as described below.
SERVICE FEES. The Distribution Plan provides that the Fund may pay MFD a
service fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to the
class of shares to which the Distribution Plan relates (i.e., Class A, Class B
or Class C shares, as appropriate) (the "Designated Class") annually in order
that MFD may pay expenses on behalf of the Fund relating to the servicing of
shares of the Designated Class. The service fee is used by MFD to compensate
dealers which enter into a sales agreement with MFD in consideration for all
personal services and/or account maintenance services rendered by the dealer
with respect to shares of the Designated Class owned by investors for whom
such dealer is the dealer or holder of record. MFD may from time to time
reduce the amount of the service fees paid for shares sold prior to a certain
date. Service fees may be reduced for a dealer that is the holder or dealer of
record for an investor who owns shares of the Fund having an aggregate net
asset value at or above a certain dollar level. Dealers may from time to time
be required to meet certain criteria in order to receive service fees. MFD or
its affiliates are entitled to retain all service fees payable under the
Distribution Plan for which there is no dealer of record or for which
qualification standards have not been met as partial consideration for
personal services and/or account maintenance services performed by MFD or its
affiliates to shareholder accounts.
DISTRIBUTION FEES. The Distribution Plan provides that the Fund may pay
MFD a distribution fee based on the average daily net assets attributable to
the Designated Class as partial consideration for distribution services
performed and expenses incurred in the performance of MFD's obligations under
its distribution agreement with the Fund. See "Management of the Fund --
Distributor" in the SAI. The amount of the distribution fee paid by the Fund
with respect to each class differs under the Distribution Plans, as does the
use by MFD of such distribution fees. Such amounts and uses are described
below in the discussion of the provisions of the Distribution Plan relating to
each class of shares. While the amount of compensation received by MFD in the
form of distribution fees during any year may be more or less than the expense
incurred by MFD under its distribution agreement with the Fund, the Fund is
not liable to MFD for any losses MFD may incur in performing services under
its distribution agreement with the Fund.
OTHER COMMON FEATURES. Fees payable under the Distribution Plan are
charged to, and therefore reduce, income allocated to shares of the Designated
Class. The provisions of the Distribution Plan relating to operating policies
as well as initial approval, renewal, amendment and termination are
substantially identical as they relate to each class of shares covered by the
Distribution Plan.
FEATURES UNIQUE TO EACH CLASS OF SHARES: There are certain features of the
Distribution Plan that are unique to each class of shares, as described below.
CLASS A SHARES. Class A shares are generally offered pursuant to an
initial sales charge, a substantial portion of which is paid to or retained by
the dealer making the sale (the remainder of which is paid to MFD). See
"Purchases -- Class A Shares" above. In addition to the initial sales charge,
the dealer also generally receives the ongoing 0.25% per annum service fee, as
discussed above.
The distribution fee paid to MFD under the Distribution Plan is equal, on an
annual basis, to 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to
Class A shares. As noted above, MFD may use the distribution fee to cover
distribution-related expenses incurred by it under its distribution agreement
with the Fund, including commissions to dealers and payments to wholesalers
employed by MFD (e.g., MFD pays commissions to dealers with respect to
purchases of $1 million or more and purchases by certain retirement plans of
Class A shares which are sold at net asset value but which are subject to a 1%
CDSC for one year after purchase). See "Purchases -- Class A Shares" above.
In addition, to the extent that the aggregate service and distribution fees
paid under the Distribution Plan do not exceed 0.35% per annum of the average
daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Class A shares, the Fund is
permitted to pay such distribution-related expenses or other distribution-
related expenses.
CLASS B SHARES. Class B shares are offered at net asset value without an
initial sales charge but subject to a CDSC. See "Purchases -- Class B Shares"
above. MFD will advance to dealers the first year service fee described above
at a rate equal to 0.25% of the purchase price of such shares and, as
compensation therefore, MFD may retain the service fee paid by the Fund with
respect to such shares for the first year after purchase. Dealers will become
eligible to receive the ongoing 0.25% per annum service fee with respect to
such shares commencing in the thirteenth month following purchase.
Under the Distribution Plan, the Fund pays MFD a distribution fee equal, on an
annual basis, to 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to
Class B shares. As noted above, this distribution fee may be used by MFD to
cover its distribution-related expenses under its distribution agreement with
the Fund (including the 3.75% commission it pays to dealers upon purchase of
Class B shares, as described under "Purchases -- Class B Shares" above).
CLASS C SHARES. Class C shares are offered at net asset value without an
initial sales charge but subject to a CDSC. See "Purchases -- Class C shares"
above. MFD will pay a commission to dealers of 1.00% of the purchase price of
Class C shares purchased through dealers at the time of purchase. In
compensation for this 1.00% commission paid by MFD to dealers, MFD will retain
the 1.00% per annum Class C distribution and service fees paid by the Fund
with respect to such shares for the first year after purchase, and dealers
will become eligible to receive from MFD the ongoing 1.00% per annum
distribution and service fees paid by the Fund to MFD with respect to such
shares commencing in the thirteenth month following purchase.
This ongoing 1.00% fee is comprised of the 0.25% per annum service fee paid to
MFD under the Distribution Plan (which MFD in turn pays to dealers), as
discussed above, and a distribution fee paid to MFD (which MFD also in turn
pays to dealers) under the Distribution Plan equal, on an annual basis, to
0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.
CURRENT LEVEL OF DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES: The Fund's Class A, Class B
and Class C distribution and service fees for its current fiscal year are
0.35%, 1.00% and 1.00% per annum, respectively. The 0.35% per annum Class A
distribution/service fee is reduced to 0.25% per annum for shares purchased
prior to March 1, 1991.
DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund intends to pay substantially all of its net investment income to its
shareholders as dividends on an annual basis. The Fund may make one or more
distributions during the calendar year to its shareholders from any long-term
capital gains, and may also make one or more distributions during the calendar
year to its shareholders from short-term capital gains. Shareholders may elect
to receive dividends and capital gain distributions in either cash or
additional shares of the same class with respect to which a distribution is
made. See "Tax Status" and "Shareholder Services -- Distribution Options"
below. Distributions paid by the Fund with respect to Class A shares will
generally be greater than those paid with respect to Class B and Class C
shares because expenses attributable to Class B and Class C shares will
generally be higher.
TAX STATUS
The Fund is treated as an entity separate from the other series of the Trust
for federal income tax purposes. The Fund intends to qualify each year as a
"regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code. Because the
Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income and net realized
capital gains to its shareholders in accordance with the timing requirements
imposed by the Code, it is not expected that the Fund will be required to pay
any federal income or excise taxes, although the Fund's foreign-source income
may be subject to foreign withholding taxes.
Shareholders of the Fund normally will have to pay federal income taxes (and
any state or local taxes) on the dividends and capital gain distributions they
receive from the Fund, whether the distribution is paid in cash or reinvested
in additional shares. A portion of the dividends received from the Fund (but
none of the Fund's capital gain distributions) may qualify for the dividends
received deduction for corporations. Shortly after the end of each calendar
year, each shareholder will be sent a statement setting forth the federal
income tax status of all dividends and distributions for that year, including
the portion taxable as ordinary income, the portion taxable as long term
capital gain (as well as the rate category or categories under which such gain
is taxable), the portion, if any, representing a return of capital (which is
generally free of current taxes but which results in a basis reduction), and
the amount, if any, of federal income tax withheld.
Fund distributions will reduce the Fund's net asset value per share.
Shareholders who buy shares shortly before the Fund makes a distribution may
thus pay the full price for the shares and then effectively receive a portion
of the purchase price back as a taxable distribution.
The Fund intends to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 30% (or
any lower rate permitted under an applicable treaty) on taxable dividends and
other payments that are subject to such withholding and are made to persons
who are neither citizens nor residents of the U.S. The Fund is also required
in certain circumstances to apply backup withholding at the rate of 31% on
taxable dividends and redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder (including a
shareholder who is neither a citizen nor a resident of the U.S.) who does not
furnish to the Fund certain information and certifications or who is otherwise
subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding will not, however, be
applied to payments that have been subject to 30% withholding. Prospective
investors should read the Fund's Account Application for additional
information regarding backup withholding of federal income tax and should
consult their own tax advisers as to the tax consequences to them of an
investment in the Fund.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of each class of shares of the Fund is
determined each day during which the Exchange is open for trading. This
determination is made once each day as of the close of regular trading on the
Exchange by deducting the amount of the liabilities attributable to the class
from the value of the assets attributable to the class and dividing the
difference by the number of shares of the class outstanding. Assets in the
Fund's portfolio are valued on the basis of their market values as described
in the SAI. The net asset value of each class of shares is effective for
orders received in "good order" by the dealer prior to its calculation and
received by MFD prior to the close of that business day.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES, VOTING RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES
The Fund, one of six series of the Trust, has three classes of shares which it
offers to the general public, entitled Class A, Class B and Class C Shares of
Beneficial Interest (without par value). The Fund also has a class of shares
which it offers exclusively to certain institutional investors, entitled Class
I shares. The Trust has reserved the right to create and issue additional
classes and series of shares, in which case each class of shares of a series
would participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets attributable
to that class of shares of that particular series. Shareholders are entitled
to one vote for each share held and shares of each series would be entitled to
vote separately to approve investment advisory agreements or changes in
investment restrictions, but shares of all series would vote together in the
election of Trustees or ratification of selection of accountants.
Additionally, each class of shares of a series will vote separately on any
material increases in the fees under the Distribution Plan or on any other
matter that affects solely its class of shares, but will otherwise vote
together with all other classes of shares of the series on all other matters.
The Trust does not intend to hold annual shareholder meetings. The Declaration
of Trust provides that a Trustee may be removed from office in certain
instances (see "Description of Shares, Voting Rights and Liabilities" in the
SAI).
Each share of a class of the Fund represents an equal proportionate interest
in the Fund with each other class share, subject to the liabilities of the
particular class. Shares have no pre-emptive or conversion rights (except as
described above in "Purchases -- Conversion of Class B Shares"). Shares are
fully paid and non-assessable. Should the Fund be liquidated, shareholders of
each class are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets attributable to
that class available for distribution to shareholders. Shares will remain on
deposit with the Shareholder Servicing Agent and certificates will not be
issued except in connection with pledges and assignments and in certain other
limited circumstances.
The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts business
trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its
obligations. However, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on
account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both
inadequate insurance (e.g., fidelity bonding and errors and omissions
insurance) exists and the Trust itself is unable to meet its obligations.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund will provide total rate of return quotations for
each class of shares and may also quote fund rankings in the relevant fund
category from various sources, such as the Lipper Analytical Securities
Corporation and Wiesenberger Investment Companies Service. Total rate of
return quotations reflect the average annual percentage change over stated
periods in the value of an investment in a class of shares of the Fund made at
the maximum public offering price of the shares of that class with all
distributions reinvested and which will give effect to the imposition of any
applicable CDSC assessed upon redemptions of the Fund's Class B and Class C
shares. Such total rate of return quotations may be accompanied by quotations
which do not reflect the reduction in value of the initial investment due to
the sales charge, or the deduction of a CDSC, and which will thus be higher.
The Fund offers multiple classes of shares which were initially offered for
sale to, and purchased by, the public on different dates (the class "inception
date"). The calculation of total rate of return for a class of shares which
has a later class inception date than another class of shares of the Fund is
based both on (i) the performance of the Fund's newer class from its inception
date and (ii) the performance of the Fund's oldest class from its inception
date up to the Class inception date of the newer class. See the SAI for
further information on the calculation of total rate of return for share
classes with different class inception dates.
The Fund's total rate of return quotations are based on historical performance
and are not intended to indicate future performance. Total rate of return
reflects all components of investment return over a stated period of time. The
Fund's quotations may from time to time be used in advertisements, shareholder
reports or other communications to shareholders. For a discussion of the
manner in which the Fund will calculate its total rate of return, see the SAI.
For further information about the Fund's performance for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1997, please see the Fund's Annual Report. A copy of the Annual
Report may be obtained without charge by contacting the Shareholder Servicing
Agent (see back cover for address and phone number). In addition to
information provided in shareholder reports, the Fund may, in its discretion,
from time to time, make a list of all or a portion of its holdings available
to investors upon request.
9. SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
Shareholders with questions concerning the shareholder services described
below or concerning other aspects of the Fund, should contact their investment
dealer or the Shareholder Servicing Agent (see back cover for address and
phone number).
ACCOUNT AND CONFIRMATION STATEMENTS -- Each shareholder will receive
confirmation statements showing the transaction activity in his account. At
the end of each calendar year, each shareholder will receive income tax
information regarding reportable dividends and capital gain distributions for
that year (see "Tax Status").
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS -- The following options are available to all accounts
(except Systematic Withdrawal Plan accounts) and may be changed as often as
desired by notifying the Shareholder Servicing Agent:
-- Dividends and capital gain distributions reinvested in additional
shares; this option will be assigned if no other option is specified;
-- Dividends in cash; capital gain distributions reinvested in additional
shares;
-- Dividends and capital gain distributions in cash.
Reinvestments (net of any tax withholding) will be made in additional full and
fractional shares of the same class of shares at the net asset value in effect
at the close of business on the record date. Checks for dividends and capital
gain distributions in amounts less than $10 will automatically be reinvested
in additional shares of the Fund. If a shareholder has elected to receive
dividends and/or capital gain distributions in cash, and the postal or other
delivery service is unable to deliver checks to the shareholder's address of
record or the shareholder does not respond to mailings from the Shareholder
Servicing Agent with regard to uncashed distribution checks, such
shareholder's distribution option will automatically be converted to having
all dividends and other distributions reinvested in additional shares. Any
request to change a distribution option must be received by the Shareholder
Servicing Agent by the record date for a dividend or distribution in order to
be effective for that dividend or distribution. No interest will accrue on
amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.
INVESTMENT AND WITHDRAWAL PROGRAMS
For the convenience of shareholders, the Fund makes available the following
programs designed to enable shareholders to add to their investment in an
account with the Fund or withdraw from it with a minimum of paper work. The
programs involve no extra charge to shareholders (other than a sales charge in
the case of certain Class A share purchases) and may be changed or
discontinued at any time by a shareholder or the Fund.
LETTER OF INTENT -- If a shareholder (other than a group purchaser as
described in the SAI) anticipates purchasing $50,000 or more of Class A shares
of the Fund alone or in combination with shares of Class B or Class C of the
Fund or any of the classes of other MFS Funds or MFS Fixed Fund (a bank
collective trust) within a 13-month period (or 36-month period for purchases
of $1 million or more), the shareholder may obtain such shares of the Fund at
the same reduced sales charge as though the total quantity were invested in
one lump sum, subject to escrow agreements and the appointment of an attorney
for redemptions from the escrow amount if the intended purchases are not
completed, by completing the Letter of Intent section of the Account
Application.
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION -- A shareholder qualifies for cumulative quantity
discounts on purchases of Class A shares when his new investment, together
with the current offering price value of all holdings of Class A, B and C
shares of that shareholder in the MFS Funds or MFS Fixed Fund (a bank
collective trust), reaches a discount level.
DISTRIBUTION INVESTMENT PROGRAM -- Shares of a particular class of the
Fund may be sold at net asset value (and without any applicable CDSC) through
the automatic reinvestment of dividend and capital gain distributions from the
same class of another MFS Fund. Furthermore, distributions made by the Fund
may be automatically invested at net asset value in shares of the same class
of another MFS Fund, if shares of such Fund are available for sale (without a
sales charge and not subject to any applicable CDSC).
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN -- A shareholder may direct the Shareholder
Servicing Agent to send him (or anyone he designates) regular periodic
payments based upon the value of his account. Each payment under a Systematic
Withdrawal Plan (a "SWP") must be at least $100, except in certain limited
circumstances. The aggregate withdrawals of Class B and Class C shares in any
year pursuant to a SWP will not be subject to a CDSC and are generally limited
to 10% of the value of the account at the time of the establishment of the
SWP. The CDSC will not be waived in the case of SWP redemptions of Class A
shares which are subject to a CDSC.
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING PROGRAMS --
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN: Cash investments of $50 or more may be made through
a shareholder's checking account on any day of the month. If the shareholder
does not specify a date, the investment will automatically occur on the first
business day of the month. Required forms are available from the Shareholder
Servicing Agent or investment dealers.
AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE PLAN: Shareholders having account balances of at least
$5,000 in any MFS Fund may exchange their shares for shares of the same class
of shares of other MFS Funds (and, in the case of Class C shares, for shares
of MFS Money Market Fund) under the Automatic Exchange Plan, a dollar cost
averaging program. The Automatic Exchange Plan provides for automatic
exchanges of funds from the shareholder's account in an MFS Fund for
investment in the same class of shares of other MFS Funds selected by the
shareholder if such fund is available for sale. Under the Automatic Exchange
Plan, exchanges of at least $50 each may be made to up to six different funds.
A shareholder should consider the objectives and policies of a fund and review
its prospectus before electing to exchange money into such fund through the
Automatic Exchange Plan. No transaction fee is imposed in connection with
exchange transactions under the Automatic Exchange Plan. However, exchanges of
shares of MFS Money Market Fund, MFS Government Money Market Fund and Class A
shares of MFS Cash Reserve Fund will be subject to any applicable sales
charge. For federal and (generally) state income tax purposes, a transfer is
treated as a sale of the shares exchanged and, therefore, could result in a
capital gain or loss to the shareholder making the exchange. See the SAI for
further information concerning the Automatic Exchange Plan. Investors should
consult their tax advisers for information regarding the potential capital
gain and loss consequences of transactions under the Automatic Exchange Plan.
Because a dollar cost averaging program involves periodic purchases of shares
regardless of fluctuating share offering prices, a shareholder should consider
his financial ability to continue his purchases through periods of low price
levels. Maintaining a dollar cost averaging program concurrently with a
withdrawal program could be disadvantageous because of the sales charges
included in share purchases in the case of Class A shares, and because of the
assessment of the CDSC for certain share redemptions in the case of Class A
shares which are subject to a CDSC.
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS -- Except as noted under "Purchases -- Class C
Shares," shares of the Fund may be purchased by all types of tax-deferred
retirement plans, including IRAs, SEP-IRA plans, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans
and other corporate pension and profit-sharing plans. Investors should consult
with their tax advisers before establishing any of the tax-deferred retirement
plans described above.
--------------------
The Fund's SAI dated February 1, 1998, as amended or supplemented from time to
time, contains more detailed information about the Fund, including, but not
limited to, information related to (i) investment objective, policies and
restrictions, (ii) Trustees, officers and investment adviser, (iii) portfolio
transactions and brokerage commissions, (iv) the Distribution Plan and (v)
various services and privileges provided for the benefit of its shareholders,
including additional information with respect to the exchange privilege.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
WAIVERS OF SALES CHARGES
This Appendix sets forth the various circumstances in which all applicable
sales charges are waived (Section I), the initial sales charge and the
contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") for Class A shares are waived
(Section II), and the CDSC for Class B and Class C shares is waived (Section
III). As used in this Appendix, the term "dealer" includes any broker, dealer,
bank (including bank trust departments), registered investment adviser,
financial planner and any other financial institutions having a selling
agreement or other similar agreement with MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. ("MFD").
I. WAIVERS OF ALL APPLICABLE SALES CHARGES
In the following circumstances, the initial sales charge imposed on
purchases of Class A shares and the CDSC imposed on certain redemptions of
Class A shares and on redemptions of Class B and Class C shares, as
applicable, is waived:
1. DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
o Shares acquired through dividend or capital gain reinvestment; and
o Shares acquired by automatic reinvestment of distributions of
dividends and capital gains of any MFS Fund in the MFS Family of
Funds ("MFS Funds") pursuant to the Distribution Investment Program.
2. CERTAIN ACQUISITIONS/LIQUIDATIONS
o Shares acquired on account of the acquisition or liquidation of
assets of other investment companies or personal holding companies.
3. AFFILIATES OF AN MFS FUND/CERTAIN DEALERS. Shares acquired by:
o Officers, eligible directors, employees (including retired employees)
and agents of Massachusetts Financial Services Company ("MFS"), Sun
Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun Life") or any of their
subsidiary companies;
o Trustees and retired trustees of any investment company for which MFS
Fund Distributors, Inc. ("MFD") serves as distributor;
o Employees, directors, partners, officers and trustees of any sub-
adviser to any MFS Fund;
o Employees or registered representatives of dealers;
o Certain family members of any such individual and their spouses
identified above and certain trusts, pension, profit-sharing or other
retirement plans for the sole benefit of such persons, provided the
shares are not resold except to an MFS Fund; and
o Clients of MFS or MFS Institutional Advisors, Inc. ("MFSI").
4. INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTIONS (CDSC WAIVER ONLY)
o Shares redeemed at an MFS Fund's direction due to the small size of a
shareholder's account. See "Redemptions and Repurchases -- General --
Involuntary Redemptions/ Small Accounts" in the Prospectus.
5. RETIREMENT PLANS (CDSC WAIVER ONLY). Shares redeemed on account of
distributions made under the following circumstances:
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS ("IRA'S")
o Death or disability of the IRA owner.
SECTION 401(a) PLANS ("401(a) PLANS") AND SECTION 403(b) EMPLOYER
SPONSORED PLANS ("ESP PLANS")
o Death, disability or retirement of 401(a) or ESP Plan participant;
o Loan from 401(a) or ESP Plan (repayment of loans, however, will
constitute new sales for purposes of assessing sales charges);
o Financial hardship (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section
1.401(k)-1(d)(2), as amended from time to time);
o Termination of employment of 401(a) or ESP Plan participant
(excluding, however, a partial or other termination of the Plan);
o Tax-free return of excess 401(a) or ESP Plan contributions;
o To the extent that redemption proceeds are used to pay expenses (or
certain participant expenses) of the 401(a) or ESP Plan (e.g.,
participant account fees), provided that the Plan sponsor subscribes
to the MFS FUNDamental 401(k) Plan or another similar recordkeeping
system made available by the Shareholder Servicing Agent; and
o Distributions from a 401(a) or ESP Plan that has invested its assets
in one or more of the MFS Funds for more than 10 years from the later
to occur of: (i) January 1, 1993 or (ii) the date such 401(a) or ESP
Plan first invests its assets in one or more of the MFS Funds. The
sales charges will be waived in the case of a redemption of all of
the Plan's shares in all MFS Funds (i.e., all the assets of the
401(a) or ESP Plan invested in the MFS Funds are withdrawn), unless
immediately prior to the redemption, the aggregate amount invested by
the 401(a) or ESP Plan in shares of the MFS Funds (excluding the
reinvestment of distributions) during the prior four years equals 50%
or more of the total value of the 401(a) or ESP Plan's assets in the
MFS Funds, in which case the sales charges will not be waived.
SECTION 403(b) SALARY REDUCTION ONLY PLANS ("SRO PLANS")
o Death or disability of SRO Plan participant.
6. CERTAIN TRANSFERS OF REGISTRATION (CDSC WAIVER ONLY). Shares
transferred:
o To an IRA rollover account where any sales charges with respect to
the shares being reregistered would have been waived had they been
redeemed; and
o From a single account maintained for a 401(a) Plan to multiple
accounts maintained by the Shareholder Servicing Agent on behalf of
individual participants of such Plan, provided that the Plan sponsor
subscribes to the MFS FUNDamental 401(k) Plan or another similar
recordkeeping system made available by the Shareholder Servicing
Agent.
7. LOAN REPAYMENTS
o Shares acquired pursuant to repayments by retirement plan
participants of loans from 401(a) or ESP Plans with respect to which
such Plan or its sponsoring organization subscribes to the MFS
FUNDamental 401(k) Program or the MFS Recordkeeper Plus Program (but
not the MFS Recordkeeper Program).
II. WAIVERS OF CLASS A SALES CHARGES
In addition to the waivers set forth in Section I above, in the following
circumstances the initial sales charge imposed on purchases of Class A
shares and the CDSC imposed on certain redemption of Class A shares are
waived:
1. WRAP ACCOUNT AND FUND "SUPERMARKET" INVESTMENTS
o Shares acquired by investments through certain dealers (including
registered investment advisers and financial planners) which have
established certain operational arrangements with MFD which include a
requirement that such shares be sold for the sole benefit of clients
participating in a "wrap" account, mutual fund "supermarket" account
or a similar program under which such clients pay a fee to such
dealer.
2. INVESTMENT BY INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
o Shares acquired by insurance company separate accounts.
3. RETIREMENT PLANS
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ARRANGEMENTS
o Shares acquired by retirement plans or trust accounts whose third
party administrators, or dealers have entered into an administrative
services agreement with MFD or one of its affiliates to perform
certain administrative services, subject to certain operational and
minimum size requirements specified from time to time by MFD or one
or more of its affiliates.
REINVESTMENT OF DISTRIBUTIONS FROM QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS
o Shares acquired through the automatic reinvestment in Class A shares
of Class A or Class B distributions which constitute required
withdrawals from qualified retirement plans.
Shares redeemed on account of distributions made under the following
circumstances:
IRA'S
o Distributions made on or after the IRA owner has attained the age of
59 1/2 years old; and
o Tax-free returns of excess IRA contributions.
401(a) PLANS
o Distributions made on or after the 401(a) Plan participant has
attained the age of 59 1/2 years old; and
o Certain involuntary redemptions and redemptions in connection with
certain automatic withdrawals from a Plan.
ESP PLANS AND SRO PLANS
o Distributions made on or after the ESP or SRO Plan participant has
attained the age of 59 1/2 years old.
4. PURCHASES OF AT LEAST $5 MILLION (CDSC WAIVER ONLY)
o Shares acquired of Eligible Funds (as defined below) if the
shareholder's investment equals or exceeds $5 million in one or more
Eligible Funds (the "Initial Purchase") (this waiver applies to the
shares acquired from the Initial Purchase and all shares of Eligible
Funds subsequently acquired by the shareholder); provided that the
dealer through which the Initial Purchase is made enters into an
agreement with MFD to accept delayed payment of commissions with
respect to the Initial Purchase and all subsequent investments by the
shareholder in the Eligible Funds subject to such requirements as may
be established from time to time by MFD (for a schedule of the amount
of commissions paid by MFD to the dealer on such investments, see
"Purchases -- Class A Shares -- Purchases Subject to a CDSC" in the
Prospectus). The Eligible Funds are all funds included in the MFS
Family of Funds, except for Massachusetts Investors Trust,
Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund, MFS Municipal Bond Fund,
MFS Municipal Limited Maturity Fund, MFS Money Market Fund, MFS
Government Money Market Fund and MFS Cash Reserve Fund.
III. WAIVERS OF CLASS B AND CLASS C SALES CHARGES
In addition to the waivers set forth in Section I above, in the following
circumstances the CDSC imposed on redemptions of Class B and Class C
shares is waived:
1. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
o Systematic Withdrawal Plan redemptions with respect to up to 10% per
year (or 15% per year, in the case of accounts registered as IRAs
where the redemption is made pursuant to Section 72(t) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) of the account value at
the time of establishment.
2. DEATH OF OWNER
o Shares redeemed on account of the death of the account owner if the
shares are held solely in the deceased individual's name or in a
living trust for the benefit of the deceased individual.
3. DISABILITY OF OWNER
o Shares redeemed on account of the disability of the account owner if
shares are held either solely or jointly in the disabled individual's
name or in a living trust for the benefit of the disabled individual
(in which case a disability certification form is required to be
submitted to the Shareholder Servicing Agent).
4. RETIREMENT PLANS. Shares redeemed on account of distributions made
under the following circumstances:
IRA'S, 401(a) PLANS, ESP PLANS AND SRO PLANS
o Distributions made on or after the IRA owner or the 401(a), ESP or
SRO Plan participant, as applicable, has attained the age of 70 1/2
years old, but only with respect to the minimum distribution under
applicable Internal Revenue Code ("Code") rules.
SALARY REDUCTION EMPLOYEE PENSION PLANS ("SAR-SEP PLANS")
o Distributions made on or after the SAR-SEP Plan participant has
attained the age of 70 1/2 years old, but only with respect to the
minimum distribution under applicable Code rules;
o Death or disability of a SAR-SEP Plan participant.
<PAGE>
Investment Adviser
Massachusetts Financial
Services Company
500 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 954-5000
Principal Underwriter
MFS Fund Distributors, Inc.
