INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Seeks total return.
INVESTMENT FOCUS
Employs tactical asset allocation to actively adjust the funds exposure to various global markets in response to market conditions
Uses fundamental, bottom-up security analysis to invest in a broadly diversified portfolio of global stocks, bonds and currencies
Fund Information
- Fund Commencement 11/07/94
- Net Assets ($ M) As of 03/31/24 $379.79
-
Benchmark
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond Index provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed income markets.
Share Class Information
- Class Inception 11/07/94
- Net Asset Value (NAV) As of 04/22/24 $13.88
- Most Recent NAV Change As of 04/22/24 $0.05 | 0.36%
- CUSIP 55274F497
-
Gross Expense Ratio
0.84%
Gross Expense Ratio: The Gross Expense Ratio is the fund's total operating expense ratio from the fund's most recent prospectus.
-
Net Expense Ratio
0.77%
Net Expense Ratio: The Net Expense Ratio reflects the reduction of expenses from contractual fee waivers and reimbursements. Elimination of these reductions will result in higher expenses and lower performance.
These reductions will continue until at least 04/30/24
MANAGERS
Fund Positioning (%)
| Derivative Overlay Positions 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Security Selection | Long | Short 1,* | Net Exposure | |
| 39.00 | ||||
| Europe ex-U.K. | 7.26 | 8.49 | -1.86 | 13.90 |
| U.S. Large Cap | 11.91 | 0.46 | -2.48 | 9.89 |
| Japan | 2.56 | 2.53 | 5.10 | |
| U.S. Small/Mid Cap | 7.12 | -2.57 | 4.55 | |
| United Kingdom | 2.58 | 1.54 | 4.12 | |
| Emerging Markets | 2.01 | 6.49 | -4.94 | 3.56 |
| North America ex-U.S. | 1.04 | -1.41 | -0.37 | |
| Asia/Pacific ex-Japan | 0.60 | 0.70 | -3.05 | -1.75 |
| 95.35 | ||||
| U.S. | 28.83 | 47.60 | -10.82 | 65.60 |
| Emerging Markets | 15.34 | 15.34 | ||
| Asia/Pacific ex-Japan | 2.41 | 7.24 | 9.65 | |
| Japan | 2.59 | 4.31 | 6.90 | |
| Supranational | 1.96 | 1.96 | ||
| Europe ex-U.K. | 8.75 | -8.45 | 0.30 | |
| North America ex-U.S. | 1.88 | -2.57 | -0.69 | |
| United Kingdom | 3.99 | -7.71 | -3.72 | |
| 0.90 | ||||
| U.S. | 0.71 | 0.71 | ||
| Non-U.S. | 0.18 | 0.18 | ||
| Cash & Cash Equivalents | 4.11 | |||
| Other3 | -39.36 | |||
| Total Net Exposure Summary | 100.00 | |||
Market exposure of derivative position utilized to adjust fund.
Important Risk Considerations
Stock: Stock markets and investments in individual stocks are volatile and can decline significantly in response to or investor perception of, issuer, market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, environmental, public health, and other conditions.
Bond: Investments in debt instruments may decline in value as the result of, or perception of, declines in the credit quality of the issuer, borrower, counterparty, or other entity responsible for payment, underlying collateral, or changes in economic, political, issuer-specific, or other conditions. Certain types of debt instruments can be more sensitive to these factors and therefore more volatile. In addition, debt instruments entail interest rate risk (as interest rates rise, prices usually fall). Therefore, the portfolio's value may decline during rising rates. Portfolios that consist of debt instruments with longer durations are generally more sensitive to a rise in interest rates than those with shorter durations. At times, and particularly during periods of market turmoil, all or a large portion of segments of the market may not have an active trading market. As a result, it may be difficult to value these investments and it may not be possible to sell a particular investment or type of investment at any particular time or at an acceptable price. The price of an instrument trading at a negative interest rate responds to interest rate changes like other debt instruments; however, an instrument purchased at a negative interest rate is expected to produce a negative return if held to maturity.
Emerging Markets: Emerging markets can have less market structure, depth, and regulatory, custodial or operational oversight and greater political, social, geopolitical and economic instability than developed markets.
International: Investments in foreign markets can involve greater risk and volatility than U.S. investments because of adverse market, currency, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, or other conditions.
Derivatives: Investments in derivatives can be used to take both long and short positions, be highly volatile, involve leverage (which can magnify losses), and involve risks in addition to the risks of the underlying indicator(s) on which the derivative is based, such as counterparty and liquidity risk.
High Yield: Investments in below investment grade quality debt instruments can be more volatile and have greater risk of default, or already be in default, than higher-quality debt instruments.
