N-CSRS 1 d923095dncsrs.htm MFS INTERMEDIATE INCOME TRUST N-CSRS MFS INTERMEDIATE INCOME TRUST N-CSRS
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF

REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-05440

MFS INTERMEDIATE INCOME TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Christopher R. Bohane

Massachusetts Financial Services Company

111 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02199

(Name and address of agents for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end: October 31

Date of reporting period: April 30, 2020


Table of Contents
ITEM 1.

REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


Table of Contents

Semiannual Report

April 30, 2020

 

LOGO

 

MFS® Intermediate Income Trust

 

LOGO

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the fund’s annual and semiannual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the complete reports will be made available on the fund’s Web site, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a Web site link to access the report.

If you are already signed up to receive shareholder reports by email, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may sign up to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the fund by email by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you hold your shares directly with the fund, by calling 1-800-637-2304 or by logging into your Investor Center account at www.computershare.com/investor.

Beginning on January 1, 2019, you may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. Contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you invest directly with the fund, you can call 1-800-637-2304 to let the fund know that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account if you invest through your financial intermediary or all funds held with the MFS fund complex if you invest directly.

 

MIN-SEM

 


Table of Contents

MANAGED DISTRIBUTION POLICY DISCLOSURE

The MFS Intermediate Income Trust’s (the fund) Board of Trustees adopted a managed distribution policy. The fund seeks to pay monthly distributions based on an annual rate of 8.50% of the fund’s average monthly net asset value. The primary purpose of the managed distribution policy is to provide shareholders with a constant, but not guaranteed, fixed minimum rate of distribution each month. You should not draw any conclusions about the fund’s investment performance from the amount of the current distribution or from the terms of the fund’s managed distribution policy. The Board may amend or terminate the managed distribution policy at any time without prior notice to fund shareholders. The amendment or termination of the managed distribution policy could have an adverse effect on the market price of the fund’s shares.

With each distribution, the fund will issue a notice to shareholders and an accompanying press release which will provide detailed information regarding the amount and composition of the distribution and other related information. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in the notice to shareholders are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Please refer to “Tax Matters and Distributions” under Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements for information regarding the tax character of the fund’s distributions.

Under a managed distribution policy the fund may at times distribute more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may result in a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the fund is paid back to you. Any such returns of capital will decrease the fund’s total assets and, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the fund’s expense ratio. In addition, in order to make the level of distributions called for under its managed distribution policy, the fund may have to sell portfolio securities at a less than opportune time. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with ‘yield’ or ‘income’. The fund’s total return in relation to changes in net asset value is presented in the Financial Highlights.


Table of Contents

MFS® Intermediate Income Trust

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: MIN

 

Letter from the Executive Chair     1  
Portfolio composition     2  
Portfolio managers’ profiles     4  
Other notes     4  
Portfolio of investments     5  
Statement of assets and liabilities     14  
Statement of operations     15  
Statements of changes in net assets     16  
Financial highlights     17  
Notes to financial statements     19  
Report of independent registered public accounting firm     26  
Proxy voting policies and information     27  
Quarterly portfolio disclosure     27  
Further information     27  
Information about fund contracts and legal claims     27  
Contact information    back cover

 

 

NOT FDIC INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE NO BANK GUARANTEE



Table of Contents

LOGO

 

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE CHAIR

 

Dear Shareholders:

Markets experienced dramatic swings in early 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic crippled the global economy for a time. Optimism over the development of vaccines

and therapeutics, along with a decline in cases in countries hit early in the outbreak, has brightened the economic and market outlook during the second quarter, though a great deal of uncertainty remains on how long the aftereffects of the lockdowns will linger.

Global central banks have taken aggressive, coordinated steps to cushion the economic and market fallout related to the virus, and governments are undertaking unprecedented levels of fiscal stimulus. As uncertainty recedes, these measures can help build a supportive environment and encourage economic recovery. In the aftermath of the crisis, there are likely to be societal changes as

households, businesses, and governments adjust to a new reality, and these alterations could change the investment landscape. For investors, occurrences such as the COVID-19 outbreak demonstrate the importance of having a deep understanding of company fundamentals, and our global research platform has been built to do just that.

Here at MFS®, we aim to help our clients navigate the growing complexity of the markets and world economies. Our long-term investment philosophy and commitment to the responsible allocation of capital allow us to tune out the noise and uncover what we believe are the best, most durable investment opportunities in the market. Through our powerful global investment platform, we combine collective expertise, thoughtful risk management, and long-term discipline to create sustainable value for investors.

Respectfully,

 

LOGO

Robert J. Manning

Executive Chair

MFS Investment Management

June 16, 2020

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

 

1


Table of Contents

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Portfolio structure (i)

 

LOGO

 

Fixed income sectors (i)  
Investment Grade Corporates     59.5%  
U.S. Treasury Securities     30.0%  
Municipal Bonds     3.9%  
Emerging Markets Bonds     2.1%  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities     1.2%  
Mortgage-Backed Securities     0.9%  
U.S. Government Agencies     0.7%  
Collateralized Debt Obligations     0.6%  
Non-U.S. Government Bonds     0.6%  
High Yield Corporates     0.5%  
Asset-Backed Securities     0.3%  
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities     0.3%  
Composition including fixed income credit quality (a)(i)

 

AAA     3.2%  
AA     2.9%  
A     25.8%  
BBB     34.0%  
BB     2.7%  
D     0.4%  
U.S. Government     30.0%  
Federal Agencies     1.6%  
Cash & Cash Equivalents     (0.6)%  
Portfolio facts (i)  
Average Duration (d)     4.1  
Average Effective Maturity (m)     4.6 yrs.  
 

 

 

 

2


Table of Contents

Portfolio Composition – continued

 

(a)

For all securities other than those specifically described below, ratings are assigned to underlying securities utilizing ratings from Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s rating agencies and applying the following hierarchy: If all three agencies provide a rating, the middle rating (after dropping the highest and lowest ratings) is assigned; if two of the three agencies rate a security, the lower of the two is assigned. Ratings are shown in the S&P and Fitch scale (e.g., AAA). Securities rated BBB or higher are considered investment grade. All ratings are subject to change. U.S. Government includes securities issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Federal Agencies includes rated and unrated U.S. Agency fixed-income securities, U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities, and collateralized mortgage obligations of U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities. Not Rated includes fixed income securities and fixed income derivatives, which have not been rated by any rating agency. The fund may or may not have held all of these instruments on this date. The fund is not rated by these agencies.

(d)

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

(i)

For purposes of this presentation, the components include the value of securities, and reflect the impact of the equivalent exposure of derivative positions, if any. These amounts may be negative from time to time. Equivalent exposure is a calculated amount that translates the derivative position into a reasonable approximation of the amount of the underlying asset that the portfolio would have to hold at a given point in time to have the same price sensitivity that results from the portfolio’s ownership of the derivative contract. When dealing with derivatives, equivalent exposure is a more representative measure of the potential impact of a position on portfolio performance than value. The bond component will include any accrued interest amounts.

