Eaton Vance Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

 

 

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: 811-22777

 

 

Eaton Vance Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Maureen A. Gemma

Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Name and Address of Agent for Services)

 

 

(617) 482-8260

(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

January 31

Date of Fiscal Year End

July 31, 2018

Date of Reporting Period

 

 

 


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders


LOGO

 

 

Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust (ETX)

Semiannual Report

July 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

LOGO


 

 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Fund’s adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator and a commodity trading advisor.

Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.


Semiannual Report July 31, 2018

Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

Table of Contents

 

Performance

     2  

Fund Profile

     2  

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

     3  

Financial Statements

     4  

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval

     17  

Officers and Trustees

     20  

Important Notices

     21  


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Performance1,2

 

Portfolio Manager Craig R. Brandon, CFA

 

% Average Annual Total Returns    Inception Date      Six Months      One Year      Five Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund at NAV

     03/28/2013        1.65      1.87      10.26      5.86

Fund at Market Price

            1.95        –0.59        12.27        5.18  

Bloomberg Barclays 10 Year Municipal Bond Index

            1.20      0.31      3.72      2.79
              
% Premium/Discount to NAV3                                        
                 –3.39
              
Distributions4                                        

Total Distributions per share for the period

               $ 0.425  

Distribution Rate at NAV

                 4.18

Taxable-Equivalent Distribution Rate at NAV

                 7.06

Distribution Rate at Market Price

                 4.33

Taxable-Equivalent Distribution Rate at Market Price

                 7.31
              
% Total Leverage5                                        

Residual Interest Bond (RIB) Financing

                 36.99

Fund Profile

 

 

Credit Quality (% of total investments)6,7

 

 

LOGO

 

*

Amount is less than 0.05%.

    

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or market price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested and include management fees and other expenses. Fund performance at market price will differ from its results at NAV due to factors such as changing perceptions about the Fund, market conditions, fluctuations in supply and demand for Fund shares, or changes in Fund distributions. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  2  


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

 

 

1 

Bloomberg Barclays 10 Year Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index of municipal bonds traded in the U.S. with maturities ranging from 8-12 years. Unless otherwise stated, index returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

2 

Performance results reflect the effects of leverage. Performance since inception for an index, if presented, is the performance since the Fund’s or oldest share class’ inception, as applicable.

 

3 

The shares of the Fund often trade at a discount or premium from their net asset value. The discount or premium of the Fund may vary over time and may be higher or lower than what is quoted in this report. For up-to-date premium/discount information, please refer to http://eatonvance.com/closedend.

 

4 

The Distribution Rate is based on the Fund’s last regular distribution per share in the period (annualized) divided by the Fund’s NAV or market price at the end of the period. The Fund’s distributions may be comprised of amounts characterized for federal income tax purposes as tax-exempt income, qualified and non-qualified ordinary dividends, capital gains and nondividend distributions, also known as return of capital. The Fund will determine the federal income tax character of distributions paid to a shareholder after the end of the calendar year. This is reported on the IRS form 1099-DIV and provided to the shareholder shortly after each year-end. For information about the tax character of distributions made in prior calendar years, please refer to Performance-Tax Character of Distributions on the Fund’s webpage available at eatonvance.com. The Fund’s distributions are determined by the investment adviser based on its current assessment of the Fund’s long-term return potential. Fund distributions may be affected by numerous factors including changes in Fund performance, the cost of financing for leverage, portfolio holdings, realized and projected returns, and other factors. As portfolio and market conditions change, the rate of distributions paid by the Fund could change. Taxable-equivalent performance is based on the highest combined federal and state income tax rates, where applicable. Lower tax rates would result in lower tax-equivalent performance. Actual tax rates will vary depending on your income, exemptions and deductions. Rates do not include local taxes.

5 

Fund employs RIB financing. The leverage created by RIB investments provides an opportunity for increased income but, at the same time, creates special risks (including the likelihood of greater price volatility). The cost of leverage rises and falls with changes in short-term interest rates. See “Floating Rate Notes Issued in Conjunction with Securities Held” in the notes to the financial statements for more information about RIB financing. RIB leverage represents the amount of Floating Rate Notes outstanding at period end as a percentage of Fund net assets plus Floating Rate Notes.

 

6 

Ratings are based on Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), as applicable. If securities are rated differently by the ratings agencies, the highest rating is applied. Ratings, which are subject to change, apply to the creditworthiness of the issuers of the underlying securities and not to the Fund or its shares. Credit ratings measure the quality of a bond based on the issuer’s creditworthiness, with ratings ranging from AAA, being the highest, to D, being the lowest based on S&P’s measures. Ratings of BBB or higher by S&P or Fitch (Baa or higher by Moody’s) are considered to be investment-grade quality. Credit ratings are based largely on the ratings agency’s analysis at the time of rating. The rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition and does not necessarily reflect its assessment of the volatility of a security’s market value or of the liquidity of an investment in the security. Holdings designated as “Not Rated” (if any) are not rated by the national ratings agencies stated above.

 

7 

The chart includes the municipal bonds held by a trust that issues residual interest bonds, consistent with the Portfolio of Investments.

 

  

Fund profile subject to change due to active management.

 

 

  3  


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)

 

 

Tax-Exempt Municipal Securities — 152.9%

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Bond Bank — 1.1%  

Rickenbacker Port Authority, OH, (OASBO Expanded Asset Pooled Financing Program), 5.375%, 1/1/32

  $ 2,100     $ 2,332,743  
            $ 2,332,743  
Education — 8.8%  

Florida Higher Educational Facilities Financing Authority, (Jacksonville University), 4.50%, 6/1/33(1)

  $ 265     $ 275,014  

Portland Community College District, OR, 3.25%, 6/15/32(2)

    10,250       10,268,040  

Rutgers State University, NJ, 4.00%, 5/1/30(2)

    8,425       8,925,108  
            $ 19,468,162  
Electric Utilities — 5.0%  

Salt River Agricultural Improvement and Power District, AZ, 5.00%, 12/1/30(2)

  $ 10,000     $ 11,022,900  
            $ 11,022,900  
Escrowed / Prerefunded — 4.1%  

Hawaii, Prerefunded to 11/1/22, 5.00%, 11/1/28(2)

  $ 5,400     $ 6,077,430  

Hawaii, Prerefunded to 11/1/22, 5.00%, 11/1/28(2)

    185       208,208  

Hawaii, Prerefunded to 11/1/22, 5.00%, 11/1/28(2)

