abrdn (MCR) to seek shareholder vote to require investment‑grade portfolio

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

abrdn Inc. announced its intent to propose a future amendment to the Aberdeen Multimarket Income Trust (formerly MFS Multimarket Income Trust) requiring the Fund to maintain, under normal circumstances, a portfolio with an average credit quality qualifying as investment grade, subject to shareholder approval.

The proposal is conditional on completion of planned reorganizations that would consolidate certain MFS closed-end funds into MMT and on the adviser transition to Aberdeen. Until those reorganizations and the adviser change are completed, MMT will continue to operate under its current investment objectives, policies, and restrictions.

Insights

Closed-End Funds Strategist

Aberdeen is signaling a credit-quality shift contingent on approvals.

The filing states Aberdeen intends to propose amending the Fund's fundamental investment policy to require an average portfolio credit quality that qualifies as investment grade, conditional upon shareholder approvals and completion of the announced reorganizations.

This would formally bind portfolio-credit quality under the Fund's fundamental policies; timing and final terms depend on shareholder votes and the adviser-transition mechanics disclosed in the joint prospectus/proxy materials.

Institutional Product Analyst

Reorganization and adviser change are the gating events for the policy amendment.

The announcement ties the proposed fundamental-policy change to the planned reorganizations of MFS funds into MMT and the adviser transition to Aberdeen, making the proposal conditional on those approvals.

Investors should note Aberdeen's scale: it reports $506B AUM and management of 27 closed-end funds totaling $25.6B as of March 31, 2026, which provides context for its closed-end fund experience.

Key Figures

Proposed policy: Average investment grade credit quality Assets under management: $506 billion Closed-end funds managed: 27 funds +1 more

4 metrics

Proposed policy Average investment grade credit quality Intended future fundamental investment policy after transaction

Assets under management $506 billion abrdn AUM as of March 31, 2026

Closed-end funds managed 27 funds abrdn closed-end funds (15 U.S., 12 outside U.S.) as of March 31, 2026

Assets in closed-end funds $25.6 billion Total assets in abrdn-managed closed-end funds as of March 31, 2026

Key Terms

fundamental investment policies, average investment grade credit quality, closed-end fund, dividend reinvestment plan

4 terms

fundamental investment policies regulatory

"intend to submit a proposal to the Fund’s Board of Trustees to amend the Fund’s fundamental investment policies"

average investment grade credit quality financial

"manage MMT to maintain an average investment grade credit quality portfolio"

closed-end fund financial

"Shares of closed-end funds are listed for trading on national securities exchanges"

A closed-end fund is a pool of money collected from many investors to buy a diversified mix of stocks, bonds, or other assets, and it is managed by professionals. Unlike some investment options, its shares are bought and sold on stock exchanges at prices determined by supply and demand, which can be above or below the fund's actual value. This structure allows investors to buy or sell shares easily, but the value may fluctuate based on market conditions.

dividend reinvestment plan financial

"Shareholders whose fund shares trade at a premium and who participate in the fund’s dividend reinvestment plan"

A dividend reinvestment plan lets shareholders automatically use cash dividends to buy more shares of the same company instead of receiving the money. It matters to investors because it turns regular payouts into a steady way to grow ownership and take advantage of compound returns—like having your savings automatically buy additional slices of a pie over time—while often reducing transaction costs and smoothing purchase timing.

Filed by MFS Multimarket Income Trust

pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933

and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12

under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Subject Companies:

MFS Charter Income Trust

File No.: 811-05822

MFS Intermediate High Income Fund

File No.: 811-05567

Date: May 11, 2026

abrdn Inc. Announces Intention to Propose a Future Policy Amendment for Aberdeen Multimarket
Income Trust, Subject to Shareholder Approval

(Philadelphia, May 11, 2026) – abrdn Inc. (“Aberdeen”), the proposed investment adviser to the MFS Multimarket Income Trust (“MMT” or the “Fund”), which is expected to be renamed the “Aberdeen Multimarket Income Fund” upon completion of the proposed transaction, announced today that, subject to applicable approvals, it intends to propose a future policy amendment to Fund shareholders for consideration and approval.