(m)

In determining each instrument’s effective maturity for purposes of calculating the fund’s dollar-weighted average effective maturity, MFS uses the instrument’s stated maturity or, if applicable, an earlier date on which MFS believes it is probable that a maturity-shortening device (such as a put, pre-refunding or prepayment) will cause the instrument to be repaid. Such an earlier date can be substantially shorter than the instrument’s stated maturity.

Where the fund holds convertible bonds, they are treated as part of the equity portion of the portfolio.

Cash & Cash Equivalents includes any cash, investments in money market funds, short-term securities, and other assets less liabilities. Please see the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for additional information related to the fund’s cash position and other assets and liabilities.

From time to time Cash & Cash Equivalents may be negative due to timing of cash receipts and disbursements.

Percentages are based on net assets as of April 30, 2020.

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

 

3


Table of Contents

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS’ PROFILES

 

Portfolio Manager   Primary Role   Since   Title and Five Year History
Geoffrey Schechter   Lead Portfolio
Manager
  2017   Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 1993.
Alexander Mackey   Investment Grade
Debt Instruments
Portfolio Manager
  2017   Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment management area of MFS since 2001.

OTHER NOTES

The fund’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to net asset value. When fund shares trade at a premium, buyers pay more than the net asset value underlying fund shares, and shares purchased at a premium would receive less than the amount paid for them in the event of the fund’s concurrent liquidation.

The fund’s target annual distribution rate is calculated based on an annual rate of 8.50% of the fund’s average monthly net asset value, not a fixed share price, and the fund’s dividend amount will fluctuate with changes in the fund’s average monthly net assets.

 

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

 

4


Table of Contents

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

4/30/20 (unaudited)

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

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - 99.9%               
Aerospace - 2.0%               
Boeing Co., 5.04%, 5/01/2027    $ 2,500,000     $ 2,500,000  
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., 3.844%, 5/01/2025 (n)      2,486,000       2,613,710  
Raytheon Technologies Corp., 3.125%, 5/04/2027      2,000,000       2,159,641  
Raytheon Technologies Corp., 4.125%, 11/16/2028      1,753,000       2,034,604  
    

 

 

 
             $ 9,307,955  
Apparel Manufacturers - 0.6%               
NIKE, Inc., 2.75%, 3/27/2027    $ 2,600,000     $ 2,801,036  
Asset-Backed & Securitized - 2.4%               
Chesapeake Funding II LLC, 2017-3A, “A2”, FLR, 1.154% (LIBOR -1mo. + 0.34%), 8/15/2029 (n)    $ 1,371,899     $ 1,364,730  
Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2017-COR2, “A3”, 3.51%, 9/10/2050      1,676,352       1,795,120  
Falcon Franchise Loan LLC, 11.145%, 1/05/2023 (i)(n)      47,348       2,767  
GS Mortgage Securities Trust, 2010-C1, “A2”, 4.592%, 8/10/2043 (n)      756,880       757,779  
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 4.717%, 2/15/2046 (n)      2,122,262       2,150,189  
Loomis, Sayles & Co., CLO, 2015-2A, “A1R”, FLR, 2.118% (LIBOR -3mo. + 0.9%), 4/15/2028 (n)      1,109,976       1,060,027  
Shackleton CLO Ltd., 2015-8A, “A1R”, FLR, 2.055% (LIBOR - 3mo. + 1.51%), 10/20/2027 (n)      1,957,763       1,912,241  
Tricon American Homes Trust, 2015-SFR1, “1A”, 2.589%, 11/17/2033 (n)      1,247,563       1,250,217  
UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2017-C1, “A4”, 3.544%, 11/15/2050      875,000       943,088  
    

 

 

 
             $ 11,236,158  
Automotive - 3.5%               
BMW U.S. Capital LLC, 3.1%, 4/12/2021 (n)    $ 1,770,000     $ 1,778,243  
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 5.085%, 1/07/2021      1,074,000       1,049,835  
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 5.75%, 2/01/2021      1,250,000       1,218,750  
Hyundai Capital America, 3.75%, 7/08/2021 (n)      1,769,000       1,775,262  
Hyundai Capital America, 2.375%, 2/10/2023 (n)      577,000       555,205  
Lear Corp., 3.5%, 5/30/2030      3,000,000       2,588,547  
Toyota Motor Credit Corp., 2.9%, 3/30/2023      2,250,000       2,358,430  
Toyota Motor Credit Corp., 3%, 4/01/2025      3,000,000       3,198,240  
Volkswagen Group of America Co., 2.85%, 9/26/2024 (n)      1,765,000       1,732,884  
    

 

 

 
             $ 16,255,396  

 

5


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued               
Brokerage & Asset Managers - 2.7%               
E*TRADE Financial Corp., 2.95%, 8/24/2022    $ 3,500,000     $ 3,573,441  
Low Income Investment Fund, 3.386%, 7/01/2026      705,000       698,355  
Low Income Investment Fund, 3.711%, 7/01/2029      1,905,000       1,914,541  
National Securities Clearing Corp., 1.5%, 4/23/2025 (n)      1,117,000       1,122,742  
Raymond James Financial, 4.65%, 4/01/2030      1,471,000       1,655,971  
TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., 3.3%, 4/01/2027      3,150,000       3,365,975  
    

 

 

 
             $ 12,331,025  
Building - 0.7%               
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., 3.5%, 12/15/2027    $ 2,946,000     $ 3,060,099  
Business Services - 0.7%               
Equinix, Inc., 2.9%, 11/18/2026    $ 3,000,000     $ 3,068,820  
Cable TV - 0.9%               
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., 4.908%, 7/23/2025    $ 1,350,000     $ 1,523,681  
Time Warner Cable, Inc., 4%, 9/01/2021      2,770,000       2,822,249  
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,345,930  
Chemicals - 0.9%               
Sherwin-Williams Co., 3.125%, 6/01/2024    $ 4,000,000     $ 4,195,962  
Computer Software - 1.3%               
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp., 5.85%, 7/15/2025 (n)    $ 399,000     $ 434,005  
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp., 4.9%, 10/01/2026 (n)      2,054,000       2,123,588  
Microsoft Corp., 3.125%, 11/03/2025      3,110,000       3,466,306  
    

 

 

 
             $ 6,023,899  
Computer Software - Systems - 0.7%               
Apple, Inc., 3.35%, 2/09/2027    $ 2,700,000     $ 3,026,317  
Conglomerates - 1.6%               
General Electric Co., 3.45%, 5/01/2027    $ 3,000,000     $ 3,053,675  
Roper Technologies, Inc., 2.8%, 12/15/2021      651,000       664,085  
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp., 4.95%, 9/15/2028      3,760,000       3,719,588  
    

 

 

