N-CSRS 1 dncsrs.htm MFS HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL TRUST N-CSRS MFS HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL TRUST N-CSRS
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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 811-4992

MFS HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

500 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Susan S. Newton

Massachusetts Financial Services Company

500 Boylston Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(Name and address of agents for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

Date of reporting period: May 31, 2010


Table of Contents
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


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LOGO

LOGO

Semiannual report

MFS® High Yield Municipal Trust

5/31/10

CMU-SEM


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MFS® High Yield Municipal Trust

 

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: CMU

 

LETTER FROM THE CEO   1
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION   2
MARKET ENVIRONMENT   4
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS OF THE FUND   5
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS’ PROFILES   7
OTHER NOTES   7
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN   8
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS   9
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES   30
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS   31
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   32
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   33
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   35
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   46
BOARD REVIEW OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT   47
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND INFORMATION   47
QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO DISCLOSURE   47
FURTHER INFORMATION   47
CONTACT INFORMATION   BACK COVER

 

NOT FDIC INSURED Ÿ MAY LOSE VALUE Ÿ NO BANK GUARANTEE

 


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LOGO

 

LETTER FROM THE CEO

Dear Shareholders:

After having suffered their biggest declines since the Great Depression, most global markets experienced an impressive resurgence during the latter months of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010. The global economy was able to reap the benefits of two major trends. The first of these was the massive efforts of governments and central banks to increase liquidity in the financial system as they sought to prevent the credit crisis from further affecting the banking system. The second was the move by companies around the world to cut costs and operations to prepare for rapidly changing market conditions. We believe that these moves not only shortened the length of the downturn but also set the stage for recovery.

Even with the significant market gains of 2009 and the early part of 2010, the recovery is unrolling at a moderate pace, with rebounds in the manufacturing sector and corporate America leading the way. Central bankers are proceeding with caution and many have held benchmark interest rates unchanged as they debate the best way to withdraw stimulus measures without disrupting the fragile growth process. Complicating that debate late in the period was the emergence of the European debt crisis and worries about whether this crisis could derail the global recovery.

While hurdles remain, we believe that the global economy is proceeding on the road to recovery. As always, we continue to be mindful of the many challenges faced at the individual, national, and international levels. It is at times such as these that we want to remind investors of the merits of maintaining a long-term view, adhering to basic investing principles such as asset allocation and diversification, and working closely with advisors to identify and research investment opportunities. At MFS®, we take particular pride in how well mutual funds can help investors by providing the diversification that is important in any type of market climate.

Respectfully,

LOGO

Robert J. Manning

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

MFS Investment Management®

July 15, 2010

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

 

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PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Portfolio structure

LOGO

 

Top five industries reflecting equivalent exposure of derivative positions (i)
Healthcare Revenue — Hospitals   23.9%
Healthcare Revenue — Long Term Care   16.9%
Tax Assessment   5.7%
Universities — Colleges   5.2%
Tobacco   5.0%

 

Portfolio structure reflecting equivalent exposure of derivative positions (i)(j)

LOGO

 

Composition including fixed income credit quality (a)(i)
AAA   9.3%
AA   16.6%
A   10.3%
BBB   28.0%
BB   5.7%
B   2.8%
CCC   1.8%
Other   25.5%
Portfolio facts (i)  
Average Duration (d)   13.2
Average Effective Maturity (m)   19.3 yrs.

 

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Portfolio Composition – continued

 

(a) Included in the rating categories are: debt securities, which have long-term public ratings. All rated securities are assigned a rating in accordance with the following ratings hierarchy: If a security is rated by Moody’s, then that rating is used; if not rated by Moody’s, then a Standard & Poor’s rating is used; if not rated by S&P, then a Fitch rating is used. Any equity securities are listed separately. The “Other” category includes cash, other assets, liabilities (including any derivative offsets), short-term and unrated debt securities. Ratings from Moody’s (e.g., Aaa) are shown in the S&P and Fitch scale (e.g. AAA). All ratings are subject to change.

 

(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.

 

(i) For purposes of this presentation, the components include the market value of securities, and reflect the impact of the equivalent exposure of derivative positions, if applicable. These amounts may be negative from time to time. The bond component will include any accrued interest amounts. 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 market value.

 

(j) For the purpose of managing the fund’s duration, the fund holds short treasury futures with a bond equivalent exposure of (16.4)%, which reduce the fund’s interest exposure but not its credit exposure.

 

(m) In determining an 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.

Percentages are based on net assets, including the value of auction preferred shares, as of 5/31/10, unless otherwise noted.

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

 

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MARKET ENVIRONMENT

After having suffered through one of the largest and most concentrated downturns since the 1930s, most asset markets staged a remarkable rebound during 2009 and early 2010. This recovery in global activity, which covers this reporting period, has been led importantly by emerging Asian economies, but broadening to include most of the global economy to varying degrees. Primary drivers of the recovery included an unwinding of the inventory destocking that took place earlier, the production of manufacturing and capital goods, as well as massive fiscal and monetary stimulus.

During the worst of the credit crisis, policy makers globally loosened monetary and fiscal policy on a massive scale. Having reached their lower bound on policy rates prior to the beginning of the reporting period, several central banks were implementing quantitative easing as a means to further loosen monetary policy to offset the continuing fall in global economic activity. However, by the beginning of the period, there were ever-broadening signs that the global macroeconomic deterioration had passed, which caused the subsequent rise in asset valuations. As most asset prices rebounded during the period and the demand for liquidity waned, the debate concerning the existence of asset bubbles and the need for monetary exit strategies had begun, creating added uncertainty regarding the forward path of policy rates. Late in the period, though, heightened risk surrounding the public-debt profiles of several of the peripheral European countries caused risky asset valuations to retrench considerably.

Headline risk will likely continue to be a source of volatility in the municipal bond market as issuers prepare and finalize their 2011 fiscal year budgets. Heightened sensitivity to sovereign risk issues has exacerbated the market’s concerns about the state of municipal finance, giving rise to comparisons to peripheral European issuers that we feel divert investor attention from the fundamental solvency and sustainability of the majority of municipal issuers. We think it will take time for spending cuts to catch up with reduced revenue and for deficits to abate, and we recognize the challenges posed by unfunded liabilities, exhaustion of Federal stimulus monies, and a variety of other factors. Nevertheless, we feel that municipal bond issuers’ revenues are beginning to stabilize.

 

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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, PRINCIPAL

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

OF THE FUND

Investment Objective

The fund’s investment objective is to seek high current income exempt from federal income tax, but may also consider capital appreciation. The fund’s objective may be changed without shareholder approval.

Principal Investment Strategies

The fund invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets, including assets attributable to preferred shares and borrowings for investment purposes, in tax-exempt bonds and tax-exempt notes. This policy may not be changed without shareholder approval. Tax-exempt bonds and tax-exempt notes are municipal instruments, the interest of which is exempt from federal income tax. Interest from the fund’s investments may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. MFS may also invest in taxable instruments.

MFS may invest 25% or more of the fund’s total assets in municipal instruments that finance similar projects, such as those relating to education, healthcare, housing, utilities, water, or sewers.

MFS may invest up to 100% of the fund’s assets in lower quality debt instruments.

MFS may invest a relatively high percentage of the fund’s assets in the debt instruments of a single issuer or a small number of issuers.

MFS may use derivatives for different purposes, including to earn income and enhance returns, to increase or decrease exposure to a particular market, to manage or adjust the risk profile of the fund, or as alternatives to direct investments.

MFS uses a bottom-up investment approach in buying and selling investments for the fund. Investments are selected primarily based on fundamental analysis of instruments and their issuers in light of current market, economic, political, and regulatory conditions. Factors considered may include the instrument’s credit quality, collateral characteristics, and indenture provisions, and the issuer’s management ability, capital structure, leverage, and ability to meet its current obligations. Quantitative analysis of the structure of the instrument and its features may also be considered.

The fund uses leverage through the issuance of preferred shares and/or the creation of tender option bonds, and then investing the proceeds pursuant to its investment strategies. If approved by the fund’s Board of Trustees, the fund may use leverage by other methods.

MFS may engage in active and frequent trading in pursuing the fund’s principal investment strategies.

 

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Investment Objective, Principal Investment Strategies and Risks of the Fund – continued

 

In response to market, economic, political, or other conditions, MFS may depart from the fund’s principal investment strategies by temporarily investing for defensive purposes.

Principal Risks

The portfolio’s yield and share prices change daily based on the credit quality of its investments and changes in interest rates. In general, the value of debt securities will decline when interest rates rise and will increase when interest rates fall. Debt securities with longer maturity dates will generally be subject to greater price fluctuations than those with shorter maturities. Municipal instruments can be volatile and significantly affected by adverse tax or court rulings, legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers and/or insurers of municipal instruments. If the Internal Revenue Service determines an issuer of a municipal security has not complied with applicable tax requirements, interest from the security could become taxable and the security could decline significantly in value. Derivatives can be highly volatile and involve risks in addition to those of the underlying indicators upon whose value the derivative is based. Gains or losses from derivatives can be substantially greater than the derivatives’ original cost. Lower quality debt securities involve substantially greater risk of default and their value can decline significantly over time. To the extent that investments are purchased with the proceeds from the issuance of preferred shares, the fund’s net asset value will increase or decrease at a greater rate than a comparable unleveraged fund. To the extent that the fund participates in the creation of tender option bonds, it will hold more concentrated positions in individual securities and so its performance may be more volatile than the performance of more diversified funds. A tender option bond issue may terminate upon the occurrence of certain enumerated events, which would result in a reduction in the fund’s leverage. In connection with the creation of tender option bonds and for other investment purposes, the fund may invest in inverse floating rate investments, whose potential income return is inversely related to changes in a floating interest rate. Inverse floating rate investments may provide investment leverage and be more volatile than other debt instruments. When you sell your shares, they may be worth more or less than the amount you paid for them. Please see the fund’s registration statement for further information regarding these and other risk considerations. A copy of the fund’s registration statement on Form N-2 is available on the EDGAR database on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Internet Web site at http://sec.gov and on the MFS Web site at mfs.com.

 

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 common and/or preferred 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.

 

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PORTFOLIO MANAGERS’ PROFILES

 

Gary Lasman     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 2002. Portfolio manager of the fund since June 2007.
Geoffrey Schechter     Investment Officer of MFS; employed in the investment area of MFS since 1993. Portfolio manager of the fund since June 2007.

OTHER NOTES

The fund’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to net asset value. Shareholders do not have the right to cause the fund to repurchase their shares at 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 liquidation. As a result, the total return that is calculated based on the net asset value and New York Stock Exchange price can be different.

