MMT Seeks Shareholder Approval for Trustee Elections

TL;DR

**Vote for the recommended Trustees; it's a routine governance move to maintain stability and independent oversight at MFS Multimarket Income Trust.**

AI Summary

MFS Multimarket Income Trust (MMT) is holding its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on October 2, 2025, primarily to elect Trustees. The filing indicates no fee is required for this definitive proxy statement. MMT, along with four other MFS trusts, will elect four Trustees—Maureen R. Goldfarb, Maryanne L. Roepke, Paula E. Smith, and Laurie J. Thomsen—by common shareholders. Four other MFS municipal trusts will elect three Trustees by common and preferred shareholders, and two Trustees by preferred shareholders only. Laurie J. Thomsen is expected to retire effective December 31, 2025, due to the Board's retirement policy, having reached 20 years of service. The Board, consisting of 12 Trustees (11 Independent), oversees MFS, the investment adviser, and has delegated specific matters to seven standing Committees composed exclusively of Independent Trustees. As of July 31, 2025, MMT had 54,939,439 common shares outstanding and no preferred shares. The total anticipated cost for solicitation and voting tabulation services from Computershare is $32,084.

Why It Matters

This DEF 14A filing is crucial for MFS Multimarket Income Trust investors as it outlines the upcoming election of Trustees, who are responsible for the broad supervision and governance of the Trust. The composition of the Board, particularly the high proportion of 11 Independent Trustees out of 12, suggests a strong emphasis on independent oversight, which can instill confidence in investors regarding the management of their assets. The retirement of Laurie J. Thomsen, a long-serving Trustee, highlights the Board's adherence to its retirement policy, ensuring periodic refreshment of leadership. For employees and customers, a stable and well-governed trust, overseen by experienced Trustees, contributes to consistent investment strategies and operational integrity, maintaining MFS's competitive standing in the asset management market.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: low — The risk level is low because this DEF 14A filing primarily concerns routine governance matters, specifically the election of Trustees. There are no proposals indicating significant strategic shifts, mergers, or financial restructurings that would introduce substantial risk. The anticipated cost of $32,084 for proxy solicitation is a minor operational expense for a fund of MMT's size.

Analyst Insight

Investors should review the qualifications of the nominated Trustees and vote in favor of the Board's recommendations to ensure continuity and experienced oversight. This is a standard governance procedure, so no immediate portfolio adjustments are necessary based on this filing alone.

Key Numbers

• 54,939,439 — Common Shares Outstanding (For MFS Multimarket Income Trust as of July 31, 2025)
• $32,084 — Anticipated Cost for Solicitation Services (Paid to Computershare for proxy services)
• 12 — Total Trustees on Board (Fixed number of Trustees for each Trust)
• 11 — Independent Trustees (Out of 12 total Trustees, ensuring strong independent oversight)
• 2025-10-02 — Annual Meeting Date (Date of the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders)
• 2025-07-31 — Record Date (Shareholders of record on this date are entitled to vote)
• 75 — Retirement Age for Independent Trustees (Earlier of 75 years of age or 15/20 years of service)
• 20 — Years of Service for Trustee Retirement (Laurie J. Thomsen will reach 20 years of service in 2025)

Key Players & Entities

• MFS MULTIMARKET INCOME TRUST (company) — Registrant for DEF 14A filing
• Maureen R. Goldfarb (person) — Nominated Trustee for MMT
• Maryanne L. Roepke (person) — Nominated Trustee for MMT
• Paula E. Smith (person) — Nominated Trustee for MMT
• Laurie J. Thomsen (person) — Nominated Trustee for MMT, retiring December 31, 2025
• John P. Kavanaugh (person) — Nominated Trustee for MFS municipal trusts
• Massachusetts Financial Services Company (company) — Investment adviser and administrator for MMT
• Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (company) — Proxy tabulation agent and solicitation services provider
• SEC (regulator) — Securities and Exchange Commission
• Michael W. Roberge (person) — Interested Trustee and Chairman of MFS

FAQ

Industry Context

The MFS Multimarket Income Trust operates within the regulated investment company sector, specifically focusing on income generation. This sector is characterized by a diverse range of investment vehicles, including mutual funds and closed-end funds, managed by various asset management firms like Massachusetts Financial Services (MFS). Competition is driven by investment performance, fee structures, and the ability to attract and retain assets under management.

Regulatory Implications

As a registered investment company, MMT is subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other federal securities laws. The proxy statement filing itself is a regulatory requirement. The structure of the Board of Trustees, with a majority of independent members and committees composed exclusively of independent trustees, aligns with regulatory expectations for robust corporate governance and oversight.

What Investors Should Do

1. Review the proxy statement for details on Trustee nominees and meeting agenda.
2. Vote your shares by the deadline (October 2, 2025, 10:00 AM ET) via mail, telephone, or internet.
3. Note the retirement policy for Trustees, including age and service limits.

