Eaton Vance Municipal Income 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: 811-09141
Eaton Vance Municipal Income 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)
November 30
Date of Fiscal Year End
November 30, 2010
Date of Reporting Period
 
 

 


 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders

 


 

(GRAPHIC)

 


 

 
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, Boston Management and Research, and Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. 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 adviser/broker-dealer, it is likely that only such adviser’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 (the “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.
 
Eaton Vance, or your financial adviser, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial adviser, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122, or contact your financial adviser. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial adviser.
 
 
 
 
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. This description is also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
 
 
 
 
Additional Notice to Shareholders. The Fund may redeem or purchase its outstanding auction preferred shares (“APS”) in order to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, borrowing or rating agency requirements or for other purposes as it deems appropriate or necessary. The Fund also may purchase shares of its common stock in the open market when they trade at a discount to net asset value or at other times if the Fund determines such purchases are advisable. There can be no assurance that the Fund will take such action or that such purchases would reduce the discount.


 

Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust (the Trust) is a closed-end fund, traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EVN,” designed to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax. This income is earned by investing primarily in investment-grade municipal securities.
Economic and Market Conditions
The U.S. economy continued its slow recovery during the fiscal year ending November 30, 2010, even as concerns about high unemployment and budget deficits provoked ongoing skittishness in the capital markets. The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 3.7% in the first quarter of 2010, but slowed to 1.7% in the second quarter, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Third quarter GDP improved slightly to an annualized rate of 2.5%, although it was still too low to generate meaningful job growth.
Municipal bond performance was positive for the fiscal year, in spite of ongoing negative media attention on the tax-exempt sector. Solid performance resulted in part from continued investor concern about the strength of the economic recovery, benefiting investments such as higher-quality municipals and Treasuries. During July and August 2010, the market was bolstered by very light issuance and sustained demand, as well as a flight to quality, while in September 2010, investors took on more risk, helping the higher-yielding, lower-rated sectors of the market. As the period drew to a close, however, a significant technical dislocation occurred, in which strong supply met with weak demand, driving prices down (and yields up). Municipalities ramped up new issuance on concerns over the potential for higher yields in 2011 and uncertainty over the extension of the Build America Bond program.
Against this backdrop the Barclays Capital Long (22+) Municipal Bond Index (the Index)1—an unmanaged index of municipal bonds traded in the U.S. with maturities of 22 years or more—gained 6.14% for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2010. Intermediate-maturity bonds, represented by the 7-year segment of the Index, gained 5.51%. Shorter-maturity bonds in the 5-year segment of the Index returned 4.41%.
Management Discussion
During the year ending November 30, 2010, the Trust outperformed the Index at net asset value. Overall, several factors contributed positively to the relative performance of the Trust. The longer end of the yield curve outperformed during the period as investors sought higher yields. As a result, the Trust’s longer duration positioning generally benefited its performance. This duration positioning was the biggest overall positive factor during the period. By and large, overweighted positions in revenue bonds were also helpful, as were overweight positions in BBB-rated issues.
Management employed leverage in the Trust, through which additional exposure to the municipal market was achieved. Leverage has the impact of magnifying the Trust’s exposure to its underlying investments in both up and down markets. During the year, the Trust’s leverage generally helped its relative performance.
As we move ahead, we continue to focus on state and local government budget deficits, which likely peaked in 2010 or are expected to peak in early 2011. The decline in tax revenues appears to be reaching a bottom, with some municipalities realizing growth in tax receipts due to a combination of slim economic growth and an increase in actual tax rates. However, spending continues to grow faster than tax receipts despite deep
 
1   It is not possible to invest directly in an Index. The Index’s total return does not reflect expenses that would have been incurred if an investor individually purchased or sold the securities represented in the Index.
 
    Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Trust 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.

The views expressed throughout this report are those of the portfolio manager and are current only through the end of the period of the report as stated on the cover. These views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and the investment adviser disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a fund are based on many factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Eaton Vance fund. Portfolio information provided in the report may not be representative of the Trust’s current or future investments and may change due to active management.

1


 

Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE
spending cuts enacted by some government officials. We will continue to analyze any new developments and solutions that government leaders formulate to address their fiscal problems.
A Note Regarding The Use Of Leverage
The Trust employs leverage through the issuance of Auction Preferred Shares (APS) and/or the use of residual interest bond (RIB) financing.1 The Trust’s APS and RIB leverage percentage as of November 30, 2010, is reflected on page 3. The leverage created by APS and RIB investments provides an opportunity for increased income but, at the same time, creates special risks (including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of the common shares).
 
1   See Note 1H to the Financial Statements for more information on RIB investments.

2


 

Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AND PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
         
Performance1    
NYSE Symbol   EVN
 
Average Annual Total Returns (by market price)
       
One Year
    13.06 %
Five Years
    2.55  
10 Years
    8.25  
Life of Trust (1/29/99)
    5.25  
 
       
Average Annual Total Returns (by net asset value)
       
One Year
    10.74 %
Five Years
    1.64  
10 Years
    6.64  
Life of Trust (1/29/99)
    4.56  
 
       
Premium/(Discount) to NAV
    8.12 %
 
       
Market Yields
       
Market Yield2
    7.93 %
Taxable-Equivalent Market Yield3
    12.20  
Index Performance4 (Average Annual Total Returns)
         
      Barclays Capital Long (22+) Municipal Bond Index  
 
One Year
    6.14 %
Five Years
    3.70  
10 Years
    5.53  
Lipper Averages5 (Average Annual Total Returns)
         
Lipper General Municipal Debt Funds (Leveraged) Classification (by net asset value)
 
One Year
    8.76 %
Five Years
    3.81  
10 Years
    5.80  

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or market price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, the Trust’s current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month end, please refer to www.eatonvance.com.
Portfolio Manager: Thomas M. Metzold, CFA
Rating Distribution*6
By total investments
(PIE CHART)
 
*   The rating distribution presented above includes the ratings of securities held by special purpose vehicles in which the Trust holds a residual interest. See Note 1H to the Trust’s financial statements. Absent such securities, the Trust’s rating distribution at 11/30/10 is as follows:
             
AAA  
 
    9.1 %
AA  
 
    28.2 %
A  
 
    23.7 %
BBB  
 
    14.1 %
BB  
 
    5.5 %
B  
 
    6.5 %
CCC  
 
    3.0 %
CC  
 
    0.2 %
C  
 
    0.4 %
Not Rated  
 
    9.3 %
Trust Statistics7
     
Number of Issues:
193
Average Maturity:
24.2  years
Average Effective Maturity:
18.7  years
Average Call Protection:
9.7  years
Average Dollar Price:
$85.04
APS Leverage**:
24.6 %
RIB Leverage**:
24.1 %
 
**   APS leverage represents the liquidation value of the Trust’s Auction Preferred Shares (APS) outstanding as of 11/30/10 as a percentage of the Trust’s net assets applicable to common shares plus APS and Floating Rate Notes. RIB leverage represents the amount of Floating Rate Notes outstanding as of 11/30/10 as a percentage of the Trust’s net assets applicable to common shares plus APS and Floating Rate Notes.
 
1   Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in market price or net asset value (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. The Trust’s performance at market price will differ from its results at NAV. Although market price performance generally reflects investment results over time, during shorter periods, returns at market price can also be affected by factors such as changing perceptions about the Trust, market conditions, fluctuations in supply and demand for the Trust’s shares, or changes in Trust distributions. Performance results reflect the effects of APS outstanding and RIB investments, which are forms of investment leverage. Use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased income but, at the same time, creates special risks (including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of common shares). 2 The Trust’s market yield is calculated by dividing the last regular dividend per common share in the period (annualized) by the market price at the end of the period. 3 Taxable-equivalent figure assumes a maximum 35.00% federal income tax rate. A lower tax rate would result in a lower tax-equivalent figure. 4It is not possible to invest directly in an Index. The Index’s total returns do not reflect the expenses that would have been incurred if an investor individually purchased or sold the securities represented in the Index. Index performance is available as of month end only. 5 The Lipper Averages are the average annual total returns, at net asset value, of the funds that are in the same Lipper Classification as the Trust. It is not possible to invest in a Lipper Classification. Lipper Classifications may include insured and uninsured funds, as well as leveraged and unleveraged funds. The Lipper General Municipal Debt Funds (Leveraged) Classification (closed-end) contained 63, 59 and 42 funds for the 1-year, 5-year and 10-year time periods, respectively. Lipper Averages are available as of month end only. 6 Rating Distribution is determined by dividing the total market value of the issues by the total investments of the Trust. Ratings are based on Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, as applicable. Credit ratings are based largely on the rating agency’s investment analysis at the time of rating and the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition. The rating assigned to a security by a rating agency 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. If securities are rated differently by the rating agencies, the higher rating is applied. 7 Trust holdings information excludes securities held by special purpose vehicles in which the Trust holds a residual interest. See Note 1H to the Trust’s financial statements.

3


 

Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
 
                     
Tax-Exempt Investments — 192.4%
 
Principal Amount
               
(000’s omitted)       Security   Value      
 
 
Cogeneration — 1.5%
 
$ 2,950     Maryland Energy Financing Administration, (AES Warrior Run), (AMT), 7.40%, 9/1/19   $ 2,950,679      
  1,300     Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, (Northampton Generating), (AMT), 6.50%, 1/1/13     819,624      
 
 
            $ 3,770,303      
 
 
 
 
Education — 14.1%
 
$ 9,000     California Educational Facilities Authority, (Stanford University), 5.25%, 12/1/32(1)   $ 9,240,210      
  2,500     Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, (Yale University), 5.00%, 7/1/40     2,613,000      
  1,000     Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, (Boston University), 6.00%, 5/15/59     1,109,710      
  2,490     Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority, (Harvard University), 5.00%, 10/1/38(1)     2,607,926      
  2,500     Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority, (Harvard University), 5.50%, 11/15/36     2,736,450      
  10,500     New York Dormitory Authority, (Cornell University), 5.00%, 7/1/39(1)     10,851,225      
  5,000     New York Dormitory Authority, (The New School), 5.75%, 7/1/50(2)     5,119,950      
  1,000     Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corp., (University of Rhode Island), 6.25%, 9/15/34     1,076,420      
 
 
            $ 35,354,891      
 
 
 
 
Electric Utilities — 3.0%
 
$ 1,300     Brazos River Authority, TX, Pollution Control Revenue, (Texas Energy Co.), (AMT), 5.40%, 5/1/29   $ 417,287      
  4,865     Brazos River Authority, TX, Pollution Control Revenue, (Texas Energy Co.), (AMT), 8.25%, 5/1/33     1,804,234      
  2,310     Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance, (Hawaiian Electric Co.), 6.50%, 7/1/39     2,477,706      
  2,935     Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, (Dominion Energy Brayton Point), (AMT), 5.00%, 2/1/36     2,809,265      
 
 
            $ 7,508,492      
 
 
 
 
General Obligations — 3.0%
 
$ 1,525     California, (AMT), 5.05%, 12/1/36   $ 1,388,543      
  4,000     Northwest Independent School District, TX, 4.00%, 2/15/35     3,622,760      
  2,340     Port Authority of Houston, TX, (Harris County), (AMT), 5.625%, 10/1/38(1)     2,476,422      
 
 
            $ 7,487,725      
 
 
 