 

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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND

CASH PURCHASE PLAN

The fund offers a Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) that allows common shareholders to reinvest either all of the distributions paid by the fund or only the long-term capital gains. Generally, purchases are made at the market price unless that price exceeds the net asset value (the shares are trading at a premium). If the shares are trading at a premium, purchases will be made at a price of either the net asset value or 95% of the market price, whichever is greater. You can also buy shares on a quarterly basis in any amount $100 and over. The Plan Agent will purchase shares under the Cash Purchase Plan on the 15th of January, April, July, and October or shortly thereafter.

If shares are registered in your own name, new shareholders will automatically participate in the Plan, unless you have indicated that you do not wish to participate. If your shares are in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you can ask the firm or nominee to participate in the Plan on your behalf. If the nominee does not offer the Plan, you may wish to request that your shares be re-registered in your own name so that you can participate. There is no service charge to reinvest distributions, nor are there brokerage charges for shares issued directly by the fund. However, when shares are bought on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise on the open market, each participant pays a pro rata share of the transaction expenses, including commissions. Dividends and capital gains distributions are taxable whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares – the automatic reinvestment of distributions does not relieve you of any income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on the distributions.

You may withdraw from the Plan at any time by going to the Plan Agent’s website at www.computershare.com, by calling 1-800-637-2304 any business day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time or by writing to the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940-3078. Please have available the name of the fund and your account number. For certain types of registrations, such as corporate accounts, instructions must be submitted in writing. Please call for additional details. When you withdraw from the Plan, you can receive the value of the reinvested shares in one of three ways: your full shares will be held in your account, the Plan Agent will sell your shares and send the proceeds to you, or you may transfer your full shares to your investment professional who can hold or sell them. Additionally, the Plan Agent will sell your fractional shares and send the proceeds to you.

If you have any questions or for further information or a copy of the Plan, contact the Plan Agent Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the Transfer Agent for the fund) at 1-800-637-2304, at the Plan Agent’s website at www.computershare.com, or by writing to the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940-3078.

 

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PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

5/31/10 (unaudited)

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

 

Municipal Bonds - 158.3%             
Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Airport & Port Revenue - 4.1%             
Branson, MO, Regional Airport Transportation Development District Airport Rev., “B”, 6%, 2037    $ 460,000   $ 240,290
Dallas Fort Worth, TX, International Airport Rev. Improvement, “B”, AGM, 5%, 2025      3,000,000     3,022,290
Maryland Economic Development Corp. Rev. (Terminal Project), “B”, 5.75%, 2035      285,000     289,546
Port Authority NY & NJ, Cons Thirty Seventh, AGM, 5.125%, 2030      1,450,000     1,491,847
        
           $ 5,043,973
General Obligations - General Purpose - 0.4%             
Luzerne County, PA, AGM, 6.75%, 2023    $ 455,000   $ 491,805
General Obligations - Improvement - 0.3%             
Guam Government, “A”, 6.75%, 2029    $ 140,000   $ 151,364
Guam Government, “A”, 7%, 2039      160,000     173,326
        
           $ 324,690
General Obligations - Schools - 2.2%             
Beverly Hills, CA, Unified School District, Capital Appreciation, (Election of 2008), 0%, 2029    $ 2,195,000   $ 828,503
Beverly Hills, CA, Unified School District, Capital Appreciation (Election of 2008), 0%, 2031      275,000     90,907
Beverly Hills, CA, Unified School District, Capital Appreciation (Election of 2008), 0%, 2032      280,000     86,526
Beverly Hills, CA, Unified School District, Capital Appreciation (Election of 2008), 0%, 2033      560,000     162,277
Irving, TX, Independent School District, “A”, Capital Appreciation, PSF, 0%, 2016      1,000,000     864,540
Los Angeles, CA, Unified School District, “D”, 5%, 2034      165,000     167,764
San Jacinto, TX, Community College District, 5.125%, 2038      430,000     451,577
        
           $ 2,652,094
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - 38.0%             
Allegheny County, PA, Hospital Development Authority Rev. (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), “A”, 5.375%, 2029    $ 440,000   $ 458,608
Allegheny County, PA, Hospital Development Authority Rev. (West Penn Allegheny Health), “A”, 5%, 2028      435,000     358,131
Allegheny County, PA, Hospital Development Authority Rev. (West Penn Allegheny Health), “A”, 5.375%, 2040      625,000     492,556
Atchison, KS, Hospital Rev. (Atchison Hospital Assn.), “A”, 6.75%, 2030      320,000     310,019

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - continued             
Birmingham, AL, Baptist Medical Center, Special Care Facilities Rev. (Baptist Health Systems, Inc.), “A”, 5%, 2030    $ 500,000   $ 438,855
Brunswick, GA, Hospital Authority Rev. (Glynn-Brunswick Memorial Hospital), 5.625%, 2034      170,000     176,458
California Health Facilities Financing Authority Rev. (St. Joseph Health System), “A”, 5.75%, 2039      185,000     193,096
California Health Facilities Financing Authority Rev. (Sutter Health), “A”, 5%, 2042      500,000     470,975
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Catholic Healthcare West), “K”, ASSD GTY, 5.5%, 2041      625,000     644,913
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Catholic Healthcare West), “L”, ASSD GTY, 5.25%, 2041      870,000     882,276
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Children’s Hospital), 5%, 2047      290,000     232,284
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (St. Joseph Health System), FGIC, 5.75%, 2047      635,000     644,176
Cullman County, AL, Health Care Authority (Cullman Regional Medical Center), “A”, 6.75%, 2029      60,000     61,895
Delaware County, PA, Authority Rev. (Mercy Health Corp.), ETM, 6%, 2016 (c)      965,000     992,744
Delaware County, PA, Authority Rev. (Mercy Health Corp.), ETM, 6%, 2026 (c)      500,000     572,990
Erie County, PA, Hospital Authority Rev. (St. Vincent’s Health), “A”, 7%, 2027      410,000     414,838
Garden City, MI, Hospital Finance Authority Rev. (Garden City Hospital), 5%, 2038      500,000     329,765
Genesee County, NY, Industrial Development Agency Civic Facility Rev. (United Memorial Medical Center), 5%, 2027      90,000     77,360
Harris County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Hospital Rev. (Memorial Hermann Healthcare Systems), “B”, 7.25%, 2035      205,000     232,958
Idaho Health Facilities Authority Rev. (IHC Hospitals, Inc.), ETM, 6.65%, 2021 (c)      2,750,000     3,556,795
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Children’s Memorial Hospital), “A”, ASSD GTY, 5.25%, 2047      870,000     868,512
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Edward Hospital), “A”, AMBAC, 5.5%, 2040      1,090,000     1,097,358
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Kewanee Hospital), 5.1%, 2031      410,000     327,615
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Provena Health), “A”, 7.75%, 2034      485,000     557,236
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Silver Cross Hospital & Medical Centers), 6.875%, 2038      485,000     507,630
Indiana Health & Educational Facilities Finance Authority Rev. (Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc.), “E”, AGM, 5.25%, 2041      660,000     671,939

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - continued             
Indiana Health & Educational Facilities Finance Authority, Hospital Rev. (Clarian Health), “A”, 5%, 2039    $ 1,745,000   $ 1,636,374
Indiana Health & Educational Facilities Finance Authority, Hospital Rev. (Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana), 5.5%, 2037      945,000     935,900
Indiana Health & Educational Financing Authority Rev. (Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana), “A”, 6%, 2034      425,000     435,302
Johnson City, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board Hospital Rev. (Mountain States Health Alliance), “A”, 5.5%, 2036      410,000     396,753
Johnson City, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board Hospital Rev. (Mountain States Health), “A”, 5.5%, 2031      1,120,000     1,096,693
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Baptist Healthcare System), “A”, 5.375%, 2024      300,000     325,695
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Baptist Healthcare System), “A”, 5.625%, 2027      100,000     108,627
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Owensboro Medical Health System), “A”, 6.375%, 2040      570,000     585,504
Lake County, OH, Hospital Facilities Rev. (Lake Hospital Systems, Inc.), 5.625%, 2029      435,000     425,717
Lebanon County, PA, Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Good Samaritan Hospital), 5.9%, 2028      210,000     209,057
Louisiana Public Facilities Authority Hospital Rev. (Lake Charles Memorial Hospital), 6.375%, 2034      880,000     831,688
Louisville & Jefferson County, KY, Metro Government Health Facilities Rev. (Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s Healthcare), 6.125%, 2037      1,315,000     1,380,789
Louisville & Jefferson County, KY, Metropolitan Government Healthcare Systems Rev. (Norton Healthcare, Inc.), 5.25%, 2036      1,265,000     1,238,397
Lufkin, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Rev. (Memorial Health System), 5.5%, 2032      60,000     56,036
Lufkin, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Rev. (Memorial Health System), 5.5%, 2037      60,000     55,205
Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Anne Arundel Health System), “A”, 6.75%, 2039      735,000     844,096
Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Washington County Hospital), 6%, 2043      120,000     121,741
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Boston Medical Center), 5.25%, 2038      1,000,000     888,830
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Jordan Hospital), “E”, 6.75%, 2033      250,000     246,505
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Milford-Whitinsville Hospital), “C”, 5.25%, 2018      500,000     474,575
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Quincy Medical Center), “A”, 6.5%, 2038      340,000     300,563

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - continued             
Montgomery, AL, Medical Clinic Board Health Care Facility Rev. (Jackson Hospital & Clinic), 5.25%, 2031    $ 125,000   $ 117,041
Montgomery, AL, Medical Clinic Board Health Care Facility Rev. (Jackson Hospital & Clinic), 5.25%, 2036      825,000     764,643
New Hampshire Business Finance Authority Rev. (Elliot Hospital Obligated Group), “A”, 6%, 2027      585,000     600,058
New Hampshire Health & Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Catholic Medical Center), “A”, 6.125%, 2012 (c)      175,000     195,962
New Hampshire Health & Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Catholic Medical Center), “A”, 6.125%, 2032      25,000     25,227
New Hampshire Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Memorial Hospital at Conway), 5.25%, 2021      530,000     523,041
New Hanover County, N.C., Hospital Rev., AGM, 5.125%, 2031      895,000     924,768
New Jersey Health Care Facilities, Financing Authority Rev. (St. Peter’s University Hospital), 5.75%, 2037      545,000     550,575
New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council, Hospital Rev. (Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital), “A”, 5%, 2017      285,000     266,295
New York Dormitory Authority Rev., Non-State Supported Debt (Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center), LOC, 6.5%, 2030      190,000     212,449
New York Dormitory Authority Rev., Non-State Supported Debt (Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center), LOC, 6.25%, 2035      115,000     126,307
Norman, OK, Regional Hospital Authority Rev., 5%, 2027      155,000     131,228
Norman, OK, Regional Hospital Authority Rev., 5.375%, 2029      90,000     77,898
Norman, OK, Regional Hospital Authority Rev., 5.375%, 2036      235,000     192,035
Norman, OK, Regional Hospital Authority Rev., 5.125%, 2037      415,000     325,016
Ohio Higher Education Facilities Rev. (Ashland University Project), 6.25%, 2024      585,000     583,403
Olympia, WA, Healthcare Facilities Authority Rev. (Catholic Health Initiatives), “D”, 6.375%, 2036      1,095,000     1,215,330
Orange County, FL, Health Facilities Authority Hospital Rev. (Orlando Regional Healthcare), 5.75%, 2012 (c)      150,000     168,261
Palomar Pomerado Health Care District, CA, COP, 6.75%, 2039      1,010,000     1,080,286
Philadelphia, PA, Hospitals & Higher Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Temple University Health System), “A”, 6.625%, 2023      375,000     375,075
Philadelphia, PA, Hospitals & Higher Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Temple University Health System), “A”, 5.5%, 2030      480,000     430,531
Rhode Island Health & Educational Building Corp. Rev., Hospital Financing (Lifespan Obligated Group), “A”, ASSD GTY, 7%, 2039      660,000     747,668
Royal Oak, MI, Hospital Finance Authority Rev. (William Beaumont Hospital), 8.25%, 2039      485,000     579,143
Salida, CO, Hospital District Rev., 5.25%, 2036      735,000     596,203

