MFS Government Markets Income Trust and MFS Intermediate Income Trust Announce Special Shareholder Meeting Relating to Proposed Appointment of Aberdeen Investments as Investment Adviser
Key Terms
closed-end funds financial
proxy statement regulatory
forward-looking statements regulatory
return of capital financial
managed distribution policy financial
Schedule 13D regulatory
N-CEN regulatory
N-CSR regulatory
As announced by MFS on December 11, 2025, and described further in a joint prospectus/proxy statement mailed to each Fund’s shareholders, the Board previously approved, subject to shareholder approval, the reorganization of each Fund and certain other MFS closed-end funds with and into MFS Multimarket Income Trust (“MMT”) (the “Reorganizations”). To date sufficient shareholder votes have not been received with respect to the approval of either Fund’s respective Reorganization. MFS believes that continued solicitation of each Fund’s shareholders is unlikely to result in approval of either Fund’s Reorganization. MFS has instead recommended the Proposals to each Fund’s Board and the Board has recommended the Proposals for approval by each Fund’s shareholders as an alternative to the Reorganizations.
Required Vote of the Fund’s Shareholders
Shareholders of each Fund as of May 1, 2026, will be asked to approve the new investment advisory agreement appointing Aberdeen as the Fund’s new investment adviser and to elect the five new trustees for the Fund at a special meeting of shareholders, scheduled for June 18, 2026, or such other date as the Board may approve. Shareholders of each Fund will receive a proxy statement (a “Proxy Statement”) providing additional information and soliciting their votes in favor of the Proposals, both of which are recommended by each Fund’s Board. Both Proposals must be approved by a Fund for the Proposals to be implemented for that Fund. If approved for a Fund, it is expected that the appointment of Aberdeen as the Fund’s investment adviser in place of MFS and the election of the five new Trustees to the board of the Fund will take effect in early Q3 2026.
Each Fund’s Board believes that the Proposals are in the best interests of each such Fund and recommends that shareholders of each Fund vote in favor of their Fund’s Proposals.
Further information concerning the Proposals will be provided in each Fund’s Proxy Statement. Shareholders should read the Proxy Statement for the applicable Fund as it will contain important information about the Proposals and proxy solicitation.
About Aberdeen Investments
In
Aberdeen Investments is among the world’s largest asset managers, with decades of experience overseeing closed-end funds dating back to the 1980s. As of March 31, 2026, the firm had approximately
Filing and Mailing of Shareholder Materials
A preliminary draft of each Fund’s Proxy Statement has been filed with the
Fund Name Changes
Subject to the approval of the Proposals, upon closing it is intended that MGF’s name would be changed from “MFS Government Markets Income Trust” to “Aberdeen Government Markets Income Fund”, and MIN’s name would be changed from “MFS Intermediate Income Trust” to “Aberdeen Intermediate Income Fund”.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain statements regarding plans and expectations for the future that constitute forward-looking statements within The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking and can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "continue," or other similar words. Such forward-looking statements are based on the fund's current plans and expectations, are not guarantees of future results or performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are as of the date of this release only; the Funds undertake no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements. You are urged to carefully consider all such factors.
About the Funds
The Funds are closed-end investment company products advised by MFS Investment Management. Closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continuously offered. There is a one-time public offering and once issued, common shares of the Funds are bought and sold in the open market through a stock exchange. Shares may trade at a discount to the net asset value per share. Shares of the Funds are not FDIC-insured and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any bank. Shares of the Funds involve investment risk, including possible loss of principal.
About MFS Investment Management
In 1924, MFS launched the first US open-end mutual fund, opening the door to the markets for millions of everyday investors. Today, as a full-service global investment manager serving financial advisors, intermediaries and institutional clients, MFS still serves a single purpose: to create long term value for clients by allocating capital responsibly. That takes our powerful investment approach combining collective expertise, thoughtful risk management and long-term discipline. Supported by our culture of shared values and collaboration, our teams of diverse thinkers actively debate ideas and assess material risks to uncover what we believe are the best investment opportunities in the market. As of March 31, 2026, MFS had approximately
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Media Contact: Dan Flaherty, +1 617.954.4256
For Shareholders/Advisors: Brian Mastrullo, +1 617.954.7940
Source: MFS Investment Management