Allocation: MFS' assessment of the risk/return potential of asset classes, markets and currencies and its adjustments to the portfolio's exposure to asset classes, markets and currencies may not produce intended results and/or can lead to an investment focus that results in the portfolio underperforming other portfolios that invest in similar investment types or have similar investment strategies and/or underperform the markets in which the portfolio invests.
Strategy: The portfolio's strategy to manage its exposure to asset classes, markets and currencies may not produce intended results. In addition, the strategies that MFS may implement to limit the portfolio's exposure to certain extreme market events may not work as intended, and the costs associated with such strategies will reduce the portfolio's returns.
Please see the prospectus for further information on these and other risk considerations.
Pilar Gomez-Bravo, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Pilar Gomez-Bravo, CFA, is co-chief investment officer of Fixed Income at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). As co-CIO, she has joint oversight of MFS' global fixed income team and works collaboratively with MFS' investment leadership team to ensure its fixed income investors have the tools and skill sets necessary to serve the firm's clients globally. She is also a fixed income portfolio manager with oversight of the firm's Global Aggregate and Global Credit portfolio management teams. She is based in MFS' London office. Pilar joined MFS in 2013 as a portfolio manager from Imperial Capital, where she served as a managing director. She was named director of Fixed Income -- Europe in 2017 before being named co-CIO in 2023. She previously served as a portfolio manager and head of research at Negentropy Capital, within Matrix Asset Management, and cofounded Marengo Asset Management. From 2006 through 2010, she served as a senior portfolio manager and head of credit, Europe, for Neuberger Berman. She began her career in financial services at Lehman Brothers in 1997 and spent nine years with the firm, including serving as head of investment grade credit research for Europe. Pilar earned the equivalent of an LL.B degree in Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Business Science from Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE E-3, Spain). She also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management. She has held the Chartered Financial Analyst designation since 2000.
Steven Gorham, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Steven R. Gorham, CFA, is an investment officer and portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). As a member of the portfolio management teams for the firm's Value and Global Balanced portfolios, he is responsible for final buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction and risk and cash management, and he participates in the research process and strategy discussions. He also serves on the MFS Global Equity Management team. Steve joined MFS in 1989 as a teleservices representative and became a member of the Financial Advisor Division sales desk in 1991. He joined the equity research department in 1992 and became a research analyst in 1993 before being named portfolio manager in 2000. He also previously served as director of Equity -- North America from 2016 to 2019. Steve is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and has a Master of Business Administration degree from Boston College. He is a member of The Boston Security Analysts Society and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Andy Li, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Andy Li, CFA, is a fixed income portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management (MFS). In this role, he is responsible for final buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction, risk assessment and cash management. He also participates in the research process and strategy discussions. He is based in London.
Prior to joining MFS in 2018, Andy worked for four years as a portfolio manager at Man GLG. He previously served as a portfolio manager for ECM Asset Management for seven years and a management consultant at Accenture for two years. He began his career in financial services in 2005.
Andy earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in computer science with honors from Imperial College, London. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
Our portfolio managers are supported by our entire team of investment professionals in nine worldwide offices. The team employs a proprietary investment process to build better insights for our clients. The core principles of our approach are integrated research, global collaboration and active risk management.
Jay Mitchell, CFA
Portfolio Manager
John D. Mitchell, CFA, is an investment officer and director, Emerging Market Corporate Research and a fixed income research analyst at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). He oversees a team of research analysts focused on investment opportunities in emerging market corporate debt. He works closely with portfolio managers to ensure ideas are properly positioned within portfolios.
Jay joined MFS' retirement services operation in 2000 as a client services representative and was later named team leader and retirement plan coordinator. In 2003, he joined the Fixed Income Trading Group as a trading associate and was named a fixed income research associate in 2004. He became a research analyst in 2007 and was named to his current role in 2017.
Jay earned both a bachelor's degree in finance and a Master of Business Administration from Boston College. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the CFA Institute and is a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society, Inc.
Our portfolio managers are supported by our entire team of investment professionals in nine worldwide offices. The team employs a proprietary investment process to build better insights for our clients. The core principles of our approach are integrated research, global collaboration and active risk management.
Johnathan Munko
Portfolio Manager
Johnathan P. Munko is an investment officer and equity portfolio manager for the Total Return and Global Value strategies at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). In this role, he is responsible for final buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction and risk and cash management. He also participates in the research process and strategy discussions. Johnathan joined MFS in 2010 as an equity research analyst following his participation in the firm's Summer MBA Internship program in 2009. He took on portfolio management responsibilities in 2019 and served as the US financial services sector leader as part of his analyst duties for three years. He previously served as a senior associate at PwC for two years, following three years as an associate. He began his career in the financial services industry in 2003. Johnathan earned a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in accounting and computer science from Boston College and a Master of Business Administration degree from Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business.