As previously announced by MFS on December 11, 2025, and as described in more detail in a joint prospectus/proxy statement mailed to shareholders of the Fund and the other participating funds and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), it is proposed that, subject to shareholder approval, Aberdeen serve as investment adviser to MMT, together with the reorganization of certain other MFS closed-end funds; MFS Charter Income (“MCR”) and MFS Intermediate High Income (“CIF”), with and into MMT (collectively, the “Reorganizations”).

In additional proxy solicitation materials filed with the SEC on February 23, 2026, Aberdeen disclosed that, under normal market conditions, it intends to manage MMT to maintain an average investment grade credit quality portfolio.

Intended Future Proposed Fundamental Investment Policy

Following the completion of the Transaction, which remains subject to certain shareholder approvals, Aberdeen intends to submit a proposal to the Fund’s Board of Trustees and, if approved, to shareholders, to amend the Fund’s fundamental investment policies in order to require the Fund, under normal circumstances, to maintain an investment portfolio with an average credit quality qualifying as investment grade.

Any such proposal would be made only if shareholders of MCR approve the proposed reorganization and the adviser transition to Aberdeen is completed.

No Immediate Change to Investment Policies

Unless otherwise announced or until completion of the proposed Reorganizations and the investment adviser transition described in the aforementioned MMT joint prospectus/proxy statement, MMT will continue to operate in accordance with its current investment objectives, policies, and restrictions.

Circular 230 disclosure: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

Important Information

Shares of closed-end funds are listed for trading on national securities exchanges and are bought and sold in the secondary market. The market price of a fund’s shares is determined by supply and demand and may be greater than (a “premium”) or less than (a “discount”) the fund’s net asset value (NAV). A fund’s investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and investors may receive more or less than their original investment upon the sale of shares. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The trading price of a closed-end fund’s shares may be influenced by various factors, including market conditions, investor sentiment, and other external forces, and is not directly controlled by the fund, its Board of Directors, or its investment adviser. As a result, shares may trade at a premium to or discount from NAV at any given time. A premium to NAV may not be sustained, and a discount to NAV may increase or decrease over time. Investors should consider these risks when purchasing or selling closed-end fund shares.

Shareholders whose fund shares trade at a premium to NAV and who participate in the fund’s dividend reinvestment plan should be aware that distributions may be reinvested at prices above NAV, which may adversely affect investment results.

About Aberdeen Investments

Aberdeen Investments Global is the trade name of Aberdeen’s investments business, herein referred to as “Aberdeen Investments” or “Aberdeen”. In the United States, Aberdeen Investments refers to the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., abrdn Investments Limited, and abrdn Asia Limited.

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 $506 billion in assets under management. Closed-end funds represent a core component of Aberdeen Investments’ client franchise in both the U.S. and global markets. Aberdeen and its affiliates currently manage 27 closed-end funds – 15 available in the U.S. and 12 outside the U.S. – totaling $25.6 billion in assets as of March 31, 2026.

For More Information Contact:

Aberdeen Investments U.S. Closed-End Funds

Investor Relations

1-800-522-5465

investor.relations@aberdeenplc.com

Closed-End Funds | Aberdeen

FAQ

What change is abrdn (MCR) proposing for Aberdeen Multimarket Income Trust?

abrdn plans to propose a fundamental policy amendment to require an average credit quality of investment grade. The proposal is conditional on shareholder approval and completion of planned reorganizations and the adviser transition described in the joint prospectus/proxy materials.

When would the Fund's investment policy change take effect?

The policy change would take effect only after shareholder approval and completion of the reorganizations and adviser transition. Until those steps are completed, the Fund remains governed by its current investment objectives, policies, and restrictions.

Does abrdn expect to change the Fund's adviser immediately?

No. Aberdeen's adviser appointment and any policy amendment are conditional and tied to shareholder votes and reorganizations. The filing states there will be no immediate change until the reorganization and adviser transition are completed.

What experience does Aberdeen cite for managing closed-end funds?

Aberdeen reports managing $506B in assets and 27 closed-end funds totaling $25.6B as of March 31, 2026. The filing highlights decades of closed-end fund experience dating to the 1980s.

Will the Fund's NAV or market trading be directly controlled by this change?

No. The filing emphasizes that closed-end fund share prices are determined by market supply and demand and may trade at premiums or discounts to NAV. The proposed policy relates to portfolio credit quality, not direct control of secondary-market pricing.