500 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 954-5000
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Dividend Disbursing Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Shareholder Servicing Agent
MFS Service Center, Inc.
500 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Toll-free: (800) 225-2606
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2281
Boston, MA 02107-9906
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
125 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02110
<PAGE>
------------
[LOGO] M F S(SM) BULK RATE
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT U.S. POSTAGE
We invented the mutual fund(SM) PAID
MFS
------------
MFS(R) RESEARCH FUND
500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116-3741
This is your fund's current prospectus.
Please keep it with your financial records
because it provides important information
about your investment.
MFR-1-2/98/1075M 14/214/314
<PAGE>
[Logo] M F S(SM)
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
MFS(R) RESEARCH STATEMENT OF
FUND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(A member of the MFS Family of Funds(R)) February 1, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page
----
1. Definitions .......................................................... 2
2. The Fund ............................................................. 2
3. Investment Objective, Policies and Restrictions ...................... 2
4. Management of the Fund ............................................... 4
Trustees .......................................................... 4
Officers .......................................................... 5
Trustee Compensation Table ........................................ 5
Investment Adviser ................................................ 6
Administrator ..................................................... 7
Custodian ......................................................... 7
Shareholder Servicing Agent ....................................... 7
Distributor ....................................................... 7
5. Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Commissions ..................... 8
6. Shareholder Services ................................................. 9
Investment and Withdrawal Programs ................................ 9
Exchange Privilege ................................................ 11
Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans ..................................... 11
7. Tax Status ........................................................... 12
8. Determination of Net Asset Value and Performance ..................... 13
9. Distribution Plan .................................................... 15
10. Description of Shares, Voting Rights and Liabilities ................. 15
11. Independent Auditors and Financial Statements ........................ 16
Appendix A -- Description of Bond Ratings ............................ A-1
Appendix B -- Performance Information ................................ B-1
MFS RESEARCH FUND
A Series of MFS Series Trust V
500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(617) 954-5000
This Statement of Additional Information, as amended or supplemented from time
to time (the "SAI"), sets forth information which may be of interest to
investors but which is not necessarily included in the Fund's Prospectus,
dated February 1, 1998. This SAI should be read in conjunction with the
Prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained without charge by contacting the
Shareholder Servicing Agent (see last page for address and phone number).
THIS SAI IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND IS AUTHORIZED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE
INVESTORS ONLY IF PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY A CURRENT PROSPECTUS.
<PAGE>
1. DEFINITIONS
"Fund" -- MFS Research Fund, a series of MFS
Series Trust V, a Massachusetts
business trust (the "Trust"). The
Trust was known as Massachusetts
Financial Total Return Trust until
August 3, 1992 and as MFS Total
Return Fund until August 23, 1993.
The Fund reorganized as a series of
the Trust on September 7, 1993.
"MFS" or the "Adviser" -- Massachusetts Financial Services
Company, a Delaware corporation.
"MFD" -- MFS Fund Distributors, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.
"Prospectus" -- The Prospectus of the Fund, dated
February 1, 1998, as amended and
supplemented from time to time.
2. THE FUND
The Fund was known as "Massachusetts Financial Development Fund" until its
name was changed as of February 1, 1992. The predecessor of the Fund --
Massachusetts Financial Development Fund, Inc. (the "Corporation") -- was
incorporated under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1970. The
Fund was reorganized as a separate Massachusetts business trust on January 29,
1985, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated January 15,
1985. The Fund reorganized as a series of the Trust on September 7, 1993. All
references in this SAI to the Fund's past activities are intended to include
those of the Corporation, unless the context indicates otherwise.
3. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. The Fund's investment objective is to provide long-term
growth of capital and future income. Any investment involves risk and there
can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
INVESTMENT POLICIES. The Prospectus contains a discussion of the Fund's
policies with respect to investments in various types of securities, including
repurchase agreements, and the risks involved in such investments. Some of
these policies are further described below.
SECURITIES LENDING: The Fund may seek to increase its income by lending
portfolio securities. Such loans will usually be made only to member banks of
the Federal Reserve System and to member firms (and subsidiaries thereof) of
the New York Stock Exchange and would be required to be secured continuously
by collateral in cash, U.S. Government securities or an irrevocable letter of
credit, maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the
market value of the securities loaned. The Fund would have the right to call a
loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on customary industry
settlement notice (which usually will not exceed five days). During the
existence of a loan, the Fund would continue to receive the equivalent of the
interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and would
also receive compensation based on investment of cash collateral or a fee. The
Fund would not, however, have the right to vote any securities having voting
rights during the existence of the loan, but would call the loan in
anticipation of an important vote to be taken among holders of the securities
or of the giving or withholding of their consent on a material matter
affecting the investment. As with other extensions of credit there are risks
of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should the
borrower of the securities fail financially. However, the loans would be made
only to entities deemed by the Adviser to be of good standing, and when, in
the judgment of the Adviser, the consideration which can be earned currently
from securities loans of this type justifies the attendant risk. If the
Adviser determines to make securities loans, it is not intended that the value
of the securities loaned would exceed 30% of the value of the Fund's total
assets. The Fund did not lend any of its portfolio securities during its
fiscal year ended September 30, 1997.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with
sellers who are member firms (or subsidiaries thereof) of the New York Stock
Exchange or members of the Federal Reserve System, recognized primary U.S.
Government securities dealers or institutions which the Adviser has determined
to be of comparable creditworthiness. The securities that the Fund purchases
and holds through its agent are U.S. Government securities, the values of
which are equal to or greater than the repurchase price agreed to be paid by
the seller. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the
difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may
be the same, with interest at a standard rate due to the Fund together with
the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund is
unrelated to the interest rate on the U.S. Government securities.
The repurchase agreement provides that in the event the seller fails to pay
the price agreed upon on the agreed upon delivery date or upon demand, as the
case may be, the Fund will have the right to liquidate the securities. If at
the time the Fund is contractually entitled to exercise its right to liquidate
the securities, the seller is subject to a proceeding under the bankruptcy
laws or its assets are otherwise subject to a stay order, the Fund's exercise
of its right to liquidate the securities may be delayed and result in certain
losses and costs to the Fund. The Fund has adopted and follows procedures
which are intended to minimize the risks of repurchase agreements. For
example, the Fund only enters into repurchase agreements after the Adviser has
determined that the seller is creditworthy, and the Adviser monitors that
seller's creditworthiness on an ongoing basis. Moreover, under such
agreements, the value of the securities (which are marked to market every
business day) is required to be greater than the repurchase price, and the
Fund has the right to make margin calls at any time if the value of the
securities falls below the agreed upon margin.
FOREIGN SECURITIES: The Fund may invest up to 20% (and generally expects to
invest between 5% and 15%) of its total assets in foreign securities (not
including American Depositary Receipts). As discussed in the Prospectus,
investing in foreign securities generally represents a greater degree of risk
than investing in domestic securities, due to possible exchange rate
fluctuations, less publicly available information, more volatile markets, less
securities regulation, less favorable tax provisions, war or expropriation. As
a result of its investments in foreign securities, the Fund may receive
interest or dividend payments, or the proceeds of the sale or redemption of
such securities, in the foreign currencies in which such securities are
denominated. Under certain circumstances, such as where the Adviser believes
that the applicable exchange rate is unfavorable at the time the currencies
are received or the Adviser anticipates, for any other reason, that the
exchange rate will improve, the Fund may hold such currencies for an
indefinite period of time. While the holding of currencies will permit the
Fund to take advantage of favorable movements in the applicable exchange rate,
such strategy also exposes the Fund to risk of loss if exchange rates move in
a direction adverse to the Fund's position. Such losses could reduce any
profits or increase any losses sustained by the Fund from the sale or
redemption of securities and could reduce the dollar value of interest or
dividend payments received.
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS: The Fund may invest in American Depositary
Receipts ("ADRs") which are certificates issued by a U.S. depository (usually
a bank) and represent a specified quantity of shares of an underlying non-U.S.
stock on deposit with a custodian bank as collateral. ADRs may be sponsored or
unsponsored. A sponsored ADR is issued by a depository which has an exclusive
relationship with the issuer of the underlying security. An unsponsored ADR
may be issued by any number of U.S. depositories. Under the terms of most
sponsored arrangements, depositories agree to distribute notices of
shareholder meetings and voting instructions, and to provide shareholder
communications and other information to the ADR holders at the request of the
issuer of the deposited securities. The depository of an unsponsored ADR, on
the other hand, is under no obligation to distribute shareholder
communications received from the issuer of the deposited securities or to pass
through voting rights to ADR holders in respect of the deposited securities.
The Fund may invest in either type of ADR. Although the U.S. investor holds a
substitute receipt of ownership rather than direct stock certificates, the use
of the depositary receipts in the United States can reduce costs and delays as
well as potential currency exchange and other difficulties. The Fund may
purchase securities in local markets and direct delivery of these ordinary
shares to the local depository of an ADR agent bank in the foreign country.
Simultaneously, the ADR agents create a certificate which settles at the
Fund's custodian in five days. The Fund may also execute trades on the U.S.
markets using existing ADRs. A foreign issuer of the security underlying an
ADR is generally not subject to the same reporting requirements in the United
States as a domestic issuer. Accordingly the information available to a U.S.
investor will be limited to the information the foreign issuer is required to
disclose in its own country and the market value of an ADR may not reflect
undisclosed material information concerning the issuer of the underlying
security. ADRs may also be subject to exchange rate risks if the underlying
foreign securities are denominated in foreign currency.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN LOWER RATED BONDS: The Fund may invest in fixed income
securities rated Baa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB by
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") or Fitch Investors Service, Inc.
("Fitch") and comparable unrated securities. These securities, while normally
exhibiting adequate protection parameters, have speculative characteristics
and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to
lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than in
the case of higher grade fixed income securities.
The Fund may also invest up to 10% of its net assets in securities rated Ba or
lower by Moody's or BB or lower by S&P or Fitch and comparable unrated
securities (commonly known as "junk bonds"). No minimum rating standard is
required by the Fund. These securities are considered speculative and, while
generally providing greater income than investments in higher rated
securities, will involve greater risk of principal and income (including the
possibility of default or bankruptcy of the issuers of such securities) and
may involve greater volatility of price (especially during periods of economic
uncertainty or change) than securities in the higher rating categories and
because yields vary over time, no specific level of income can ever be
assured. These lower rated high yielding fixed income securities generally
tend to reflect economic changes (and the outlook for economic growth), short-
term corporate and industry developments and the market's perception of their
credit quality (especially during times of adverse publicity) to a greater
extent than higher rated securities which react primarily to fluctuations in
the general level of interest rates (although these lower rated fixed income
securities are also affected by changes in interest rates). In the past,
economic downturns or an increase in interest rates have, under certain
circumstances, caused a higher incidence of default by the issuers of these
securities and may do so in the future, especially in the case of highly
leveraged issuers. The prices for these securities may be affected by
legislative and regulatory developments. The market for these lower rated
fixed income securities may be less liquid than the market for investment
grade fixed income securities. Furthermore, the liquidity of these lower rated
securities may be affected by the market's perception of their credit quality.
Therefore, the Adviser's judgment may at times play a greater role in valuing
these securities than in the case of investment grade fixed income securities,
and it also may be more difficult during times of certain adverse market
conditions to sell these lower rated securities to meet redemption requests or
to respond to changes in the market.
While the Adviser may refer to ratings issued by established credit rating
agencies, it is not the Fund's policy to rely exclusively on ratings issued by
these rating agencies, but rather to supplement such ratings with the
Adviser's own independent and ongoing review of credit quality. To the extent
the Fund invests in these lower rated securities, the achievement of its
investment objective may be more dependent on the Adviser's own credit
analysis than in the case of a fund investing in higher quality fixed income
securities.
The Fund may not invest 25% or more of the market value of its total assets in
securities of issuers in any one industry.
WARRANTS: The Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets, valued at
the lower of cost or market, in warrants. Included within such amount, but not
to exceed 2% of the value of its net assets, may be warrants which are not
listed on the New York or American Stock Exchange. Warrants acquired by the
Fund in units or attached to securities may be deemed to be without value.
THE POLICIES STATED ABOVE ARE NOT FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE CHANGED WITHOUT
SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL, AS MAY THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE.
----------------
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. The Fund has adopted the following restrictions which
cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the
Fund's shares (which, as used in this SAI, means the lesser of (i) more than
50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust (or a class or series, as
applicable) or (ii) 67% or more of the outstanding shares of the Trust (or a
class or series, as applicable) present at a meeting if holders of more than
50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust (or a class or series, as
applicable) are represented at such meeting in person or by proxy):
The Fund may not:
(1) Borrow amounts in excess of 5% of its gross assets (taken at the lower
of cost or market value), and then only as a temporary measure for
extraordinary or emergency purposes;
(2) Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate an amount of assets which (taken at
market value) exceeds 15% of its gross assets (taken at the lower of cost or
market value);
(3) Underwrite securities issued by other persons except insofar as the
Fund may technically be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of
1933 in selling a portfolio security;
(4) Concentrate its investments in any particular industry, but if it is
deemed appropriate for the attainment of its investment objectives, up to
25% of its assets, at market value at the time of each investment, may be
invested in any one industry;
(5) Purchase or sell real estate (including limited partnership interests
but excluding securities of companies, such as real estate investment
trusts, which deal in real estate or interests therein) or mineral leases,
commodities or commodity contracts in the ordinary course of its business.
The Fund reserves the freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate or
mineral leases, commodities or commodity contracts acquired as a result of
the ownership of securities. The Fund will not purchase securities for the
purpose of acquiring real estate or mineral leases, commodities or commodity
contracts;
(6) Make loans to other persons except through the lending of its
portfolio securities and by entering into repurchase agreements. See the
discussion above under the caption "Investment Policies." Not more than 10%
of the Fund's total assets will be invested in repurchase agreements
maturing in more than seven days. Subject to the limitation set forth in
paragraph 16 below, the Fund may purchase a portion of an issue of debt
securities of types commonly distributed privately to financial
institutions. For these purposes the purchase of short-term commercial paper
or a portion of an issue of debt securities which are part of an issue to
the public shall not be considered the making of a loan;
(7) Purchase the securities of any issuer if such purchase, at the time
thereof, would cause more than 5% of its total assets (taken at market
value) to be invested in the securities of such issuer, other than U.S.
Government securities;
(8) Purchase voting securities of any issuer if such purchase, at the time
thereof, would cause more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
such issuer to be held by the Fund; or purchase securities of any issuer if
such purchase at the time thereof would cause the Fund to hold more than 10%
of any class of securities of such issuer. For this purpose all indebtedness
of an issuer shall be deemed a single class and all preferred stock of an
issuer shall be deemed a single class;
(9) Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management;
(10) Purchase securities issued by any other investment company or
investment trust except by purchase in the open market where no commission
or profit to a sponsor or dealer results from such purchase other than the
customary broker's commission, or except when such purchase, though not made
in the open market, is part of a plan of merger or consolidation, provided,
however, that the Fund shall not purchase the securities of any investment
company or investment trust if such purchase at the time thereof would cause
more than 10% of the Fund's total assets (taken at market value) to be
invested in the securities of such issuer, and provided, further, that the
Fund shall not purchase securities issued by any open-end investment
company;
(11) Invest more than 5% of its assets in companies which, including
predecessors, have a record of less than three years' continuous operation;
(12) Purchase or retain in its portfolio any securities issued by an
issuer any of whose officers, directors, trustees or security holders is an
officer or Trustee of the Trust, or is an officer or director of the
Adviser, if after the purchase of the securities of such issuer by the Fund
one or more of such persons owns beneficially more than 1/2 of 1% of the
shares or securities, or both, all taken at market value, of such issuer,
and such persons owning more than 1/2 of 1% of such shares or securities
together own beneficially more than 5% of such shares or securities, or
both, all taken at market value;
(13) Purchase any securities on margin except that the Fund may obtain
such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
and sales of securities;
(14) Sell any security which the Fund does not own unless by virtue of its
ownership of other securities the Fund has at the time of sale a right to
obtain securities without payment of further consideration equivalent in
kind and amount to the securities sold and provided that if such right is
conditional the sale is made upon the same conditions;
(15) Purchase or sell any put or call options or any combination thereof,
provided, that this shall not prevent the purchase, ownership, holding or
sale of warrants where the grantor of the warrants is the issuer of the
underlying securities; or
(16) Invest in securities which are subject to legal or contractual
restrictions on resale, or for which there is no readily available market
(e.g., trading in the security is suspended, or, in the case of unlisted
securities, market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or
offers), unless the Board of Trustees has determined that such securities
are liquid based upon trading markets for the specific security, if more
than 10% of the Fund's assets (taken at market value) would be invested in
such securities.
APPLICABILITY OF RESTRICTIONS: Except with respect to Investment Restriction
(1) and the Fund's policy on investing in illiquid securities, these
investment restrictions are adhered to at the time of purchase or utilization
of assets; a subsequent change in circumstances will not be considered to
result in a violation of policy.
4. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Board of Trustees provides broad supervision over the affairs of the Fund.
The Adviser is responsible for the investment management of the Fund and the
officers of the Trust are responsible for its operations. The Trustees and
officers of the Trust are listed below, together with their principal
occupations during the past five years. (Their titles may have varied during
that period.)
TRUSTEES
A. KEITH BRODKIN,* Chairman and President (born 8/4/35)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Chairman
RICHARD B. BAILEY* (born 9/14/26)
Private investor; Massachusetts Financial Services Company, former Chairman
(prior to September 30, 1991); Cambridge Bancorp, Director; Cambridge Trust
Company, Director
PETER G. HARWOOD (born 4/3/26)
Private Investor
Address: 211 Lindsay Pond Road, Concord, Massachusetts
J. ATWOOD IVES (born 5/1/36)
Eastern Enterprises (diversified services company), Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
Address: 9 Riverside Road, Weston, Massachusetts
LAWRENCE T. PERERA (born 6/23/35)
Hemenway & Barnes (attorneys), Partner
Address: 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts
WILLIAM J. POORVU (born 4/10/35)
Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration, Adjunct
Professor; CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (a real estate investment
trust), Director; The Baupost Fund (a registered investment company), Vice
Chairman (since November 1993), Chairman and Trustee (prior to November
1993)
Address: Harvard Business School, Soldiers Field Road, Cambridge,
Massachusetts
CHARLES W. SCHMIDT (born 3/18/28)
Private investor; OHM Corporation, Director; Mohawk Paper Company, Director
Address: 30 Colpitts Road, Weston, Massachusetts
ARNOLD D. SCOTT* (born 12/16/42)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Executive Vice President and
Secretary
JEFFREY L. SHAMES* (born 6/2/55)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, President
ELAINE R. SMITH (born 4/25/46)
Independent Consultant; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer (prior to September 1992)
Address: Weston, Massachusetts
DAVID B. STONE (born 9/2/27)
North American Management Corp. (investment adviser), Chairman and Director;
Eastern Enterprises, Trustee
Address: 10 Post Office Square, Suite 300, Boston, Massachusetts
OFFICERS
W. THOMAS LONDON,* Treasurer (born 3/1/44)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President
JAMES O. YOST,* Assistant Treasurer (born 6/12/60)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President
ELLEN MOYNIHAN,* Assistant Treasurer (born 11/13/57)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President (since September,
1996); Deloitte & Touche LLP, Senior Manager (until September 1996)
MARK E. BRADLEY,* Assistant Treasurer (born 11/23/59)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Vice President (since March, 1997);
Putnam Investments, Vice President (from September 1994 until March 1997);
Ernst & Young, Senior Tax Manager (until September 1994)
STEPHEN E. CAVAN,* Secretary and Clerk (born 11/6/53)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Assistant Secretary
JAMES R. BORDEWICK, JR.,* Assistant Secretary (born 3/6/59)
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Senior Vice President and Associate
General Counsel
- ----------
*"Interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended ("1940 Act")) of the Adviser whose address is 500 Boylston Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
Each Trustee and officer holds comparable positions with certain MFS
affiliates or with certain other funds of which MFS or a subsidiary of MFS is
the investment adviser or distributor. Mr. Brodkin, the Chairman of MFD,
Messrs. Shames and Scott, Directors of MFD, and Mr. Cavan, the Secretary of
MFD hold similar positions with certain other MFS affiliates. Mr. Bailey is a
Director of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) ("Sun Life of Canada
(U.S.)"), the corporate parent of MFS.
The Fund pays the compensation of non-interested Trustees and Mr. Bailey who
currently receive a fee of $4,500 per year plus $200 per meeting and $175 per
committee meeting attended, together with such Trustee's out-of-pocket
expenses. The Trust has adopted a retirement plan for non-interested Trustees
and Mr. Bailey. Under this plan, a Trustee will retire upon reaching age 73
and if the Trustee has completed at least five years of service, he or she
would be entitled to annual payments during his lifetime of up to 50% of such
Trustee's average annual compensation (based on the three years prior to his
retirement) depending on his length of service. A Trustee may also retire
prior to age 73 and receive reduced payments if he or she has completed at
least five years of service. Under the plan, a Trustee (or his or her
beneficiaries) will also receive benefits for a period of time in the event
the Trustee is disabled or dies. These benefits will also be based on the
Trustee's average annual compensation and length of service. There is no
retirement plan provided by the Trust for Messrs. Brodkin, Scott and Shames.
The Fund will accrue its allocable share of compensation expenses each year to
cover current year's service and amortize past service cost.
Set forth below is certain information concerning the cash compensation paid
to the Trustees and benefits accrued, and estimated benefits payable, under
the retirement plan.
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RETIREMENT BENEFIT ESTIMATED TOTAL TRUSTEE FEES
TRUSTEE FEES ACCRUED AS PART OF CREDITED YEARS FROM FUND AND
TRUSTEE FROM FUND(1) FUND EXPENSE(1) OF SERVICE(2) FUND COMPLEX(3)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard B. Bailey $6,680 $ 993 8 $283,647
A. Keith Brodkin --0-- --0-- N/A --0--
Peter G. Harwood 7,030 730 5 121,105
J. Atwood Ives 6,680 1,033 17 108,720
Lawrence T. Perera 7,380 1,684 26 127,055
William J. Poorvu 6,895 1,802 25 121,105
Charles W. Schmidt 7,030 1,767 20 121,105
Arnold D. Scott --0-- --0-- N/A --0--
Jeffrey L. Shames --0-- --0-- N/A --0--
Elaine R. Smith 7,705 1,060 27 132,035
David B. Stone 7,305 1,853 14 127,055
</TABLE>
(1) For fiscal year ended September 30, 1997.
(2) Based on normal retirement age of 73. See the table below for the
estimated annual benefits payable upon retirement by the Fund to a Trustee
based on his or her estimated credited years of service.
(3) For calendar year 1997. All Trustees receiving compensation served as
Trustees of 27 funds within the MFS fund complex (having aggregate net
assets at December 31, 1997, of approximately $28.9 billion) except Mr.
Bailey, who served as Trustee of 69 funds within the MFS fund complex
(having aggregate net assets at December 31, 1997, of approximately $47.8
billion).
ESTIMATED ANNUAL BENEFITS PAYABLE BY FUND UPON RETIREMENT(4)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF SERVICE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE TRUSTEE FEES 3 5 7 10 OR MORE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$6,012 $ 902 $1,503 $2,104 $3,006
6,505 976 1,626 2,277 3,252
6,997 1,050 1,749 2,449 3,499
7,490 1,124 1,873 2,622 3,745
7,983 1,197 1,996 2,794 3,991
8,476 1,271 2,119 2,966 4,238
</TABLE>
(4) Other funds in the MFS fund complex provide similar retirement benefits to
the Trustees.
As of December 31, 1997, all Trustees and officers as a group owned less than
1% of the Fund's shares outstanding.
As of December 31, 1997, Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc., Attn: Fund
Administration, 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, FL 32232-6484 was the
record owner of 9.05% of the outstanding Class A shares of the Fund, 13.80% of
the outstanding Class B shares of the Fund and 30.76% of the outstanding Class
C shares of the Fund. As of December 31, 1997, MFS Defined Contribution Plan,
c/o Mark Leary, Massachusetts Financial Services, 500 Boylston Street, Boston,
MA 02116-3740 and New England Trust Company, c/o First of America Bank, P.O.
Box 4042, Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4042, owned 89.84% and 6.01%, respectively, of
the outstanding Class I shares of the Fund.
The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trust will indemnify its Trustees
and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with
litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the
Trust, unless it is finally adjudicated that they engaged in willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in their offices, or with respect to any matter unless it is
adjudicated that they did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that
their actions were in the best interests of the Trust. In the case of a
settlement, such indemnification will not be provided unless it has been
determined pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, that such officers or
Trustees have not engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence
or reckless disregard of the duties involved in their offices.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
MFS and its predecessor organizations have a history of money management
dating from 1924. MFS is a subsidiary of Sun Life of Canada (U.S.) which in
turn is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of
Canada ("Sun Life").
The Adviser manages the Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement,
dated September 1, 1993 (the "Advisory Agreement"). Under the Advisory
Agreement, the Adviser provides the Fund with overall investment advisory
services. Subject to such policies as the Trustees may determine, the Adviser
makes investment decisions for the Fund. For these services and facilities,
the Adviser receives a management fee computed and paid monthly on the basis
of a formula based upon a percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets
plus a percentage of its gross income (i.e. income other than gains from the
sale of securities). The applicable percentages are reduced as assets and
income reach the following levels:
ANNUAL RATE OF MANAGEMENT FEE ANNUAL RATE OF MANAGEMENT FEE
BASED ON AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS BASED ON GROSS INCOME
- -------------------------------------- --------------------------------
0.40% of the first $100 million 5.0% of the first $2 million
0.32% of the next $400 million 4.0% of the next $8 million
0.288% of average daily net assets 3.6% of gross income in excess
in excess of $500 million of $10 million
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, MFS received management fees of
$10,295,600 (of which $9,009,037 was based on average daily net assets and
$1,286,563 on gross income), equivalent on an annualized basis to 0.34% of the
Fund's average daily net assets. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996,
MFS received management fees of $4,095,566 (of which $3,518,278 was based on
average daily net assets and $577,288 on gross income), equivalent on an
annualized basis to 0.36% of the Fund's average daily net assets. For the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1995, MFS received management fees under the
Fund's Investment Advisory Agreement of $1,910,078 (of which $1,588,228 was
based on average daily net assets and $321,850 on gross income), equivalent on
an annualized basis to 0.41% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
The Fund pays its expenses (other than those assumed by MFS or MFD),
including: governmental fees; interest charges; taxes; membership dues in the
Investment Company Institute allocable to the Fund; fees and expenses of
independent auditors, of legal counsel, and of any transfer agent, registrar
or dividend disbursing agent of the Fund; expenses of repurchasing and
redeeming shares; expenses of preparing, printing and mailing share
certificates, shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to
governmental officers and commissions; brokerage and other expenses connected
with the execution, recording and settlement of portfolio security
transactions; insurance premiums; fees and expenses of Investors Bank & Trust
Company, the Fund's custodian, for all services to the Fund, including
safekeeping of funds and securities and maintaining required books and
accounts; expenses of calculating the net asset value of shares of the Fund;
and expenses of shareholder meetings. Expenses relating to the issuance,
registration and qualification of shares of the Fund and the preparation,
printing and mailing of prospectuses for such purposes are borne by the Fund
except that its Distribution Agreement with MFD, the Fund's principal
underwriter, requires MFD to pay for prospectuses that are to be used for
sales purposes. Expenses of the Trust which are not attributable to a specific
series are allocated among the series in a manner believed by management of
the Trust to be fair and equitable. For a list of the Fund's expenses,
including the compensation paid to the Trustees who are not officers of MFS,
during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, see "Financial Statements --
Statement of Operations" in the Annual Report to shareholders. Payment by the
Fund of brokerage commissions for brokerage and research services of value to
the Adviser in serving its clients is discussed under the caption "Portfolio
Transactions and Brokerage Commissions."
MFS pays the compensation of the Trust's officers and any Trustee who is an
officer of MFS. The Adviser also furnishes at its own expense all necessary
administrative services, including office space, equipment, clerical
personnel, investment advisory facilities, and all executive and supervisory
personnel necessary for managing the Fund's investments, effecting its
portfolio transactions, and, in general, administering its affairs.