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Healthcare Revenue - Hospitals - continued             
Skagit County, WA, Public Hospital District No. 001 Rev. (Skagit Valley Hospital), 5.75%, 2032    $ 90,000   $ 88,661
South Lake County, FL, Hospital District Rev. (South Lake Hospital), 6.375%, 2034      250,000     254,345
South Lake County, FL, Hospital District Rev. (South Lake Hospital), “A”, 6%, 2029      85,000     87,335
South Lake County, FL, Hospital District Rev. (South Lake Hospital), “A”, 6.25%, 2039      125,000     128,484
Southwestern, IL, Development Authority Rev. (Anderson Hospital), 5.375%, 2015      500,000     502,525
Southwestern, IL, Development Authority Rev. (Anderson Hospital), 5.5%, 2020      550,000     550,138
Southwestern, IL, Development Authority Rev. (Anderson Hospital), 5.125%, 2026      500,000     467,305
Sullivan County, TN, Health, Educational & Housing Facilities Board Hospital Rev. (Wellmont Health Systems Project), “C”, 5.25%, 2036      1,085,000     968,829
Sumner County, TN, Health, Educational & Housing Facilities Board Rev. (Sumner Regional Health Systems, Inc.), “A”, 5.5%, 2046      375,000     322,500
Tyler, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. (East Texas Medical Center), “A”, 5.25%, 2032      230,000     215,876
Tyler, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. (East Texas Medical Center), “A”, 5.375%, 2037      190,000     177,984
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Hospital Rev. (Wellmont Health Project), “A”, 5.25%, 2037      470,000     422,939
Washington Health Care Facilities Authority Rev. (Multicare Health Systems), “B”, ASSD GTY, 6%, 2039      440,000     472,428
West Contra Costa, CA, Healthcare District, AMBAC, 5.5%, 2029      105,000     107,884
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Aurora Health Care, Inc.), 6.4%, 2033      350,000     358,778
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Fort Healthcare, Inc.), 6.1%, 2034      750,000     760,080
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Wheaton Franciscan Services), 5.75%, 2012 (c)      450,000     493,425
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Wheaton Franciscan Services), 5.25%, 2034      935,000     829,672
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Wheaton Franciscan Services), “A”, 5.25%, 2025      390,000     369,602
        
           $ 46,553,262
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - 26.7%             
ABAG Finance Authority for Non-Profit Corps., CA, Rev. (Casa de las Campanas), 6%, 2037    $ 90,000   $ 90,958

 

13


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - continued             
Abilene, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Retirement Facilities Rev. (Sears Methodist Retirement Systems, Inc.), “A”, 5.9%, 2025    $ 750,000   $ 628,605
Abilene, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Retirement Facilities Rev. (Sears Methodist Retirement Systems, Inc.), “A”, 7%, 2033      200,000     177,046
Boston, MA, Industrial Development Financing Authority Rev. (Springhouse, Inc.), 5.875%, 2020      235,000     229,842
Bucks County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Retirement Community Rev. (Ann’s Choice, Inc.), “A”, 6.125%, 2025      500,000     472,145
Bucks County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Lutheran Community Telford Center), 5.75%, 2027      90,000     78,264
Bucks County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Lutheran Community Telford Center), 5.75%, 2037      120,000     97,468
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (American Baptist Homes of the West), 6.25%, 2039      215,000     214,976
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Eskaton Properties, Inc.), 8.25%, 2010 (c)      695,000     732,023
Capital Projects Finance Authority, FL (Glenridge on Palmer Ranch), “A”, 8%, 2012 (c)      500,000     574,095
Chartiers Valley, PA, Industrial & Commercial Development Authority (Friendship Village), “A”, 5.75%, 2020      1,000,000     1,000,210
Chartiers Valley, PA, Industrial & Commercial Development Authority Rev. (Asbury Health Center), 6.375%, 2024      1,000,000     958,540
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (American Housing Foundation, Inc.), 8.5%, 2011 (c)      530,000     586,715
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Christian Living Communities Project), “A”, 5.75%, 2037      500,000     435,270
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Covenant Retirement Communities, Inc.), 5%, 2035      1,100,000     925,683
Colorado Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Evangelical Lutheran), “A”, 6.125%, 2038      120,000     122,872
Columbus, GA, Housing Authority Rev. (Calvary Community, Inc.), 7%, 2019      400,000     360,808
Cumberland County, PA, Municipal Authority Rev. (Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries), 6.125%, 2029      695,000     704,904
Fulton County, GA, Residential Care Facilities (Canterbury Court), “A”, 6.125%, 2026      500,000     469,050
Fulton County, GA, Residential Care Facilities, Elderly Authority Rev. (Lenbrook Square Foundation, Inc.), “A”, 5%, 2029      1,500,000     1,061,085
Hamden, CT, Facility Rev. (Whitney Center Project), “A”, 7.625%, 2030      65,000     67,794
Hamden, CT, Facility Rev. (Whitney Center Project), “A”, 7.75%, 2043      325,000     339,004

 

14


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - continued             
Hawaii Department of Budget & Finance, Special Purpose Rev. (15 Craigside Project), “A”, 9%, 2044    $ 140,000   $ 156,950
Houston, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. (Buckingham Senior Living Community), “A”, 7%, 2014 (c)      500,000     600,920
Howard County, MD, Retirement Facilities Rev. (Vantage House Corp.), “A”, 5.25%, 2033      200,000     160,762
Huntington, NY, Housing Authority Rev. (Gurwin Senior Jewish Residences), “A”, 5.875%, 2019      390,000     356,171
Huntington, NY, Housing Authority Rev. (Gurwin Senior Jewish Residences), “A”, 6%, 2029      650,000     536,900
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Evangelical Retirement Homes of Greater Chicago, Inc.), 7.25%, 2045      850,000     843,472
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Smith Village), “A”, 6.25%, 2035      1,000,000     849,910
Illinois Health Facilities Authority Rev. (Smith Crossing), “A”, 7%, 2032      525,000     482,858
Indiana Health Facilities Financing Authority Rev. (Hoosier Care, Inc.), “A”, 7.125%, 2034      995,000     838,208
Iowa Finance Authority, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Care Initiatives), 9.25%, 2011 (c)      895,000     993,155
Iowa Finance Authority, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Care Initiatives), “B”, 5.75%, 2018      505,000     466,226
Iowa Finance Authority, Health Care Facilities Rev. (Care Initiatives), “B”, 5.75%, 2028      1,475,000     1,209,072
James City County, VA, Economic Development (WindsorMeade Project), “A”, 5.5%, 2037      440,000     269,707
Kent County, DE, Assisted Living (Heritage at Dover LLC), 7.625%, 2030      1,095,000     935,349
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Health Facilities Rev. (AHF/Kentucky-Iowa, Inc.), 8%, 2029      375,000     375,626
La Verne, CA, COP (Brethren Hillcrest Homes), “B”, 6.625%, 2025      525,000     525,247
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Adventcare), “A”, 6.75%, 2037      695,000     601,745
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Alliance Health of Brockton, Inc.), “A”, 7.1%, 2032      1,065,000     954,197
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Linden Ponds, Inc.), “A”, 5.5%, 2027      185,000     137,955
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Linden Ponds, Inc.), “A”, 5.75%, 2035      45,000     32,369
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Loomis Communities, Inc.), “A”, 5.625%, 2015      190,000     187,382
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (Loomis Communities, Inc.), “A”, 6.9%, 2032      125,000     125,308

 

15


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - continued             
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (The Groves in Lincoln), “A”, 7.75%, 2039    $ 80,000   $ 82,822
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Rev. (The Groves in Lincoln), “A”, 7.875%, 2044      115,000     119,612
Massachusetts Industrial Finance Agency Rev. (GF/Massachusetts, Inc.), 8.3%, 2023      725,000     365,444
Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board Rev. (Blakeford at Green Hills), 5.65%, 2024      575,000     499,664
Montgomery County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Whitemarsh Continuing Care), 6.125%, 2028      150,000     121,922
Montgomery County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Whitemarsh Continuing Care), 6.25%, 2035      600,000     463,992
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (Lions Gate), “A”, 5.75%, 2025      400,000     359,124
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (Lions Gate), “A”, 5.875%, 2037      300,000     252,270
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (Seabrook Village, Inc.), 5.25%, 2026      500,000     442,475
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (Seabrook Village, Inc.), 5.25%, 2036      500,000     413,910
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (Seabrook Village, Inc.), “A”, 8.25%, 2010 (c)      700,000     731,731
Norfolk, VA, Redevelopment & Housing Authority Rev. (Fort Norfolk Retirement Community), “A”, 6.125%, 2035      195,000     173,441
Roseville, MN, Elder Care Facilities (Care Institute, Inc.), 7.75%, 2023      1,630,000     1,264,603
Savannah, GA, Economic Development Authority, First Mortgage (Marshes of Skidway), “A”, 7.4%, 2034      350,000     338,261
Shelby County, TN, Health, Educational & Housing Facilities Board Rev. (Germantown Village), “A”, 7.25%, 2034      300,000     293,286
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority Rev. (Woodlands at Furman), “A”, 6%, 2027      280,000     216,899
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority Rev. (Woodlands at Furman), “A”, 6%, 2042      260,000     182,725
South Carolina Jobs & Economic Development Authority, Health Facilities Rev. (Wesley Commons), 5.3%, 2036      200,000     156,960
St. John’s County, FL, Industrial Development Authority (Glenmoor Project), “A”, 5.25%, 2026      500,000     405,915
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility (Air Force Village), 6.125%, 2029      550,000     552,129
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility (Air Force Village), 6.375%, 2044      415,000     414,120

 