 
Health Care-Miscellaneous — 1.2%
 
$ 1,865     New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, (Community Hospital Group, Inc.), 5.75%, 10/1/31   $ 1,966,512      
  100     Osceola County, FL, Industrial Development Authority, (Community Provider Pooled Loan), 7.75%, 7/1/17     99,983      
  221     Tax Revenue Exempt Securities Trust, Community Health Provider, (Pooled Loan Program Various States Trust Certificates), 6.00%, 12/1/36(3)     226,260      
  583     Tax Revenue Exempt Securities Trust, Community Health Provider, (Pooled Loan Program Various States Trust Certificates), 6.25%, 12/1/36(3)     597,312      
  221     Tax Revenue Exempt Securities Trust, Community Health Provider, (Pooled Loan Program Various States Trust Certificates), 7.75%, 12/1/36(3)     226,642      
 
 
            $ 3,116,709      
 
 
 
 
Hospital — 23.2%
 
$ 2,375     California Health Facilities Financing Authority, (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center), 5.00%, 8/15/39   $ 2,223,855      
  10,000     California Health Facilities Financing Authority, (Providence Health System), 5.50%, 10/1/39(1)(4)     10,082,700      
  3,500     California Statewide Communities Development Authority, (John Muir Health), 5.00%, 8/15/34     3,291,505      
  3,000     California Statewide Communities Development Authority, (John Muir Health), 5.00%, 8/15/36     2,806,350      
  290     Camden County, NJ, Improvement Authority, (Cooper Health System), 5.00%, 2/15/25     271,730      
  1,610     Camden County, NJ, Improvement Authority, (Cooper Health System), 5.00%, 2/15/35     1,407,510      
  1,200     Camden County, NJ, Improvement Authority, (Cooper Health System), 5.25%, 2/15/27     1,139,604      
  615     Chautauqua County, NY, Industrial Development Agency, (Women’s Christian Association), 6.35%, 11/15/17     601,661      
  965     Chautauqua County, NY, Industrial Development Agency, (Women’s Christian Association), 6.40%, 11/15/29     868,886      
  1,885     Hawaii Pacific Health Special Purpose Revenue, 5.50%, 7/1/40     1,831,296      
  3,280     Illinois Finance Authority, (Provena Healthcare), 7.75%, 8/15/34     3,736,117      
  2,575     Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, (Touro Infirmary), 5.625%, 8/15/29     2,027,993      

 
See notes to financial statements

4


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONT’D
 
                     
Principal Amount
               
(000’s omitted)       Security   Value      
 
 
Hospital (continued)
 
                     
$ 2,280     Mecosta County, MI, (Michigan General Hospital), 6.00%, 5/15/18   $ 2,186,132      
  3,000     Monroe County, PA, Hospital Authority, (Pocono Medical Center), 5.25%, 1/1/43     2,773,050      
  2,500     New York Dormitory Authority, (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center), 5.00%, 7/1/36(1)     2,510,075      
  1,465     New York Dormitory Authority, (Orange Regional Medical Center), 6.125%, 12/1/29     1,466,377      
  2,930     New York Dormitory Authority, (Orange Regional Medical Center), 6.25%, 12/1/37     2,891,266      
  11,400     North Carolina Medical Care Commission, (North Carolina Baptist Hospital), 5.25%, 6/1/29(1)     11,884,956      
  1,570     South Lake County, FL, Hospital District, (South Lake Hospital), 6.25%, 4/1/39     1,596,109      
  1,500     St. Paul, MN, Housing and Redevelopment Authority, (HealthPartners, Inc.), 5.25%, 5/15/36     1,383,420      
  1,390     Sullivan County, TN, Health, Educational and Facilities Board, (Wellmont Health System), Variable Rate, 5.44%, 9/1/32(5)     1,228,857      
 
 
            $ 58,209,449      
 
 
 
 
Housing — 15.9%
 
$ 4,580     California Rural Home Mortgage Finance Authority, (AMT), 5.50%, 8/1/47   $ 2,539,244      
  4,000     Charter Mac Equity Trust, TN, 6.00%, 5/15/19(3)     4,262,000      
  1,425     Fairfax County, VA, Redevelopment and Housing Authority, (Cedar Ridge), (AMT), 4.85%, 10/1/48     1,342,521      
  1,465     Lake Creek, CO, Affordable Housing Corp., MFMR, 7.00%, 12/1/23     1,465,762      
  3,731     Muni Mae Tax-Exempt Bond, LLC, 7.50%, 6/30/49(3)     3,427,578      
  2,340     North Little Rock, AR, Residential Housing Facilities, (Parkstone Place), 6.50%, 8/1/21     2,343,674      
  2,000     Ohio Housing Finance Agency, (Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities), (FNMA), (GNMA), (AMT), 4.75%, 3/1/37     1,890,900      
  3,160     Oregon Health Authority, (Trillium Affordable Housing), (AMT), 6.75%, 2/15/29     2,942,687      
  3,955     Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, SFMR, (AMT), 4.70%, 10/1/37     3,763,697      
  13,025     Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corp., (AMT), 5.45%, 10/1/47(1)(4)     12,856,781      
  3,300     Texas Student Housing Corp., (University of Northern Texas), 6.75%, 7/1/16     2,926,209      
 
 
            $ 39,761,053      
 
 
 
 
Industrial Development Revenue — 20.7%
 
$ 1,600     ABIA Development Corp., TX, (Austin CargoPort Development), (AMT), 6.50%, 10/1/24   $ 1,392,672      
  4,600     Brazos River, TX, Harbor Navigation District, (Dow Chemical Co.), (AMT), 5.95%, 5/15/33     4,609,062      
  1,770     Broward County, FL, (Lynxs CargoPort), (AMT), 6.75%, 6/1/19     1,596,522      
  1,000     Butler County, AL, Industrial Development Authority, (International Paper Co.), (AMT), 7.00%, 9/1/32     1,078,230      
  1,300     California Pollution Control Financing Authority, (Waste Management, Inc.), (AMT), 5.40%, 4/1/25     1,319,747      
  1,060     Capital Trust Agency, FL, (Fort Lauderdale Project), (AMT), 5.75%, 1/1/32     923,196      
  400     Clayton County, GA, Development Authority, (Delta Airlines, Inc.), 8.75%, 6/1/29     464,548      
  2,240     Clayton County, GA, Development Authority, (Delta Airlines, Inc.), (AMT), 9.00%, 6/1/35     2,440,503      
  2,625     Denver, CO, City and County Special Facilities, (United Airlines), (AMT), 5.25%, 10/1/32     2,147,381      
  2,305     Denver, CO, City and County Special Facilities, (United Airlines), (AMT), 5.75%, 10/1/32     2,014,939      
  1,000     Gulf Coast, TX, Waste Disposal Authority, (Valero Energy Corp.), 5.60%, 4/1/32     922,220      
  2,500     Gulf Coast, TX, Waste Disposal Authority, (Valero Energy Corp.), (AMT), 5.70%, 4/1/32     2,368,500      
  1,735     Illinois Finance Authority, (Navistar International), 6.50%, 10/15/40     1,753,842      
  1,000     Indiana Financing Authority, (Duke Energy Indiana, Inc.), 6.00%, 8/1/39     1,072,850      
  1,590     Liberty Development Corp., NY, (Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.), 5.25%, 10/1/35     1,598,682      
  1,350     Liberty Development Corp., NY, (Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.), 5.25%, 10/1/35(1)     1,357,371      
  1,600     Luzerne County, PA, Industrial Development Authority, (Pennsylvania-American Water Co.), 5.50%, 12/1/39     1,624,960      
  5,000     New Jersey Economic Development Authority, (Continental Airlines), (AMT), 6.25%, 9/15/29     4,725,250      
  8,140     New York, NY, Industrial Development Agency, (American Airlines, Inc. - JFK International Airport), (AMT), 7.75%, 8/1/31     8,553,349      
  3,500     New York, NY, Industrial Development Agency, (American Airlines, Inc. - JFK International Airport), (AMT), 8.50%, 8/1/28     3,620,365      
  4,630     Phoenix, AZ, Industrial Development Authority, (America West Airlines, Inc.), (AMT), 6.25%, 6/1/19     4,095,281      
  610     Puerto Rico Port Authority, (American Airlines, Inc.), (AMT), 6.30%, 6/1/23     539,978      
  1,610     West Virginia Economic Development Authority, (Appalachian Power Co.), 5.375%, 12/1/38     1,595,043      
 
 
            $ 51,814,491      
 
 
 

 
See notes to financial statements

5


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONT’D
 
                     
Principal Amount
               
(000’s omitted)       Security   Value      
 
 
 
Insured-General Obligations — 1.6%
 
$ 10,000     Arcadia, CA, Unified School District, (AGM), 0.00%, 8/1/38   $ 1,551,100      
  1,230     Goose Creek, TX, Consolidated Independent School District, (FGIC), (NPFG), 4.55%, 2/15/30     1,239,766      
  1,175     Goose Creek, TX, Consolidated Independent School District, (FGIC), (NPFG), (PSF Guaranteed), 4.55%, 2/15/29     1,186,586      
 
 
            $ 3,977,452      
 
 
 
 
Insured-Hospital — 14.1%
 
$ 3,250     Indiana Health and Educational Facility Finance Authority, (Sisters of St. Francis Health Services), (AGM), 5.25%, 5/15/41(1)   $ 3,268,687      
  2,625     Iowa Finance Authority, Health Facilities, (Iowa Health System), (AGC), 5.625%, 8/15/37     2,772,683      
  15,000     Kentucky Economic Development Authority, (Norton Healthcare, Inc.), (NPFG), 0.00%, 10/1/25     6,312,300      
  17,080     Kentucky Economic Development Authority, (Norton Healthcare, Inc.), (NPFG), 0.00%, 10/1/26(6)     6,656,247      
  8,590     Kentucky Economic Development Authority, (Norton Healthcare, Inc.), (NPFG), 0.00%, 10/1/27     3,103,138      
  2,500     Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority, (Lifebridge Health), (AGC),
4.75%, 7/1/47(1)
    2,370,550      
  9,980     New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, (Meridian Health Center), Series I, (AGC), 5.00%, 7/1/38(1)     10,032,239      
  750     New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, (Meridian Health Center), Series V, (AGC), 5.00%, 7/1/38(1)     753,974      
 
 
            $ 35,269,818      
 
 
 
 
Insured-Housing — 0.4%
 
$ 1,100     Broward County, FL, Housing Finance Authority, MFMR, (Venice Homes Apartments), (AGM), (AMT), 5.70%, 1/1/32   $ 1,101,947      
 
 
            $ 1,101,947      
 
 
 
 
Insured-Lease Revenue / Certificates of Participation — 2.2%
 
$ 2,665     Hudson Yards, NY, Infrastructure Corp., (NPFG), 4.50%, 2/15/47   $ 2,470,961      
  3,000     San Diego County, CA, Water Authority, Certificates of Participation, (AGM), 5.00%, 5/1/38(1)     3,019,290      
 
 
            $ 5,490,251      
 
 
 
Insured-Other Revenue — 3.4%
 
$ 4,210     Harris County-Houston, TX, Sports Authority, (NPFG), 0.00%, 11/15/34   $ 741,676      
  10,325     New York, NY, Industrial Development Agency, (Yankee Stadium), (AGC), 0.00%, 3/1/36     2,401,285      
  8,600     New York, NY, Industrial Development Agency, (Yankee Stadium), (AGC), 0.00%, 3/1/37     1,873,510      
  3,100     New York, NY, Industrial Development Agency, (Yankee Stadium), (AGC), 7.00%, 3/1/49     3,507,805      
 
 
            $ 8,524,276      
 
 
 