 
             $ 7,437,348  
Consumer Products - 1.5%               
Kimberly-Clark Corp., 3.1%, 3/26/2030    $ 316,000     $ 352,809  
Reckitt Benckiser Treasury Services PLC, 3.625%, 9/21/2023 (n)      2,274,000       2,406,838  
Reckitt Benckiser Treasury Services PLC, 2.75%, 6/26/2024 (n)      4,000,000       4,127,127  
    

 

 

 
             $ 6,886,774  

 

6


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued               
Consumer Services - 2.9%               
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., 2.8%, 6/06/2023    $ 1,605,000     $ 1,658,972  
Booking Holdings, Inc., 3.55%, 3/15/2028      2,737,000       2,765,649  
Conservation Fund, 3.474%, 12/15/2029      563,000       598,091  
Experian Finance PLC, 2.75%, 3/08/2030 (n)      2,636,000       2,631,584  
Mastercard, Inc., 3.3%, 3/26/2027      2,750,000       3,066,081  
Toll Road Investors Partnership II LP, Capital Appreciation, NATL, 0%, 2/15/2026 (n)      480,000       391,198  
Toll Road Investors Partnership II LP, Capital Appreciation, NATL, 0%, 2/15/2027 (n)      1,525,000       1,120,305  
Toll Road Investors Partnership II LP, Capital Appreciation, NATL, 0%, 2/15/2029 (n)      1,392,000       928,704  
Toll Road Investors Partnership II LP, Capital Appreciation, NATL, 0%, 2/15/2031 (n)      480,000       290,059  
    

 

 

 
             $ 13,450,643  
Electronics - 1.1%               
Broadcom Corp./Broadcom Cayman Finance Ltd., 3.875%, 1/15/2027    $ 3,900,000     $ 4,065,666  
Microchip Technology, Inc., 3.922%, 6/01/2021      1,213,000       1,232,643  
    

 

 

 
             $ 5,298,309  
Emerging Market Quasi-Sovereign - 0.2%               
Corporacion Financiera de Desarrollo S.A. (Republic of Peru), 4.75%, 2/08/2022 (n)    $ 228,000     $ 233,132  
Sinopec Capital (2013) Ltd. (People’s Republic of China), 3.125%, 4/24/2023 (n)      733,000       768,309  
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,001,441  
Emerging Market Sovereign - 0.2%               
Republic of Poland, 5%, 3/23/2022    $ 772,000     $ 824,950  
Energy - Integrated - 1.4%               
BP Capital Markets PLC, 4.742%, 3/11/2021    $ 1,810,000     $ 1,851,318  
Eni S.p.A., 4%, 9/12/2023 (n)      1,327,000       1,352,350  
Exxon Mobil Corp., 3.294%, 3/19/2027      3,000,000       3,270,897  
    

 

 

 
             $ 6,474,565  
Financial Institutions - 1.0%               
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC, 4.875%, 1/16/2024    $ 1,719,000     $ 1,595,560  
Avolon Holdings Funding Ltd., 3.95%, 7/01/2024 (n)      3,123,000       2,687,088  
Avolon Holdings Funding Ltd., 3.25%, 2/15/2027 (n)      583,000       451,198  
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,733,846  

 

7


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued               
Food & Beverages - 2.6%               
Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., 3.3%, 2/01/2023    $ 3,198,000     $ 3,375,883  
Conagra Brands, Inc., 4.6%, 11/01/2025      2,987,000       3,335,619  
Constellation Brands, Inc., 4.4%, 11/15/2025      3,306,000       3,646,334  
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., 3.375%, 10/21/2020 (n)      1,876,000       1,893,458  
    

 

 

 
             $ 12,251,294  
Gaming & Lodging - 0.4%               
Marriott International, Inc., 2.3%, 1/15/2022    $ 1,686,000     $ 1,633,057  
Marriott International, Inc., 5.75%, 5/01/2025      271,000       283,213  
    

 

 

 
             $ 1,916,270  
Industrial - 0.3%               
Howard University, 2.757%, 10/01/2027    $ 1,250,000     $ 1,241,481  
Insurance - 0.5%               
AIA Group Ltd., 3.375%, 4/07/2030 (n)    $ 563,000     $ 606,499  
American International Group, Inc., 3.9%, 4/01/2026      1,450,000       1,569,811  
    

 

 

 
             $ 2,176,310  
Insurance - Property & Casualty - 1.3%               
Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings Ltd., 4.35%, 10/29/2025    $ 3,110,000     $ 3,178,304  
Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., 4.85%, 4/17/2028      2,971,000       3,016,866  
    

 

 

 
             $ 6,195,170  
International Market Quasi-Sovereign - 0.5%               
Dexia Credit Local S.A. (Kingdom of Belgium), 1.875%, 9/15/2021 (n)    $ 2,510,000     $ 2,552,886  
Internet - 0.3%               
Baidu, Inc., 3.875%, 9/29/2023    $ 1,361,000     $ 1,418,570  
Machinery & Tools - 1.0%               
CNH Industrial Capital LLC, 4.2%, 1/15/2024    $ 472,000     $ 492,567  
CNH Industrial Capital LLC, 3.85%, 11/15/2027      3,066,000       3,055,198  
Deere & Co., 2.75%, 4/15/2025      813,000       865,557  
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,413,322  
Major Banks - 14.2%               
Bank of America Corp., 3.124% to 1/20/2022, FLR (LIBOR - 3mo. + 1.16%) to 1/20/2023    $ 5,400,000     $ 5,542,830  
Bank of America Corp., 4.125%, 1/22/2024      2,876,000       3,121,156  
Bank of New York Mellon Corp., 3.5%, 4/28/2023      3,446,000       3,681,902  
Barclays PLC, 4.61%, 2/15/2023      3,857,000       4,007,554  
Credit Suisse Group AG, 3.574%, 1/09/2023 (n)      1,500,000       1,535,213  
Credit Suisse Group AG, 6.5%, 8/08/2023 (n)      915,000       964,717  

 