The Advisory Agreement will remain in effect until August 1, 1998, and will
continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority
of the Fund's shares (as defined in "Investment Restrictions") and, in either
case, by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory
Agreement or interested persons of any such party. The Advisory Agreement
terminates automatically if it is assigned and may be terminated without
penalty by vote of a majority of the Fund's shares (as defined in "Investment
Restrictions") or by either party on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30
days' written notice. The Advisory Agreement provides that neither the Adviser
nor its personnel shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law
or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in
the execution and management of the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad
faith or gross negligence in the performance of its or their duties or by
reason of reckless disregard of its or their obligations and duties under the
Advisory Agreement.
ADMINISTRATOR
MFS provides the Fund with certain financial, legal, compliance, shareholder
communications and other administrative services pursuant to a Master
Administrative Services Agreement dated March 1, 1997, as amended. Under this
Agreement, the Fund pays MFS an administrative fee up to 0.015% per annum of
the Fund's average daily net assets. This fee reimburses MFS for a portion of
the costs it incurs to provide such services. For the period commencing March
1, 1997 through the period ended September 30, 1997, MFS received $252,317
under the Agreement.
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian") is the custodian of the
Fund's assets. The Custodian's responsibilities include safekeeping and
controlling the Fund's cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery
of securities, determining income and collecting interest and dividends on the
Fund's investments, maintaining books of original entry for portfolio and fund
accounting and other required books and accounts, and calculating the daily
net asset value of each class of shares of the Fund. The Custodian does not
determine the investment policies of the Fund or decide which securities the
Fund will buy or sell. The Fund may, however, invest in securities of the
Custodian and may deal with the Custodian as principal in securities
transactions.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT
MFS Service Center, Inc. (the "Shareholder Servicing Agent"), a wholly owned
subsidiary of MFS, is the Fund's shareholder servicing agent, pursuant to a
Shareholder Servicing Agreement, effective August 1, 1985, as amended (the
"Agency Agreement"). The Shareholder Servicing Agent's responsibilities under
the Agency Agreement include administering and performing transfer agent
functions and keeping records in connection with the issuance, transfer and
redemption of each class of shares of the Fund. For these services, the
Shareholder Servicing Agent will receive a fee calculated as a percentage of
the average daily net assets of the Fund at an effective annual rate of
0.1125%. In addition, the Shareholder Servicing Agent will be reimbursed by
the Fund for certain expenses incurred by the Shareholder Servicing Agent on
behalf of the Fund. State Street Bank and Trust Company, the dividend and
distribution disbursing agent of the Fund, has contracted with the Shareholder
Servicing Agent to administer and perform certain dividend disbursing agent
functions for the Fund.
DISTRIBUTOR
MFD, a wholly owned subsidiary of MFS, serves as distributor for the
continuous offering of shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution
Agreement, dated January 1, 1995 as amended and restated (the "Distribution
Agreement"). Prior to January 1, 1995, MFS Financial Services, Inc. ("FSI"),
another wholly owned subsidiary of MFS, was the Fund's distributor. Where this
SAI refers to MFD in relation to the receipt or payment of money with respect
to a period or periods prior to January 1, 1995, such reference shall be
deemed to include FSI, as the predecessor in interest to MFD.
CLASS A SHARES: MFD acts as agent in selling Class A shares of the Fund to
dealers. The public offering price of Class A shares of the Fund is their net
asset value next computed after the sale plus a sales charge which varies
based upon the quantity purchased. The public offering price of a Class A
share of the Fund is calculated by dividing the net asset value of a Class A
share by the difference (expressed as a decimal) between 100% and the sales
charge percentage of offering price applicable to the purchase (see
"Purchases" in the Prospectus). The sales charge scale set forth in the
Prospectus applies to purchases of Class A shares of the Fund alone or in
combination with shares of all classes of certain other funds in the MFS
Family of Funds (the "MFS Funds") and other funds (as noted under Right of
Accumulation) by any person, including members of a family unit (e.g.,
husband, wife and minor children) and bona fide trustees, and also applies to
purchases made under the Right of Accumulation or a Letter of Intent (see
"Investment and Withdrawal Programs" below). A group might qualify to obtain
quantity sales charge discounts (see "Investment and Withdrawal Programs" in
this SAI).
Class A shares of the Fund may be sold at their net asset value to certain
persons or in certain circumstances, as described in the Prospectus. Such
sales are made without a sales charge to promote good will with employees and
others with whom MFS, MFD and/or the Fund have business relationships, and
because the sales effort, if any, involved in making such sales is negligible.
MFD allows discounts to dealers (which are alike for all dealers) from the
applicable public offering price of the Class A shares. Dealer allowances
expressed as a percentage of offering price for all offering prices are set
forth in the Prospectus (see "Purchases" in the Prospectus). The difference
between the total amount invested and the sum of (a) the net proceeds to the
Fund and (b) the dealer commission is the commission paid to the distributor.
Because of rounding in the computation of offering price, the portion of the
sales charge paid to the distributor may vary and the total sales charge may
be more or less than the sales charge calculated using the sales charge
expressed as a percentage of offering price or as a percentage of the net
amount invested as listed in the Prospectus. In the case of the maximum sales
charge, the dealer retains 5% and MFD retains approximately 3/4 of 1% of the
public offering price. In addition, MFD on behalf of the Fund pays a
commission on purchases of $1 million or more as described in the Prospectus.
CLASS B SHARES, CLASS C SHARES AND CLASS I SHARES: MFD acts as agent in
selling Class B, Class C and Class I shares of the Fund to dealers. The public
offering price of Class B, Class C and Class I shares is their net asset value
next computed after the sale (see "Purchases" in the Prospectus and the
Prospectus Supplement pursuant to which Class I shares are offered).
GENERAL: Neither MFD nor dealers are permitted to delay placing orders to
benefit themselves by a price change. On occasion, MFD may obtain brokers
loans from various banks, including the custodian banks for the MFS Funds, to
facilitate the settlement of sales of shares of the Fund to dealers. MFD may
benefit from its temporary holding of funds paid to it by investment dealers
for the purchase of Fund shares.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, MFD received net
commissions of $2,307,594 and dealers received net commissions of $14,693,030
(as their concession on gross commissions of $17,000,624) for selling Class A
shares of the Fund; the Fund received $942,545,591 representing the aggregate
net asset value of such shares. During the Fund's fiscal year ended September
30, 1996, MFD received net commissions of $1,332,269 and dealers received net
commissions of $8,647,645 (as their concession on gross commissions of
$9,979,914) for selling Class A shares of the Fund; the Fund received
$333,855,871 representing the aggregate net asset value of such shares. During
the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1995, MFD received net commissions
of $218,078 and dealers received net commissions of $3,222,518 (as their
concession on gross commissions of $3,440,596) for selling Class A shares of
the Fund; the Fund received $114,399,469 representing the aggregate net asset
value of such shares.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, the CDSC imposed on
redemption of Class A, Class B and Class C shares was $27,929, $1,598,460 and
$107,032, respectively. During the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30,
1996, the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge ("CDSC") imposed on redemption of
Class A, B and C shares was $3,234, $407,275 and $6,647, respectively. During
the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1995, the CDSC imposed on
redemption of Class A and Class B shares was $654 and $109,742, respectively.
The Distribution Agreement will remain in effect until August 1, 1998, and
will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority
of the Fund's outstanding voting securities and, in either case, by a majority
of the Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement or
interested persons of any such party. The Distribution Agreement terminates
automatically if it is assigned and may be terminated without penalty by
either party on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' notice.
5. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS
Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by a
portfolio committee consisting of persons who are employees of the Adviser and
who are appointed and supervised by its senior officers. Changes in the Fund's
investments are reviewed by the Board of Trustees. Members of the Fund's
portfolio committee may serve other clients of the Adviser or any subsidiary
of the Adviser in a similar capacity.
The primary consideration in placing portfolio security transactions with
broker-dealers for execution is to obtain and maintain the availability of
execution at the most favorable prices and in the most effective manner
possible. The Adviser attempts to achieve this result by selecting broker-
dealers to execute portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund and other
clients of the Adviser on the basis of their professional capability, the
value and quality of their brokerage services, and the general level of their
brokerage commissions. In the case of securities traded in the over-the-
counter market (where no stated commissions are paid but the prices include a
dealer's markup or markdown), the Adviser normally seeks to deal directly with
the primary market makers, unless in its opinion, best execution is available
elsewhere. In the case of securities purchased from underwriters, the cost of
such securities generally includes a fixed underwriting commission or
concession. From time to time, soliciting dealer fees are available to the
Adviser on the tender of the Fund's portfolio securities in so-called tender
or exchange offers. Such soliciting dealer fees are in effect recaptured for
the Fund by the Adviser. At present no other recapture arrangements are in
effect.
Consistent with the foregoing primary consideration, the Conduct Rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") and such other
policies as the Trustees may determine, the Adviser may consider sales of
shares of the Fund and of other investment company clients of MFD as a factor
in the selection of broker-dealers to execute the Fund's portfolio
transactions.
Under the Advisory Agreement and as permitted by Section 28(e) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Adviser may cause the Fund to pay a
broker-dealer which provides brokerage and research services to the Adviser an
amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction for the Fund in
excess of the amount other broker-dealers would have charged for the
transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that the greater
commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and
research services provided by the executing broker-dealer viewed in terms of
either a particular transaction or the Adviser's overall responsibilities to
the Fund or to its other clients. Not all of such services are useful or of
value in advising the Fund.
The term "brokerage and research services" includes advice as to the value of
securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling
securities, and the availability of securities or of purchasers or sellers of
securities; furnishing analyses and reports concerning issues, industries,
securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the
performance of accounts; and effecting securities transactions and performing
functions incidental thereto such as clearance and settlement.
Although commissions paid on every transaction will, in the judgment of the
Adviser, be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage services
provided, commissions exceeding those which another broker might charge may be
paid to broker-dealers who were selected to execute transactions on behalf of
the Fund and the Adviser's other clients in part for providing advice as to
the availability of securities or of purchasers or sellers of securities and
services in effecting securities transactions and performing functions
incidental thereto such as clearance and settlement.
Broker-dealers may be willing to furnish statistical, research and other
factual information or services ("Research") to the Adviser for no
consideration other than brokerage or underwriting commissions. Securities may
be bought or sold from time to time through such broker-dealers on behalf of
the Fund. The Trust's Trustees (together with the Trustees of the other MFS
Funds) have directed the Adviser to allocate a total of $39,100 of commission
business from the MFS Funds to the Pershing Division of Donaldson, Lufkin &
Jenrette as consideration for the annual renewal of certain publications
provided by Lipper Analytical Securities Corporation (which provides
information useful to the Trustees in reviewing the relationship between the
Fund and the Adviser).
The Adviser's investment management personnel attempt to evaluate the quality
of Research provided by brokers. The Adviser sometimes uses evaluations
resulting from this effort as a consideration in the selection of brokers to
execute portfolio transactions. However, the Adviser is unable to quantify the
amount of commissions set forth below which were paid as a result of such
Research because a substantial number of transactions were effected through
brokers which provide Research but which were selected principally because of
their execution capabilities.
The management fee that the Fund pays to the Adviser will not be reduced as a
consequence of the Adviser's receipt of brokerage and research services. To
the extent the Fund's portfolio transactions are used to obtain such services,
the brokerage commissions paid by the Fund will exceed those that might
otherwise be paid, by an amount which cannot be presently determined. Such
services would be useful and of value to the Adviser in serving both the Fund
and other clients and, conversely, such services obtained by the placement of
brokerage business of other clients would be useful to the Adviser in carrying
out its obligations to the Fund. While such services are not expected to
reduce the expenses of the Adviser, the Adviser would, through use of the
services, avoid the additional expenses which would be incurred if it should
attempt to develop comparable information through its own staff.
For the Fund's fiscal years ended September 1997, 1996 and 1995, total
brokerage commissions of $7,737,147, $3,831,659 and $1,378,386, respectively
were paid on total transactions of $5,170,226,072, $2,556,113,000 and
$770,648,324. During the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, the Fund
owned securities issued by Morgan Stanley which securities had a value of
$17,937,938 at the end of such fiscal year and by Goldman Sachs which
securities had a value of $8,174,475 at the end of such fiscal year.
In certain instances there may be securities which are suitable for the Fund's
portfolio as well as for that of one or more of the other clients of the
Adviser or any subsidiary of the Adviser. Investment decisions for the Fund
and for such other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective
investment objectives. It may develop that a particular security is bought or
sold for only one client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold
for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or
more clients when one or more other clients are selling that same security.
Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive
investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same
security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client.
When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of
the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner
believed by the Adviser to be 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 other cases, however, the
Fund believes that its ability to participate in volume transactions will
produce better executions for the Fund.
6. SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
INVESTMENT AND WITHDRAWAL PROGRAMS -- The Fund makes available programs
designed to enable shareholders to add to their investment or withdraw from it
with a minimum of paper work. The programs involve no extra charge to
shareholders (other than a sales charge in the case of certain Class A share
purchases) and may be changed or discontinued at any time by a shareholder or
the Fund.
LETTER OF INTENT: If a shareholder (other than a group purchaser described
below) anticipates purchasing $50,000 or more of Class A shares of the Fund
alone or in combination with shares of Class B or Class C of the Fund or any
of the classes of other MFS Funds or MFS Fixed Fund (a bank collective
investment fund) within a 13-month period (or 36 month period, in the case of
purchases of $1 million or more), the shareholder may obtain Class A shares of
the Fund at the same reduced sales charge as though the total quantity were
invested in one lump sum by completing the Letter of Intent section of the
Fund's Account Application or filing a separate Letter of Intent application
(available from the Shareholder Servicing Agent) within 90 days of the
commencement of purchases. Subject to acceptance by MFD and the conditions
mentioned below, each purchase will be made at a public offering price
applicable to a single transaction of the dollar amount specified in the
Letter of Intent application. The shareholder or his dealer must inform MFD
that the Letter of Intent is in effect each time shares are purchased. The
shareholder makes no commitment to purchase additional shares, but if his
purchases within 13 months (or 36 months in the case of purchases of $1
million or more) plus the value of shares credited toward completion of the
Letter of Intent do not total the sum specified, he will pay the increased
amount of the sales charge as described below. Instructions for issuance of
shares in the name of a person other than the person signing the Letter of
Intent application must be accompanied by a written statement from the dealer
stating that the shares were paid for by the person signing such Letter.
Neither income dividends nor capital gain distributions taken in additional
shares will apply toward the completion of the Letter of Intent. Dividends and
distributions of other MFS Funds automatically reinvested in shares of the
Fund pursuant to the Distribution Investment Program will also not apply
toward completion of the Letter of Intent.
Out of the shareholder's initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if
necessary), 5% of the dollar amount specified in the Letter of Intent
application shall be held in escrow by the Shareholder Servicing Agent in the
form of shares registered in the shareholder's name. All income dividends and
capital gain distributions on escrowed shares will be paid to the shareholder
or to his order. When the minimum investment so specified is completed (either
prior to or by the end of the 13-month period or 36-month period, as
applicable), the shareholder will be notified and the escrowed shares will be
released.
If the intended investment is not completed, the Shareholder Servicing Agent
will redeem an appropriate number of the escrowed shares in order to realize
such difference. Shares remaining after any such redemption will be released
by the Shareholder Servicing Agent. By completing and signing the Account
Application or separate Letter of Intent application, the shareholder
irrevocably appoints the Shareholder Servicing Agent his attorney to surrender
for redemption any or all escrowed shares with full power of substitution in
the premises.
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION: A shareholder qualifies for cumulative quantity
discounts on the purchase of Class A shares when that shareholder's new
investment, together with the current offering price value of all holdings of
Class A, B and C shares of that shareholder in the MFS Funds or MFS Fixed Fund
(a bank collective investment fund) reaches a discount level. See "Purchases"
in the Prospectus for the sales charges on quantity discounts. For example, if
a shareholder owns shares valued at public offering price at $37,500 and
purchases an additional $12,500 of Class A shares of the Fund, the sales
charge for the $12,500 purchase would be at the rate of 4.75% (the rate
applicable to single transactions of $50,000). A shareholder must provide the
Shareholder Servicing Agent (or his investment dealer must provide MFD) with
information to verify that the quantity sales charge discount is applicable at
the time the investment is made.
SUBSEQUENT INVESTMENT BY TELEPHONE: Each shareholder may purchase additional
shares of any MFS Fund by telephoning the Shareholder Servicing Agent toll-
free at (800) 225-2606. The minimum purchase amount is $50 and the maximum
purchase amount is $100,000. Shareholders wishing to avail themselves of this
telephone purchase privilege must so elect on their Account Application and
designate thereon a bank and account number from which purchases will be made.
If a telephone purchase request is received by the Shareholder Servicing Agent
on any business day prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange
(generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), the purchase will occur at the closing
net asset value of the shares purchased on that day. The Shareholder Servicing
Agent may be liable for any losses resulting from unauthorized telephone
transactions if it does not follow reasonable procedures designed to verify
the identity of the caller. The Shareholder Servicing Agent will request
personal or other information from the caller, and will normally also record
calls. Shareholders should verify the accuracy of confirmation statements
immediately after their receipt.
DISTRIBUTION INVESTMENT PROGRAM: Distributions of dividends and capital
gains made by the Fund with respect to a particular class of shares may be
automatically invested in shares of the same class of one of the other MFS
Funds if shares of such fund are available for sale. Such investments will be
subject to additional purchase minimums. Distributions will be invested at net
asset value (exclusive of any sales charge) and will not be subject to any
CDSC. Distributions will be invested at the close of business on the payable
date for the distribution. A shareholder considering the Distribution
Investment Program should obtain and read the prospectus of the other MFS fund
and consider the differences in objectives and policies before making any
investment.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN: A shareholder may direct the Shareholder
Servicing Agent to send him (or anyone he designates) regular periodic
payments, based upon the value of his account. Each payment under a Systematic
Withdrawal Plan ("SWP") must be at least $100, except in certain limited
circumstances. The aggregate withdrawals of Class B shares in any year
pursuant to a Plan generally are limited to 10% of the value of the account at
the time of the establishment of the SWP. SWP payments are drawn from the
proceeds of share redemptions (which would be a return of principal and, if
reflecting a gain, would be taxable). Redemptions of Class B and Class C
shares will be made in the following order: (i) any "Free Amount"; (ii) to the
extent necessary any "Reinvested Shares"; (iii) to the extent necessary, the
"Direct Purchase" subject to the lowest CDSC (as such terms are defined in
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" in the Prospectus). The CDSC will be waived
in the case of redemptions of Class B and Class C shares pursuant to a SWP,
but will not be waived in the case of SWP redemptions of Class A shares which
are subject to a CDSC. To the extent that redemptions for such periodic
withdrawals exceed dividend income reinvested in the account, such redemptions
will reduce and may eventually exhaust the number of shares in the
shareholder's account. All dividend and capital gain distributions for an
account with a SWP will be reinvested in full and fractional shares of the
Fund at the net asset value in effect at the close of business on the record
date for such distributions. To initiate this service, shares having an
aggregate value of at least $5,000 either must be held on deposit by, or
certificates for such shares must be deposited with, the Shareholder Servicing
Agent. With respect to Class A shares, maintaining a withdrawal plan
concurrently with an investment program would be disadvantageous because of
the sales charges included in share purchases and the imposition of a CDSC on
certain redemptions. The shareholder may deposit into the account additional
shares of the Fund, change the payee or change the dollar amount of each
payment. The Shareholder Servicing Agent may charge the account for services
rendered and expenses incurred beyond those normally assumed by the Fund with
respect to the liquidation of shares. No charge is currently assessed against
the account, but one could be instituted by the Shareholder Servicing Agent on
60 days' notice in writing to the shareholder in the event that the Fund
ceases to assume the cost of these services. The Fund may terminate any SWP
for an account if the value of the account falls below $5,000 as a result of
share redemptions (other than as a result of a SWP) or an exchange of shares
of the Fund for shares of another MFS Fund. Any SWP may be terminated at any
time by either the shareholder or the Fund.
INVEST BY MAIL: Additional investments of $50 or more may be made at any
time by mailing a check payable to the Fund directly to the Shareholder
Servicing Agent. The shareholder's account number and the name of his
investment dealer must be included with each investment.
GROUP PURCHASES: A bona fide group and all its members may be treated as a
single purchaser and, under the Right of Accumulation (but not a Letter of
Intent), obtain quantity sales charge discounts on the purchase of Class A
shares if the group (1) gives its endorsement or authorization to the
investment program so it may be used by the investment dealer to facilitate
solicitation of the membership, thus effecting economies of sales effort; (2)
has been in existence for at least six months and has a legitimate purpose
other than to purchase mutual fund shares at a discount; (3) is not a group of
individuals whose sole organizational nexus is as credit cardholders of a
company, policyholders of an insurance company, customers of a bank or broker-
dealer, clients of an investment adviser or other similar groups; and (4)
agrees to provide certification of membership of those members investing money
in the MFS Funds upon the request of MFD.
AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE PLAN: Shareholders having account balances of at least
$5,000 in any MFS Fund may exchange their shares for the same class of shares
of other MFS Funds (if available for sale) under the Automatic Exchange Plan,
a dollar cost averaging program. The Automatic Exchange Plan provides for
automatic monthly or quarterly exchanges of funds from the shareholder's
account in an MFS Fund for investment in the same class of shares of other MFS
Funds selected by the shareholder. Under the Automatic Exchange Plan,
exchanges of at least $50 each may be made to up to six different funds
effective on the seventh day of each month or of every third month, depending
whether monthly or quarterly exchanges are elected by the shareholder. If the
seventh day of the month is not a business day, the transaction will be
processed on the next business day. Generally, the initial exchange will occur
after receipt and processing by the Shareholder Servicing Agent of an
application in good order. Exchanges will continue to be made from a
shareholder's account in any MFS Fund as long as the balance of the account is
sufficient to complete the exchanges. Additional payments made to a
shareholder's account will extend the period that exchanges will continue to
be made under the Automatic Exchange Plan. However, if additional payments are
added to an account subject to the Automatic Exchange Plan shortly before an
exchange is scheduled, such funds may not be available for exchanges until the
following month; therefore, care should be used to avoid inadvertently
terminating the Automatic Exchange Plan through exhaustion of the account
balance.
No transaction fee for exchanges will be charged in connection with the
Automatic Exchange Plan. However, exchanges of shares of MFS Money Market
Fund, MFS Government Money Market Fund and Class A shares of MFS Cash Reserve
Fund will be subject to any applicable sales charge. Changes in amounts to be
exchanged to each fund, the funds to which exchanges are to be made and the
timing of exchanges (monthly or quarterly), or termination of a shareholder's
participation in the Automatic Exchange Plan will be made after instructions
in writing or by telephone (an "Exchange Change Request") are received by the
Shareholder Servicing Agent in proper form (i.e., if in writing -- signed by
the record owner(s) exactly as shares are registered; if by telephone --
proper account identification is given by the dealer or shareholder of
record). Each Exchange Change Request (other than termination of participation
in the program) must involve at least $50. Generally, if an Exchange Change
Request is received by telephone or in writing before the close of business on
the last business day of a month, the Exchange Change Request will be
effective for the following month's exchange.
A shareholder's right to make additional investments in any of the MFS Funds,
to make exchanges of shares from one MFS Fund to another and to withdraw from
an MFS Fund, as well as a shareholder's other rights and privileges are not
affected by a shareholder's participation in the Automatic Exchange Plan.
The Automatic Exchange Plan is part of the Exchange Privilege. For additional
information regarding the Automatic Exchange Plan, including the treatment of
any CDSC, see "Exchange Privilege" below.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE: Shareholders of the Fund and shareholders of the
other MFS Funds (except MFS Money Market Fund, MFS Government Money Market
Fund and holders of Class A shares of MFS Cash Reserve Fund in the case where
such shares are acquired through direct purchase or reinvested dividends) who
have redeemed their shares have a one-time right to reinvest the redemption
proceeds in the same class of shares of any of the MFS Funds (if shares of the
fund are available for sale) at net asset value (without a sales charge) and,
if applicable, with credit for any CDSC paid. In the case of proceeds
reinvested in shares of MFS Money Market Fund, MFS Government Money Market
Fund and Class A shares of MFS Cash Reserve Fund, the shareholder has the
right to exchange such shares for shares of another MFS Fund at net asset
value pursuant to the exchange privilege described below. Such a reinvestment
must be made within 90 days of the redemption and is limited to the amount of
the redemption proceeds. If the shares credited for any CDSC paid are then
redeemed within six years of the initial purchase for Class B shares (or
within 12 months of the initial purchase of Class C shares and certain Class A
shares), a CDSC will be imposed upon redemption. Although redemptions and
repurchases of shares are taxable events, a reinvestment within a certain
period of time in the same fund may be considered a "wash sale" and may result
in the inability to recognize currently all or a portion of a loss realized on
the original redemption for federal income tax purposes. Please see your tax
advisor for further information.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE -- Subject to the requirements set forth below, some or all
of the shares for which payment has been received by the Fund (i.e., an
established account) may be exchanged for shares of the same class of any of
the other MFS Funds (if available for sale and if the purchaser is eligible to
purchase the class of shares) at net asset value. Exchanges will be made only
after instructions in writing or by telephone (an "Exchange Request") for an
established account are received by the Shareholder Servicing Agent.
Each Exchange Request must be in proper form (i.e., if in writing -- signed by
the record owner(s) exactly as the shares are registered; if by telephone --
proper account identification is given by the dealer or shareholder of
record), and each exchange must involve either shares having an aggregate
value of at least $1,000 or all the shares in the account (except that the
minimum is $50 for accounts of retirement plan participants whose sponsoring
organizations subscribe to the MFS FUNDamental 401(k) Plan or another similar
401(k) recordkeeping system made available by the Shareholder Servicing
Agent). Each exchange involves the redemption of the shares of the Fund to be
exchanged and the purchase at net asset value (i.e., without a sales charge)
of shares of the same class of the other MFS Fund. Any gain or loss on the
redemption of the shares exchanged is reportable on the shareholder's federal
income tax return, unless both the shares received and the shares surrendered
are held in a tax-deferred retirement plan or other tax-exempt account. No
more than five exchanges may be made in any one Exchange Request by telephone.
If an Exchange Request is received by the Shareholder Servicing Agent prior to
the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange"),
the exchange usually will occur on that day if all the restrictions set forth
above have been complied with at that time. However, payment of the redemption
proceeds by the Fund, and thus the purchase of shares of another MFS Fund, may
be delayed for up to seven days if the Fund determines that such a delay would
be in the best interest of all its shareholders. Investment dealers which have
satisfied criteria established by MFD may also communicate a shareholder's
Exchange Request to MFD by facsimile subject to the restrictions and
requirements set forth above.
No CDSC is imposed on exchanges among the MFS Funds, although liability for
the CDSC is carried forward to the exchanged shares. For purposes of
calculating the CDSC upon redemption of shares acquired in an exchange, the
purchase of shares acquired in one or more exchanges is deemed to have
occurred at the time of the original purchase of the exchanged shares.
Additional information with respect to any of the MFS Funds, including a copy
of its current prospectus, may be obtained from investment dealers or the
Shareholder Servicing Agent. A shareholder considering an exchange should
obtain and read the prospectus of the other MFS Fund and consider the
differences in objectives and policies before making any exchange.
Shareholders of the other MFS Funds (except shares of MFS Money Market Fund,
MFS Government Money Market Fund and Class A shares of MFS Cash Reserve Fund
acquired through direct purchase and dividends reinvested prior to June 1,
1992) have the right to exchange their shares for shares of the Fund, subject
to the conditions, if any, set forth in their respective prospectuses. In
addition, unitholders of the MFS Fixed Fund (a bank collective investment
fund) have the right to exchange their units (except units acquired through
direct purchases) for shares of the Fund, subject to the conditions, if any,
imposed upon such unitholders by the MFS Fixed Fund.
Any state income tax advantages for investment in shares of each state-
specific series of MFS Municipal Series Trust may only benefit residents of
such states. Investors should consult with their own tax advisers to be sure
this is an appropriate investment, based on their residency and each state's
income tax laws.