16


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Healthcare Revenue - Long Term Care - continued             
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Retirement Facility (Stayton at Museum Way), 8.25%, 2044    $ 770,000   $ 769,068
Travis County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Rev. (Westminster Manor Health), 7%, 2030      130,000     131,616
Travis County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Rev. (Westminster Manor Health), 7.125%, 2040      195,000     197,482
Westmoreland County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Redstone Retirement Community), “A”, 5.875%, 2032      600,000     499,284
Westmoreland County, PA, Industrial Development Retirement Authority Rev. (Redstone Retirement Community), “A”, 5.75%, 2026      1,250,000     1,100,975
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (All Saints Assisted Living Project), 6%, 2037      180,000     159,777
        
           $ 32,676,353
Healthcare Revenue - Other - 0.6%             
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Civic Investments, Inc.), “A”, 9%, 2012 (c)    $ 650,000   $ 754,527
Industrial Revenue - Airlines - 5.2%             
Alliance Airport Authority, Inc., TX (American Airlines, Inc.), 5.25%, 2029    $ 1,560,000   $ 1,032,080
Chicago, IL, O’Hare International Airport Special Facilities Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), 5.5%, 2030      1,025,000     752,504
Clayton County, GA, Development Authority Special Facilities Rev. (Delta Airlines, Inc.), “A”, 8.75%, 2029      200,000     214,166
Clayton County, GA, Development Authority Special Facilities Rev. (Delta Airlines, Inc.), “B”, 9%, 2035      150,000     156,576
Dallas Fort Worth, TX, International Airport Facility Improvement Corp. (American Airlines, Inc.), 5.5%, 2030      750,000     507,150
Houston, TX, Airport Systems Rev., Special Facilities (Continental Airlines, Inc.), “E”, 7%, 2029      200,000     199,672
New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Special Facilities Rev. (Continental Airlines, Inc.), 6.25%, 2029      535,000     497,620
New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Special Facilities Rev. (Continental Airlines, Inc.), 9%, 2033      1,250,000     1,314,125
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agencies Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), 7.5%, 2016      600,000     609,336
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agencies Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), 7.625%, 2025      155,000     157,274
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agencies Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), 7.75%, 2031      385,000     390,502

 

17


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Industrial Revenue - Airlines - continued             
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agency Special Facility Rev. (American Airlines, Inc.), “B”, 8.5%, 2028    $ 500,000   $ 513,285
        
           $ 6,344,290
Industrial Revenue - Chemicals - 1.4%             
Brazos River, TX, Harbor Navigation District (Dow Chemical Co.), “B-2”, 4.95%, 2033    $ 400,000   $ 380,000
Michigan Strategic Fund Ltd. Obligation Rev. (Dow Chemical Co.), 6.25%, 2014      655,000     731,694
Port of Bay, TX, City Authority (Hoechst Celanese Corp.), 6.5%, 2026      660,000     653,506
        
           $ 1,765,200
Industrial Revenue - Environmental Services - 1.3%             
California Pollution Control Financing Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Republic Services, Inc.), “B”, 5.25%, 2023 (b)    $ 135,000   $ 140,684
California Pollution Control Financing Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Waste Management, Inc.), “C”, 5.125%, 2023      655,000     652,144
Carbon County, UT, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Laidlaw Environmental), “A”, 7.45%, 2017      500,000     500,520
Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority, TX (Waste Management, Inc.), “A”, 5.2%, 2028      360,000     360,446
        
           $ 1,653,794
Industrial Revenue - Metals - 0.3%             
State of Indiana Finance Authority, Environmental Rev. (U.S. Steel Corp.), 6%, 2026    $ 390,000   $ 398,225
Industrial Revenue - Other - 3.7%             
Annawan, IL, Tax Increment Rev. (Patriot Renewable Fuels LLC), 5.625%, 2018    $ 350,000   $ 278,835
California Statewide Communities, Development Authority Facilities (Microgy Holdings Project), 9%, 2038 (a)      53,546     5,355
Gulf Coast, TX, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (CITGO Petroleum Corp.), 8%, 2028      375,000     375,878
Houston, TX, Industrial Development Corp. (United Parcel Service, Inc.), 6%, 2023      435,000     418,113
Indianapolis, IN, Airport Authority Rev., Special Facilities (FedEx Corp.), 5.1%, 2017      500,000     524,855
Michigan Strategic Fund Rev. (Michigan Sugar Co.), “A”, 6.25%, 2015      1,000,000     958,260
New Jersey Economic Development Authority Rev. (GMT Realty LLC), “B”, 6.875%, 2037      1,000,000     818,070
Virgin Islands Government Refinery Facilities Rev. (Hovensa Coker Project), 6.5%, 2021      250,000     255,618

 

18


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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Industrial Revenue - Other - continued             
Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority, Refinery Facilities Rev. (Hovensa Coker Project), 5.875%, 2022    $ 400,000   $ 403,216
Will-Kankakee, IL, Regional Development Authority Rev. (Flanders Corp.), 6.5%, 2017      555,000     543,062
        
           $ 4,581,262
Industrial Revenue - Paper - 3.0%             
Beauregard Parish, LA (Boise Cascade Corp.), 6.8%, 2027    $ 1,000,000   $ 867,360
Bedford County, VA, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Nekooska Packaging Corp.), 5.6%, 2025      400,000     383,224
Courtland, AL, Industrial Development Board Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Champion International Corp.), 6%, 2029      1,000,000     987,580
Escambia County, FL, Environmental Improvement Rev. (International Paper Co.), “A”, 5%, 2026      980,000     862,077
Escambia County, FL, Environmental Improvement Rev. (International Paper Co.), “A”, 4.75%, 2030      290,000     236,280
Phenix City, AL, Industrial Development Board Environmental Improvement Rev., “A” (Mead Westvaco Coated Board Project), 6.35%, 2035      400,000     373,516
        
           $ 3,710,037
Miscellaneous Revenue - Entertainment & Tourism - 1.7%             
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, CA, Rev., 5.6%, 2013 (n)    $ 495,000   $ 500,400
Brooklyn, NY, Arena Local Development Corp. (Barclays Center Project), 6%, 2030      135,000     139,290
Brooklyn, NY, Arena Local Development Corp. (Barclays Center Project), 6.25%, 2040      85,000     87,551
Brooklyn, NY, Arena Local Development Corp. (Barclays Center Project), 6.375%, 2043      65,000     66,963
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, OR, “C”, 5.625%, 2026 (n)      650,000     481,007
Mashantucket Western Pequot Tribe, CT, “B”, 0%, 2018 (a)(n)      1,100,000     379,643
New York Liberty Development Corp. Rev. (National Sports Museum), “A”, 6.125%, 2019 (d)      351,999     1,056
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agency Rev. (Queens Baseball Stadium), ASSD GTY, 6.125%, 2029      30,000     33,549
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agency Rev. (Queens Baseball Stadium), ASSD GTY, 6.375%, 2039      25,000     27,630
New York, NY, City Industrial Development Agency Rev. (Queens Baseball Stadium), ASSD GTY, 6.5%, 2046      100,000     111,387
Seminole Tribe, FL, Special Obligation Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2027 (n)      280,000     254,733
        
           $ 2,083,209

 

19


Table of Contents

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Miscellaneous Revenue - Other - 1.9%             
Austin, TX, Convention Center (Convention Enterprises, Inc.), “A”, SYNCORA, 5.25%, 2024    $ 305,000   $ 280,753
Capital Trust Agency, FL (Aero Syracuse LLC), 6.75%, 2032      350,000     332,854
Dallas, TX, Civic Center Convention Complex Rev., ASSD GTY, 5.25%, 2034      845,000     877,406
Summit County, OH, Port Authority Building Rev. (Twinsburg Township), “D”, 5.125%, 2025      630,000     540,905
V Lakes Utility District, MS, Water Systems Rev., 7%, 2037      300,000     265,734
        
           $ 2,297,652
Multi-Family Housing Revenue - 6.3%             
Broward County, FL, Housing Finance Authority Rev. (Chaves Lakes Apartments Ltd.), “A”, 7.5%, 2040    $ 500,000   $ 485,845
Capital Trust Agency, FL, Housing Rev. (Atlantic Housing Foundation), “B”, 7%, 2032      625,000     264,875
Charter Mac Equity Issuer Trust, FHLMC, 6%, 2019 (n)      1,000,000     1,030,080
Charter Mac Equity Issuer Trust, “B”, FHLMC, 7.6%, 2050 (b)(n)      500,000     516,850
Clay County, FL, Housing Finance Authority Rev. (Madison Commons Apartments), “A”, 7.45%, 2040      495,000     468,958
District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (Henson Ridge), “E”, FHA, 5.1%, 2037      655,000     645,555
Durham, NC, Durham Housing Authority Rev. (Magnolia Pointe Apartments), 5.65%, 2038 (b)      927,470     737,060
El Paso County, TX, Housing Finance Corp. (American Housing Foundation), “C”, 8%, 2032      280,000     262,352
El Paso County, TX, Housing Finance Corp. (American Housing Foundation), “D”, 10%, 2032      285,000     269,519
Minneapolis, MN, Student Housing Rev. (Riverton Community Housing Project), “A”, 5.7%, 2040      500,000     391,990
Mississippi Home Corp., Rev. (Kirkwood Apartments), 3.4%, 2037      605,000     381,289
MuniMae TE Bond Subsidiary LLC, 5.8%, 2049 (z)      1,000,000     655,030
New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, Multi-Family Housing Rev. (Sun Pointe Apartments), “E”, FHA, 4.8%, 2040      500,000     483,695
Resolution Trust Corp., Pass-Through Certificates, “1993”, 8.5%, 2016 (z)      455,481     432,384
Wilmington, DE, Multi-Family Housing Rev. (Electra Arms Senior Associates), 6.25%, 2028      805,000     669,164
        
           $ 7,694,646
Sales & Excise Tax Revenue - 3.8%             
Bolingbrook, IL, Sales Tax Rev., 6.25%, 2024    $ 500,000   $ 316,775
Massachusetts School Building Authority, Dedicated Sales Tax Rev., AMBAC, 4.75%, 2032      840,000     858,967

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Sales & Excise Tax Revenue - continued             
Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, State Tax Rev., Capital Appreciation, NATL, 0%, 2015    $ 3,000,000   $ 2,488,320
Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, State Tax Rev., Capital Appreciation, ETM, FGIC, 0%, 2014 (c)      1,010,000     937,331
        
           $ 4,601,393
Single Family Housing - Local - 1.3%             
Minneapolis & St. Paul Housing Authority Rev. (City Living), “A-2”, GNMA, 5%, 2038    $ 606,285   $ 597,227
Pittsburgh, PA, Urban Redevelopment Authority Rev., “C”, GNMA, 4.8%, 2028      1,000,000     1,014,960
        