8


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued               
Major Banks - continued               
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 5.75%, 1/24/2022    $ 1,924,000     $ 2,059,527  
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 3%, 4/26/2022      1,720,000       1,742,447  
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 2.908% to 6/05/2022, FLR (LIBOR -3mo. + 1.053%) to 6/05/2023      1,750,000       1,788,727  
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 3.5%, 4/01/2025      1,500,000       1,596,100  
HSBC Holdings PLC, 3.262% to 3/13/2022, FLR (LIBOR - 3mo. + 1.055%) to 3/13/2023      4,000,000       4,101,625  
HSBC Holdings PLC, 3.033% to 11/22/2022, FLR (LIBOR - 3mo. + 0.923%) to 11/22/2023      1,500,000       1,543,855  
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 4.625%, 5/10/2021      2,890,000       2,994,463  
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.125%, 1/23/2025      3,500,000       3,703,884  
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 2.005% to 3/13/2025, FLR (SOFR + 1.585%) to 3/13/2026      2,500,000       2,524,265  
Lloyds Bank PLC, 3.75%, 1/11/2027      1,400,000       1,488,034  
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., 2.95%, 3/01/2021      382,000       387,925  
Morgan Stanley, 3.875%, 1/27/2026      5,400,000       5,937,921  
NatWest Markets PLC, 3.625%, 9/29/2022 (n)      800,000       825,639  
Royal Bank of Scotland Group, PLC, FLR, 4.892% (LIBOR - 3mo. + 1.754%), 5/18/2029      2,442,000       2,744,697  
State Street Corp., 2.901% to 3/30/2025, FLR (SOFR + 2.7%) to 3/30/2026 (n)      407,000       432,272  
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc., 3.102%, 1/17/2023      1,145,000       1,186,767  
UBS Group Funding (Switzerland) AG, 4.253%, 3/23/2028 (n)      2,449,000       2,709,053  
UBS Group Funding Ltd., 3%, 4/15/2021 (n)      2,505,000       2,531,791  
UBS Group Funding Ltd., FLR, 2.644% (LIBOR - 3mo. + 1.44%), 9/24/2020 (n)      1,680,000       1,687,344  
UniCredito Italiano S.p.A., 6.572%, 1/14/2022 (n)      1,500,000       1,547,130  
Wells Fargo & Co., 2.572% to 2/11/2030, FLR (LIBOR - 3mo. + 1%) to 2/11/2031      3,500,000       3,474,926  
    

 

 

 
             $ 65,861,764  
Medical & Health Technology & Services - 1.2%               
Cigna Corp., FLR, 1.493% (LIBOR - 3mo. + 0.65%), 9/17/2021    $ 2,000,000     $ 1,966,261  
HCA, Inc., 4.125%, 6/15/2029      3,215,000       3,477,979  
    

 

 

 
             $ 5,444,240  
Medical Equipment - 0.4%               
Abbott Laboratories, 3.4%, 11/30/2023    $ 1,600,000     $ 1,735,606  
Metals & Mining - 1.7%               
Anglo American Capital PLC, 5.375%, 4/01/2025 (n)    $ 1,250,000     $ 1,344,837  
Glencore Funding LLC, 4.125%, 5/30/2023 (n)      1,518,000       1,535,711  
Glencore Funding LLC, 3.875%, 10/27/2027 (n)      1,887,000       1,878,516  
Newmont Corp., 2.25%, 10/01/2030      3,000,000       2,970,567  
    

 

 

 
             $ 7,729,631  

 

9


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued               
Midstream - 1.0%               
MPLX LP, 3.5%, 12/01/2022 (n)    $ 1,584,000     $ 1,564,442  
MPLX LP, 4%, 3/15/2028      3,395,000       3,219,148  
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,783,590  
Mortgage-Backed - 0.9%               
Fannie Mae, 5%, 12/01/2020    $ 166     $ 174  
Fannie Mae, 6.5%, 11/01/2031      616,598       726,251  
Freddie Mac, 5.5%, 6/01/2020      2,139       2,137  
Freddie Mac, 6%, 5/01/2021 - 8/01/2034      11,306       12,461  
Freddie Mac, 3.064%, 8/25/2024      1,457,127       1,567,266  
Freddie Mac, 3.187%, 9/25/2027      550,000       616,695  
Freddie Mac, 4.06%, 10/25/2028      780,000       939,847  
Ginnie Mae, 6%, 6/15/2033 - 10/15/2036      396,832       452,498  
Ginnie Mae, 5.87%, 4/20/2058      24,820       28,460  
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,345,789  
Municipals - 3.9%               
Bridgeview, IL, Stadium and Redevelopment Projects, AAC, 5.06%, 12/01/2025    $ 4,000,000     $ 3,912,360  
Gainesville, TX, Hospital District, “A”, 5.711%, 8/15/2033      2,330,000       2,521,642  
Michigan Finance Authority Hospital Refunding Rev. (Trinity Health     
Credit Group), “T”, 3.084%, 12/01/2034      2,500,000       2,564,950  
New Jersey Economic Development Authority State Pension Funding     
Rev., Capital Appreciation, “B”, AGM, 0%, 2/15/2023      3,704,000       3,545,839  
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Rev., “RR”, NATL, 5%, 7/01/2022      1,675,000       1,677,496  
Syracuse, NY, Industrial Development Agency PILOT Rev. (Carousel     
Center Project), “B”, 5%, 1/01/2036      3,635,000       3,730,855  
    

 

 

 
             $ 17,953,142  
Oils - 0.9%               
Marathon Petroleum Corp., 3.625%, 9/15/2024    $ 1,003,000     $ 964,593  
Valero Energy Corp., 2.85%, 4/15/2025      1,052,000       1,043,482  
Valero Energy Corp., 3.4%, 9/15/2026      2,353,000       2,342,975  
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,351,050  
Other Banks & Diversified Financials - 0.8%               
BBVA USA, 2.875%, 6/29/2022    $ 1,826,000     $ 1,835,253  
SunTrust Banks, Inc., 2.7%, 1/27/2022      1,803,000       1,842,651  
    

 

 

 
             $ 3,677,904  
Personal Computers & Peripherals - 0.2%               
Equifax, Inc., 2.6%, 12/15/2025    $ 832,000     $ 842,648  

 

10


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued               
Pharmaceuticals - 1.3%               
Allergan Funding SCS, 3.45%, 3/15/2022    $ 3,000,000     $ 3,074,720  
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., 2.75%, 2/15/2023 (n)      2,628,000       2,762,325  
    

 

 

 
             $ 5,837,045  
Restaurants - 0.2%               
McDonald’s Corp., 3.3%, 7/01/2025    $ 665,000     $ 724,525  
Retailers - 1.2%               
Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc., 2.7%, 7/26/2022 (n)    $ 2,700,000     $ 2,715,057  
Home Depot, Inc., 2.5%, 4/15/2027      2,750,000       2,908,339  
    

 

 

 
             $ 5,623,396  
Specialty Stores - 0.2%               
TJX Cos., Inc., 3.5%, 4/15/2025    $ 1,000,000     $ 1,078,456  
Supranational - 0.7%               
Corporacion Andina de Fomento, 4.375%, 6/15/2022    $ 2,950,000     $ 3,097,529  
Telecommunications - Wireless - 2.6%               
American Tower Corp., REIT, 3.55%, 7/15/2027    $ 4,000,000     $ 4,369,933  
Crown Castle International Corp., 3.65%, 9/01/2027      947,000       1,031,641  
Crown Castle International Corp., 3.3%, 7/01/2030      2,500,000       2,680,746  
SBA Tower Trust, 2.877%, 7/09/2021 (n)      586,000       588,636  
T-Mobile USA, Inc., 3.75%, 4/15/2027 (n)      3,000,000       3,222,090  
    

 

 

 
             $ 11,893,046  
Tobacco - 0.9%               
B.A.T Capital Corp., 4.7%, 4/02/2027    $ 2,000,000     $ 2,205,964  
Reynolds American, Inc., 6.875%, 5/01/2020      1,340,000       1,340,000  
Reynolds American, Inc., 3.25%, 6/12/2020      614,000       614,652  
    

