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 811-02351
Western Asset Income Fund
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10018
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Robert I. Frenkel, Esq.
Legg Mason & Co., LLC
100 First Stamford Place
Stamford, CT 06902
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (888)777-0102
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: December 31, 2014
ITEM 1. | REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS. |
The Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.
Annual Report | December 31, 2014 |
WESTERN ASSET
INCOME FUND (PAI)
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE |
Fund objectives
The Fund seeks a high level of current income, consistent with prudent investment risk. Capital appreciation is a secondary objective.
Dear Shareholder,
We are pleased to provide the annual report of Western Asset Income Fund for the twelve-month reporting period ended December 31, 2014. Please read on for a detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Funds reporting period and to learn how those conditions have affected Fund performance.
As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our website, www.lmcef.com. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:
| Fund prices and performance, |
| Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and |
| A host of educational resources. |
We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.
Sincerely,
Kenneth D. Fuller
President and Chief Executive Officer
January 30, 2015
II | Western Asset Income Fund |
Economic review
Despite weakness in early 2014, the U.S. economy expanded at a solid pace during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 (the reporting period). The U.S. Department of Commerce reported that in the first quarter of 2014, U.S. gross domestic product (GDP)i contracted 2.1%. This was the first negative GDP report in three years and partially attributed to severe winter weather. Thankfully, this setback was very brief, as second quarter GDP growth was 4.6%. The rebound in GDP growth was driven by several factors, including an acceleration in personal consumption expenditures (PCE), increased private inventory investment and exports, as well as an upturn in state and local government spending. The economy then gained further momentum as third quarter GDP growth was 5.0%, its strongest reading since the third quarter of 2003. This was driven by contributions from PCE, exports, nonresidential fixed investment and government spending. After the reporting period ended, the U.S. Department of Commerces initial estimate showed that fourth quarter 2014 GDP growth was 2.6%. Moderating growth was due to several factors, including an upturn in imports, a downturn in federal government spending and decelerations in nonresidential fixed investment and in exports.
The U.S. manufacturing sector was another tailwind for the economy. Based on figures for the Institute for Supply Managements Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)ii, U.S. manufacturing expanded during all twelve months of the reporting period (a reading below 50 indicates a contraction, whereas a reading above 50 indicates an expansion). After a reading of 56.5 in December 2013, the PMI fell to 51.3 in January 2014, but generally rose over the next several months, reaching a high of 59.0 in August, its best reading since March 2011. While the PMI dipped to 56.6 in September, it rose back to 59.0 in October. Manufacturing activity then moderated over the last two months of the year and the PMI was 55.5 in December. However, for 2014 as a whole the PMI averaged 55.8, the best annual reading since 2010.
The improving U.S. job market was another factor supporting the overall economy during the reporting period. When the period began, unemployment, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, was 6.6%. Unemployment generally declined throughout the reporting period and reached a low of 5.6% in December 2014, the lowest level since June 2008.
The Federal Reserve Board (Fed)iii took a number of actions as it sought to meet its dual mandate of fostering maximum employment and price stability. As it has since December 2008, the Fed kept the federal funds rateiv at a historically low range between zero and 0.25%. The Fed also ended its asset purchase program that was announced in December 2012. At that time, the Fed said it would continue purchasing $40 billion per month of agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), as well as $45 billion per month of longer-term Treasuries. Following the meeting that concluded on December 18, 2013, the Fed announced that it would begin reducing its monthly asset purchases, saying Beginning in January 2014, the Committee will add to its holdings of agency MBS at a pace of $35 billion per month rather than $40 billion per month, and will add to its holdings of longer-term Treasury securities at a pace of $40 billion per month rather than $45 billion
Western Asset Income Fund | III |
Investment commentary (contd)
per month. At each of the Feds next six meetings (January, March, April, June, July and September 2014), it announced further $10 billion tapering of its asset purchases. At its meeting that ended on October 29, 2014, the Fed announced that its asset purchase program had concluded. During its last meeting of the year that concluded on December 17, 2014, the Fed said that Based on its current assessment, the Committee judges that it can be patient to maintain the 0 to 1/4 percent target range for the federal funds rate for a considerable time . Finally, at its meeting that ended on January 28, 2015, after the reporting period ended, the Fed said Based on its current assessment, the Committee judges that it can be patient in beginning to normalize the stance of monetary policy.
As always, thank you for your confidence in our stewardship of your assets.
Sincerely,
Kenneth D. Fuller
President and Chief Executive Officer
January 30, 2015
All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
i | Gross domestic product (GDP) is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time. |
ii | The Institute for Supply Managements PMI is based on a survey of purchasing executives who buy the raw materials for manufacturing at more than 350 companies. It offers an early reading on the health of the U.S. manufacturing sector. |
iii | The Federal Reserve Board (Fed) is responsible for the formulation of policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments. |
iv | The federal funds rate is the rate charged by one depository institution on an overnight sale of immediately available funds (balances at the Federal Reserve) to another depository institution; the rate may vary from depository institution to depository institution and from day to day. |
IV | Western Asset Income Fund |
Q. What is the Funds investment strategy?
A. The Fund seeks a high level of current income, consistent with prudent investment risk, through investment in a diversified portfolio of debt securities. To a lesser extent, the Fund may also invest in privately placed debt securities and in certain equity securities. Capital appreciation is a secondary investment objective.
The Funds investment policies provide that its portfolio be invested as follows: at least 75% in debt securities rated within the four highest grades, and in government securities, bank debt, commercial paper, cash or cash equivalents; up to 25% in other fixed-income securities, convertible bonds, convertible preferred and preferred stock; and not more than 25% in securities restricted as to resale.
At Western Asset Management Company (Western Asset), the Funds subadviser, we utilize a fixed-income team approach, with decisions derived from interaction among various investment management sector specialists. The sector teams are comprised of Western Assets senior portfolio management personnel, research analysts and an in-house economist. Under this team approach, management of client fixed-income portfolios will reflect a consensus of interdisciplinary views within the Western Asset organization. The individuals responsible for development of investment strategy, day-to-day portfolio management, oversight and coordination of the Fund are S. Kenneth Leech, Ryan K. Brist and Michael C. Buchanan.
Q. What were the overall market conditions during the Funds reporting period?
A. The U.S. spread sectors (non-Treasuries) generated positive results and largely outperformed equal-durationi Treasuries over the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. Risk aversion was prevalent at times given mixed economic data, questions surrounding the outlook for global growth, changing monetary policy by the Federal Reserve Board (Fed)ii, and numerous geopolitical issues. However, these factors were largely overshadowed by solid demand from investors looking to generate incremental yield in the low interest rate environment.
Short-term Treasury yields moved higher, whereas longer-term Treasury yields declined during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. Two-year Treasury yields rose from 0.38% at the beginning of the period to 0.67% at the end of the period. Their peak of 0.73% occurred on December 23, December 24 and December 26, 2014, and they were as low as 0.30% in early February 2014. Ten-year Treasury yields were at a peak of 3.04% when the reporting period began and reached a low of 2.07% on December 16, 2014. They ended the reporting period at 2.17%.
All told, the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Indexiii returned 5.97% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. The overall credit market, as represented by the Barclays U.S. Credit Index (the Index),iv returned 7.49% over the same period. During this period, as measured by the Index, lower-rated BBB-rated bonds significantly outperformed
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 1 |
Fund overview (contd)
highly-rated AAA-rated securities, returning 8.34% and 3.71%, respectively. Comparatively, riskier fixed-income securities, including high-yield bonds, produced weaker results. Over the fiscal year, the Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Indexv gained 2.46%.
Q. How did we respond to these changing market conditions?
A. A number of adjustments were made to the Funds portfolio during the reporting period. We reduced the Funds underweight to the Utilities sector. Additionally, we reduced the Funds exposure to cash, as well as its allocation to the Financials sector. From a credit quality perspective, we added to the Funds allocation to securities rated BBB and pared its exposure to below investment-grade securities. We actively participated in the new issue market and purchased securities that we felt were attractively valued.
During the reporting period, Treasury futures, which were used to manage the Funds duration and yield curvevi positioning, detracted from performance.
Performance review
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, Western Asset Income Fund returned 7.57% based on its net asset value (NAV)vii and 7.44% based on its New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) market price per share. The Funds unmanaged benchmarks, the Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Indexviii and the Barclays U.S. Credit Index, returned 2.45% and 7.49%, respectively, for the same period. The Lipper Corporate Debt Closed-End Funds BBB-Rated Category Averageix returned 5.84% over the same time frame. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each funds NAV.
During the twelve-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $0.69 per share*. The performance table shows the Funds twelve-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of December 31, 2014. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Performance Snapshot as of December 31, 2014 | ||||
Price per share | 12-month total return** |
|||
$14.84 (NAV) | 7.57 | % | ||
$13.45 (Market Price) | 7.44 | % |
All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results.
** Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively. Returns reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses, including management fees, operating expenses, and other Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares.
Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions at NAV.
Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions in additional shares in accordance with the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
Q. What were the leading contributors to performance?
A. The largest contributor to the Funds relative performance during the reporting period was security selection. In particular, overweight positions in Citigroup, Bank of America and Verizon Communications were
* | For the tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, please refer to page 31 of this report. |
2 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
additive for results. Citigroup and Bank of America performed well as investor sentiment, overall, improved due to continued balance sheet and capital ratio improvement, as well as strengthening fundamental prospects. Fundamental performance at Verizon Communications continued to strengthen, increasing the value of the Funds positions.
Sector positioning, overall contributed to the Fund performance during the reporting period. An underweight to Energy, the worst performing sector in the Index during the period, enhanced the Funds results. Overweights to the Communications and Financials sectors were rewarded as they outperformed the Index during the year.
Q. What were the leading detractors from performance?
A. Although the Fund outperformed the Index, the largest detractor from its relative performance during the reporting period was it positioning in a number of sectors. Having underweights to Utilities and Non-Corporates were drags on results given their outperformance versus the Index.
Overweights to a number of individual securities also detracted from performance, including Cliffs Natural Resources. This U.S.-based company specializes in the mining and processing of iron ore and the mining of coal. It was negatively impacted by falling iron ore prices, as well as investor concerns regarding a large amount of debt on the companys books that is set to mature in the near future.
Looking for additional information?
The Fund is traded under the symbol PAI and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available on-line under the symbol XPAIX on most financial websites. Barrons and the Wall Street Journals Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide additional information. In addition, the Fund issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major financial websites as well as www.lmcef.com.
In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-888-777-0102 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, for the Funds current NAV, market price and other information.
Thank you for your investment in Western Asset Income Fund. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Funds investment goals.
Sincerely,
Western Asset Management Company
January 20, 2015
RISKS: Bonds are subject to a variety of risks, including interest rate, credit and inflation risks. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of a fixed-income investments price. The Fund may invest in high-yield bonds, which are rated below investment grade and carry more risk than higher-rated securities. To the extent that the Fund invests in asset-backed, mortgage-backed or mortgage related securities, its exposure to prepayment and extension risks may be greater than investments in other fixed-income securities. Leverage may result in greater volatility of NAV and the market price of common shares and increases a shareholders risk of loss. The Fund may invest, to a limited extent, in foreign securities, including emerging markets, which are subject
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 3 |
Fund overview (contd)
to additional risks. The Fund may make significant investments in derivative instruments. Derivative instruments can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance.
Portfolio holdings and breakdowns are as of December 31, 2014 and are subject to change and may not be representative of the portfolio managers current or future investments. Please refer to pages 8 through 18 for a list and percentage breakdown of the Funds holdings.
The mention of sector breakdowns is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any securities. The information provided regarding such sectors is not a sufficient basis upon which to make an investment decision. Investors seeking financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities or investment strategies discussed should consult their financial professional. Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time and may not be representative of the portfolio managers current or future investments. The Funds top five sector holdings (as a percentage of net assets) as of December 31, 2014 were: Financials (40.1%), Energy (15.2%), Consumer Discretionary (9.1%), Telecommunication Services (8.0%) and Materials (5.4%). The Funds portfolio composition is subject to change at any time.
All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
The information provided is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Views expressed may differ from those of the firm as a whole.
i | Duration is the measure of the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to an interest rate change of 100 basis points. Calculation is based on the weighted average of the present values for all cash flows. |
ii | The Federal Reserve Board (Fed) is responsible for the formulation of policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices, and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments. |
iii | The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index is a broad-based bond index comprised of government, corporate, mortgage- and asset-backed issues, rated investment grade or higher, and having at least one year to maturity. |
iv | The Barclays U.S. Credit Index is an index composed of corporate and non-corporate debt issues that are investment grade (rated Baa3/BBB- or higher). |
v | The Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index is an index of the 2% Issuer Cap component of the Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index, which covers the U.S. dollar-denominated, non-investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bond market. |
vi | The yield curve is the graphical depiction of the relationship between the yield on bonds of the same credit quality but different maturities. |
vii | Net asset value (NAV) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities and outstanding preferred stock (if any) from the closing value of all securities held by the Fund (plus all other assets) and dividing the result (total net assets) by the total number of the common shares outstanding. The NAV fluctuates with changes in the market prices of securities in which the Fund has invested. However, the price at which an investor may buy or sell shares of the Fund is the Funds market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Funds shares. |
viii | The Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index covers the universe of fixed-rate, non-investment grade debt, including corporate and non-corporate sectors. Pay-in-kind (PIK) bonds, Eurobonds and debt issues from countries designated as emerging markets are excluded, but Canadian and global bonds (SEC registered) of issuers in non-emerging market countries are included. Original issue zero coupon bonds, step-up coupon structures and 144-A securities are also included. |
ix | Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 10 funds in the Funds Lipper category. |
4 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments
| The bar graph above represents the Funds portfolio as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and does not include derivatives such as futures contracts. The Funds portfolio is actively managed. As a result, the composition of its portfolio holdings and sectors is subject to change at any time. |
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 5 |
Economic exposure December 31, 2014
Total Spread Duration | ||
PAI | 7.75 years | |
Benchmark | 6.99 years |
Spread duration measures the sensitivity to changes in spreads. The spread over Treasuries is the annual risk-premium demanded by investors to hold non-Treasury securities. Spread duration is quantified as the % change in price resulting from a 100 basis points change in spreads. For a security with positive spread duration, an increase in spreads would result in a price decline and a decline in spreads would result in a price increase. This chart highlights the market sector exposure of the Funds sectors relative to the selected benchmark sectors as of the end of the reporting period.