    2,415       2,717,962  
            $ 9,003,600  
General Obligations — 33.2%  

Clackamas Community College District, OR, 0.00%, 6/15/28

  $ 1,830     $ 1,322,706  

Clackamas Community College District, OR, 0.00%, 6/15/29

    1,000       688,600  

Clovis Unified School District, CA, (Election of 2012), 0.00%, 8/1/28

    1,000       707,760  

Clovis Unified School District, CA, (Election of 2012), 0.00%, 8/1/29

    2,395       1,613,512  

Clovis Unified School District, CA, (Election of 2012), 0.00%, 8/1/30

    2,575       1,648,077  

Fresno Unified School District, CA, (Election of 2010), 0.00%, 8/1/30

    800       503,096  

Fresno Unified School District, CA, (Election of 2010), 0.00%, 8/1/31

    955       570,221  

Illinois, 5.00%, 11/1/28

    1,500       1,613,700  

Illinois, 5.00%, 5/1/33

    3,200       3,344,256  

Leander Independent School District, TX, (PSF Guaranteed), 0.00%, 8/15/31

    5,000       3,069,250  

Ocean City, NJ, 1.00%, 11/15/28

    520       433,082  

Pennsylvania, 4.00%, 4/1/29(2)

    10,000       10,383,300  

Riverside County Community College District, CA, (Election of 2004), 0.00%, 8/1/29

    1,500       1,018,395  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
General Obligations (continued)  

Riverside County Community College District, CA, (Election of 2004), 0.00%, 8/1/30

  $ 1,250     $ 804,988  

San Bernardino Community College District, CA, 4.00%, 8/1/30(2)

    10,000       10,671,400  

Springfield School District No. 19, Lane County, OR, 0.00%, 6/15/32

    4,395       2,686,751  

Tempe Union High School District No. 213, AZ, 4.00%, 7/1/29(2)

    4,200       4,417,980  

Tempe Union High School District No. 213, AZ, 4.00%, 7/1/30(2)

    4,350       4,555,407  

Texas, (Texas Transportation Commission), 4.00%, 10/1/31(2)

    10,000       10,618,800  

University City School District, MO, 0.00%, 2/15/33

    2,850       1,743,373  

Washington, 4.00%, 7/1/29(2)

    10,000       10,637,000  
            $ 73,051,654  
Hospital — 15.7%  

California Health Facilities Financing Authority, (Providence Health & Services), 4.00%, 10/1/28(2)

  $ 10,000     $ 10,686,400  

Delaware Health Facilities Authority, (Nanticoke Memorial Hospital), 5.00%, 7/1/28

    2,500       2,690,100  

Illinois Finance Authority, (Presence Health Network), 5.00%, 2/15/29

    2,635       3,065,902  

New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, (Hackensack Meridian Health Obligated Group), 4.00%, 7/1/34

    85       89,092  

New York Dormitory Authority, (Orange Regional Medical Center), 5.00%, 12/1/29(1)

    450       499,036  

New York Dormitory Authority, (Orange Regional Medical Center), 5.00%, 12/1/30(1)

    1,000       1,105,740  

Oklahoma Development Finance Authority, (OU Medicine), 5.00%, 8/15/29

    1,000       1,141,470  

Southeastern Ohio Port Authority, (Memorial Health System Obligated Group), 5.50%, 12/1/29

    985       1,077,797  

Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, (Baylor Health Care System), 4.00%, 11/15/32(2)

    10,000       10,347,500  

Ward County, ND, (Trinity Obligated Group), 5.00%, 6/1/28

    2,000       2,269,000  

Yavapai County Industrial Development Authority, AZ, (Yavapai Regional Medical Center), 5.00%, 8/1/28

    1,500       1,630,995  
            $ 34,603,032  
Housing — 5.4%  

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, SFMR, (AMT), 3.90%, 10/1/28(2)

  $ 1,110     $ 1,132,633  

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, SFMR, (AMT), 4.20%, 10/1/33(2)

    660       680,829  

Virginia Housing Development Authority, 3.625%, 1/1/31(2)

    10,000       10,136,800  
            $ 11,950,262  
 

 

  4   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Industrial Development Revenue — 6.6%  

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, (Cleco Power LLC), 4.25%, 12/1/38

  $ 2,395     $ 2,468,598  

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, (Covanta Energy), (AMT),
4.875%, 11/1/27(1)

    2,500       2,502,050  

Matagorda County Navigation District No. 1, TX, (AEP Texas Central Co.), Series 2008-1, 4.00%, 6/1/30

    540       555,530  

Matagorda County Navigation District No. 1, TX, (AEP Texas Central Co.), Series 2008-2, 4.00%, 6/1/30

    3,000       3,086,280  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, (Continental Airlines), Series 2000A, (AMT), 5.625%, 11/15/30

    500       566,350  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, (Continental Airlines), Series 2000B, (AMT), 5.625%, 11/15/30

    855       968,459  

Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, (Pratt Paper, LLC), (AMT), 3.75%, 1/15/28(1)

    1,200       1,218,144  

Public Finance Authority, WI, (Celanese Corp.), 4.05%, 11/1/30

    3,000       3,051,810  

Vermont Economic Development Authority, (Casella Waste Systems, Inc.), (AMT), 4.625% to 4/3/28 (Put Date), 4/1/36(1)

    105       105,035  
            $ 14,522,256  
Insured – Electric Utilities — 2.7%  

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, (NPFG), 5.25%, 7/1/29

  $ 500     $ 532,845  

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, (NPFG), 5.25%, 7/1/30

    5,000       5,326,750  
            $ 5,859,595  
Insured – General Obligations — 3.2%  

Chicago Board of Education, IL, (AGM), 5.00%, 12/1/28

  $ 250     $ 283,190  

Grossmont Union High School District, CA, (Election of 2008), (AGM), 0.00%, 8/1/29

    4,000       2,709,840  

Luzerne County, PA, (AGM), 5.00%, 11/15/29

    2,000       2,237,740  

McHenry County Community Unit School District No. 12, IL, (AGM), 4.25%, 1/1/29

    1,230       1,266,531  

Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority, (NPFG), 6.00%, 7/1/28

    500       516,380  
            $ 7,013,681  
Insured – Industrial Development Revenue — 1.9%  

Massachusetts Port Authority, (Delta Airlines, Inc.), (AMBAC), (AMT), 5.00%, 1/1/27

  $ 4,200     $ 4,246,158  
            $ 4,246,158  
Insured – Special Tax Revenue — 1.6%  

Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority, (AMBAC), 5.00%, 7/1/31

  $ 1,475     $ 1,475,679  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Insured – Special Tax Revenue (continued)  

Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority, (AMBAC), 0.00%, 7/1/35

  $ 1,115     $ 443,112  

Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority, (AMBAC), 5.50%, 7/1/28

    1,480       1,629,450  
            $ 3,548,241  
Insured – Transportation — 5.0%  

Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency, CA, (AGM), 5.625%, (0.00% until 1/15/24), 1/15/32

  $ 795     $ 728,427  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, (The Goethals Bridge Replacement), (AGM), (AMT), 5.00%, 1/1/31

    1,340       1,482,147  

New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, (Transportation System), (AMBAC), 0.00%, 12/15/28

    9,095       6,062,545  

Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority, (AGM), 5.50%, 7/1/31

    1,000       1,174,780  

Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority, (AMBAC), 0.00%, 7/1/20