Key Dates

• 2025-10-02: 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders — Shareholders will vote on the election of Trustees.
• 2025-07-31: Record Date — Shareholders of record on this date are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
• 2025-08-22: Mailing of Proxy Materials — Shareholders receive the proxy statement and notice of the meeting.
• 2025-12-31: Expected Retirement of Trustee Laurie J. Thomsen — Marks the end of service for a trustee due to the board's retirement policy.

Glossary

DEF 14A

A filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that provides definitive proxy materials to shareholders. (This document is the definitive proxy statement for the MFS Multimarket Income Trust's annual meeting.)

Trustee

A member of the Board of Trustees responsible for overseeing the affairs of the trust. (The primary purpose of the meeting is to elect Trustees.)

Independent Trustee

A Trustee who is not an 'interested person' as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940. (The Board has 11 Independent Trustees out of 12, indicating a strong emphasis on independent oversight.)

Investment Company Act of 1940

Federal legislation that regulates the organization and operation of investment companies, including mutual funds. (Defines terms like 'interested person' and governs the structure and oversight of the Trust.)

Computershare

A financial services company that provides services such as proxy solicitation and voting tabulation. (Engaged by the Trusts to manage the solicitation and tabulation of shareholder votes for the meeting.)

Common Shareholders

Holders of the common stock of the trust, typically entitled to vote on matters presented at shareholder meetings. (Common shareholders will elect four Trustees for MMT.)

Preferred Shareholders

Holders of preferred stock, which may have different voting rights or priorities compared to common shareholders. (Preferred shareholders will vote on specific Trustee elections for certain municipal trusts.)

Year-Over-Year Comparison

This filing is a definitive proxy statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. As it pertains to an annual meeting focused on electing Trustees and routine business, it does not typically include year-over-year financial performance comparisons like revenue or net income. The key information presented relates to the meeting logistics, the nominees for Trustee positions, and the governance structure, rather than operational or financial results.

Key Financial Figures

• $32,084 — that the cost of these services will be $32,084 and may increase substantially in the e

Filing Documents

• def14a.htm (DEF 14A) — 1057KB
• img_00fba2f245e54f2.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 9KB
• img_4822c395179e4f3.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 2KB
• img_634e7e7a18bb4f3.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 3KB
• img_a8f69ed185124f3.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 6KB
• img_6c11d538c8f24f5.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 11KB
• 0001741773-25-002969.txt ( ) — 1106KB

To

ITEM 1. To elect Trustees to the Board of Trustees of each Trust as outlined below: a. for each of MFS Charter Income Trust, MFS Government Markets Income Trust, MFS Intermediate High Income Fund, MFS Intermediate Income Trust, and MFS Multimarket Income Trust: i. four Trustees, Maureen R. Goldfarb, Maryanne L. Roepke, Paula E. Smith, and Laurie J. Thomsen, to be elected by common shareholders of each Trust; and b. for each of MFS High Income Municipal Trust, MFS High Yield Municipal Trust, MFS Investment Grade Municipal Trust, and MFS Municipal Income Trust: i. three Trustees, Maureen R. Goldfarb, Paula E. Smith, and Laurie J. Thomsen, to be elected by common and preferred shareholders of each Trust, voting together as a single class; and ii. two Trustees, John P. Kavanaugh and Maryanne L. Roepke, to be elected by preferred shareholders only, voting as a separate class; and

To

ITEM 2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. This notice and the related proxy materials are being mailed to Shareholders on or about August 22, 2025. THE TRUSTEES OF YOUR TRUST RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF ITEM 1. It is anticipated that each Trust will hold its Meeting simultaneously with each other Trust. Shareholders of each Trust will vote separately on each item. Only a Trust's shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 31, 2025, will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at that Trust's Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. By order of the Board of Trustees, CHRISTOPHER R. BOHANE Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk August 22, 2025 YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOU PROMPTLY VOTING, SIGNING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED PROXY SO THAT IT IS RECEIVED BY THE DATE OF THE MEETING OR RECORDING YOUR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS BY TELEPHONE OR VIA THE INTERNET BY 10:00 A.M., EASTERN TIME, ON THE DATE OF THE MEETING, WHICH WILL HELP AVOID THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE OF A SECOND SOLICITATION FOR EACH TRUST. THE ENCLOSED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE REQUIRES NO POSTAGE AND IS PROVIDED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. MFS CHARTER INCOME TRUST MFS GOVERNMENT MARKETS INCOME TRUST MFS HIGH INCOME MUNICIPAL TRUST MFS HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL TRUST MFS INTERMEDIATE HIGH INCOME FUND MFS INTERMEDIATE INCOME TRUST MFS INVESTMENT GRADE MUNICIPAL TRUST MFS MULTIMARKET INCOME TRUST MFS MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST Proxy Statement This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the Board of Trustees of MFS Charter Income Trust, MFS Government Markets Income Trust, MFS High Income Municipal Trust, MFS High Yield Municipal Trust, MFS Intermediate High Income Fund, MFS Intermediate Income Trust, MFS Investment Grade Municipal Trust, MFS Multimarket Income Trust, and MFS Municipal Income Trust, (e

View Full Filing

View this DEF 14A filing on SEC EDGAR