485BPOS 2012-07-31 0000318874 2012-11-28 MFS SERIES TRUST VII false 2012-11-27 2012-11-28 Because MFS may invest a relatively large percentage of the fund's assets in a single issuer or small number of issuers, the fund's performance could be closely tied to the value of that one issuer or issuers, and could be more volatile than the performance of diversified funds. <tt>The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells<br />securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may<br />indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when shares are<br />held in a taxable account. These transaction costs, which are not reflected in<br />"Annual Fund Operating Expenses" or in the "Example," affect the fund's performance.&#xA0;&#xA0;<br />During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 56% of <br />the average value of its portfolio.</tt> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/ExpenseExample_S000030068Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/BarChartData_S000030068Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> <tt>The fund's investment objective is to seek capital appreciation.</tt> <tt>This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund<br />with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. <br /> <br />The example assumes that: you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods<br />indicated and you redeem your shares at the end of the time periods (unless<br />otherwise indicated); your investment has a 5% return each year; and the fund's<br />operating expenses remain the same.</tt> Performance Table. Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes <tt>MFS (Massachusetts Financial Services Company, the fund's investment adviser)<br />normally invests at least 80% of the fund's net assets in equity securities of<br />Latin American issuers and other investments that are tied economically to Latin<br />America. The Latin American region includes any country in South America,<br />Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico. All of the countries in the Latin<br />American region are currently considered emerging market economies.<br /><br />Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities<br />convertible into stocks, and depositary receipts for those securities. <br /> <br />MFS may invest a large percentage of the fund's assets in issuers in a single<br />country or a small number of countries within Latin America.<br />&#xA0;&#xA0;<br />MFS may invest up to 35% of the fund's assets in any industry that accounts for<br />more than 20% of the Latin American market. <br /> <br />In selecting investments for the fund, MFS is not constrained to any particular<br />investment style. MFS may invest the fund's assets in the stocks of companies it<br />believes to have above average earnings growth potential compared to other<br />companies (growth companies), in the stocks of companies it believes are<br />undervalued compared to their perceived worth (value companies), or in a<br />combination of growth and value companies. <br /> <br />MFS may invest the fund's assets in companies of any size. <br /> <br />The fund is a non-diversified fund. This means that MFS may invest a relatively<br />large percentage of the fund's assets in a single issuer or a small number of<br />issuers. <br /> <br />MFS uses a bottom-up investment approach to buying and selling investments for<br />the fund. Investments are selected primarily based on fundamental analysis of<br />individual issuers. Quantitative models that systematically evaluate issuers may<br />also be considered.</tt> Summary of Key Information You may qualify for sales charge reductions if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in MFS Funds. Example After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Investment Objective The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the fund will perform in the future. As with any mutual fund, the fund may not achieve its objective and/or you could lose money on your investment in the fund. Principal Risks Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment): 2013-11-30 Although your actual costs will likely be higher or lower, under these assumptions your costs would be: 0.56 Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your own tax situation, and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. Class A Bar Chart. The bar chart does not take into account any sales charges (loads) that you may be required to pay upon purchase or redemption of the fund's shares. If these sales charges were included, they would reduce the returns shown. Performance Information 50000 <tt>After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal<br />marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. <br />Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your own tax situation, and may differ <br />from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who <br />hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or <br />individual retirement accounts. The after-tax returns are shown for only one <br />of the fund's classes of shares, and after-tax returns for the fund's other <br />classes of shares will vary from the returns shown.</tt> The bar chart and performance table below are intended to provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing how the fund's performance over time compares with that of a broad measure of market performance. <tt>The total return for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012 was 11.53%.<br />During the period(s) shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return was<br />6.53% (for the calendar quarter ended December 31, 2011) and the lowest<br />quarterly return was (25.85)% (for the calendar quarter ended September 30,<br />2011).</tt> 1-800-225-2606 Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment): Average Annual Total Returns (for the Periods Ended December 31, 2011) <tt>The bar chart does not take into account any sales charges (loads) that you <br />may be required to pay upon purchase or redemption of the fund's shares. If <br />these sales charges were included, they would reduce the returns shown.