           $ 1,612,187
Single Family Housing - State - 2.9%             
California Housing Finance Agency Rev., “G”, 5.5%, 2042    $ 460,000   $ 464,927
Colorado Housing & Finance Authority, “A”, 5.5%, 2029      1,315,000     1,391,796
Iowa Finance Authority, Single Family Mortgage Rev., “E”, 5.4%, 2032      755,000     786,869
Kentucky Counties Single Family Mortgage Rev., “A”, NATL, 9%, 2016      5,000     4,999
North Dakota Housing Finance Agency Rev., “A”, 4.85%, 2021      310,000     313,915
Virginia Housing Development Authority, Commonwealth Mortgage, “A-5”, 4.4%, 2015      210,000     215,153
Virginia Housing Development Authority, Commonwealth Mortgage, “A-5”, 4.4%, 2015      340,000     345,246
        
           $ 3,522,905
Solid Waste Revenue - 0.1%             
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, Sewer Sludge Disposal Rev. (Philadelphia Biosolids Facility), 6.25%, 2032    $ 75,000   $ 79,772
State & Agency - Other - 0.5%             
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Mepsi Campus), “A”, 6.25%, 2024    $ 100,000   $ 97,318
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Mepsi Campus), “A”, 6.5%, 2037      500,000     462,830
        
           $ 560,148
State & Local Agencies - 4.4%             
Dorchester County, SC, School District No. 2, Growth Remedy Opportunity Tax Hike, 5.25%, 2029    $ 500,000   $ 519,225
Laurens County, SC, School District No. 55, Installment Purchase Rev., 5.25%, 2030      700,000     666,260
Michigan Building Authority Rev., Facilities Program, “I”, 5%, 2011 (c)      45,000     47,793
Michigan Building Authority Rev., Facilities Program, “I”, 5%, 2024      955,000     988,683
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, “A”, 5.125%, 2029      800,000     822,576

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
State & Local Agencies - continued             
Newberry, SC, Investing in Children’s Education (Newberry County School District Program), 5%, 2030    $ 400,000   $ 382,700
Philadelphia, PA, Municipal Authority Rev., 6.5%, 2034      135,000     142,397
Puerto Rico Public Finance Corp., “E”, ETM, 6%, 2026      820,000     1,055,988
Puerto Rico Public Finance Corp., “E”, ETM, 6%, 2026 (c)      80,000     100,770
Wisconsin General Fund Annual Appropriation Rev., “A”, 5.75%, 2033      660,000     720,496
        
           $ 5,446,888
Student Loan Revenue - 0.5%             
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, Education Loan Rev., “H”, ASSD GTY, 6.35%, 2030    $ 505,000   $ 542,759
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, Education Loan Rev., “I-A”, 5.5%, 2022      25,000     26,726
        
           $ 569,485
Tax - Other - 1.2%             
Dallas County, TX, Flood Control District, 7.25%, 2032    $ 750,000   $ 783,263
New York, NY, City Transitional Finance Authority Building Aid Rev., “S-3”, 5.25%, 2039      440,000     469,810
Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority Rev. (Diageo Project), “A”, 6.75%, 2037      205,000     224,895
        
           $ 1,477,968
Tax Assessment - 9.1%             
Atlanta, GA, Tax Allocation (Eastside Project), “B”, 5.4%, 2020    $ 500,000   $ 509,525
Ave Maria Stewardship Community District, FL, “A”, 5.125%, 2038      150,000     112,908
Capital Region Community Development District, FL, Capital Improvement Rev., “A”, 7%, 2039      235,000     224,098
Celebration Community Development District, FL, “A”, 6.4%, 2034      690,000     696,583
Channing Park Community Development District, FL, 5.3%, 2038      360,000     239,645
Chicago, IL, Tax Increment Allocation (Pilsen Redevelopment), “B”, 6.75%, 2022      310,000     297,479
Du Page County, IL, Special Service Area No. 31 Special Tax (Monarch Landing Project), 5.625%, 2036      250,000     196,153
Durbin Crossing Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “B-1”, 4.875%, 2010      125,000     110,754
Grand Bay at Doral Community Development District, FL, “A”, 6%, 2039      90,000     45,508
Grand Bay at Doral Community Development District, FL, “B”, 6%, 2017      545,000     354,114
Heritage Harbour North Community Development District, FL, Capital Improvement Rev., 6.375%, 2038      315,000     258,750

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Tax Assessment - continued             
Homestead, FL, Community Development District, Special Assessment, “A”, 6%, 2037    $ 365,000   $ 222,683
Homestead, FL, Community Development District, Special Assessment, “B”, 5.9%, 2013      170,000     103,719
Huntington Beach, CA, Community Facilities District, Special Tax (Grand Coast Resort), “2000-1”, 6.45%, 2031      500,000     500,950
Lincolnshire, IL, Special Service Area No. 1 (Sedgebrook Project), 6.25%, 2034      250,000     215,453
Magnolia Park Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “A”, 6.15%, 2039      615,000     412,025
Main Street Community Development District, FL, “A”, 6.8%, 2038      285,000     240,395
Main Street Community Development District, FL, “B”, 6.9%, 2017      225,000     211,646
Northwest Metropolitan District No. 3, CO, 6.25%, 2035      500,000     387,300
Oakmont Grove Community Development District, FL, “A”, 5.4%, 2038 (d)      300,000     111,000
Ohio County, WV, Commission Tax Increment Rev. (Fort Henry Centre), “A”, 5.85%, 2034      125,000     116,626
Orlando, FL, Special Assessment Rev. (Conroy Road Interchange Project), “A”, 5.8%, 2026      300,000     290,010
Plano, IL, Special Service Area No. 4 (Lakewood Springs Project Unit 5-B), 6%, 2035      1,477,000     1,248,035
Portage, IN, Economic Development Rev. (Ameriplex Project), 5%, 2027      260,000     235,160
San Diego, CA, Redevelopment Agency, Tax Allocation, AGM, 0%, 2018      1,015,000     706,694
Sarasota National Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment Rev., 5.3%, 2039 (d)      800,000     264,664
Sweetwater Creek Community Development District, FL, Capital Improvement Rev., 5.5%, 2038      190,000     85,500
Tolomato Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, 6.65%, 2040      585,000     484,912
Tuscany Reserve Community Development District, FL, Special Assessment, “B”, 5.25%, 2016      185,000     122,675
Volo Village, IL, Special Service Area No. 3, Special Tax (Symphony Meadows Project), “1”, 6%, 2036      484,000     353,954
West Villages Improvement District, FL, Special Assessment Rev. (Unit of Development No. 3), 5.5%, 2037 (a)      490,000     215,600
Westchester, FL, Community Development District No. 1 (Community Infrastructure), 6.125%, 2035      275,000     217,687
Westridge, FL, Community Development District, Capital Improvement Rev., 5.8%, 2037 (d)      960,000     395,990

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Tax Assessment - continued             
Wyandotte County-Kansas City, KS, Unified Government Transportation Development District (Legends Village West Project), 4.875%, 2028    $ 580,000   $ 416,834
Yorba Linda, CA, Redevelopment Agency, Tax Allocation Rev., “A”, NATL, 0%, 2024      1,325,000     577,170
        
           $ 11,182,199
Tobacco - 7.9%             
Buckeye, OH, Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, “A-2”, 5.875%, 2030    $ 1,610,000   $ 1,301,460
Buckeye, OH, Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, “A-2”, 5.875%, 2047      2,810,000     1,998,472
Buckeye, OH, Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, “A-2”, 6.5%, 2047      785,000     619,506
Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., “A-1”, 6.25%, 2013 (c)(f)      1,200,000     1,339,296
Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., Asset Backed, “A-1”, 5%, 2033      440,000     353,760
Inland Empire, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp., Tobacco Settlement Rev., Asset Backed, Capital Appreciation, “C-1”, 0%, 2036      1,815,000     125,780
Michigan Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority Rev., Asset Backed, “A”, 6%, 2048      1,710,000     1,271,334
Rhode Island Tobacco Settlement Authority, 6%, 2023      1,530,000     1,556,377
Virginia Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., “B-1”, 5%, 2047      830,000     546,115
Washington Tobacco Settlement Authority Rev., 6.625%, 2032      500,000     504,370
        
           $ 9,616,470
Toll Roads - 4.6%             
E-470 Public Highway Authority, CO, Capital Appreciation, “B”, 0%, 2010 (c)    $ 8,750,000   $ 1,331,225
E-470 Public Highway Authority, CO, Capital Appreciation, “B”, NATL, 0%, 2018      1,500,000     957,465
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Capital Appreciation, “C”, AGM, 0%, 2033      1,440,000     1,087,963
San Joaquin Hills, CA, Transportation Corridor Agency Toll Road Rev., Capital Appreciation, “A”, NATL, 0%, 2015      3,000,000     2,221,950
        
           $ 5,598,603
Universities - Colleges - 8.2%             
Brevard County, FL, Industrial Development Rev. (TUFF Florida Tech LLC Project), 6.75%, 2039    $ 540,000   $ 557,015
California Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (University of Southern California), “A”, 5.25%, 2038      1,270,000     1,359,129
California Municipal Finance Authority Rev. (Biola University), 5.8%, 2028      100,000     104,267

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Universities - Colleges - continued             
Florida State University Board of Governors, System Improvement Rev., 6.25%, 2030    $ 1,000,000   $ 1,143,350
Grand Valley, MI, State University Rev., 5.5%, 2027      135,000     144,173
Grand Valley, MI, State University Rev., 5.625%, 2029      65,000     69,531
Harris County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Rev. (Baylor College of Medicine), “D”, 5.625%, 2032      540,000     510,732
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Roosevelt University Project), 6.25%, 2029      670,000     697,296
Illinois Finance Authority Rev. (Roosevelt University Project), 6.5%, 2039      155,000     159,455
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Simmons College), “I”, 8%, 2029      255,000     290,241
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rev. (Suffolk University), “A”, 6.25%, 2030      725,000     766,064
Savannah, GA, Economic Development Authority Rev. (AASU Student Union LLC), ASSD GTY, 5.125%, 2039      1,320,000     1,368,774
University of Illinois Rev. (Auxiliary Facilities Systems), “A”, 5.125%, 2029      1,880,000     1,981,520
University of Southern Indiana Rev., Student Fee, “J”, ASSD GTY, 5.75%, 2028      300,000     333,849
University of Southern Mississippi Educational Building Corp. Rev. (Campus Facilities Project), 5.25%, 2032      220,000     237,358
University of Southern Mississippi, Educational Building Corp. Rev. (Campus Facilities Project), 5.375%, 2036      80,000     86,245
Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Whitworth University), 5.875%, 2034      280,000     292,754
        
           $ 10,101,753
Universities - Dormitories - 0.6%             
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev. (Lancer Educational Student Housing Project), 5.625%, 2033    $ 735,000   $ 600,885
Pennsylvania Higher Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Edinboro University Foundation), 5.8%, 2030      80,000     79,620
Pennsylvania Higher Education Facilities Authority Rev. (Edinboro University Foundation), 6%, 2043      110,000     110,076
        