    1,625       1,499,322  
            $ 10,947,221  
Insured – Water and Sewer — 2.6%  

Jefferson County, AL, Sewer Revenue, (AGM), 0.00%, 10/1/27

  $ 875     $ 610,006  

Jefferson County, AL, Sewer Revenue, (AGM), 0.00%, 10/1/29

    1,225       744,016  

Jefferson County, AL, Sewer Revenue, (AGM), 0.00%, 10/1/30

    1,045       590,268  

Jefferson County, AL, Sewer Revenue, (AGM), 0.00%, 10/1/33

    5,870       2,693,039  

Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, (AGC), 5.00%, 7/1/28

    1,000       1,025,840  
            $ 5,663,169  
Lease Revenue / Certificates of Participation — 0.5%  

Michigan Strategic Fund, (Facility for Rare Isotope Beams), 4.00%, 3/1/31

  $ 1,000     $ 1,039,010  
            $ 1,039,010  
Other Revenue — 6.4%  

Kalispel Tribe of Indians, WA, 5.00%, 1/1/32(1)

  $ 700     $ 712,600  

Oregon Department of Administrative Services, Lottery Revenue, 4.00%, 4/1/29(2)

    10,000       10,543,400  

Salt Verde Financial Corp., AZ, Senior Gas Revenue, 5.00%, 12/1/32

    2,460       2,872,936  
            $ 14,128,936  
 

 

  5   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Senior Living / Life Care — 10.3%  

Bexar County Health Facilities Development Corp., TX, (Army Retirement Residence Foundation), 5.00%, 7/15/27

  $ 225     $ 249,914  

Bexar County Health Facilities Development Corp., TX, (Army Retirement Residence Foundation), 5.00%, 7/15/28

    225       248,816  

Buffalo and Erie County Industrial Land Development Corp., NY, (Orchard Park CCRC, Inc.), 5.00%, 11/15/28

    1,360       1,515,108  

Colorado Health Facilities Authority, (Frasier Meadows Retirement Community), 5.25%, 5/15/28

    250       280,420  

Harris County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, (Brazos Presbyterian Homes, Inc.), 5.75%, 1/1/28

    140       153,978  

Illinois Finance Authority, (Plymouth Place, Inc.), 5.00%, 5/15/30

    2,750       2,880,213  

Lancaster County Hospital Authority, PA, (Brethren Village), 5.00%, 7/1/30

    500       550,155  

Lancaster Industrial Development Authority, PA, (Garden Spot Village), 5.375%, 5/1/28

    600       657,852  

Lorain County Port Authority, OH, (Kendal at Oberlin), 5.00%, 11/15/30

    1,250       1,368,113  

Multnomah County Hospital Facilities Authority, OR, (Mirabella at South Waterfront), 5.125%, 10/1/34

    1,500       1,581,240  

New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, (Longhorn Village), 5.00%, 1/1/28

    1,145       1,244,363  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, (United Methodist Homes of New Jersey), 4.00%, 7/1/27

    765       780,728  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, (United Methodist Homes of New Jersey), 4.00%, 7/1/28

    910       924,187  

Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority, FL, (Sinai Residences of Boca Raton), 7.25%, 6/1/34

    1,110       1,268,741  

Public Finance Authority, WI, (Church Home of Hartford, Inc.), 5.00%, 9/1/25(1)

    1,200       1,303,368  

Rockville, MD, (Ingleside at King Farm), 5.00%, 11/1/29

    1,100       1,215,753  

Savannah Economic Development Authority, GA, (Marshes of Skidaway Island), 6.00%, 1/1/24

    405       434,541  

Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, (Trinity Terrace), 5.00%, 10/1/29

    1,035       1,123,948  

Tempe Industrial Development Authority, AZ, (Mirabella at ASU), 5.50%, 10/1/27(1)

    900       961,191  

Tulsa County Industrial Authority, OK, (Montereau, Inc.), 5.00%, 11/15/26

    345       387,200  

Vermont Economic Development Authority, (Wake Robin Corp.), 5.00%, 5/1/27

    500       543,105  

Vermont Economic Development Authority, (Wake Robin Corp.), 5.00%, 5/1/28

    750       812,340  

Warren County, OH, (Otterbein Homes Obligated Group), 5.00%, 7/1/28

    1,200       1,307,724  

Washington Housing Finance Commission, (Horizon House), 5.00%, 1/1/28(1)

    750       844,995  
            $ 22,637,993  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Special Tax Revenue — 16.8%  

Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District, FL, (Villages of Lakewood Ranch), 4.25%, 5/1/26

  $ 1,405     $ 1,439,956  

Michigan Finance Authority, Detroit Financial Recovery Income Tax Revenue, 4.50%, 10/1/29

    895       944,198  

New York Dormitory Authority, Sales Tax Revenue, 4.00%, 3/15/30(2)

    10,000       10,596,500  

New York State Urban Development Corp., Personal Income Tax Revenue, 5.00%, 3/15/30(2)

    12,000       13,623,960  

Scottsdale Municipal Property Corp., AZ, Excise Tax Revenue, 4.00%, 7/1/30(2)

    2,000       2,148,560  

Scottsdale Municipal Property Corp., AZ, Excise Tax Revenue, 4.00%, 7/1/31(2)

    5,680       6,065,104  

Scottsdale Municipal Property Corp., AZ, Excise Tax Revenue, 4.00%, 7/1/32(2)

    2,120       2,256,889  
            $ 37,075,167  
Student Loan — 3.2%  

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, (AMT), 4.125%, 1/1/29

  $ 955     $ 981,807  

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, (AMT), 5.00%, 1/1/27

    3,000       3,336,540  

New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, Series 2013-1A, (AMT), 4.00%, 12/1/28

    1,380       1,414,155  

New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, Series 2015-1A, (AMT), 4.00%, 12/1/28

    1,310       1,358,155  
            $ 7,090,657  
Transportation — 12.3%  

Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency, CA, 5.90%, (0.00% until 1/15/24), 1/15/27

  $ 2,000     $ 1,737,620  

Grand Parkway Transportation Corp., TX, 4.95%,
(0.00% until 10/1/23), 10/1/29

    800       756,992  

Grand Parkway Transportation Corp., TX, 5.05%,
(0.00% until 10/1/23), 10/1/30

    1,500       1,418,565  

Grand Parkway Transportation Corp., TX, 5.20%,
(0.00% until 10/1/23), 10/1/31

    2,000       1,894,320  

Houston, TX, (United Airlines, Inc.), (AMT), 5.00%, 7/1/29

    1,470       1,591,731  

Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority, (Downtown Crossing Project), 0.00%, 7/1/28

    1,240       755,420  

Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, FL, 5.00%, 10/1/29

    2,575       2,888,790  

New York Transportation Development Corp., (Delta Airlines, Inc. - LaGuardia Airport Terminals C&D Redevelopment), (AMT), 5.00%, 1/1/30