Ben Nastou, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Benjamin R. Nastou, CFA, is an investment officer, a multi-asset portfolio manager and co-director of the Quantitative Solutions team at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). As a member of the portfolio management teams for the firm's commodity and global multi-asset strategies, he is responsible for final buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction and risk and cash management. Additionally, he participates in the research process and strategy discussions. As co-director of the Quantitative Solutions team, he oversees quantitative portfolio management and research at MFS. Ben joined MFS in 2001 as a fixed income research associate and was promoted to quantitative research analyst in 2003. He was named portfolio manager in 2010 and co-director of Quantitative Solutions in 2021. Ben earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and mathematics from Dartmouth College. He is a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society, Inc. and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute.
Jonathan Sage, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Jonathan W. Sage, CFA, is an investment officer and equity portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). He is a member of the portfolio management team responsible for the firm's Blended Research, low volatility and other quantitatively managed equity strategies. In this role, he is responsible for final buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction and risk and cash management. He also participates in the quantitative research process and strategy discussions. Jonathan joined MFS in 2000 as a quantitative equity research analyst and assumed his current role in 2005. He began his career in the financial services industry in 1995. Jonathan earned a bachelor's degree from Tufts University and a Master of Business Administration degree and Master of Science degree in finance from Boston College. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society, Inc.
Natalie Shapiro, Ph.D.
Portfolio Manager
Natalie I. Shapiro, Ph.D., is an investment officer and multi-asset portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). As a member of the portfolio management teams for the firm's commodity and global multi-asset strategies, she is responsible for final buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction and risk and cash management. Additionally, she participates in the research process and strategy discussions. Natalie joined MFS in 1997 as a quantitative research analyst and took on portfolio management responsibilities in 2007. Prior to joining the firm, she served as a research associate for three years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Natalie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with honors from Wellesley College and a doctorate in economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Erich Shigley, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Erich Shigley is an investment officer and quantitative research analyst with MFS Investment Management (MFS). He is responsible for conducting research and analysis associated with alpha generation, risk management, and asset allocation. He works closely with other members of the investment team to identify and prioritize research topics most relevant to the investment process. Erich joined MFS in 2013. Before that, he spent 13 years at Goldman, Sachs & Co., primarily as a trader and investor in equity derivatives and convertible bond securities. Erich attended Dartmouth College, from which he earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Engineering Sciences degree.
David S. Shindler is co--chief investment officer of equity for Europe and a portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). In his role, he partners with the firm's other regional co-CIOs in the research management process and strategy discussions, including by developing investment policies and programs that achieve the investment objectives of MFS and its clients. He is based in London. David joined MFS in 2006 as an equity research analyst after participating in the firm's summer MBA internship program in 2005. From 2012 to 2017, he held the position of director of research -- Canada. He was named portfolio manager in 2013, served as director of research -- Europe from 2019 to 2020 and assumed his co-CIO title in 2020. Prior to joining the firm, he spent three years as a consultant at The Bridgespan Group and two years as an associate consultant at Bain & Company. David earned an MA (Cantab) degree in political science from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Business Administration degree from Dartmouth College.
Robert Spector, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Robert Spector, CFA, is an investment officer and fixed income portfolio manager for the Global Aggregate Core, Core Plus, Opportunistic, Canadian Core Plus and Canadian Long Plus fixed income strategies at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). In this role, he is responsible for fina buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction, risk assessment and cash management. He also participates in the research process and strategy discussions. He serves on MFS' Fixed Income Strategy, Fixed Income Risk and Opportunities, and Global Rates and Currency committees. Robert joined the firm in 2005 as a portfolio manager focused on Canadian fixed income strategies and took on additional portfolio management responsibilities in 2017. His previous positions include head of Canadian economics and strategy and also senior economist and strategist at Merrill Lynch; financial economist at BMO Nesbit Burns; and associate editor and research analyst at BCA Research Group. He began his career in the financial services industry in 1993. Robert earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with great distinction as a University Scholar from McGill University and a Master of Arts degree in economics from the University of Western Ontario. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Erik Weisman, Ph.D.