           $ 790,581
Universities - Secondary Schools - 1.7%             
California Statewide Communities Development Authority Rev., COP (Crossroads Schools for the Arts & Sciences), 6%, 2028    $ 980,000   $ 971,356
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Uplift Education), “A”, 6.125%, 2040      215,000     215,742

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Universities - Secondary Schools - continued             
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (Uplift Education), “A”, 6.25%, 2045    $ 135,000   $ 135,514
Colorado Housing Finance Development Rev. (Evergreen Country Day School), 5.875%, 2037      175,000     123,741
La Vernia, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp. Rev. (KIPP, Inc.), “A”, 6.25%, 2039      195,000     202,576
Lee County, FL, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Lee Charter Foundation), “A”, 5.375%, 2037      535,000     398,238
Philadelphia, PA, Authority for Industrial Development Rev. (Mast Charter School), 6%, 2035      50,000     50,450
        
           $ 2,097,617
Utilities - Cogeneration - 0.7%             
Puerto Rico Industrial, Tourist, Educational, Medical & Environmental Central Facilities (Cogeneration Facilities - AES Puerto Rico Project), 6.625%, 2026    $ 320,000   $ 322,870
Suffolk County, NY, Industrial Development Agency Rev. (Nissequoque Cogeneration Partners Facilities), 5.5%, 2023      550,000     485,073
        
           $ 807,943
Utilities - Investor Owned - 6.8%             
Brazos River Authority, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (TXU Electric Co. LLC), “C”, 5.75%, 2036 (b)    $ 150,000   $ 143,195
Brazos River Authority, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (TXU Electric Co. LLC), “C”, 6.75%, 2038      555,000     320,490
Brazos River Authority, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (TXU Electric Co. LLC), “D”, 5.4%, 2029 (b)      45,000     33,727
Bryant, IL, Pollution Control Rev. (Central Illinois Light Co.), 5.9%, 2023      975,000     977,662
Chula Vista, CA, Industrial Development Rev. (San Diego Gas), 5.875%, 2034      245,000     271,605
Farmington, NM, Pollution Control Rev. (Public Service New Mexico), “D”, 5.9%, 2040      500,000     500,370
Maricopa County, AZ, Pollution Control Corp., Pollution Control Rev. (Arizona Public Service Co.), “D”, 6%, 2029 (b)      475,000     523,517
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Solid Waste Disposal Rev. (Dominion Energy Brayton), 5.75%, 2042 (b)      85,000     90,668
Matagorda County, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (Central Power & Light Co.), “A”, 6.3%, 2029      275,000     300,946
Mississippi Business Finance Corp., Pollution Control Rev. (Systems Energy Resources Project), 5.875%, 2022      1,500,000     1,505,610
New Hampshire Business Finance Authority, Pollution Control Rev. (Public Service of New Hampshire), “B”, NATL, 4.75%, 2021      250,000     249,148

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)
    
Municipal Bonds - continued             
Utilities - Investor Owned - continued             
Owen County, KY, Waterworks System Rev. (American Water Co. Project), “A”, 6.25%, 2039    $ 205,000   $ 219,092
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority (Allegheny Energy Supply Co. LLC), 7%, 2039      600,000     667,896
Pima County, AZ, Industrial Development Authority Rev. (Tucson Electric Power Co.), 5.75%, 2029      1,015,000     1,027,241
Red River Authority, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (AEP Texas Central Co.), NATL, 4.45%, 2020      410,000     400,939
Sabine River Authority, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (TXU Electric Co. LLC), 5.2%, 2028      185,000     92,659
Sabine River Authority, TX, Pollution Control Rev. (TXU Electric Co. LLC), 5.75%, 2030 (b)      155,000     147,968
Sweetwater County, WY, Pollution Control Rev. (Idaho Power Co.), 5.25%, 2026      540,000     572,891
West Feliciana Parish, LA, Pollution Control Rev. (Entergy Gulf States), 6.6%, 2028      270,000     270,867
        
           $ 8,316,491
Utilities - Municipal Owned - 0.1%             
Harris County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Financial Corp., Thermal Utilities Rev. (Teco Project), “A”, 5.25%, 2035    $ 140,000   $ 148,338
Utilities - Other - 3.6%             
California M-S-R Energy Authority Gas Rev., “A”, 7%, 2034    $ 155,000   $ 180,240
California M-S-R Energy Authority Gas Rev., “A”, 6.5%, 2039      335,000     367,884
Georgia Main Street Natural Gas, Inc., Gas Project Rev., “A”, 5.5%, 2028      335,000     328,538
Georgia Main Street Natural Gas, Inc., Gas Project Rev., “B”, 5%, 2019      325,000     325,894
Indiana Bond Bank Special Program, Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2018      230,000     242,068
Public Authority for Colorado Energy Natural Gas Purchase Rev., 6.5%, 2038      25,000     27,312
Salt Verde Financial Corp., AZ, Senior Gas Rev., 5%, 2037      705,000     623,199
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2021      1,710,000     1,684,196
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2022      270,000     264,489
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “A”, 5.25%, 2026      165,000     158,029
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Rev., “C”, 5%, 2025      240,000     223,462
        
           $ 4,425,311
Water & Sewer Utility Revenue - 3.2%             
Atlanta, GA, Water & Wastewater Rev., “A”, 6%, 2022    $ 370,000   $ 409,786
Birmingham, AL, Waterworks Board Water Rev., “A”, ASSD GTY, 5.125%, 2034      595,000     623,358

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

Issuer    Shares/Par   Value ($)  
    
Municipal Bonds - continued               
Water & Sewer Utility Revenue - continued               
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority Rev., “A”, 6%, 2038    $ 655,000   $ 692,270   
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority Rev., “A”, 6%, 2044      135,000     141,680   
Detroit, MI, Sewer Disposal System Rev., “B”, AGM, 7.5%, 2033      515,000     612,562   
New York, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer Systems Rev. “DD”, 4.75%, 2035      790,000     801,305   
Surprise, AZ, Municipal Property Corp., 4.9%, 2032      700,000     612,311   
          
           $ 3,893,272   
Total Municipal Bonds (Identified Cost, $199,585,769)          $ 193,874,343   
Other Assets, Less Liabilities - 2.9%            3,581,539   
Preferred Shares (Issued by the Fund) - (61.2)%            (75,000,000
Net Assets applicable to common shares - 100.0%          $ 122,455,882   

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

(b) Mandatory tender date is earlier than stated maturity date.

 

(c) Refunded bond.

 

(d) Non-income producing security-in default.

 

(f) All or a portion of the security has been segregated as collateral for open futures contracts.

 

(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 $3,162,713, representing 2.6% of net assets applicable to common shares.

 

(z) Restricted securities are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and are subject to legal restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are subsequently registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. The fund holds the following restricted securities:

 

Restricted Securities    Acquisition
Date
   Cost    Current
Market
Value
MuniMae TE Bond Subsidiary LLC, 5.8%, 2049    10/04/04    $1,000,000    $655,030
Resolution Trust Corp., Pass-Through Certificates, “1993”, 8.5%, 2016    10/17/01-1/14/02    455,481    432,384
Total Restricted Securities          $1,087,414
% of Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares          0.9%

 

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Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) – continued

 

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

 

COP   Certificate of Participation

 

ETM   Escrowed to Maturity

 

LOC   Letter of Credit

 

Insurers      
AGM    Assured Guaranty Municipal      
AMBAC    AMBAC Indemnity Corp.      
ASSD GTY    Assured Guaranty Insurance Co.      
FGIC    Financial Guaranty Insurance Co.      
FHA    Federal Housing Administration      
FHLMC    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.      
GNMA    Government National Mortgage Assn.      
NATL    National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.      
PSF    Permanent School Fund      
SYNCORA    Syncora Guarantee Inc.      

Derivatives Contracts at 5/31/10

Futures Contracts Outstanding at 5/31/10

 

Description   Currency   Contracts   Value   Expiration
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
Liability Derivatives          
Interest Rate Futures          
U.S. Treasury Note 10 yr (Short)   USD   238   28,530,250   Sep-10   $97,714
U.S. Treasury Bond 30 yr (Short)   USD   32   3,925,000   Sep-10   42,138
           
          $139,852
           

At May 31, 2010, the fund had sufficient cash and/or other liquid securities to cover any commitments under these derivative contracts.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

At 5/31/10 (unaudited)

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

 

Assets            

Investments, at value (identified cost, $199,585,769)

   $193,874,343      

Cash

   912,328      

Receivables for

     

Investments sold

   687,591      

Interest

   3,431,500      

Receivable from investment adviser

   3,415      

Other assets

   22,796        

Total assets

          $198,931,973
Liabilities            

Payables for

     

Distributions on common shares

   $194      

Distributions on preferred shares

   8,571      

Daily variation margin on open futures contracts

   96,250      

Investments purchased

   1,274,908      

Payable to affiliates

     

Investment adviser

   17,577      

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

   7,518      

Administrative services fee

   510      

Payable for independent Trustees’ compensation

   6,851      

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

   63,712        

Total liabilities

          $1,476,091
Preferred shares            

Auction preferred shares (3,000 shares issued, and outstanding at $25,000 per share) at liquidation value

          $75,000,000

Net assets applicable to common shares

          $122,455,882
Net assets consist of            

Paid-in capital – common shares

   $184,114,523      

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

   (5,571,574   

Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments

   (57,148,656   

Undistributed net investment income

   1,061,589        

Net assets applicable to common shares

          $122,455,882

Preferred shares, at liquidation value (3,000 shares issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share)

          75,000,000

Net assets including preferred shares

          $197,455,882

Common shares of beneficial interest outstanding

          28,005,749

Net asset value per common share (net assets of
$122,455,882 / 28,005,749 shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

          $4.37

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Statements

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Six months ended 5/31/10 (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              

Interest income

          $6,101,682   

Expenses

     

Management fee

   $634,556      

Transfer agent and dividend disbursing costs

   22,253      

Administrative services fee

   18,922      

Independent Trustees’ compensation

   12,498      

Stock exchange fee

   12,204      

Preferred shares service fee

   37,786      

Custodian fee

   12,036      

Shareholder communications

   18,786      

Auditing fees

   36,607      

Legal fees

   4,493      

Miscellaneous

   44,195          

Total expenses

          $854,336   

Fees paid indirectly

   (1,304   

Reduction of expenses by investment adviser

   (3,742       

Net expenses

          $849,290   

Net investment income

          $5,252,392   
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments              
Realized gain (loss) (identified cost basis)      

