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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 811-22693
ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, NY 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)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (888) 777-0102
Date of fiscal year end: November 30
Date of reporting period: May 31, 2017
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ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.
The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.
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| Semi-Annual Report | May 31, 2017 |
CLEARBRIDGE
ENERGY MLP TOTAL
RETURN FUND INC. (CTR)
| INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE |
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Fund objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to provide a high level of total return, consisting of cash distributions and capital appreciation.
The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in energy master limited partnerships (“MLPs”).
Dear Shareholder,
We are pleased to provide the semi-annual report of ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. for the six-month reporting period ended May 31, 2017. Please read on for Fund performance information and a detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Fund’s reporting period.
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,
Jane Trust, CFA
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
June 30, 2017
| II | ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. |
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Economic review
The pace of U.S. economic activity fluctuated during the six months ended May 31, 2017 (the “reporting period”). Looking back, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that third quarter 2016 U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”)i growth was 3.5%, the strongest reading in two years. However, fourth quarter 2016 GDP growth then moderated to 2.1%. Finally, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s final reading for first quarter 2017 GDP growth — released after the reporting period ended — was 1.4%. The deceleration in growth reflected downturns in private inventory investment and personal consumption expenditures, along with more modest state and local government spending.
Job growth in the U.S. was solid overall and a tailwind for the economy during the reporting period. When the reporting period ended on May 31, 2017, the unemployment rate was 4.3%, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor. This was the lowest unemployment rate since May 2001. The percentage of longer-term unemployed moderately declined over the period. In May 2017, 24.0% of Americans looking for a job had been out of work for more than six months, versus 24.2% when the period began.
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. | III |
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Investment commentary (cont’d)
Market review
Q. How did the Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”)ii respond to the economic environment?
A. Looking back, after an extended period of maintaining the federal funds rateiii at a historically low range between zero and 0.25%, the Fed increased the rate at its meeting on December 16, 2015. This marked the first rate hike since 2006. In particular, the U.S. central bank raised the federal funds rate to a range between 0.25% and 0.50%. The Fed then kept rates on hold at each meeting prior to its meeting in mid-December 2016. On December 14, 2016, the Fed raised rates to a range between 0.50% and 0.75%.
After holding rates steady at its meeting that concluded on February 1, 2017, the Fed raised rates to a range between 0.75% and 1.00% at its meeting that ended on March 15, 2017. Finally, at its meeting that concluded on June 14, 2017 — after the reporting period ended — the Fed raised rates to a range between 1.00% and 1.25%. The Fed also said that it planned to reduce its balance sheet, saying, “The Committee is maintaining its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its holdings of agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities in agency mortgage-backed securities and of rolling over maturing Treasury securities at auction. The Committee currently expects to begin implementing a balance sheet normalization program this year, provided that the economy evolves broadly as anticipated.”
Q. What factors impacted the U.S. stock market during the reporting period?
A. While there were periods of volatility, the U.S. stock market rose sharply and posted strong results during the reporting period as a whole. The market rallied over the first three months of the period and reached several new all-time highs. This was driven by expectations for improving economic growth, an increase in fiscal spending and a rollback for certain government regulations under President Donald Trump’s administration. After largely treading water in March 2017, the market again rallied in April and May 2017, as first quarter 2017 corporate profits were generally better than expected. All told, for the six months ended May 31, 2017, the S&P 500 Indexiv gained 10.81%.
Looking at the U.S. stock market more closely, large-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 1000 Indexv, generated the strongest returns, as they gained 10.55% over the reporting period. In contrast, small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000 Indexvi, generated the weakest results, returning 4.33%, whereas mid-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell Midcap Indexvii, returned 8.14%. From an investment style perspective, growth and value stocks, as measured by the Russell 3000 Growthviii and Russell 3000 Valueix Indices, returned 15.10% and 5.19%, respectively, during the six months ended May 31, 2017.
Looking at the energy master limited partnership (“MLP”) market, over the six-month reporting period ended May 31, 2017, the Alerian MLP Indexx, returned 2.28%. Oil prices rose from late-November into December to the mid-$50 range following the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (“OPEC”) agreement to curb output, contributing to early outperformance by MLP stocks (as measured using the Alerian MLP Index) relative to the S&P 500 Index.
| IV | ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. |
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The unexpected victory of Donald Trump in November’s U.S. presidential election also boosted energy stocks, as Donald Trump’s presidency potentially has positive implications for MLP stocks over the next four years. However, the price of oil began to falter somewhat later in the reporting period as expectations of an increase in U.S. production began to grow, outweighing the extension of production cuts by OPEC and non-OPEC countries in May. This may have contributed to the relative underperformance of the MLP market versus the broader U.S. stock market in the later part of the six-month period ended May 31, 2017.