ABS | Asset-Backed Securities | |
Benchmark | Barclays U.S. Credit Index | |
EM | Emerging Markets | |
HY | High Yield | |
IG Credit | Investment Grade Credit | |
MBS | Mortgage-Backed Securities | |
PAI | Western Asset Income Fund |
6 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
Effective duration (unaudited)
Interest rate exposure December 31, 2014
Total Effective Duration | ||
PAI | 6.76 years | |
Benchmark | 7.07 years |
Effective duration measures the sensitivity to changes in relevant interest rates. Effective duration is quantified as the % change in price resulting from a 100 basis points change in interest rates. For a security with positive effective duration, an increase in interest rates would result in a price decline and a decline in interest rates would result in a price increase. This chart highlights the interest rate exposure of the Funds sectors relative to the selected benchmark sectors as of the end of the reporting period.
Benchmark | Barclays U.S. Credit Index | |
EM | Emerging Markets | |
HY | High Yield | |
IG Credit | Investment Grade Credit | |
PAI | Western Asset Income Fund |
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 7 |
December 31, 2014
Western Asset Income Fund
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Corporate Bonds & Notes 91.3% | ||||||||||||||||
Consumer Discretionary 9.1% | ||||||||||||||||
Automobiles 1.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC, Senior Notes |
7.000 | % | 4/15/15 | $ | 610,000 | $ | 620,497 | |||||||||
Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC, Senior Notes |
8.125 | % | 1/15/20 | 410,000 | 507,850 | |||||||||||
General Motors Co., Senior Notes |
5.200 | % | 4/1/45 | 310,000 | 327,050 | |||||||||||
Total Automobiles |
1,455,397 | |||||||||||||||
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.6% |
||||||||||||||||
Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC/Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp., Senior Notes |
5.625 | % | 10/15/21 | 100,000 | 104,500 | |||||||||||
Paris Las Vegas Holding LLC/Harrahs Las Vegas LLC/Flamingo Las Vegas Holding LLC, Senior Secured Notes |
8.000 | % | 10/1/20 | 500,000 | 490,000 | (a) | ||||||||||
Wynn Macau Ltd., Senior Notes |
5.250 | % | 10/15/21 | 290,000 | 272,600 | (a) | ||||||||||
Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure |
867,100 | |||||||||||||||
Household Durables 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Toll Brothers Finance Corp., Senior Notes |
6.750 | % | 11/1/19 | 90,000 | 100,800 | |||||||||||
Internet & Catalog Retail 0.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Amazon.com Inc., Senior Notes |
4.950 | % | 12/5/44 | 670,000 | 692,113 | |||||||||||
Media 6.1% |
||||||||||||||||
21st Century Fox America Inc., Senior Notes |
6.550 | % | 3/15/33 | 545,000 | 707,919 | |||||||||||
21st Century Fox America Inc., Senior Notes |
7.750 | % | 12/1/45 | 130,000 | 195,559 | |||||||||||
Comcast Corp., Bonds |
6.400 | % | 5/15/38 | 950,000 | 1,268,445 | |||||||||||
Comcast Corp., Notes |
6.450 | % | 3/15/37 | 220,000 | 292,692 | |||||||||||
Comcast Corp., Senior Notes |
6.950 | % | 8/15/37 | 160,000 | 225,423 | |||||||||||
DISH DBS Corp., Senior Notes |
5.875 | % | 7/15/22 | 500,000 | 512,500 | |||||||||||
TCI Communications Inc., Senior Debentures |
8.750 | % | 8/1/15 | 160,000 | 167,389 | |||||||||||
Time Warner Cable Inc., Senior Notes |
8.750 | % | 2/14/19 | 690,000 | 854,119 | |||||||||||
Time Warner Entertainment Co., LP, Senior Notes |
8.375 | % | 7/15/33 | 410,000 | 615,301 | |||||||||||
Time Warner Inc., Senior Debentures |
7.700 | % | 5/1/32 | 595,000 | 840,639 | |||||||||||
Time Warner Inc., Senior Notes |
4.900 | % | 6/15/42 | 150,000 | 158,043 | |||||||||||
UBM PLC, Notes |
5.750 | % | 11/3/20 | 570,000 | 621,791 | (a) | ||||||||||
Virgin Media Finance PLC, Senior Notes |
6.375 | % | 4/15/23 | 1,000,000 | 1,047,500 | (a) | ||||||||||
WPP Finance 2010, Senior Notes |
4.750 | % | 11/21/21 | 840,000 | 918,459 | |||||||||||
WPP Finance 2010, Senior Notes |
5.625 | % | 11/15/43 | 150,000 | 171,382 | |||||||||||
Total Media |
8,597,161 | |||||||||||||||
Specialty Retail 0.7% |
||||||||||||||||
American Greetings Corp., Senior Notes |
7.375 | % | 12/1/21 | 160,000 | 167,200 | |||||||||||
Gap Inc., Senior Notes |
5.950 | % | 4/12/21 | 730,000 | 830,744 | |||||||||||
Total Specialty Retail |
997,944 | |||||||||||||||
Total Consumer Discretionary |
12,710,515 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
8 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
Western Asset Income Fund
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Consumer Staples 3.9% | ||||||||||||||||
Beverages 1.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Senior Notes |
5.375 | % | 1/15/20 | $ | 260,000 | $ | 294,486 | |||||||||
Constellation Brands Inc., Senior Notes |
4.250 | % | 5/1/23 | 80,000 | 79,400 | |||||||||||
Pernod-Ricard SA, Senior Bonds |
5.750 | % | 4/7/21 | 350,000 | 402,037 | (a) | ||||||||||
Pernod-Ricard SA, Senior Notes |
5.500 | % | 1/15/42 | 670,000 | 779,311 | (a) | ||||||||||
Total Beverages |
1,555,234 | |||||||||||||||
Food Products 0.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Kraft Foods Group Inc., Senior Notes |
5.000 | % | 6/4/42 | 200,000 | 220,160 | |||||||||||
Tobacco 2.6% |
||||||||||||||||
Altria Group Inc., Senior Notes |
9.950 | % | 11/10/38 | 680,000 | 1,163,244 | |||||||||||
Altria Group Inc., Senior Notes |
10.200 | % | 2/6/39 | 230,000 | 400,462 | |||||||||||
Lorillard Tobacco Co., Senior Notes |
8.125 | % | 6/23/19 | 330,000 | 400,068 | |||||||||||
Lorillard Tobacco Co., Senior Notes |
8.125 | % | 5/1/40 | 270,000 | 377,264 | |||||||||||
Lorillard Tobacco Co., Senior Notes |
7.000 | % | 8/4/41 | 320,000 | 404,049 | |||||||||||
Philip Morris International Inc., Senior Notes |
4.500 | % | 3/20/42 | 260,000 | 274,498 | |||||||||||
Reynolds American Inc., Senior Notes |
4.750 | % | 11/1/42 | 720,000 | 698,797 | |||||||||||
Total Tobacco |
3,718,382 | |||||||||||||||
Total Consumer Staples |
5,493,776 | |||||||||||||||
Energy 15.2% | ||||||||||||||||
Energy Equipment & Services 0.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Baker Hughes Inc., Senior Notes |
7.500 | % | 11/15/18 | 370,000 | 441,646 | |||||||||||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 14.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Anadarko Finance Co., Senior Notes |
7.500 | % | 5/1/31 | 465,000 | 611,514 | |||||||||||
Apache Corp., Senior Notes |
6.900 | % | 9/15/18 | 100,000 | 115,025 | |||||||||||
Apache Corp., Senior Notes |
6.000 | % | 1/15/37 | 190,000 | 206,757 | |||||||||||
Apache Corp., Senior Notes |
5.100 | % | 9/1/40 | 80,000 | 78,363 | |||||||||||
Apache Corp., Senior Notes |
5.250 | % | 2/1/42 | 90,000 | 90,054 | |||||||||||
ConocoPhillips, Notes |
6.500 | % | 2/1/39 | 810,000 | 1,076,203 | |||||||||||
ConocoPhillips, Senior Notes |
6.000 | % | 1/15/20 | 310,000 | 360,202 | |||||||||||
Devon Energy Corp., Senior Notes |
5.600 | % | 7/15/41 | 310,000 | 344,378 | |||||||||||
Devon Financing Corp. LLC, Debentures |
7.875 | % | 9/30/31 | 380,000 | 518,376 | |||||||||||
Ecopetrol SA, Senior Notes |
5.875 | % | 5/28/45 | 176,000 | 162,800 | |||||||||||
El Paso Corp., Medium-Term Notes |
7.800 | % | 8/1/31 | 2,000,000 | 2,435,262 | |||||||||||
Enbridge Energy Partners LP, Senior Notes |
9.875 | % | 3/1/19 | 120,000 | 151,804 | |||||||||||
Energy Transfer Equity LP, Senior Notes |
7.500 | % | 10/15/20 | 250,000 | 277,500 | |||||||||||
Enterprise Products Operating LLC, Senior Notes |
6.125 | % | 10/15/39 | 320,000 | 386,539 | |||||||||||
EOG Resources Inc., Senior Notes |
5.875 | % | 9/15/17 | 540,000 | 597,536 | |||||||||||
Hess Corp., Notes |
7.875 | % | 10/1/29 | 1,180,000 | 1,509,962 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 9 |
Schedule of investments (contd)
December 31, 2014
Western Asset Income Fund
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels continued |
||||||||||||||||
Hess Corp., Senior Bonds |
6.000 | % | 1/15/40 | $ | 300,000 | $ | 331,334 | |||||||||
Kerr-McGee Corp., Notes |
6.950 | % | 7/1/24 | 1,080,000 | 1,319,994 | |||||||||||
Kinder Morgan Inc., Senior Bonds |
5.550 | % | 6/1/45 | 700,000 | 716,960 | |||||||||||
Kinder Morgan Inc., Senior Notes |
5.300 | % | 12/1/34 | 340,000 | 345,119 | |||||||||||
LUKOIL International Finance BV, Senior Notes |
3.416 | % | 4/24/18 | 300,000 | 255,000 | (a) | ||||||||||
LUKOIL International Finance BV, Senior Notes |
4.563 | % | 4/24/23 | 200,000 | 160,000 | (a) | ||||||||||
MEG Energy Corp., Senior Notes |
6.375 | % | 1/30/23 | 600,000 | 535,500 | (a) | ||||||||||
Murray Energy Corp., Senior Secured Notes |
8.625 | % | 6/15/21 | 350,000 | 334,250 | (a) | ||||||||||
Noble Energy Inc., Senior Notes |
6.000 | % | 3/1/41 | 390,000 | 428,624 | |||||||||||
Noble Energy Inc., Senior Notes |
5.250 | % | 11/15/43 | 150,000 | 152,332 | |||||||||||
Pemex Project Funding Master Trust, Senior Bonds |
6.625 | % | 6/15/35 | 2,635,000 | 3,043,425 | |||||||||||
Petrobras Global Finance BV, Senior Notes |
4.875 | % | 3/17/20 | 140,000 | 130,971 | |||||||||||
Petrobras Global Finance BV, Senior Notes |
7.250 | % | 3/17/44 | 280,000 | 276,500 | |||||||||||
Petrobras International Finance Co., Senior Notes |
6.750 | % | 1/27/41 | 525,000 | 477,524 | |||||||||||
Phillips 66, Senior Notes |
5.875 | % | 5/1/42 | 160,000 | 184,255 | |||||||||||
Plains Exploration & Production Co., Senior Notes |
6.875 | % | 2/15/23 | 267,000 | 297,038 | |||||||||||
Shell International Finance BV, Senior Notes |
6.375 | % | 12/15/38 | 250,000 | 335,955 | |||||||||||
Sinopec Group Overseas Development Ltd., Senior Notes |
4.375 | % | 4/10/24 | 490,000 | 513,981 | (a) | ||||||||||
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co., LLC, Senior Notes |
5.400 | % | 8/15/41 | 310,000 | 335,533 | |||||||||||
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co., LLC, Senior Notes |
4.450 | % | 8/1/42 | 450,000 | 421,117 | |||||||||||
Williams Cos. Inc., Debentures |
7.500 | % | 1/15/31 | 47,000 | 49,870 | |||||||||||
Williams Cos. Inc., Senior Notes |
4.550 | % | 6/24/24 | 680,000 | 632,387 | |||||||||||
Williams Cos. Inc., Senior Notes |
7.750 | % | 6/15/31 | 37,000 | 39,624 | |||||||||||
Williams Cos. Inc., Senior Notes |
8.750 | % | 3/15/32 | 610,000 | 711,911 | |||||||||||
Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels |
20,951,479 | |||||||||||||||
Total Energy |
21,393,125 | |||||||||||||||
Financials 38.3% | ||||||||||||||||
Banks 19.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Bank of America Corp., Junior Subordinated |
6.250 | % | 9/5/24 | 170,000 | 168,034 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Bank of America Corp., Junior Subordinated |
6.500 | % | 10/23/24 | 650,000 | 661,635 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Bank of America Corp., Senior Notes |
6.500 | % | 8/1/16 | 70,000 | 75,413 | |||||||||||
Bank of America Corp., Senior Notes |
7.625 | % | 6/1/19 | 70,000 | 84,603 | |||||||||||
Bank of America Corp., Senior Notes |
5.625 | % | 7/1/20 | 30,000 | 34,158 | |||||||||||
Bank of America Corp., Senior Notes |
5.875 | % | 2/7/42 | 320,000 | 400,436 | |||||||||||
Bank of America Corp., Senior Notes |
4.875 | % | 4/1/44 | 840,000 | 928,020 | |||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC, Subordinated Notes |
10.179 | % | 6/12/21 | 240,000 | 322,221 | (a) | ||||||||||
BPCE SA, Subordinated Notes |
5.150 | % | 7/21/24 | 410,000 | 422,493 | (a) | ||||||||||
CIT Group Inc., Senior Notes |
5.000 | % | 8/1/23 | 200,000 | 205,500 | |||||||||||
Citigroup Inc., Junior Subordinated Bonds |
6.300 | % | 5/15/24 | 280,000 | 275,800 | (b)(c) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
10 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
Western Asset Income Fund
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Banks continued |
||||||||||||||||
Citigroup Inc., Junior Subordinated Notes |
5.950 | % | 1/30/23 | $ | 200,000 | $ | 197,000 | (b)(c) | ||||||||
Citigroup Inc., Senior Notes |
6.010 | % | 1/15/15 | 142,000 | 142,202 | |||||||||||
Citigroup Inc., Senior Notes |
8.500 | % | 5/22/19 | 1,280,000 | 1,594,966 | |||||||||||
Citigroup Inc., Senior Notes |
8.125 | % | 7/15/39 | 450,000 | 688,920 | |||||||||||
Citigroup Inc., Senior Notes |
5.875 | % | 1/30/42 | 240,000 | 301,881 | |||||||||||
Citigroup Inc., Subordinated Notes |
5.500 | % | 9/13/25 | 750,000 | 829,879 | |||||||||||
Citigroup Inc., Subordinated Notes |
6.125 | % | 8/25/36 | 550,000 | 655,639 | |||||||||||
Citigroup Inc., Subordinated Notes |
6.675 | % | 9/13/43 | 370,000 | 478,430 | |||||||||||
Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank BA, Junior Subordinated Notes |
11.000 | % | 6/30/19 | 708,000 | 911,196 | (a)(b)(c) | ||||||||||
Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank BA, Senior Notes |
5.250 | % | 5/24/41 | 570,000 | 681,728 | |||||||||||
Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank BA, Subordinated Notes |
5.750 | % | 12/1/43 | 450,000 | 537,058 | |||||||||||
Credit Agricole SA, Subordinated Notes |
8.375 | % | 10/13/19 | 560,000 | 645,400 | (a)(b)(c) | ||||||||||
HSBC Finance Capital Trust IX, Junior Subordinated Notes |
5.911 | % | 11/30/35 | 1,350,000 | 1,366,875 | (b) | ||||||||||
HSBC Holdings PLC, Junior Subordinated Bonds |
6.375 | % | 9/17/24 | 1,430,000 | 1,444,300 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