Portfolio Manager
Erik S. Weisman, Ph.D., is an investment officer, chief economist and fixed income portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). As chief economist, he provides a broad-based view of major economic trends impacting financial markets and economic policy, serving as a thought leader for MFS clients and the firm's investment team as well as in the media. He manages the firm's US and global inflation-adjusted, global total return and global government strategies and chairs both the Fixed Income Strategy Group and the Global Rates and Currency Group. He is also a member of the Risk Opportunities Group and the Macro-Micro Group. Erik joined the firm in 2002 as a global sovereign fixed income research analyst. He assumed portfolio management responsibilities in 2003 and was named chief economist in 2015. Previously, he served for two years as assistant to the US executive director of the International Monetary Fund and for two years as an international economist in the Office of Central and Eastern Europe of the US Department of the Treasury. Erik earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in economics from Duke University.
Performance
Average Annual Total Returns (%)
Performance data shown represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate so your units, when sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost; current performance may be lower or higher than quoted.
Important Performance Information
Performance results reflect any applicable expense subsidies and waivers in effect during the periods shown. Without such subsidies and waivers the portfolios' performance results would be less favorable. All results assume the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains.
The returns for the portfolio shown do not reflect the deduction of expenses associated with variable products, such as mortality and expense risk charges, separate account charges, and sales charges imposed by insurance company separate accounts. Such expenses would reduce the overall returns shown. Please refer to the variable product's annual report for performance that reflects the deduction of the fees and charges imposed by insurance company separate accounts.
Withdrawals of taxable amounts from variable annuity contracts prior to age 59½ may be subject to an additional 10% federal tax penalty as well as income tax. Amounts withdrawn from a variable insurance contract will reduce the death benefit and withdrawals of earnings will be subject to income tax.
Prior to January 1, 2008, the MFS® Variable Insurance Trust II portfolios were formerly known as the MFS®Sun Life Series Trusts.
Performance information prior to February 8, 2010, reflects time periods when the fund (i) had a policy of investing between 40% and 75% of its assets in equity securities and at least 25% of its assets in fixed income senior securities and (ii) did not employ a tactical asset allocation overlay. The fund's investment policies and strategies changed effective February 8, 2010.
Sales Charges
Initial Class shares have no sales charge.
No representation is made, and no assurance can be given, that any investment's results will be comparable to the investment results of any other product with similar investment objectives and policies, including products with the same investment professional or manager. Differences in portfolio size, investments held, contract and portfolio expenses, and other factors can be expected to affect performance.
A Word About Variable Products
Issued by insurance companies, variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts allow investors to accumulate money on a tax deferred basis for long-term financial goals. Mortality and expense charges (which compensate the insurance company for insurance risks it assumes under the contract), surrender charges (typically levied if a contract holder cancels it within a certain period following initial purchase), and an annual maintenance charge are among the fees typically associated with these types of variable products.
Also keep in mind that any income guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company, and that contract owners have options when a contract's payout phase begins. Generally, investors may take their money in a lump sum, make discretionary or systematic distributions, or they can annuitize.
Please refer investors to your variable annuity or life insurance contract as well as the underlying fund prospectus(es) for more detailed information and other important considerations, which should be read carefully before investing.
Annual Rate of Return (%)
As of 12/31/23 | Benchmark: Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At NAV | 4.46 | -2.23 | 6.24 | 10.83 | -4.50 | 14.58 | 6.23 | 2.79 | -7.20 | 9.63 |
| Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index | 0.59 | -3.15 | 2.09 | 7.39 | -1.20 | 6.84 | 9.20 | -4.71 | -16.25 | 5.72 |
| At NAV | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 9.63 | 5.72 |
| 2022 | -7.2 | -16.25 |
| 2021 | 2.79 | -4.71 |
| 2020 | 6.23 | 9.2 |
| 2019 | 14.58 | 6.84 |
| 2018 | -4.5 | -1.2 |
| 2017 | 10.83 | 7.39 |
| 2016 | 6.24 | 2.09 |
| 2015 | -2.23 | -3.15 |
| 2014 | 4.46 | 0.59 |
Pricing History
- NAV at Close of Trading on: 04/22/24
- Net Asset Value (NAV): $13.88
- Change ($) (since 04/19/24 ): 0.05
- Change (%) (since 04/19/24 ): 0.36
- Market Price (MP):
Historical NAV may not be available for all dates.
Historical MP may not be available for all dates.
-
Overview
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Seeks total return.
INVESTMENT FOCUS
Employs tactical asset allocation to actively adjust the funds exposure to various global markets in response to market conditions
Uses fundamental, bottom-up security analysis to invest in a broadly diversified portfolio of global stocks, bonds and currencies
Fund Information
- Fund Commencement 11/07/94
- Net Assets ($ M) As of 03/31/24 $379.79
-
Benchmark
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond Index provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed income markets.