 
Insured-Special Tax Revenue — 10.8%
 
$ 50,000     Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, IL, (AGM), (NPFG), 0.00%, 12/15/38   $ 8,408,000      
  34,950     Miami-Dade County, FL, Professional Sports Franchise Facilities, (AGC), 0.00%, 10/1/37     6,842,511      
  3,040     Miami-Dade County, FL, Special Obligation, (NPFG), 0.00%, 10/1/35     560,485      
  5,000     Miami-Dade County, FL, Special Obligation, (NPFG), 0.00%, 10/1/38     764,850      
  5,610     Miami-Dade County, FL, Special Obligation, (NPFG), 0.00%, 10/1/40     729,188      
  2,285     New York Convention Center Development Corp., Hotel Occupancy Tax, (AMBAC), 4.75%, 11/15/45     2,132,225      
  14,850     Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., (AMBAC), 0.00%, 8/1/54     833,976      
  22,500     Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., (NPFG), 0.00%, 8/1/43     2,848,725      
  8,695     Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., (NPFG), 0.00%, 8/1/44     1,029,053      
  17,245     Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., (NPFG), 0.00%, 8/1/45     1,904,710      
  10,850     Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., (NPFG), 0.00%, 8/1/46     1,117,984      
 
 
            $ 27,171,707      
 
 
 
 
Insured-Student Loan — 5.6%
 
$ 3,080     Maine Educational Loan Authority, (AGC), 5.625%, 12/1/27   $ 3,195,808      
  805     Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, (AGC), (AMT), 6.35%, 1/1/30     839,148      
  7,940     Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, (AMBAC), (AMT), 4.70%, 1/1/33     7,115,431      
  2,885     New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, (AGC), (AMT), 6.125%, 6/1/30     3,011,738      
 
 
            $ 14,162,125      
 
 
 

 
See notes to financial statements

6


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONT’D
 
                     
Principal Amount
               
(000’s omitted)       Security   Value      
 
 
 
Insured-Transportation — 18.5%
 
$ 12,425     Alameda, CA, Corridor Transportation Authority, (NPFG), 0.00%, 10/1/33   $ 2,612,232      
  3,850     Clark County, NV, (Las Vegas-McCarran International Airport), (AGM), 5.25%, 7/1/39     3,849,807      
  5,500     Director of the State of Nevada Department of Business and Industry, (Las Vegas Monorail), (AMBAC), 5.375%, 1/1/40(7)     1,151,920      
  1,000     Director of the State of Nevada Department of Business and Industry, (Las Vegas Monorail), (AMBAC), 5.625%, 1/1/32(7)     209,510      
  2,100     Maryland Transportation Authority, (AGM), 5.00%, 7/1/41(1)     2,170,182      
  3,645     Miami-Dade County, FL, (Miami International Airport), (AGC), (CIFG), (AMT), 5.00%, 10/1/38(6)     3,421,051      
  3,140     Miami-Dade County, FL, (Miami International Airport), (AGM), (AMT), 5.25%, 10/1/41     3,044,199      
  15,000     North Carolina Turnpike Authority, (AGC), 0.00%, 1/1/34     3,971,400      
  9,820     Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority, (AGC), (CIFG), 5.25%, 7/1/41(1)     9,879,313      
  10,555     San Joaquin Hills, CA, Transportation Corridor Agency, Toll Road Bonds, (NPFG), 0.00%, 1/15/32     1,913,199      
  1,610     San Jose, CA, Airport, (AGM), (AMBAC), (AMT), 5.00%, 3/1/37     1,527,616      
  2,500     San Jose, CA, Airport, (AGM), (AMBAC), (BHAC), (AMT), 5.00%, 3/1/37     2,372,075      
  8,990     San Jose, CA, Airport, (AMBAC), (AMT), 5.50%, 3/1/32     8,939,027      
  5,175     Texas Turnpike Authority, (Central Texas Turnpike System), (AMBAC), 0.00%, 8/15/34     1,010,419      
  2,015     Texas Turnpike Authority, (Central Texas Turnpike System), (AMBAC), 0.00%, 8/15/35     364,614      
 
 
            $ 46,436,564      
 
 
 
 
Insured-Water and Sewer — 10.4%
 
$ 3,750     Austin, TX, Water and Wastewater, (AGM), (BHAC), 5.00%, 11/15/33(1)   $ 3,822,412      
  17,985     DeKalb, GA, Water and Sewer, (AGM), 5.00%, 10/1/35(1)     19,047,014      
  3,250     Fernley, NV, Water and Sewer, (AGC), 5.00%, 2/1/38(1)     3,211,683      
 
 
            $ 26,081,109      
 
 
 
 
Lease Revenue / Certificates of Participation — 2.0%
 
$ 4,400     Mohave County, AZ, Industrial Development Authority, (Mohave Prison LLC), 8.00%, 5/1/25   $ 4,993,384      
 
 
            $ 4,993,384      
 
 
 
Nursing Home — 1.1%
 
$ 265     Orange County, FL, Health Facilities Authority, (Westminster Community Care), 6.60%, 4/1/24   $ 258,648      
  2,735     Orange County, FL, Health Facilities Authority, (Westminster Community Care), 6.75%, 4/1/34     2,592,096      
 
 
            $ 2,850,744      
 
 
 
 
Other Revenue — 13.4%
 
$ 785     Brooklyn, NY, Arena Local Development Corp., (Barclays Center), 6.00%, 7/15/30   $ 805,441      
  880     Brooklyn, NY, Arena Local Development Corp., (Barclays Center), 6.25%, 7/15/40     912,094      
  480     Brooklyn, NY, Arena Local Development Corp., (Barclays Center), 6.375%, 7/15/43     498,960      
  58,690     Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, OH, 0.00%, 6/1/47     1,449,643      
  1,955     Central Falls, RI, Detention Facility Revenue, 7.25%, 7/15/35     1,660,245      
  7,600     Michigan Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority, 6.00%, 6/1/48     5,456,800      
  2,350     Michigan Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority, 6.875%, 6/1/42     2,348,496      
  1,500     Mohegan Tribe Indians Gaming Authority, CT, (Public Improvements), 6.25%, 1/1/21(3)     1,317,180      
  2,370     New Jersey Economic Development Authority, (Duke Farms Foundation), 5.00%, 7/1/48(1)     2,430,601      
  2,300     Northern Tobacco Securitization Corp., AK, 0.00%, 6/1/46     72,956      
  125     Otero County, NM, Jail Project Revenue, 5.50%, 4/1/13     122,974      
  360     Otero County, NM, Jail Project Revenue, 5.75%, 4/1/18     332,539      
  100     Otero County, NM, Jail Project Revenue, 6.00%, 4/1/23     89,160      
  110     Otero County, NM, Jail Project Revenue, 6.00%, 4/1/28     90,247      
  8,000     Salt Verde Financial Corp., AZ, Senior Gas Revenue, 5.00%, 12/1/37     7,102,400      
  4,000     Seminole Tribe, FL, 5.25%, 10/1/27(3)     3,731,440      
  1,365     Seminole Tribe, FL, 5.50%, 10/1/24(3)     1,326,411      
  6,905     Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., VA, 0.00%, 6/1/47     176,561      
  4,180     Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., VA, 5.00%, 6/1/47     2,635,573      
  1,415     White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians, MN, 6.375%, 12/1/26(3)     1,020,371      
 
 
            $ 33,580,092      
 
 
 

 
See notes to financial statements

7


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONT’D
 
                     
Principal Amount
               
(000’s omitted)       Security   Value      
 
 
 
Senior Living / Life Care — 2.3%
 
$ 3,210     Cliff House Trust, PA, (AMT), 6.625%, 6/1/27   $ 1,691,927      
  535     Douglas County, NE, Hospital Authority No. 2, (Immanuel Obligated Group), 5.50%, 1/1/30     541,842      
  1,075     Douglas County, NE, Hospital Authority No. 2, (Immanuel Obligated Group), 5.625%, 1/1/40     1,078,354      
  3,240     Logan County, CO, Industrial Development, (TLC Care Choices, Inc.), 4.469%, 12/1/23(8)     2,398,637      
 
 
            $ 5,710,760      
 
 
 
 
Special Tax Revenue — 2.7%
 
$ 500     Covington Park, FL, Community Development District, (Capital Improvements), 5.00%, 5/1/31   $ 453,580      
  60     Dupree Lakes, FL, Community Development District, 5.00%, 5/1/12     55,900      
  345     Dupree Lakes, FL, Community Development District, 5.375%, 5/1/37     274,772      
  255     Dupree Lakes, FL, Community Development District, 6.83%, 11/1/15     247,702      
  300     Heritage Harbor South, FL, Community Development District, (Capital Improvements), 6.20%, 5/1/35     286,221      
  210     Heritage Springs, FL, Community Development District, 5.25%, 5/1/26     184,107      
  100     New River, FL, Community Development District, (Capital Improvements), Series 2010B-1,
5.00% (0.00% to 11/1/12), 5/1/15
    80,251      
  130     New River, FL, Community Development District, (Capital Improvements), Series 2010B-2,
5.00% (0.00% to 11/1/13), 5/1/18
    49,959      
  65     New River, FL, Community Development District, (Capital Improvements), Series 2010A-1,
5.75% (0.00% to 11/1/12), 5/1/38
    40,333      
  165     New River, FL, Community Development District, (Capital Improvements), Series 2010A-2,
5.75% (0.00% to 11/1/14), 5/1/38
    63,569      
  90     New River, FL, Community Development District, (Capital Improvements), 5.00%, 5/1/13(7)     0      
  35     New River, FL, Community Development District, (Capital Improvements), 5.35%, 5/1/38(7)     0      
  320     North Springs, FL, Improvement District, (Heron Bay), 5.20%, 5/1/27     228,746      
  520     North Springs, FL, Improvement District, (Heron Bay), 7.00%, 5/1/19     520,291      
  960     River Hall, FL, Community Development District, (Capital Improvements), 5.45%, 5/1/36     451,920      
  470     Southern Hills Plantation I, FL, Community Development District, 5.80%, 5/1/35     234,093      
  600     Sterling Hill, FL, Community Development District, 6.20%, 5/1/35     534,576      
  635     University Square, FL, Community Development District, 6.75%, 5/1/20     635,921      
  1,780     Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority, 6.75%, 10/1/37     1,870,709      
  655     Waterlefe, FL, Community Development District, 6.95%, 5/1/31     646,518      
 
 
            $ 6,859,168      
 
 
 
 
Student Loan — 3.4%
 
$ 8,500     New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, (AMT), Variable Rate,
1.247%, 6/1/36(1)(4)(5)
  $ 8,418,230      
 
 
            $ 8,418,230      
 
 
 
 
Transportation — 14.8%
 
$ 1,000     Augusta, GA, (AMT), 5.35%, 1/1/28   $ 945,560      
  915     Branson, MO, Regional Airport Transportation Development District, (Branson Airport, LLC), (AMT), 6.00%, 7/1/25     491,721      
  1,800     Branson, MO, Regional Airport Transportation Development District, (Branson Airport, LLC), (AMT), 6.00%, 7/1/37     963,306      
  1,000     Los Angeles Department of Airports, CA, (Los Angeles International Airport), (AMT), 5.375%, 5/15/33     1,018,410      
  400     Memphis-Shelby County, TN, Airport Authority, (AMT), 5.75%, 7/1/24     418,728      
  2,500     Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NY, 5.25%, 11/15/40(2)     2,490,575      
  1,500     Miami-Dade County, FL, (Miami International Airport), 5.00%, 10/1/41     1,442,250      
  4,000     Miami-Dade County, FL, (Miami International Airport), 5.50%, 10/1/36     4,082,440      
  1,515     North Texas Tollway Authority, 5.75%, 1/1/38     1,517,530      
  2,500     Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission,
6.375%, (0.00% until 12/1/17), 12/1/38
    1,795,250      
  1,000     Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, 5.50%, 12/1/41     1,027,140      
  7,290     Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, (AMT), 5.75%, 3/15/35(1)     7,592,899      
  1,885     Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp., (LBJ Express Managed Lanes Project), 7.00%, 6/30/34     1,964,943      
  1,725     Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp., (North Tarrant Express Managed Lanes Project), 6.875%, 12/31/39     1,777,061      
  9,300     Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, NY, 5.00%, 11/15/37(1)     9,464,796      
 
 
            $ 36,992,609      
 
 
 

 
See notes to financial statements

8


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONT’D
 
                     
Principal Amount
               
(000’s omitted)       Security   Value      
 
 
 
Water and Sewer — 3.1%
 
$ 3,405     Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, 4.00%, 8/1/46   $ 3,001,337      
  4,500     New York, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, (Water and Sewer System), 5.25%, 6/15/40(1)     4,690,080      
 
 
            $ 7,691,417      
 
 
     
Total Tax-Exempt Investments — 192.4%
   
(identified cost $501,147,776)
  $ 482,334,766      
 
 
     
Auction Preferred Shares Plus Cumulative
   
Unpaid Dividends — (47.9)%
  $ (120,158,492 )    
 
 
             
Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (44.5)%
  $ (111,445,440 )    
 
 
             
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares — 100.0%
  $ 250,730,834      
 
 
 
The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets applicable to common shares.
 