</tt> Portfolio Turnover <tt>As with any mutual fund, the fund may not achieve its objective and/or you could<br />lose money on your investment in the fund. An investment in the fund is not a<br />bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance<br />Corporation or any other governmental agency. <br /> <br />The principal risks of investing in the fund are: <br /> <br />Stock Market/Company Risk: Stock markets are volatile and can decline<br />significantly in response to issuer, market, economic, industry, political,<br />regulatory, geopolitical, and other conditions, as well as to investor<br />perceptions of these conditions. The price of an equity security can decrease<br />significantly in response to these conditions, and these conditions can affect <br />a single issuer or type of security, issuers within a broad market sector,<br />industry or geographic region, or the market in general. <br /> <br />Foreign and Emerging Markets Risk: Exposure to foreign markets, especially<br />emerging markets, through issuers or currencies can involve additional risks<br />relating to market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical, or other<br />conditions. These factors can make foreign investments, especially those in<br />emerging markets, more volatile and less liquid than U.S. investments. In<br />addition, foreign markets can react differently to these conditions than the<br />U.S. market. Emerging markets can have less developed markets, greater custody<br />and operational risk, less developed legal, regulatory, and accounting systems,<br />and greater political, social, and economic instability than developed markets. <br /> <br />Currency Risk: The value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar<br />fluctuates in response to market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical<br />or other conditions, and a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the<br />U.S. dollar reduces the value in U.S. dollars of investments denominated in that<br />foreign currency. <br /> <br />Geographic Concentration Risk: The fund's performance could be closely tied to<br />the market, currency, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical, or other<br />conditions in the countries or regions in which the fund invests and could be<br />more volatile than the performance of more geographically-diversified funds. <br /> <br />Latin American Market Risk: All of the countries in the Latin American region<br />are currently considered emerging market economies. High interest, inflation,<br />and unemployment rates have historically characterized most Latin American<br />economies. These economies are less developed and can be reliant on particular<br />industries and more vulnerable to changes in international trade, trade barriers<br />and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. The economies of Latin American<br />countries are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in commodity prices because<br />commodities represent a significant percentage of exports of many Latin American<br />countries. Governments of many Latin American countries exercise substantial<br />influence over many aspects of the private sector, and any such exercise could<br />have a significant effect on issuers in which the fund invests. <br /> <br />Industry Concentration Risk: The fund's performance may be closely tied to the<br />performance of companies in any industry that accounts for a large portion of<br />the Latin American market. <br /> <br />Non-Diversification Risk: Because MFS may invest a relatively large percentage<br />of the fund's assets in a single issuer or small number of issuers, the fund's<br />performance could be closely tied to the value of that one issuer or issuers,<br />and could be more volatile than the performance of diversified funds.<br />&#xA0;&#xA0;<br />Investment Selection Risk: MFS' investment analysis and its selection of<br />investments may not produce the intended results and/or can lead to an<br />investment focus that results in the fund underperforming other funds with<br />similar investment strategies and/or underperforming the markets in which the<br />fund invests. <br /> <br />Liquidity Risk: It may not be possible to sell certain investments, types of<br />investments, and/or segments of the market at any particular time or at an<br />acceptable price.</tt> Fees and Expenses The after-tax returns are shown for only one of the fund's classes of shares, and after-tax returns for the fund's other classes of shares will vary from the returns shown. Principal Investment Strategies mfs.com <tt>The bar chart and performance table below are intended to provide some<br />indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing how the fund's<br />performance over time compares with that of a broad measure of market<br />performance. <br /> <br />The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily<br />indicate how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance is<br />available online at mfs.com or by calling 1-800-225-2606.</tt> <tt>This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay when you buy and<br />hold shares of the fund.<br /> <br />You may qualify for sales charge reductions if you and certain members of your<br />family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in MFS Funds.<br />More information about these and other waivers and reductions is available from<br />your financial intermediary and in "Sales Charges and Waivers or Reductions" on<br />page 7 of the fund's prospectus and "Waivers of Sales Charges" on page I-13 of<br />the fund's statement of additional information Part I.