HSBC Holdings PLC, Subordinated Notes |
5.250 | % | 3/14/44 | 410,000 | 459,264 | |||||||||||
ING Bank NV, Subordinated Notes |
5.800 | % | 9/25/23 | 600,000 | 665,567 | (a) | ||||||||||
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, Senior Notes |
3.625 | % | 8/12/15 | 1,240,000 | 1,256,747 | (a) | ||||||||||
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, Subordinated Bonds |
5.017 | % | 6/26/24 | 250,000 | 242,629 | (a) | ||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Junior Subordinated Bonds |
5.150 | % | 5/1/23 | 410,000 | 386,220 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Junior Subordinated Bonds |
6.000 | % | 8/1/23 | 260,000 | 256,750 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Junior Subordinated Bonds |
6.125 | % | 4/30/24 | 290,000 | 289,272 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Subordinated Notes |
6.125 | % | 6/27/17 | 720,000 | 794,476 | |||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Subordinated Notes |
5.625 | % | 8/16/43 | 440,000 | 511,677 | |||||||||||
M&T Bank Corp., Junior Subordinated Bonds |
6.875 | % | 6/15/16 | 880,000 | 899,800 | (c) | ||||||||||
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, Junior Subordinated Bonds |
7.648 | % | 9/30/31 | 1,360,000 | 1,584,400 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, Subordinated Notes |
5.050 | % | 1/8/15 | 170,000 | 170,034 | |||||||||||
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, Subordinated Notes |
6.125 | % | 12/15/22 | 310,000 | 337,406 | |||||||||||
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, Subordinated Notes |
6.100 | % | 6/10/23 | 1,010,000 | 1,095,441 | |||||||||||
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, Subordinated Notes |
6.000 | % | 12/19/23 | 350,000 | 378,839 | |||||||||||
Royal Bank of Scotland NV, Subordinated Notes |
7.750 | % | 5/15/23 | 480,000 | 563,056 | |||||||||||
Societe Generale SA, Junior Subordinated Notes |
6.000 | % | 1/27/20 | 690,000 | 626,962 | (a)(b)(c) | ||||||||||
Standard Chartered PLC, Subordinated Notes |
5.700 | % | 3/26/44 | 410,000 | 426,479 | (a) | ||||||||||
Wachovia Capital Trust III, Junior Subordinated Bonds |
5.569 | % | 2/17/15 | 1,190,000 | 1,148,945 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Wells Fargo & Co., Junior Subordinated Bonds |
5.900 | % | 6/15/24 | 370,000 | 373,700 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Wells Fargo & Co., Subordinated Notes |
5.375 | % | 11/2/43 | 430,000 | 489,217 | |||||||||||
Wells Fargo Capital X, Capital Securities |
5.950 | % | 12/15/36 | 130,000 | 132,275 | |||||||||||
Total Banks |
27,142,943 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 11 |
Schedule of investments (contd)
December 31, 2014
Western Asset Income Fund
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Capital Markets 5.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Credit Suisse Group AG, Junior Subordinated Notes |
6.250 | % | 12/18/24 | $ | 1,170,000 | $ | 1,117,350 | (a)(b)(c) | ||||||||
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Senior Notes |
5.375 | % | 3/15/20 | 270,000 | 302,588 | |||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Senior Notes |
5.250 | % | 7/27/21 | 510,000 | 575,618 | |||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Senior Notes |
6.250 | % | 2/1/41 | 570,000 | 720,562 | |||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Subordinated Notes |
6.750 | % | 10/1/37 | 640,000 | 804,720 | |||||||||||
KKR Group Finance Co. III LLC, Senior Bonds |
5.125 | % | 6/1/44 | 620,000 | 668,545 | (a) | ||||||||||
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., Senior Notes |
6.400 | % | 8/28/17 | 300,000 | 334,250 | |||||||||||
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., Subordinated Notes |
5.700 | % | 5/2/17 | 1,000,000 | 1,081,006 | |||||||||||
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., Subordinated Notes |
6.110 | % | 1/29/37 | 320,000 | 377,841 | |||||||||||
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., Subordinated Notes |
7.750 | % | 5/14/38 | 900,000 | 1,271,074 | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley, Medium-Term Notes |
6.625 | % | 4/1/18 | 100,000 | 113,903 | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley, Senior Notes |
5.500 | % | 7/24/20 | 100,000 | 112,823 | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley, Senior Notes |
6.375 | % | 7/24/42 | 90,000 | 119,523 | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley, Subordinated Notes |
5.000 | % | 11/24/25 | 230,000 | 245,436 | |||||||||||
UBS AG Stamford CT, Subordinated Notes |
7.625 | % | 8/17/22 | 340,000 | 400,301 | |||||||||||
Total Capital Markets |
8,245,540 | |||||||||||||||
Consumer Finance 2.6% |
||||||||||||||||
Ally Financial Inc., Subordinated Notes |
8.000 | % | 12/31/18 | 201,000 | 228,135 | |||||||||||
American Express Co., Subordinated Debentures |
6.800 | % | 9/1/66 | 370,000 | 387,575 | (b) | ||||||||||
Capital One Financial Corp., Senior Notes |
6.750 | % | 9/15/17 | 230,000 | 259,477 | |||||||||||
HSBC Finance Corp., Senior Notes |
6.676 | % | 1/15/21 | 1,300,000 | 1,542,393 | |||||||||||
SLM Corp., Senior Notes |
7.250 | % | 1/25/22 | 830,000 | 900,550 | |||||||||||
SLM Corp., Senior Notes |
6.125 | % | 3/25/24 | 290,000 | 284,925 | |||||||||||
Total Consumer Finance |
3,603,055 | |||||||||||||||
Diversified Financial Services 6.6% |
||||||||||||||||
AerCap Ireland Capital Ltd./AerCap Global Aviation Trust, Senior Notes |
3.750 | % | 5/15/19 | 410,000 | 405,900 | (a) | ||||||||||
Beaver Valley Funding Corp., Senior Secured Bonds |
9.000 | % | 6/1/17 | 20,000 | 21,600 | |||||||||||
Carlyle Holdings II Finance LLC, Senior Secured Notes |
5.625 | % | 3/30/43 | 220,000 | 254,447 | (a) | ||||||||||
CME Group Inc., Senior Notes |
5.300 | % | 9/15/43 | 440,000 | 533,140 | |||||||||||
General Electric Capital Corp., Junior Subordinated Bonds |
6.250 | % | 12/15/22 | 600,000 | 653,250 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
General Electric Capital Corp., Notes |
5.300 | % | 2/11/21 | 480,000 | 548,154 | |||||||||||
General Electric Capital Corp., Senior Notes |
6.875 | % | 1/10/39 | 440,000 | 622,383 | |||||||||||
General Electric Capital Corp., Subordinated Debentures |
6.375 | % | 11/15/67 | 750,000 | 804,375 | (b) | ||||||||||
ILFC E-Capital Trust I, Junior Subordinated Notes |
4.370 | % | 12/21/65 | 470,000 | 437,100 | (a)(b) | ||||||||||
ILFC E-Capital Trust II, Bonds |
6.250 | % | 12/21/65 | 790,000 | 762,350 | (a)(b) | ||||||||||
International Lease Finance Corp., Senior Notes |
8.750 | % | 3/15/17 | 190,000 | 210,425 | |||||||||||
International Lease Finance Corp., Senior Notes |
8.875 | % | 9/1/17 | 470,000 | 529,925 | |||||||||||
International Lease Finance Corp., Senior Notes |
6.250 | % | 5/15/19 | 130,000 | 142,025 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
12 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
Western Asset Income Fund
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Diversified Financial Services continued |
||||||||||||||||
International Lease Finance Corp., Senior Notes |
8.250 | % | 12/15/20 | $ | 190,000 | $ | 228,950 | |||||||||
International Lease Finance Corp., Senior Secured Notes |
7.125 | % | 9/1/18 | 700,000 | 784,000 | (a) | ||||||||||
Voya Financial Inc., Senior Notes |
5.500 | % | 7/15/22 | 760,000 | 858,508 | |||||||||||
ZFS Finance USA Trust II, Bonds |
6.450 | % | 12/15/65 | 1,440,000 | 1,517,285 | (a)(b) | ||||||||||
Total Diversified Financial Services |
9,313,817 | |||||||||||||||
Insurance 3.5% |
||||||||||||||||
AIA Group Ltd., Senior Notes |
4.875 | % | 3/11/44 | 400,000 | 452,981 | (a) | ||||||||||
Allstate Corp., Junior Subordinated Debentures |
6.500 | % | 5/15/57 | 480,000 | 528,000 | (b) | ||||||||||
American Equity Investment Life Holding Co., Senior Notes |
6.625 | % | 7/15/21 | 60,000 | 63,600 | |||||||||||
American International Group Inc., Junior Subordinated Debentures |
6.250 | % | 3/15/37 | 80,000 | 89,276 | |||||||||||
American International Group Inc., Senior Notes |
6.400 | % | 12/15/20 | 90,000 | 107,322 | |||||||||||
AXA SA, Subordinated Bonds |
8.600 | % | 12/15/30 | 200,000 | 271,706 | |||||||||||
Delphi Financial Group Inc., Senior Notes |
7.875 | % | 1/31/20 | 170,000 | 204,018 | |||||||||||
Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings Inc., Senior Notes |
6.375 | % | 4/1/21 | 190,000 | 199,500 | (a) | ||||||||||
Liberty Mutual Group Inc., Junior Subordinated Bonds |
7.800 | % | 3/15/37 | 190,000 | 222,300 | (a) | ||||||||||
Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., Subordinated Notes |
7.875 | % | 10/15/26 | 490,000 | 617,495 | (a) | ||||||||||
MetLife Inc., Junior Subordinated Debentures |
6.400 | % | 12/15/36 | 1,150,000 | 1,282,250 | |||||||||||
Prudential Financial Inc., Junior Subordinated Debentures |
8.875 | % | 6/15/38 | 340,000 | 396,950 | (b) | ||||||||||
Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America College Retirement Equity Fund, Notes |
6.850 | % | 12/16/39 | 400,000 | 546,332 | (a) | ||||||||||
Total Insurance |
4,981,730 | |||||||||||||||
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Health Care REIT Inc., Senior Notes |
5.875 | % | 5/15/15 | 130,000 | 132,426 | |||||||||||
Real Estate Management & Development 0.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Security Capital Group Inc., Senior Notes |
7.700 | % | 6/15/28 | 280,000 | 375,986 | |||||||||||
Total Financials |
53,795,497 | |||||||||||||||
Health Care 1.3% | ||||||||||||||||
Biotechnology 0.8% |
||||||||||||||||
Amgen Inc., Senior Notes |
5.150 | % | 11/15/41 | 420,000 | 473,403 | |||||||||||
Gilead Sciences Inc., Senior Notes |
5.650 | % | 12/1/41 | 60,000 | 74,291 | |||||||||||
Gilead Sciences Inc., Senior Notes |
4.500 | % | 2/1/45 | 590,000 | 630,591 | |||||||||||
Total Biotechnology |
1,178,285 | |||||||||||||||
Health Care Providers & Services 0.4% |
||||||||||||||||
Anthem Inc., Notes |
5.875 | % | 6/15/17 | 290,000 | 318,752 | |||||||||||
Catholic Health Initiatives, Secured Bonds |
4.350 | % | 11/1/42 | 30,000 | 29,784 | |||||||||||
Humana Inc., Senior Notes |
8.150 | % | 6/15/38 | 80,000 | 116,501 | |||||||||||
UnitedHealth Group Inc., Senior Notes |
6.000 | % | 11/15/17 | 31,000 | 34,686 | |||||||||||
Total Health Care Providers & Services |
499,723 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 13 |
Schedule of investments (contd)
December 31, 2014
Western Asset Income Fund
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Pharmaceuticals 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Zoetis Inc., Senior Notes |
4.700 | % | 2/1/43 | $ | 160,000 | $ | 162,844 | |||||||||
Total Health Care |
1,840,852 | |||||||||||||||
Industrials 5.3% | ||||||||||||||||
Aerospace & Defense 1.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Esterline Technologies Corp., Senior Notes |
7.000 | % | 8/1/20 | 750,000 | 787,500 | |||||||||||
Exelis Inc., Senior Notes |
5.550 | % | 10/1/21 | 520,000 | 561,204 | |||||||||||
Textron Inc., Senior Notes |
4.300 | % | 3/1/24 | 250,000 | 261,214 | |||||||||||
Total Aerospace & Defense |
1,609,918 | |||||||||||||||
Airlines 1.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Air Canada, Pass-Through Trust, Secured Notes |
6.625 | % | 5/15/18 | 280,000 | 285,992 | (a) | ||||||||||
American Airlines, Pass-Through Trust, Senior Secured Bonds |
5.600 | % | 7/15/20 | 300,252 | 306,257 | (a) | ||||||||||
Delta Air Lines Inc., Pass-Through Certificates, Secured Notes |
8.021 | % | 8/10/22 | 85,199 | 98,404 | |||||||||||
Delta Air Lines Inc., Pass-Through Certificates, Senior Secured Notes |
7.750 | % | 12/17/19 | 174,998 | 202,561 | |||||||||||
United Airlines Inc., Pass-Through Certificates |
6.545 | % | 2/2/19 | 106,288 | 116,715 | |||||||||||
United Airlines Inc., Pass-Through Certificates, Secured Notes |
9.750 | % | 1/15/17 | 75,549 | 83,859 | |||||||||||
United Airlines Inc., Pass-Through Certificates, Secured Notes |
9.250 | % | 5/10/17 | 123,010 | 134,388 | |||||||||||
United Airlines Inc., Pass-Through Certificates, Secured Notes |
6.250 | % | 4/11/20 | 144,155 | 151,363 | |||||||||||
United Airlines Inc., Pass-Through Certificates, Senior Secured Notes |
7.250 | % | 11/10/19 | 170,423 | 196,839 | |||||||||||
United Airlines Inc., Pass-Through Certificates, Senior Secured Notes |
7.256 | % | 3/15/20 | 136,432 | 150,757 | |||||||||||
US Airways, Pass-Through Trust, Senior Secured Bonds |
5.900 | % | 10/1/24 | 321,953 | 358,978 | |||||||||||
Total Airlines |
2,086,113 | |||||||||||||||
Commercial Services & Supplies 1.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Republic Services Inc., Senior Notes |
5.500 | % | 9/15/19 | 130,000 | 146,455 | |||||||||||
Republic Services Inc., Senior Notes |
5.250 | % | 11/15/21 | 330,000 | 373,654 | |||||||||||
Taylor Morrison Communities Inc./Monarch Communities Inc., Senior Notes |
5.250 | % | 4/15/21 | 600,000 | 591,000 | (a) | ||||||||||
Waste Management Inc., Senior Notes |
7.750 | % | 5/15/32 | 250,000 | 364,281 | |||||||||||
Total Commercial Services & Supplies |
1,475,390 | |||||||||||||||
Industrial Conglomerates 0.2% |
||||||||||||||||
United Technologies Corp., Senior Notes |
6.125 | % | 2/1/19 | 200,000 | 232,204 | |||||||||||
Machinery 0.8% |
||||||||||||||||
Caterpillar Inc., Senior Notes |
4.750 | % | 5/15/64 | 220,000 | 239,386 | |||||||||||
Valmont Industries Inc., Senior Notes |