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.
 
BHAC - Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corp.
 
CIFG - CIFG Assurance North America, Inc.
FGIC - Financial Guaranty Insurance Company
 
FNMA - Federal National Mortgage Association
 
GNMA - Government National Mortgage Association
 
MFMR - Multi-Family Mortgage Revenue
 
NPFG - National Public Finance Guaranty Corp.
 
PSF - Permanent School Fund
 
SFMR - Single Family Mortgage Revenue
 
At November 30, 2010, the concentration of the Trust’s investments in the various states, determined as a percentage of total investments is as follows:
 
         
New York
    16.2%  
California
    11.6%  
Others, representing less than 10% individually
    72.2%  
 
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 November 30, 2010, 34.9% 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 ranged from 0.5% to 12.0% of total investments.
 
(1) Security represents the underlying municipal bond of an inverse floater (see Note 1H).
 
(2) When-issued security.
 
(3) Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in certain transactions (normally to qualified institutional buyers) and remain exempt from registration. At November 30, 2010, the aggregate value of these securities is $16,135,194 or 6.4% of the Trust’s net assets applicable to common shares.
 
(4) Security (or a portion thereof) has been pledged as collateral for inverse floating-rate security transactions. The aggregate value of such collateral is $7,287,712.
 
(5) Variable rate security. The stated interest rate represents the rate in effect at November 30, 2010.
 
(6) Security (or a portion thereof) has been segregated to cover payable for when-issued securities.
 
(7) Defaulted bond.
 
(8) Security is in default and is making only partial interest payments.

 
See notes to financial statements

9


 

Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
             
As of November 30, 2010          
 
Assets
 
Investments, at value (identified cost, $501,147,776)
  $ 482,334,766      
Cash
    6,585,724      
Interest receivable
    7,325,617      
Receivable for investments sold
    2,707,188      
Deferred debt issuance costs
    80,396      
 
 
Total assets
  $ 499,033,691      
 
 
             
             
 
Liabilities
 
Payable for floating rate notes issued
  $ 117,660,000      
Payable for when-issued securities
    9,691,235      
Payable to affiliates:
           
Investment adviser fee
    239,442      
Administration fee
    69,910      
Trustees’ fees
    2,606      
Interest expense and fees payable
    286,447      
Accrued expenses
    194,725      
 
 
Total liabilities
  $ 128,144,365      
 
 
Auction preferred shares at liquidation value plus cumulative unpaid dividends
  $ 120,158,492      
 
 
Net assets applicable to common shares
  $ 250,730,834      
 
 
             
             
 
Sources of Net Assets
 
Common shares, $0.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized
  $ 226,355      
Additional paid-in capital
    303,471,883      
Accumulated net realized loss
    (38,930,687 )    
Accumulated undistributed net investment income
    4,776,293      
Net unrealized depreciation
    (18,813,010 )    
 
 
Net assets applicable to common shares
  $ 250,730,834      
 
 
             
             
 
Auction Preferred Shares Issued and Outstanding (Liquidation preference of $25,000 per share)
 
      4,806      
 
 
             
             
 
Common Shares Outstanding
 
      22,635,535      
 
 
             
             
 
Net Asset Value Per Common Share
 
Net assets applicable to common shares ¸ common shares issued and outstanding
  $ 11.08      
 
 
 
 
Statement of Operations
 
             
For the Year Ended
         
November 30, 2010          
 
Investment Income
 
Interest
  $ 28,738,186      
 
 
Total investment income
  $ 28,738,186      
 
 
             
             
 
Expenses
 
Investment adviser fee
  $ 2,944,296      
Administration fee
    852,033      
Trustees’ fees and expenses
    15,482      
Custodian fee
    169,802      
Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees
    30,101      
Legal and accounting services
    107,895      
Printing and postage
    71,129      
Interest expense and fees
    880,072      
Preferred shares service fee
    174,298      
Miscellaneous
    129,782      
 
 
Total expenses
  $ 5,374,890      
 
 
Deduct —
           
Reduction of custodian fee
  $ 273      
 
 
Total expense reductions
  $ 273      
 
 
             
Net expenses
  $ 5,374,617      
 
 
             
Net investment income
  $ 23,363,569      
 
 
             
             
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) —
           
Investment transactions
  $ 3,381,395      
Extinguishment of debt
    (444 )    
Financial futures contracts
    (6,422,699 )    
Swap contracts
    2,951,514      
 
 
Net realized loss
  $ (90,234 )    
 
 
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —
           
Investments
  $ 3,686,555      
 
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
  $ 3,686,555      
 
 
             
Net realized and unrealized gain
  $ 3,596,321      
 
 
Distributions to preferred shareholders —
           
From net investment income
  $ (486,126 )    
 
 
             
Net increase in net assets from operations
  $ 26,473,764      
 
 

 
See notes to financial statements

10


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
 
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
 
                     
Increase (Decrease)
  Year Ended
    Year Ended
     
in Net Assets   November 30, 2010     November 30, 2009      
 
From operations —
                   
Net investment income
  $ 23,363,569     $ 19,582,420      
Net realized loss from investment transactions, extinguishment of debt, financial futures contracts and swap contracts
    (90,234 )     (21,027,307 )    
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments, financial futures contracts and swap contracts
    3,686,555       72,547,936      
Distributions to preferred shareholders —
From net investment income
    (486,126 )     (726,603 )    
 
 
Net increase in net assets from operations
  $ 26,473,764     $ 70,376,446      
 
 
Distributions to common shareholders —
                   
From net investment income
  $ (21,280,833 )   $ (16,875,356 )    
 
 
Total distributions to common shareholders
  $ (21,280,833 )   $ (16,875,356 )    
 
 
Capital share transactions —
                   
Reinvestment of distributions to common shareholders
  $ 1,692,126     $ 1,731,349      
Issued in connection with tax-free reorganization (see Note 10)
          48,359,695      
 
 
Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions
  $ 1,692,126     $ 50,091,044      
 
 
                     
Net increase in net assets
  $ 6,885,057     $ 103,592,134      
 
 
                     
                     
 
Net Assets Applicable to
Common Shares
 
At beginning of year
  $ 243,845,777     $ 140,253,643      
 
 
At end of year
  $ 250,730,834     $ 243,845,777      
 
 
                     
                     
 
Accumulated undistributed net
investment income included
in net assets applicable
to common shares
 
At end of year
  $ 4,776,293     $ 3,668,193      
 
 
 
 
Statement of Cash Flows
 
             
    For the Year Ended
     
Cash Flows From Operating Activities   November 30, 2010      
 
Net increase in net assets from operations
  $ 26,473,764      
Distributions to preferred shareholders
    486,126      
 
 
Net increase in net assets from operations excluding distributions to preferred shareholders
  $ 26,959,890      
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets from operations to net cash used in operating activities:
           
Investments purchased
    (110,335,953 )    
Investments sold
    78,898,565      
Net amortization/accretion of premium (discount)
    (4,025,016 )    
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs
    9,323      
Increase in interest receivable
    (103,157 )    
Increase in receivable for investments sold
    (2,602,188 )    
Increase in payable for when-issued securities
    8,091,235      
Increase in payable to affiliate for investment adviser fee
    3,467      
Increase in payable to affiliate for administration fee
    2,489      
Increase in payable to affiliate for Trustees’ fees
    489      
Increase in interest expense and fees payable
    67,366      
Increase in accrued expenses
    54,364      
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation from investments
    (3,686,555 )    
Net realized gain from investments
    (3,381,395 )    
Net realized loss on extinguishment of debt
    444      
 
 
Net cash used in operating activities
  $ (10,046,632 )    
 
 
             
             
 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
 
Distributions paid to common shareholders, net of reinvestments
  $ (19,588,707 )    
Cash distributions paid to preferred shareholders
    (484,913 )    
Proceeds from secured borrowings
    36,500,000      
Repayment of secured borrowings
    (355,000 )    
 
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
  $ 16,071,380      
 
 
             
Net increase in cash
  $ 6,024,748      
 
 
             
Cash at beginning of year
  $ 560,976      
 
 
             
Cash at end of year
  $ 6,585,724      
 
 
             
             
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
information:
 
Noncash financing activities not included herein consist of:
           
Reinvestment of dividends and distributions
  $ 1,692,126      
Cash paid for interest and fees
    803,383      
 
 

 
See notes to financial statements

11


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
 
Financial Highlights
 
Selected data for a common share outstanding during the periods stated
 
                                             
    Year Ended November 30,
   
    2010     2009     2008     2007     2006      
 
Net asset value — Beginning of year (Common shares)
  $ 10.840     $ 8.110     $ 14.370     $ 15.880     $ 14.470      
 
 
                                             
                                             
 
Income (Loss) From Operations
 
Net investment income(1)
  $ 1.036     $ 0.981     $ 1.067     $ 1.076     $ 1.100      
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    0.169       2.648       (6.262 )     (1.518 )     1.444      
Distributions to preferred shareholders —
                                           
From net investment income(1)
    (0.022 )     (0.036 )     (0.258 )     (0.278 )     (0.252 )    
 
 
Total income (loss) from operations
  $ 1.183     $ 3.593     $ (5.453 )   $ (0.720 )   $ 2.292      
 
 
                                             
                                             
 
Less Distributions to Common Shareholders
 
From net investment income
  $ (0.943 )   $ (0.863 )   $ (0.807 )   $ (0.790 )   $ (0.882 )    
 
 
Total distributions to common shareholders
  $ (0.943 )   $ (0.863 )   $ (0.807 )   $ (0.790 )   $ (0.882 )    
 
 
                                             
Net asset value — End of year (Common shares)
  $ 11.080     $ 10.840     $ 8.110     $ 14.370     $ 15.880      
 
 
                                             
Market value — End of year (Common shares)
  $ 11.980     $ 11.480     $ 8.450     $ 13.300     $ 16.010      
 