</tt> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/OperatingExpensesData_S000030068Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/PerformanceTableData_S000030068Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_PerformanceMeasureAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/ExpenseExampleNoRedemption_S000030068Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/ShareholderFeesData_S000030068Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> Index Comparison (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) MSCI Emerging Markets Latin America 10-40 Index -0.1837 -0.0770 2010-09-15 A Shares Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares -0.1726 -0.1147 2010-09-15 A Shares Returns After Taxes on Distributions -0.2699 -0.1367 2010-09-15 MLEAX the lowest quarterly return the highest quarterly return 0.0575 2012-09-30 A Shares Returns Before Taxes 733 2011-12-31 2344 -0.2585 -0.0692 7142 <tt>A</tt> 3841 0.0653 -0.2674 0.0727 0.0105 2011-09-30 The total return for the nine-month period ended -0.2227 0.0025 0.0165 0.0857 <tt>Class A Shares</tt> -0.1345 2010-09-15 0.1153 <tt>A</tt> 0.0100 MLEIX 0.0000 I Shares Returns Before Taxes 143 1810 -0.0692 6833 <tt>I</tt> 3368 -0.2219 0.0727 0.0105 0.0000 0.0140 0.0832 <tt>Class I Shares</tt> -0.0920 2010-09-15 <tt>I</tt> 0.0000 MLECX 0.0000 C Shares Returns Before Taxes 343 243 2074 -0.0692 7346 <tt>C</tt> 3750 -0.2357 0.0727 0.0105 7346 2074 3750 <tt>Class C Shares assuming no redemption at end of period</tt> 0.0100 0.0240 0.0932 <tt>Class C Shares assuming redemption at end of period</tt> -0.1001 2010-09-15 <tt>C</tt> 0.0100 MLEBX 0.0000 B Shares Returns Before Taxes 643 243 2356 -0.0692 7247 <tt>B</tt> 3922 -0.2602 0.0727 0.0105 7247 2074 3750 <tt>Class B Shares assuming no redemption at end of period</tt> 0.0100 0.0240 0.0932 <tt>Class B Shares assuming redemption at end of period</tt> -0.1291 2010-09-15 <tt>B</tt> 0.0400 <tt>The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells<br />securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may<br />indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when shares are<br />held in a taxable account. These transaction costs, which are not reflected in<br />"Annual Fund Operating Expenses" or in the "Example," affect the fund's performance. <br />During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 56% of <br />the average value of its portfolio.</tt> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/ExpenseExample_S000030067Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/BarChartData_S000030067Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> <tt>The fund's investment objective is to seek capital appreciation.</tt> <tt>This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund<br />with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. <br /> <br />The example assumes that: you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods<br />indicated and you redeem your shares at the end of the time periods (unless<br />otherwise indicated); your investment has a 5% return each year; and the fund's<br />operating expenses remain the same.</tt> Performance Table. Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes <tt>MFS (Massachusetts Financial Services Company, the fund's investment adviser)<br />normally invests at least 80% of the fund's net assets in equity securities of<br />European issuers and other investments that are tied economically to Europe.<br />Europe includes the more developed markets of Western Europe, as well as<br />developing markets in Eastern Europe. Some of these countries' economies are<br />considered emerging market economies. Equity securities include common stocks,<br />preferred stocks, securities convertible into stocks, and depositary receipts<br />for those securities. <br /> <br />MFS may invest a large percentage of the fund's assets in issuers in a single<br />country or a small number of countries within Europe.<br /> <br />MFS may invest up to 35% of the fund's assets in any industry that accounts for<br />more than 20% of the European market. <br /> <br />In selecting investments for the fund, MFS is not constrained to any particular<br />investment style. MFS may invest the fund's assets in the stocks of companies <br />it believes to have above average earnings growth potential compared to other<br />companies (growth companies), in the stocks of companies it believes are<br />undervalued compared to their perceived worth (value companies), or in a<br />combination of growth and value companies.<br /> <br />MFS may invest the fund's assets in companies of any size. <br /> <br />While MFS may use derivatives for any investment purpose, to the extent MFS uses<br />derivatives, MFS expects to use derivatives primarily to increase or decrease<br />exposure to a particular market, segment of the market, or security. Derivatives<br />include futures, forward contracts, options, structured securities, inverse<br />floating rate instruments, and swaps. <br /> <br />A team of investment research analysts selects investments for the fund. <br /> <br />MFS uses a bottom-up investment approach to buying and selling investments for<br />the fund. Investments are selected primarily based on fundamental analysis of<br />individual issuers. Quantitative models that systematically evaluate issuers may<br />also be considered.