6.625 | % | 4/20/20 | 790,000 | 927,168 | |||||||||||
Total Machinery |
1,166,554 | |||||||||||||||
Marine 0.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Horizon Lines LLC, Senior Secured Notes |
11.000 | % | 10/15/16 | 286,000 | 287,430 | (d) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
14 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
Western Asset Income Fund
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Road & Rail 0.4% |
||||||||||||||||
Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC, Senior Notes |
4.900 | % | 4/1/44 | $ | 460,000 | $ | 517,196 | |||||||||
Total Industrials |
7,374,805 | |||||||||||||||
Information Technology 1.6% | ||||||||||||||||
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 0.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Interface Security Systems Holdings Inc./Interface Security Systems LLC, Senior Secured Notes |
9.250 | % | 1/15/18 | 290,000 | 292,900 | |||||||||||
IT Services 0.4% |
||||||||||||||||
Electronic Data Systems Corp., Notes |
7.450 | % | 10/15/29 | 420,000 | 530,665 | |||||||||||
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.8% |
||||||||||||||||
KLA-Tencor Corp., Senior Notes |
4.650 | % | 11/1/24 | 910,000 | 942,075 | |||||||||||
National Semiconductor Corp., Senior Notes |
6.600 | % | 6/15/17 | 110,000 | 123,771 | |||||||||||
Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
1,065,846 | |||||||||||||||
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Hewlett-Packard Co., Senior Notes |
4.650 | % | 12/9/21 | 310,000 | 331,937 | |||||||||||
Total Information Technology |
2,221,348 | |||||||||||||||
Materials 5.4% | ||||||||||||||||
Chemicals 0.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Dow Chemical Co., Debentures |
7.375 | % | 11/1/29 | 800,000 | 1,064,974 | |||||||||||
Ecolab Inc., Senior Notes |
5.500 | % | 12/8/41 | 140,000 | 168,522 | |||||||||||
LYB International Finance BV, Senior Bonds |
4.875 | % | 3/15/44 | 100,000 | 102,877 | |||||||||||
Total Chemicals |
1,336,373 | |||||||||||||||
Containers & Packaging 0.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Rock-Tenn Co., Senior Notes |
4.450 | % | 3/1/19 | 230,000 | 244,818 | |||||||||||
Metals & Mining 3.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Alcoa Inc., Senior Notes |
5.125 | % | 10/1/24 | 320,000 | 339,126 | |||||||||||
Barrick Gold Corp., Senior Notes |
4.100 | % | 5/1/23 | 790,000 | 768,826 | |||||||||||
BHP Billiton Finance USA Ltd., Senior Notes |
5.000 | % | 9/30/43 | 100,000 | 113,352 | |||||||||||
Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Senior Notes |
5.450 | % | 3/15/43 | 120,000 | 113,469 | |||||||||||
Rio Tinto Finance USA Ltd., Senior Notes |
9.000 | % | 5/1/19 | 660,000 | 835,007 | |||||||||||
Southern Copper Corp., Senior Notes |
5.375 | % | 4/16/20 | 150,000 | 163,356 | |||||||||||
Southern Copper Corp., Senior Notes |
5.250 | % | 11/8/42 | 470,000 | 419,873 | |||||||||||
Steel Dynamics Inc., Senior Notes |
6.125 | % | 8/15/19 | 140,000 | 147,000 | |||||||||||
Vale Overseas Ltd., Notes |
6.875 | % | 11/21/36 | 1,148,000 | 1,210,210 | |||||||||||
Vedanta Resources PLC, Senior Notes |
6.750 | % | 6/7/16 | 310,000 | 320,075 | (a) | ||||||||||
Vedanta Resources PLC, Senior Notes |
6.000 | % | 1/31/19 | 350,000 | 341,250 | (a) | ||||||||||
Xstrata Finance Canada Ltd., Senior Notes |
6.900 | % | 11/15/37 | 430,000 | 489,701 | (a) | ||||||||||
Yamana Gold Inc., Senior Notes |
4.950 | % | 7/15/24 | 280,000 | 273,274 | |||||||||||
Total Metals & Mining |
5,534,519 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 15 |
Schedule of investments (contd)
December 31, 2014
Western Asset Income Fund
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Paper & Forest Products 0.4% |
||||||||||||||||
Fibria Overseas Finance Ltd., Senior Notes |
5.250 | % | 5/12/24 | $ | 200,000 | $ | 198,700 | |||||||||
Georgia-Pacific Corp., Senior Bonds |
7.375 | % | 12/1/25 | 250,000 | 324,629 | |||||||||||
Total Paper & Forest Products |
523,329 | |||||||||||||||
Total Materials |
7,639,039 | |||||||||||||||
Telecommunication Services 8.0% | ||||||||||||||||
Diversified Telecommunication Services 6.6% |
||||||||||||||||
AT&T Inc., Senior Notes |
5.550 | % | 8/15/41 | 300,000 | 334,290 | |||||||||||
British Telecommunications PLC, Bonds |
9.625 | % | 12/15/30 | 330,000 | 518,117 | |||||||||||
Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV, Senior Notes |
5.750 | % | 3/23/16 | 160,000 | 168,960 | |||||||||||
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, Senior Bonds |
5.500 | % | 8/1/23 | 750,000 | 745,425 | |||||||||||
Koninklijke KPN NV, Senior Notes |
8.375 | % | 10/1/30 | 200,000 | 281,198 | |||||||||||
Qwest Corp., Debentures |
6.875 | % | 9/15/33 | 1,000,000 | 1,003,066 | |||||||||||
Telecom Italia Capital SA, Senior Notes |
7.175 | % | 6/18/19 | 360,000 | 412,200 | |||||||||||
Telecom Italia SpA, Senior Notes |
5.303 | % | 5/30/24 | 450,000 | 455,625 | (a) | ||||||||||
Telefonica Emisiones SAU, Senior Notes |
3.729 | % | 4/27/15 | 230,000 | 232,027 | |||||||||||
Telefonica Emisiones SAU, Senior Notes |
7.045 | % | 6/20/36 | 60,000 | 78,929 | |||||||||||
Turk Telekomunikasyon AS, Senior Notes |
4.875 | % | 6/19/24 | 330,000 | 331,735 | (a) | ||||||||||
Verizon Communications Inc., Senior Notes |
5.150 | % | 9/15/23 | 1,790,000 | 1,976,577 | |||||||||||
Verizon Communications Inc., Senior Notes |
6.550 | % | 9/15/43 | 1,316,000 | 1,685,992 | |||||||||||
Verizon Communications Inc., Senior Notes |
5.012 | % | 8/21/54 | 1,059,000 | 1,095,587 | (a) | ||||||||||
Total Diversified Telecommunication Services |
9,319,728 | |||||||||||||||
Wireless Telecommunication Services 1.4% |
||||||||||||||||
America Movil SAB de CV, Senior Notes |
6.125 | % | 3/30/40 | 850,000 | 1,005,729 | |||||||||||
Sprint Capital Corp., Global Notes |
6.900 | % | 5/1/19 | 330,000 | 336,600 | |||||||||||
Sprint Corp., Senior Notes |
7.875 | % | 9/15/23 | 300,000 | 296,160 | |||||||||||
Telefonica Europe BV, Senior Notes |
8.250 | % | 9/15/30 | 230,000 | 319,717 | |||||||||||
Total Wireless Telecommunication Services |
1,958,206 | |||||||||||||||
Total Telecommunication Services |
11,277,934 | |||||||||||||||
Utilities 3.2% | ||||||||||||||||
Electric Utilities 2.0% |
||||||||||||||||
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric LLC, Senior Secured Bonds |
4.500 | % | 4/1/44 | 210,000 | 234,388 | |||||||||||
Enersis SA, Notes |
7.400 | % | 12/1/16 | 452,000 | 493,048 | |||||||||||
FirstEnergy Corp., Notes |
7.375 | % | 11/15/31 | 830,000 | 1,004,604 | |||||||||||
Pacific Gas & Electric Co., First Mortgage Bonds |
6.050 | % | 3/1/34 | 140,000 | 178,234 | |||||||||||
PNPP II Funding Corp., Senior Bonds |
9.120 | % | 5/30/16 | 287,000 | 296,336 | |||||||||||
Virginia Electric and Power Co., Senior Notes |
8.875 | % | 11/15/38 | 390,000 | 653,226 | |||||||||||
Total Electric Utilities |
2,859,836 | |||||||||||||||
Gas Utilities 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Southern Natural Gas Co., Senior Notes |
5.900 | % | 4/1/17 | 170,000 | 182,791 | (a) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
16 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
Western Asset Income Fund
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Multi-Utilities 1.1% |
||||||||||||||||
CenterPoint Energy Inc., Senior Notes |
6.850 | % | 6/1/15 | $ | 1,150,000 | $ | 1,178,111 | |||||||||
DTE Energy Co., Senior Notes |
6.350 | % | 6/1/16 | 260,000 | 279,044 | |||||||||||
Total Multi-Utilities |
1,457,155 | |||||||||||||||
Total Utilities |
4,499,782 | |||||||||||||||
Total Corporate Bonds & Notes (Cost $114,854,283) |
128,246,673 | |||||||||||||||
Asset-Backed Securities 1.2% | ||||||||||||||||
Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates, 2004-6 1A1 |
0.710 | % | 12/25/34 | 514,490 | 486,645 | (b) | ||||||||||
Dryden Senior Loan Fund, 2014-31A C |
3.081 | % | 4/18/26 | 250,000 | 241,656 | (a)(b) | ||||||||||
Madison Park Funding Ltd., 2013-11A C |
2.981 | % | 10/23/25 | 250,000 | 238,393 | (a)(b) | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Capital Inc., 2005-WMC2 M2 |
0.815 | % | 2/25/35 | 218,724 | 216,352 | (b) | ||||||||||
SLM Student Loan Trust, 2011-A A3 |
2.661 | % | 1/15/43 | 330,000 | 350,993 | (a)(b) | ||||||||||
Whitehorse Ltd., 2013-1A A3L |
3.233 | % | 11/24/25 | 200,000 | 193,715 | (a)(b) | ||||||||||
Total Asset-Backed Securities (Cost $1,699,106) |
1,727,754 | |||||||||||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 0.1% | ||||||||||||||||
Thornburg Mortgage Securities Trust, 2007-4 3A1 |
6.038 | % | 9/25/37 | 94,626 | 97,718 | (b) | ||||||||||
Municipal Bonds 0.5% | ||||||||||||||||
Alabama 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Jefferson County, AL, Sewer Revenue |
6.000 | % | 10/1/42 | 190,000 | 211,305 | |||||||||||
California 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
University of California Revenue |
4.062 | % | 5/15/33 | 150,000 | 153,663 | |||||||||||
Illinois 0.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Chicago, IL, GO, Taxable Project |
7.781 | % | 1/1/35 | 10,000 | 11,868 | |||||||||||
Illinois State, GO, Build America Bonds-Taxable |
6.725 | % | 4/1/35 | 310,000 | 346,803 | |||||||||||
Total Illinois |
358,671 | |||||||||||||||
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $696,972) |
723,639 | |||||||||||||||
Sovereign Bonds 1.3% | ||||||||||||||||
Canada 0.8% |
||||||||||||||||
Quebec Province, Notes |
7.970 | % | 7/22/36 | 650,000 | 1,041,588 | |||||||||||
Colombia 0.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Republic of Colombia, Senior Bonds |
5.625 | % | 2/26/44 | 290,000 | 326,250 | |||||||||||
Mexico 0.0% |
||||||||||||||||
United Mexican States, Senior Notes |
4.750 | % | 3/8/44 | 30,000 | 31,275 | |||||||||||
Turkey 0.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Republic of Turkey, Notes |
4.875 | % | 4/16/43 | 420,000 | 418,354 | |||||||||||
Total Sovereign Bonds (Cost $1,424,886) |
1,817,467 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 17 |
Schedule of investments (contd)
December 31, 2014
Western Asset Income Fund
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
U.S. Government & Agency Obligations 2.4% | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government Obligations 2.4% |
||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Bonds |
3.125 | % | 8/15/44 | $ | 1,500,000 | $ | 1,614,843 | |||||||||
U.S. Treasury Notes |
1.625 | % | 12/31/19 | 1,030,000 | 1,028,472 | |||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Notes |
2.250 | % | 11/15/24 | 740,000 | 744,972 | |||||||||||
Total U.S. Government & Agency Obligations (Cost $3,371,348) |
|
3,388,287 | ||||||||||||||
Shares | ||||||||||||||||
Preferred Stocks 1.8% | ||||||||||||||||
Financials 1.8% | ||||||||||||||||
Banks 0.0% |
||||||||||||||||
U.S. Bancorp |
5.150 | % | 2,117 | 49,601 | ||||||||||||
Capital Markets 0.2% |
||||||||||||||||
State Street Corp. |
5.900 | % | 10,107 | 261,367 | (b) | |||||||||||
Consumer Finance 1.3% |
||||||||||||||||
GMAC Capital Trust I |
8.125 | % | 67,500 | 1,780,650 | (b) | |||||||||||
Diversified Financial Services 0.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Citigroup Capital XIII |
7.875 | % | 15,253 | 405,425 | (b) | |||||||||||
Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $2,316,851) |
|
2,497,043 | ||||||||||||||
Total Investments 98.6% (Cost $124,456,889#) |
|
138,498,581 | ||||||||||||||
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities 1.4% |
1,941,181 | |||||||||||||||
Total Net Assets 100.0% |
|
$ | 140,439,762 |
(a) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors, unless otherwise noted. |
(b) | Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is as of the most recent information available. |
(c) | Security has no maturity date. The date shown represents the next call date. |
(d) | Illiquid security (unaudited). |
# | Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is $124,571,343. |
Abbreviations used in this schedule: | ||
GO | General Obligation | |
REIT | Real Estate Investment Trust |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
18 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
Statement of assets and liabilities
December 31, 2014
Assets: | ||||
Investments, at value (Cost$124,456,889) |
$ | 138,498,581 | ||
Cash |
1,031,797 | |||
Interest and dividends receivable |
1,702,482 | |||
Deposits with brokers for open futures contracts |
346,106 | |||
Receivable for securities sold |
130,777 | |||
Prepaid expenses |
11,396 | |||
Other receivables |
13,944 | |||
Total Assets |
141,735,083 | |||
Liabilities: | ||||
Payable for securities purchased |
1,146,938 | |||
Investment management fee payable |
59,865 | |||
Payable to brokervariation margin on open futures contracts |
28,734 | |||
Directors fees payable |
1,350 | |||
Accrued expenses |
58,434 | |||
Total Liabilities |
1,295,321 | |||
Total Net Assets | $ | 140,439,762 | ||
Net Assets: | ||||
Par value ($0.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, 9,462,123 shares issued and outstanding) |
$ | 94,621 | ||
Paid-in capital in excess of par value |
142,816,553 | |||
Undistributed net investment income |
1,060,008 | |||
Accumulated net realized loss on investments and futures contracts |
(16,767,185) | |||
Net unrealized appreciation on investments and futures contracts |
13,235,765 | |||
Total Net Assets | $ | 140,439,762 | ||