The exchange privilege (or any aspect of it) may be changed or discontinued
and is subject to certain limitations (see "Purchases" in the Prospectus).
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS -- Except as noted below, shares of the Fund
may be purchased by all types of tax-deferred retirement plans. MFD makes
available through investment dealers plans and/or custody agreements for the
following:
Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs") (for individuals and their non-
employed spouses who desire to make limited contributions to a tax-deferred
retirement program and, if eligible, to receive a federal income tax
deduction for amounts contributed);
Simplified Employee Pension (SEP-IRA) Plans;
Retirement Plans Qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code");
403(b) Plans (deferred compensation arrangements for employees of public
school systems and certain non-profit organizations); and
Certain qualified corporate pension and profit-sharing plans.
The plan documents provided by MFD designate a trustee or custodian (unless
another trustee or custodian is designated by the individual or group
establishing the plan) and contain specific information about the plans. Each
plan provides that dividends and distributions will be reinvested
automatically. For further details with respect to any plan, including fees
charged by the trustee, custodian or MFD, tax consequences and redemption
information, see the specific documents for that plan. Plan documents other
than those provided by MFD may be used to establish any of the plans described
above. Third party administrative services, available for some corporate
plans, may limit or delay the processing of transactions.
An investor should consult with his tax adviser before establishing any of the
tax-deferred retirement plans described above.
Class C shares are not currently available for purchase by any retirement plan
qualified under Internal Revenue Code section 401(a) or 403(b) if the
retirement plan and/or the sponsoring organization subscribe to the MFS
FUNDamental 401(k) Plan or another similar 401(a) or 403(b) recordkeeping
program made available by MFS Service Center, Inc.
7. TAX STATUS
The Fund has elected to be treated and intends to qualify each year as a
"regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code, by meeting all
applicable requirements of Subchapter M, including requirements as to the
nature of the Fund's gross income, the amount of Fund distributions, and the
composition of the Fund's portfolio assets. Because the Fund intends to
distribute all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains to
shareholders in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code,
it is not expected that the Fund will be required to pay any federal income or
excise taxes, although the Fund's foreign-source income may be subject to
foreign withholding taxes. If the Fund should fail to qualify as a "regulated
investment company" in any year, the Fund would incur a regular corporate
federal income tax upon its taxable income and Fund distributions would
generally be taxable as ordinary dividend income to the shareholders.
Shareholders of the Fund normally will have to pay federal income taxes, and
any state or local taxes, on the dividends and capital gain distributions they
receive from the Fund. Dividends from ordinary income and any distributions
from net short-term capital gains are taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income for federal income tax purposes whether the distributions are paid in
cash or reinvested in additional shares. A portion of the Fund's ordinary
income dividends is normally eligible for the dividends received deduction for
corporations if the recipient otherwise qualifies for that deduction with
respect to its holding of Fund shares. Availability of the deduction for
particular corporate shareholders is subject to certain limitations, and
deducted amounts may be subject to the alternative minimum tax or result in
certain basis adjustments. Distributions of net capital gains (i.e., the
excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses),
whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares, are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains for federal income tax purposes
without regard to the length of time the shareholders have held their shares.
Such capital gains may be taxable to shareholders that are individuals,
estates, or trusts at maximum rates of 20%, 25%, or 28%, depending upon the
source of the gains. Any Fund dividend that is declared in October, November,
or December of any calendar year, that is payable to shareholders of record in
such a month, and that is paid the following January will be treated as if
received by shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend is
declared. The Fund will notify shareholders regarding the federal tax status
of its distributions after the end of each calendar year.
Any Fund distribution will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset
value of shares in the Fund by the amount of the distribution. Shareholders
purchasing shares shortly before the record date of any distribution may thus
pay the full price for the shares and then effectively receive a portion of
the purchase price back as a taxable distribution.
In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares of
the Fund by a shareholder that holds such shares as a capital asset will be
treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for
more than twelve months and otherwise as a short-term capital gain or loss; a
long-term capital gain realized by an individual, estate or trust may be
eligible for reduced tax rates if the shares were held for more than 18
months. However, any loss realized upon a disposition of shares in the Fund
held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the
extent of any distributions of net capital gain made with respect to those
shares. Any loss realized upon a disposition of shares may also be disallowed
under rules relating to wash sales. Gain may be increased (or loss reduced)
upon a redemption of Class A shares of the Fund within ninety days after
their purchase followed by any purchase (including purchases by exchange or by
reinvestment) without payment of an additional sales charge, of Class A shares
of the Fund or of another MFS Fund (or any other shares of an MFS Fund
generally sold subject to a sales charge).
The Fund's current dividend and accounting policies will affect the amount,
timing and character of distributions to shareholders and may, under certain
circumstances, make an economic return of capital taxable to shareholders. Any
investment in certain securities purchased at market discount will cause the
Fund to recognize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to
those securities. In order to distribute this income and avoid a tax on the
Fund, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might
otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable
gain or loss to the Fund.
Special tax considerations apply with respect to foreign investments of the
Fund. Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the Fund will generally be
treated as ordinary income and losses. Investment by the Fund in certain
"passive foreign investment companies" may be limited in order to avoid a tax
on the Fund. The Fund may elect to mark to market any investments in "passive
foreign investment companies" on the last day of each year. This election may
cause the Fund to recognize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with
respect to those investments; in order to distribute this income and avoid a
tax on the Fund, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities
that it might otherwise have continued to hold. Investment income received by
the Fund from foreign securities may be subject to foreign income taxes
withheld at the source; the Fund does not expect to be able to pass through to
shareholders foreign tax credits with respect to such foreign taxes. The
United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries that
may entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of tax or an exemption from tax on such
income; the Fund intends to qualify for treaty reduced rates where available.
It is not possible, however, to determine the Fund's effective rate of foreign
tax in advance since the amount of the Fund's assets to be invested within
various countries is not known.
Dividends and certain other payments to persons who are not citizens or
residents of the United States or U.S. entities ("Non-U.S. Persons") are
generally subject to U.S. tax withholding at the rate of 30%. The Fund intends
to withhold U.S. federal income tax payments at the rate of 30% (or any lower
rate permitted under an applicable treaty) on taxable dividends and other
payments to Non-U.S. persons that are subject to such withholding. Any amounts
overwithheld may be recovered by such persons by filing a claim for refund
with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service within the time period appropriate to
such claims. Distributions received from the Fund by Non-U.S. Persons also may
be subject to tax under the laws of their own jurisdictions. The Fund is also
required in certain circumstances to apply backup withholding at the rate of
31% on taxable dividends and redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder
(including a Non-U.S. Person) who does not furnish to the Fund certain
information and certifications or who is otherwise subject to backup
withholding. Backup withholding will not, however, be applied to payments that
have been subject to 30% withholding.
As long as it qualifies as a regulated investment company under the Code, the
Fund will not be subject to Massachusetts income or excise
taxes.
8. DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND PERFORMANCE
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of each class of the Fund is determined each day
during which the Exchange is open for regular trading. (As of the date of this
SAI, the Exchange is open for regular trading every weekday except for the
following holidays or days on which they are observed: New Year's Day; Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day; Presidents' Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Independence
Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.) This determination is
made once each day as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange by
deducting the amount of the liabilities attributable to the class from the
value of the assets attributable to the class and dividing the difference by
the number of shares of the class outstanding. Equity securities in the Fund's
portfolio are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are
primarily traded or on the Nasdaq system for unlisted national market issues,
or at the last quoted bid price for securities in which there were no sales
during the day or for unlisted securities not reported on the Nasdaq system.
Bonds and other fixed income securities in the Fund's portfolio are valued on
the basis of valuations furnished by a pricing service which utilizes both
dealer-supplied valuations and electronic data processing techniques which
take into account appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in
similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of
issue, trading characteristics and other market data, without exclusive
reliance upon exchange or over-the-counter prices, since such valuations are
believed to reflect more accurately the fair value of such securities. Use of
the pricing service has been approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees. Short-
term obligations with a remaining maturity in excess of 60 days will be valued
upon dealer supplied valuations. Other short-term obligations are valued at
amortized cost, which constitutes fair value as determined by the Board of
Trustees. Portfolio securities for which there are no such quotations or
valuations are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or at the
direction of the Board of Trustees.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
TOTAL RATE OF RETURN: The Fund will calculate its total rate of return for
each class of shares for certain periods by determining the average annual
compounded rates of return over those periods that would cause an investment
of $1,000 (made with all distributions reinvested and reflecting the CDSC or
the maximum public offering price) to reach the value of that investment at
the end of the periods. The Fund may also calculate (i) a total rate of
return, which is not reduced by the CDSC (4% maximum for Class B shares and 1%
maximum for Class C shares) and therefore may result in a higher rate of
return, (ii) a total rate of return assuming an initial account value of
$1,000, which will result in a higher rate of return since the value of the
initial account will not be reduced by the maximum sales charge (currently
5.75% on Class A shares), and/or (iii) total rates of return which represent
aggregate performance over a period or year-by-year performance, and which may
or may not reflect the effect of the maximum or other sales charge or CDSC.
Prior to March 1, 1991, the maximum sales charge on Class A shares was 7.25%.
On March 1, 1991, the maximum sales charge on Class A shares was lowered to
5.75%, the sales charge was eliminated on reinvested dividends and a
Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act was implemented
with respect to Class A shares.
The Fund offers multiple classes of shares which were initially offered for
sale to, and purchased by, the public on different dates (the class "inception
date"). The calculation of total rate of return for a class of shares which
has a later class inception date than another class of shares of the Fund is
based both on (i) the performance of the Fund's newer class from its inception
date and (ii) the performance of the Fund's oldest class from its inception
date up to the class inception date of the newer class.
As discussed in the Prospectus, the sales charges, expenses and expense
ratios, and therefore the performance, of the Fund's classes of shares differ.
In calculating total rate of return for a newer class of shares in accordance
with certain formulas required by the SEC, the performance will be adjusted to
take into account the fact that the newer class is subject to a different
sales charge than the oldest class (e.g., if the newer class is Class A
shares, the total rate of return quoted will reflect the deduction of the
initial sales charge applicable to Class A shares; if the newer class is Class
B shares, the total rate of return quoted will reflect the deduction of the
CDSC applicable to Class B shares). However, the performance will not be
adjusted to take into account the fact that the newer class of shares bears
different class specific expenses than the oldest shares (e.g., Rule 12b-1
fees). Therefore, the total rate of return quoted for a newer class of shares
will differ from the return that would be quoted had the newer class of shares
been outstanding for the entire period over which the calculation is based
(i.e., the total rate of return quoted for the newer class will be higher than
the return that would have been quoted had the newer class of shares been
outstanding for the entire period over which the calculation is based if the
class specific expenses for the newer class are higher than the class specific
expenses of the oldest class, and the total rate of return quoted for the
newer class will be lower than the return that would be quoted had the newer
class of shares been outstanding for this entire period if the class specific
expenses for the newer class are lower than the class specific expenses of the
oldest class).
Total rate of return quotations for each class are presented in Appendix B
attached hereto under the heading "Performance Quotations."
PERFORMANCE RESULTS: The performance results for Class A shares presented in
Appendix B attached hereto under the heading "Performance Results" assume an
initial investment of $10,000 in Class A shares, and cover the period from
January 1, 1988 through December 31, 1997. It has been assumed that dividends
and capital gain distributions were reinvested in additional shares. These
performance results, as well as any total rate of return quotations provided
by the Fund, should not be considered as representative of the performance of
the Fund in the future since the net asset value and public offering price of
shares of the Fund will vary based not only on the type, quality and
maturities of the securities held in the Fund's portfolio, but also on changes
in the current value of such securities and on changes in the expenses of the
Fund. These factors and possible differences in the methods used to calculate
total rates of return should be considered when comparing the total rate of
return of the Fund to total rates of return published for other investment
companies or other investment vehicles. Total rate of return reflects the
performance of both principal and income. Current net asset value of shares
and account balance information may be obtained by calling 1-800-MFS-TALK
(637-8255).
GENERAL: From time to time each Fund may, as appropriate, quote Fund rankings
or reprint all or a portion of evaluations of fund performance and operations
appearing in various independent publications, including but not limited to
the following: Money, Fortune, U.S. News and World Report, Kiplinger's
Personal Finance, The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, Investors Business Daily,
Newsweek, Financial World, Financial Planning, Investment Advisor, USA Today,
Pensions and Investments, SmartMoney, Forbes, Global Finance, Registered
Representative, Institutional Investor, the Investment Company Institute,
Johnson's Charts, Morningstar, Lipper Analytical Securities Corporation, CDA
Wiesenberger, Shearson Lehman and Salomon Bros. Indices, Ibbotson, Business
Week, Lowry Associates, Media General, Investment Company Data, The New York
Times, Your Money, Strangers Investment Advisor, Financial Planning on Wall
Street, Standard and Poor's, Individual Investor, The 100 Best Mutual Funds
You Can Buy, by Gordon K. Williamson, Consumer Price Index, and Sanford C.
Bernstein & Co. Fund performance may also be compared to the performance of
other mutual funds tracked by financial or business publications or
periodicals.
From time to time, the Fund may discuss or quote its current portfolio manager
as well as other investment personnel, including such persons' views on: the
economy; securities markets; portfolio securities and their issuers;
investment philosophies, strategies, techniques and criteria used in the
selection of securities to be purchased or sold for the Fund; the Fund's
portfolio holdings; the investment research and analysis process; the
formulation and evaluation of investment recommendations; and the assessment
and evaluation of credit, interest rate, market and economic risks and similar
or related matters.
The Fund may also quote evaluations mentioned in independent radio or
television broadcasts.
From time to time the Fund may use charts and graphs to illustrate the past
performance of various indices such as those mentioned above and illustrations
using hypothetical rates of return to illustrate the effects of compounding
and tax-deferral.
From time to time the Fund may also discuss or quote the views of its
distributor, its investment adviser and other financial planning, legal, tax,
accounting, insurance, estate planning and other professionals, or from
surveys, regarding individual and family financial planning. Such views may
include information regarding: retirement planning; tax management strategies;
estate planning; general investment techniques (e.g., asset allocation and
disciplined saving and investing); business succession; ideas and information
provided through the MFS Heritage Planningsm program, an inter-generational
financial planning assistance program; issues with respect to insurance (e.g.,
disability and life insurance and Medicare supplemental insurance); issues
regarding financial and health care management for elderly family members; and
other similar or related matters.
The Fund may advertise examples of the effects of periodic investment plans,
including the principle of dollar cost averaging. In such a program, an
investor invests a fixed dollar amount in a fund at periodic intervals,
thereby purchasing fewer shares when prices are high and more shares when
prices are low. While such a strategy does not assure a profit or guard
against a loss in a declining market, the investor's average cost per share
can be lower than if fixed numbers of shares are purchased at the same
intervals.
MFS FIRSTS: MFS has a long history of innovations.
-- 1924 -- Massachusetts Investors Trust is established
as the first open-end mutual fund in America.
-- 1924 -- Massachusetts Investors Trust is the first
mutual fund to make full public disclosure of its
operations in shareholder reports.
-- 1932 -- One of the first internal research departments
is established to provide in-house analytical
capability for an investment management firm.
-- 1933 -- Massachusetts Investors Trust is the first
mutual fund to register under the Securities Act of
1933 ("Truth in Securities Act" or "Full Disclosure
Act").
-- 1936 -- Massachusetts Investors Trust is the first
mutual fund to allow shareholders to take capital gain
distributions either in additional shares or in cash.
-- 1976 -- MFS(R) Municipal Bond Fund is among the first
municipal bond funds established.
-- 1979 -- Spectrum becomes the first combination fixed/
variable annuity with no initial sales charge.
-- 1981 -- MFS(R) World Governments Fund is established as
America's first globally diversified fixed-income
mutual fund.
-- 1984 -- MFS(R) Municipal High Income Fund is the first
open-end mutual fund to seek high tax-free income from
lower-rated municipal securities.
-- 1986 -- MFS(R) Managed Sectors Fund becomes the first
mutual fund to target and shift investments among
industry sectors for shareholders.
-- 1986 -- MFS(R) Municipal Income Trust is the first
closed-end, high-yield municipal bond fund traded on
the New York Stock Exchange.
-- 1987 -- MFS(R) Multimarket Income Trust is the first
closed-end, multimarket high income fund listed on the
New York Stock Exchange.
-- 1989 -- MFS(R) Regatta becomes America's first non-
qualified market-value-adjusted fixed/variable annuity.
-- 1990 -- MFS(R) World Total Return Fund is the first
global balanced fund.
-- 1993 -- MFS(R) World Growth Fund is the first global
emerging markets fund to offer the expertise of two
sub-advisers.
-- 1993 -- MFS becomes money manager of MFS(R) Union
Standard Trust, the first Trust to invest in companies
deemed to be union-friendly by an Advisory Board of
senior labor officials, senior managers of companies
with significant labor contracts, academics and other
national labor leaders or experts.
9. DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Trustees have adopted a Distribution Plan for Class A, Class B and Class C
shares (the "Distribution Plan") pursuant to Section 12(b) of the 1940 Act and
Rule 12b-1 thereunder (the "Rule") after having concluded that there is a
reasonable likelihood that the Distribution Plan would benefit the Fund and
each respective class of shareholders. The provisions of the Distribution Plan
are severable with respect to each class of shares offered by the Fund. The
Distribution Plan is designed to promote sales, thereby increasing the net
assets of the Fund. Such an increase may reduce the expense ratio to the
extent the Fund's fixed costs are spread over a larger net asset base. Also,
an increase in net assets may lessen the adverse effects that could result
were the Fund required to liquidate portfolio securities to meet redemptions.
There is, however, no assurance that the net assets of the Fund will increase
or that the other benefits referred to above will be realized.
The Distribution Plan is described in the Prospectus under the caption
"Distribution Plan," which is incorporated herein by reference. The following
information supplements this Prospectus discussion.
SERVICE FEES: With respect to Class A Shares, no service fees will be paid:
(i) to any dealer who is the holder or dealer of record for investors who own
Class A shares having an aggregate net asset value less than $750,000, or such
other amount as may be determined from time to time by MFD (MFD, however, may
waive this minimum amount requirement from time to time); or (ii) to any
insurance company which has entered into an agreement with the Fund and MFD
that permits such insurance company to purchase Class A shares from the Fund
at their net asset value in connection with annuity agreements issued in
connection with the insurance company's separate accounts. Dealers may from
time to time be required to meet certain other criteria in order to receive
service fees.
With respect to Class B Shares, except in the case of the first year service
fee, no service fees will be paid to any securities dealer who is the holder
or dealer of record for investors who own Class B shares having an aggregate
net asset value of less than $750,000 or such other amount as may be
determined by MFD from time to time. MFD, however, may waive this minimum
amount requirement from time to time. Dealers may from time to time be
required to meet certain other criteria in order to receive service fees.
MFD or its affiliates shall be entitled to receive any service fee payable
under the Distribution Plan for which there is no dealer of record or for
which qualification standards have not been met as partial consideration for
personal services and/or account maintenance services performed by MFD or its
affiliates for shareholder accounts.
DISTRIBUTION FEES: The purpose of distribution payments to MFD under the
Distribution Plans is to compensate MFD for its distribution services to the
Fund. MFD pays commissions to dealers as well as expenses of printing
prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses with respect to the
preparation and printing of sales literature and other distribution related
expenses, including, without limitation, the cost necessary to provide
distribution-related services, or personnel, travel, office expenses and
equipment.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES PAID DURING THE FUND'S LAST FISCAL YEAR: During
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, the Fund paid the following
Distribution Plan expenses:
AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF
DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION
AND SERVICE AND SERVICE AND SERVICE
FEES PAID FEES RETAINED FEES RECEIVED
CLASSES OF SHARES BY FUND BY MFD BY DEALERS
- ----------------- ------------ ------------- -------------
Class A Shares $ 5,323,018 $2,112,752 $3,210,266
Class B Shares $12,220,376 $9,317,455 $2,902,921
Class C Shares $ 2,851,760 $ 147,017 $2,704,743
GENERAL: The Distribution Plan will remain in effect until August 1, 1998, and
will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by vote of both the Trustees and a majority of the
Trustees who are not "interested persons" or financially interested parties of
such Plan ("Distribution Plan Qualified Trustees"). The Distribution Plan also
requires that the Fund and MFD each shall provide the Trustees, and the
Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts
expended (and purposes therefor) under such Plan. The Distribution Plan may be
terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Distribution Plan
Qualified Trustees or by vote of the holders of a majority of the respective
class of the Fund's shares (as defined in "Investment Restrictions"). All
agreements relating to the Distributions Plan entered into between the Fund or
MFD and other organizations must be approved by the Board of Trustees,
including a majority of the Distribution Plan Qualified Trustees. Agreements
under the Distribution Plan must be in writing, will be terminated
automatically if assigned, and may be terminated at any time without payment
of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Distribution Plan Qualified
Trustees or by vote of the holders of a majority of the respective class of
the Fund's shares. The Distribution Plan may not be amended to increase
materially the amount of permitted distribution expenses without the approval
of a majority of the respective class of the Fund's shares (as defined in
"Investment Restrictions") or may not be materially amended in any case
without a vote of the Trustees and a majority of the Distribution Plan
Qualified Trustees. The selection and nomination of Distribution Plan
Qualified Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the non-interested
Trustees then in office. No Trustee who is not an "interested person" has any
financial interest in the Distribution Plan or in any related agreement.
10. DESCRIPTION OF SHARES, VOTING RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of
full and fractional Shares of Beneficial Interest (without par value) of one
or more separate series and to divide or combine the shares of any series into
a greater or lesser number of shares without thereby changing the
proportionate beneficial interests in that series. The Trustees have currently
authorized shares of the Fund and five other series. The Declaration of Trust
further authorizes the Trustees to classify or reclassify any series of shares
into one or more classes. Pursuant thereto, the Trustees have authorized the
issuance of four classes of shares of each series of the Trust (Class A, Class
B and Class C shares as well as Class I shares for the Fund and five other
series). Each share of a class of the Fund represents an equal proportionate
interest in the assets of the Fund allocable to that class. Upon liquidation
of the Fund, the shareholders of each class of the Fund are entitled to share
pro rata in the net assets of the Fund allocable to such class available for
distribution to its shareholders. The Trust reserves the right to create and
issue additional classes or series of shares, in which case the shares of each
class would participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets
allocable to that class of the particular series.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held and may vote in the
election of Trustees and on other matters submitted to meetings of
shareholders. Although Trustees are not elected annually by the shareholders,
shareholders have, under certain circumstances, the right to remove one or
more Trustees. No material amendment may be made to the Declaration of Trust
without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Trust's
shares or by an instrument in writing without a meeting, signed by a majority
of Trustees and consented to by the holders of more than 50% of the shares of
the Fund outstanding and entitled to vote. Shares have no preemptive or
conversion rights (except as described in "Purchases -- Conversion of Class B
Shares" in the Prospectus). Shares when issued are fully paid and non-
assessable.
The Trust may enter into a merger or consolidation, or sell all or
substantially all of its assets (or all or substantially all of the assets
belonging to any series of the Trust), if approved by the vote of the holders
of two-thirds of the Trust's outstanding shares voting as a single class, or
of the affected series of the Trust, as the case may be, except that if the
Trustees of the Trust recommend such merger, consolidation or sale, the
approval by vote of the holders of a majority of the Trust's or the affected
series' outstanding shares (as defined in "Investment Objective, Policies and
Restrictions -- Investment Restrictions") will be sufficient. The Trust or any
series of the Trust may also be terminated (i) upon liquidation and
distribution of its assets, if approved by the vote of the holders of two-
thirds of its outstanding shares, or (ii) by the Trustees by written notice to
the shareholders of the Trust or the affected series. If not so terminated the
Trust will continue indefinitely.
The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts business
trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its
obligations. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer
of shareholder liability for acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust and
provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the Trust
property for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the
Fund. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust shall maintain
appropriate insurance (for example, fidelity bonding and errors and omissions
insurance) for the protection of the Trust, its shareholders, Trustees,
officers, employees and agents covering possible tort and other liabilities.
Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate
insurance existed and the Trust itself was unable to meet its obligations.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that obligations of the Trust are
not binding upon the Trustees individually but only upon the property of the
Trust and that the Trustees will not be liable for any action or failure to
act, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any
liability to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.
11. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Deloitte & Touche LLP are the Fund's independent auditors, providing audit
services, tax return preparation, and assistance and consultation with respect
to the preparation of filings with the SEC.
The Portfolio of Investments at September 30, 1997, the Statement of Assets
and Liabilities at September 30, 1997, the Statement of Operations for the
year ended September 30, 1997, the Statement of Changes in Net Assets for each
of the two years in the period ended September 30, 1997, the Notes to
Financial Statements and the Independent Auditors' Report, each of which is
included in the Annual Report to shareholders of the Fund, are incorporated by
reference into this SAI and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the
report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as experts in
accounting and auditing. A copy of the Annual Report accompanies this SAI.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS
The ratings of Moody's, S&P and Fitch represent their opinions as to the
quality of various bonds. IT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED, HOWEVER, THAT RATINGS ARE
NOT ABSOLUTE STANDARDS OF QUALITY. CONSEQUENTLY, BONDS WITH THE SAME MATURITY,
COUPON AND RATING MAY HAVE DIFFERENT YIELDS WHILE BONDS OF THE SAME MATURITY
AND COUPON WITH DIFFERENT RATINGS MAY HAVE THE SAME YIELD.
MOODY'S
Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized
are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known
as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins
of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa
securities.
A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving
security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may
be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the
future.
Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations,
(i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest
payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain
protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable
over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal
or interest.
Ca: Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.
C: Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
ABSENCE OF RATING: Where no rating has been assigned or where a rating has
been suspended or withdrawn, it may be for reasons unrelated to the quality of
the issue.
Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:
1. An application for rating was not received or accepted;
2. The issue or issuer belongs to a group of securities or companies that
are not rated as a matter of policy;
3. There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or issuer;
4. The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not
published in Moody's publications.
Suspension or withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances arise,
the effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer
available reasonable up-to-date data to permit a judgment to be formed; if a
bond is called for redemption; or for other reasons.
NOTE: Those bonds in the Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B groups which Moody's believes
possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by the symbols Aa
1, A 1, Baa 1, Ba 1 and B 1.
S&P
AAA: Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA: Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal and differ from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
A: Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB: Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
BB: Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure
to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BBB- rating.
B: Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the
capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business,
financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness
to pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category is also used for
debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or
BB- rating.
CCC: Debt rated CCC has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default, and
is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to
meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have
the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The CCC rating category is
also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or
implied B or B- rating.
CC: The rating CC is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt
that is assigned an actual or implied CCC rating.
C: The rating C is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which
is assigned an actual or implied CCC- debt rating. The C rating may be used to
cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service
payments are continued.
CI: The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.
D: Debt rated D is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if
the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such
payments will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating also will be
used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are
jeopardized.
PLUS (+) MINUS (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
categories.
NR: Indicates that no public rating has been requested, that there is
insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate
a particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.
FITCH
AAA: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit
quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and
repay principal which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable
events.
AA: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong,
although not quite as strong as bonds rated "AAA". Because bonds rated in the
"AAA" and "AA" categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable
future developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated
"F-l+".
A: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions
and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is
considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds,
and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these
bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher
ratings.
BB: Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest
and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes.
However, business and financial alternatives can be identified which could
assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B: Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued
timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin
safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout
the life of the issue.
CCC: Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which if not remedied,
may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous
business and economic environment.
CC: Bonds are minimally protect. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.
C: Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
PLUS (+) MINUS (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus
and minus signs, however, are not used in the "AAA" category.
NR: Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
CONDITIONAL: A conditional rating is premised on the successful completion of
a project or the occurrence of a specific event.
SUSPENDED: A rating is suspended when Fitch deems the amount of information
available from the issuer to be inadequate for rating purposes.
WITHDRAWN: A rating will be withdrawn when an issue matures or is called or
refinanced and at Fitch's discretion when an issuer fails to furnish proper
and timely information.