</tt> Summary of Key Information You may qualify for sales charge reductions if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in MFS Funds. Example After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Investment Objective The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the fund will perform in the future. As with any mutual fund, the fund may not achieve its objective and/or you could lose money on your investment in the fund. Principal Risks Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment): 2013-11-30 Although your actual costs will likely be higher or lower, under these assumptions your costs would be: 0.56 Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your own tax situation, and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. Class A Bar Chart. The bar chart does not take into account any sales charges (loads) that you may be required to pay upon purchase or redemption of the fund's shares. If these sales charges were included, they would reduce the returns shown. Performance Information 50000 <tt>After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal<br />marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. <br />Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your own tax situation, and may differ <br />from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who <br />hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or <br />individual retirement accounts. The after-tax returns are shown for only one of <br />the fund's classes of shares, and after-tax returns for the fund's other classes <br />of shares will vary from the returns shown.</tt> The bar chart and performance table below are intended to provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing how the fund's performance over time compares with that of a broad measure of market performance. <tt>The total return for the for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012 was<br />14.83%. During the period(s) shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return <br />was 6.80% (for the calendar quarter ended March 31, 2011) and the lowest quarterly <br />return was (21.61)% (for the calendar quarter ended September 30, 2011).</tt> 1-800-225-2606 Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment): Average Annual Total Returns (for the Periods Ended December 31, 2011) <tt>The bar chart does not take into account any sales charges (loads) that you <br />may be required to pay upon purchase or redemption of the fund's shares. If <br />these sales charges were included, they would reduce the returns shown.</tt> Portfolio Turnover <tt>As with any mutual fund, the fund may not achieve its objective and/or you could<br />lose money on your investment in the fund. An investment in the fund is not a<br />bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance<br />Corporation or any other governmental agency. <br /> <br />The principal risks of investing in the fund are: <br /> <br />Stock Market/Company Risk: Stock markets are volatile and can decline<br />significantly in response to issuer, market, economic, industry, political,<br />regulatory, geopolitical, and other conditions, as well as to investor<br />perceptions of these conditions. The price of an equity security can decrease<br />significantly in response to these conditions, and these conditions can affect <br />a single issuer or type of security, issuers within a broad market sector,<br />industry or geographic region, or the market in general.<br /> <br />Foreign and Emerging Markets Risk: Exposure to foreign markets, especially<br />emerging markets, through issuers or currencies can involve additional risks<br />relating to market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical, or other<br />conditions. These factors can make foreign investments, especially those in<br />emerging markets, more volatile and less liquid than U.S. investments. In<br />addition, foreign markets can react differently to these conditions than the<br />U.S. market. Emerging markets can have less developed markets, greater custody<br />and operational risk, less developed legal, regulatory, and accounting systems,<br />and greater political, social, and economic instability than developed markets. <br /> <br />Currency Risk: The value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar<br />fluctuates in response to market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical<br />or other conditions, and a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the<br />U.S. dollar reduces the value in U.S. dollars of investments denominated in that<br />foreign currency.<br />&#xA0;&#xA0;<br />Geographic Concentration Risk: The fund's performance could be closely tied to<br />the market, currency, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical, or other<br />conditions in the countries or regions in which the fund invests and could be<br />more volatile than the performance of more geographically-diversified funds. <br /> <br />European Market Risk: The economies of countries in Europe are in all stages of<br />economic development and include both emerging and developed markets. European<br />countries can be significantly affected by the tight fiscal and monetary<br />controls that the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) imposes on its<br />members, the deficit and budget issues of several EMU members, and the<br />uncertainty surrounding the Euro. Eastern European countries remain relatively<br />undeveloped and can be particularly sensitive to social, political, and economic<br />conditions.<br />&#xA0;&#xA0;<br />Industry Concentration Risk: The fund's performance may be closely tied to the<br />performance of companies in any industry that accounts for a large portion of<br />the European market. <br /> <br />Derivatives Risk: Derivatives can be highly volatile and involve risks in<br />addition to the risks of the underlying indicator(s) on which the derivative is<br />based. Gains or losses from derivatives can be substantially greater than the<br />derivatives' original cost. Derivatives can involve leverage.<br />&#xA0;&#xA0;<br />Leveraging Risk: Leverage involves investment exposure in an amount exceeding<br />the initial investment. Leverage can cause increased volatility by magnifying<br />gains or losses. <br /> <br />Investment Selection Risk: MFS' investment analysis and its selection of<br />investments may not produce the intended results and/or can lead to an<br />investment focus that results in the fund underperforming other funds with<br />similar investment strategies and/or underperforming the markets in which the<br />fund invests. <br /> <br />Counterparty and Third Party Risk: Transactions involving a counterparty or<br />third party other than the issuer of the instrument are subject to the credit<br />risk of the counterparty or third party, and to the counterparty's or third<br />party's ability to perform in accordance with the terms of the transaction.