    4,000       4,539,360  

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, (AMT), 4.00%, 7/15/36(2)

    10,000       10,225,100  

Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, NY, 0.00%, 11/15/31

    2,135       1,344,687  
            $ 27,152,585  
 

 

  6   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Water and Sewer — 6.5%  

Detroit, MI, Water Supply System, 5.25%, 7/1/27

  $ 1,000     $ 1,077,090  

Michigan Finance Authority, (Detroit Water and Sewerage Department), 5.00%, 7/1/30

    5,000       5,532,350  

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, 4.00%, 11/15/33(2)

    7,500       7,780,875  
            $ 14,390,315  

Total Tax-Exempt Municipal Securities — 152.9%
(identified cost $321,729,123)

 

  $ 336,747,337  
Taxable Municipal Securities — 4.3%

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
General Obligations — 3.0%  

Atlantic City, NJ, 7.00%, 3/1/28

  $ 3,115     $ 3,557,268  

Chicago, IL, 7.375%, 1/1/33

    1,000       1,129,090  

Chicago, IL, 7.781%, 1/1/35

    1,675       1,931,292  
            $ 6,617,650  
Insured – Transportation — 1.3%              

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, CA, (AMBAC), 0.00%, 10/1/31

  $ 5,805     $ 2,962,872  
            $ 2,962,872  

Total Taxable Municipal Securities — 4.3%
(identified cost $8,185,866)

 

  $ 9,580,522  

Total Investments — 157.2%
(identified cost $329,914,989)

 

  $ 346,327,859  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (57.2)%

 

  $ (126,038,297

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 220,289,562  

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

At July 31, 2018, the concentration of the Trust’s investments in the various states and territories, determined as a percentage of total investments, is as follows:

 

New York      12.5%  
California      10.5%  
Texas      10.5%  
Arizona      10.4%  
Others, representing less than 10% individually      56.1%  

The Trust invests primarily in debt securities issued by municipalities. The ability of the issuers of the debt securities to meet their obligations may be affected by economic developments in a specific industry or municipality. In order to reduce the risk associated with such economic developments, at July 31, 2018, 11.6% of total investments are backed by bond insurance of various financial institutions and financial guaranty assurance agencies. The aggregate percentage insured by an individual financial institution or financial guaranty assurance agency ranged from 0.3% to 5.3% of total investments.

 

(1) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be sold in certain transactions in reliance on an exemption from registration (normally to qualified institutional buyers). At July 31, 2018, the aggregate value of these securities is $9,527,173 or 4.3% of the Trust’s net assets.

 

(2) 

Security represents the municipal bond held by a trust that issues residual interest bonds (see Note 1G).

Abbreviations:

 

AGC     Assured Guaranty Corp.
AGM     Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.
AMBAC     AMBAC Financial Group, Inc.
AMT     Interest earned from these securities may be considered a tax preference item for purposes of the Federal Alternative Minimum Tax.
NPFG     National Public Finance Guaranty Corp.
PSF     Permanent School Fund
SFMR     Single Family Mortgage Revenue
 

 

  7   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited)

 

 

Assets    July 31, 2018  

Investments, at value (identified cost, $329,914,989)

   $ 346,327,859  

Cash

     1,552,497  

Interest receivable

     2,752,908  

Total assets

   $ 350,633,264  
Liabilities         

Payable for floating rate notes issued

   $ 129,472,656  

Payable to affiliate:

  

Investment adviser fee

     178,449  

Interest expense and fees payable

     616,314  

Accrued expenses

     76,283  

Total liabilities

   $ 130,343,702  

Net Assets

   $ 220,289,562  
Sources of Net Assets         

Common shares, $0.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized

   $ 108,338  

Additional paid-in capital

     206,763,791  

Accumulated undistributed net investment income

     2,078,647  

Accumulated net realized loss

     (5,074,084

Net unrealized appreciation

     16,412,870  

Net Assets

   $ 220,289,562  
Common Shares Outstanding      10,833,849  
Net Asset Value         

Net assets ÷ common shares issued and outstanding

   $ 20.33  

 

  8   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Statement of Operations (Unaudited)

 

 

Investment Income    Six Months Ended
July 31, 2018
 

Interest

   $ 6,735,762  

Total investment income

   $ 6,735,762  
Expenses         

Investment adviser fee

   $ 1,042,062  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     7,834  

Custodian fee

     45,053  

Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

     8,989  

Legal and accounting services

     30,903  

Printing and postage

     15,282  

Interest expense and fees

     1,259,761  

Miscellaneous

     18,485  

Total expenses

   $ 2,428,369  

Net investment income

   $ 4,307,393  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)         

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ 250,216  

Net realized gain

   $ 250,216  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ (1,135,450

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ (1,135,450

Net realized and unrealized loss

   $ (885,234

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 3,422,159  

 

  9   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   

Six Months Ended

July 31, 2018
(Unaudited)

    

Year Ended

January 31, 2018

 

From operations —

     

Net investment income

   $ 4,307,393      $ 8,978,367  

Net realized gain (loss)

     250,216        (72,445

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (1,135,450      5,314,423  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 3,422,159      $ 14,220,345  

Distributions to shareholders —

     

From net investment income

   $ (4,608,719    $ (9,217,161

Total distributions to shareholders

   $ (4,608,719    $ (9,217,161

Capital share transactions —

     

Reinvestment of distributions to shareholders

   $      $ 26,557  

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

   $      $ 26,557  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

   $ (1,186,560    $ 5,029,741  
Net Assets

 

At beginning of period

   $ 221,476,122      $ 216,446,381  

At end of period

   $ 220,289,562      $ 221,476,122  
Accumulated undistributed net investment income
included in net assets

 

At end of period

   $ 2,078,647      $ 2,379,973  

 

  10   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities   

Six Months Ended

July 31, 2018

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 3,422,159  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

  

Investments purchased

     (12,500,332

Investments sold

     16,045,354  

Net amortization/accretion of premium (discount)

     (385,620

Increase in interest receivable

     (18,203

Decrease in payable to affiliate for investment adviser fee

     (2,753

Increase in interest expense and fees payable

     38,915  

Decrease in accrued expenses

     (55,041

Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation from investments

     1,135,450  

Net realized gain from investments

     (250,216

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 7,429,713  
Cash Flows From Financing Activities         

Cash distributions paid

   $ (4,608,719

Repayment of secured borrowings

     (1,470,000

Net cash used in financing activities

   $ (6,078,719

Net increase in cash

   $ 1,350,994  

Cash at beginning of period

   $ 201,503  

Cash at end of period

   $ 1,552,497  
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:         

Cash paid for interest and fees

   $ 1,220,846  

 

  11   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Six Months Ended
July 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
     Year Ended January 31,    

Period Ended

January 31,  2014(1)

 
     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of period

   $ 20.440      $ 19.980     $ 20.960     $ 20.650     $ 17.000     $ 19.100 (2)  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                                  