Investment transactions

   $78,728      

Futures contracts

   (1,168,343       

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

          $(1,089,615
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      

Investments

   $5,591,884      

Futures contracts

   623,296          

Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments

          $6,215,180   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

          $5,125,565   

Distributions declared to preferred shareholders

          $(150,823

Change in net assets from operations

          $10,227,134   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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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
5/31/10
(unaudited)
     Year ended
11/30/09
 
Change in net assets              
From operations              

Net investment income

   $5,252,392       $10,537,015   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

   (1,089,615    (5,889,503

Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments

   6,215,180       24,660,054   

Distributions declared to preferred shareholders

   (150,823    (511,899

Change in net assets from operations

   $10,227,134       $28,795,667   
Distributions declared to common shareholders              

From net investment income

   $(4,867,707    $(9,208,821

Net asset value of shares issued to common shareholders in reinvestment of distributions

   $226,490       $328,093   

Total change in net assets

   $5,585,917       $19,914,939   
Net assets applicable to common shares              

At beginning of period

   116,869,965       96,955,026   

At end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,061,589 and $827,727, respectively)

   $122,455,882       $116,869,965   

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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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 by which 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

5/31/10

(unaudited)

    Years ended 11/30  
      2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
                                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $4.18      $3.48      $5.34      $5.98      $5.76      $5.69   
Income (loss) from investment operations                                    

Net investment income (d)

  $0.19      $0.38      $0.43      $ 0.45 (z)    $0.45      $0.45   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

  0.18      0.67      (1.85   (0.66 )(z)    0.23      0.08   

Distributions declared to preferred shareholders

  (0.01   (0.02   (0.11   (0.12   (0.11   (0.08

Total from investment operations

  $0.36      $1.03      $(1.53   $(0.33   $0.57      $0.45   
Less distributions declared to common shareholders                                    

From net investment income, common shares

  $(0.17   $(0.33   $(0.33   $(0.31   $(0.35   $(0.38

Net asset value, end of period

  $4.37      $4.18      $3.48      $5.34      $5.98      $5.76   

Common share market value, end of period

  $4.59      $4.24      $3.04      $4.90      $5.96      $5.36   

Total return at common market value (%) (p)

  12.66 (n)    52.58      (33.26   (13.21   17.99      1.36   

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

  8.80 (n)    31.40      (29.90   (5.73   10.17      8.35   
Ratios (%) (to average net assets
applicable to common shares)
and Supplemental data:
                                  

Expenses before expense reductions (f)(p)

  1.42 (a)    1.61      1.57      1.39      1.39      1.40   

Expenses after expense reductions (f)(p)

  1.41 (a)    1.50      1.48      1.39      N/A      N/A   

Expenses after expense reductions and excluding interest expense and fees (f)(l)(p)

  N/A      N/A      1.44      N/A      N/A      N/A   

Net investment income (p)

  8.72 (a)    10.17      9.02      7.87 (z)    7.62      7.73   

Portfolio turnover

  6      17      34      29      33      18   

Net assets at end of period (000 omitted)

  $122,456      $116,870      $96,955      $148,439      $165,936      $159,792   

 

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Financial Highlights – continued

 

   

Six months
ended

5/31/10

(unaudited)

    Years ended 11/30
      2009   2008   2007   2006   2005
                       
Supplemental Ratios (%):                          

Net investment income available to common shares

  8.47 (a)    9.68   6.66   5.78   5.74   6.46
Senior Securities:                          

Total preferred shares outstanding

  3,000      3,000   3,000   3,600   3,600   3,600

Asset coverage per preferred share (k)

  $65,819      $63,957   $57,318   $66,233   $71,093   $69,387

Involuntary liquidation preference per preferred share (o)

  $25,000      $25,000   $25,000   $25,000   $25,015   $25,010

Average market value per preferred share (m)(x)

  $25,000      $25,000   $25,000   $25,000   $25,000   $25,000

 

(a) Annualized.
(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.
(k) Calculated by subtracting the fund’s total liabilities (not including auction preferred shares) from the fund’s total assets and dividing this number by the number of preferred shares outstanding.
(l) Interest expense and fees relate to payments made to the holder of the floating rate certificate from trust assets.
(m) Amount excludes accrued unpaid distributions to Auction Preferred Shareholders.
(n) Not annualized.
(o) Effective November 30, 2007, amount excludes accrued unpaid distributions to Auction Preferred Shareholders.
(p) Excludes dividend payment on auction preferred shares.
(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.
(t) Prior to November 30, 2007, total return at net asset value is unaudited.
(x) Average market value represents the approximate fair value of the fund’s liability.
(z) The fund applied a change in estimate for amortization of premium on certain debt securities in the year ended November 30, 2007 that resulted in an increase of $0.01 per share to net investment income, a decrease of $0.01 per share to net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, and an increase of 0.15% to the net investment income ratio. The change in estimate had no impact on net assets, net asset value per share or total return.

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

(1)   Business and Organization

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

 

(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 revenues and expenses 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 value of municipal instruments can be affected by changes in their actual or perceived credit quality. The credit quality of municipal instruments can be affected by, among other things, the financial condition of the issuer or guarantor, the issuer’s future borrowing plans and sources of revenue, the economic feasibility of the revenue bond project or general borrowing purpose, political or economic developments in the region or state where the instrument is issued and the liquidity of the security. Municipal instruments generally trade in the over-the counter market. Municipal instruments backed by current and anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets can be negatively affected by the discontinuance of the taxation supporting the projects or assets or the inability to collect revenues for the project or from the assets. If the Internal Revenue Service determines an issuer of a municipal instrument has not complied with the applicable tax requirements, the security could decline in value, interest from the security could become taxable and the funds may be required to issue Forms 1099-DIV. The fund may invest in high-yield securities rated below investment grade. Investments in high-yield securities involve greater degrees of credit and market risk than investments in higher-rated securities and tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions.

Investment Valuations – Debt instruments and floating rate loans (other than short-term instruments), 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 generally are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Futures contracts are generally valued at last posted settlement price as

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

provided by a third-party pricing service on the market on which they are primarily traded. Futures contracts for which there were no trades that day for a particular position are generally valued at the closing bid quotation as provided by a third-party pricing service on the market on which such futures contracts are primarily traded. 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. Values obtained from 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 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 halting 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 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,

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

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. Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in total investments, such as futures, forwards, swap contracts, and written options. The following is a summary of the levels used as of May 31, 2010 in valuing the fund’s assets or liabilities:

 

Investments at Value    Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Total
Municipal Bonds    $—    $193,874,343    $—    $193,874,343
Other Financial Instruments                    
Futures    $139,852    $—    $—    $139,852

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

Derivatives – The fund may use derivatives for different purposes, including to earn income and enhance returns, to increase or decrease exposure to a particular market, to manage or adjust the risk profile of the fund, or as alternatives to direct investments. Derivatives may be used for hedging or non-hedging purposes. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains. When the fund uses derivatives as an investment to increase market exposure, or for hedging purposes, gains and losses from derivative instruments may be substantially greater than the derivative’s original cost.

Derivative instruments include written options, purchased options, futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and swap agreements. The fund’s period end derivatives, as presented in the Portfolio of Investments and the associated Derivative Contract Tables, generally are indicative of the volume of its derivative activity during the period.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the fair value, on a gross basis, of the asset and liability components of derivatives held by the fund at May 31, 2010:

 

          Fair Value (a)
Risk    Derivative    Asset Derivatives    Liability Derivatives

Interest Rate Contracts

   Interest Rate Futures    $139,852    $—

 

(a) All derivative valuations are specifically referenced within the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities except for futures contracts. The value of futures contracts outstanding includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation as reported in the fund’s Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day variation margin for futures contracts is separately reported within the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the realized gain (loss) on derivatives held by the fund for the six months ended May 31, 2010 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

      Futures Contracts  
Interest Rate Contracts    $(1,168,343

The following table presents, by major type of derivative contract, the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives held by the fund for the six months ended May 31, 2010 as reported in the Statement of Operations:

 

      Futures Contracts
Interest Rate Contracts    $623,296

Derivative counterparty credit risk is managed through formal evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counterparties. On certain over-the-counter derivatives, the fund attempts to reduce its exposure to counterparty credit risk whenever possible by entering into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement on a bilateral basis with each of the counterparties with whom it undertakes a significant volume of transactions. The ISDA Master Agreement gives each party to the agreement the right to terminate all transactions traded under such agreement if there is a certain deterioration in the credit quality of the other party. The ISDA Master Agreement gives the fund the right, upon an event of default by the applicable counterparty or a termination of the agreement, to close out all transactions traded under such agreement and to net amounts owed under each transaction to one net amount payable by one party to the other. This right to close out and net payments across all transactions traded under the ISDA Master Agreement could result in a reduction of the fund’s credit risk to such counterparty equal to any amounts payable by the fund under the applicable transactions, if any. However, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the ISDA Master Agreement does not result in an offset of reported balance sheet assets and liabilities across transactions between the fund and the applicable counterparty.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearing house for exchange traded derivatives (i.e., futures and exchange-traded options) while collateral terms are contract specific for over-the-counter traded derivatives (i.e., forwards, swaps and over-the-counter options). For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are netted across all transactions traded under such agreement and one amount is posted from one party to the other to collateralize such obligations. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the fund under derivative contracts will be reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as restricted cash. Securities collateral pledged for the same purpose is noted in the Portfolio of Investments.

Futures Contracts – The fund may use futures contracts to gain or to hedge against broad market, interest rate or currency exposure. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.

Upon entering into a futures contract, the fund is required to deposit with the broker, either in cash or securities, an initial margin in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the notional amount of the contract. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract, and are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized gain or loss by the fund until the contract is closed or expires at which point the gain or loss on futures is realized.

The fund bears the risk of interest rates, exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the futures contracts and may realize a loss. While futures may present less counterparty risk to the fund since the contracts are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse guarantees payments to the broker, there is still counterparty credit risk due to the insolvency of the broker. The fund’s maximum risk of loss due to counterparty credit risk is equal to the margin posted by the fund to the broker plus any gains or minus any losses on the outstanding futures contracts.

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.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

Investment Transactions and Income – Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. All premium and discount is amortized or accreted for financial statement purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Debt obligations may be placed on non-accrual status or set to accrue at a rate of interest less than the contractual coupon when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful. Interest income for those debt obligations may be further reduced by the write-off of the related interest receivables. 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.

Legal fees and other related expenses incurred to preserve and protect the value of a security owned are added to the cost of the security; other legal fees are expensed. Capital infusions made directly to the security issuer, which are generally non-recurring, incurred to protect or enhance the value of high-yield debt securities, are reported as additions to the cost basis of the security. Costs that are incurred to negotiate the terms or conditions of capital infusions or that are expected to result in a plan of reorganization are reported as realized losses. Ongoing costs incurred to protect or enhance an investment, or costs incurred to pursue other claims or legal actions, are expensed.