<br />&#xA0;&#xA0;<br />Liquidity Risk: It may not be possible to sell certain investments, types of<br />investments, and/or segments of the market at any particular time or at an<br />acceptable price.</tt> Fees and Expenses The after-tax returns are shown for only one of the fund's classes of shares, and after-tax returns for the fund's other classes of shares will vary from the returns shown. Principal Investment Strategies mfs.com <tt>The bar chart and performance table below are intended to provide some<br />indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing how the fund's<br />performance over time compares with that of a broad measure of market<br />performance.<br /> <br />The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily<br />indicate how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance is<br />available online at mfs.com or by calling 1-800-225-2606.</tt> <tt>This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay when you buy and<br />hold shares of the fund.<br /> <br />You may qualify for sales charge reductions if you and certain members of your<br />family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in MFS Funds.<br />More information about these and other waivers and reductions is available from<br />your financial intermediary and in "Sales Charges and Waivers or Reductions" on<br />page 8 of the fund's prospectus and "Waivers of Sales Charges" on page I-13 of<br />the fund's statement of additional information Part I.</tt> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/OperatingExpensesData_S000030067Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/PerformanceTableData_S000030067Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_PerformanceMeasureAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/ExpenseExampleNoRedemption_S000030067Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/ShareholderFeesData_S000030067Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> Index Comparison (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) MSCI Europe Index (gross div) -0.1050 -0.0312 2010-09-15 A Shares Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares -0.0819 -0.0547 2010-09-15 A Shares Returns After Taxes on Distributions -0.1376 -0.0676 2010-09-15 MEEIX 0.0000 I Shares Returns Before Taxes 132 2665 -0.1199 8755 <tt>I</tt> 4795 -0.0814 0.1239 0.0090 0.0000 0.0130 0.1329 <tt>Class I Shares</tt> -0.0203 2010-09-15 <tt>I</tt> 0.0000 MEECX 0.0000 C Shares Returns Before Taxes 333 233 2902 -0.1199 9033 <tt>C</tt> 5098 -0.0986 0.1239 0.0090 9033 2902 5098 <tt>Class C Shares assuming no redemption at end of period</tt> 0.0100 0.0230 0.1429 <tt>Class C Shares assuming redemption at end of period </tt> -0.0300 2010-09-15 <tt>C</tt> 0.0100 MEEBX 0.0000 B Shares Returns Before Taxes 633 233 3155 -0.1199 8972 <tt>B</tt> 5237 -0.1262 0.1239 0.0090 8972 2902 5098 <tt>Class B Shares assuming no redemption at end of period</tt> 0.0100 0.0230 0.1429 <tt>Class B Shares assuming redemption at end of period</tt> -0.0602 2010-09-15 <tt>B</tt> 0.0400 MEEAX the lowest quarterly return the highest quarterly return 0.0575 2012-09-30 A Shares Returns Before Taxes 724 2011-03-31 3143 -0.2161 -0.1199 8895 <tt>A</tt> 5167 0.0680 -0.1363 0.1239 0.0090 2011-09-30 The total return for the for the nine-month period ended -0.0836 0.0025 0.0155 0.1354 <tt>Class A Shares</tt> -0.0665 2010-09-15 0.1483 <tt>A</tt> 0.0100 <tt>The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells<br />securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may<br />indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when shares are<br />held in a taxable account. These transaction costs, which are not reflected in<br />"Annual Fund Operating Expenses" or in the "Example," affect the fund's performance. <br />During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 86% of <br />the average value of its portfolio.</tt> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/ExpenseExample_S000030066Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/BarChartData_S000030066Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> <tt>The fund's investment objective is to seek capital appreciation.</tt> <tt>This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund<br />with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. <br /> <br />The example assumes that: you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods<br />indicated and you redeem your shares at the end of the time periods (unless<br />otherwise indicated); your investment has a 5% return each year; and the fund's<br />operating expenses remain the same.</tt> Performance Table. Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes <tt>MFS (Massachusetts Financial Services Company, the fund's investment adviser)<br />normally invests at least 80% of the fund's net assets in securities of issuers<br />in the Asia Pacific region, excluding Japan ("Asia Pacific ex-Japan"), and other<br />investments that are tied economically to the Asia Pacific ex-Japan region. The<br />Asia Pacific ex-Japan region includes Australia, Hong Kong, China, India, <br />Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, <br />Taiwan, and Thailand. Many of the economies of countries in the Asia Pacific <br />region are considered emerging market economies. <br /> <br />MFS normally invests the fund's assets primarily in equity securities. Equity<br />securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into<br />stocks, and depositary receipts for those securities. <br /> <br />MFS may invest a large percentage of the fund's assets in issuers in a single<br />country or a small number of countries within the Asia Pacific ex-Japan region. <br /> <br />MFS may invest up to 35% of the fund's assets in any industry that accounts for<br />more than 20% of the Asia Pacific ex-Japan market. <br /> <br />In selecting investments for the fund, MFS is not constrained to any particular<br />investment style. MFS may invest the fund's assets in the stocks of companies it<br />believes to have above average earnings growth potential compared to other companies <br />(growth companies), in the stocks of companies it believes are undervalued compared <br />to their perceived worth (value companies), or in a combination of growth and value <br />companies. <br /> <br />MFS may invest the fund's assets in companies of any size.