Net investment income(3)

   $ 0.398      $ 0.829     $ 0.870     $ 0.936     $ 0.917     $ 0.716  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (0.083      0.482       (1.000     0.224       3.546       (2.188

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 0.315      $ 1.311     $ (0.130   $ 1.160     $ 4.463     $ (1.472
Less Distributions                                                  

From net investment income

   $ (0.425    $ (0.851   $ (0.850   $ (0.850   $ (0.850   $ (0.567

Total distributions

   $ (0.425    $ (0.851   $ (0.850   $ (0.850   $ (0.850   $ (0.567

Offering costs charged to paid-in capital(3)

   $      $     $     $     $     $ (0.040

Discount related to exercise of underwriters’ over-allotment option(3)

   $      $     $     $     $     $ (0.021

Anti-dilutive effect of share repurchase program (see Note 5)(3)

   $      $     $     $     $ 0.037     $  

Net asset value — End of period

   $ 20.330      $ 20.440     $ 19.980     $ 20.960     $ 20.650     $ 17.000  

Market Value — End of period

   $ 19.640      $ 19.690     $ 19.580     $ 18.970     $ 18.320     $ 15.900  

Total Investment Return on Net Asset Value(4)

     1.65 %(5)       6.69     (0.58 )%      6.48     27.68     (7.52 )%(5)(6)  

Total Investment Return on Market Value(4)

     1.95 %(5)       4.88     7.65     8.62     21.11     (13.50 )%(5)(6)  
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                                  

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

             

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

   $ 220,290      $ 221,476     $ 216,446     $ 227,080     $ 223,730     $ 187,594  

Expenses excluding interest and fees(7)

     1.07 %(8)       1.07     1.06     1.09     1.09     1.19 %(8) 

Interest and fee expense(9)

     1.16 %(8)       0.91     0.67     0.39     0.37     0.43 %(8) 

Total expenses(7)

     2.23 %(8)       1.98     1.73     1.48     1.46     1.62 %(8) 

Net investment income

     3.95 %(8)       4.01     4.10     4.73     4.84     5.02 %(8) 

Portfolio Turnover

     4 %(5)       8     14     19     43     58 %(5) 

 

(1) 

For the period from the start of business, March 28, 2013, to January 31, 2014.

 

(2) 

Net asset value at beginning of period reflects the deduction of the sales charge of $0.90 per share paid by the shareholders from the $20.00 offering price.

 

(3) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(4) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or market value with all distributions reinvested. Distributions are assumed to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Trust’s dividend reinvestment plan.

 

(5) 

Not annualized.

 

(6) 

Total investment return on net asset value is calculated assuming a purchase at the offering price of $20.00 less the sales load of $0.90 per share paid by the shareholder on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of the period reported with all distributions reinvested. Total investment return on market value is calculated assuming a purchase at the offering price of $20.00 less the sales load of $0.90 per share paid by the shareholder on the first day and a sale at the current market price on the last day of the period reported with all distributions reinvested.

 

(7) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(8) 

Annualized.

 

(9) 

Interest and fee expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with residual interest bond transactions (see Note 1G).

 

  12   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust (the Trust) is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Trust’s investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax. The Trust has a term of fifteen years and currently intends to cease its investment operations on or about June 30, 2028 and thereafter liquidate and distribute its net assets to holders of the Trust’s common shares.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Trust. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Trust is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Debt Obligations. Debt obligations are generally valued on the basis of valuations provided by third party pricing services, as derived from such services’ pricing models. Inputs to the models may include, but are not limited to, reported trades, executable bid and asked prices, broker/dealer quotations, prices or yields of securities with similar characteristics, interest rates, anticipated prepayments, benchmark curves or information pertaining to the issuer, as well as industry and economic events. The pricing services may use a matrix approach, which considers information regarding securities with similar characteristics to determine the valuation for a security. Short-term obligations purchased with a remaining maturity of sixty days or less for which a valuation from a third party pricing service is not readily available may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Trust in a manner that fairly reflects the security’s value, or the amount that the Trust might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the entity’s financial condition, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions and Related Income — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount.

C  Federal Taxes — The Trust’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its taxable, if any, and tax-exempt net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary. The Trust intends to satisfy conditions which will enable it to designate distributions from the interest income generated by its investments in non-taxable municipal securities, which are exempt from regular federal income tax when received by the Trust, as exempt-interest dividends. The portion of such interest, if any, earned on private activity bonds issued after August 7, 1986, may be considered a tax preference item to shareholders.

As of July 31, 2018, the Trust had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Trust files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

D  Legal Fees — Legal fees and other related expenses incurred as part of negotiations of the terms and requirement of capital infusions, or that are expected to result in the restructuring of, or a plan of reorganization for, an investment are recorded as realized losses. Ongoing expenditures to protect or enhance an investment are treated as operating expenses.

E  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

F  Indemnifications — Under the Trust’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 Trust. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Trust shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume the defense on behalf of any Trust shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Trust property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

  13  


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

G  Floating Rate Notes Issued in Conjunction with Securities Held — The Trust may invest in residual interest bonds, also referred to as inverse floating rate securities, whereby the Trust may sell a variable or fixed rate bond for cash to a Special-Purpose Vehicle (the SPV), (which is generally organized as a trust), while at the same time, buying a residual interest in the assets and cash flows of the SPV. The bond is deposited into the SPV with the same CUSIP number as the bond sold to the SPV by the Trust, and which may have been, but is not required to be, the bond purchased from the Trust (the Bond). The SPV also issues floating rate notes (Floating Rate Notes) which are sold to third-parties. The residual interest bond held by the Trust gives the Trust the right (1) to cause the holders of the Floating Rate Notes to generally tender their notes at par, and (2) to have the Bond held by the SPV transferred to the Trust, thereby terminating the SPV. Should the Trust exercise such right, it would generally pay the SPV the par amount due on the Floating Rate Notes and exchange the residual interest bond for the underlying Bond. Pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishment of liabilities, the Trust accounts for the transaction described above as a secured borrowing by including the Bond in its Portfolio of Investments and the Floating Rate Notes as a liability under the caption “Payable for floating rate notes issued” in its Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Floating Rate Notes have interest rates that generally reset weekly and their holders have the option to tender their notes to the SPV for redemption at par at each reset date. Accordingly, the fair value of the payable for floating rate notes issued approximates its carrying value. If measured at fair value, the payable for floating rate notes would have been considered as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 6) at July 31, 2018. Interest expense related to the Trust’s liability with respect to Floating Rate Notes is recorded as incurred. The SPV may be terminated by the Trust, as noted above, or by the occurrence of certain termination events as defined in the trust agreement, such as a downgrade in the credit quality of the underlying Bond, bankruptcy of or payment failure by the issuer of the underlying Bond, the inability to remarket Floating Rate Notes that have been tendered due to insufficient buyers in the market, or the failure by the SPV to obtain renewal of the liquidity agreement under which liquidity support is provided for the Floating Rate Notes up to one year. At July 31, 2018, the amount of the Trust’s Floating Rate Notes outstanding and the related collateral were $129,472,656 and $186,728,085, respectively. The range of interest rates on the Floating Rate Notes outstanding at July 31, 2018 was 0.94% to 1.04%. For the six months ended July 31, 2018, the Trust’s average settled Floating Rate Notes outstanding and the average interest rate (annualized) including fees were $130,442,155 and 1.95%, respectively.