Fees Paid Indirectly – The fund’s custody fee may be reduced according to an arrangement that measures the value of cash deposited with the custodian by the fund. This amount, for the six months ended May 31, 2010, is shown as a reduction of total expenses on 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 and tax-exempt income, including realized capital gains. As a result, no provision for federal income tax is required. The fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. 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

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

time in the future. Distributions in excess of net investment income or net realized gains are temporary overdistributions for financial statement purposes resulting from differences in the recognition or classification of income or distributions for financial statement and tax purposes.

Book/tax differences primarily relate to expiration of capital loss carryforwards, amortization and accretion of debt securities, defaulted bonds and derivative transactions.

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:

 

     11/30/09
Ordinary income (including any short-term capital gains)    $105,243
Tax-exempt income    9,615,477
Total distributions    $9,720,720

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

 

As of 5/31/10       
Cost of investments    $199,200,987   
Gross appreciation    9,698,991   
Gross depreciation    (15,025,635
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)    $(5,326,644
As of 11/30/09       
Undistributed ordinary income    8,018   
Undistributed tax-exempt income    1,049,365   
Capital loss carryforwards    (56,884,094
Other temporary differences    (229,656
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)    (10,961,701

As of November 30, 2009, the fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized gains. Such losses expire as follows:

 

11/30/10    $(7,684,792
11/30/11    (4,393,912
11/30/12    (4,060,511
11/30/14    (7,119,782
11/30/15    (11,048,097
11/30/16    (11,728,477
11/30/17    (10,848,523
   $(56,884,094

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) – continued

 

(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 0.65% of the fund’s average daily net assets (including the value of the auction preferred shares).

The investment adviser has agreed in writing to pay a portion of the fund’s total annual operating expenses, exclusive of interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage and transaction costs, and investment-related expenses other than preferred share service fees, such that total annual fund operating expenses do not exceed 0.87% annually of the fund’s average daily net assets (including the value of the auction preferred shares). This written agreement will continue until modified by the fund’s Board of Trustees, but such agreement will continue at least until November 30, 2010. For the six months ended May 31, 2010, this reduction amounted to $3,415 and is reflected as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations.

Transfer Agent – The fund engages Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) as the sole transfer agent for the fund’s common shares. 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 May 31, 2010, these fees paid to MFSC amounted to $8,070.

Administrator – MFS provides certain financial, legal, shareholder communications, compliance, and other administrative services to the fund. Under an administrative services agreement, the fund partially 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 (including the value of the auction preferred shares). The administrative services fee incurred for the six months ended May 31, 2010 was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.0194% of the fund’s average daily net assets (including the value of the auction preferred shares).

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 to officers of the fund who are also officers of the investment adviser, all of whom receive remuneration for their services to the fund from MFS. Certain officers and Trustees of the fund are officers or directors of MFS and MFSC.

Deferred Trustee Compensation – Prior to MFS’ appointment as investment adviser to the fund, the fund’s former independent Trustees participated in a Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Former Colonial Trustees Plan” or “Plan”).

 

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The fund’s current independent Trustees are not allowed to defer compensation under the Former Colonial Trustees Plan. Amounts deferred under the Plan are invested in shares of certain non-MFS funds selected by the former independent Trustees as notional investments. Deferred amounts represent an unsecured obligation of the fund until distributed in accordance with the Plan. Included in other assets and payable for independent Trustees’ compensation on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities is $6,820 of deferred Trustees’ compensation. There is no current year expense associated with the Former Colonial Trustees Plan.

Other – This fund and certain other funds managed by MFS (the funds) have entered into services agreements (the Agreements) which provide for payment of fees by the funds to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC in return for the provision of services of an Independent Chief Compliance Officer (ICCO) and Assistant ICCO, respectively, for the funds. The ICCO and Assistant ICCO are officers of the funds and the sole members of Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC, respectively. The funds can terminate the Agreements with Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC at any time under the terms of the Agreements. For the six months ended May 31, 2010, the aggregate fees paid by the fund to Tarantino LLC and Griffin Compliance LLC were $725 and are included in miscellaneous expense on the Statement of Operations. MFS has agreed to reimburse the fund for a portion of the payments made by the fund in the amount of $327, which is shown as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations. Additionally, MFS has agreed to bear all expenses associated with office space, other administrative support, and supplies provided to the ICCO and Assistant ICCO.

 

(4)   Portfolio Securities

Purchases and sales of investments, other than U.S. Government securities, purchased option transactions, and short-term obligations, aggregated $13,592,798 and $12,185,683, respectively.

 

(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 fund reserves the right to repurchase shares of beneficial interest of the fund subject to Trustee approval. During the six months ended May 31, 2010, the fund did not repurchase any shares. Transactions in fund shares were as follows:

 

     Six months ended
5/31/10
   Year ended
11/30/09
     Shares    Amount    Shares    Amount
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions    52,129    $226,490    86,698    $328,093

 

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(6)   Line of Credit

The fund and certain other funds managed by MFS participate in a $1.1 billion unsecured committed line of credit, subject to a $1 billion sublimit, provided by a syndication 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 higher of the Federal Reserve funds rate or one month LIBOR 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 at the end of each calendar quarter. 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 a rate equal to the Federal Reserve funds rate plus an agreed upon spread. For the six months ended May 31, 2010, the fund’s commitment fee and interest expense were $940 and $0, respectively, and are included in miscellaneous expense on the Statement of Operations.

 

(7)   Auction Preferred Shares

The fund has 3,000 shares issued and outstanding of Auction Preferred Shares (APS), series F. Dividends are cumulative at a rate that is reset every seven days through an auction process. If the APS are unable to be remarketed on a remarketing date as part of the auction process, the fund would be required to pay the maximum applicable rate on APS to holders of such shares for successive dividend periods until such time when the shares are successfully remarketed. The maximum rate on APS is equal to 110% of the higher of (i) the Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate or (ii) the “AA” Composite Commercial Paper Rate.

Since February 2008, regularly scheduled auctions for APS issued by closed end funds, including this fund, have consistently failed because of insufficient demand (bids to buy shares) to meet the supply (shares offered for sale) at each auction. In a failed auction, APS holders cannot sell their shares tendered for sale. While repeated auction failures have affected the liquidity for APS, they do not constitute a default or automatically alter the credit quality of the APS, and APS holders have continued to receive dividends at the previously defined “maximum rate”. During the six months ended May 31, 2010, the APS dividend rates ranged from 0.24% to 0.68%. For the six months ended May 31, 2010, the average dividend rate was 0.40%. These developments with respect to APS do not affect the management or investment policies of the fund. However, one implication of these auction failures for Common shareholders is that the fund’s cost of leverage will be higher than it otherwise would have been had the auctions continued to be successful. As a result, the fund’s future Common share earnings may be lower than they otherwise would have been. To the

 

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extent that investments are purchased with the issuance of preferred shares, the fund’s net asset value will increase or decrease at a greater rate than a comparable unleveraged fund.

The fund pays an annual service fee to broker-dealers with customers who are beneficial owners of the preferred shares. The service fee is equivalent to 0.25% of the applicable preferred share liquidation value while the preferred share auctions are successful or to 0.15% or less, varying by broker-dealer, while the auctions are failing. The APS are redeemable at the option of the fund in whole or in part at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. The APS are also subject to mandatory redemption if certain requirements relating to its asset maintenance coverage are not satisfied. The fund is required to maintain certain asset coverage with respect to the APS as defined in the fund’s By-Laws and the Investment Company Act of 1940 and, as such is not permitted to declare common share dividends unless the fund’s APS have a minimum asset coverage ratio of 200% after declaration of the common share dividends.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Trustees and Shareholders of the MFS High Yield Municipal Trust:

We have reviewed the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of the MFS High Yield Municipal Fund (the Fund), including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2010, and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets, and financial highlights for the six-month period ended May 31, 2010. These interim financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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 Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, 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.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the statement of changes in net assets for the year ended November 30, 2009, and its financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, and in our report dated January 15, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on such statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights. The financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended November 30, 2006 were audited by another independent registered public accounting firm whose report, dated January 25, 2007, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

July 19, 2010

 

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BOARD REVIEW OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

A discussion regarding the Board’s most recent review and renewal of the fund’s Investment Advisory Agreement with MFS is available by clicking on the fund’s name under “Closed End Funds” in the “Products and Performance” section of the MFS Web site (mfs.com).

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND INFORMATION

A general description of the MFS funds’ proxy voting policies and procedures is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-225-2606, by visiting the Proxy Voting section of mfs.com 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 twelve-month period ended June 30, 2009 is available without charge by visiting the Proxy Voting section of mfs.com or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO DISCLOSURE

The fund will file a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the:

Public Reference Room

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE, Room 1580

Washington, D.C. 20549

Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The fund’s Form N-Q is available on the EDGAR database on the Commission’s Internet Web site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the Public Reference Section at the above address.

A shareholder can also obtain the quarterly portfolio holdings report at mfs.com.

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 by visiting the “News & Commentary” section of mfs.com or by clicking on the fund’s name under “Closed End Funds” in the “Products and Performance” section of mfs.com.

 

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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 43078

Providence, RI 02940-3078

LOGO

 

500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116   New York Stock Exchange Symbol: CMU


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ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

The Registrant has not amended any provision in its Code of Ethics (the “Code”) that relates to any element of the Code’s definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of Item 2 of this Form N-CSR.

 

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 each series of the Registrant is included as part of the report to shareholders of such series 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 this period.


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ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

MFS High Yield Municipal 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

12/01/09-12/31/09

   0    N/A    0    2,787,762

1/01/10-1/31/10

   0    N/A    0    2,787,762

2/01/10-2/28/10

   0    N/A    0    2,787,762

3/01/10-3/31/10

   0    N/A    0    2,797,087

4/01/10-4/30/10

   0    N/A    0    2,797,087

5/01/10-5/31/10

   0    N/A    0    2,797,087
               

Total

   0       0   
               

Note: The Board of Trustees approves procedures to repurchase shares annually. The notification to shareholders of the program is part of the semi-annual and annual reports sent to shareholders. These annual programs begin on March 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 (March 1 through the following February 28) to 10% of the Registrant’s outstanding shares as of the first day of the plan year (March 1). The aggregate number of shares available for purchase for the March 1, 2010 plan year is 2,797,087.

 

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.

 

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 second fiscal quarter covered by the report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


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ITEM 12. 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.

 

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

 

(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.


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Notice

A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended, 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.


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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 HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL TRUST

 

By (Signature and Title)*   MARIA F. DWYER
  Maria F. Dwyer, President

Date: July 19, 2010

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)*   MARIA F. DWYER
 

Maria F. Dwyer, President

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: July 19, 2010

 

By (Signature and Title)*   JOHN M. CORCORAN
 

John M. Corcoran, Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer)

Date: July 19, 2010

 

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