<br /> <br />While MFS may use derivatives for any investment purpose, to the extent MFS uses<br />derivatives, MFS expects to use derivatives primarily to increase or decrease<br />exposure to a particular market, segment of the market, or security. Derivatives<br />include futures, forward contracts, options, structured securities, inverse<br />floating rate instruments, and swaps.<br />&#xA0;&#xA0;<br />A team of investment research analysts selects investments for the fund. MFS<br />allocates the fund's assets to analysts by broad market sectors. <br /> <br />MFS uses a bottom-up investment approach to buying and selling investments for<br />the fund. Investments are selected primarily based on fundamental analysis of<br />individual issuers. Quantitative models that systematically evaluate issuers may<br />also be considered.</tt> Summary of Key Information You may qualify for sales charge reductions if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in MFS Funds. Example After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Investment Objective The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the fund will perform in the future. As with any mutual fund, the fund may not achieve its objective and/or you could lose money on your investment in the fund. Principal Risks Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment): 2013-11-30 Although your actual costs will likely be higher or lower, under these assumptions your costs would be: 0.86 Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your own tax situation, and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. Class A Bar Chart. The bar chart does not take into account any sales charges (loads) that you may be required to pay upon purchase or redemption of the fund's shares. If these sales charges were included, they would reduce the returns shown. Performance Information 50000 <tt>After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal<br />marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. <br />Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your own tax situation, and may differ <br />from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who <br />hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or <br />individual retirement accounts. The after-tax returns are shown for only one of <br />the fund's classes of shares, and after-tax returns for the fund's other classes <br />of shares will vary from the returns shown.</tt> The bar chart and performance table below are intended to provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing how the fund's performance over time compares with that of a broad measure of market performance. <tt>The total return for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012 was 11.96%.<br />During the period(s) shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return was<br />6.72% (for the calendar quarter ended December 31, 2011) and the lowest<br />quarterly return was (21.85)% (for the calendar quarter ended September 30,<br />2011).</tt> 1-800-225-2606 Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment): Average Annual Total Returns (for the Periods Ended December 31, 2011) <tt>The bar chart does not take into account any sales charges (loads) that you <br />may be required to pay upon purchase or redemption of the fund's shares. If <br />these sales charges were included, they would reduce the returns shown.</tt> Portfolio Turnover <tt>As with any mutual fund, the fund may not achieve its objective and/or you could<br />lose money on your investment in the fund. An investment in the fund is not a<br />bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance<br />Corporation or any other governmental agency. <br /> <br />The principal risks of investing in the fund are:<br />&#xA0;&#xA0;<br />Stock Market/Company Risk: Stock markets are volatile and can decline<br />significantly in response to issuer, market, economic, industry, political,<br />regulatory, geopolitical, and other conditions, as well as to investor<br />perceptions of these conditions. The price of an equity security can decrease<br />significantly in response to these conditions, and these conditions can affect <br />a single issuer or type of security, issuers within a broad market sector,<br />industry or geographic region, or the market in general. <br /> <br />Foreign and Emerging Markets Risk: Exposure to foreign markets, especially<br />emerging markets, through issuers or currencies can involve additional risks<br />relating to market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical, or other<br />conditions. These factors can make foreign investments, especially those in<br />emerging markets, more volatile and less liquid than U.S. investments. In<br />addition, foreign markets can react differently to these conditions than the<br />U.S. market. Emerging markets can have less developed markets, greater custody<br />and operational risk, less developed legal, regulatory, and accounting systems,<br />and greater political, social, and economic instability than developed markets. <br /> <br />Currency Risk: The value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar<br />fluctuates in response to market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical<br />or other conditions, and a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the<br />U.S. dollar reduces the value in U.S. dollars of investments denominated