Shares Outstanding | 9,462,123 | |||
Net Asset Value | $14.84 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 19 |
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Investment Income: | ||||
Interest |
$ | 7,694,349 | ||
Dividends |
182,200 | |||
Less: Foreign taxes withheld |
(421) | |||
Total Investment Income |
7,876,128 | |||
Expenses: | ||||
Investment management fee (Note 2) |
743,820 | |||
Franchise taxes |
53,617 | |||
Transfer agent fees |
51,344 | |||
Audit and tax fees |
39,468 | |||
Legal fees |
30,096 | |||
Shareholder reports |
27,359 | |||
Fund accounting fees |
26,514 | |||
Stock exchange listing fees |
24,828 | |||
Directors fees |
19,228 | |||
Custody fees |
2,731 | |||
Miscellaneous expenses |
9,038 | |||
Total Expenses |
1,028,043 | |||
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Note 2) |
(24,000) | |||
Net Expenses |
1,004,043 | |||
Net Investment Income | 6,872,085 | |||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Futures Contracts (Notes 1, 3 and 4): | ||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From: |
||||
Investment transactions |
1,094,321 | |||
Futures contracts |
(1,783,133) | |||
Net Realized Loss |
(688,812) | |||
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From: |
||||
Investments |
4,974,675 | |||
Futures contracts |
(872,744) | |||
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
4,101,931 | |||
Net Gain on Investments and Futures Contracts | 3,413,119 | |||
Increase in Net Assets From Operations | $ | 10,285,204 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
20 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
Statements of changes in net assets
For the Years Ended December 31, | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Operations: | ||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 6,872,085 | $ | 6,946,411 | ||||
Net realized gain (loss) |
(688,812) | 1,228,103 | ||||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
4,101,931 | (7,319,217) | ||||||
Increase in Net Assets from Operations |
10,285,204 | 855,297 | ||||||
Distributions To Shareholders From (Note 1): | ||||||||
Net investment income |
(6,528,879) | (6,528,738) | ||||||
Decrease in Net Assets from Distributions to Shareholders |
(6,528,879) | (6,528,738) | ||||||
Fund Share Transactions: | ||||||||
Reinvestment of distributions (0 and 2,329 shares issued, respectively) |
| 34,889 | ||||||
Increase in Net Assets from Fund Share Transactions |
| 34,889 | ||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets |
3,756,325 | (5,638,552) | ||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||
Beginning of year |
136,683,437 | 142,321,989 | ||||||
End of year* |
$ | 140,439,762 | $ | 136,683,437 | ||||
*Includesundistributed net investment income of: |
$1,060,008 | $716,802 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 21 |
For a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended December 31: | ||||||||||||||||||||
20141 | 20131 | 20121 | 20111 | 20101 | ||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $14.45 | $15.04 | $13.76 | $ 13.82 | $ 13.21 | |||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
0.73 | 0.73 | 0.73 | 0.77 | 0.79 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
0.35 | (0.63) | 1.27 | (0.08) | 0.61 | |||||||||||||||
Total income from operations |
1.08 | 0.10 | 2.00 | 0.69 | 1.40 | |||||||||||||||
Less distributions from: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
(0.69) | (0.69) | (0.72) | (0.75) | (0.79) | |||||||||||||||
Total distributions |
(0.69) | (0.69) | (0.72) | (0.75) | (0.79) | |||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of year | $14.84 | $14.45 | $15.04 | $13.76 | $13.82 | |||||||||||||||
Market price, end of year | $13.45 | $13.17 | $14.82 | $13.81 | $12.89 | |||||||||||||||
Total return, based on NAV2,3 |
7.57 | % | 0.73 | % | 14.84 | % | 5.04 | % | 10.86 | % | ||||||||||
Total return, based on Market Price4 |
7.44 | % | (6.47) | % | 12.76 | % | 13.32 | % | 7.28 | % | ||||||||||
Net assets, end of year (000s) | $140,440 | $136,683 | $142,322 | $129,895 | $130,458 | |||||||||||||||
Ratios to average net assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gross expenses |
0.73 | % | 0.75 | % | 0.72 | % | 0.76 | % | 0.78 | % | ||||||||||
Net expenses5,6 |
0.71 | 0.73 | 0.70 | 0.74 | 0.76 | |||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
4.87 | 5.02 | 5.06 | 5.55 | 5.78 | |||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 38 | % | 70 | % | 90 | % | 56 | % | 42 | % |
1 | Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 | Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. |
3 | The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. |
4 | The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. |
5 | Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
6 | The impact of compensating balance arrangements, if any, was less than 0.01%. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
22 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
1. Organization and significant accounting policies
Western Asset Income Fund (the Fund) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act), as a closed-end diversified investment company.
The Fund seeks high level of current income, consistent with prudent investment risk. Capital appreciation is a secondary investment objective.
The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.
(a) Investment valuation. The valuations for fixed income securities (which may include, but are not limited to, corporate, government, municipal, mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities) and certain derivative instruments are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of valuation techniques and methodologies. The independent third party pricing services use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar securities. Short-term fixed income securities that will mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless it is determined that using this method would not reflect an investments fair value. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Funds Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors is responsible for the valuation process and has delegated the supervision of the daily valuation process to the Legg Mason North American Fund Valuation Committee (the Valuation Committee). The Valuation Committee, pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors, is responsible for making fair value determinations,
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 23 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
evaluating the effectiveness of the Funds pricing policies, and reporting to the Board of Directors. When determining the reliability of third party pricing information for investments owned by the Fund, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of pricing vendors, monitors the daily change in prices and reviews transactions among market participants.
The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of possible methodologies include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a multiple thereof; risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity; and/or fundamental investment analysis. The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security; the issuers financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; analysts research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.
For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such back testing monthly and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board of Directors quarterly.
The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.
GAAP establishes a disclosure hierarchy that categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value assets and liabilities at measurement date. These inputs are 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 the Funds own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
24 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Funds assets and liabilities carried at fair value:
ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||
Description | Quoted Prices (Level 1) |
Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Total | ||||||||||||
Long-term investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Corporate bonds & notes |
| $ | 128,246,673 | | $ | 128,246,673 | ||||||||||
Asset-backed securities |
| 1,727,754 | | 1,727,754 | ||||||||||||
Collateralized mortgage obligations |
| 97,718 | | 97,718 | ||||||||||||
Municipal bonds |
| 723,639 | | 723,639 | ||||||||||||
Sovereign bonds |
| 1,817,467 | | 1,817,467 | ||||||||||||
U.S. government & agency obligations |
| 3,388,287 | | 3,388,287 | ||||||||||||
Preferred stocks |
$ | 2,497,043 | | | 2,497,043 | |||||||||||
Total investments | $ | 2,497,043 | $ | 136,001,538 | | $ | 138,498,581 | |||||||||
Other financial instruments: | ||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | 11,284 | | | $ | 11,284 | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,508,327 | $ | 136,001,538 | | $ | 138,509,865 | |||||||||
LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||||
Description | Quoted Prices (Level 1) |
Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Total | ||||||||||||
Other financial instruments: | ||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | 817,211 | | | $ | 817,211 |
| See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations. |
(b) Repurchase agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that its investment adviser has determined are creditworthy. Each repurchase agreement is recorded at cost. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires a debt security subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and of the Fund to resell, the security at an agreed-upon price and time, thereby determining the yield during the Funds holding period. When entering into repurchase agreements, it is the Funds policy that its custodian or a third party custodian, acting on the Funds behalf, take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the market value of which, at all times, at least equals the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction maturity exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market and measured against the value of the agreement in an effort to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund generally has the right to use the collateral to satisfy the terms of the repurchase transaction. However, if the market value of the collateral declines during the period in which the Fund seeks to assert its rights or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 25 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
(c) Futures contracts. The Fund uses futures contracts generally to gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in interest rates or gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in certain asset classes. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit cash or cash equivalents with a broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the initial margin and subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. For certain futures, including foreign denominated futures, variation margin is not settled daily, but is recorded as a net variation margin payable or receivable. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. The daily changes in contract value are recorded as unrealized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations and the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.
Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the amounts reflected in the financial statements. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.
(d) Credit and market risk. The Fund invests in high-yield instruments that are subject to certain credit and market risks. The yields of high-yield obligations reflect, among other things, perceived credit and market risks. The Funds investments in securities rated below investment grade typically involve risks not associated with higher rated securities including, among others, greater risk related to timely and ultimate payment of interest and principal, greater market price volatility and less liquid secondary market trading.
Investments in securities that are collateralized by residential real estate mortgages are subject to certain credit and liquidity risks. When market conditions result in an increase in default rates of the underlying mortgages and the foreclosure values of underlying real estate properties are materially below the outstanding amount of these underlying mortgages, collection of the full amount of accrued interest and principal on these investments may be doubtful. Such market conditions may significantly impair the value and liquidity of these investments and may result in a lack of correlation between their credit ratings and values.
(e) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.
(f) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared quarterly and paid on a monthly basis. Distributions of net realized gains, if
26 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
any, are declared at least annually. Distributions to shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
(g) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodians fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Funds cash on deposit with the bank.