In certain circumstances, the Trust may enter into shortfall and forbearance agreements with brokers by which the Trust agrees to reimburse the broker for the difference between the liquidation value of the Bond held by the SPV and the liquidation value of the Floating Rate Notes, as well as any shortfalls in interest cash flows. The Trust had no shortfalls as of July 31, 2018.

The Trust may also purchase residual interest bonds in a secondary market transaction without first owning the underlying bond. Such transactions are not required to be treated as secured borrowings. Shortfall agreements, if any, related to residual interest bonds purchased in a secondary market transaction are disclosed in the Portfolio of Investments.

The Trust’s investment policies and restrictions expressly permit investments in residual interest bonds. Such bonds typically offer the potential for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed rate bonds with comparable credit quality and maturity. These securities tend to underperform the market for fixed rate bonds in a rising long-term interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market for fixed rate bonds when long-term interest rates decline. The value and income of residual interest bonds are generally more volatile than that of a fixed rate bond. The Trust’s investment policies do not allow the Trust to borrow money except as permitted by the 1940 Act. Management believes that the Trust’s restrictions on borrowing money and issuing senior securities (other than as specifically permitted) do not apply to Floating Rate Notes issued by the SPV and included as a liability in the Trust’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities. As secured indebtedness issued by an SPV, Floating Rate Notes are distinct from the borrowings and senior securities to which the Trust’s restrictions apply. Residual interest bonds held by the Trust are securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.

H  Statement of Cash Flows — The cash amount shown in the Statement of Cash Flows of the Trust is the amount included in the Trust’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities and represents the unrestricted cash on hand at its custodian and does not include any short-term investments.

I  Interim Financial Statements — The interim financial statements relating to July 31, 2018 and for the six months then ended have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, but in the opinion of the Trust’s management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements.

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

The Trust intends to make monthly distributions of net investment income to common shareholders. In addition, at least annually, the Trust intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.

At January 31, 2018, the Trust, for federal income tax purposes, had deferred capital losses of $5,793,444 which would reduce its taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investment transactions, if any, to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code, and thus would reduce the amount of distributions to shareholders, which would otherwise be necessary to relieve the Trust of any liability for federal income or excise tax. The deferred capital losses are treated as arising on the first day of the Trust’s next taxable year and retain the same short-term or long-term character as when originally deferred. Of the deferred capital losses at January 31, 2018, $5,725,195 are short-term and $68,249 are long-term.

 

  14  


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Trust at July 31, 2018, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

   $ 199,968,834  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 16,966,608  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (80,239

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 16,886,369  

3  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by Eaton Vance Management (EVM) as compensation for investment advisory services rendered to the Trust. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.60% of the Trust’s average daily total managed assets and is payable monthly. Average daily total managed assets include the principal amount of any indebtedness for money borrowed, including debt securities issued by the Trust. Average daily total managed assets are calculated by adding to net assets the amount payable by the Trust to floating rate note holders. For the six months ended July 31, 2018, the investment adviser fee was $1,042,062. EVM also serves as administrator of the Trust, but receives no compensation.

Trustees and officers of the Trust who are members of EVM’s organization receive remuneration for their services to the Trust out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Trust who are not affiliated with the investment adviser may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the six months ended July 31, 2018, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Trust are officers of EVM.

4  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $12,500,332 and $16,045,354, respectively, for the six months ended July 31, 2018.

5  Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

The Trust may issue common shares pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan. There were no common shares issued by the Trust for the six months ended July 31, 2018. Common shares issued by the Trust pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan for the year ended January 31, 2018 were 1,305.

On November 11, 2013, the Board of Trustees of the Trust authorized the repurchase by the Trust of up to 10% of its then currently outstanding common shares in open-market transactions at a discount to net asset value. The repurchase program does not obligate the Trust to purchase a specific amount of shares. There were no repurchases of common shares by the Trust for the six months ended July 31, 2018 and the year ended January 31, 2018.

6  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

  15  


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

At July 31, 2018, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Trust’s investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Tax-Exempt Municipal Securities

   $         —      $ 336,747,337      $         —      $ 336,747,337  

Taxable Municipal Securities

            9,580,522               9,580,522  

Total Investments

   $      $ 346,327,859      $      $ 346,327,859  

At July 31, 2018, there were no investments transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 during the six months then ended.

 

  16  


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval

 

 

Overview of the Contract Review Process

The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), provides, in substance, that each investment advisory agreement between a fund and its investment adviser will continue in effect from year to year only if its continuation is approved at least annually by the fund’s board of trustees, including by a vote of a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the fund (“Independent Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such approval.

At a meeting of the Boards of Trustees (each a “Board”) of the registered investment companies advised by either Eaton Vance Management or its affiliate, Boston Management and Research, (the “Eaton Vance Funds”) held on April 24, 2018, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voted to approve continuation of existing investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements for the Eaton Vance Funds for an additional one-year period. In voting its approval, the Board relied upon the affirmative recommendation of its Contract Review Committee, which is a committee comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees. Prior to making its recommendation, the Contract Review Committee reviewed information furnished by each adviser to the Eaton Vance Funds (including information specifically requested by the Board) for a series of meetings of the Contract Review Committee held between February and April 2018. The Contract Review Committee also considered information received at prior meetings of the Board and its committees, as relevant to its annual evaluation of the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements.