Share Class Information
- Class Inception 11/07/94
- Net Asset Value (NAV) As of 04/22/24 $13.88
- Most Recent NAV Change As of 04/22/24 $0.05 | 0.36%
- CUSIP 55274F497
-
Gross Expense Ratio
0.84%
Gross Expense Ratio: The Gross Expense Ratio is the fund's total operating expense ratio from the fund's most recent prospectus.
-
Net Expense Ratio
0.77%
Net Expense Ratio: The Net Expense Ratio reflects the reduction of expenses from contractual fee waivers and reimbursements. Elimination of these reductions will result in higher expenses and lower performance.
These reductions will continue until at least 04/30/24
MANAGERS
Fund Positioning (%)
As of 03/31/24Derivative Overlay Positions 1 Active Security Selection Long Short 1,* Net Exposure 39.00 Europe ex-U.K. 7.26 8.49 -1.86 13.90 U.S. Large Cap 11.91 0.46 -2.48 9.89 Japan 2.56 2.53 5.10 U.S. Small/Mid Cap 7.12 -2.57 4.55 United Kingdom 2.58 1.54 4.12 Emerging Markets 2.01 6.49 -4.94 3.56 North America ex-U.S. 1.04 -1.41 -0.37 Asia/Pacific ex-Japan 0.60 0.70 -3.05 -1.75 95.35 U.S. 28.83 47.60 -10.82 65.60 Emerging Markets 15.34 15.34 Asia/Pacific ex-Japan 2.41 7.24 9.65 Japan 2.59 4.31 6.90 Supranational 1.96 1.96 Europe ex-U.K. 8.75 -8.45 0.30 North America ex-U.S. 1.88 -2.57 -0.69 United Kingdom 3.99 -7.71 -3.72 0.90 U.S. 0.71 0.71 Non-U.S. 0.18 0.18 Cash & Cash Equivalents 4.11 Other3 -39.36 Total Net Exposure Summary 100.00 1Market exposure of derivative position utilized to adjust fund.
3Other. Other consists of: (i) currency derivatives and/or (ii) any derivative offsets.*Short positions, unlike long positions, lose value if the underlying asset gains value.Important Risk Considerations
The portfolio may not achieve its objective and/or you could lose money on your investment in the portfolio.Stock: Stock markets and investments in individual stocks are volatile and can decline significantly in response to or investor perception of, issuer, market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, environmental, public health, and other conditions.
Bond: Investments in debt instruments may decline in value as the result of, or perception of, declines in the credit quality of the issuer, borrower, counterparty, or other entity responsible for payment, underlying collateral, or changes in economic, political, issuer-specific, or other conditions. Certain types of debt instruments can be more sensitive to these factors and therefore more volatile. In addition, debt instruments entail interest rate risk (as interest rates rise, prices usually fall). Therefore, the portfolio's value may decline during rising rates. Portfolios that consist of debt instruments with longer durations are generally more sensitive to a rise in interest rates than those with shorter durations. At times, and particularly during periods of market turmoil, all or a large portion of segments of the market may not have an active trading market. As a result, it may be difficult to value these investments and it may not be possible to sell a particular investment or type of investment at any particular time or at an acceptable price. The price of an instrument trading at a negative interest rate responds to interest rate changes like other debt instruments; however, an instrument purchased at a negative interest rate is expected to produce a negative return if held to maturity.
Emerging Markets: Emerging markets can have less market structure, depth, and regulatory, custodial or operational oversight and greater political, social, geopolitical and economic instability than developed markets.
International: Investments in foreign markets can involve greater risk and volatility than U.S. investments because of adverse market, currency, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, or other conditions.
Derivatives: Investments in derivatives can be used to take both long and short positions, be highly volatile, involve leverage (which can magnify losses), and involve risks in addition to the risks of the underlying indicator(s) on which the derivative is based, such as counterparty and liquidity risk.
High Yield: Investments in below investment grade quality debt instruments can be more volatile and have greater risk of default, or already be in default, than higher-quality debt instruments.
Allocation: MFS' assessment of the risk/return potential of asset classes, markets and currencies and its adjustments to the portfolio's exposure to asset classes, markets and currencies may not produce intended results and/or can lead to an investment focus that results in the portfolio underperforming other portfolios that invest in similar investment types or have similar investment strategies and/or underperform the markets in which the portfolio invests.
Strategy: The portfolio's strategy to manage its exposure to asset classes, markets and currencies may not produce intended results. In addition, the strategies that MFS may implement to limit the portfolio's exposure to certain extreme market events may not work as intended, and the costs associated with such strategies will reduce the portfolio's returns.