FITCHALERT: Ratings are placed on FitchAlert to notify investors of an
occurrence that is likely to result in a rating change and the likely
direction of such change. These are designated as "Positive", indicating a
potential upgrade, "Negative", for potential downgrade, or "Evolving", where
ratings may be lowered, FitchAlert is relatively short-term, and should be
resolved within 12 months.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The performance results and quotations below should not be considered as
representative of the performance of the Fund in the future since the net
asset value and public offering price of shares of the Fund will vary. See
"Determination of Net Asset Value and Performance" in the SAI.
PERFORMANCE RESULTS -- CLASS A SHARES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE OF VALUE OF VALUE OF
INITIAL $10,000 CAPITAL GAIN REINVESTED TOTAL
YEAR ENDED INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTIONS DIVIDENDS VALUE
---------- --------------- ------------- --------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 1988 $ 9,950 $ 183 $ 265 $10,398
December 31, 1989 11,076 1,335 703 13,114
December 31, 1990 9,812 1,493 1,021 12,326
December 31, 1991 11,786 3,098 1,463 16,347
December 31, 1992 12,132 4,436 1,599 18,167
December 31, 1993 13,109 6,653 2,342 22,104
December 31, 1994 11,875 7,739 2,493 22,107
December 31, 1995 15,439 11,156 4,043 30,638
December 31, 1996 18,282 13,956 5,898 38,136
December 31, 1997 21,016 17,222 7,725 45,963
------ ------- ------ -------
</TABLE>
Explanatory Notes: The results in the table assume that income dividends and
capital gain distributions were invested in additional shares. The results
also assume that the initial investment in Class A shares was reduced by the
current maximum applicable sales charge. No adjustment has been made for
income taxes, if any, payable by shareholders.
PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
<TABLE>
All performance quotations are as of September 30, 1997.
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
------------------------------------------------------
10 YEAR OR
1 YEAR 5 YEAR LIFE OF FUND
------ ------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Class A shares with sales charge ............................ 21.32% 21.44% 13.57%
Class A shares without sales charge ......................... 28.72% 22.17% 13.92%
Class B shares with CDSC .................................... 23.88% 21.99%(1) 13.92%(1)
Class B shares without CDSC ................................. 27.88% 22.17%(1) 13.92%(1)
Class C shares with CDSC .................................... 26.87% 22.23%(2) 13.95%(2)
Class C shares without CDSC ................................. 27.87% 22.23%(2) 13.95%(2)
Class I shares without CDSC ................................. 29.06%(3) 22.95%(3) 14.28%(3)
------ ------ -------
</TABLE>
(1) Class B share performance includes the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares for periods prior to the inception of Class B shares on September
7, 1993. Sales charges, expenses and expense ratios, and therefore
performance, for Class A and Class B shares differ. Class B share
performance has been adusted to reflect that Class B shares generally are
subject to CDSC (unless the performance quotation does not give effect to
the CDSC) whereas Class A shares generally are subject to an initial sales
charge. Class B share performance has not, however, been adjusted to
reflect differences in operating expenses (e.g., Rule 12b-1 fees), which
generally are lower for Class A shares.
(2) Class C share performance includes the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares for periods prior to the inception of Class C shares on January 3,
1994. Sales charges, expenses and expense ratios, and therefore
performance, for Class A and Class C shares differ. Class C shares
performance has been adjusted to reflect that Class C shares generally are
subject to a CDSC (unless the performance quotation does not give effect
to the CDSC) whereas Class A shares generally are subject to an initial
sales charge. Class C share performance has not, however, been adjusted to
reflect differences in operating expenses (e.g., Rule 12b-1 fees), which
generally are lower for Class A shares.
(3) Class I share performance includes the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares for the periods prior to the inception of Class I shares on
January 2, 1997. Sales charges, expenses and expense ratios, and therefore
performance for Class I and A shares differ. Class I share performance has
been adjusted to reflect that Class I shares are not subject to an initial
sales charge, whereas Class A shares generally are subject to an initial
sales charge. Class I share performance has not, however, been adjusted to
reflect differences in operating expenses (e.g., Rule 12b-1 fees), which
generally are lower for Class I shares.
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Massachusetts Financial Services Company
500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 954-5000
DISTRIBUTOR
MFS Fund Distributors, Inc.
500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 954-5000
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT
MFS Service Center, Inc.
500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
Toll free: (800) 225-2606
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 2281, Boston, MA 02107-9906
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP
125 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110
MFS(R)
RESEARCH
FUND
500 BOYLSTON STREET
BOSTON, MA 02116
[Logo] M F S(SM)
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
We invented the mutual fund(SM)
Printed on recycled paper. MFR-13-2/98/500 14/214/314
<PAGE>
PART C
ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
MFS TOTAL RETURN FUND
(A) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN PARTS A AND B:
INCLUDED IN PART A OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT:
For the ten years ended September 30, 1997:
Financial Highlights
INCLUDED IN PART B OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT:
At September 30, 1997:
Portfolio of Investments*
Statements of Assets and Liabilities*
For the year ended September 30, 1997:
Statement of Operations*
For the two years ended September 30, 1997:
Statement of Changes in Net Assets*
MFS RESEARCH FUND
(A) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN PARTS A AND B:
INCLUDED IN PART A OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT:
For the ten years ended September 30, 1997:
Financial Highlights
INCLUDED IN PART B OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT:
At September 30, 1997:
Portfolio of Investments**
Statement of Assets and Liabilities**
For the year ended September 30, 1997:
Statement of Operations**
For the two years ended September 30, 1997:
Statement of Changes in Net Assets**
- -----------------------------
* Incorporated by reference to the Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders dated
September 30, 1997 filed with the SEC via EDGAR on December 5, 1997.
** Incorporated by reference to the Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders dated
September 30, 1997 filed with the SEC via EDGAR on December 1, 1997.
(B) EXHIBITS:
1 (a) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust,
dated December 21, 1994. (5)
(b) Amendment to Declaration of Trust, dated
June 20, 1996. (7)
(c) Amendment to Declaration of Trust, dated
December 19, 1996. (9)
(d) Amendment to Declaration of Trust dated
July 23, 1997 to add 4 new Series to Trust.
(13).
(e) Amendment to Declaration of Trust dated
September 19, 1997 to redesignate name of
MFS International Growth Fund to MFS
International Strategic Growth Fund; filed
herewith.
2 Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated
December 21, 1994. (5)
3 Not Applicable
4 Form of Certificate representing ownership
of the Registrant's Classes of Shares. (6)
5(a) Investment Advisory Agreement for MFS
Total Return Fund, a series of the Trust,
dated January 18, 1985. (5)
(b) Amendment No. 1 to Investment Advisory
Agreement for MFS Total Return Fund, a
series of the Trust, dated November 19,
1985. (5)
(c) Investment Advisory Agreement for MFS
Research Fund, a Series of the Trust, dated
September 1, 1993. (5)
(d) Investment Advisory Agreement dated October
8, 1997, for MFS International
Opportunities Fund; filed herewith.
(e) Investment Advisory Agreement dated October
8, 1997, for MFS International Strategic
Growth Fund; filed herewith.
(f) Investment Advisory Agreement dated October
8, 1997, for MFS International Value Fund;
filed herewith.
(g) Investment Advisory Agreement dated October
8, 1997, for MFS Asia Pacific Fund; filed
herewith.
6(a) Distribution Agreement between the
Trust and MFS Fund Distributors, Inc.,
dated January 1, 1995. (5)
(b) Dealer Agreement between MFS Fund
Distributors, Inc. and a dealer, and the
Mutual Fund Agreement between MFD and a
bank or NASD affiliate, dated April 11,
1997. (10)
7 Retirement Plan for Non-Interested Person
Trustees, dated January 1, 1991. (5)
8 Form of Custodian Agreement between the
Trust and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, dated October 1, 1997; filed
herewith.
9(a) Shareholder Servicing Agent Agreement
between the Registrant and Massachusetts
Financial Service Center, Inc., dated
August 1, 1985. (5)
(b) Amendment to Exhibit B of Shareholder
Servicing Agent Agreement, dated January 1,
1998; filed herewith.
(c) Exchange Privilege Agreement, dated July
31, 1997. (2)
(d) Loan Agreement by and among the Banks named
therein, the MFS Funds named therein and
The First National Bank of Boston dated
February 21, 1995. (3)
(e) Third Amendment to the Loan Agreement among
MFS Borrowers and The First National Bank
of Boston dated as of February 14, 1997.
(11)
(f) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated
January 15, 1985 between Registrant and
Massachusetts Financial Development Fund,
Inc. (5).
(g) Dividend Disbursing Agency Agreement dated
February 1, 1986. (5)
(h) Master Administrative Services Agreement,
dated March 1, 1997. (12)
10 Opinion and Consent of Counsel dated
January 26, 1998; filed herewith.
11 Consent of Deloitte & Touche, LLP for MFS
Total Return Fund and MFS Research Fund;
filed herewith.
12 Not Applicable.
13 Not Applicable.
14(a) Forms for Individual Retirement Account
Disclosure Statement as currently in
effect. (4)
(b) Forms for MFS 403(b) Custodial Account
Agreement as currently in effect. (4)
(c) Forms for MFS Prototype Paired Defined
Contribution Plans and Trust Agreement as
currently in effect. (4)
15(a) Master Distribution Plan pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, effective January 1, 1997. (8)
(b) Exhibits as revised October 15, 1997 to
Master Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of
1940 to replace those exhibits to the
Master Distribution Plan contained in
Exhibit 15(a) above. (14)
16 Schedule of Computation for Performance
Quotations - Average Annual Total Rate of
Return, Aggregate Total Rate of Return,
Standardized Yield and Current Distribution
Rate. (1)
17 Not Applicable.
18 Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3(d) under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. (6)
Power of Attorney dated September 21, 1994. (5)
(1) Incorporated by reference to MFS Municipal Series Trust (File Nos. 2-92915
and 811-4096) Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 filed with the SEC on
February 22, 1995.
(2) Incorporated by reference to Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund
(File Nos. 2-14667 and 811-859) Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 filed with
the SEC via EDGAR on July 30, 1997.
(3) Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 on Form N-2
for MFS Municipal Income Trust (File No. 811-4841) filed with the SEC via
EDGAR on February 28, 1995. (4) Incorporated by reference to MFS Series
Trust IX (File Nos. 2-50409 and 811-2464) Post-Effective Amendment No. 32
filed with the SEC via EDGAR on August 28, 1995. (5) Incorporated by
reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 filed with the
SEC via EDGAR on January 26, 1996. (6) Incorporated by reference to MFS
Series Trust I (File Nos. 33-7638 and 811-4777) Post-Effective Amendment
No. 25 filed with the SEC via EDGAR on August 27, 1996. (7) Incorporated by
reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 filed with the
SEC via EDGAR on August 28, 1996. (8) Incorporated by reference to MFS
Series Trust IV (File No. 33-34502 and 811-2594) Post-Effective Amendment
No. 30 filed with the SEC via EDGAR on December 27, 1996. (9) Incorporated
by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 filed with the
SEC via EDGAR on January 27, 1997. (10) Incorporated by reference to MFS
Series Trust III (File Nos. 2-60491 and 811-2794) Post-Effective Amendment
No. 24 filed with the SEC via EDGAR on May 29, 1997. (11) Incorporated by
reference to MFS Series Trust I File Nos. 33-7638 and 811-4777)
Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 filed with the SEC via EDGAR on June 26,
1997.
(12) Incorporated by reference to MFS/Sun Life Series Trust (File Nos. 2-83616
and 811-3732) Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 filed with the SEC via EDGAR
on March 18, 1997.
(13) Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 44
filed with the SEC via EDGAR on July 25, 1997.
(14) Incorporated by reference to Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund
(File Nos. 2-14677 and 811-859) Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 as filed
with the SEC via EDGAR on October 29, 1997.
ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT
Not applicable.
ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
FOR MFS TOTAL RETURN FUND
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(1) (2)
TITLE OF CLASS NUMBER OF RECORD HOLDERS
Class A Shares of Beneficial Interest 169,425
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class B Shares of Beneficial Interest 108,235
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class C Shares of Beneficial Interest 8,321
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class I Shares of Beneficial Interest 4
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
FOR MFS RESEARCH FUND
Class A Shares of Beneficial Interest 126,246
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class B Shares of Beneficial Interest 155,781
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class C Shares of Beneficial Interest 23,849
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class I Shares of Beneficial Interest 9
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
FOR MFS INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
Class A Shares of Beneficial Interest 17
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class B Shares of Beneficial Interest 0
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class C Shares of Beneficial Interest 0
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class I Shares of Beneficial Interest 4
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
FOR MFS INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
Class A Shares of Beneficial Interest 20
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class B Shares of Beneficial Interest 0
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class C Shares of Beneficial Interest 0
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class I Shares of Beneficial Interest 4
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
FOR MFS INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
Class A Shares of Beneficial Interest 5
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class B Shares of Beneficial Interest 0
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class C Shares of Beneficial Interest 0
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class I Shares of Beneficial Interest 4
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
FOR MFS ASIA PACIFIC FUND
Class A Shares of Beneficial Interest 19
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class B Shares of Beneficial Interest 0
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class C Shares of Beneficial Interest 0
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
Class I Shares of Beneficial Interest 4
(without par value) (as of December 31, 1997)
</TABLE>
ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION
Reference is hereby made to (a) Article V of Registrant's
Declaration of Trust amended and restated, December 21, 1994, filed with
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 filed with the SEC via EDGAR on
January 26, 1996; (b) Section 9 of the Shareholder Servicing Agent Agreement
filed with Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 41, filed with the SEC via
EDGAR on January 26, 1996; and (c) the undertaking of the Registrant regarding
indemnification set forth in its Registration Statement on Form S-5.
The Trustees and officers of the Registrant and the personnel
of the Registrant's investment adviser and distributor are insured under an
errors and omissions liability insurance policy. The Registrant and its officers
are also insured under the fidelity bond required by Rule 17g-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER
MFS serves as investment adviser to the following open-end
Funds comprising the MFS Family of Funds: Massachusetts Investors Trust,
Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund, MFS Growth Opportunities Fund, MFS
Government Securities Fund, MFS Government Limited Maturity Fund, MFS Series
Trust I (which has thirteen series: MFS Managed Sectors Fund, MFS Cash Reserve
Fund, MFS World Asset Allocation Fund, MFS Aggressive Growth Fund, MFS Research
Growth and Income Fund, MFS Core Growth Fund, MFS Equity Income Fund, MFS
Special Opportunities Fund, MFS Convertible Securities Fund, MFS Blue Chip Fund,
MFS New Discovery Fund, MFS Science and Technology Fund and MFS Research
International Fund), MFS Series Trust II (which has three series: MFS Emerging
Growth Fund, MFS Large Cap Growth Fund and MFS Intermediate Income Fund), MFS
Series Trust III (which has two series: MFS High Income Fund and MFS Municipal
High Income Fund), MFS Series Trust IV (which has four series: MFS Money Market
Fund, MFS Government Money Market Fund, MFS Municipal Bond Fund and MFS Mid Cap
Growth Fund), MFS Series Trust V (which has two series: MFS Total Return Fund
and MFS Research Fund), MFS Series Trust VI (which has three series: MFS World
Total Return Fund, MFS Utilities Fund and MFS World Equity Fund), MFS Series
Trust VII (which has two series: MFS World Governments Fund and MFS Value Fund),
MFS Series Trust VIII (which has two series: MFS Strategic Income Fund and MFS
World Growth Fund), MFS Series Trust IX (which has three series: MFS Bond Fund,
MFS Limited Maturity Fund and MFS Municipal Limited Maturity Fund), MFS Series
Trust X (which has four series: MFS Government Mortgage Fund, MFS/Foreign &
Colonial Emerging Markets Equity Fund, MFS International Growth Fund and MFS
International Growth and Income Fund), and MFS Municipal Series Trust (which has
16 series: MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund, MFS Arkansas Municipal Bond Fund,
MFS California Municipal Bond Fund, MFS Florida Municipal Bond Fund, MFS Georgia
Municipal Bond Fund, MFS Maryland Municipal Bond Fund, MFS Massachusetts
Municipal Bond Fund, MFS Mississippi Municipal Bond Fund, MFS New York Municipal
Bond Fund, MFS North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund, MFS Pennsylvania Municipal
Bond Fund, MFS South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund, MFS Tennessee Municipal Bond
Fund, MFS Virginia Municipal Bond Fund, MFS West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund
and MFS Municipal Income Fund) (the "MFS Funds"). The principal business address
of each of the MFS Funds is 500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
MFS also serves as investment adviser of the following
open-end Funds: MFS Institutional Trust ("MFSIT") (which has seven series), MFS
Variable Insurance Trust ("MVI") (which has twelve series) and MFS Union
Standard Trust ("UST"). The principal business address of each of the
aforementioned funds is 500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
In addition, MFS serves as investment adviser to the following
closed-end funds: MFS Municipal Income Trust, MFS Multimarket Income Trust, MFS
Government Markets Income Trust, MFS Intermediate Income Trust, MFS Charter
Income Trust and MFS Special Value Trust (the "MFS Closed-End Funds"). The
principal business address of each of the MFS Closed-End Funds is 500 Boylston
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
Lastly, MFS serves as investment adviser to MFS/Sun Life
Series Trust ("MFS/SL"), Money Market Variable Account, High Yield Variable
Account, Capital Appreciation Variable Account, Government Securities Variable
Account, World Governments Variable Account, Total Return Variable Account and
Managed Sectors Variable Account (collectively, the "Accounts"). The principal
business address of MFS/SL is 500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
The principal business address of each of the aforementioned Accounts is One Sun
Life Executive Park, Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02181.
MFS International Ltd. ("MIL"), a limited liability company
organized under the laws of Bermuda and a subsidiary of MFS, whose principal
business address is Cedar House, 41 Cedar Avenue, Hamilton HM12 Bermuda, serves
as investment adviser to and distributor for MFS American Funds (which has six
portfolios: MFS American Funds-U.S. Equity Fund, MFS American Funds-U.S.
Emerging Growth Fund, MFS American Funds-U.S. High Yield Bond Fund, MFS American
Funds - U.S. Dollar Reserve Fund, MFS American Funds-Charter Income Fund and MFS
American Funds-U.S. Research Fund) (the "MIL Funds"). The MIL Funds are
organized in Luxembourg and qualify as an undertaking for collective investments
in transferable securities (UCITS). The principal business address of the MIL
Funds is 47, Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg.
MIL also serves as investment adviser to and distributor for
MFS Meridian U.S. Government Bond Fund, MFS Meridian Charter Income Fund, MFS
Meridian Global Government Fund, MFS Meridian U.S. Emerging Growth Fund, MFS
Meridian Global Equity Fund, MFS Meridian Limited Maturity Fund, MFS Meridian
World Growth Fund, MFS Meridian Money Market Fund, MFS Meridian World Total
Return Fund, MFS Meridian U.S. Equity Fund, MFS Meridian Research Fund, MFS
Meridian U.S. High Yield Fund and MFS Emerging Markets Debt Fund (collectively
the "MFS Meridian Funds"). Each of the MFS Meridian Funds is organized as an
exempt company under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The principal business
address of each of the MFS Meridian Funds is P.O. Box 309, Grand Cayman, Cayman
Islands, British West Indies.
MFS International (U.K.) Ltd. ("MIL-UK"), a private limited
company registered with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales whose
current address is 4 John Carpenter Street, London, England ED4Y 0NH, is
involved primarily in marketing and investment research activities with respect
to private clients and the MIL Funds and the MFS Meridian Funds.
MFS Institutional Advisors (Australia) Ltd.
("MFSI-Australia"), a private limited company organized under the Corporations
Law of New South Wales, Australia whose current address is Level 37, Governor
Phillip Tower, One Farrer Place, Sydney, N5W2000, Australia, is involved
primarily in investment management and distribution of Australian superannuation
unit trusts and acts as an investment adviser to institutional accounts.
MFS Holdings Australia Pty Ltd. ("MFS Holdings Australia"), a
private limited company organized pursuant to the Corporations Law of New South
Wales, Australia whose current address is Level 37, Governor Phillip Tower, One
Farrer Place, Sydney, NSW2000 Australia, and whose function is to serve
primarily as a holding company.
MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. ("MFD"), a wholly owned subsidiary
of MFS, serves as distributor for the MFS Funds, MVI, UST and MFSIT.
MFS Service Center, Inc. ("MFSC"), a wholly owned subsidiary
of MFS, serves as shareholder servicing agent to the MFS Funds, the MFS
Closed-End Funds, MFSIT, MVI and UST.
MFS Institutional Advisors, Inc. ("MFSI"), a wholly owned
subsidiary of MFS, provides investment advice to substantial private clients.
MFS Retirement Services, Inc. ("RSI"), a wholly owned
subsidiary of MFS, markets MFS products to retirement plans and provides
administrative and record keeping services for retirement plans.
MFS
The Directors of MFS are A. Keith Brodkin, Jeffrey L. Shames,
Arnold D. Scott, Donald A. Stewart and John D. McNeil. Mr. Brodkin is the
Chairman, Mr. Shames is the President, Mr. Scott is a Senior Executive Vice
President and Secretary, Bruce C. Avery, William S. Harris, William W. Scott,
Jr., Patricia A. Zlotin, John W. Ballen, Thomas J. Cashman, Jr., Joseph W. Dello
Russo and Kevin R. Parke are Executive Vice Presidents, Stephen E. Cavan is a
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and an Assistant Secretary, Robert T.
Burns is a Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and an Assistant
Secretary of MFS, and Thomas B. Hastings is a Vice President and Treasurer of
MFS.
MASSACHUSETTS INVESTORS TRUST
MASSACHUSETTS INVESTORS GROWTH STOCK FUND
MFS GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND
MFS GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND
MFS SERIES TRUST I
MFS SERIES TRUST V
MFS SERIES TRUST VI
MFS SERIES TRUST X
MFS GOVERNMENT LIMITED MATURITY FUND
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and President, Stephen E.
Cavan is the Secretary, W. Thomas London is the Treasurer, James O. Yost, Ellen
M. Moynihan and Mark E. Bradley, Vice Presidents of MFS, are the Assistant
Treasurers, James R. Bordewick, Jr., Senior Vice President and Associate General
Counsel of MFS is the Assistant Secretary.
MFS SERIES TRUST II
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and President, Leslie J.
Nanberg, Senior Vice President of MFS, is a Vice President, Stephen E. Cavan is
the Secretary, W. Thomas London is the Treasurer, James O. Yost, Ellen M.
Moynihan and Mark E. Bradley are the Assistant Treasurers, and James R.
Bordewick, Jr. is the Assistant Secretary.
MFS GOVERNMENT MARKETS INCOME TRUST
MFS INTERMEDIATE INCOME TRUST
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and President, Leslie J.
Nanberg, Senior Vice President of MFS, is a Vice President, Stephen E. Cavan is
the Secretary, W. Thomas London is the Treasurer, James O. Yost, Ellen M.
Moynihan and Mark E. Bradley are the Assistant Treasurers, and James R.
Bordewick, Jr. is the Assistant Secretary.
MFS SERIES TRUST III
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and President, James T.
Swanson, Robert J. Manning, Cynthia M. Brown and Joan S. Batchelder, Senior Vice
Presidents of MFS, and Bernard Scozzafava, Vice President of MFS, are Vice
Presidents, Sheila Burns-Magnan, Assistant Vice President of MFS, and Daniel E.
McManus, Vice President of MFS, are Assistant Vice Presidents, Stephen E. Cavan
is the Secretary, W. Thomas London is the Treasurer, James O. Yost, Ellen M.
Moynihan and Mark E. Bradley are the Assistant Treasurers, and James R.
Bordewick, Jr. is the Assistant Secretary.
MFS SERIES TRUST IV
MFS SERIES TRUST IX
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and President, Robert A.
Dennis and Geoffrey L. Kurinsky, Senior Vice Presidents of MFS, are Vice
Presidents, Stephen E. Cavan is the Secretary, W. Thomas London is the
Treasurer, James O. Yost, Ellen M. Moynihan and Mark E. Bradley are the
Assistant Treasurers and James R. Bordewick, Jr. is the Assistant Secretary.
MFS SERIES TRUST VII
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and President, Leslie J.
Nanberg and Stephen C. Bryant, Senior Vice Presidents of MFS, are Vice
Presidents, Stephen E. Cavan is the Secretary, W. Thomas London is the
Treasurer, James O. Yost, Ellen M. Moynihan and Mark E. Bradley are the
Assistant Treasurers and James R. Bordewick, Jr. is the Assistant Secretary.
MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and President, Jeffrey L.
Shames, Leslie J. Nanberg, James T. Swanson and John D. Laupheimer, Jr., Vice
President of MFS, are Vice Presidents, Stephen E. Cavan is the Secretary, W.
Thomas London is the Treasurer, James O. Yost, Ellen M. Moynihan and Mark E.
Bradley are the Assistant Treasurers and James R. Bordewick, Jr. is the
Assistant Secretary.
MFS MUNICIPAL SERIES TRUST
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and President, Cynthia M.
Brown and Robert A. Dennis are Vice Presidents, David B. Smith and Geoffrey L.
Schechter, Vice Presidents of MFS, are Vice Presidents, Daniel E. McManus, Vice
President of MFS, is an Assistant Vice President, Stephen E. Cavan is the
Secretary, W. Thomas London is the Treasurer, James O. Yost, Ellen M. Moynihan
and Mark E. Bradley are the Assistant Treasurers and James R. Bordewick, Jr. is
the Assistant Secretary.
MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
MFS UNION STANDARD TRUST
MFS INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and President, Stephen E.
Cavan is the Secretary, W. Thomas London is the Treasurer, James O. Yost, Ellen
M. Moynihan and Mark E. Bradley are the Assistant Treasurers and James R.
Bordewick, Jr. is the Assistant Secretary.
MFS MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and President, Cynthia M.
Brown and Robert J. Manning are Vice Presidents, Stephen E. Cavan is the
Secretary, W. Thomas London is the Treasurer, James O. Yost, Ellen M. Moynihan
and Mark E. Bradley are the Assistant Treasurers and James R. Bordewick, Jr. is
the Assistant Secretary.
MFS MULTIMARKET INCOME TRUST
MFS CHARTER INCOME TRUST
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and President, Leslie J.
Nanberg and James T. Swanson are Vice Presidents, Stephen E. Cavan is the
Secretary, W. Thomas London is the Treasurer, James O. Yost, Ellen M. Moynihan
and Mark E. Bradley are the Assistant Treasurers and James R. Bordewick, Jr. is
the Assistant Secretary.
MFS SPECIAL VALUE TRUST
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and President, Jeffrey L.
Shames and Robert J. Manning are Vice Presidents, Stephen E. Cavan is the
Secretary, W. Thomas London is the Treasurer, James O. Yost, Ellen M. Moynihan
and Mark E. Bradley are the Assistant Treasurers and James R. Bordewick, Jr. is
the Assistant Secretary.
MFS/SUN LIFE SERIES TRUST
John D. McNeil, Chairman and Director of Sun Life Assurance
Company of Canada, is the Chairman, Stephen E. Cavan is the Secretary, W. Thomas
London is the Treasurer, James O. Yost, Ellen M. Moynihan and Mark E. Bradley
are the Assistant Treasurers and James R. Bordewick, Jr. is the Assistant
Secretary.
MONEY MARKET VARIABLE ACCOUNT
HIGH YIELD VARIABLE ACCOUNT
CAPITAL APPRECIATION VARIABLE ACCOUNT
GOVERNMENT SECURITIES VARIABLE ACCOUNT
TOTAL RETURN VARIABLE ACCOUNT
WORLD GOVERNMENTS VARIABLE ACCOUNT
MANAGED SECTORS VARIABLE ACCOUNT
John D. McNeil is the Chairman, Stephen E. Cavan is the
Secretary, and James R. Bordewick, Jr. is the Assistant Secretary.
MIL
A. Keith Brodkin is a Director and the Chairman, Arnold D.
Scott, Jeffrey L. Shames and Thomas J. Cashman, Jr. are Directors, Stephen E.
Cavan is a Director, Senior Vice President and the Clerk, James R. Bordewick,
Jr. is a Director, Vice President and an Assistant Clerk, Robert T. Burns is an
Assistant Clerk, Joseph W. Dello Russo, Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of MFS, is the Treasurer and Thomas B. Hastings is the
Assistant Treasurer.
MIL-UK
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and a Director, Thomas J.