 

 

 
             $ 4,160,616  
U.S. Government Agencies and Equivalents - 0.7%               
AID Ukraine, 1.847%, 5/29/2020    $ 2,500,000     $ 2,502,685  
Small Business Administration, 6.35%, 4/01/2021      14,966       15,217  
Small Business Administration, 6.34%, 5/01/2021      29,040       29,450  
Small Business Administration, 6.44%, 6/01/2021      25,233       25,707  
Small Business Administration, 6.625%, 7/01/2021      27,791       28,281  
Small Business Administration, 5.34%, 11/01/2021      97,818       99,724  
Small Business Administration, 4.93%, 1/01/2024      67,118       70,353  
Small Business Administration, 5.36%, 11/01/2025      152,267       163,639  
Small Business Administration, 5.39%, 12/01/2025      96,898       104,109  
    

 

 

 
             $ 3,039,165  

 

11


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par     Value ($)  
Bonds - continued               
U.S. Treasury Obligations - 29.8%               
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.375%, 3/15/2021    $ 3,900,000     $ 3,975,867  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.75%, 11/30/2021      10,000,000       10,242,969  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.625%, 12/15/2021      12,500,000       12,992,187  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.75%, 2/28/2022      10,420,000       10,714,691  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.75%, 5/15/2022      8,500,000       8,767,285  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.125%, 12/31/2022      14,635,000       15,370,180  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.5%, 8/15/2023      12,710,000       13,639,419  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.75%, 2/15/2024      8,385,000       9,157,665  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.375%, 8/15/2024      9,230,000       10,034,020  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2%, 2/15/2025      9,900,000       10,673,051  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2%, 8/15/2025      5,225,000       5,662,798  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.25%, 11/15/2025      5,086,000       5,594,799  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2%, 11/15/2026      6,254,000       6,860,100  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.625%, 11/30/2026      4,250,000       4,560,947  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.375%, 5/15/2027      4,075,000       4,601,407  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.75%, 11/15/2029      4,500,000       4,975,840  
    

 

 

 
             $ 137,823,225  
Utilities - Electric Power - 3.9%               
Berkshire Hathaway Energy, 3.7%, 7/15/2030 (n)    $ 2,450,000     $ 2,813,283  
Emera U.S. Finance LP, 2.7%, 6/15/2021      492,000       494,797  
Enel Americas S.A., 4%, 10/25/2026      252,000       257,673  
Enel Finance International N.V., 2.75%, 4/06/2023 (n)      3,500,000       3,533,286  
Enel Finance International N.V., 4.875%, 6/14/2029 (n)      1,615,000       1,863,789  
FirstEnergy Corp., 3.9%, 7/15/2027      2,827,000       3,111,927  
Florida Power & Light Co., 2.85%, 4/01/2025      758,000       821,347  
Oncor Electric Delivery Co., 4.1%, 6/01/2022      2,206,000       2,319,444  
PPL WEM Holdings PLC, 5.375%, 5/01/2021 (n)      546,000       560,017  
Transelec S.A., 4.625%, 7/26/2023 (n)      927,000       964,089  
Transelec S.A., 4.25%, 1/14/2025 (n)      228,000       233,130  
Xcel Energy, Inc., 3.4%, 6/01/2030      966,000       1,067,131  
    

 

 

 
             $ 18,039,913  
Total Bonds (Identified Cost, $440,977,506)

 

  $ 461,968,056  
Investment Companies (h) - 0.0%               
Money Market Funds - 0.0%               

MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio, 0.41% (v)

(Identified Cost, $102,340)

     102,330     $ 102,340  
Other Assets, Less Liabilities - 0.1%           668,893  
Net Assets - 100.0%            $ 462,739,289  

 

12


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

(h)

An affiliated issuer, which may be considered one in which the fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common control. At period end, the aggregate values of the fund’s investments in affiliated issuers and in unaffiliated issuers were $102,340 and $461,968,056, respectively.

(i)

Interest only security for which the fund receives interest on notional principal (Par amount). Par amount shown is the notional principal and does not reflect the cost of the security.

(n)

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate value of these securities was $80,886,691, representing 17.5% of net assets.

(v)

Affiliated issuer that is available only to investment companies managed by MFS. The rate quoted for the MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end.

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

AAC   Ambac Assurance Corp.
AGM   Assured Guaranty Municipal
AID   U.S. Agency for International Development
CLO   Collateralized Loan Obligation
FLR   Floating Rate. Interest rate resets periodically based on the parenthetically disclosed reference rate plus a spread (if any). The period-end rate reported may not be the current rate. All reference rates are USD unless otherwise noted.
LIBOR   London Interbank Offered Rate
NATL   National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.
REIT   Real Estate Investment Trust
SOFR   Secured Overnight Financing Rate

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

13


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

At 4/30/20 (unaudited)

This statement represents your fund’s balance sheet, which details the assets and liabilities comprising the total value of the fund.

 

Assets         

Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (identified cost, $440,977,506)

     $461,968,056  

Investments in affiliated issuers, at value (identified cost, $102,340)

     102,340  

Receivables for

  

Interest

     3,361,013  

Other assets

     77,395  

Total assets

     $465,508,804  
Liabilities         

Payables for

  

Distributions

     $116,374  

Investments purchased

     2,500,000  

Payable to affiliates

  

Investment adviser

     12,677  

Administrative services fee

     420  

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     9,563  

Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation

     7,664  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     122,817  

Total liabilities

     $2,769,515  

Net assets

     $462,739,289  
Net assets consist of         

Paid-in capital

     $456,278,459  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     6,460,830  

Net assets

     $462,739,289  

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding

     115,930,528  

Net asset value per share (net assets of $462,739,289 / 115,930,528 shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

     $3.99  

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

14


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Six months ended 4/30/20 (unaudited)

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

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

Income

  

Interest

     $7,025,084  

Dividends from affiliated issuers

     25,900  

Other

     3,156  

Total investment income

     $7,054,140  

Expenses

  

Management fee

     $1,148,070  

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

     44,804  

Administrative services fee

     35,789  

Independent Trustees’ compensation

     52,399  

Stock exchange fee

     56,734  

Custodian fee

     14,420  

Shareholder communications

     77,049  

Audit and tax fees

     41,779  

Legal fees

     5,650  

Miscellaneous

     22,852  

Total expenses

     $1,499,546  

Net investment income (loss)

     $5,554,594  
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis)

  

Unaffiliated issuers

     $5,476,727  

Affiliated issuers

     2,109  

Net realized gain (loss)

     $5,478,836  

Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation

  

Unaffiliated issuers

     $2,530,571  

Affiliated issuers

     (336

Net unrealized gain (loss)

     $2,530,235  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     $8,009,071  

Change in net assets from operations

     $13,563,665  

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

15


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

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

 

     Six months ended
4/30/20
     Year ended
10/31/19
 
Change in net assets    (unaudited)         
From operations                  

Net investment income (loss)