 
                                             
Total Investment Return on Net Asset Value(2)
    10.74 %     46.43 %     (39.72 )%     (4.62 )%     16.33 %    
 
 
                                             
Total Investment Return on Market Value(2)
    13.06 %     48.84 %     (32.13 )%     (12.44 )%     13.43 %    
 
 

 
See notes to financial statements

12


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
 
Financial Highlights
 
Selected data for a common share outstanding during the periods stated
 
                                             
    Year Ended November 30,
   
    2010     2009     2008     2007     2006      
 
 
 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Net assets applicable to common shares, end of year (000’s omitted)
  $ 250,731     $ 243,846     $ 140,254     $ 246,974     $ 272,274      
Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets applicable to common
shares):(3)
                                           
Expenses excluding interest and fees
    1.73 %     2.00 %     1.84 %     1.71 %(4)     1.76 %    
Interest and fee expense(5)
    0.34 %     0.47 %     0.73 %     1.35 %     1.46 %    
Total expenses before custodian fee reduction
    2.07 %     2.47 %     2.57 %     3.06 %(4)     3.22 %    
Expenses after custodian fee reduction excluding interest and fees
    1.73 %     2.00 %     1.82 %     1.70 %(4)     1.75 %    
Net investment income
    9.00 %     10.44 %     8.45 %     7.02 %     7.27 %    
Portfolio Turnover
    16 %     44 %     53 %     37 %     41 %    
 
 
The ratios reported above are based on net assets applicable to common shares. The ratios based on net assets, including amounts related to preferred shares, are as follows:
Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets applicable to common shares and preferred
shares):(3)
                                           
Expenses excluding interest and fees
    1.19 %     1.26 %     1.17 %     1.14 %(4)     1.17 %    
Interest and fee expense(5)
    0.23 %     0.29 %     0.47 %     0.90 %     0.97 %    
Total expenses before custodian fee reduction
    1.42 %     1.55 %     1.64 %     2.04 %(4)     2.14 %    
Expenses after custodian fee reduction excluding interest and fees
    1.19 %     1.26 %     1.16 %     1.14 %(4)     1.17 %    
Net investment income
    6.15 %     6.56 %     5.40 %     4.69 %     4.83 %    
 
 
Senior Securities:
                                           
Total preferred shares outstanding
    4,806       4,806       4,394       5,240       5,240      
Asset coverage per preferred share(6)
  $ 77,172     $ 75,739     $ 56,919     $ 72,138     $ 76,963      
Involuntary liquidation preference per preferred
share(7)
  $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000      
Approximate market value per preferred share(7)
  $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000      
 
 
 
(1) Computed using average common shares outstanding.
 
(2) Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or market value with all distributions reinvested.
 
(3) Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred shareholders.
 
(4) The investment adviser was allocated a portion of the Trust’s operating expenses (equal to less than 0.005% of average daily net assets for the year ended November 30, 2007). Absent this allocation, total return would be lower.
 
(5) Interest and fee expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with inverse floater securities transactions (see Note 1H).
 
(6) Calculated by subtracting the Trust’s total liabilities (not including the preferred shares) from the Trust’s total assets, and dividing the result by the number of preferred shares outstanding.
 
(7) Plus accumulated and unpaid dividends.

 
See notes to financial statements

13


 

Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1   Significant Accounting Policies
 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income 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 seeks to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax.
 
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.
 
A  Investment Valuation — Debt obligations (including short-term obligations with a remaining maturity of more than sixty days) 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, 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 are generally valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Financial futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. Interest rate swaps are normally valued using valuations provided by a third party pricing service. Such pricing service valuations are based on the present value of fixed and projected floating rate cash flows over the term of the swap contract. Future cash flows are discounted to their present value using swap rates provided by electronic data services or by broker/dealers. 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 most 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 all 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 municipal obligations, 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.
 
At November 30, 2010, the Trust, for federal income tax purposes, had a capital loss carryforward of $39,872,312 which will 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 will 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. Such capital loss carryforward will expire on November 30, 2011 ($4,036,249), November 30, 2012 ($2,812,831), November 30, 2015 ($1,728,781), November 30, 2016 ($11,985,328), November 30, 2017 ($19,113,316) and November 30, 2018 ($195,807).
 
As of November 30, 2010, the Trust had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. Each of the Trust’s federal tax returns filed in the 3-year period ended November 30, 2010 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
D  Expense Reduction — State Street Bank and Trust Company (SSBT) serves as custodian of the Trust. Pursuant to the custodian agreement, SSBT receives a fee reduced by credits, which are determined based on the average daily cash balance the Trust maintains with SSBT. All credit balances, if any, used to reduce the Trust’s custodian fees are reported as a reduction of expenses in the Statement of Operations.

14


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
 
E  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.
 
F  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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.
 
G  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.
 
H  Floating Rate Notes Issued in Conjunction with Securities Held — The Trust may invest in inverse floating rate securities, also referred to as residual interest bonds, whereby the Trust may sell a variable or fixed rate bond to a broker for cash. At the same time, the Trust buys a residual interest in the assets and cash flows of a Special-Purpose Vehicle (the SPV), (which is generally organized as a trust), set up by the broker, often referred to as an inverse floating rate obligation (Inverse Floater). The broker deposits a bond into the SPV with the same CUSIP number as the bond sold to the broker 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 Inverse Floater 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 broker transfer the Bond held by the SPV to the Trust, thereby terminating the SPV. Should the Trust exercise such right, it would generally pay the broker the par amount due on the Floating Rate Notes and exchange the Inverse Floater 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 broker for redemption at par at each reset date. 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 broker upon 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. Structuring fees paid to the liquidity provider upon the creation of an SPV have been recorded as debt issuance costs and are being amortized as interest expense to the expected maturity of the related trust. Unamortized structuring fees related to a terminated SPV are recorded as a realized loss on extinguishment of debt. At November 30, 2010, the amount of the Trust’s Floating Rate Notes outstanding and the related collateral were $117,660,000 and $154,039,616, respectively. The range of interest rates on Floating Rate Notes outstanding at November 30, 2010 was 0.29% to 0.40%. For the year ended November 30, 2010, the Trust’s average Floating Rate Notes outstanding and the average interest rate including fees and amortization of deferred debt issuance costs were $106,147,356 and 0.83%, respectively.
 
The Trust may enter into shortfall and forbearance agreements with the broker by which the Trust agrees to reimburse the broker, in certain circumstances, 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 November 30, 2010.
 
The Trust may also purchase Inverse Floaters from brokers 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 Inverse Floaters purchased in a secondary market transaction are disclosed in the Portfolio of Investments. The Trust’s investment policies and

15


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
 
restrictions expressly permit investments in Inverse Floaters. Inverse floating rate securities 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 inverse floating rate securities 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. Inverse Floaters held by the Trust are securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.
 
I  Financial Futures Contracts — The Trust may enter into financial futures contracts. The Trust’s investment in financial futures contracts is designed for hedging against changes in interest rates or as a substitute for the purchase of securities. Upon entering into a financial futures contract, the Trust is required to deposit with the broker, either in cash or securities, an amount equal to a certain percentage of the purchase price (initial margin). Subsequent payments, known as variation margin, are made or received by the Trust each business day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security, and are recorded as unrealized gains or losses by the Trust. Gains (losses) are realized upon the expiration or closing of the financial futures contracts. Should market conditions change unexpectedly, the Trust may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. Futures contracts have minimal counterparty risk as they are exchange traded and the clearinghouse for the exchange is substituted as the counterparty, guaranteeing counterparty performance.
 
J  Interest Rate Swaps — The Trust may enter into interest rate swap agreements to enhance return, to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices or interest rates, or as substitution for the purchase or sale of securities. Pursuant to these agreements, the Trust makes periodic payments at a fixed interest rate and, in exchange, receives payments based on the interest rate of a benchmark industry index. During the term of the outstanding swap agreement, changes in the underlying value of the swap are recorded as unrealized gains or losses. The value of the swap is determined by changes in the relationship between two rates of interest. The Trust is exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the swap counterparty. Risk may also arise from movements in interest rates.
 
K  When-Issued Securities and Delayed Delivery Transactions — The Trust may purchase or sell securities on a delayed delivery or when-issued basis. Payment and delivery may take place after the customary settlement period for that security. At the time the transaction is negotiated, the price of the security that will be delivered is fixed. The Trust maintains security positions for these commitments such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payments upon settlement. Securities purchased on a delayed delivery or when-issued basis are marked-to-market daily and begin earning interest on settlement date. Losses may arise due to changes in the market value of the underlying securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.
 
L  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 cash on hand at its custodian and does not include any short-term investments.
 
2   Auction Preferred Shares
 
The Trust issued 2,620 Series A and Series B Auction Preferred Shares (APS) on March 1, 1999 in a public offering. The underwriting discount and other offering costs incurred in connection with the offering were recorded as a reduction of the paid-in capital of the common shares. The Trust issued 806 Series C APS on May 28, 2009 in connection with the acquisition of Eaton Vance National Municipal Income Trust (see Note 10). Dividends on the APS, which accrue daily, are cumulative at rates which are reset every seven days by an auction, unless a special dividend period has been set. If the APS auctions do not successfully clear, the dividend payment rate over the next period for the APS holders is set at a specified maximum applicable rate until such time as the APS auctions are successful. The maximum applicable rate on the APS is 110% (150% for taxable distributions) of the greater of the 1) “AA” Financial Composite Commercial Paper Rate or 2) Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Obligation Rate on the date of the auction. Series of APS are identical in all respects except for the reset dates of the dividend rates.
 
The number of APS issued and outstanding as of November 30, 2010 is as follows:
 
             
    APS Issued and Outstanding      
 
Series A
    2,000      
Series B
    2,000      
Series C
    806      

16


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
 
The APS are redeemable at the option of the Trust at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, on any dividend payment date. The APS are also subject to mandatory redemption at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if the Trust is in default for an extended period on its asset maintenance requirements with respect to the APS. If the dividends on the APS remain unpaid in an amount equal to two full years’ dividends, the holders of the APS as a class have the right to elect a majority of the Board of Trustees. In general, the holders of the APS and the common shares have equal voting rights of one vote per share, except that the holders of the APS, as a separate class, have the right to elect at least two members of the Board of Trustees. The APS have a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. The Trust is required to maintain certain asset coverage with respect to the APS as defined in the Trust’s By-Laws and the 1940 Act. The Trust pays an annual fee up to 0.15% of the liquidation value of the APS to broker-dealers as a service fee if the auctions are unsuccessful; otherwise, the annual fee is 0.25%.
 
3   Distributions to Shareholders
 
The Trust intends to make monthly distributions of net investment income to common shareholders, after payment of any dividends on any outstanding APS. In addition, at least annually, the Trust intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains (reduced by available capital loss carryforwards from prior years, if any). Distributions to common shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to preferred shareholders are recorded daily and are payable at the end of each dividend period. The dividend rates for APS at November 30, 2010, and the amount of dividends accrued (including capital gains, if any) to APS shareholders, average APS dividend rates, and dividend rate ranges for the year then ended were as follows:
 
                                         
    APS
      Dividends
    Average APS
      Dividend
     
    Dividend Rates at
      Accrued to APS
    Dividend
      Rate
     
    November 30, 2010       Shareholders     Rates       Ranges (%)      
 
Series A
         0.44   %   $ 203,846       0.41   %     0.26–0.58      
Series B
    0.44         201,065       0.40         0.24–0.56      
Series C
    0.44         81,215       0.40         0.24–0.56      
 
 
 
Beginning February 14, 2008 and consistent with the patterns in the broader market for auction-rate securities, the Trust’s APS auctions were unsuccessful in clearing due to an imbalance of sell orders over bids to buy the APS. As a result, the dividend rates of the APS were reset to the maximum applicable rate. The table above reflects such maximum dividend rates for each series as of November 30, 2010.
 