Cashman, Jr. is President and a Director, Arnold D. Scott and Jeffrey L. Shames
are Directors, Stephen E. Cavan is a Director and the Secretary, Joseph W. Dello
Russo is the Treasurer, Thomas B. Hastings is the Assistant Treasurer and Robert
T. Burns is the Assistant Secretary.
MFSI - AUSTRALIA
Thomas J. Cashman, Jr. is President and a Director, Graham E.
Lenzer, John A. Gee and David Adeseshian are Directors, Stephen E. Cavan is the
Secretary, Joseph W. Dello Russo is the Treasurer, Thomas B. Hastings is the
Assistant Treasurer, and Robert T. Burns is the Assistant Secretary.
MFS HOLDINGS - AUSTRALIA
Jeffrey L. Shames is the President and a Director, A. Keith
Brodkin, Arnold D. Scott, Thomas J. Cashman, Jr., and Graham E. Lenzer are
Directors, Stephen E. Cavan is the Secretary, Joseph W. Dello Russo is the
Treasurer, Thomas B. Hastings is the Assistant Treasurer, and Robert T. Burns is
the Assistant Secretary.
MIL FUNDS
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman, President and a Director,
Richard B. Bailey, John A. Brindle, Richard W. S. Baker and William F. Waters
are Directors, Stephen E. Cavan is the Secretary, W. Thomas London is the
Treasurer, James O. Yost, Ellen M. Moynihan and Mark E. Bradley are the
Assistant Treasurers and James R. Bordewick, Jr. is the Assistant Secretary.
MFS MERIDIAN FUNDS
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman, President and a Director,
Richard B. Bailey, John A. Brindle, Richard W. S. Baker, Arnold D. Scott,
Jeffrey L. Shames and William F. Waters are Directors, Stephen E. Cavan is the
Secretary, W. Thomas London is the Treasurer, James R. Bordewick, Jr. is the
Assistant Secretary and James O. Yost, Ellen M. Moynihan and Mark E. Bradley are
the Assistant Treasurers.
MFD
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and a Director, Arnold D.
Scott and Jeffrey L. Shames are Directors, William W. Scott, Jr., an Executive
Vice President of MFS, is the President, Stephen E. Cavan is the Secretary,
Robert T. Burns is the Assistant Secretary, Joseph W. Dello Russo is the
Treasurer, and Thomas B. Hastings is the Assistant Treasurer.
MFSC
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and a Director, Arnold D.
Scott and Jeffrey L. Shames are Directors, Joseph A. Recomendes, a Senior Vice
President and Chief Information Officer of MFS, is Vice Chairman and a Director,
Janet A. Clifford is the President, Joseph W. Dello Russo is the Treasurer,
Thomas B. Hastings is the Assistant Treasurer, Stephen E. Cavan is the
Secretary, and Robert T. Burns is the Assistant Secretary.
MFSI
A. Keith Brodkin is the Chairman and a Director, Jeffrey L.
Shames, and Arnold D. Scott are Directors, Thomas J. Cashman, Jr., is the
President and a Director, Leslie J. Nanberg is a Senior Vice President, a
Managing Director and a Director, George F. Bennett, Carol A. Corley, John A.
Gee, Brianne Grady and Kevin R. Parke (who is an Executive Vice President of
MFS) are Senior Vice Presidents and Managing Directors, Joseph W. Dello Russo is
the Treasurer, Thomas B. Hastings is the Assistant Treasurer and Robert T. Burns
is the Secretary.
RSI
Arnold D. Scott is the Chairman and a Director, Martin E.
Beaulieu is the President, William W. Scott, Jr. and Bruce C. Avery are
Directors, Joseph W. Dello Russo is the Treasurer, Thomas B. Hastings is the
Assistant Treasurer, Stephen E. Cavan is the Secretary and Robert T. Burns is
the Assistant Secretary.
In addition, the following persons, Directors or officers of
MFS, have the affiliations indicated:
A. Keith Brodkin Director, Sun Life Assurance Company
of Canada (U.S.), One Sun Life
Executive Park, Wellesley Hills,
Massachusetts
Director, Sun Life Insurance and
Annuity Company of New York, 67
Broad Street, New York, New York
Donald A. Stewart President and a Director, Sun Life
Assurance Company of Canada, Sun
Life Centre, 150 King Street
West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
(Mr. Stewart is also an officer
and/or Director of various
subsidiaries and affiliates of
Sun Life)
John D. McNeil Chairman, Sun Life Assurance Company
of Canada, Sun Life Centre, 150
King Street West, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada (Mr. McNeil is
also an officer and/or Director
of various subsidiaries and
affiliates of Sun Life)
Joseph W. Dello Russo Director of Mutual Fund Operations,
The Boston Company, Exchange
Place, Boston, Massachusetts
(until August, 1994)
ITEM 29. DISTRIBUTORS
(a) Reference is hereby made to Item 28 above.
(b) Reference is hereby made to Item 28 above; the principal
business address of each of these persons is 500 Boylston Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02116.
(c) Not applicable.
<PAGE>
ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
The accounts and records of the Registrant are located, in
whole or in part, at the office of the Registrant and the following locations:
NAME ADDRESS
---- -------
Massachusetts Financial 500 Boylston Street
Services Company Boston, MA 02116
(investment adviser)
MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. 500 Boylston Street
(principal underwriter) Boston, MA 02116
State Street Bank and Trust State Street South
Company (custodian) 5-West
North Quincy, MA 02116
MFS Service Center, Inc. 500 Boylston Street
(transfer agent) Boston, Mass. 02116
ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Not applicable.
ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS
(a) Not Applicable.
(b) Not Applicable.
(c) Registrant undertakes to furnish each person to whom a
prospectus is delivered with a copy of its latest annual report to shareholders
upon request and without charge.
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions set forth in Item 27 of
this Part C, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion
of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being Registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to
Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this
Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Boston and
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 26th day of January, 1998.
MFS SERIES TRUST V
By: JAMES R. BORDEWICK, JR.
Name: James R. Bordewick, Jr.
Title: Assistant Secretary
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement has been signed below by
the following persons in the capacities indicated on January 26, 1998.
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
A. KEITH BRODKIN* Chairman, President (Principal
- ------------------------------------- Executive Officer) and Trustee
A. Keith Brodkin
W. THOMAS LONDON* Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer
- ------------------------------------- and Principal Accounting Officer)
W. Thomas London
RICHARD B. BAILEY* Trustee
- -------------------------------------
Richard B. Bailey
PETER G. HARWOOD* Trustee
- -------------------------------------
Peter G. Harwood
J. ATWOOD IVES* Trustee
- -------------------------------------
J. Atwood Ives
LAWRENCE T. PERERA* Trustee
- -------------------------------------
Lawrence T. Perera
WILLIAM J. POORVU* Trustee
- -------------------------------------
William J. Poorvu
CHARLES W. SCHMIDT* Trustee
- -------------------------------------
Charles W. Schmidt
ARNOLD D. SCOTT* Trustee
- -------------------------------------
Arnold D. Scott
JEFFREY L. SHAMES* Trustee
- -------------------------------------
Jeffrey L. Shames
ELAINE R. SMITH* Trustee
- -------------------------------------
Elaine R. Smith
DAVID B. STONE* Trustee
- -------------------------------------
David B. Stone
*By: JAMES R. BORDEWICK, JR.
----------------------------------
Name: James R. Bordewick, Jr.
as Attorney-in-fact
Executed by James R. Bordewick, Jr.
on behalf of those indicated pursuant
to a Power of Attorney dated
September 21, 1994, incorporated by
reference to the Registrant's Post-
Effective Amendment No. 41 filed
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission via EDGAR on
January 26, 1996.
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT PAGE NO.
- ----------- ---------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
1 (e) Amendment to Declaration of Trust dated September 19,
1997 to redesignate name of MFS International Growth
Fund to MFS International Strategic Growth Fund.
5 (d) Investment Advisory Agreement dated October 8, 1997, for
MFS International Opportunities Fund.
(e) Investment Advisory Agreement dated October 8,
1997, for MFS International Strategic Growth
Fund.
(f) Investment Advisory Agreement dated October 8,
1997, for MFS International Value Fund.
(g) Investment Advisory Agreement dated October 8,
1997, for MFS Asia Pacific Fund.
8 Form of Custodian Agreement between the Trust
and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated
October 1, 1997.
9(b) Amendment to Exhibit B of Shareholder
Servicing Agent Agreement, dated January 1, 1998
to amend fee schedule.
10 Opinion and Consent of Counsel dated January 26, 1998.
11 Consent of Deloitte & Touche, LLP for MFS Total Return
Fund and MFS Research Fund.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT NO. 99.1(e)
MFS SERIES TRUST V
CERTIFICATION OF AMENDMENT
TO THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
REDESIGNATION OF SERIES
The undersigned, being a majority of the Trustees of MFS Series Trust V
(the "Trust"), a business trust organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated
December 21, 1994, as amended (the "Declaration"), acting pursuant to Section
6.9 of the Declaration, do hereby redesignate an existing series of Shares (as
defined in the Declaration) as follows:
1. The series designated as MFS International Growth Fund shall
be redesignated as MFS International Strategic Growth Fund.
Pursuant to Section 6.9(i) of the Declaration, this redesignation of
series of Shares shall be effective upon the execution of a majority of the
Trustees of the Trust.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, a majority of the Trustees of the Trust have executed
this amendment, in one or more counterparts, all constituting a single
instrument, as an instrument under seal in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as
of this 19th day of September, 1997.
A. KEITH BRODKIN CHARLES W. SCHMIDT
- ------------------------ ---------------------
A. Keith Brodkin Charles W. Schmidt
76 Farm Road 63 Claypit Hill Road
Sherborn, MA 01770 Wayland, MA 01778
- ------------------------ ---------------------
Richard B. Bailey Arnold D. Scott
63 Atlantic Avenue 20 Rowes Wharf
Boston, MA 02110 Boston, MA 02110
JEFFREY L. SHAMES
- ------------------------ ---------------------
Peter G. Harwood Jeffrey L. Shames
211 Lindsay Pond Road 38 Lake Avenue
Concord, MA 01742 Newton, MA 02159
J. ATWOOD IVES ELAINE R. SMITH
- ------------------------ ---------------------
J. Atwood Ives Elaine R. Smith
1 Bennington Road 75 Scotch Pine Road
Lexington, MA 02173 Weston, MA 02193
DAVID B. STONE
- ------------------------ ---------------------
Lawrence T. Perera David B. Stone
18 Marlborough Street 282 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02116 Boston, MA 02116
WILLIAM J. POORVU
- ------------------------
William J. Poorvu
975 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02138
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT NO. 99.5(d)
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT, dated this 8th day of October, 1997, by
and between MFS SERIES TRUST V, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), on
behalf of MFS INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND, a series of the Trust (the
"Fund"), and MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY, a Delaware corporation
(the "Adviser").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust is engaged in business as an open-end investment
company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is willing to provide business services to the
Fund on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
of the parties hereto as herein set forth, the parties covenant and agree as
follows:
ARTICLE 1. DUTIES OF THE ADVISER. The Adviser shall provide the Fund
with such investment advice and supervision as the latter may from time to time
consider necessary for the proper supervision of its funds. The Adviser shall
act as Adviser to the Fund and as such shall furnish continuously an investment
program and shall determine from time to time what securities shall be
purchased, sold or exchanged and what portion of the assets of the Fund shall be
held uninvested, subject always to the restrictions of the Trust's Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust, dated January 6, 1995, and By-Laws, each as
amended from time to time (respectively, the "Declaration" and the "By-Laws"),
to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules,
Regulations and orders thereunder and to the Fund's then-current Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information. The Adviser shall also make recommendations
as to the manner in which voting rights, rights to consent to corporate action
and any other rights pertaining to the Fund's portfolio securities shall be
exercised. Should the Trustees at any time, however, make any definite
determination as to the investment policy and notify the Adviser thereof in
writing, the Adviser shall be bound by such determination for the period, if
any, specified in such notice or until similarly notified that such
determination shall be revoked. The Adviser shall take, on behalf of the Fund,
all actions which it deems necessary to implement the investment policies
determined as provided above, and in particular to place all orders for the
purchase or sale of portfolio securities for the Fund's account with brokers or
dealers selected by it, and to that end, the Adviser is authorized as the agent
of the Fund to give instructions to the Custodian of the Fund as to the
deliveries of securities and payments of cash for the account of the Fund. In
connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such
orders, the Adviser is directed to seek for the Fund execution at the most
reasonable price by responsible brokerage firms at reasonably competitive
commission rates. In fulfilling this requirement, the Adviser shall not be
deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty, created by this
Agreement or otherwise, solely by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a
broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction
in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have
charged for effecting that transaction, if the Adviser determined in good faith
that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the
brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in
terms of either that particular transaction or the Adviser's overall
responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other clients of the Adviser as
to which the Adviser exercises investment discretion.
The Adviser may from time to time enter into sub-investment advisory agreements
with one or more investment advisers with such terms and conditions as the
Adviser may determine, provided that such sub-investment advisory agreements
have been approved in accordance with applicable provisions of the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Subject to the provisions of Article 6, the Adviser shall
not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law by any sub-adviser or
for any loss arising out of any investment made by any sub-adviser or for any
act or omission in the execution and management of the Fund by any sub-adviser.
ARTICLE 2. ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES. The Adviser shall
furnish at its own expense investment advisory and administrative services,
office space, equipment and clerical personnel necessary for servicing the
investments of the Fund and maintaining its organization and investment advisory
facilities and executive and supervisory personnel for managing the investments
and effecting the portfolio transactions of the Fund. The Adviser shall arrange,
if desired by the Trust, for Directors, officers and employees of the Adviser to
serve as Trustees, officers or agents of the Trust if duly elected or appointed
to such positions and subject to their individual consent and to any limitations
imposed by law. It is understood that the Fund will pay all of its own expenses
including, without limitation, compensation of Trustees "not affiliated" with
the Adviser; governmental fees; interest charges; taxes; membership dues in the
Investment Company Institute allocable to the Fund; fees and expenses of
independent auditors, of legal counsel, and of any transfer agent, registrar or
dividend disbursing agent of the Fund; expenses of repurchasing and redeeming
shares and servicing shareholder accounts; expenses of preparing, printing and
mailing stock certificates, shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and
reports to governmental officers and commissions; brokerage and other expenses
connected with the execution, recording and settlement of portfolio security
transactions; insurance premiums; fees and expenses of the custodian for all
services to the Fund, including safekeeping of funds and securities and
maintaining required books and accounts; expenses of calculating the net asset
value of shares of the Fund; expenses of shareholders' meetings; and expenses
relating to the issuance, registration and qualification of shares of the Fund
and the preparation, printing and mailing of prospectuses for such purposes
(except to the extent that any Distribution Agreement to which the Trust is a
party provides that another party is to pay some or all of such expenses).
ARTICLE 3. COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER. For the services to be rendered
and the facilities provided, the Fund shall pay to the Adviser an investment
advisory fee computed and paid monthly at a rate equal 0.975% of the first $500
million of the Fund's average daily net assets on an annualized basis and 0.925%
thereafter. If the Adviser shall serve for less than the whole of any period
specified in this Article 3, the compensation to the Adviser will be prorated.
ARTICLE 4. SPECIAL SERVICES. Should the Trust have occasion to request
the Adviser to perform services not herein contemplated or to request the
Adviser to arrange for the services of others, the Adviser will act for the
Trust on behalf of the Fund upon request to the best of its ability, with
compensation for the Adviser's services to be agreed upon with respect to each
such occasion as it arises.
ARTICLE 5. COVENANTS OF THE ADVISER. The Adviser agrees that it will
not deal with itself, or with the Trustees of the Trust or the Trust's
distributor, if any, as principals in making purchases or sales of securities or
other property for the account of the Fund, except as permitted by the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules, Regulations or orders thereunder,
will not take a long or short position in the shares of the Fund except as
permitted by the Declaration, and will comply with all other provisions of the
Declaration and the By-Laws and the then-current Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information of the Fund relative to the Adviser and its Directors and
officers.
ARTICLE 6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF THE ADVISER. The Adviser shall
not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss
arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution and
management of the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of its duties and obligations hereunder. As used
in this Article 6, the term "Adviser" shall include Directors, officers and
employees of the Adviser as well as that corporation itself.
ARTICLE 7. ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISER. The services of the Adviser to
the Fund are not deemed to be exclusive, the Adviser being free to render
investment advisory and/or other services to others. The Adviser may permit
other fund clients to use the initials "MFS" in their names. The Fund agrees
that if the Adviser shall for any reason no longer serve as the Adviser to the
Fund, the Fund will change its name so as to delete the initials "MFS." It is
understood that the Trustees, officers and shareholders of the Trust are or may
be or become interested in the Adviser, as Directors, officers, employees, or
otherwise and that Directors, officers and employees of the Adviser are or may
become similarly interested in the Trust, and that the Adviser may be or become
interested in the Fund as a shareholder or otherwise.
ARTICLE 8. DURATION, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT. This
Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall
govern the relations between the parties hereto thereafter, and shall remain in
force until August 1, 1999 on which date it will terminate unless its
continuance after August 1, 1999 is "specifically approved at least annually"
(i) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not
"interested persons" of the Trust or of the Adviser at a meeting specifically
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust, or by "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities" of the Fund.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any
penalty by the Trustees or by "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities" of the Fund, or by the Adviser, in each case on not more than sixty
days' nor less than thirty days' written notice to the other party. This
Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its "assignment".
This Agreement may be amended only if such amendment is approved by
"vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the Fund.
ARTICLE 9. SCOPE OF TRUST'S OBLIGATIONS. A copy of the Trust's
Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. The Adviser acknowledges that the obligations of or arising
out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trust's trustees,
officers, employees, agents or shareholders individually, but are binding solely
upon the assets and property of the Trust. If this Agreement is executed by the
Trust on behalf of one or more series of the Trust, the Adviser further
acknowledges that the assets and liabilities of each series of the Trust are
separate and distinct and that the obligations of or arising out of this
Agreement are binding solely upon the assets or property of the series on whose
behalf the Trust has executed this Agreement.
ARTICLE 10. DEFINITIONS. The terms "specifically approved at least
annually," "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,"
"assignment," "affiliated person," and "interested person," when used in this
Agreement, shall have the respective meanings specified, and shall be construed
in a manner consistent with, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules
and Regulations promulgated thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as
may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act.
ARTICLE 11. RECORD KEEPING. The Adviser will maintain records in a form
acceptable to the Trust and in compliance with the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to records
required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
and the rules thereunder, which at all times will be the property of the Trust
and will be available for inspection and use by the Trust.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed and delivered in their names and on their behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, and their respective seals to be hereto affixed, all
as of the day and year first written above. The undersigned Trustee of the Trust
has executed this Agreement not individually, but as Trustee under the
Declaration.
MFS SERIES TRUST V, on behalf of
MFS INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
FUND, one of its series
By: A. KEITH BRODKIN
-----------------------------
A. Keith Brodkin
Chairman and Trustee
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL
SERVICES COMPANY
By: A. KEITH BRODKIN
-----------------------------
A. Keith Brodkin
Chairman
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT NO. 99.5(e)
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT, dated this 8th day of October, 1997, by
and between MFS SERIES TRUST V, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), on
behalf of MFS INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, a series of the Trust (the
"Fund"), and MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY, a Delaware corporation
(the "Adviser").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust is engaged in business as an open-end investment
company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is willing to provide business services to the
Fund on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
of the parties hereto as herein set forth, the parties covenant and agree as
follows:
ARTICLE 1. DUTIES OF THE ADVISER. The Adviser shall provide the Fund
with such investment advice and supervision as the latter may from time to time
consider necessary for the proper supervision of its funds. The Adviser shall
act as Adviser to the Fund and as such shall furnish continuously an investment
program and shall determine from time to time what securities shall be
purchased, sold or exchanged and what portion of the assets of the Fund shall be
held uninvested, subject always to the restrictions of the Trust's Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust, dated January 6, 1995, and By-Laws, each as
amended from time to time (respectively, the "Declaration" and the "By-Laws"),
to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules,
Regulations and orders thereunder and to the Fund's then-current Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information. The Adviser shall also make recommendations
as to the manner in which voting rights, rights to consent to corporate action
and any other rights pertaining to the Fund's portfolio securities shall be
exercised. Should the Trustees at any time, however, make any definite
determination as to the investment policy and notify the Adviser thereof in
writing, the Adviser shall be bound by such determination for the period, if
any, specified in such notice or until similarly notified that such
determination shall be revoked. The Adviser shall take, on behalf of the Fund,
all actions which it deems necessary to implement the investment policies
determined as provided above, and in particular to place all orders for the
purchase or sale of portfolio securities for the Fund's account with brokers or
dealers selected by it, and to that end, the Adviser is authorized as the agent
of the Fund to give instructions to the Custodian of the Fund as to the
deliveries of securities and payments of cash for the account of the Fund. In
connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such
orders, the Adviser is directed to seek for the Fund execution at the most
reasonable price by responsible brokerage firms at reasonably competitive
commission rates. In fulfilling this requirement, the Adviser shall not be
deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty, created by this
Agreement or otherwise, solely by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a
broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction
in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have
charged for effecting that transaction, if the Adviser determined in good faith
that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the
brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in
terms of either that particular transaction or the Adviser's overall
responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other clients of the Adviser as
to which the Adviser exercises investment discretion.
The Adviser may from time to time enter into sub-investment advisory agreements
with one or more investment advisers with such terms and conditions as the
Adviser may determine, provided that such sub-investment advisory agreements
have been approved in accordance with applicable provisions of the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Subject to the provisions of Article 6, the Adviser shall
not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law by any sub-adviser or
for any loss arising out of any investment made by any sub-adviser or for any
act or omission in the execution and management of the Fund by any sub-adviser.
ARTICLE 2. ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES. The Adviser shall
furnish at its own expense investment advisory and administrative services,
office space, equipment and clerical personnel necessary for servicing the
investments of the Fund and maintaining its organization and investment advisory
facilities and executive and supervisory personnel for managing the investments
and effecting the portfolio transactions of the Fund. The Adviser shall arrange,
if desired by the Trust, for Directors, officers and employees of the Adviser to
serve as Trustees, officers or agents of the Trust if duly elected or appointed
to such positions and subject to their individual consent and to any limitations
imposed by law. It is understood that the Fund will pay all of its own expenses
including, without limitation, compensation of Trustees "not affiliated" with
the Adviser; governmental fees; interest charges; taxes; membership dues in the
Investment Company Institute allocable to the Fund; fees and expenses of
independent auditors, of legal counsel, and of any transfer agent, registrar or
dividend disbursing agent of the Fund; expenses of repurchasing and redeeming
shares and servicing shareholder accounts; expenses of preparing, printing and
mailing stock certificates, shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and
reports to governmental officers and commissions; brokerage and other expenses
connected with the execution, recording and settlement of portfolio security
transactions; insurance premiums; fees and expenses of the custodian for all
services to the Fund, including safekeeping of funds and securities and
maintaining required books and accounts; expenses of calculating the net asset
value of shares of the Fund; expenses of shareholders' meetings; and expenses
relating to the issuance, registration and qualification of shares of the Fund
and the preparation, printing and mailing of prospectuses for such purposes
(except to the extent that any Distribution Agreement to which the Trust is a
party provides that another party is to pay some or all of such expenses).
ARTICLE 3. COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER. For the services to be rendered
and the facilities provided, the Fund shall pay to the Adviser an investment
advisory fee computed and paid monthly at a rate equal 0.975% of the first $500
million of the Fund's average daily net assets on an annualized basis and 0.925%
thereafter. If the Adviser shall serve for less than the whole of any period
specified in this Article 3, the compensation to the Adviser will be prorated.
ARTICLE 4. SPECIAL SERVICES. Should the Trust have occasion to request
the Adviser to perform services not herein contemplated or to request the
Adviser to arrange for the services of others, the Adviser will act for the
Trust on behalf of the Fund upon request to the best of its ability, with
compensation for the Adviser's services to be agreed upon with respect to each
such occasion as it arises.
ARTICLE 5. COVENANTS OF THE ADVISER. The Adviser agrees that it will
not deal with itself, or with the Trustees of the Trust or the Trust's
distributor, if any, as principals in making purchases or sales of securities or
other property for the account of the Fund, except as permitted by the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules, Regulations or orders thereunder,
will not take a long or short position in the shares of the Fund except as
permitted by the Declaration, and will comply with all other provisions of the
Declaration and the By-Laws and the then-current Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information of the Fund relative to the Adviser and its Directors and
officers.
ARTICLE 6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF THE ADVISER. The Adviser shall
not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss
arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution and
management of the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of its duties and obligations hereunder. As used
in this Article 6, the term "Adviser" shall include Directors, officers and
employees of the Adviser as well as that corporation itself.
ARTICLE 7. ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISER. The services of the Adviser to
the Fund are not deemed to be exclusive, the Adviser being free to render
investment advisory and/or other services to others. The Adviser may permit
other fund clients to use the initials "MFS" in their names. The Fund agrees
that if the Adviser shall for any reason no longer serve as the Adviser to the
Fund, the Fund will change its name so as to delete the initials "MFS." It is
understood that the Trustees, officers and shareholders of the Trust are or may
be or become interested in the Adviser, as Directors, officers, employees, or
otherwise and that Directors, officers and employees of the Adviser are or may
become similarly interested in the Trust, and that the Adviser may be or become
interested in the Fund as a shareholder or otherwise.
ARTICLE 8. DURATION, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT. This
Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall
govern the relations between the parties hereto thereafter, and shall remain in
force until October , 1999 on which date it will terminate unless its
continuance after October , 1999 is "specifically approved at least annually"
(i) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not
"interested persons" of the Trust or of the Adviser at a meeting specifically
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust, or by "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities" of the Fund.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any
penalty by the Trustees or by "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities" of the Fund, or by the Adviser, in each case on not more than sixty
days' nor less than thirty days' written notice to the other party. This
Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its "assignment".
This Agreement may be amended only if such amendment is approved by
"vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the Fund.
ARTICLE 9. SCOPE OF TRUST'S OBLIGATIONS. A copy of the Trust's
Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. The Adviser acknowledges that the obligations of or arising
out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trust's trustees,
officers, employees, agents or shareholders individually, but are binding solely
upon the assets and property of the Trust. If this Agreement is executed by the
Trust on behalf of one or more series of the Trust, the Adviser further
acknowledges that the assets and liabilities of each series of the Trust are
separate and distinct and that the obligations of or arising out of this
Agreement are binding solely upon the assets or property of the series on whose
behalf the Trust has executed this Agreement.
ARTICLE 10. DEFINITIONS. The terms "specifically approved at least
annually," "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,"
"assignment," "affiliated person," and "interested person," when used in this
Agreement, shall have the respective meanings specified, and shall be construed
in a manner consistent with, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules
and Regulations promulgated thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as
may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act.
ARTICLE 11. RECORD KEEPING. The Adviser will maintain records in a form
acceptable to the Trust and in compliance with the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to records
required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
and the rules thereunder, which at all times will be the property of the Trust
and will be available for inspection and use by the Trust.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed and delivered in their names and on their behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, and their respective seals to be hereto affixed, all
as of the day and year first written above. The undersigned Trustee of the Trust
has executed this Agreement not individually, but as Trustee under the
Declaration.