     $5,554,594        $12,212,459  

Net realized gain (loss)

     5,478,836        104,762  

Net unrealized gain (loss)

     2,530,235        28,519,123  

Change in net assets from operations

     $13,563,665        $40,836,344  

Distributions to shareholders

     $(6,012,884      $(12,403,691

Tax return of capital distributions to shareholders

     $—        $(27,810,480

Distributions from other sources

     $(13,823,106      $—  

Change in net assets from fund share transactions

     $(3,410,552      $(1,777,421

Total change in net assets

     $(9,682,877      $(1,155,248
Net assets                  

At beginning of period

     472,422,166        473,577,414  

At end of period

     $462,739,289        $472,422,166  

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

16


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

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

 

    Six months
ended
4/30/20
(unaudited)
    Year ended  
    10/31/19     10/31/18     10/31/17     10/31/16     10/31/15  
                               

Net asset value, beginning of
period

    $4.04       $4.03       $4.46       $4.80       $5.05       $5.44  
Income (loss) from investment operations

 

                               

Net investment income
(loss) (d)

    $0.05       $0.10       $0.10       $0.10 (c)      $0.11       $0.12  

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss)

    0.07       0.25       (0.17     (0.05     0.06       (0.06

Total from investment
operations

    $0.12       $0.35       $(0.07     $0.05       $0.17       $0.06  
Less distributions declared to shareholders

 

                               

From net investment income

    $(0.05     $(0.10     $(0.10     $(0.02     $(0.08     $(0.25

From tax return of capital

          (0.24     (0.26     (0.37     (0.34     (0.20

From other sources

    (0.12                              

Total distributions declared to
shareholders

    $(0.17     $(0.34     $(0.36     $(0.39     $(0.42     $(0.45

Net increase from repurchase of
capital shares

    $0.00 (w)      $0.00 (w)      $0.00 (w)      $—       $0.00 (w)      $0.00 (w) 

Net asset value, end of period (x)

    $3.99       $4.04       $4.03       $4.46       $4.80       $5.05  

Market value, end of period

    $3.74       $3.77       $3.69       $4.24       $4.45       $4.56  

Total return at market value (%)

    3.78 (n)      11.87       (4.56     4.30       6.93       (0.82

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

    3.31 (n)      9.77       (0.90     1.72 (c)      4.15       1.96  
Ratios (%) (to average net assets)
and Supplemental data:

 

                                       

Expenses (f)

    0.65 (a)      0.65       0.64       0.61 (c)      0.64       0.64  

Net investment income (loss)

    2.40 (a)      2.58       2.33       2.07 (c)      2.16       2.22  

Portfolio turnover

    26 (n)      18       50       65       19       31  

Net assets at end of period
(000 omitted)

    $462,739       $472,422       $473,577       $524,864       $565,316       $594,492  

 

17


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights – continued

 

(a)

Annualized.

(c)

Amount reflects a one-time reimbursement of expenses by the custodian (or former custodian) without which net investment income and performance would be lower and expenses would be higher.

(d)

Per share data is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Ratios do not reflect reductions from fees paid indirectly, if applicable.

(j)

Total return at net asset value is calculated using the net asset value of the fund, not the publicly traded price and therefore may be different than the total return at market value.

(n)

Not annualized.

(r)

Certain expenses have been reduced without which performance would have been lower.

(s)

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

(w)

Per share amount was less than $0.01.

(x)

The net asset values and total returns at net asset value have been calculated on net assets which include adjustments made in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles required at period end for financial reporting purposes.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

18


Table of Contents

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

(1) Business and Organization

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

The fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies.

(2) Significant Accounting Policies

General – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the preparation of these financial statements, management has evaluated subsequent events occurring after the date of the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities through the date that the financial statements were issued. The fund invests in foreign securities. Investments in foreign securities are vulnerable to the effects of changes in the relative values of the local currency and the U.S. dollar and to the effects of changes in each country’s market, economic, industrial, political, regulatory, geopolitical, and other conditions.

In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”), which provides optional, temporary relief with respect to the financial reporting of contracts subject to certain types of modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other IBOR-based reference rates as of the end of 2021. The temporary relief provided by ASU 2020-04 is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is evaluating the impact of ASU 2020-04 on the fund’s investments, derivatives, debt and other contracts that will undergo reference rate-related modifications as a result of the reference rate reform.

In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-08, Receivables –Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20) – Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (“ASU 2017-08”). For callable debt securities purchased at a premium that have explicit, non-contingent call features and that are callable at fixed prices on preset dates, ASU 2017-08 requires the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The fund adopted ASU 2017-08 as of the beginning of the reporting period on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption resulted in a change in accounting principle, since the fund had historically amortized such premiums to maturity for U.S. GAAP. As a result of the adoption, the fund recognized a cumulative effect adjustment that decreased the beginning of period cost of investments and increased the unrealized appreciation on investments by offsetting

 

19


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

amounts. Adoption had no impact on the fund’s net assets or any prior period information presented in the financial statements. With respect to the fund’s results of operations, amortization of premium to first call date under ASU 2017-08 accelerates amortization with the intent of more closely aligning the recognition of income on such bonds with the economics of the instrument.

Balance Sheet Offsetting – The fund’s accounting policy with respect to balance sheet offsetting is that, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement, or similar agreement, does not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the fund and the applicable counterparty. The fund’s right to setoff may be restricted or prohibited by the bankruptcy or insolvency laws of the particular jurisdiction to which a specific master netting agreement counterparty is subject. Balance sheet offsetting disclosures, to the extent applicable to the fund, have been included in the fund’s Significant Accounting Policies note under the captions for each of the fund’s in-scope financial instruments and transactions.

Investment Valuations – Debt instruments and floating rate loans, including restricted debt instruments, are generally valued at an evaluated or composite bid as provided by a third-party pricing service. Short-term instruments with a maturity at issuance of 60 days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Open-end investment companies are generally valued at net asset value per share. Securities and other assets generally valued on the basis of information from a third-party pricing service may also be valued at a broker/dealer bid quotation. In determining values, third-party pricing services can utilize both transaction data and market information such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data. The values of foreign securities and other assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars using the mean of bid and asked prices for rates provided by a third-party pricing service.