in that<br />foreign currency. <br /> <br />Geographic Concentration Risk: The fund's performance could be closely tied to<br />the market, currency, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical, or other<br />conditions in the countries or regions in which the fund invests and could be<br />more volatile than the performance of more geographically-diversified funds. <br /> <br />Asia Pacific Risk: Many of the economies of countries in the Asia Pacific<br />region are considered emerging market economies. Countries in the Asia Pacific<br />region can be reliant on only a few industries or commodities. Many Asia<br />Pacific economies may be intertwined, so they may experience recessions at the<br />same time or respond similarly to adverse events. Furthermore, many of the Asia<br />Pacific economies are characterized by high inflation, undeveloped financial<br />service sectors, frequent currency fluctuations, devaluations, or restrictions,<br />political and social instability, and less efficient markets. The economies of<br />many Asia Pacific countries are heavily dependent on international trade and can<br />be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls and other measures<br />imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade.<br />&#xA0;&#xA0;<br />Industry Concentration Risk: The fund's performance may be closely tied to the<br />performance of companies in any industry that accounts for a large portion of<br />the Asia Pacific ex-Japan market. <br /> <br />Derivatives Risk: Derivatives can be highly volatile and involve risks in<br />addition to the risks of the underlying indicator(s) on which the derivative is<br />based. Gains or losses from derivatives can be substantially greater than the<br />derivatives' original cost. Derivatives can involve leverage.<br /> <br />Leveraging Risk: Leverage involves investment exposure in an amount exceeding<br />the initial investment. Leverage can cause increased volatility by magnifying<br />gains or losses. <br /> <br />Investment Selection Risk: MFS' investment analysis and its selection of<br />investments may not produce the intended results and/or can lead to an<br />investment focus that results in the fund underperforming other funds with<br />similar investment strategies and/or underperforming the markets in which the<br />fund invests. <br /> <br />Counterparty and Third Party Risk: Transactions involving a counterparty or<br />third party other than the issuer of the instrument are subject to the credit<br />risk of the counterparty or third party, and to the counterparty's or third<br />party's ability to perform in accordance with the terms of the transaction. <br /> <br />Liquidity Risk: It may not be possible to sell certain investments, types of<br />investments, and/or segments of the market at any particular time or at an<br />acceptable price.</tt> Fees and Expenses The after-tax returns are shown for only one of the fund's classes of shares, and after-tax returns for the fund's other classes of shares will vary from the returns shown. Principal Investment Strategies mfs.com <tt>The bar chart and performance table below are intended to provide some<br />indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing how the fund's<br />performance over time compares with that of a broad measure of market<br />performance. <br /> <br />The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily<br />indicate how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance is<br />available online at mfs.com or by calling 1-800-225-2606.</tt> <tt>This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay when you buy and<br />hold shares of the fund. <br /> <br />You may qualify for sales charge reductions if you and certain members of your<br />family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in MFS Funds.<br />More information about these and other waivers and reductions is available from<br />your financial intermediary and in "Sales Charges and Waivers or Reductions" on<br />page 8 of the fund's prospectus and "Waivers of Sales Charges" on page I-13 of<br />the fund's statement of additional information Part I.</tt> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/OperatingExpensesData_S000030066Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/PerformanceTableData_S000030066Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_PerformanceMeasureAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/ExpenseExampleNoRedemption_S000030066Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.mfs.com/role/ShareholderFeesData_S000030066Member column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact * column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~</div> Index Comparison (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) MSCI All Country Asia Pacific (ex-Japan) Index (gross div) -0.1538 -0.0441 2010-09-15 A Shares Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares -0.1173 -0.0591 2010-09-15 A Shares Returns After Taxes on Distributions -0.1875 -0.0720 2010-09-15 MPXIX 0.0000 I Shares Returns Before Taxes 148 2230 -0.0920 7877 <tt>I</tt> 4084 -0.1311 0.0960 0.0105 0.0000 0.0145 0.1065 <tt>Class I Shares</tt> -0.0213 2010-09-15 <tt>I</tt> 0.0000 MPXCX 0.0000 C Shares Returns Before Taxes 348 248 2481 -0.0920 8267 <tt>C</tt> 4427 -0.1475 0.0960 0.0105 8267 2481 4427 <tt>Class C Shares assuming no redemption at end of period</tt> 0.0100 0.0245 0.1165 <tt>Class C Shares assuming redemption at end of period</tt> -0.0310 2010-09-15 <tt>C</tt> 0.0100 MPXBX 0.0000 B Shares Returns Before Taxes 648 248 2749 -0.0920 8188 <tt>B</tt> 4583 -0.1728 0.0960 0.0105 8188 2481 4427 <tt>Class B Shares assuming no redemption at end of period</tt> 0.0100 0.0245 0.1165 <tt>Class B Shares assuming redemption at end of period</tt> -0.0603 2010-09-15 <tt>B</tt> 0.0400 MPXAX the lowest quarterly return the highest quarterly return 0.0575 2012-09-30 A Shares Returns Before Taxes 738 2011-12-31 2737 -0.2185 -0.0920 8096 <tt>A</tt> 4507 