(h) Federal and other taxes. It is the Funds policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Funds financial statements.
Management has analyzed the Funds tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of December 31, 2014, no provision for income tax is required in the Funds financial statements. The Funds federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.
Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and capital gains at various rates.
(i) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. During the current year, the Fund had no reclassifications.
2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates
The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Western Asset Management Company (Adviser), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc., pursuant to which the Adviser provides investment advice and administrative services to the Fund. In return for its services, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.70% of the average monthly net assets of the Fund up to $60,000,000 and 0.40% of such net assets in excess of $60,000,000. If expenses (including the Advisers fee but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage fees, the expenses of any offering by the Fund of its securities, and extraordinary expenses beyond the control of the Fund) borne by the Fund in any fiscal year exceed 1.5% of average net assets up to $30,000,000 and 1% of average net assets over $30,000,000, the Adviser has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for any excess.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed amounted to $24,000.
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 27 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
Western Asset Management Company Limited (WAML) provides the Fund with investment research, advice, management and supervision and a continuous investment program for the Funds portfolio of non-dollar securities consistent with the Funds investment objectives and policies. As compensation, the Adviser pays WAML a fee based on the pro rata assets of the Fund managed by WAML during the month.
Under the terms of an administrative services agreement among the Fund, the Adviser, and Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA), Western Asset (not the Fund) pays LMPFA a monthly fee of $3,000 (an annual rate of $36,000).
LMPFA and WAML are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc.
3. Investments
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) and U.S. Government & Agency Obligations were as follows:
Investments | U.S. Government & Agency Obligations |
|||||||
Purchases | $ | 36,290,797 | $ | 16,452,842 | ||||
Sales | 39,358,529 | 13,909,196 |
At December 31, 2014, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 14,652,659 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (725,421) | |||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 13,927,238 |
At December 31, 2014, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:
Number of Contracts |
Expiration Date |
Basis Value |
Market Value |
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||||||
Contracts to Buy: | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury 2-Year Notes | 17 | 3/15 | $ | 3,719,602 | $ | 3,716,094 | $ | (3,508) | ||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury 5-Year Notes | 112 | 3/15 | 13,308,841 | 13,320,125 | 11,284 | |||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Notes | 10 | 3/15 | 1,269,423 | 1,267,969 | (1,454) | |||||||||||||||
6,322 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Contracts to Sell: | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Long-Term Bonds | 175 | 3/15 | 24,486,189 | 25,298,438 | (812,249) | |||||||||||||||
Net unrealized depreciation on open futures contracts | $ | (805,927) |
28 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities
Below is a table, grouped by derivative type, that provides information about the fair value and the location of derivatives within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 2014.
ASSET DERIVATIVES1 | ||||
Interest Rate Risk |
||||
Futures contracts 2 | $ | 11,284 |
LIABILITY DERIVATIVES1 | ||||
Interest Rate Risk |
||||
Futures contracts 2 | $ | 817,211 |
1 | Generally, the balance sheet location for asset derivatives is receivables/net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and for liability derivatives is payables/net unrealized appreciation (depreciation). |
2 | Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the footnotes. Only variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
The following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Funds Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. The first table provides additional detail about the amounts and sources of gains (losses) realized on derivatives during the period. The second table provides additional information about the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from the Funds derivatives and hedging activities during the period.
AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED | ||||
Interest Rate Risk |
||||
Futures contracts | $ | (1,783,133) |
CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED | ||||
Interest Rate Risk |
||||
Futures contracts | $ | (872,744) |
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:
Average Market Value |
||||
Futures contracts (to buy) | $ | 20,440,771 | ||
Futures contracts (to sell) | 26,106,334 |
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 29 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
The following table presents by financial instrument, the Funds derivative liabilities net of the related collateral pledged by the Fund at December 31, 2014:
Gross Amount of Derivative Liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities1 |
Collateral Pledged2,3 |
Net Amount |
||||||||||
Futures contracts4 | $ | 28,734 | $ | (28,734) | |
1 | Absent an event of default or early termination, derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
2 | Gross amounts are not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
3 | In some instances, the actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization. |
4 | Amount represents the current days variation margin as reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. It differs from the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) presented in the previous table. |
5. Director compensation
Each Director of the Fund who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, Western Asset or WAML receives an aggregate fee of $75,000 annually for serving on the combined Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund, Western Asset Funds, Inc. and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund. Each Director also receives a fee of $7,500 and related expenses for each meeting of the Board or of a committee attended in-person and a fee of $2,500 for participating in each telephonic meeting. The Chairman of the Board receives an additional $30,000 per year for serving in such capacity. The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional $25,000 per year for serving in such capacity. Each member of the Audit Committee receives a fee of $6,000 for serving as a member of the Audit Committee. Other committee members receive a fee of $3,000 for serving as a member of each committee upon which they serve. All such fees are allocated among the Fund, Western Asset Funds, Inc. and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund according to each such investment companys average annual net assets.
Director Ronald Olson receives from Western Asset an aggregate fee of $75,000 annually for serving on the combined Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund, Western Asset Funds, Inc. and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund, as well as a fee of $7,500 and related expenses for each meeting of the Board attended in person and a fee of $2,500 for participating in each telephonic meeting.
6. Distributions subsequent to December 31, 2014
The following distributions have been declared by the Funds Board of Directors and are payable subsequent to the period of this report:
Record Date | Payable Date | Amount | ||||||
1/23/2015 | 1/30/2015 | $ | 0.0575 | |||||
2/20/2015 | 2/27/2015 | $ | 0.0575 |
30 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
7. Income tax information and distributions to shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, was as follows:
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Distributions Paid From: | ||||||||
Ordinary income | $ | 6,528,879 | $ | 6,528,738 |
As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income net | $ | 1,098,483 | ||
Deferred capital losses* | (5,924,364) | |||
Capital loss carryforward** | (11,520,200) | |||
Other book/tax temporary differences(a) | 753,358 | |||
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(b) | 13,121,311 | |||
Total accumulated earnings (losses) net | $ | (2,471,412) |
* | These capital losses have been deferred in the current year as either short-term or long-term losses. The losses will be deemed to occur on the first day of the next taxable year in the same character as they were originally deferred and will be available to offset future taxable capital gains. These losses must be utilized before any of the funds capital loss carryforward may be utilized. |
** | As of December 31, 2014, the Fund had the following net capital loss carryforward remaining: |
Year of Expiration | Amount | |||
12/31/2016 | $ | (676,492 | ) | |
12/31/2017 | (10,616,218 | ) | ||
12/31/2018 | (227,490 | ) | ||
$ | (11,520,200 | ) |
These amounts will be available to offset any future taxable capital gains.
(a) | Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable to the tax deferral of losses on straddles, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain futures contracts and book/tax differences in the timing of the deductibility of various expenses. |
(b) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and other book/tax basis adjustments. |
Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report | 31 |
Report of independent registered public accounting firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Western Asset Income Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Western Asset Income Fund (the Fund) at December 31, 2014, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as financial statements) are the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements 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 are free of material misstatement. An audit 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, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2014 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
February 20, 2015
32 | Western Asset Income Fund 2014 Annual Report |
Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited)
The Executive and Contracts Committee of the Board of Directors considered the Investment Advisory Agreement (the Advisory Agreement) between the Fund and Western Asset Management Company (Western Asset) and the Investment Subadvisory Agreement (together with the Advisory Agreement, the Agreements) between Western Asset and Western Asset Management Company Limited (WAML) with respect to the Fund at meetings held on September 9, 2014 and October 21 and 28, 2014. At a meeting held on November 18, 2014, the Executive and Contracts Committee reported to the full Board of Directors its considerations and recommendation with respect to the Agreements, and the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Independent Directors, considered and approved renewal of the Agreements.
In arriving at their decision to renew the Agreements, the Directors met with representatives of Western Asset and WAML (together, the Advisers), including relevant investment advisory personnel; reviewed a variety of information prepared by the Advisers and materials provided by Lipper Inc. (Lipper) and counsel to the Independent Directors; and reviewed performance and expense information for a peer group of comparable funds selected and prepared by Lipper and for certain other comparable products available from Western Asset, including separate accounts managed by Western Asset. These reviews were in addition to information obtained by the Directors at their regular quarterly meetings with respect to the Funds performance and other relevant matters, such as information on differences between the Funds share price and net asset value per share, and related discussions with the Advisers personnel.
As part of their review, the Directors examined the Advisers ability to provide high quality investment management services to the Fund. The Directors considered the investment philosophy and research and decision-making processes of the Advisers; the experience of their key advisory personnel responsible for management of the Fund; the ability of the Advisers to attract and retain capable research and advisory personnel; the capability and integrity of the Advisers senior management and staff; and the level of skill required to manage the Fund. In addition, the Directors reviewed the quality of the Advisers services with respect to regulatory compliance and compliance with the investment policies of the Fund and conditions that might affect the Advisers ability to provide high quality services to the Fund in the future under the Agreements, including the Advisers business reputation, financial condition and operational stability. Based on the foregoing, the Directors concluded that the Advisers investment process, research capabilities and philosophy were well-suited to the Fund given its investment objectives and policies, and that the Advisers would be able to meet any reasonably foreseeable obligations under the Agreements.
In reviewing the quality of the services provided to the Fund, the Directors also reviewed comparisons of the performance of the Fund to the performance of certain comparable funds in a peer group of funds that invest at least 65% of their assets in corporate and government debt issues rated in the top four grades. The Directors noted that the performance of the Fund exceeded its peer average performance for each of the one-, three- and five-year periods, but was lower than its peer average for the ten-year period ended August 31, 2014 as compared to its peer group.
Western Asset Income Fund | 33 |
Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (contd)
The Directors also considered the management fee and total expenses payable by the Fund. They reviewed information concerning management fees paid to investment advisers of similarly-managed funds, as well as fees paid by the Advisers other clients, including separate accounts managed by the Advisers. The Directors observed that the management fee paid by the Fund to Western Asset was slightly higher than the average of the fees paid by funds in its Lipper peer group, and that Western Asset was responsible for payment of the management fee to WAML. The Directors also noted that the Funds total expenses were slightly higher than the average of the funds in its Lipper peer group. They noted that the management fee paid by the Fund was generally higher than the fees paid by other clients of the Advisers with similar investment strategies, but that the administrative and operational responsibilities for the Advisers with respect to the Fund were also relatively higher. In light of this difference in responsibilities, the Directors concluded that the management fee paid by the Fund relative to the fees paid by the Advisers other clients was reasonable.
The Directors further evaluated the benefits of the advisory relationship to the Advisers, including, among others, the profitability of the relationship to the Advisers; the direct and indirect benefits that the Advisers may receive from their respective relationships with the Fund, including any fallout benefits, such as reputational value derived from serving as investment adviser to the Fund; and the affiliation between the Advisers and Legg Mason Partners Funds Advisor, LLC, the Funds administrator. In that connection, the Directors concluded that the Advisers profitability was consistent with levels of profitability that had been determined by courts not to be excessive. The Directors noted that Western Asset does not have soft dollar arrangements.
Finally, the Directors considered, in light of the profitability information provided by the Advisers, the extent to which economies of scale would be realized by the Advisers as the assets of the Fund grow. The Directors concluded that, because the Fund is a closed-end fund and does not make a continuous offer of its securities, the Funds size was relatively fixed and it would be unlikely that the Advisers would realize economies of scale from the Funds growth.
In their deliberations with respect to these matters, the Independent Directors were advised by their independent counsel, who are independent of the Advisers within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Commission rules regarding the independence of counsel. The Independent Directors weighed each of the foregoing matters in light of the advice given to them by their independent counsel as to the law applicable to the review of investment advisory contracts. In arriving at a decision, the Directors, including the Independent Directors, did not identify any single matter as all-important or controlling, and the foregoing summary does not detail all the matters considered. The Directors judged the terms and conditions of the Agreements, including the investment advisory fees, in light of all of the surrounding circumstances.
Based upon their review, the Directors, including all of the Independent Directors, determined, in the exercise of their business judgment, that they were generally satisfied with the quality of investment advisory services being provided by the Advisers, but would continue to closely monitor the Advisers performance; that the fees to be paid to the Advisers under the Agreements were fair and reasonable given the scope and quality of the services rendered by the Advisers; and that approval of the Agreements was in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
34 | Western Asset Income Fund |
Additional information (unaudited)
Information about Directors and Officers
The business and affairs of Western Asset Income Fund (the Fund) are conducted by management under the supervision and subject to the direction of its Board of Directors. The business address of each Director is c/o Kenneth D. Fuller, Legg Mason, 100 International Drive, 11th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Information pertaining to the Directors and officers of the Fund is set forth below.