The Trust distinguishes between distributions on a tax basis and a financial reporting basis. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits be 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.
 
The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended November 30, 2010 and November 30, 2009 was as follows:
 
                     
    Year Ended November 30,
    2010     2009      
 
 
Distributions declared from:
                   
Tax-exempt income
  $ 21,665,361     $ 17,535,841      
Ordinary income
  $ 101,598     $ 66,118      
 
During the year ended November 30, 2010, accumulated net realized loss was decreased by $488,510 and accumulated undistributed net investment income was decreased by $488,510 due to differences between book and tax accounting, primarily for accretion of market discount. These reclassifications had no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share of the Trust.
 
As of November 30, 2010, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on a tax basis were as follows:
 
         
Undistributed tax-exempt income
  $ 4,784,785  
Capital loss carryforward
  $ (39,872,312 )
Net unrealized depreciation
  $ (17,871,385 )
Other temporary differences
  $ (8,492 )
 
The differences between components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a tax basis and the amounts reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities are primarily due to wash sales, accretion of market discount, the timing of recognizing distributions to shareholders, and inverse floaters.
 
4   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. Prior to May 1, 2010, the fee was computed at an annual rate of 0.70% of the Trust’s average weekly gross assets. Pursuant to a fee reduction agreement between the Trust and EVM, commencing May 1, 2010, the annual adviser fee rate was reduced by 0.015% to 0.685% and will be reduced an additional 0.015% every May 1 thereafter for the next nineteen years. The fee reduction cannot be terminated

17


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
 
without the consent of the Trustees and shareholders. Average weekly gross assets include the principal amount of any indebtedness for money borrowed, including debt securities issued by the Trust, and the amount of any outstanding APS issued by the Trust. Pursuant to a fee reduction agreement with EVM, average weekly gross assets are calculated by adding to net assets the liquidation value of the Trust’s APS then outstanding and the amount payable by the Trust to floating rate note holders, such adjustment being limited to the value of the APS outstanding prior to any APS redemptions by the Trust. The investment adviser fee is payable monthly. The administration fee is earned by EVM for administering the business affairs of the Trust and is computed at an annual rate of 0.20% of the Trust’s average weekly gross assets. For the year ended November 30, 2010, the investment adviser fee and administration fee were $2,944,296 and $852,033, respectively.
 
Except for Trustees of the Trust who are not members of EVM’s organization, officers and Trustees receive remuneration for their services to the Trust out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Trust who are not affiliated with EVM 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 year ended November 30, 2010, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Trust are officers of EVM.
 
5   Purchases and Sales of Investments
 
Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $110,335,953 and $78,898,565, respectively, for the year ended November 30, 2010.
 
6   Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
 
Common share transactions for the years ended November 30, 2010 and November 30, 2009 were as follows:
 
                     
    Year Ended November 30,
     
    2010     2009      
 
 
Issued pursuant to the Trust’s dividend reinvestment plan
    144,257       171,495      
Issued in connection with the acquisition of Eaton Vance National Municipal Income Trust (see Note 10)
          5,027,606      
 
 
Net increase
    144,257       5,199,101      
 
 
 
7   Federal Income Tax Basis of Investments
 
The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Trust at November 30, 2010, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:
 
             
Aggregate cost
  $ 382,546,151      
 
 
Gross unrealized appreciation
  $ 20,753,950      
Gross unrealized depreciation
    (38,625,335 )    
 
 
Net unrealized depreciation
  $ (17,871,385 )    
 
 
 
8   Financial Instruments
 
The Trust may trade in financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of its investing activities. These financial instruments may include financial futures contracts and interest rate swaps and may involve, to a varying degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial statement purposes. The notional or contractual amounts of these instruments represent the investment the Trust has in particular classes of financial instruments and do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. The measurement of the risks associated with these instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions are considered.
 
The Trust is subject to interest rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Trust holds fixed rate bonds, the value of these bonds may decrease if interest rates rise. To hedge against this risk, the Trust enters into interest rate swap contracts. The Trust also purchases and sells U.S. Treasury futures contracts to hedge against changes in interest rates.
 
The Trust enters into swap contracts that may contain provisions whereby the counterparty may terminate the contract under certain conditions, including but not limited to a decline in the Trust’s net assets below a certain level over a certain period of time, which would trigger a payment by the Trust for those derivatives in a liability position.
 
At November 30, 2010, there were no obligations outstanding under these financial instruments.
 
The effect of derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) on the Statement of Operations and whose primary underlying risk exposure is interest rate risk for the year ended November 30, 2010 was as follows:
 

18


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT’D
 
                     
          Change in
     
          Unrealized
     
    Realized Gain
    Appreciation
     
    (Loss) on
    (Depreciation) on
     
    Derivatives
    Derivatives
     
    Recognized in
    Recognized in
     
Derivative   Income(1)      Income      
 
Futures Contracts
  $ (6,422,699 )   $      —      
Interest Rate Swaps
    2,951,514            
 
 
Total
  $ (3,471,185 )   $      
 
 
 
(1) Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) – Financial futures contracts and swap contracts, respectively.
 
The average notional amounts of futures contracts and swap contracts outstanding during the year ended November 30, 2010, which are indicative of the volume of these derivative types, were approximately $9,231,000 and $5,769,000, respectively.
 
9   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)
 
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
At November 30, 2010, the inputs used in valuing the Trust’s investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:
 
                                     
    Quoted
                       
    Prices in
                       
    Active
    Significant
                 
    Markets for
    Other
    Significant
           
    Identical
    Observable
    Unobservable
           
    Assets     Inputs     Inputs            
     
Asset Description   (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Total      
 
Tax-Exempt Investments
  $      —     $ 482,334,766     $      —     $ 482,334,766      
 
 
Total Investments
  $     $ 482,334,766     $     $ 482,334,766      
 
 
 
The Trust held no investments or other financial instruments as of November 30, 2009 whose fair value was determined using Level 3 inputs.
 
10   Reorganization
 
Prior to the opening of business on May 28, 2009, the Trust acquired the net assets of Eaton Vance National Municipal Income Trust (National Trust) pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization approved by the shareholders of the Trust and National Trust. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 5,027,606 common shares of the Trust for the 4,260,513 common shares of National Trust outstanding on May 27, 2009, and 806 newly-issued Series C APS of the Trust with an aggregate liquidation value of $20,150,000 in exchange for 806 APS of National Trust outstanding on May 27, 2009 and having the same aggregate liquidation value. The aggregate net assets attributable to common shares of the Trust immediately before the acquisition were $167,134,870. The net assets attributable to common shares of National Trust at that date of $48,359,695, including $4,633,627 of accumulated net realized losses and $8,944,514 of unrealized depreciation, were combined with those of the Trust, resulting in combined net assets attributable to common shares of $215,494,565.

19


 

Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Trustees and Shareholders ofEaton Vance Municipal Income Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust (the “Trust”), including the portfolio of investments, as of November 30, 2010, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Trust’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2010, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
January 18, 2011

20


 

Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust as of November 30, 2010
 
FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)
 
 
The Form 1099-DIV you receive in January 2011 will show the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2010. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Trust. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified within 60 days of the Trust’s fiscal year end regarding exempt-interest dividends.
 
Exempt-Interest Dividends. The Trust designates 99.53% of dividends from net investment income as an exempt-interest dividend.

21


 

Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust 
 
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
 
 
The Trust offers a dividend reinvestment plan (the Plan) pursuant to which shareholders automatically have distributions reinvested in common shares (the Shares) of the Trust unless they elect otherwise through their investment dealer. On the distribution payment date, if the net asset value per Share is equal to or less than the market price per Share plus estimated brokerage commissions, then new Shares will be issued. The number of Shares shall be determined by the greater of the net asset value per Share or 95% of the market price. Otherwise, Shares generally will be purchased on the open market by the Plan Agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (AST), who is also the Trust’s transfer agent. Distributions subject to income tax (if any) are taxable whether or not shares are reinvested.
 
If your Shares are in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you can ask the firm or nominee to participate in the Plan on your behalf. If the nominee does not offer the Plan, you will need to request that your Shares be re-registered in your name with AST or you will not be able to participate.
 
The Plan Agent’s service fee for handling distributions will be paid by the Trust. Each participant will be charged their pro-rata share of brokerage commissions on all open-market purchases.
 
Plan participants may withdraw from the Plan at any time by writing to the Plan Agent at the address noted on the following page. If you withdraw, you will receive shares in your name for all Shares credited to your account under the Plan. If a participant elects by written notice to the Plan Agent to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of his or her Shares and remit the proceeds, the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct a $5.00 fee plus brokerage commissions from the proceeds.
 
If you wish to participate in the Plan and your Shares are held in your own name, you may complete the form on the following page and deliver it to the Plan Agent.
 
Any inquiries regarding the Plan can be directed to the Plan Agent at 1-866-439-6787.

22


 

Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust 
 
APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
 
 
This form is for shareholders who hold their common shares in their own names. If your common shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you should contact your nominee to see if it will participate in the Plan on your behalf. If you wish to participate in the Plan, but your brokerage firm, bank, or nominee is unable to participate on your behalf, you should request that your common shares be re-registered in your own name which will enable your participation in the Plan.
 
The following authorization and appointment is given with the understanding that I may terminate it at any time by terminating my participation in the Plan as provided in the terms and conditions of the Plan.
 
Please print exact name on account:
Shareholder signature                                   Date
Shareholder signature                                   Date
 
Please sign exactly as your common shares are registered. All persons whose names appear on the share certificate must sign.
 
YOU SHOULD NOT RETURN THIS FORM IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE YOUR DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. THIS IS NOT A PROXY.
 
This authorization form, when signed, should be mailed to the following address:
 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust
c/o American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
P.O. Box 922
Wall Street Station
New York, NY 10269-0560
 
Number of Employees
The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a closed-end, management investment company and has no employees.
 
Number of Shareholders
As of November 30, 2010, our records indicate that there are 358 registered shareholders and approximately 9,107 shareholders owning the Trust shares in street name, such as through brokers, banks, and financial intermediaries.
 
If you are a street name shareholder and wish to receive Trust reports directly, which contain important information about the Trust, please write or call:
 
Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
1-800-262-1122
 
New York Stock Exchange symbol
 
The New York Stock Exchange symbol is EVN.