Please see the prospectus for further information on these and other risk considerations.
Pilar Gomez-Bravo, CFA
Portfolio Manager
VIEW FULL PROFILE27YEARS WITH INDUSTRY
11YEARS WITH PORTFOLIOPilar Gomez-Bravo, CFA, is co-chief investment officer of Fixed Income at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). As co-CIO, she has joint oversight of MFS' global fixed income team and works collaboratively with MFS' investment leadership team to ensure its fixed income investors have the tools and skill sets necessary to serve the firm's clients globally. She is also a fixed income portfolio manager with oversight of the firm's Global Aggregate and Global Credit portfolio management teams. She is based in MFS' London office. Pilar joined MFS in 2013 as a portfolio manager from Imperial Capital, where she served as a managing director. She was named director of Fixed Income -- Europe in 2017 before being named co-CIO in 2023. She previously served as a portfolio manager and head of research at Negentropy Capital, within Matrix Asset Management, and cofounded Marengo Asset Management. From 2006 through 2010, she served as a senior portfolio manager and head of credit, Europe, for Neuberger Berman. She began her career in financial services at Lehman Brothers in 1997 and spent nine years with the firm, including serving as head of investment grade credit research for Europe. Pilar earned the equivalent of an LL.B degree in Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Business Science from Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE E-3, Spain). She also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management. She has held the Chartered Financial Analyst designation since 2000.
Steven Gorham, CFA
Portfolio Manager
35YEARS WITH INDUSTRY
24YEARS WITH PORTFOLIOSteven R. Gorham, CFA, is an investment officer and portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). As a member of the portfolio management teams for the firm's Value and Global Balanced portfolios, he is responsible for final buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction and risk and cash management, and he participates in the research process and strategy discussions. He also serves on the MFS Global Equity Management team. Steve joined MFS in 1989 as a teleservices representative and became a member of the Financial Advisor Division sales desk in 1991. He joined the equity research department in 1992 and became a research analyst in 1993 before being named portfolio manager in 2000. He also previously served as director of Equity -- North America from 2016 to 2019. Steve is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and has a Master of Business Administration degree from Boston College. He is a member of The Boston Security Analysts Society and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Andy Li, CFA
Portfolio Manager
19YEARS WITH INDUSTRY
5YEARS WITH PORTFOLIOAndy Li, CFA, is a fixed income portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management (MFS). In this role, he is responsible for final buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction, risk assessment and cash management. He also participates in the research process and strategy discussions. He is based in London.
Prior to joining MFS in 2018, Andy worked for four years as a portfolio manager at Man GLG. He previously served as a portfolio manager for ECM Asset Management for seven years and a management consultant at Accenture for two years. He began his career in financial services in 2005.
Andy earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in computer science with honors from Imperial College, London. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
Our portfolio managers are supported by our entire team of investment professionals in nine worldwide offices. The team employs a proprietary investment process to build better insights for our clients. The core principles of our approach are integrated research, global collaboration and active risk management.
Jay Mitchell, CFA
Portfolio Manager
24YEARS WITH INDUSTRY
1YEAR WITH PORTFOLIOJohn D. Mitchell, CFA, is an investment officer and director, Emerging Market Corporate Research and a fixed income research analyst at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). He oversees a team of research analysts focused on investment opportunities in emerging market corporate debt. He works closely with portfolio managers to ensure ideas are properly positioned within portfolios.
Jay joined MFS' retirement services operation in 2000 as a client services representative and was later named team leader and retirement plan coordinator. In 2003, he joined the Fixed Income Trading Group as a trading associate and was named a fixed income research associate in 2004. He became a research analyst in 2007 and was named to his current role in 2017.
Jay earned both a bachelor's degree in finance and a Master of Business Administration from Boston College. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the CFA Institute and is a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society, Inc.
Our portfolio managers are supported by our entire team of investment professionals in nine worldwide offices. The team employs a proprietary investment process to build better insights for our clients. The core principles of our approach are integrated research, global collaboration and active risk management.
Johnathan Munko
Portfolio Manager
19YEARS WITH INDUSTRY
3YEARS WITH PORTFOLIOJohnathan P. Munko is an investment officer and equity portfolio manager for the Total Return and Global Value strategies at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). In this role, he is responsible for final buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction and risk and cash management. He also participates in the research process and strategy discussions. Johnathan joined MFS in 2010 as an equity research analyst following his participation in the firm's Summer MBA Internship program in 2009. He took on portfolio management responsibilities in 2019 and served as the US financial services sector leader as part of his analyst duties for three years. He previously served as a senior associate at PwC for two years, following three years as an associate. He began his career in the financial services industry in 2003. Johnathan earned a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in accounting and computer science from Boston College and a Master of Business Administration degree from Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business.