The Board of Trustees has delegated primary responsibility for determining or causing to be determined the value of the fund’s investments (including any fair valuation) to the adviser pursuant to valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board. If the adviser determines that reliable market quotations are not readily available, investments are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the adviser in accordance with such procedures under the oversight of the Board of Trustees. Under the fund’s valuation policies and procedures, market quotations are not considered to be readily available for most types of debt instruments and floating rate loans and many types of derivatives. These investments are generally valued at fair value based on information from third-party pricing services. In addition, investments may be valued at fair value if the adviser determines that an investment’s value has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the investment is principally traded (such as foreign exchange or market) and prior to the determination of the fund’s net asset value, or after the halt of trading of a specific security where trading does not resume prior to the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded. The adviser generally relies on third-party pricing services or other information (such as the correlation with price movements of similar securities in the same or other markets; the type, cost and investment characteristics of the

 

20


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

security; the business and financial condition of the issuer; and trading and other market data) to assist in determining whether to fair value and at what value to fair value an investment. The value of an investment for purposes of calculating the fund’s net asset value can differ depending on the source and method used to determine value. When fair valuation is used, the value of an investment used to determine the fund’s net asset value may differ from quoted or published prices for the same investment. There can be no assurance that the fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it were to sell the investment at the same time at which the fund determines its net asset value per share.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s assets or liabilities. These inputs are categorized into three broad levels. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fund’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment. Level 1 includes unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 includes other significant observable market-based inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speed, and credit risk). Level 3 includes unobservable inputs, which may include the adviser’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. The following is a summary of the levels used as of April 30, 2020 in valuing the fund’s assets or liabilities:

 

Financial Instruments    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
U.S. Treasury Bonds & U.S. Government Agencies & Equivalents      $—        $140,862,390        $—        $140,862,390  
Non-U.S. Sovereign Debt             7,476,806               7,476,806  
Municipal Bonds             17,953,142               17,953,142  
U.S. Corporate Bonds             199,544,731               199,544,731  
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities             5,596,006               5,596,006  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities             5,648,943               5,648,943  
Asset-Backed Securities (including CDOs)             4,336,998               4,336,998  
Foreign Bonds             80,549,040               80,549,040  
Mutual Funds      102,340                      102,340  
Total      $102,340        $461,968,056        $—        $462,070,396  

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

Indemnifications – Under the fund’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The fund’s maximum exposure under these agreements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred.

Investment Transactions and Income – Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. All premium and discount

 

21


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

is amortized or accreted for financial statement purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Interest payments received in additional securities are recorded on the ex-interest date in an amount equal to the value of the security on such date.

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

Tax Matters and Distributions – The fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company, as defined under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including realized capital gains. As a result, no provision for federal income tax is required. The fund’s federal tax returns, when filed, will remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a three year period. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken on federal and state tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability. Foreign taxes, if any, have been accrued by the fund in the accompanying financial statements in accordance with the applicable foreign tax law. Foreign income taxes may be withheld by certain countries in which the fund invests. Additionally, capital gains realized by the fund on securities issued in or by certain foreign countries may be subject to capital gains tax imposed by those countries.

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The fund seeks to pay monthly distributions based on an annual rate of 8.50% of the fund’s average monthly net asset value. As a result, distributions may exceed actual earnings which may result in a tax return of capital. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Certain capital accounts in the financial statements are periodically adjusted for permanent differences in order to reflect their tax character. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or net asset value per share. Temporary differences which arise from recognizing certain items of income, expense, gain or loss in different periods for financial statement and tax purposes will reverse at some time in the future.

During the year ended October 31, 2019, there were no significant adjustments due to differences between book and tax accounting.

For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the amount of distributions estimated to be a tax return of capital was approximately $13,823,106 which is reported as distributions from other sources in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

 

22


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

The tax character of distributions made during the current period will be determined at fiscal year end. The tax character of distributions declared to shareholders for the last fiscal year is as follows:

 

     Year ended
10/31/19
 
Ordinary income (including any
short-term capital gains)
     $12,403,691  
Tax return of capital (b)      27,810,480  
Total distributions      $40,214,171  

 

(b)

Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a tax return of capital.

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

 

As of 4/30/20       
Cost of investments      $441,670,086  
Gross appreciation      22,845,208  
Gross depreciation      (2,444,898
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      $20,400,310  
As of 10/31/19       
Capital loss carryforwards      (5,097,904
Other temporary differences      (111,129
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      17,942,188  

The aggregate cost above includes prior fiscal year end tax adjustments, if applicable.

As of October 31, 2019, the fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized gains. These net capital losses may be carried forward indefinitely and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term losses. Such losses are characterized as follows:

 

Short-Term      $(2,620,236
Long-Term      (2,477,668
Total      $(5,097,904

(3) Transactions with Affiliates

Investment Adviser – The fund has an investment advisory agreement with MFS to provide overall investment management and related administrative services and facilities to the fund. The management fee is computed daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.32% of the fund’s average daily net assets and 5.65% of gross income. Gross income is calculated based on tax elections that generally include the accretion of discount and exclude the amortization of premium, which may differ from investment income reported in the Statement of Operations. MFS has agreed to reduce its management fee to the lesser of the contractual management fee as set forth above or 0.85% of the fund’s average daily net assets. This written agreement will continue until modified by the fund’s Board of Trustees, but such agreement will continue at least until October 31, 2020. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the fund’s

 

23


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

average daily net assets and gross income fees did not meet the thresholds required to waive the management fee under this agreement. The management fee, from net assets and gross income, incurred for the six months ended April 30, 2020 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.50% of the fund’s average daily net assets.

Transfer Agent – The fund engages Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) as the sole transfer agent for the fund. MFS Service Center, Inc. (MFSC) monitors and supervises the activities of Computershare for an agreed upon fee approved by the Board of Trustees. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, these fees paid to MFSC amounted to $14,446.

Administrator – MFS provides certain financial, legal, shareholder communications, compliance, and other administrative services to the fund. Under an administrative services agreement, the fund reimburses MFS the costs incurred to provide these services. The fund is charged an annual fixed amount of $17,500 plus a fee based on average daily net assets. The administrative services fee incurred for the six months ended April 30, 2020 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0155% of the fund’s average daily net assets.

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

Other – The fund invests in the MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio which is managed by MFS and seeks current income consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity. This money market fund does not pay a management fee to MFS but does incur investment and operating costs.

(4) Portfolio Securities

For the six months ended April 30, 2020, purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  
U.S. Government securities      $36,237,923        $83,258,024  
Non-U.S. Government securities      84,506,555        47,017,175  

(5) Shares of Beneficial Interest

The fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest. The Trustees have authorized the repurchase by the fund of up to 10% annually of its own shares of beneficial interest. The fund repurchased 973,652 shares of beneficial interest during the six months ended April 30, 2020 at an average price per share of $3.50 and a weighted average discount of 8.62% per share. The fund repurchased 482,936 shares of beneficial

 

24


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

interest during the year ended October 31, 2019 at an average price per share of $3.68 and a weighted average discount of 8.44% per share. Transactions in fund shares were as follows:

 

     Six months ended
4/30/20
     Year ended
10/31/19
 
     Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  
Capital shares repurchased      (973,652      $(3,410,552      (482,936      $(1,777,421

(6) Line of Credit

The fund and certain other funds managed by MFS participate in a $1.25 billion unsecured committed line of credit, subject to a $1 billion sublimit, provided by a syndicate of banks under a credit agreement. Borrowings may be made for temporary financing needs. Interest is charged to each fund, based on its borrowings, generally at a rate equal to the highest of one month LIBOR, the Federal Funds Effective Rate and the Overnight Bank Funding Rate, plus an agreed upon spread. A commitment fee, based on the average daily, unused portion of the committed line of credit, is allocated among the participating funds. In addition, the fund and other funds managed by MFS have established unsecured uncommitted borrowing arrangements with certain banks for temporary financing needs. Interest is charged to each fund, based on its borrowings, at rates equal to customary reference rates plus an agreed upon spread. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the fund’s commitment fee and interest expense were $1,152 and $0, respectively, and are included in “Miscellaneous” expense in the Statement of Operations.