23


 

Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust 
 
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 continuance 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 Eaton Vance group of mutual funds (the “Eaton Vance Funds”) held on April 26, 2010, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voted to approve continuation of existing 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 the Contract Review Committee of the Board, which is a committee comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees. Prior to making its recommendation, the Contract Review Committee reviewed information furnished for a series of meetings of the Contract Review Committee held between February and April 2010. Such information included, among other things, the following:
 
Information about Fees, Performance and Expenses
 
  •  An independent report comparing the advisory and related fees paid by each fund with fees paid by comparable funds;
  •  An independent report comparing each fund’s total expense ratio and its components to comparable funds;
  •  An independent report comparing the investment performance of each fund (including yield where relevant) to the investment performance of comparable funds over various time periods;
  •  Data regarding investment performance in comparison to relevant peer groups of similarly managed funds and appropriate indices;
  •  For each fund, comparative information concerning the fees charged and the services provided by each adviser in managing other mutual 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
 
  •  Descriptions of the investment management services provided to each fund, including the investment strategies and processes employed, and any changes in portfolio management processes and personnel;
  •  Information concerning the allocation of brokerage and the benefits received by each adviser as a result of brokerage allocation, including information concerning the acquisition of research through “soft dollar” benefits received in connection with the funds’ brokerage, and the implementation of a soft dollar reimbursement program established with respect to the funds;
  •  Data relating to portfolio turnover rates of each fund;
  •  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
 
  •  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 compensation and responsibilities with respect to managing other mutual funds and investment accounts;
  •  Copies of the Codes of Ethics of each adviser and its affiliates, together with information relating to compliance with and the administration of such codes;
  •  Copies of or descriptions of each adviser’s policies and procedures relating to proxy voting, the handling of corporate actions and class actions;
  •  Information concerning the resources devoted to compliance efforts undertaken by each adviser and its affiliates on behalf of the funds (including descriptions of various compliance programs) and their record of compliance with investment policies and restrictions, including policies with respect to market-timing, late trading and selective portfolio disclosure, and with policies on personal securities transactions;
  •  Descriptions of 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;
 
Other Relevant Information
 
  •  Information concerning the nature, cost and character of the administrative and other non-investment management 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 advisory agreement.

24


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust 
 
BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ CONTRACT APPROVAL CONT’D
 
 
In addition to the information identified above, the Contract Review Committee considered information provided from time to time by each adviser throughout the year at meetings of the Board and its committees. Over the course of the twelve-month period ended April 30, 2010, with respect to one or more Funds, the Board met ten 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 nine, thirteen, three, eight and fifteen times, respectively. At such meetings, the Trustees received, among other things, presentations by the portfolio managers and other investment professionals of each adviser relating to the investment performance of each fund and the investment strategies used in pursuing the fund’s investment objective including, where relevant, the use of derivative instruments, as well as trading policies and procedures and risk management techniques.
 
For funds that invest through one or more underlying portfolios, the Board considered similar information about the portfolio(s) when considering the approval of 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, 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 advisory and sub-advisory agreement and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached with respect to each 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 advisory and sub-advisory agreement.
 
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 continuance of the investment advisory agreement of Eaton Vance Municipal Income 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 as well as the 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 agreement for the Fund.
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
 
In considering whether to approve the investment advisory 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 evaluated, where relevant, the abilities and experience of such investment personnel in analyzing factors such as credit risk, tax efficiency, and special considerations relevant to investing in municipal bonds. The Board considered the Adviser’s large municipal bond team, which includes portfolio managers and credit specialists who provide services to the Fund. The Board also took into account the resources dedicated to portfolio management and other services, including the compensation methods of the Adviser to recruit and retain investment personnel, and the time and attention devoted to the Fund by senior management.
 
The Board also reviewed 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 personnel, selective disclosure of portfolio holdings, late trading, frequent trading, portfolio valuation, business continuity and the allocation of investment opportunities. The Board also evaluated 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 family of funds.
 
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 agreement.

25


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust 
 
BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ CONTRACT APPROVAL CONT’D
 
Fund Performance
 
The Board compared the Fund’s investment performance to a relevant universe of similarly managed funds identified by an independent data provider and appropriate benchmark indices. The Board reviewed comparative performance data for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended September 30, 2009 for the Fund. The Board considered the impact of extraordinary market conditions during 2008 and 2009 on the Fund’s performance relative to its peer universe in light of, among other things, the Adviser’s long-standing strategy of generating current income through investments in higher quality (including insured) municipal bonds with longer maturities. The Board noted that the Adviser had restructured management of the municipal bond team and had implemented additional processes and tools designed to manage credit and interest rate risk. The Board concluded that appropriate actions are being taken by the Adviser to improve Fund performance and that additional time is required to evaluate the effectiveness of such actions.
 
Management Fees and Expenses
 
The Board reviewed contractual investment advisory fee rates, including any administrative fee rates, payable by the Fund (referred to collectively as “management fees”). The Board considered the financial resources committed by the Adviser in structuring the Fund at the time of its initial public offering. As part of its review, the Board considered the management fees and the Fund’s total expense ratio for the year ended September 30, 2009, as compared to a group of similarly managed funds selected by an independent data provider. The Board considered that, in response to inquiries by the Contract Review Committee, the Adviser had agreed to implement a series of permanent reductions in management fees and that the first such reduction would be effective as of May 1, 2010. The Board also considered factors that had an impact on Fund expense ratios, as identified by management in response to inquiries from the Contract Review Committee, as well as actions being taken to reduce expenses at the Eaton Vance fund complex level.
 
After reviewing 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
 
The Board reviewed 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 with and without regard to revenue sharing 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 benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates in connection with its relationship 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 reasonable.
 
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 the economies of scale with respect to the management of any specific fund or group of funds. The Board also considered the fact that the Fund is not continuously offered and 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 appropriate at this time. Based upon the foregoing, the Board concluded that the benefits from economies of scale are currently being shared equitably by the Adviser and its affiliates and the Fund.

26


 

Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust 
 
MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION
 
 
Trust Management. The Trustees of Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust (the Trust) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Trust’s affairs. The Trustees and officers of the Trust are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. The “Noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to Eaton Vance, Inc., “EVM” refers to Eaton Vance Management, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research, and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of EVM and BMR. EVD is the Trust’s principal underwriter and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC. Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below.
 
                         
        Term of
      Number of Portfolios
     
    Position(s)
  Office and
  Principal Occupation(s)
  in Fund Complex
     
Name and
  with the
  Length of
  During Past Five Years and
  Overseen By
    Other Directorships Held
Year of Birth   Trust   Service   Other Relevant Experience   Trustee(1)     During the Last Five Years(2)
 
 
 
Interested Trustee
                         
Thomas E. Faust Jr.
1958
  Class II
Trustee
  Until 2013.
3 years.
Trustee since 2007.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVM and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of 177 registered investment companies and 1 private investment company managed by EVM or BMR. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with EVM, BMR, EVD, EVC and EV, which are affiliates of the Trust.     177     Director of EVC.
 
Noninterested Trustees
                         
Benjamin C.
Esty(A)
1963
  Class I
Trustee
  Until 2012.
3 years.
Trustee since 2006.
  Roy and Elizabeth Simmons Professor of Business Administration and Finance Unit Head, Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration.     177     None
                         
Allen R. Freedman
1940
  Class II
Trustee
  Until 2013.
3 years.
Trustee since 2007.
  Private Investor and Consultant. Former Chairman (2002-2004) and a Director (1983-2004) of Systems & Computer Technology Corp. (provider of software to higher education). Formerly, a Director of Loring Ward International (fund distributor) (2005-2007). Formerly, Chairman and a Director of Indus International, Inc. (provider of enterprise management software to the power generating industry) (2005-2007).     177     Director of Assurant, Inc. (insurance provider) and Stonemor Partners, L.P. (owner and operator of cemeteries).
                         
William H. Park
1947
  Class III
Trustee
  Until 2011.
3 years.
Trustee since 2003.
  Chief Financial Officer, Aveon Group L.P. (an investment management firm) (since 2010). Formerly, Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (2006-2010). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation (an institutional investment management firm) (1982-2001). Formerly, Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (an independent registered public accounting firm) (1972-1981).     177     None
                         
Ronald A. Pearlman
1940
  Class I
Trustee
  Until 2012.
3 years.
Trustee since 2003.
  Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center. Formerly, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax Policy) and Assistant Secretary (Tax Policy), U.S. Department of the Treasury (1983-1985). Formerly, Chief of Staff, Joint Committee on Taxation, U.S. Congress (1988-1990).     177     None

27


 

 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust 
 
MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION CONT’D
 
                         
        Term of
      Number of Portfolios
     
    Position(s)
  Office and
  Principal Occupation(s)
  in Fund Complex
     
Name and
  with the
  Length of
  During Past Five Years and
  Overseen By
    Other Directorships Held
Year of Birth   Trust   Service   Other Relevant Experience   Trustee(1)     During the Last Five Years(2)
 
 
Noninterested Trustees (continued)
                         
Helen Frame Peters
1948
  Class III
Trustee
  Until 2011.
3 years.
Trustee since 2008.
  Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College (2000-2002). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998-1999). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm) (1991-1998).     177     Director of BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. (wholesale club retailer). Formerly, Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust (exchange traded funds) (2000-2009). Formerly, Director of Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (a bank for banks) (2007-2009).
                         
Lynn A. Stout
1957
  Class I
Trustee
  Until 2012.
3 years.
Trustee since 1998.
  Paul Hastings Professor of Corporate and Securities Law (since 2006) and Professor of Law (2001-2006), University of California at Los Angeles School of Law. Professor Stout teaches classes in corporate law and securities regulation and is the author of numerous academic and professional papers on these areas.     177     None
                         
Ralph F. Verni(A)
1943
  Chairman of the
Board and Class II
Trustee
  Until 2013.
3 years.
Chairman of the
Board since 2007
and Trustee since
2006.
  Consultant and private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer (1982-1992), Chief Financial Officer (1988-1990) and Director (1982-1992), New England Life. Formerly, Chairperson, New England Mutual Funds (1982-1992). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, State Street Management & Research (1992-2000). Formerly, Chairperson, State Street Research Mutual Funds (1992-2000). Formerly, Director, W.P. Carey, LLC (1998-2004) and First Pioneer Farm Credit Corp. (2002-2006).     177     None
 
Principal Officers who are not Trustees
 
             
        Term of
   
    Position(s)
  Office and
   
Name and
  with the
  Length of
  Principal Occupation(s)
Year of Birth   Trust   Service   During Past Five Years
 
 
             
Thomas M. Metzold
1958
  President   Since 2010   Vice President of EVM and BMR. Officer of 52 registered investment companies managed by EVM or BMR.
             
William H. Ahern, Jr.
1959
  Vice President   Since 2004   Vice President of EVM and BMR. Officer of 74 registered investment companies managed by EVM or BMR.
             
Cynthia J. Clemson
1963
  Vice President   Since 2004   Vice President of EVM and BMR. Officer of 90 registered investment companies managed by EVM or BMR.
             
Barbara E. Campbell
1957
  Treasurer   Since 2005   Vice President of EVM and BMR. Officer of 177 registered investment companies managed by EVM or BMR.
             
Maureen A. Gemma
1960
  Secretary and Chief Legal Officer   Secretary since 2007
and Chief Legal Officer
since 2008
  Vice President of EVM and BMR. Officer of 177 registered investment companies managed by EVM or BMR.
             
Paul M. O’Neil
1953
  Chief Compliance Officer   Since 2004   Vice President of EVM and BMR. Officer of 177 registered investment companies managed by EVM or BMR.
 
(1) Includes both master and feeder funds in a master-feeder structure.
 
(2) During their respective tenures, the Trustees also served as trustees of one or more of the following Eaton Vance funds (which operated in the years noted): Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund (launched in 2005 and terminated in 2010); Eaton Vance Insured Florida Plus Municipal Bond Fund (launched in 2002 and terminated in 2009); and Eaton Vance National Municipal Income Fund (launched in 1998 and terminated in 2009).
 
(A) APS Trustee.