Ben Nastou, CFA
Portfolio Manager
23YEARS WITH INDUSTRY
14YEARS WITH PORTFOLIOBenjamin R. Nastou, CFA, is an investment officer, a multi-asset portfolio manager and co-director of the Quantitative Solutions team at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). As a member of the portfolio management teams for the firm's commodity and global multi-asset strategies, he is responsible for final buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction and risk and cash management. Additionally, he participates in the research process and strategy discussions. As co-director of the Quantitative Solutions team, he oversees quantitative portfolio management and research at MFS. Ben joined MFS in 2001 as a fixed income research associate and was promoted to quantitative research analyst in 2003. He was named portfolio manager in 2010 and co-director of Quantitative Solutions in 2021. Ben earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and mathematics from Dartmouth College. He is a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society, Inc. and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute.
Jonathan Sage, CFA
Portfolio Manager
28YEARS WITH INDUSTRY
9YEARS WITH PORTFOLIOJonathan W. Sage, CFA, is an investment officer and equity portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). He is a member of the portfolio management team responsible for the firm's Blended Research, low volatility and other quantitatively managed equity strategies. In this role, he is responsible for final buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction and risk and cash management. He also participates in the quantitative research process and strategy discussions. Jonathan joined MFS in 2000 as a quantitative equity research analyst and assumed his current role in 2005. He began his career in the financial services industry in 1995. Jonathan earned a bachelor's degree from Tufts University and a Master of Business Administration degree and Master of Science degree in finance from Boston College. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society, Inc.
Natalie Shapiro, Ph.D.
Portfolio Manager
30YEARS WITH INDUSTRY
14YEARS WITH PORTFOLIONatalie I. Shapiro, Ph.D., is an investment officer and multi-asset portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). As a member of the portfolio management teams for the firm's commodity and global multi-asset strategies, she is responsible for final buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction and risk and cash management. Additionally, she participates in the research process and strategy discussions. Natalie joined MFS in 1997 as a quantitative research analyst and took on portfolio management responsibilities in 2007. Prior to joining the firm, she served as a research associate for three years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Natalie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with honors from Wellesley College and a doctorate in economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Erich Shigley, CFA
Portfolio Manager
24YEARS WITH INDUSTRY
2YEARS WITH PORTFOLIOErich Shigley is an investment officer and quantitative research analyst with MFS Investment Management (MFS). He is responsible for conducting research and analysis associated with alpha generation, risk management, and asset allocation. He works closely with other members of the investment team to identify and prioritize research topics most relevant to the investment process. Erich joined MFS in 2013. Before that, he spent 13 years at Goldman, Sachs & Co., primarily as a trader and investor in equity derivatives and convertible bond securities. Erich attended Dartmouth College, from which he earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Engineering Sciences degree.
David S. Shindler is co--chief investment officer of equity for Europe and a portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). In his role, he partners with the firm's other regional co-CIOs in the research management process and strategy discussions, including by developing investment policies and programs that achieve the investment objectives of MFS and its clients. He is based in London. David joined MFS in 2006 as an equity research analyst after participating in the firm's summer MBA internship program in 2005. From 2012 to 2017, he held the position of director of research -- Canada. He was named portfolio manager in 2013, served as director of research -- Europe from 2019 to 2020 and assumed his co-CIO title in 2020. Prior to joining the firm, he spent three years as a consultant at The Bridgespan Group and two years as an associate consultant at Bain & Company. David earned an MA (Cantab) degree in political science from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Business Administration degree from Dartmouth College.
Robert Spector, CFA
Portfolio Manager
31YEARS WITH INDUSTRY
8YEARS WITH PORTFOLIORobert Spector, CFA, is an investment officer and fixed income portfolio manager for the Global Aggregate Core, Core Plus, Opportunistic, Canadian Core Plus and Canadian Long Plus fixed income strategies at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). In this role, he is responsible for fina buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction, risk assessment and cash management. He also participates in the research process and strategy discussions. He serves on MFS' Fixed Income Strategy, Fixed Income Risk and Opportunities, and Global Rates and Currency committees. Robert joined the firm in 2005 as a portfolio manager focused on Canadian fixed income strategies and took on additional portfolio management responsibilities in 2017. His previous positions include head of Canadian economics and strategy and also senior economist and strategist at Merrill Lynch; financial economist at BMO Nesbit Burns; and associate editor and research analyst at BCA Research Group. He began his career in the financial services industry in 1993. Robert earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with great distinction as a University Scholar from McGill University and a Master of Arts degree in economics from the University of Western Ontario. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Erik Weisman, Ph.D.