MFS SERIES TRUST V, on behalf of
MFS INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC
GROWTH FUND, one of its series
By: A. KEITH BRODKIN
-------------------------
A. Keith Brodkin
Chairman and Trustee
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL
SERVICES COMPANY
By: A. KEITH BRODKIN
-------------------------
A. Keith Brodkin
Chairman
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT NO. 99.5(f)
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT, dated this 8th day of October, 1997, by
and between MFS SERIES TRUST V, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), on
behalf of MFS INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND, a series of the Trust (the "Fund"), and
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the
"Adviser").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust is engaged in business as an open-end investment
company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is willing to provide business services to the
Fund on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
of the parties hereto as herein set forth, the parties covenant and agree as
follows:
ARTICLE 1. DUTIES OF THE ADVISER. The Adviser shall provide the Fund
with such investment advice and supervision as the latter may from time to time
consider necessary for the proper supervision of its funds. The Adviser shall
act as Adviser to the Fund and as such shall furnish continuously an investment
program and shall determine from time to time what securities shall be
purchased, sold or exchanged and what portion of the assets of the Fund shall be
held uninvested, subject always to the restrictions of the Trust's Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust, dated January 6, 1995, and By-Laws, each as
amended from time to time (respectively, the "Declaration" and the "By-Laws"),
to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules,
Regulations and orders thereunder and to the Fund's then-current Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information. The Adviser shall also make recommendations
as to the manner in which voting rights, rights to consent to corporate action
and any other rights pertaining to the Fund's portfolio securities shall be
exercised. Should the Trustees at any time, however, make any definite
determination as to the investment policy and notify the Adviser thereof in
writing, the Adviser shall be bound by such determination for the period, if
any, specified in such notice or until similarly notified that such
determination shall be revoked. The Adviser shall take, on behalf of the Fund,
all actions which it deems necessary to implement the investment policies
determined as provided above, and in particular to place all orders for the
purchase or sale of portfolio securities for the Fund's account with brokers or
dealers selected by it, and to that end, the Adviser is authorized as the agent
of the Fund to give instructions to the Custodian of the Fund as to the
deliveries of securities and payments of cash for the account of the Fund. In
connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such
orders, the Adviser is directed to seek for the Fund execution at the most
reasonable price by responsible brokerage firms at reasonably competitive
commission rates. In fulfilling this requirement, the Adviser shall not be
deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty, created by this
Agreement or otherwise, solely by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a
broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction
in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have
charged for effecting that transaction, if the Adviser determined in good faith
that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the
brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in
terms of either that particular transaction or the Adviser's overall
responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other clients of the Adviser as
to which the Adviser exercises investment discretion.
The Adviser may from time to time enter into sub-investment advisory agreements
with one or more investment advisers with such terms and conditions as the
Adviser may determine, provided that such sub-investment advisory agreements
have been approved in accordance with applicable provisions of the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Subject to the provisions of Article 6, the Adviser shall
not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law by any sub-adviser or
for any loss arising out of any investment made by any sub-adviser or for any
act or omission in the execution and management of the Fund by any sub-adviser.
ARTICLE 2. ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES. The Adviser shall
furnish at its own expense investment advisory and administrative services,
office space, equipment and clerical personnel necessary for servicing the
investments of the Fund and maintaining its organization and investment advisory
facilities and executive and supervisory personnel for managing the investments
and effecting the portfolio transactions of the Fund. The Adviser shall arrange,
if desired by the Trust, for Directors, officers and employees of the Adviser to
serve as Trustees, officers or agents of the Trust if duly elected or appointed
to such positions and subject to their individual consent and to any limitations
imposed by law. It is understood that the Fund will pay all of its own expenses
including, without limitation, compensation of Trustees "not affiliated" with
the Adviser; governmental fees; interest charges; taxes; membership dues in the
Investment Company Institute allocable to the Fund; fees and expenses of
independent auditors, of legal counsel, and of any transfer agent, registrar or
dividend disbursing agent of the Fund; expenses of repurchasing and redeeming
shares and servicing shareholder accounts; expenses of preparing, printing and
mailing stock certificates, shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and
reports to governmental officers and commissions; brokerage and other expenses
connected with the execution, recording and settlement of portfolio security
transactions; insurance premiums; fees and expenses of the custodian for all
services to the Fund, including safekeeping of funds and securities and
maintaining required books and accounts; expenses of calculating the net asset
value of shares of the Fund; expenses of shareholders' meetings; and expenses
relating to the issuance, registration and qualification of shares of the Fund
and the preparation, printing and mailing of prospectuses for such purposes
(except to the extent that any Distribution Agreement to which the Trust is a
party provides that another party is to pay some or all of such expenses).
ARTICLE 3. COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER. For the services to be rendered
and the facilities provided, the Fund shall pay to the Adviser an investment
advisory fee computed and paid monthly at a rate equal 0.975% of the first $500
million of the Fund's average daily net assets on an annualized basis and 0.925%
thereafter. If the Adviser shall serve for less than the whole of any period
specified in this Article 3, the compensation to the Adviser will be prorated.
ARTICLE 4. SPECIAL SERVICES. Should the Trust have occasion to request
the Adviser to perform services not herein contemplated or to request the
Adviser to arrange for the services of others, the Adviser will act for the
Trust on behalf of the Fund upon request to the best of its ability, with
compensation for the Adviser's services to be agreed upon with respect to each
such occasion as it arises.
ARTICLE 5. COVENANTS OF THE ADVISER. The Adviser agrees that it will
not deal with itself, or with the Trustees of the Trust or the Trust's
distributor, if any, as principals in making purchases or sales of securities or
other property for the account of the Fund, except as permitted by the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules, Regulations or orders thereunder,
will not take a long or short position in the shares of the Fund except as
permitted by the Declaration, and will comply with all other provisions of the
Declaration and the By-Laws and the then-current Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information of the Fund relative to the Adviser and its Directors and
officers.
ARTICLE 6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF THE ADVISER. The Adviser shall
not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss
arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution and
management of the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of its duties and obligations hereunder. As used
in this Article 6, the term "Adviser" shall include Directors, officers and
employees of the Adviser as well as that corporation itself.
ARTICLE 7. ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISER. The services of the Adviser to
the Fund are not deemed to be exclusive, the Adviser being free to render
investment advisory and/or other services to others. The Adviser may permit
other fund clients to use the initials "MFS" in their names. The Fund agrees
that if the Adviser shall for any reason no longer serve as the Adviser to the
Fund, the Fund will change its name so as to delete the initials "MFS." It is
understood that the Trustees, officers and shareholders of the Trust are or may
be or become interested in the Adviser, as Directors, officers, employees, or
otherwise and that Directors, officers and employees of the Adviser are or may
become similarly interested in the Trust, and that the Adviser may be or become
interested in the Fund as a shareholder or otherwise.
ARTICLE 8. DURATION, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT. This
Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall
govern the relations between the parties hereto thereafter, and shall remain in
force until October , 1999 on which date it will terminate unless its
continuance after October , 1999 is "specifically approved at least annually"
(i) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not
"interested persons" of the Trust or of the Adviser at a meeting specifically
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust, or by "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities" of the Fund.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any
penalty by the Trustees or by "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities" of the Fund, or by the Adviser, in each case on not more than sixty
days' nor less than thirty days' written notice to the other party. This
Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its "assignment".
This Agreement may be amended only if such amendment is approved by
"vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the Fund.
ARTICLE 9. SCOPE OF TRUST'S OBLIGATIONS. A copy of the Trust's
Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. The Adviser acknowledges that the obligations of or arising
out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trust's trustees,
officers, employees, agents or shareholders individually, but are binding solely
upon the assets and property of the Trust. If this Agreement is executed by the
Trust on behalf of one or more series of the Trust, the Adviser further
acknowledges that the assets and liabilities of each series of the Trust are
separate and distinct and that the obligations of or arising out of this
Agreement are binding solely upon the assets or property of the series on whose
behalf the Trust has executed this Agreement.
ARTICLE 10. DEFINITIONS. The terms "specifically approved at least
annually," "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,"
"assignment," "affiliated person," and "interested person," when used in this
Agreement, shall have the respective meanings specified, and shall be construed
in a manner consistent with, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules
and Regulations promulgated thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as
may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act.
ARTICLE 11. RECORD KEEPING. The Adviser will maintain records in a form
acceptable to the Trust and in compliance with the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to records
required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
and the rules thereunder, which at all times will be the property of the Trust
and will be available for inspection and use by the Trust.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed and delivered in their names and on their behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, and their respective seals to be hereto affixed, all
as of the day and year first written above. The undersigned Trustee of the Trust
has executed this Agreement not individually, but as Trustee under the
Declaration.
MFS SERIES TRUST V, on behalf of
MFS INTERNATIONAL VALUE
FUND, one of its series
By: A. KEITH BRODKIN
---------------------------
A. Keith Brodkin
Chairman and Trustee
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL
SERVICES COMPANY
By: A. KEITH BRODKIN
---------------------------
A. Keith Brodkin
Chairman
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT NO. 99.5(g)
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT, dated this 8th day of October, 1997, by
and between MFS SERIES TRUST V, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), on
behalf of MFS ASIA PACIFIC FUND, a series of the Trust (the "Fund"), and
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the
"Adviser").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust is engaged in business as an open-end investment
company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is willing to provide business services to the
Fund on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
of the parties hereto as herein set forth, the parties covenant and agree as
follows:
ARTICLE 1. DUTIES OF THE ADVISER. The Adviser shall provide the Fund
with such investment advice and supervision as the latter may from time to time
consider necessary for the proper supervision of its funds. The Adviser shall
act as Adviser to the Fund and as such shall furnish continuously an investment
program and shall determine from time to time what securities shall be
purchased, sold or exchanged and what portion of the assets of the Fund shall be
held uninvested, subject always to the restrictions of the Trust's Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust, dated January 6, 1995, and By-Laws, each as
amended from time to time (respectively, the "Declaration" and the "By-Laws"),
to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules,
Regulations and orders thereunder and to the Fund's then-current Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information. The Adviser shall also make recommendations
as to the manner in which voting rights, rights to consent to corporate action
and any other rights pertaining to the Fund's portfolio securities shall be
exercised. Should the Trustees at any time, however, make any definite
determination as to the investment policy and notify the Adviser thereof in
writing, the Adviser shall be bound by such determination for the period, if
any, specified in such notice or until similarly notified that such
determination shall be revoked. The Adviser shall take, on behalf of the Fund,
all actions which it deems necessary to implement the investment policies
determined as provided above, and in particular to place all orders for the
purchase or sale of portfolio securities for the Fund's account with brokers or
dealers selected by it, and to that end, the Adviser is authorized as the agent
of the Fund to give instructions to the Custodian of the Fund as to the
deliveries of securities and payments of cash for the account of the Fund. In
connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such
orders, the Adviser is directed to seek for the Fund execution at the most
reasonable price by responsible brokerage firms at reasonably competitive
commission rates. In fulfilling this requirement, the Adviser shall not be
deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty, created by this
Agreement or otherwise, solely by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a
broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction
in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have
charged for effecting that transaction, if the Adviser determined in good faith
that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the
brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in
terms of either that particular transaction or the Adviser's overall
responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other clients of the Adviser as
to which the Adviser exercises investment discretion.
The Adviser may from time to time enter into sub-investment advisory agreements
with one or more investment advisers with such terms and conditions as the
Adviser may determine, provided that such sub-investment advisory agreements
have been approved in accordance with applicable provisions of the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Subject to the provisions of Article 6, the Adviser shall
not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law by any sub-adviser or
for any loss arising out of any investment made by any sub-adviser or for any
act or omission in the execution and management of the Fund by any sub-adviser.
ARTICLE 2. ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES. The Adviser shall
furnish at its own expense investment advisory and administrative services,
office space, equipment and clerical personnel necessary for servicing the
investments of the Fund and maintaining its organization and investment advisory
facilities and executive and supervisory personnel for managing the investments
and effecting the portfolio transactions of the Fund. The Adviser shall arrange,
if desired by the Trust, for Directors, officers and employees of the Adviser to
serve as Trustees, officers or agents of the Trust if duly elected or appointed
to such positions and subject to their individual consent and to any limitations
imposed by law. It is understood that the Fund will pay all of its own expenses
including, without limitation, compensation of Trustees "not affiliated" with
the Adviser; governmental fees; interest charges; taxes; membership dues in the
Investment Company Institute allocable to the Fund; fees and expenses of
independent auditors, of legal counsel, and of any transfer agent, registrar or
dividend disbursing agent of the Fund; expenses of repurchasing and redeeming
shares and servicing shareholder accounts; expenses of preparing, printing and
mailing stock certificates, shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and
reports to governmental officers and commissions; brokerage and other expenses
connected with the execution, recording and settlement of portfolio security
transactions; insurance premiums; fees and expenses of the custodian for all
services to the Fund, including safekeeping of funds and securities and
maintaining required books and accounts; expenses of calculating the net asset
value of shares of the Fund; expenses of shareholders' meetings; and expenses
relating to the issuance, registration and qualification of shares of the Fund
and the preparation, printing and mailing of prospectuses for such purposes
(except to the extent that any Distribution Agreement to which the Trust is a
party provides that another party is to pay some or all of such expenses).
ARTICLE 3. COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER. For the services to be rendered
and the facilities provided, the Fund shall pay to the Adviser an investment
advisory fee computed and paid monthly at an annual rate equal to 1.00% of the
Fund's average daily net assets for its then-current fiscal year. If the Adviser
shall serve for less than the whole of any period specified in this Article 3,
the compensation to the Adviser will be prorated.
ARTICLE 4. SPECIAL SERVICES. Should the Trust have occasion to request
the Adviser to perform services not herein contemplated or to request the
Adviser to arrange for the services of others, the Adviser will act for the
Trust on behalf of the Fund upon request to the best of its ability, with
compensation for the Adviser's services to be agreed upon with respect to each
such occasion as it arises.
ARTICLE 5. COVENANTS OF THE ADVISER. The Adviser agrees that it will
not deal with itself, or with the Trustees of the Trust or the Trust's
distributor, if any, as principals in making purchases or sales of securities or
other property for the account of the Fund, except as permitted by the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules, Regulations or orders thereunder,
will not take a long or short position in the shares of the Fund except as
permitted by the Declaration, and will comply with all other provisions of the
Declaration and the By-Laws and the then-current Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information of the Fund relative to the Adviser and its Directors and
officers.
ARTICLE 6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF THE ADVISER. The Adviser shall
not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss
arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution and
management of the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of its duties and obligations hereunder. As used
in this Article 6, the term "Adviser" shall include Directors, officers and
employees of the Adviser as well as that corporation itself.
ARTICLE 7. ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISER. The services of the Adviser to
the Fund are not deemed to be exclusive, the Adviser being free to render
investment advisory and/or other services to others. The Adviser may permit
other fund clients to use the initials "MFS" in their names. The Fund agrees
that if the Adviser shall for any reason no longer serve as the Adviser to the
Fund, the Fund will change its name so as to delete the initials "MFS." It is
understood that the Trustees, officers and shareholders of the Trust are or may
be or become interested in the Adviser, as Directors, officers, employees, or
otherwise and that Directors, officers and employees of the Adviser are or may
become similarly interested in the Trust, and that the Adviser may be or become
interested in the Fund as a shareholder or otherwise.
ARTICLE 8. DURATION, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT. This
Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall
govern the relations between the parties hereto thereafter, and shall remain in
force until October , 1999 on which date it will terminate unless its
continuance after October , 1999 is "specifically approved at least annually"
(i) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not
"interested persons" of the Trust or of the Adviser at a meeting specifically
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust, or by "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities" of the Fund.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any
penalty by the Trustees or by "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities" of the Fund, or by the Adviser, in each case on not more than sixty
days' nor less than thirty days' written notice to the other party. This
Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its "assignment".
This Agreement may be amended only if such amendment is approved by
"vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the Fund.
ARTICLE 9. SCOPE OF TRUST'S OBLIGATIONS. A copy of the Trust's
Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. The Adviser acknowledges that the obligations of or arising
out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trust's trustees,
officers, employees, agents or shareholders individually, but are binding solely
upon the assets and property of the Trust. If this Agreement is executed by the
Trust on behalf of one or more series of the Trust, the Adviser further
acknowledges that the assets and liabilities of each series of the Trust are
separate and distinct and that the obligations of or arising out of this
Agreement are binding solely upon the assets or property of the series on whose
behalf the Trust has executed this Agreement.
ARTICLE 10. DEFINITIONS. The terms "specifically approved at least
annually," "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,"
"assignment," "affiliated person," and "interested person," when used in this
Agreement, shall have the respective meanings specified, and shall be construed
in a manner consistent with, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules
and Regulations promulgated thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as
may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act.
ARTICLE 11. RECORD KEEPING. The Adviser will maintain records in a form
acceptable to the Trust and in compliance with the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to records
required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
and the rules thereunder, which at all times will be the property of the Trust
and will be available for inspection and use by the Trust.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed and delivered in their names and on their behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, and their respective seals to be hereto affixed, all
as of the day and year first written above. The undersigned Trustee of the Trust
has executed this Agreement not individually, but as Trustee under the
Declaration.
MFS SERIES TRUST V, on behalf of
MFS ASIA PACIFIC FUND, one of its series
By: A. KEITH BRODKIN
--------------------------------
A. Keith Brodkin
Chairman and Trustee
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL
SERVICES COMPANY
By: A. KEITH BRODKIN
--------------------------------
A. Keith Brodkin
Chairman
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.8
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
MFS SERIES TRUST V
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
<C> <S> <C>
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held By It......................................... 1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Trust Held by the Custodian............ 2
2.1 Holding Securities............................................................................. 2
2.2 Delivery of Securities......................................................................... 2
2.3 Registration of Securities..................................................................... 5
2.4 Bank Accounts.................................................................................. 5
2.5 Payments for Shares............................................................................ 6
2.6 Investment and Availability of Federal Funds................................................... 6
2.7 Collection of Income........................................................................... 6
2.8 Payment of Trust Monies........................................................................ 7
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased............................ 8
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Trust................................. 9
2.11 Appointment of Agents.......................................................................... 9
2.12 Deposit of Trust Assets in Securities System................................................... 9
2.12 A Trust Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System..................................... 11
2.13 Segregated Account............................................................................. 12
2.14 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes........................................................ 13
2.15 Proxies........................................................................................ 13
2.16 Communications Relating to Trust Portfolio Securities.......................................... 13
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Portfolio Held Outside of the United
States......................................................................................... 14
3A. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to the State Street Portfolios............................ 14
3A.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians.......................................................... 14
3A.2 Assets to be Held............................................................................. 14
3A.3 Foreign Securities Depositories................................................................ 15
3A.4 Holding Securities............................................................................. 15
3A.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions................................................... 15
3A.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Portfolio............................................. 16
3A.7 Reports by Custodian........................................................................... 16
3A.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account........................................................ 16
3A.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians............................................................ 17
3A.10 Liability of Custodian........................................................................ 17
3A.11 Reimbursement for Advances..................................................................... 18
3A.12 Monitoring Responsibilities.................................................................... 18
3A.13 Branches of U.S. Banks........................................................................ 19
3A.14 Tax Law........................................................................................ 19
3B. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to the Chase Portfolios................................... 19
3B.1 Appointment of Chase as Subcustodian........................................................... 20
3B.2 Standard of Care; Liability.................................................................... 20
3B.3 Trust's Responsibility for Rules and Regulations............................................... 20
4. Proper Instructions............................................................................ 21
5. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority.................................................... 21
6. Evidence of Authority.......................................................................... 22
7. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of Net Asset Value
and Net Income................................................................................. 22
8. Records........................................................................................ 22
9. Opinion of Trust's Independent Accountants..................................................... 23
10. Reports to Trust by Independent Public Accountants............................................. 23
11. Compensation of Custodian...................................................................... 24
12. Responsibility of Custodian.................................................................... 24
13. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment.................................................... 26
14. Successor Custodian............................................................................ 27
15. Interpretive and Additional Provisions......................................................... 28
16. Additional Portfolios.......................................................................... 28
17. Massachusetts Law to Apply..................................................................... 29
18. Trust Disclaimer............................................................................... 29
19. Prior Contracts................................................................................ 29
20. Shareholder Communications..................................................................... 30
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between MFS Series Trust V, a business trust organized
and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having its
principal place of business at 500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116,
hereinafter called the "Trust", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts trust company, having its principal place of business at 225
Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, hereinafter called the
"Custodian",
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares in separate series,
with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of
securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Trust currently offers shares in two series, MFS Total
Return Fund and MFS Research Fund (such series together with all other series
subsequently established by the Trust and made subject to this Contract in
accordance with paragraph 16, being herein referred to as the "Portfolio(s)");
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It.
The Trust hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets
of the Portfolios of the Trust pursuant to the provisions of the Declaration of
Trust. The Trust agrees, on behalf of the Portfolios, agrees to deliver to the
Custodian all securities and cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income,
payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to
all securities owned by the Portfolios from time to time, and the cash
consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of beneficial
interest of the Trust representing interests in the Portfolios ("Shares") as may
be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for
any property of a Portfolio held or received by the Portfolio and not delivered
to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section
2.17), the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to
time employ one or more sub-custodians, but only in accordance with an
applicable vote by the Board of Trustees of the Trust on behalf of the
applicable Portfolio(s), and provided that the Custodian shall have no more or
less responsibility or liability to the Trust on account of any actions or
omissions of any subcustodian so employed than any such subcustodian has to the
Custodian.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Trust Held By the
Custodian.
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for
the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, including all securities
owned by such Portfolio, other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant
to Section 2.12 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in
a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (each, a
"U.S. Securities System") and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for which State
Street Bank and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying agent ("Direct Paper")
which is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian
pursuant to Section 2.12A.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver securities
owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or in a U.S. Securities System
account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's Direct Paper book entry system
account ("Direct Paper System Account") only upon receipt of Proper Instructions
from the Trust on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following
cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase agreement
related to such securities entered into by the Portfolio;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.12 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for securities of the Portfolio;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called,
redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any such case,
the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the
Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or into
the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.11 or into
the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1;
or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence
representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that,
in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio, to
the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination in
accordance with "street delivery" custom; provided that in any such case, the
Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from
the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such securities
except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the
securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for
conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;
provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be
delivered to the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the surrender
thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the
surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities;
provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be
delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the
Portfolio, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon from
time to time by the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio, which
may be in the form of cash or obligations issued by the United States
government, its agencies or instrumentalities, except that in connection with
any loans for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's account in
the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the
Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the delivery of securities
owned by the Portfolio prior to the receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the
Trust on behalf of the Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Trust on
behalf of the Portfolio, but only against receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a
member of The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"),
relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of
any registered national securities exchange, or of any similar organization or
organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with
transactions by the Portfolio of the Trust;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian, and a Futures Commission
Merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance
with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any Contract
Market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding account deposits
in connection with transactions by the Portfolio of the Trust;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer
Agent") for the Trust, for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the holders of
shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be described from time
to time in the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional
information of the Trust related to the Portfolio ("Prospectus"), in
satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption; and
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions from the Trust on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the
Executive Committee signed by an officer of the Trust and certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, setting forth the purpose for which such
delivery is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose,
and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be
made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Securities held by the Custodian (other than
bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the
name of any nominee of the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio or of any nominee of
the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Portfolio,
unless the Trust has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be
used in common with other registered investment companies having the same
investment adviser as the Portfolio, or in the name or nominee name of any agent
appointed pursuant to Section 2.11 or in the name or nominee name of any
sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1. All securities accepted by the
Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this Contract shall be
in "street name" or other good delivery form.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank account
or accounts (the "Portfolio's Account or Accounts") in the name of each
Portfolio of the Trust, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting
pursuant to the terms of this Contract, and shall hold in such account or
accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for
the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a
bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian for a Portfolio may
be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of the
Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion
deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust
company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust company and the funds to be
deposited with each such bank or trust company shall on behalf of each
applicable Portfolio be approved by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees
of the Trust. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as
Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 Payments for Shares. The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for
the Shares or from the Transfer Agent of the Trust and deposit into the
Portfolio's Account such payments as are received for Shares of that Portfolio
issued or sold from time to time by the Trust. The Custodian will provide timely
notification to the Trust on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer
Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.
2.6 Investment and Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between
the Trust on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian, the
Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions from the Trust on
behalf of a Portfolio, 1) invest in such instruments as may be set forth in such
instruments as may be set forth in such instructions on the same day as received
all federal funds received after a time agreed upon the Custodian and the Trust;
and 2) make federal funds available to such Portfolio as of specified times
agreed upon from time to time by the Trust and the Custodian in the amount of
checks received in payment for Shares of such Portfolio which are deposited into
the Portfolio's account.
2.7 Collection of Income. The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all
income and other payments with respect to registered securities held hereunder
to which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in
the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and
other payments with respect to bearer securities if, on the date of payment by
the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent thereof and
shall credit such income, as collected, to such Portfolio's custodian account.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and
present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as
and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held
hereunder. Income due each Portfolio on securities loaned pursuant to the
provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the Trust. The
Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other
than to provide the Trust with such information or data as may be necessary to
assist the Trust in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the
income to which the Portfolio is properly entitled.
2.8 Payment of Trust Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Trust
on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when
deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of a
Portfolio in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities for the account of the Portfolio but
only (a) against the delivery of such securities to the Custodian (or any bank,
banking firm or trust company doing business in the United States or abroad
which is qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act
as a custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its agent for this
purpose) registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the name of a nominee of
the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer;
(b) in the case of a purchase effected through a U.S. Securities System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.12 hereof; or (c) in the
case of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance with the
conditions set forth in Section 2.12A; or (d) in the case of repurchase
agreements entered into between the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio and the
Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i)
against delivery of the securities either in certificate form or through an
entry crediting the Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such
securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the
Portfolio of securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of
the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the Portfolio;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities
owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Portfolio as
set forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Portfolio,
including but not limited to the following payments for the account of the
Portfolio: interest, taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and legal
fees, and operating expenses of the Trust whether or not such expenses are to be
in whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares of the Portfolio declared
pursuant to the governing documents of the Trust;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in addition to
Proper Instructions from the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio, a certified copy
of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the Executive Committee of the
Trust signed by an officer of the Trust and certified by its Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, setting forth the purpose for which such payment is to be
made, declaring such purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming the person or
persons to whom such payment is to be made.
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased. In any
and every case where payment for purchase of securities for the account of a
Portfolio is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities
purchased in the absence of specific written instructions from the Trust on
behalf of such Portfolio to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely
liable to the Trust for such securities to the same extent as if the securities
had been received by the Custodian except that in the case of repurchase
agreements entered into by the Trust on behalf of a Portfolio with a bank which
is a member of the Federal Reserve System, the Custodian may transfer funds to
the account of such bank prior to the receipt of written evidence that the
securities subject to such repurchase agreement have been transferred by
book-entry into a segregated non-proprietary account of the Custodian maintained
with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston or of the safekeeping receipt, provided
that such securities have in fact been so transferred by book-entry.
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Trust. From such
funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the limitations of the
Declaration of Trust and any applicable votes of the Board of Trustees of the
Trust pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions from
the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of Shares who
have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or repurchase of
their Shares. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of a
Portfolio, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the
Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the
redeeming shareholders. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of
Shares of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian
by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by the Trust to the
holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such
procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between
the Trust and the Custodian.
2.11 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust company
which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this
Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to time direct; provided, however, that
the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its
responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.12 Deposit of Trust Assets in U.S. Securities Systems. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a U.S. Securities
System in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and Securities and
Exchange Commission rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following
provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in a U.S. Securities
System provided that such securities are represented in an account ("Custodian's
Account") of the Custodian in the U.S. Securities System which shall not include
any assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or
otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Portfolio which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of the
Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S. Securities System that such
securities have been transferred to the Custodian's Account, and (ii) the making
of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer
for the account of the Portfolio. The Custodian shall transfer securities sold
for the account of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S.
Securities System that payment for such securities has been transferred to the
Custodian's Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the Portfolio.
Copies of all advices from the U.S. Securities System of transfers of securities
for the account of the Portfolio shall identify the Portfolio, be maintained for
the Portfolio by the Custodian and be provided to the Trust at its request. Upon
request, the Custodian shall furnish the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio
confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the Portfolio in the
form of a written advice or notice and shall furnish to the Portfolio copies of
daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the U.S.
Securities System for the account of the Portfolio.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Trust for the Portfolio with any report
obtained by the Custodian on the U.S. Securities System's accounting system,
internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities deposited
in the U.S. Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received from the Trust on behalf of the
Portfolio the initial or annual certificate, as the case may be, required by
Article 9 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Trust for the benefit of the Portfolio for any
loss or damage to the Portfolio resulting from use of a U.S. Securities System
by reason of any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any
of its agents or of any of its or their employees or from failure of the
Custodian or any such agent to enforce effectively such rights as it may have
against such U.S. Securities System; at the election of the Trust, it shall be
entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any
claim against the U.S. Securities System or any other person which the Custodian
may have as a consequence of any such loss or damage if and to the extent that
the Trust has not been made whole for any such loss or damage.