Independent Directors: | ||
Robert Abeles, Jr. | ||
Year of birth | 1945 | |
Position(s) held with Fund | Director | |
Term of office and length of time served1 | Served since 2013 | |
Principal occupations during the past five years | Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (since 2009) of University of Southern California; Director, Hanmi Financial Corporation and Hanmi Bank (2008-2009). | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)2 | 12 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years | None | |
Ronald J. Arnault | ||
Year of birth | 1943 | |
Position(s) held with Fund | Director | |
Term of office and length of time served1 | Served since 1997 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Retired. | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)2 | 12 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | None | |
Anita L. DeFrantz | ||
Year of birth | 1952 | |
Position(s) held with Fund | Director | |
Term of office and length of time served1 | Served since 1998 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | President (1987-present) and Director (1990-present) of LA84 (formerly Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles); Director of Kids in Sports (1994-present); Vice President, International Rowing Federation (1995-present); Member of the International Olympic Committee (1986-present). | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)2 | 12 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | OBN Holdings, Inc. (film, television and media company) |
Western Asset Income Fund | 35 |
Additional information (unaudited) (contd)
Information about Directors and Officers
Independent Directors contd | ||
Avedick B. Poladian | ||
Year of birth | 1951 | |
Position(s) held with Fund | Director | |
Term of office and length of time served1 | Served since 2007 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Lowe Enterprises, Inc. (real estate and hospitality firm) (2002-present); Partner, Arthur Andersen, LLP (1974-2002). | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)2 | 12 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | Occidental Petroleum Corporation, California Resources Corporation and Public Storage | |
William E. B. Siart | ||
Year of birth | 1946 | |
Position(s) held with Fund | Director and Chairman | |
Term of office and length of time served1 | Served since 1997 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Trustee of The Getty Trust (2005-present); Chairman of Walt Disney Concert Hall, Inc. (1998-2006); Chairman of Excellent Education Development (2000-present). | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)2 | 12 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | None | |
Jaynie Miller Studenmund | ||
Year of birth | 1954 | |
Position(s) held with Fund | Director | |
Term of office and length of time served1 | Served since 2004 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Director of Forest Lawn (since 2002) (memorial parks); Director of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (since 2012) (gaming and hospitality company). Formerly: Director of Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. (2007 to 2014) (online travel company); Director of MarketTools, Inc. (2010 to 2012) (market research software provider); Director of eHarmony, Inc. (2005 to 2011) (online dating company). | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)2 | 12 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | None |
36 | Western Asset Income Fund |
Interested Directors: | ||
Kenneth D. Fuller3 | ||
Year of birth | 1958 | |
Position(s) with Fund | Director, President and Chief Executive Officer | |
Term of office and length of time served1 | Since 2013 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (Legg Mason & Co.) (since 2013); Officer and/or Trustee/Director of 157 funds associated with Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA) or its affiliates (since 2013); President and Chief Executive Officer of LM Asset Services, LLC (LMAS) and Legg Mason Fund Asset Management, Inc. (LMFAM) (formerly registered investment advisers) (since 2013); formerly, Senior Vice President of LMPFA (2012 to 2013); formerly, Director of Legg Mason & Co. (2012 to 2013); formerly, Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (2009 to 2012); formerly, Vice President Equity Division of T. Rowe Price Associates (1993 to 2009), as well as Investment Analyst and Portfolio Manager for certain asset allocation accounts (2004 to 2009). | |
Number of funds in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)2 | 147 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | None | |
Ronald L. Olson4 | ||
Year of birth | 1941 | |
Position(s) held with Fund | Director | |
Term of office and length of time served1 | Served since 2005 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Senior Partner of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP (a law partnership) (1968-present). | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)2 | 12 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | Edison International, City National Corporation (financial services company), The Washington Post Company, and Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. | |
Officers5: | ||
Richard F. Sennett 100 International Drive, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
||
Year of birth | 1970 | |
Position(s) with Fund | Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer | |
Term of office and length of time served | Since 2011 and since 2013 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2011 and since 2013); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. and Senior Manager of the Treasury Policy group for Legg Mason & Co.s Global Fiduciary Platform (since 2011); formerly, Chief Accountant within the SECs Division of Investment Management (2007 to 2011); formerly, Assistant Chief Accountant within the SECs Division of Investment Management (2002 to 2007) |
Western Asset Income Fund | 37 |
Additional information (unaudited) (contd)
Information about Directors and Officers
Officers contd | ||
Todd F. Kuehl 100 International Drive, 9th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
||
Year of birth | 1969 | |
Position(s) held with Fund | Chief Compliance Officer | |
Term of office and length of time served | Served since 2007 | |
Principal occupations during past five years | Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2011); Chief Compliance Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group (prior to 2010); Branch Chief, Division of Investment Management, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (2002 to 2006) | |
Robert I. Frenkel 100 First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902 |
||
Year of birth | 1954 | |
Position(s) held with Fund | Secretary and Chief Legal Officer | |
Term of office and length of time served | Served since 2009 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason, Inc. (since 2006); Managing Director and General Counsel of Global Mutual Funds for Legg Mason & Co. (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (since 1994); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006). |
| Directors who are not interested persons of the Fund within the meaning of section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). |
1 | Each of the Directors of the Fund holds office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and shall qualify, subject to prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removed from office and applicable law and the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. Each officer holds office until his or her respective successor is chosen and qualified, or in each case until he or she sooner dies, resigns, is removed with or without cause or becomes disqualified. |
2 | Each Director also serves as a Trustee of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (closed-end investment company) and oversees the eleven portfolios of Western Asset Funds, Inc. (open-end investment companies), which are considered part of the same Fund Complex as the Fund. |
3 | Mr. Fuller is an interested person (as defined in section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940) of the Fund because of his positions with subsidiaries of, and ownership of shares of common stock of, Legg Mason, Inc., the parent company of the Investment Adviser. |
4 | Mr. Olson is an interested person (as defined above) of the Fund because his law firm has provided legal services to the Investment Adviser. |
5 | Each officer of the Fund is an interested person (as defined above) of the Fund. |
38 | Western Asset Income Fund |
Annual principal executive officer and principal financial officer certifications (unaudited)
The Funds Principal Executive Officer (PEO) has submitted to the NYSE the required annual certification and the Fund also has included the Certifications of the Funds PEO and Principal Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the Funds Form N-CSR filed with the SEC for the period of this report.
Western Asset Income Fund | 39 |
Other shareholder communications regarding accounting
matters (unaudited)
The Funds Audit Committee has established guidelines and procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters (collectively, Accounting Matters). Persons with complaints or concerns regarding Accounting Matters may submit their complaints to the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). Persons who are uncomfortable submitting complaints to the CCO, including complaints involving the CCO, may submit complaints directly to the Funds Audit Committee Chair. Complaints may be submitted on an anonymous basis.
The CCO may be contacted at:
Legg Mason & Co., LLC
Compliance Department
100 International Drive
Baltimore, MD 21202
Complaints may also be submitted by telephone at 1-800-742-5274. Complaints submitted through this number will be received by the CCO.
40 | Western Asset Income Fund |
Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)
The Fund offers to all shareholders a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Plan). For participants in the Plan, cash distributions (e.g., dividends and capital gains) of registered shareholders (those who own shares in their own name on the Funds records) are automatically invested in shares of the Fund. Interested shareholders may obtain more information or sign up for the Plan by contacting the agent. Shareholders who own shares in a brokerage, bank, or other financial institution account must contact the Company where their account is held in order to participate in the Plan.
If you elect to participate in the Plan you will automatically receive your dividend or net capital gains distribution in newly issued shares of the Fund if the market price of a share on the date of the distribution is at or above the net asset value (NAV) of a Fund share. The number of shares to be issued to you will be determined by dividing the amount of the cash distribution to which you are entitled (net of any applicable withholding taxes) by the greater of the NAV per share on such date or 95% of the market price of a share on such date. If the market price of a share on such distribution date is below the NAV the Agent will, as agent for the participants, buy shares of the Funds stock through a broker on the open market or in a negotiated transaction (subject to price and other terms to which the agent may agree). The price per share of shares purchased for each participants account with respect to a particular dividend or other distribution will be the average price (including brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and any other costs of purchase) of all shares purchased with respect to that dividend or other distribution. All shares of common stock acquired on your behalf through the Plan will be automatically credited to an account maintained on the books of the Agent. Full and fractional shares will be voted by the Agent in accordance with your instructions.
Additional information regarding the plan
The Fund will pay all costs applicable to the Plan, with the exceptions noted below. Brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and any other costs of purchase or sale by the Agent under the Plan will be charged to participants. The commission participants pay for selling shares under the Plan is calculated as $2.50 plus $0.15 per share. Beneficial shareholders should contact the company holding their account for further information concerning fees that may apply to selling shares under the Plan. In the event the Fund determines to no longer pay the costs applicable to the Plan, the Agent will terminate the Plan and may, but is not obligated to, offer a new plan under which it would impose a direct service charge on participants.
All shares acquired through the Plan receive voting rights and are eligible for any stock split, stock dividend, or other rights accruing to shareholders that the Board of Directors may declare. Distributions to Plan participants will be in the form of stock, unless the Agent is notified in writing 10 days prior to the record date fixed by the Board of Directors for the distribution that you wish to receive a cash payment. Beneficial shareholders should contact the company holding their account for further information regarding deadlines that might apply.
Western Asset Income Fund | 41 |
Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited) (contd)
You may terminate participation in the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Agent. Such termination will be effective prior to the record date next succeeding the receipt of such instructions or by a later date of termination specified in such instructions.
Upon termination of the Plan, a participant may request a certificate for the full shares credited to his or her account or may request the sale of all or part of such shares. If the participant instructs the Agent to sell the shares credited to the participants account, the Agent may accumulate such shares and those of any other terminating participants for purposes of such sale. Brokerage charges, transfer taxes, and any other costs of sale will be allocated pro rata among the selling participants. Any such sale may be made on any securities exchange where such shares are traded, in the over-the counter market or in negotiated transactions, and may be subject to such terms of price, delivery, etc., as the Agent may agree to. Fractional shares credited to a terminating account will be paid for in cash at the current market price at the time of termination.
Dividends and other distributions invested in additional shares under the Plan are subject to income tax just as if they had been received in cash. After year end, dividends paid on the accumulated shares will be included in the Form 1099-DIV information return to the Internal Revenue Service and only one Form 1099-DIV will be sent to each participant each year.
Registered shareholders can make inquiries regarding the Plan, as well as sign up or terminate their participation in the Plan by contacting American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11219 Investor Relations, telephone number 1-888-888-0151. Beneficial Shareholders can make inquiries regarding the Plan as well as sign up or terminate their participation in the Plan by contacting the company where their account is held.
42 | Western Asset Income Fund |
Important tax information (unaudited)
The following information is provided with respect to the distributions paid during the taxable year ended December 31, 2014:
Record date: | 1/24/2014 | 2/21/2014 | Monthly | |||||||||
Payable date: | 1/31/2014 | 2/28/2014 | |
March 2014 December 2014 |
| |||||||
Ordinary income: | ||||||||||||
Qualified dividend income for individuals |
| 3.25% | 5.26% | |||||||||
Dividends qualifying for the dividends |
||||||||||||
received deduction for corporations |
| 2.80% | 4.52% |
The following information is applicable to non-U.S. resident shareholders:
The following ordinary income distributions paid monthly by the Fund represent Qualified Net Investment Income eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations.
Record date: | Monthly | |
Payable date: | January 2014 through December 2014 | |
Qualified net investment income | 59.00% |
Please retain this information for your records.
Western Asset Income Fund | 43 |
Western Asset
Income Fund
Directors
William E. B. Siart
Chairman
Kenneth D. Fuller
Robert Abeles, Jr
Ronald J. Arnault*
Anita L. DeFrantz
Ronald L. Olson
Avedick B. Poladian
Jaynie M. Studenmund
Officers
Kenneth D. Fuller
President and Chief Executive Officer
Richard F. Sennett
Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer
Todd F. Kuehl
Chief Compliance Officer
Robert I. Frenkel
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Western Asset Income Fund
620 Eighth Avenue
49th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Investment advisers
Western Asset Management Company
Western Asset Management Company Limited
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
1 Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
Independent registered public accounting firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
100 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Legal counsel
Ropes & Gray LLP
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Transfer agent
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
5201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
New York Stock Exchange Symbol
PAI
* | Mr. Arnault retired from the Board of Directors, effective February 19, 2015. |
Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice
Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to the Legg Mason Funds
This Privacy and Security Notice (the Privacy Notice) addresses the Legg Mason Funds privacy and data protection practices with respect to nonpublic personal information the Funds receive. The Legg Mason Funds include any funds sold by the Funds distributor, Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds and certain closed-ends funds managed or sub-advised by Legg Mason or its affiliates. The provisions of this Privacy Notice apply to your information both while you are a shareholder and after you are no longer invested with the Funds.
The Type of Nonpublic Personal Information the Funds Collect About You
The Funds collect and maintain nonpublic personal information about you in connection with your shareholder account. Such information may include, but is not limited to:
| Personal information included on applications or other forms; |
| Account balances, transactions, and mutual fund holdings and positions; |
| Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses; and |
| Information received from consumer reporting agencies regarding credit history and creditworthiness (such as the amount of an individuals total debt, payment history, etc.). |
How the Funds Use Nonpublic Personal Information About You
The Funds do not sell or share your nonpublic personal information with third parties or with affiliates for their marketing purposes, or with other financial institutions or affiliates for joint marketing purposes, unless you have authorized the Funds to do so. The Funds do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you except as may be required to perform transactions or services you have authorized or as permitted or required by law. The Funds may disclose information about you to:
| Employees, agents, and affiliates on a need to know basis to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business or comply with obligations to government regulators; |
| Service providers, including the Funds affiliates, who assist the Funds as part of the ordinary course of business (such as printing, mailing services, or processing or servicing your account with us) or otherwise perform services on the Funds behalf, including companies that may perform marketing services solely for the Funds; |
| The Funds representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors; and |
| Fiduciaries or representatives acting on your behalf, such as an IRA custodian or trustee of a grantor trust. |
NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT |
Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (contd)
Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, companies acting on the Funds behalf are contractually obligated to keep nonpublic personal information the Funds provide to them confidential and to use the information the Funds share only to provide the services the Funds ask them to perform.
The Funds may disclose nonpublic personal information about you when necessary to enforce their rights or protect against fraud, or as permitted or required by applicable law, such as in connection with a law enforcement or regulatory request, subpoena, or similar legal process. In the event of a corporate action or in the event a Fund service provider changes, the Funds may be required to disclose your nonpublic personal information to third parties. While it is the Funds practice to obtain protections for disclosed information in these types of transactions, the Funds cannot guarantee their privacy policy will remain unchanged.
Keeping You Informed of the Funds Privacy and Security Practices
The Funds will notify you annually of their privacy policy as required by federal law. While the Funds reserve the right to modify this policy at any time they will notify you promptly if this privacy policy changes.
The Funds Security Practices
The Funds maintain appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to guard your nonpublic personal information. The Funds internal data security policies restrict access to your non-public personal information to authorized employees, who may use your nonpublic personal information for Fund business purposes only.
Although the Funds strive to protect your nonpublic personal information, they cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you provide or transmit to them, and you do so at your own risk. In the event of a breach of the confidentiality or security of your nonpublic personal information, the Funds will attempt to notify you as necessary so you can take appropriate protective steps. If you have consented to the Funds using electronic communications or electronic delivery of statements, they may notify you under such circumstances using the most current email address you have on record with them.