Portfolio Manager
26YEARS WITH INDUSTRY
20YEARS WITH PORTFOLIOErik S. Weisman, Ph.D., is an investment officer, chief economist and fixed income portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). As chief economist, he provides a broad-based view of major economic trends impacting financial markets and economic policy, serving as a thought leader for MFS clients and the firm's investment team as well as in the media. He manages the firm's US and global inflation-adjusted, global total return and global government strategies and chairs both the Fixed Income Strategy Group and the Global Rates and Currency Group. He is also a member of the Risk Opportunities Group and the Macro-Micro Group. Erik joined the firm in 2002 as a global sovereign fixed income research analyst. He assumed portfolio management responsibilities in 2003 and was named chief economist in 2015. Previously, he served for two years as assistant to the US executive director of the International Monetary Fund and for two years as an international economist in the Office of Central and Eastern Europe of the US Department of the Treasury. Erik earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in economics from Duke University.
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Performance
Performance
Average Annual Total ReturnsAverage Annual Total Returns (%)
These results represent the percent change in net asset value.Monthly | Quarterly As of 03/31/24 (*YTD Updated Daily, As of 04/22/24 , subject to revision and not annualized.)Performance data shown represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate so your units, when sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost; current performance may be lower or higher than quoted.
Important Performance Information
Performance results reflect any applicable expense subsidies and waivers in effect during the periods shown. Without such subsidies and waivers the portfolios' performance results would be less favorable. All results assume the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains.
The returns for the portfolio shown do not reflect the deduction of expenses associated with variable products, such as mortality and expense risk charges, separate account charges, and sales charges imposed by insurance company separate accounts. Such expenses would reduce the overall returns shown. Please refer to the variable product's annual report for performance that reflects the deduction of the fees and charges imposed by insurance company separate accounts.
Withdrawals of taxable amounts from variable annuity contracts prior to age 59½ may be subject to an additional 10% federal tax penalty as well as income tax. Amounts withdrawn from a variable insurance contract will reduce the death benefit and withdrawals of earnings will be subject to income tax.
Prior to January 1, 2008, the MFS® Variable Insurance Trust II portfolios were formerly known as the MFS®Sun Life Series Trusts.
Performance information prior to February 8, 2010, reflects time periods when the fund (i) had a policy of investing between 40% and 75% of its assets in equity securities and at least 25% of its assets in fixed income senior securities and (ii) did not employ a tactical asset allocation overlay. The fund's investment policies and strategies changed effective February 8, 2010.
Sales Charges
Initial Class shares have no sales charge.
No representation is made, and no assurance can be given, that any investment's results will be comparable to the investment results of any other product with similar investment objectives and policies, including products with the same investment professional or manager. Differences in portfolio size, investments held, contract and portfolio expenses, and other factors can be expected to affect performance.
A Word About Variable Products
Issued by insurance companies, variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts allow investors to accumulate money on a tax deferred basis for long-term financial goals. Mortality and expense charges (which compensate the insurance company for insurance risks it assumes under the contract), surrender charges (typically levied if a contract holder cancels it within a certain period following initial purchase), and an annual maintenance charge are among the fees typically associated with these types of variable products.
Also keep in mind that any income guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company, and that contract owners have options when a contract's payout phase begins. Generally, investors may take their money in a lump sum, make discretionary or systematic distributions, or they can annuitize.
Please refer investors to your variable annuity or life insurance contract as well as the underlying fund prospectus(es) for more detailed information and other important considerations, which should be read carefully before investing.Annual Rate of ReturnAnnual Rate of Return (%)
As of 12/31/23 | Benchmark: Bloomberg Global Aggregate Indexannual rate of return table 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 At NAV 4.46 -2.23 6.24 10.83 -4.50 14.58 6.23 2.79 -7.20 9.63 Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index 0.59 -3.15 2.09 7.39 -1.20 6.84 9.20 -4.71 -16.25 5.72 At NAV Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index 2023 9.63 5.72 2022 -7.2 -16.25 2021 2.79 -4.71 2020 6.23 9.2 2019 14.58 6.84 2018 -4.5 -1.2 2017 10.83 7.39 2016 6.24 2.09 2015 -2.23 -3.15 2014 4.46 0.59 Pricing & DistributionsPricing History
- NAV at Close of Trading on: 04/22/24
- Net Asset Value (NAV): $13.88
- Change ($) (since 04/19/24 ): 0.05
- Change (%) (since 04/19/24 ): 0.36
- Market Price (MP):
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