MFS Charter Income Trust filings document the governance record of a closed-end investment fund. The trust's proxy materials include Schedule 14A and definitive proxy disclosures for annual shareholder meeting matters, including the election of trustees and related governance procedures.
The filing record also identifies the fund within the broader MFS closed-end fund group and documents shareholder-voting materials for the trust's shares of beneficial interest. These disclosures focus on fund governance, meeting mechanics and trustee oversight rather than operating-company business segments.
MFS Charter Income Trust (MCR) is a leveraged, high‑yield focused closed‑end bond fund that targets a managed annual distribution of 8.00% of its average monthly NAV, paid monthly. For the twelve months ended November 30, 2025, the fund returned 6.91% at net asset value and 9.41% at market price, versus 7.55% for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High‑Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index and 6.60% for its blended benchmark.
The portfolio is concentrated in below‑investment‑grade credit, with high yield corporates at 71.5% and emerging markets bonds at 20.5%, and a duration of 5.4 years. BB, B and CCC rated bonds make up a large share of assets, reflecting higher income and higher credit risk. The fund uses leverage via a bank credit facility; as of November 30, 2025, line‑of‑credit borrowings were 25.24% of total assets, magnifying both gains and losses.
Under its managed distribution policy, the fund may distribute more than net investment income. For the period, distributions included $13,783,323 of ordinary income and $8,678,127 classified as return of capital, which can reduce asset base and potentially increase the expense ratio over time.
MFS Charter Income Trust filed an initial ownership report for insider Thomas P. Murphy. The filing identifies the trust under ticker MCR and lists Murphy’s relationship as "DIRECTOR OF ADVISOR" rather than as a director or officer of the trust itself. The report states that no non-derivative or derivative securities of MFS Charter Income Trust are beneficially owned, meaning Murphy reports zero ownership in the trust’s securities as of the stated event date.
MFS Investment Management plans a major reorganization of its NYSE-listed closed-end funds, including MFS Charter Income Trust (MCR), subject to shareholder approval. Seven MFS closed-end funds are proposed to be merged into two existing funds, with MCR, MGF, MIN, and CIF combining into MFS Multimarket Income Trust (MMT), and CXE, CMU, and CXH combining into MFS Municipal Income Trust (MFM). If shareholders of MFM and MMT approve, abrdn Inc. will become investment adviser to both funds and they will be renamed Aberdeen Municipal Income Fund and Aberdeen Multi-Market Income Fund, with new Aberdeen trustees replacing current trustees for those funds.
Shareholders of record as of December 11, 2025 will receive proxy materials in late January 2026 and may vote electronically, by mail, or in person at a special meeting tentatively set for March 11, 2026. The reorganization is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization, and completion is targeted for June 2026 if the proposals are approved.
MFS Charter Income Trust insider Joseph Flaherty, identified as an "officer of the advisor," filed a Form 4 reporting his relationship to the fund and his status as a single reporting person. The document is dated with an earliest transaction date of 06/01/2025 and a signature dated 12/11/2025. The standard tables for non-derivative and derivative securities are included, indicating this is a routine disclosure of beneficial ownership and potential transactions by an individual associated with the fund's advisor.
MFS Charter Income Trust filed a Form 4 for reporting person Amrit Kanwal, identified as an officer of the advisor. The filing shows no reported purchases, sales, acquisitions, or dispositions of the trust’s securities, with all transaction share counts listed as zero.
The proxy solicits votes to elect trustees and approve routine matters for multiple MFS closed-end trusts, including MFS Charter Income Trust ("MCR"). Four nominees—Maureen R. Goldfarb, Maryanne L. Roepke, Paula E. Smith and Laurie J. Thomsen—are proposed for election by common shareholders, and three nominees are proposed for election by combined common and preferred shareholders. The Board recommends a vote FOR the proposal. The document describes trustee retirement policy, noting Laurie J. Thomsen is expected to retire effective December 31, 2025 after reaching 20 years of service. It also summarizes committee oversight responsibilities including fair valuation, pricing determinations, liquidity risk management and Rule 2a-7 compliance for money market funds. Proxy voting methods and deadlines are provided, including online, phone and returned proxy card instructions and a 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time receipt deadline on October 2, 2025.
A Form 4 filing for MFS Charter Income Trust (MCR) reports insider trading activity for William Adams, an officer of the fund's advisor. The filing, dated June 28, 2025, discloses transactions that occurred on September 30, 2024.
Key details:
- Reporting Person: William Adams, located at 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA
- Relationship to Issuer: Officer of Advisor (not a director or 10% owner)
- Filing Type: Individual filing (not joint)
Notably, no actual securities transactions (derivative or non-derivative) are reported in either Table I or Table II of the filing. This may indicate a zero-activity report or an initial filing establishing the reporting person's position. The form was signed by Christopher R. Bohane on June 27, 2025.