0.0672 -0.1836 0.0960 0.0105 2011-09-30 The total return for the nine-month period ended -0.1338 0.0025 0.0170 0.1090 <tt>Class A Shares</tt> -0.0680 2010-09-15 0.1196 <tt>A</tt> 0.0100 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030066Memberck0000318874:S000030066Memberck0000318874:C000092216Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030066Memberck0000318874:S000030066Memberck0000318874:C000092217Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030066Memberck0000318874:S000030066Memberck0000318874:C000092218Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030066Memberck0000318874:S000030066Memberck0000318874:C000092219Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030066Memberck0000318874:S000030066Memberrr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsMemberck0000318874:C000092216Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030066Memberck0000318874:S000030066Memberrr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsAndSalesMemberck0000318874:C000092216Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030066Memberck0000318874:S000030066Memberck0000318874:RRINDEX00001Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030066Memberck0000318874:S000030066Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030067Memberck0000318874:S000030067Memberck0000318874:C000092220Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030067Memberck0000318874:S000030067Memberck0000318874:C000092221Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030067Memberck0000318874:S000030067Memberck0000318874:C000092222Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030067Memberck0000318874:S000030067Memberck0000318874:C000092223Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030067Memberck0000318874:S000030067Memberrr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsMemberck0000318874:C000092220Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030067Memberck0000318874:S000030067Memberrr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsAndSalesMemberck0000318874:C000092220Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030067Memberck0000318874:S000030067Memberck0000318874:RRINDEX00002Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030067Memberck0000318874:S000030067Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030068Memberck0000318874:S000030068Memberck0000318874:C000092224Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030068Memberck0000318874:S000030068Memberck0000318874:C000092225Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030068Memberck0000318874:S000030068Memberck0000318874:C000092226Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030068Memberck0000318874:S000030068Memberck0000318874:C000092227Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030068Memberck0000318874:S000030068Memberrr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsMemberck0000318874:C000092227Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030068Memberck0000318874:S000030068Memberrr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsAndSalesMemberck0000318874:C000092227Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030068Memberck0000318874:S000030068Memberck0000318874:RRINDEX00003Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 ck0000318874:SummaryS000030068Memberck0000318874:S000030068Member 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 0000318874 2012-11-28 2012-11-28 pure iso4217:USD On shares purchased without an initial sales charge and redeemed within 18 months of purchase for shares purchased on or after August 1, 2012, and within 24 months of purchase for shares purchased prior to August 1, 2012. Massachusetts Financial Services Company has agreed in writing to bear the fund's expenses, excluding interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage and transaction costs, and investment-related expenses (such as interest and borrowing expenses incurred in connection with the fund's investment activity), such that "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" do not exceed 1.70% of the fund's average daily net assets annually for Class A shares, 2.45% of the fund's average daily net assets annually for each of Class B and Class C shares, and 1.45% of the fund's average daily net assets annually for Class I shares. This written agreement will continue until modified by the fund's Board of Trustees, but such agreement will continue until at least November 30, 2013. Massachusetts Financial Services Company has agreed in writing to bear the fund's expenses, excluding interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage and transaction costs, and investment-related expenses (such as interest and borrowing expenses incurred in connection with the fund's investment activity), such that "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" do not exceed 1.65% of the fund's average daily net assets annually for Class A shares, 2.40% of the fund's average daily net assets annually for each of Class B and Class C shares, and 1.40% of the fund's average daily net assets annually for Class I shares. This written agreement will continue until modified by the fund's Board of Trustees, but such agreement will continue until at least November 30, 2013. Massachusetts Financial Services Company has agreed in writing to bear the fund's expenses, excluding interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage and transactions costs, and investment-related expenses (such as interest and borrowing expenses incurred in connection with the fund's investment activity), such that "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" do not exceed 1.55% of the fund's average daily net assets annually for Class A shares, 2.30% of the fund's average daily net assets annually for each of Class B and Class C shares, and 1.30% of the fund's average daily net assets annually for Class I shares. This written agreement will continue until modified by the fund's Board of Trustees, but such agreement will continue until at least November 30, 2013.