(7) Investments in Affiliated Issuers

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

 

Affiliated Issuers   Beginning
Value
    Purchases     Sales
Proceeds
    Realized
Gain
(Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation or
Depreciation
    Ending
Value
 
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio     $3,881,383       $62,080,556       $65,861,372       $2,109       $(336     $102,340  
Affiliated Issuers                               Dividend
Income
    Capital Gain
Distributions
 
MFS Institutional Money Market Portfolio

 

        $25,900       $—  

(8) Impacts of COVID-19

The pandemic related to the global spread of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which was first detected in December 2019, has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity and the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the securities and commodities markets in general. This pandemic, the full effects of which are still unknown, has resulted in substantial market volatility and may have adversely impacted the prices and liquidity of the fund’s investments and the fund’s performance.

 

25


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Trustees and Shareholders of MFS Intermediate Income Trust:

Results of Review of Interim Financial Statements

We have reviewed the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of MFS Intermediate Income Trust (the “Trust”), including the portfolio of investments, as of April 30, 2020, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the six-month period ended April 30, 2020, and the related notes. Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim financial statements and financial highlights for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2019 (not presented herein), the related statement of operations for the year ended October 31, 2019 (not presented herein), the statements of changes in net assets for the years ended October 31, 2019, and October 31, 2018 (2018 not presented herein) and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended October 31, 2019; and in our report dated December 16, 2019, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for Review Results

These interim financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Trust’s management. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

June 16, 2020

 

26


Table of Contents

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND INFORMATION

MFS votes proxies on behalf of the fund pursuant to proxy voting policies and procedures that are available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-225-2606, by visiting mfs.com/proxyvoting, or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

Information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available by August 31 of each year without charge by visiting mfs.com/proxyvoting, or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO DISCLOSURE

The fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. A shareholder can obtain the portfolio holdings report for the first and third quarters of the fund’s fiscal year at mfs.com/closedendfunds by choosing the fund’s name and then selecting the “Resources” tab and clicking on “Prospectus and Reports”.

FURTHER INFORMATION

From time to time, MFS may post important information about the fund or the MFS funds on the MFS web site (mfs.com). This information is available at https://www.mfs.com/en-us/what-we-do/announcements.html or at mfs.com/closedendfunds by choosing the fund’s name.

Additional information about the fund (e.g., performance, dividends and the fund’s price history) is also available by clicking on the fund’s name under “Closed-End Funds” in the “Products” section of mfs.com.

INFORMATION ABOUT FUND CONTRACTS AND LEGAL CLAIMS

The fund has entered into contractual arrangements with an investment adviser, administrator, transfer agent, and custodian who each provide services to the fund. Unless expressly stated otherwise, shareholders are not parties to, or intended beneficiaries of these contractual arrangements, and these contractual arrangements are not intended to create any shareholder right to enforce them against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of the fund.

Under the Trust’s By-Laws and Declaration of Trust, any claims asserted against or on behalf of the MFS Funds, including claims against Trustees and Officers, must be brought in state and federal courts located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

27


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

CONTACT US

TRANSFER AGENT, REGISTRAR, AND

DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT

CALL

1-800-637-2304

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

WRITE

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 505005

Louisville, KY 40233-5005

 

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: MIN


Table of Contents
ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS.

During the period covered by this report, the Registrant has not amended any provision in its Code of Ethics (the “Code”) that relates to an element of the Code’s definitions enumerated in paragraph (b) of Item 2 of this Form N-CSR. During the period covered by this report, the Registrant did not grant a waiver, including an implicit waiver, from any provision of the Code.

 

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 5.

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 6.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

A schedule of investments for MFS Intermediate Income Trust is included as part of the report to shareholders under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 7.

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

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 8.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

There were no changes during the period.


Table of Contents
ITEM 9.

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

MFS Intermediate Income Trust

 

Period

   (a) Total number
of Shares
Purchased
     (b)
Average
Price Paid
per Share
     (c) Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
     (d) Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
under the Plans
or Programs
 

11/01/19-11/30/19

     0        N/A        0        11,690,418  

12/01/19-12/31/19

     0        N/A        0        11,690,418  

1/01/20-1/31/20

     0        N/A        0        11,690,418  

2/01/20-2/28/20

     0        N/A        0        11,690,418  

3/01/20-3/31/20

     821,294        3.48        821,294        10,869,124  

4/01/20-4/30/20

     152,358        3.62        152,358        10,716,766  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

     973,652        3.50        973,652     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Note: The Board approved procedures to repurchase shares and reviews the results periodically. The notification to shareholders of the program is part of the semi-annual and annual reports sent to shareholders. These annual programs begin on October 1st of each year. The programs conform to the conditions of Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and limit the aggregate number of shares that may be purchased in each annual period (October 1 through the following September 30) to 10% of the Registrant’s outstanding shares as of the first day of the plan year (October 1). The aggregate number of shares available for purchase for the October 1, 2019 plan year is 11,690,418.

 

ITEM 10.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may send recommendations to the Board for nominees to the Registrant’s Board since the Registrant last provided disclosure as to such procedures in response to the requirements of Item 407 (c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K or this Item.


Table of Contents
ITEM 11.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

(a)

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

 

(b)

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

 

ITEM 12.

DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

ITEM 13.

EXHIBITS.

 

(a)

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

 

  (1)

Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit. Not applicable.

 

  (2)

A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2): Attached hereto as EX-99.302CERT.

 

  (3)

Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.23c-1) sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons. Not applicable.

 

  (4)

Change in the registrant’s independent public accountant. Not applicable.

 

(b)

If the report is filed under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provide the certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)), Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b) or 240.15d-14(b)) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) as an exhibit. A certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph will not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference: Attached hereto as EX-99.906CERT.

 

(c)

Notices to Trust’s common shareholders in accordance with Investment Company Act Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1. Attached hereto as EX-99.19a-1.


Table of Contents

Notice

A copy of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Registrant is on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Registrant by an officer of the Registrant as an officer and not individually and the obligations of or arising out of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of the respective constituent series of the Registrant.


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

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

Registrant: MFS INTERMEDIATE INCOME TRUST

 

By (Signature and Title)*    DAVID L. DILORENZO
  David L. DiLorenzo, President

Date: June 16, 2020

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By (Signature and Title)*    DAVID L. DILORENZO
  David L. DiLorenzo, President (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: June 16, 2020

 

By (Signature and Title)*    JAMES O. YOST
  James O. Yost, Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer)

Date: June 16, 2020

 

*

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