28


 

Investment Adviser and Administrator of Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust
Eaton Vance Management
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
 
 
 
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116
 
 
 
Transfer Agent
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59 Maiden Lane
Plaza Level
New York, NY 10038
 
 
 
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116-5022
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110


 

151-1/11 CE-NASRC


 

Item 2. Code of Ethics
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics applicable to its Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of such code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, by calling 1-800-262-1122.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert
The registrant’s Board has designated William H. Park, an independent trustee, as its audit committee financial expert. Mr. Park is a certified public accountant who is the Chief Financial Officer of Aveon Group, L.P. (an investment management firm). Previously, he served as the Vice Chairman of Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company), as President and Chief Executive Officer of Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm), as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United Asset Management Corporation (an institutional investment management firm) and as a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (an independent registered public accounting firm).
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table presents the aggregate fees billed to the registrant for the registrant’s fiscal years ended November 30, 2009 and November 30, 2010 by the Fund’s principal accountant, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“D&T”), for professional services rendered for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and fees billed for other services rendered by D&T during such periods.
                 
Fiscal Years Ended   11/30/09     11/30/10  
 
Audit Fees
  $ 61,883     $ 62,160  
 
Audit-Related Fees(1)
  $ 3,915     $ 3,915  
 
Tax Fees(2)
  $ 13,967     $ 14,126  
 
All Other Fees(3)
  $ 0     $ 500  
 
     
Total
  $ 79,765     $ 80,701  
     
 
(1)   Audit-related fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of financial statements and are not reported under the category of audit fees and specifically include fees for the performance of certain agreed-upon procedures relating to the registrant’s auction preferred shares.
 
(2)   Tax fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant relating to tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning and specifically include fees for tax return preparation and other related tax compliance/planning matters.
 
(3)   All other fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by the principal accountant other than audit, audit-related, and tax services.
(e)(1) The registrant’s audit committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the pre-approval of services provided by the registrant’s principal accountant (the “Pre-Approval Policies”). The Pre-Approval Policies establish a framework intended to assist the audit committee in the proper discharge of its pre-approval responsibilities. As a general matter, the Pre-Approval Policies (i) specify certain types of audit, audit-related, tax, and other services determined to be pre-approved by the audit committee; and (ii) delineate specific procedures governing the mechanics of the pre-approval process, including the approval and monitoring of audit and non-audit service fees. Unless a service is specifically pre-approved under the Pre-Approval Policies, it must be separately pre-approved by the audit committee.
The Pre-Approval Policies and the types of audit and non-audit services pre-approved therein must be reviewed and ratified by the registrant’s audit committee at least annually. The registrant’s audit committee maintains full responsibility for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of the registrant’s principal accountant.
(e)(2) No services described in paragraphs (b)-(d) above were approved by the registrant’s audit committee pursuant to the “de minimis exception” set forth in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X.
(f) Not applicable.
(g) The following table presents (i) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related, tax, and other services) billed to the registrant by D&T for the registrant’s fiscal years ended November 30, 2009

 


 

and November 30, 2010; and (ii) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related, tax, and other services) billed to the Eaton Vance organization by D&T for the same time periods.
                 
Fiscal Years Ended   11/30/09     11/30/10  
 
Registrant
  $ 17,882     $ 18,541  
 
               
Eaton Vance(1)
  $ 260,717     $ 278,901  
 
(1)   Eaton Vance Management, a subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp., acts as the registrant’s investment adviser and administrator.
(h) The registrant’s audit committee has considered whether the provision by the registrant’s principal accountant of non-audit services to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants
The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. William H. Park (Chair), Helen Frame Peters, Lynn A. Stout and Ralph F. Verni are the members of the registrant’s audit committee.
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
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted a proxy voting policy and procedure (the “Fund Policy”), pursuant to which the Trustees have delegated proxy voting responsibility to the Fund’s investment adviser and adopted the investment adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures (the “Policies”) which are described below. The Trustees will review the Fund’s proxy voting records from time to time and will annually consider approving the Policies for the upcoming year. In the event that a conflict of interest arises between the Fund’s shareholders and the investment adviser, the administrator, or any of their affiliates or any affiliate of the Fund, the investment adviser will generally refrain from voting the proxies related to the companies giving rise to such conflict until it consults with the Board’s Special Committee except as contemplated under the Fund Policy. The Board’s Special Committee will instruct the investment adviser on the appropriate course of action.
The Policies are designed to promote accountability of a company’s management to its shareholders and to align the interests of management with those shareholders. An independent proxy voting service (“Agent”), currently Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc., has been retained to assist in the voting of proxies through the provision of vote analysis, implementation and recordkeeping and disclosure services. The investment adviser will generally vote proxies through the Agent. The Agent is required to vote all proxies and/or refer them back to the investment adviser pursuant to the Policies. It is generally the policy of the investment adviser to vote in accordance with the recommendation of the

 


 

Agent. The Agent shall refer to the investment adviser proxies relating to mergers and restructurings, and the disposition of assets, termination, liquidation and mergers contained in mutual fund proxies. The investment adviser will normally vote against anti-takeover measures and other proposals designed to limit the ability of shareholders to act on possible transactions, except in the case of closed-end management investment companies. The investment adviser generally supports management on social and environmental proposals. The investment adviser may abstain from voting from time to time where it determines that the costs associated with voting a proxy outweighs the benefits derived from exercising the right to vote or the economic effect on shareholders interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant.
In addition, the investment adviser will monitor situations that may result in a conflict of interest between the Fund’s shareholders and the investment adviser, the administrator, or any of their affiliates or any affiliate of the Fund by maintaining a list of significant existing and prospective corporate clients. The investment adviser’s personnel responsible for reviewing and voting proxies on behalf of the Fund will report any proxy received or expected to be received from a company included on that list to the personnel of the investment adviser identified in the Policies. If such personnel expects to instruct the Agent to vote such proxies in a manner inconsistent with the guidelines of the Policies or the recommendation of the Agent, the personnel will consult with members of senior management of the investment adviser to determine if a material conflict of interests exists. If it is determined that a material conflict does exist, the investment adviser will seek instruction on how to vote from the Special Committee.
Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12 month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122, and (2) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Portfolio Management
Thomas M. Metzold is responsible for the overall and day-to-day management of the Trust’s investments. Mr. Metzold has been an Eaton Vance portfolio manager since 1991, is a co-Director of Municipal Investments and is a Vice President of Eaton Vance Management (“EVM”) and Boston Management and Research (“BMR”), an Eaton Vance subsidiary. This information is provided as of the date of filing of this report.
The following table shows, as of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year end, the number of accounts the portfolio manager managed in each of the listed categories and the total assets (in millions of dollars) in the accounts managed within each category. The table also shows the number of accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account, if any, and the total assets (in millions of dollars) in those accounts.

 


 

                                 
                    Number of   Total Assets of
    Number of   Total Assets of   Accounts   Accounts
    All   All   Paying a   Paying a Performance
    Accounts   Accounts   Performance Fee   Fee
Registered Investment Companies
    8     $ 7,315.5       0     $ 0  
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
    0     $ 0       0     $ 0  
Other Accounts
    0     $ 0       0     $ 0  
The following table shows the dollar range of Fund shares beneficially owned by the portfolio manager as of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year end.
     
    Dollar Range of Equity
    Portfolio Manager   Securities Owned in the Fund
Thomas M. Metzold
  None
Potential for Conflicts of Interest. It is possible that conflicts of interest may arise in connection with a portfolio manager’s management of the Fund’s investments on the one hand and investments of other accounts for which a portfolio manager is responsible on the other. For example, a portfolio manager may have conflicts of interest in allocating management time, resources and investment opportunities among the Fund and other accounts he or she advises. In addition, due to differences in the investment strategies or restrictions between the Fund and the other accounts, a portfolio manager may take action with respect to another account that differs from the action taken with respect to the Fund. In some cases, another account managed by a portfolio manager may compensate the investment adviser or sub-adviser based on the performance of the securities held by that account. The existence of such a performance based fee may create additional conflicts of interest for a portfolio manager in the allocation of management time, resources and investment opportunities. Whenever conflicts of interest arise, a portfolio manager will endeavor to exercise his or her discretion in a manner that he or she believes is equitable to all interested persons. EVM has adopted several policies and procedures designed to address these potential conflicts including: a code of ethics; and policies which govern the investment adviser’s trading practices, including among other things the aggregation and allocation of trades among clients, brokerage allocation, cross trades and best execution.
Compensation Structure for EVM
Compensation of EVM’s portfolio managers and other investment professionals has three primary components: (1) a base salary, (2) an annual cash bonus, and (3) annual stock-based compensation consisting of options to purchase shares of EVC’s nonvoting common stock and/or restricted shares of EVC’s nonvoting common stock. EVM’s investment professionals also receive certain retirement, insurance and other benefits that are broadly available to EVM’s employees. Compensation of EVM’s investment professionals is reviewed primarily on an annual basis. Cash bonuses, stock-based compensation awards, and adjustments in base salary are typically paid or put into effect at or shortly after the October 31st fiscal year end of EVC.
Method to Determine Compensation. EVM compensates its portfolio managers based primarily on the scale and complexity of their portfolio responsibilities and the total return performance of managed funds and accounts versus appropriate peer groups or benchmarks. In addition to rankings within peer groups of funds on the basis of absolute performance, consideration may also be given to relative risk-

 


 

adjusted performance. Risk-adjusted performance measures include, but are not limited to, the Sharpe Ratio. Performance is normally based on periods ending on the September 30th preceding fiscal year end. Fund performance is normally evaluated primarily versus peer groups of funds as determined by Lipper Inc. and/or Morningstar, Inc. When a fund’s peer group as determined by Lipper or Morningstar is deemed by EVM’s management not to provide a fair comparison, performance may instead be evaluated primarily against a custom peer group. In evaluating the performance of a fund and its manager, primary emphasis is normally placed on three-year performance, with secondary consideration of performance over longer and shorter periods. For funds that are tax-managed or otherwise have an objective of after-tax returns, performance is measured net of taxes. For other funds, performance is evaluated on a pre-tax basis. For funds with an investment objective other than total return (such as current income), consideration will also be given to the fund’s success in achieving its objective. For managers responsible for multiple funds and accounts, investment performance is evaluated on an aggregate basis, based on averages or weighted averages among managed funds and accounts. Funds and accounts that have performance-based advisory fees are not accorded disproportionate weightings in measuring aggregate portfolio manager performance.
The compensation of portfolio managers with other job responsibilities (such as heading an investment group or providing analytical support to other portfolios) will include consideration of the scope of such responsibilities and the managers’ performance in meeting them.
EVM seeks to compensate portfolio managers commensurate with their responsibilities and performance, and competitive with other firms within the investment management industry. EVM participates in investment-industry compensation surveys and utilizes survey data as a factor in determining salary, bonus and stock-based compensation levels for portfolio managers and other investment professionals. Salaries, bonuses and stock-based compensation are also influenced by the operating performance of EVM and its parent company. The overall annual cash bonus pool is based on a substantially fixed percentage of pre-bonus operating income. While the salaries of EVM’s portfolio managers are comparatively fixed, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may fluctuate significantly from year to year, based on changes in manager performance and other factors as described herein. For a high performing portfolio manager, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may represent a substantial portion of total compensation.
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. 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 Trust    
 
       
By:
  /s/ Thomas M. Metzold
 
Thomas M. Metzold
   
 
  President    
 
       
Date: January 14, 2011    
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/ Barbara E. Campbell
 
Barbara E. Campbell
   
 
  Treasurer    
 
       
Date:
  January 14, 2011    
 
       
By:
  /s/ Thomas M. Metzold
 
Thomas M. Metzold
   
 
  President    
 
       
Date:
  January 14, 2011