The information that the Board considered included, among other things, the following (for funds that invest through one or more underlying portfolio(s), references to “each fund” in this section may include information that was considered at the portfolio-level):

Information about Fees, Performance and Expenses

 

 

A report from an independent data provider comparing the advisory and related fees paid by each fund with fees paid by comparable funds as identified by the independent data provider (“comparable funds”);

 

 

A report from an independent data provider comparing each fund’s total expense ratio and its components to comparable funds;

 

 

A report from an independent data provider comparing the investment performance of each fund (including, where relevant, yield data, Sharpe ratios and information ratios) to the investment performance of comparable funds over various time periods;

 

 

Data regarding investment performance in comparison to benchmark indices, as well as customized groups of peer funds and blended indices identified by the adviser in consultation with the Board;

 

 

For each fund, comparative information concerning the fees charged and the services provided by each adviser in managing other accounts (including mutual funds, other collective investment funds and institutional accounts) using investment strategies and techniques similar to those used in managing such fund;

 

 

Profitability analyses for each adviser with respect to each fund;

Information about Portfolio Management and Trading

 

 

Descriptions of the investment management services provided to each fund, including the fund’s investment strategies and policies;

 

 

The procedures and processes used to determine the fair value of fund assets and actions taken to monitor and test the effectiveness of such procedures and processes;

 

 

Information about each adviser’s policies and practices with respect to trading, including each adviser’s processes for monitoring best execution of portfolio transactions;

 

 

Information about the allocation of brokerage transactions and the benefits received by each adviser as a result of brokerage allocation, including information concerning the acquisition of research through client commission arrangements and policies with respect to “soft dollars”;

 

 

Data relating to portfolio turnover rates of each fund;

Information about each Adviser

 

 

Reports detailing the financial results and condition of each adviser;

 

 

Descriptions of the qualifications, education and experience of the individual investment professionals whose responsibilities include portfolio management and investment research for the funds, and information relating to their responsibilities with respect to managing other mutual funds and investment accounts;

 

 

The Code of Ethics of each adviser and its affiliates, together with information relating to compliance with and the administration of such codes;

 

 

Policies and procedures relating to proxy voting and the handling of corporate actions and class actions;

 

 

Information concerning the resources devoted to compliance efforts undertaken by each adviser and its affiliates (including descriptions of various compliance programs) and their record of compliance;

 

 

Information concerning the business continuity and disaster recovery plans of each adviser and its affiliates;

 

 

A description of Eaton Vance Management’s procedures for overseeing third party advisers and sub-advisers, including with respect to regulatory and compliance issues, investment management and other matters;

 

  17  


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval — continued

 

 

Other Relevant Information

 

 

Information concerning the nature, cost and character of the administrative and other non-investment advisory services provided by Eaton Vance Management and its affiliates;

 

 

Information concerning management of the relationship with the custodian, subcustodians and fund accountants by each adviser or the funds’ administrator; and

 

 

The terms of each investment advisory agreement.

Over the course of the twelve-month period ended April 30, 2018, with respect to one or more funds, the Board met seven times and the Contract Review Committee, the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee, the Portfolio Management Committee and the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee, each of which is a Committee comprised solely of Independent Trustees, met seven, thirteen, six, eight and nine times, respectively. At such meetings, the Trustees participated in investment and performance reviews with the portfolio managers and other investment professionals of each investment adviser relating to each fund, and considered various investment and trading strategies used in pursuing each fund’s investment objective, such as the use of derivative instruments, as well as risk management techniques. The Board and its Committees also evaluated issues pertaining to industry and regulatory developments, compliance procedures, fund governance and other issues with respect to the funds, and received and participated in reports and presentations provided by Eaton Vance Management and other fund advisers with respect to such matters. In addition to the formal meetings of the Board and its Committees, the Independent Trustees hold regular teleconferences in between meetings to discuss, among other topics, matters relating to the continuation of investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements.

For funds that invest through one or more underlying portfolios, the Board considered similar information about the portfolio(s) when considering the approval of investment advisory agreements. In addition, in cases where the fund’s investment adviser has engaged a sub-adviser, the Board considered similar information about the sub-adviser when considering the approval of any sub-advisory agreement.

The Contract Review Committee was assisted throughout the contract review process by Goodwin Procter LLP, independent legal counsel for the Independent Trustees. The members of the Contract Review Committee relied upon the advice of such counsel and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached with respect to each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all the information provided and not any single factor. Moreover, each member of the Contract Review Committee may have placed varying emphasis on particular factors in reaching conclusions with respect to each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement. In evaluating each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement, including the specific fee structures and other terms of the agreements, the Contract Review Committee was informed by multiple years of analysis and discussion among the Independent Trustees and the Eaton Vance Funds’ advisers and sub-advisers.

Results of the Process

Based on its consideration of the foregoing, and such other information as it deemed relevant, including the factors and conclusions described below, the Contract Review Committee concluded that the continuation of the investment advisory and administrative agreement of Eaton Vance Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust (the “Fund”) with Eaton Vance Management (the “Adviser”), including its fee structure, is in the interests of shareholders and, therefore, the Contract Review Committee recommended to the Board approval of the agreement. The Board accepted the recommendation of the Contract Review Committee based on the material factors considered and conclusions reached by the Contract Review Committee with respect to the agreement. Accordingly, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voted to approve continuation of the investment advisory and administrative agreement for the Fund.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

In considering whether to approve the investment advisory and administrative agreement of the Fund, the Board evaluated the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Adviser.

The Board considered the Adviser’s management capabilities and investment process with respect to the types of investments held by the Fund, including the education, experience and number of its investment professionals and other personnel who provide portfolio management, investment research, and similar services to the Fund. In particular, the Board considered, where relevant, the abilities and experience of the Adviser’s investment professionals in analyzing factors such as credit risk, tax efficiency, and special considerations relevant to investing in municipal bonds. The Board considered the Adviser’s municipal bond team, which includes investment professionals and credit specialists who provide services to the Fund. The Board also considered information regarding the management of the Fund’s portfolio in the context of the target term structure and noted the Adviser’s experience with this structure. The Board also took into account the resources dedicated to portfolio management and other services, as well as the compensation methods of the Adviser and other factors, such as the reputation and resources of the Adviser to recruit and retain highly qualified research, advisory and supervisory investment professionals. In addition, the Board considered the time and attention devoted to the Eaton Vance Funds, including the Fund, by senior management, as well as the infrastructure, operational capabilities and support staff in place to assist in the portfolio management and operations of the Fund, including the provision of administrative services. The Board also considered the business-related and other risks to which the Adviser or its affiliates may be subject in managing the Fund.

 

  18  


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval — continued

 

 

The Board considered the compliance programs of the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof. Among other matters, the Board considered compliance and reporting matters relating to personal trading by investment professionals, selective disclosure of portfolio holdings, late trading, frequent trading, portfolio valuation, business continuity and the allocation of investment opportunities. The Board also considered the responses of the Adviser and its affiliates to requests in recent years from regulatory authorities such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

The Board considered shareholder and other administrative services provided or managed by Eaton Vance Management and its affiliates, including transfer agency and accounting services. The Board evaluated the benefits to shareholders of investing in a fund that is a part of a large fund complex offering exposure to a variety of asset classes and investment disciplines.

After consideration of the foregoing factors, among others, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Adviser, taken as a whole, are appropriate and consistent with the terms of the investment advisory and administrative agreement.

Fund Performance

The Board compared the Fund’s investment performance to that of comparable funds and appropriate benchmark indices and assessed the Fund’s performance on the basis of total return and current income return. The Board’s review included comparative performance data for the one- and three-year periods ended September 30, 2017 for the Fund. In this regard, the Board noted that the performance of the Fund was higher than the median performance of the Fund’s peer group for the three-year period. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was higher than its benchmark index for the three-year period. The Board considered, among other things, the Adviser’s efforts to generate competitive levels of tax exempt current income through investments that, relative to its comparable funds, focus on higher quality municipal bonds with longer maturities. The Board concluded that the performance of the Fund was satisfactory.