2.12A Trust Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System.
The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in the
Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System will
be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions from the Trust on behalf of
the Portfolio;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in the Direct Paper
System only if such securities are represented in an account ("Account") of the
Custodian in the Direct Paper System which shall not include any assets of the
Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for
customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Portfolio which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of the
Portfolio upon the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect
such payment and transfer of securities to the account of the Portfolio. The
Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of the Portfolio upon
the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer
and receipt of payment for the account of the Portfolio;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio
confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the Portfolio, in the
form of a written advice or notice, of Direct Paper on the next business day
following such transfer and shall furnish to the Trust on behalf of the
Portfolio copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's transaction
in the Securities System for the account of the Portfolio;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio with
any report on its system of internal accounting control as the Trust may
reasonably request from time to time.
2.13 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions
from the Trust on behalf of each applicable Portfolio establish and maintain a
segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of each such Portfolio, into
which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities, including
securities maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.12
hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Trust
on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under
the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the
rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any
registered contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations,
regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Trust, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in
connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Portfolio or commodity
futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Portfolio, (iii)
for the purposes of compliance by the Portfolio with the procedures required by
Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases
of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the maintenance of
segregated accounts by registered investment companies and (iv) for other proper
corporate purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv), upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions from the Trust on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the
Executive Committee signed by an officer of the Trust and certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes of
such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be proper corporate
purposes.
2.14 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax
purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to
securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with transfers of
securities.
2.15 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such
securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the
Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without indication of the
manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the
Portfolio such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating
to such securities.
2.16 Communications Relating to Trust Portfolio Securities.
The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Trust for each Portfolio all
written information (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and
maturities of securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith and
notices of exercise of call and put options written by the Trust on behalf of
the Portfolio and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the
Portfolio) received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities being held
for the Portfolio. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian
shall transmit promptly to the Portfolio all written information received by the
Custodian from issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is sought and
from the party (or his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the
Portfolio desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange
offer or any other similar transaction, the Portfolio shall notify the Custodian
at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take
such action.
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Portfolios Held
Outside of the United States.
3A. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the State Street Portfolios.
The provisions of this Article 3A shall apply to the duties of the
Custodian as they relate to the foreign securities of any Portfolio employing
the State Street Global Custody Network pursuant to Section 16 of this Agreement
(a "State Street Portfolio").
3A.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. The State Street Portfolios hereby
authorize and instruct the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the
Portfolios' securities and other assets maintained outside the United States the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in
resolutions approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and delivered to
State Street ("foreign sub-custodians"). Subject to receipt of "Proper
Instructions", as defined in Section 5 of this Contract, together with a
certified resolution of the Portfolio's Board of Trustees, the Custodian and a
State Street Portfolio may from time to time agree to designate additional
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories to act as
sub-custodian. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, a State Street Portfolio may
instruct the Custodian to cease the employment of any one or more such
sub-custodians for maintaining custody of the Portfolio's assets.
3A.2 Assets to be Held. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other
assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to: (a) "foreign
securities", as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in such amounts as the
Custodian or the State Street Portfolio may determine to be reasonably necessary
to effect the Portfolio's foreign securities transactions. The Custodian shall
identify on its books as belonging to each State Street Portfolio, the foreign
securities of the State Street Portfolio held by each foreign sub-custodian.
3A.3 Foreign Securities Depositories. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon in
writing by the Custodian and a State Street Portfolio, assets of the State
Street Portfolios shall be maintained in a clearing agency which acts as a
securities depository or in a book-entry system for the central handling of
securities located outside of the United States (each a "Foreign Securities
System") only through arrangements implemented by the foreign banking
institutions serving as sub-custodians pursuant to the terms hereof. (Foreign
Securities Systems and U.S. Securities Systems are collectively referred to
herein as "Securities Systems"). Where possible, such arrangements shall include
entry into agreements containing the provisions set forth in Section 3A.5
hereof.
3A.4 Holding Securities. The Custodian may hold securities and other non-cash
property for all of its customers, including the State Street Portfolios, with a
Foreign Sub-custodian in a single account that is identified as belonging to the
Custodian for the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the
records of the Custodian with respect to securities and other non-cash property
of the State Street Portfolios which are maintained in such account shall
identify by book-entry those securities and other non-cash property belonging to
each State Street Portfolio and (ii) the Custodian shall require that securities
and other non-cash property so held by the Foreign Sub-custodian be held
separately from any assets of the Foreign Sub-custodian or of others.
3A.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a foreign
banking institution shall provide that: (a) the assets of the State Street
Portfolios will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or
claim of any kind in favor of the foreign banking institution or its creditors
or agent, except a claim of payment for their safe custody or administration;
(b) beneficial ownership of the assets of each State Street Portfolio will be
freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for custody
or administration; (c) adequate records will be maintained identifying the
assets as belonging to each applicable State Street Portfolio; (d) officers of
or auditors employed by, or other representatives of the Custodian, including to
the extent permitted under applicable law the independent public accountants for
the State Street Portfolios, will be given access to the books and records of
the foreign banking institution relating to its actions under its agreement with
the Custodian; and (e) assets of the State Street Portfolios held by the foreign
sub-custodian will be subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its
agents.
3A.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the State Street Portfolios. Upon
request of the State Street Portfolios, the Custodian will use its best efforts
to arrange for the independent accountants of the State Street Portfolios to be
afforded access to the books and records of any foreign banking institution
employed as a foreign sub-custodian insofar as such books and records relate to
the performance of such foreign banking institution under its agreement with the
Custodian.
3A.7 Reports by Custodian. The Custodian will supply to the State Street
Portfolios from time to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of
the securities and other assets of the State Street Portfolios held by foreign
sub-custodians, including but not limited to an identification of entities
having possession of the State Street Portfolios securities and other assets and
advices or notifications of any transfers of securities to or from each
custodial account maintained by a foreign banking institution for the Custodian
on behalf of each applicable State Street State Street Portfolio indicating, as
to securities acquired for a State Street Portfolio, the identity of the entity
having physical possession of such securities.
3A.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account. (a) Except as otherwise provided
in paragraph (b) of this Section 3A.8, the provision of Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of
this Contract shall apply, mutatis mutandis to the foreign securities of the
State Street Portfolios held outside the United States by foreign
sub-custodians.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary,
settlement and payment for securities received for the account of each
applicable State Street Portfolio and delivery of securities maintained for the
account of each applicable State Street Portfolio may be effected in accordance
with the customary established securities trading or securities processing
practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market in which the transaction
occurs, including, without limitation, delivering securities to the purchaser
thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer)
against a receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for such
securities from such purchaser or dealer.
(c) Securities maintained in the custody of a foreign sub-custodian may
be maintained in the name of such entity's nominee to the same extent as set
forth in Section 2.3 of this Contract, and the State Street Portfolios agree to
hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such
securities.
3A.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians. Each agreement pursuant to which the
Custodian employs a foreign banking institution as a foreign sub-custodian shall
require the institution to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its
duties and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian and the State Street
Portfolios from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim
arising out of or in connection with the institution's performance of such
obligations. At the election of a State Street Portfolio, it shall be entitled
to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims
against a foreign banking institution as a consequence of any such loss, damage,
cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent that the State Street
Portfolio has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim.
3A.10 Liability of Custodian. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or
omissions of a foreign banking institution to the same extent as set forth with
respect to sub-custodians generally in this Contract and, regardless of whether
assets are maintained in the custody of a foreign banking institution, a foreign
securities depository or a branch of a U.S. bank as contemplated by paragraph
3A.13 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost,
expense, liability or claim resulting from nationalization, expropriation,
currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism or any loss where the
sub-custodian has otherwise exercised reasonable care. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this paragraph 3A.10, in delegating custody duties to
State Street London Ltd., the Custodian shall not be relieved of any
responsibility to a State Street Portfolio for any loss due to such delegation,
except such loss as may result from (a) political risk (including, but not
limited to, exchange control restrictions, confiscation, expropriation,
nationalization, insurrection, civil strife or armed hostilities) or (b) other
losses (excluding a bankruptcy or insolvency of State Street London Ltd. not
caused by political risk) due to Acts of God, nuclear incident or other losses
under circumstances where the Custodian and State Street London Ltd. have
exercised reasonable care.
3A.11 Reimbursement for Advances. If a State Street Portfolio requires the
Custodian to advance cash or securities for any purpose for the benefit of such
State Street Portfolio including the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or of
contracts for foreign exchange, or in the event that the Custodian or its
nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments,
claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of this Contract,
except such as may arise from its or its nominee's own negligent action,
negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, any property at any time held
for the account of the applicable State Street Portfolio shall be security
therefor and should the State Street Portfolio fail to repay the Custodian
promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to
dispose of such State Street Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary to
obtain reimbursement.
3A.12 Monitoring Responsibilities. The Custodian shall furnish annually to the
State Street Portfolios, during the month of June, information concerning the
foreign sub-custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information shall be
similar in kind and scope to that furnished to the State Street Portfolios in
connection with the initial approval of this Contract. In addition, the
Custodian will promptly inform the State Street Portfolios in the event that the
Custodian learns of a material adverse change in the financial condition of a
foreign sub-custodian or any material loss of the assets of the State Street
Portfolios or in the case of any foreign sub-custodian not the subject of an
exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission is notified by such
foreign sub-custodian that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that its
shareholders' equity will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or the
equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has declined below $200
million (in each case computed in accordance with generally accepted U.S.
accounting principles).
3A.13 Branches of U.S. Banks. (a) Except as otherwise set forth in this
Contract, the provisions hereof shall not apply where the custody of the State
Street Portfolio's assets are maintained in a foreign branch of a banking
institution which is a "bank" as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 meeting the qualification set forth in Section 26(a) of said
Act. The appointment of any such branch as a sub-custodian shall be governed by
paragraph 1 of this Contract.
(b) Cash held for each State Street Portfolio in the United Kingdom
shall be maintained in an interest bearing account established for the State
Street Portfolio with the Custodian's London branch, which account shall be
subject to the direction of the Custodian, State Street London Ltd. or both.
3A.14 Tax Law. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any
obligations now or hereafter imposed on the State Street Portfolios or the
Custodian as custodian of the State Street Portfolios by the tax law of the
United States of America or any state or political subdivision thereof. It shall
be the responsibility of the State Street Portfolios to notify the Custodian of
the obligations imposed on the State Street Portfolios or the Custodian as
custodian of the State Street Portfolio by the tax law of jurisdictions other
than those mentioned in the above sentence, including responsibility for
withholding and other taxes, assessments or other governmental charges,
certifications and governmental reporting. The sole responsibility of the
Custodian with regard to such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to
assist the State Street Portfolios with respect to any claim for exemption or
refund under the tax law of jurisdictions for which the State Street Portfolios
have provided such information.
3B. Duties of the Custodian with respect to the Chase Portfolios.
The provisions of this Article 3B shall apply to the duties of the
Custodian as they relate to the foreign securities of MFS Total Return Fund and
MFS Research Fund and any other Portfolio employing the Chase Global Custody
Network pursuant to Section 16 of this Agreement (a "Chase Portfolio").
3B.1 Appointment of Chase as Subcustodian. The Custodian is authorized and
instructed by the Chase Portfolios to employ Chase Manhattan Bank N.A. ("Chase")
as subcustodian for the Chase Portfolios' foreign securities including cash
incidental to transactions in such securities) on the terms and conditions set
forth in the Subcustody Contract between the Custodian and Chase which is
attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Subcustody Contract"). The Custodian
acknowledges that it has entered into the Subcustody Contract and hereby agrees
to provide such services to the Chase Portfolios and in accordance with such
Subcustody Contract as necessary for foreign custody services to be provided
pursuant thereto.
3B.2 Standard of Care; Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Contract, the Custodian shall not be liable to the Chase Portfolios for any
loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in connection
with the maintenance or custody of the Chase Portfolios' foreign securities by
Chase or by any other banking institution or securities depository employed
pursuant to the terms of the Subcustody Contract, except that the Custodian
shall be liable for any such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim directly
resulting from the failure of the Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the
performance of tits duties hereunder. At the election of a Chase Portfolio, such
Chase Portfolio shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the
Custodian under the Subcustody Contract with respect to any claim arising
hereunder against Chase or any other banking institution or securities
depository employed by Chase if and to the extent that such Chase Portfolio has
not been made whole therefor.
3B.3 Portfolio's Responsibility for Rules and Regulations. As between the
Custodian and the Chase Portfolios, the Chase Portfolios shall be solely
responsible to assure that the maintenance of foreign securities and cash
pursuant to the terms of the Subcustody Contract comply with all applicable
rules, regulations, interpretations and orders of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and the Custodian assumes no responsibility and makes no
representations as to such compliance.
4. Proper Instructions. Proper Instructions as used throughout this Contract
means a writing signed or initialed by one or more person or persons as the
Board of Trustees shall have from time to time authorized. Each such writing
shall set forth the specific transaction or type of transaction involved,
including a specific statement of the purpose for which such action is
requested. Oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the
Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given by a person authorized to
give such instructions with respect to the transaction involved. The Trust shall
cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing. Upon receipt of a
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the authorization
by the Board of Trustees of the Trust accompanied by a detailed description of
procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, Proper Instructions may include
communications effected directly between electro-mechanical or electronic
devices provided that the Board of Trustees and the Custodian are satisfied that
such procedures afford adequate safeguards for the Portfolios' assets.
5. Actions Permitted without Express Authority. The Custodian may in its
discretion, without express authority from the Trust on behalf of each
applicable Portfolio:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this Contract,
provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to the Trust on behalf of
the Portfolio;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks, drafts
and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with
the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the
securities and property of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the
Board of Trustees of the Trust.
6. Evidence of Authority. The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any
instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper
believed by it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf
of the Trust. The Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of
the Board of Trustees of the Trust as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority
of any person to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or
of any action by the Board of Trustees pursuant to the Declaration of Trust as
described in such vote, and such vote may be considered as in full force and
effect until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
7. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of
Net Asset Value and Net Income.
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to
the entity or entities appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust to keep
the books of account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per
share of the outstanding shares of each Portfolio or, if directed in writing to
do so by the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio, shall itself keep such books of
account and/or compute such net asset value per share. If so directed, the
Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income of the Portfolio as
described in the Trust's currently effective prospectus related to such
Portfolio and shall advise the Trust and the Transfer Agent daily of the total
amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the
Trust to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of
such net income among its various components. The calculations of the net asset
value per share and the daily income of each Portfolio shall be made at the time
or times described from time to time in the Trust's currently effective
prospectus related to such Portfolio.
8. Records.
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain
all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Contract in
such manner as will meet the obligations of the Trust under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules
31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder, applicable federal and state tax laws and any other
law or administrative rules or procedures which may be applicable to the Trust.
All such records shall be the property of the Trust and shall at all times
during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by
duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Trust and employees and
agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the
Trust's request, supply the Trust with a tabulation of securities owned by the
Trust and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Trust
and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Trust and the
Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
9. Opinion of Trust's Independent Accountant.
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Trust on behalf
of each applicable Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year
to year favorable opinions from the Trust's independent accountants with respect
to its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Trust's
Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the Securities and Exchange
Commission and with respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
10. Reports to Trust by Independent Public Accountants.
The Custodian shall provide the Trust, on behalf of each of the
Portfolios at such times as the Trust may reasonably require, with reports by
independent public accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting
control and procedures for safeguarding securities, futures contracts and
options on futures contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained
in a Securities System, relating to the services provided by the Custodian under
this Contract; such reports, shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient
detail, as may reasonably be required by the Trust to provide reasonable
assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination,
and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.
11. Compensation of Custodian.
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the
Trust on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.
12. Responsibility of Custodian.
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable
care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or
genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or
delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting
upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably
believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties.
The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out
the provisions of this Contract and shall be indemnified by the Trust for any
action taken or omitted by it in the proper execution of instructions from the
Trust. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel for
the Trust on all matters and shall be without liability for any action
reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the responsibility of the Custodian with respect to redemptions
effected by check shall be in accordance with a separate Agreement entered into
between the Custodian and the Trust.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct, the Custodian shall be without liability to the Portfolio for any
loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by; (i) events or
circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian or any
sub-custodian or Securities System or any agent or nominee of any of the
foregoing, including, without limitation, nationalization or expropriation,
imposition of currency controls or restrictions, the interruption, suspension or
restriction of trading on or the closure of any securities market, power or
other mechanical or technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or
communications disruptions, acts of war or terrorism, riots, revolutions, work
stoppages, natural disasters or other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by the
Portfolio or the Investment Advisor in their instructions to the Custodian;
(iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a Securities System; (iv) any
delay or failure of any broker, agent or intermediary, central bank or other
commercially prevalent payment or clearing system to deliver to the Custodian's
sub-custodian or agent securities purchased or in the remittance or payment made
in connection with securities sold; (v) any delay or failure of any company,
corporation, or other body in charge or registering or transferring securities
in the name of the Custodian, the Portfolio, the Custodian's sub-custodians,
nominees or agents or agents or any consequential losses arising out of such
delay or failure to transfer such securities including non-receipt of bonus,
dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits; (vi) delays or inability
to perform its duties due to any disorder in market infrastructure with respect
to any particular security or Securities System; and (vii) any provision of any
present or future law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or
any state thereof, or any other country, or political subdivision thereof or of
any court of competent jurisdiction. In no event shall the Custodian be liable
for indirect, special or consequential damages.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution to the same extent as set forth with respect to
sub-custodians generally in this Contract.
The Trust on behalf of a Portfolio agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Custodian and its nominee from and against all taxes, charges,
expenses, assessments, claims and liabilities (including counsel fees) incurred
or assessed against it or its nominee in connection with the performance of this
Contract, except such as may arise from its or its nominee's own negligent
action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct.
The Custodian is authorized to charge any account of the applicable
Portfolio for such item and its fees. To secure any such authorized charges and
any advances of cash or securities made by the Custodian to or for the benefit
of a Portfolio for any purpose which results in the Portfolio incurring an
overdraft at the end of any business day or for extraordinary or emergency
purposes during any business day, the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio hereby
grants to the Custodian a security interest in and pledges to the Custodian
securities held for it by the Custodian, in an amount not to exceed five percent
of the applicable Portfolio's gross assets, the specific securities to be
designated in writing from time to time by the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio
or its investment adviser (the "Pledged Securities"). Should the Trust on behalf
of the Portfolio fail to repay promptly any advances of cash or securities, the
Custodian shall be entitled to use available cash and to dispose of the Pledged
Securities as is necessary to repay any such advances.
13. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment.
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall
continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may
be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be
terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed,
postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner
than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided,
however that the Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under
Section 2.12 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees of the Trust have
approved the initial use of a particular Securities System by such Portfolio and
the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by such Portfolio of such
Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the Custodian shall not with respect to
a Portfolio act under Section 2.12A hereof in the absence of receipt of an
initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Trustees has approved the initial use of the Direct Paper System by such
Portfolio and the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by such
Portfolio of the Direct Paper System; provided further, however, (a) that the
Trust shall not amend or terminate this Contract in contravention of any
applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of the Declaration of
Trust, and (b) that the Trust on behalf of one or more of the Portfolios may at
any time by action of its Board of Trustees (i) substitute another bank or trust
company for the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian,
or (ii) immediately terminate this Contract in the event of the appointment of a
conservator or receiver for the Custodian or upon the happening of a like event
at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent
jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Trust on behalf of each
applicable Portfolio shall pay to the Custodian such compensation as may be due
as of the date of such termination and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian
for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
14. Successor Custodian.
If a successor custodian for the assets, of one or more of the
Portfolios shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the
Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at the
office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all
securities of each applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall
transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each
such Portfolio held in a Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall,
in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Trustees of the Trust, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such
securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees shall have been delivered to
the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become
effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust
company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, of
its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits,
as shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all
securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian on behalf of each
applicable Portfolio and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto
and all other property held by it under this Contract on behalf of each
applicable Portfolio and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian
all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in any Securities System.
Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian
under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Trust to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Trustees to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be
entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the
Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and
the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
15. Interpretive and Additional Provisions.
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and
the Trust on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may from time to time agree on
such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this
Contract as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of
this Contract. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a
writing signed by both parties and shall be annexed hereto, provided that no
such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable
federal or state regulations or any provision of the Declaration of Trust of the
Trust. No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the
preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
16. Additional Portfolios.
In the event that the Trust establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to the initial series with respect to which it desires to have the
Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so
notify the Custodian in writing, specifying whether such additional Portfolio
will employ the State Street Global Custody Network (thereby becoming a State
Street Portfolio subject to Article 3A hereunder) or the Chase Global Custody
Network (thereby becoming a "Chase Portfolio" subject to Article 3B hereunder)
or any other global custody network agreed upon by the parties (in which event
the Portfolio will be subject to Article 3B hereunder) and if the Custodian
agrees in writing to provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a
Portfolio hereunder.
17. Massachusetts Law to Apply.
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
18. Trust Disclaimer.
A copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the
Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Custodian acknowledges
that the obligations of or arising out of this instrument are not binding upon
any of the Trust's trustees, officers, employees, agents or shareholders
individually, but are binding solely upon the assets and property of the Trust
in accordance with its proportionate interest hereunder. If this instrument is
executed by the Trust on behalf of one or more series of the Trust, Custodian
further acknowledges that the assets and liabilities of each series of the Trust
are separate and distinct and that the obligations of or arising out of this
instrument are binding solely upon the assets or property of the series on whose
behalf the Trust has executed this instrument. If the Trust has executed this
instrument on behalf of more than one series of the Trust, Custodian also agrees
that the obligations of each series hereunder shall be several and not joint, in
accordance with its proportionate interest hereunder, and Custodian agrees not
to proceed against any series for the obligations of another series.
19. Prior Contracts.
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, the
existing custodian contract between the Trust on behalf of each of the
Portfolios and the Custodian. Any reference to the custodian contract between
the Trust and the Custodian in documents executed prior to the date hereof shall
be deemed to refer to this Contract.
20. Shareholder Communications.
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold
securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of
securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of
securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has
expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with
the rule, the Custodian needs for the Trust to indicate whether the Trust, on
behalf of the Portfolios, authorizes the Custodian to provide the Trust's name,
address, and share position to requesting companies whose stock the Trust owns.
If the Trust tells the Custodian "no", the Custodian will not provide this
information to requesting companies. If the Trust tells the Custodian "yes" or
does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the Custodian is required by the rule
to treat the Trust as consenting to disclosure of this information for all
securities owned by any Portfolios of the Trust. For the Trust's protection, the
Rule prohibits the requesting company from using the Trust's name and address
for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate below
whether the Trust consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Trust's name,
address, and share positions.
NO [ ] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Trust's name,
address, and share positions.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to
be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 1st day of October, 1997.
Attest MFS SERIES TRUST V
________________________________ By: ______________________________
Name: Name: _____________________________
Title: Title: ____________________________
Attest STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
________________________________ By: ______________________________
Thomas M. Lenz Ronald E. Logue
Vice President Executive Vice President
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT NO. 99.9(b)
MFS SERIES TRUST V
500 BOYLSTON STREET O BOSTON O MASSACHUSETTS O 02116
(617) 954-5000
January 1, 1998
MFS Service Center, Inc.
500 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Dear Sir/Madam:
This will confirm our understanding that Exhibit B to the Shareholder
Servicing Agent Agreement between us, dated August 1, 1985, as amended, is
hereby amended, effective immediately, to read in its entirety as set forth on
Attachment 1 hereto.
Please indicate your acceptance of the foregoing by signing below.
Sincerely,
MFS SERIES TRUST V
By: W. THOMAS LONDON
--------------------
W. Thomas London
Treasurer
Accepted and Agreed:
MFS SERVICE CENTER, INC.
By: JOSEPH W. DELLO RUSSO
---------------------
Joseph W. Dello Russo
Treasurer
<PAGE>
ATTACHMENT 1
January 1, 1998
EXHIBIT B TO THE SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN MFS SERVICE CENTER, INC. ("MFSC") AND MFS SERIES TRUST V
(THE "FUND")
The fees to be paid by the Fund on behalf of its series with respect to
all shares of each series of the Fund to MFSC, for MFSC's services as
shareholder servicing agent, shall be 0.1125% of the average daily net assets of
the Fund.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT NO. 99.10
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY
500 BOYLSTON STREET, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02116-3741
617-954-5182/800-343-2829/FACSIMILE 617-954-6624
January 26, 1998
MFS Series Trust V
500 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Re: Rule 24f-2 Notice
Gentlemen:
I am a Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel of
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, which serves as investment adviser to
MFS Series Trust V (the "Trust"), and the Assistant Secretary of the Trust. I am
admitted to practice law in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Trust was
created under a written Declaration of Trust dated November 7, 1984, and
executed and delivered in Boston, Massachusetts, as amended and restated
December 21, 1994 (the "Declaration of Trust"). The beneficial interest
thereunder is represented by transferable shares without par value. The Trustees
have the powers set forth in the Declaration of Trust, subject to the terms,
provisions and conditions therein provided.
I am of the opinion that the legal requirements have been complied with
in the creation of the Trust, and that said Declaration of Trust is legal and
valid.
Under Article III, Section 3.4 and Article VI, Section 6.4 of the
Declaration of Trust, the Trustees are empowered, in their discretion, from time
to time to issue shares of the Trust for such amount and type of consideration,
at such time or times and on such terms as the Trustees may deem best. Under
Article VI, Section 6.1, it is provided that the number of shares of beneficial
interest authorized to be issued under the Declaration of Trust is unlimited.
<PAGE>
MFS Series Trust V
Page 2
January 26, 1998
By vote adopted on January 18, 1995, the Trustees of the Trust
determined to sell to the public the authorized but unissued shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust for cash at a price which will net the Trust
(before taxes) not less than the net asset value thereof, as defined in the
Trust's By-Laws, determined next after the sale is made or at some later time
after such sale.
The Trust has registered an indefinite number of shares of beneficial
interest under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Shares").
I am of the opinion that all necessary Trust action precedent to the
issue of all the authorized but unissued shares of beneficial interest of the
Trust, has been duly taken, and that all the Shares were legally and validly
issued, and when sold, will be fully paid and non-assessable, assuming the
receipt by the Trust of the cash consideration therefor in accordance with the
terms of the January 18, 1995 vote of the Trustees described above, except as
described below. I express no opinion as to compliance with the Securities Act
of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940, or applicable state "Blue Sky" or
securities laws in connection with the sale of the Shares.
The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts
business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust.
However, the Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for acts or
obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given
in each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the
Trust or the Trustees. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification
out of the Trust property for all loss and expense of any shareholder held
personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a
shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself would be unable to meet its
obligations.
I consent to your filing this opinion with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Very truly yours,
JAMES R. BORDEWICK, JR.
James R. Bordewick, Jr.
JRB/bjn
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT NO. 99.11
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective
Amendment No. 45 to Registration Statement No. 33-2-38613 of MFS Series Trust V
of our reports dated October 31, 1997 appearing in the annual reports to
shareholders for the year ended September 30, 1997 of MFS Total Return Fund and
MFS Research Fund, each a series of MFS Series Trust V and to the references to
us under the headings "Condensed Financial Information" in the Prospectus and
"Independent Auditors and Financial Statements" in the Statement of Additional
Information, both of which are part of such Registration Statement.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE, LLP
Deloitte & Touche, LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
January 23, 1998
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<NAME> MFS TOTAL RETURN FUND CLASS I
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996
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<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 4143188525
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<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000200489
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST V
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 021
<NAME> MFS RESEARCH FUND CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START> OCT-31-1997
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<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000200489
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST V
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 022
<NAME> MFS RESEARCH FUND CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START> OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 3634383736
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</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000200489
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST V
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 023
<NAME> MFS RESEARCH FUND CLASS C
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START> OCT-31-1997
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</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000200489
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST V
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 024
<NAME> MFS RESEARCH FUND CLASS I
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START> OCT-31-1997
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</TABLE>