In order for the Funds to provide effective service to you, keeping your account information accurate is very important. If you believe that your account information is incomplete, not accurate or not current, or if you have questions about the Funds privacy practices, write the Funds using the contact information on your account statements, email the Funds by clicking on the Contact Us section of the Funds website at www.leggmason.com, or contact the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.
Revised April 2011
NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT |
Western Asset Income Fund
Western Asset Income Fund
620 Eighth Avenue
49th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that from time to time the Fund may purchase at market prices, shares of its Common Stock in the open market.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds Forms N-Q are available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. The Funds Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. To obtain information on Form N-Q from the Fund, shareholders can call 1-888-777-0102.
Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-777-0102, (2) on the Funds website at www.lmcef.com and (3) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset Income Fund for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.
American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
WASX013146 2/15 SR15-2427
ITEM 2. | CODE OF ETHICS. |
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrants principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller.
ITEM 3. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT. |
The Board of Directors of the registrant has determined that
Robert Abeles, Jr. possesses the technical attributes identified in Instruction 2(b) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an audit committee financial expert, and has designated Mr. Abeles as the Audit
Committees financial expert. Mr. Abeles is an independent Director pursuant to
paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR.
ITEM 4. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. |
a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the previous last two fiscal years ending December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014 (the Reporting Periods) for professional services rendered by the Registrants principal accountant (the Auditor) for the audit of the Registrants annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $47,038 in December 31, 2013 and $27,464 in December 31, 2014.
b) Audit-Related Fees. There were no aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrants financial statements were $0 in December 31, 2013 and $0 in December 2014.
(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (Tax Services) were $4,285 in December 31, 2013 and $4,800 in December 31, 2014. These services consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held.
There were no fees billed for tax services by the Auditors to service affiliates during the Reporting Periods that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
d) All Other Fees. The aggregate fees for other fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor were $167 in December 31, 2013 and $148 in December 31, 2014 other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item for the Western Asset Income Fund.
All Other Fees. There were no other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisors, LLC (LMPFA), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with LMPFA that provided ongoing services to Western Asset Income Fund requiring pre-approval by the Audit Committee in the Reporting Period.
(e) Audit Committees preapproval policies and procedures described in paragraph
(c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of
Regulation S-X.
(1) The Charter for the Audit Committee (the Committee) of the Board of each registered investment company (the Fund) advised by LMPFA or one of their affiliates (each, an Adviser) requires that the Committee shall approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Fund and (b) all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the Funds independent auditors to the Adviser and any Covered Service Providers if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. The Committee may implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved other than by the full Committee.
The Committee shall not approve non-audit services that the Committee believes may impair the independence of the auditors. As of the date of the approval of this Audit Committee Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to the Fund by the independent auditors, other than those provided to the Fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements of the Fund. Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services; (v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and (ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.
Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Adviser and any service providers controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund (Covered Service Providers) constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the independent auditors during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) the Fund, (b) the Adviser and (c) any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund during the fiscal year in which the services are provided that would have to be approved by the Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the Fund at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit.
(2) For the Western Asset Income Fund, the percentage of fees that were approved by the audit committee, with respect to: Audit-Related Fees were 100% and 100% for December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014; Tax Fees were 100% and 100% for December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014; and Other Fees were 100% and 100% for December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014.
(f) N/A
(g) Non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to Western Asset Income Fund, LMPFA and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with LMPFA that provides ongoing services to Western Asset Income Fund during the reporting period were $240,000 in December 31, 2013 and $248,092 in December 31, 2014.
(h) Yes. Western Asset Income Funds Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates, which were not pre-approved (not requiring pre-approval), is compatible with maintaining the Accountants independence. All services provided by the Auditor to the Western Asset Income Fund or to Service Affiliates, which were required to be pre-approved, were pre-approved as required.
ITEM 5. | AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS. |
a) Registrant has a separately - designated
standing Audit Committee established in accordance with
Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee consists of the following Board members:
Robert Abeles, Jr.
Ronald J. Arnault*
Anita L. DeFrantz
Avedick B. Poladian
William E.B. Siart
Jaynie Miller Studenmund
* | Mr. Arnault retired from the Board of Directors, effective February 19, 2015. |
b) Not applicable.
ITEM 6. | SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS. |
Included herein under Item 1.
ITEM 7. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
The Registrant has delegated the voting of proxies relating to its portfolio securities to its adviser, Western Asset Management Company (the Adviser). The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of the Adviser are attached as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.
ITEM 8. | INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
(a)(1):
NAME AND ADDRESS |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS | |
S. Kenneth Leech Western Asset 385 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101 |
Responsible for the day-to-day management with other members of the Funds portfolio management team; Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset from 1998 to 2008 and since 2014; Senior Advisor/Chief Investment Officer Emeritus of Western Asset from 2008-2013; Co- Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset from 2013-2014. | |
Ryan K. Brist Western Asset 385 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA |
Co-portfolio manager of the fund; portfolio manager and head of U.S. Investment Grade Credit at Western Asset since 2009; portfolio manager and Chief Investment Officer at Logan Circle Partners, L.P. from 2007-2009. | |
Michael C. Buchanan Western Asset 385 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA |
Co-portfolio manager of the fund; portfolio manager at Western Asset the past five years. |
(a)(2): DATA TO BE PROVIDED BY FINANCIAL CONTROL
The following tables set forth certain additional information with respect to the funds portfolio managers for the fund. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of December 31, 2014.
Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers
The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the fund) for which the funds portfolio managers have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance is also indicated.
Portfolio Manager(s) |
Registered Investment Companies |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts | |||
S. Kenneth Leech | 106 registered investment companies with $203.9 billion in total assets under management | 233 Other pooled investment vehicles with $84.6 billion in assets under management* | 667 Other accounts with $177.4 billion in total assets under management** | |||
Ryan K. Brist | 9 registered investment Company with $2.1 billion in total assets Under management | 15 Other pooled investment vehicles with $11.5 billion in assets under management | 48 Other accounts with $19.2 billion in total assets under management*** | |||
Michael C. Buchanan | 42 registered investment Company with $39.4 billion in total assets Under management | 58 Other pooled investment vehicles with $31.8 billion in assets under management**** | 192 Other accounts with $53.4 billion in total assets under management***** |
* | Includes 9 accounts managed, totaling $2.1 billion, for which advisory fee is performance based. |
** | Includes 54 accounts managed, totaling $17.3 billion, for which advisory fee is performance based. |
*** | Includes 3 accounts managed, totaling $632.6 million, for which advisory fee is performance based. |
**** | Includes 4 accounts managed, totaling $1.3 billion, for which advisory fee is performance based. |
***** | Includes 21 accounts managed, totaling $7.9 billion, for which advisory fee is performance based. |
| The numbers above reflect the overall number of portfolios managed by employees of Western Asset Management Company (Western Asset). Mr. Leech is involved in the management of all the Firms portfolios, but he is not solely responsible for particular portfolios. Western Assets investment discipline emphasizes a team approach that combines the efforts of groups of specialists working in different market sectors. He is responsible for overseeing implementation of Western Assets overall investment ideas and coordinating the work of the various sector teams. This structure ensures that client portfolios benefit from a consensus that draws on the expertise of all team members. |
(a)(3): Portfolio Manager Compensation
With respect to the compensation of the portfolio managers, Western Assets compensation system assigns each employee a total compensation range, which is derived from annual market surveys that benchmark each role with its job function and peer universe. This method is designed to reward employees with total compensation reflective of the external market value of their skills, experience, and ability to produce desired results. Standard compensation includes competitive base salaries, generous employee benefits, and a retirement plan.
In addition, the subadvisers employees are eligible for bonuses. These are structured to closely align the interests of employees with those of the subadviser, and are determined by the professionals job function and pre-tax performance as measured by a formal review process. All bonuses are completely discretionary. The principal factor considered is a portfolio managers investment performance versus appropriate peer groups and benchmarks (e.g., a securities index and with respect to a fund, the benchmark set forth in the funds Prospectus to which the funds average annual total returns are compared or, if none, the benchmark set forth in the funds annual report). Performance is reviewed on a 1, 3 and 5 year basis for compensationwith 3 years having the most emphasis. The subadviser may also measure a portfolio managers pre-tax investment performance against other benchmarks, as it determines appropriate. Because portfolio managers are generally responsible for multiple accounts (including the funds) with similar investment strategies, they are generally compensated on the performance of the aggregate group of similar accounts, rather than a specific account. Other factors that may be considered when making bonus decisions include client service, business development, length of service to the subadviser, management or supervisory responsibilities, contributions to developing business strategy and overall contributions to the subadvisers business.
Finally, in order to attract and retain top talent, all professionals are eligible for additional incentives in recognition of outstanding performance. These are determined based upon the factors described above and include Legg Mason stock options and long-term incentives that vest over a set period of time past the award date.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of Interest
The manager, subadvisers and portfolio managers have interests which conflict with the interests of the fund. There is no guarantee that the policies and procedures adopted by the manager, the subadvisers and the fund will be able to identify or mitigate these conflicts of interest.
Some examples of material conflicts of interest include:
Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. A portfolio manager may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those funds and accounts as might be the case if he or she were to devote substantially more attention to the management of a single fund. Such a portfolio manager may make general determinations across multiple funds, rather than tailoring a unique approach for each fund. The effects of this conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts overseen by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies.
Allocation of Limited Investment Opportunities; Aggregation of Orders. If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and/or accounts, the opportunity may be allocated among these several funds or accounts, which may limit the funds ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity. Additionally, a subadviser may aggregate transaction orders for multiple accounts for purpose of execution. Such aggregation may cause the price or brokerage costs to be less favorable to a particular client than if similar transactions were not being executed concurrently for other accounts. In addition, a subadvisers trade allocation policies may result in the funds orders not being fully executed or being delayed in execution.
Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the funds and/or accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds and/or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may place separate transactions for one or more funds or accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment or benefit of one or more other funds and/or accounts. For example, a portfolio manager may determine that it would be in the interest of another account to sell a security that the fund holds long, potentially resulting in a decrease in the market value of the security held by the fund.
Cross Trades. Portfolio managers may manage funds that engage in cross trades, where one of the managers funds or accounts sells a particular security to another fund or account managed by the same manager. Cross trades may pose conflicts of interest because of, for example, the possibility that one account sells a security to another account at a higher price than an independent third party would pay or otherwise enters into a transaction that it would not enter into with an independent party, such as the sale of a difficult-to-obtain security.
Selection of Broker/Dealers. Portfolio managers may select or influence the selection of the brokers and dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the funds and/or accounts that they supervise. In addition to executing trades, some brokers and dealers provide subadvisers with brokerage and research services, These services may be taken into account in the selection of brokers and dealers whether a broker is being selected to effect a trade on an agency basis for a commission or (as is normally the case for the funds) whether a dealer is being selected to effect a trade on a principal basis. This may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees and/or execution at a less favorable price than might have otherwise been available. The services obtained may ultimately be more beneficial to certain of the managers funds or accounts than to others (but not necessarily to the funds that pay the increased commission or incur the less favorable execution). A decision as to the selection of brokers and dealers could therefore yield disproportionate costs and benefits among the funds and/or accounts managed.
Variation in Financial and Other Benefits. A conflict of interest arises where the financial or other benefits available to a portfolio manager differ among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages. If the amount or structure of the investment managers management fee and/or a portfolio managers compensation differs among funds and/or accounts (such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio manager might be motivated to help certain funds and/or accounts over others. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance the portfolio managers performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the portfolio manager in affording preferential treatment to those funds and/or accounts that could most significantly benefit the portfolio manager. A portfolio manager may, for example, have an incentive to allocate favorable or limited opportunity investments or structure the timing of investments to favor such funds and/or accounts. Also, a portfolio managers or the managers or a subadvisers desire to increase assets under management could influence the portfolio manager to keep a fund open for new investors without regard to potential benefits of closing the fund to new investors. Additionally, the portfolio manager might be motivated to favor funds and/or accounts in which he or she has an ownership interest or in which the investment manager and/or its affiliates have ownership interests. Conversely, if a portfolio manager does not personally hold an investment in the fund, the portfolio managers conflicts of interest with respect to the fund may be more acute.
Related Business Opportunities. The investment manager or its affiliates may provide more services (such as distribution or recordkeeping) for some types of funds or accounts than for others. In such cases, a portfolio manager may benefit, either directly or indirectly, by devoting disproportionate attention to the management of funds and/or accounts that provide greater overall returns to the investment manager and its affiliates.
(a)(4): Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership
The table below identifies the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by each portfolio managers as of December 31, 2014.
Portfolio Manager(s) |
Dollar Range of Portfolio Securities Beneficially Owned | |
S. Kenneth Leech | A | |
Ryan K. Brist | A | |
Michael C. Buchanan | A |
Dollar Range ownership is as follows:
A: none
B: $1 - $10,000
C: 10,001 - $50,000
D: $50,001 - $100,000
E: $100,001 - $500,000
F: $500,001 - $1 million
G: over $1 million
ITEM 9. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS. |
None.
ITEM 10. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. |
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrants Board of Directors that have been implemented since the Registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of this Item 10.
ITEM 11. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. |
(a) | The registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrants disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
(b) | There were no changes in the registrants internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
ITEM 12. | EXHIBITS. |
(a) (1) Code of Ethics attached hereto.
Exhibit 99.CODE ETH
(a) (2) Certifications pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.
Exhibit 99.CERT
(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.
Exhibit 99.906CERT
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, there unto duly authorized.
Western Asset Income Fund | ||
By: | /s/ Kenneth D. Fuller | |
Kenneth D. Fuller | ||
Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date: | February 25, 2015 |
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/ Kenneth D. Fuller | |
Kenneth D. Fuller | ||
Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date: | February 25, 2015 | |
By: | /s/ Richard F. Sennett | |
Richard F. Sennett | ||
Principal Financial Officer | ||
Date: | February 25, 2015 |