Management Fees and Expenses

The Board considered contractual fee rates payable by the Fund for advisory and administrative services (referred to collectively as “management fees”). As part of its review, the Board considered the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio for the one year period ended September 30, 2017, as compared to those of comparable funds, before and after giving effect to any undertaking to waive fees or reimburse expenses. The Board also considered certain factors identified by management in response to inquiries from the Contract Review Committee regarding the Fund’s expense ratio relative to comparable funds.

After considering the foregoing information, and in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser, the Board concluded that the management fees charged for advisory and related services are reasonable.

Profitability and Other “Fall-Out” Benefits

The Board considered the level of profits realized by the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof in providing investment advisory and administrative services to the Fund and to all Eaton Vance Funds as a group. The Board considered the level of profits realized without regard to marketing support or other payments by the Adviser and its affiliates to third parties in respect of distribution services. The Board also considered other direct or indirect fall-out benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates in connection with their relationships with the Fund, including the benefits of research services that may be available to the Adviser as a result of securities transactions effected for the Fund and other investment advisory clients.

The Board concluded that, in light of the foregoing factors and the nature, extent and quality of the services rendered, the profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates are deemed not to be excessive.

Economies of Scale

In reviewing management fees and profitability, the Board also considered the extent to which the Adviser and its affiliates, on the one hand, and the Fund, on the other hand, can expect to realize benefits from economies of scale as the assets of the Fund increase. The Board acknowledged the difficulty in accurately measuring the benefits resulting from economies of scale, if any, with respect to the management of any specific fund or group of funds. The Board reviewed data summarizing the increases and decreases in the assets of the Fund and of all Eaton Vance Funds as a group over various time periods, and evaluated the extent to which the total expense ratio of the Fund and the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates may have been affected by such increases or decreases. Based upon the foregoing, the Board concluded that the Fund currently shares in any benefits from economies of scale. The Board also considered the fact that the Fund is not continuously offered and that the Fund’s assets are not expected to increase materially in the foreseeable future. The Board concluded that, in light of the level of the Adviser’s profits with respect to the Fund, the implementation of breakpoints in the advisory fee schedule is not warranted at this time.

 

  19  


Eaton Vance

Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

July 31, 2018

 

Officers and Trustees

 

 

Officers of Eaton Vance Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

 

 

Payson F. Swaffield

President

Maureen A. Gemma

Vice President, Secretary and

Chief Legal Officer

James F. Kirchner

Treasurer

Richard F. Froio

Chief Compliance Officer

 

 

Trustees of Eaton Vance Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

 

 

William H. Park

Chairperson

Thomas E. Faust Jr.*

Mark R. Fetting

Cynthia E. Frost

George J. Gorman

Valerie A. Mosley

Helen Frame Peters

Susan J. Sutherland

Harriett Tee Taggart

Scott E. Wennerholm

 

 

*

Interested Trustee

 

  20  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Privacy.  The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each of the financial institutions identified below has in effect the following policy (“Privacy Policy”) with respect to nonpublic personal information about its customers:

 

 

Only such information received from you, through application forms or otherwise, and information about your Eaton Vance fund transactions will be collected. This may include information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account balances and transactions.

 

 

None of such information about you (or former customers) will be disclosed to anyone, except as permitted by law (which includes disclosure to employees necessary to service your account). In the normal course of servicing a customer’s account, Eaton Vance may share information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various required services such as transfer agents, custodians and broker-dealers.

 

 

Policies and procedures (including physical, electronic and procedural safeguards) are in place that are designed to protect the confidentiality of such information.

 

 

We reserve the right to change our Privacy Policy at any time upon proper notification to you. Customers may want to review our Privacy Policy periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com.

Our pledge of privacy applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd., Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group and Boston Management and Research. In addition, our Privacy Policy applies only to those Eaton Vance customers who are individuals and who have a direct relationship with us. If a customer’s account (i.e., fund shares) is held in the name of a third-party financial advisor/broker-dealer, it is likely that only such advisor’s privacy policies apply to the customer. This notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about Eaton Vance’s Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-262-1122.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (“AST”), the closed-end funds transfer agent, or your financial advisor, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct AST, or your financial advisor, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact AST or your financial advisor. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by AST or your financial advisor.

Portfolio Holdings.  Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) will file a schedule of portfolio holdings on Form N-Q with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-Q will be available on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Form N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. (call 1-800-732-0330 for information on the operation of the public reference room).

Proxy Voting.  From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Share Repurchase Program.  The Fund’s Board of Trustees has approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Fund to repurchase up to 10% of its outstanding common shares as of the approved date in open-market transactions at a discount to net asset value. The repurchase program does not obligate the Fund to purchase a specific amount of shares. The Fund’s repurchase activity, including the number of shares purchased, average price and average discount to net asset value, is disclosed in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.

Additional Notice to Shareholders.  If applicable, a Fund may also redeem or purchase its outstanding preferred shares in order to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, borrowing or rating agency requirements or for other purposes as it deems appropriate or necessary.

Closed-End Fund Information.  Eaton Vance closed-end funds make fund performance data and certain information about portfolio characteristics available on the Eaton Vance website shortly after the end of each month. Other information about the funds is available on the website. The funds’ net asset value per share is readily accessible on the Eaton Vance website. Portfolio holdings for the most recent month-end are also posted to the website approximately 30 days following the end of the month. This information is available at www.eatonvance.com on the fund information pages under “Individual Investors — Closed-End Funds”.

 

  21  


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Investment Adviser and Administrator

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11219

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 


LOGO

 

LOGO

7013    7.31.18


Item 2. Code of Ethics

Not required in this filing.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert

Not required in this filing.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Not required in this filing.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

Not required in this filing.

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

Please see schedule of investments contained in the Report to Stockholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not required in this filing.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not required in this filing.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

No such purchases this period.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No material changes.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

(a) It is the conclusion of the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer that the effectiveness of the registrant’s current disclosure controls and procedures (such disclosure controls and procedures having been evaluated within 90 days of the date of this filing) provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been accumulated and communicated to the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer in order to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

The registrant does not engage in securities lending.

Item 13. Exhibits

 

(a)(1)    Registrant’s Code of Ethics – Not applicable (please see Item 2).
(a)(2)(i)    Treasurer’s Section 302 certification.
(a)(2)(ii)    President’s Section 302 certification.
(b)    Combined Section 906 certification.


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.

Eaton Vance Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

 

By:  

/s/ Payson F. Swaffield

  Payson F. Swaffield
  President
Date:   September 24, 2018

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:  

/s/ James F. Kirchner

  James F. Kirchner
  Treasurer
Date:   September 24, 2018
By:  

/s/ Payson F. Swaffield

  Payson F. Swaffield
  President
Date:   September 24, 2018