Performance review
For the six months ended May 31, 2017, ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. returned 1.60% based on its net asset value (“NAV”)xi and 6.64% based on its New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) market price per share. The Lipper Energy MLP Closed-End Funds Category Averagexii returned -0.36% over the same time frame. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each fund’s NAV.
During this six-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $0.58 per share. As of May 31, 2017, the Fund estimates that all of the distributions constituted a return of capital.* The performance table shows the Fund’s six-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of May 31, 2017. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
| Performance Snapshot
as of May 31, 2017 (unaudited) |
||||
| Price Per Share | 6-Month Total Return** |
|||
| $13.55 (NAV) | 1.60 | %† | ||
| $12.80 (Market Price) | 6.64 | %‡ | ||
All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year represent cumulative figures and are not annualized.
** 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, including returns of capital, if any, at NAV.
‡ Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
Looking for additional information?
The Fund is traded under the symbol “CTR” and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available on-line under the symbol “XCTRX” on most financial websites. Barron’s and the Wall Street Journal’s Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide additional information. In
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. | V |
| * | These estimates are not for tax purposes. The Fund will issue a Form 1099 with final composition of the distributions for tax purposes after year-end. A return of capital is not taxable and results in a reduction in the tax basis of a shareholder’s investment. For more information about a distribution’s composition, please refer to the Fund’s distribution press release or, if applicable, the Section 19 notice located in the press release section of our website, www.lmcef.com (click on the name of the Fund). |
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Investment commentary (cont’d)
addition, the Fund issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major financial websites as well as www.lmcef.com (click on the name of the Fund).
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 Fund’s current NAV, market price and other information.
Thank you for your investment in ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Fund’s investment goals.
Sincerely,
Jane Trust, CFA
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
June 30, 2017
RISKS: The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Similar to stocks, the Fund’s share price will fluctuate with market conditions and, at the time of sale, may be worth more or less than the original investment. Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value. Because the Fund is non-diversified, it may be more susceptible to economic, political or regulatory events than a diversified fund. The Fund’s investments are subject to a number of risks such as stock market risk, MLP risk, market events risk and portfolio management risk. MLP distributions are not guaranteed and there is no assurance that all distributions will be tax deferred. Investments in MLP securities are subject to unique risks. The Fund’s concentration of investments in energy related MLPs subject it to the risks of MLPs and the energy sector, including the risks of declines in energy and commodity prices, decreases in energy demand, adverse weather conditions, natural or other disasters, changes in government regulation, and changes in tax laws. Leverage may result in greater volatility of NAV and the market price of common shares and increases a shareholder’s risk of loss. 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. The Fund may invest in small capitalization or illiquid securities which can increase the risk and volatility of the Fund.
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.
| VI | ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. |
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| 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 Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”) is responsible for the formulation of U.S. policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments. |
| iii | 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 | The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 stocks and is generally representative of the performance of larger companies in the U.S. |
| v | The Russell 1000 Index measures the performance of the large-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. It is a subset of the Russell 3000 Index and includes approximately 1,000 of the largest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. The Russell 1000 represents approximately 92% of the U.S. market. |
| vi | The Russell 2000 Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell 2000 is a subset of the Russell 3000 Index representing approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of that index. It includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the U.S. equity market. |
| vii | The Russell Midcap Index measures the performance of the mid-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell Midcap is a subset of the Russell 1000 Index. It includes approximately 800 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. The Russell Midcap represents approximately 31% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000 companies. |
| viii | The Russell 3000 Growth Index measures the performance of the broad growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 3000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. (A price-to-book ratio is the price of a stock compared to the difference between a company’s assets and liabilities.) |
| ix | The Russell 3000 Value Index measures the performance of the broad value segment of the U.S. equity value universe. It includes those Russell 3000 Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. |
| x | The Alerian MLP Index is a composite of the fifty most prominent energy master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) and is calculated using a float-adjusted, capitalization-weighted methodology. |
| xi | Net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities, including liabilities associated with financial leverage (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 Fund’s market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Fund’s shares. |
| xii | Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the six-month period ended May 31, 2017, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 24 funds in the Fund’s Lipper category. |
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. | VII |
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Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments
| † | The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of May 31, 2017 and November 30, 2016. The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time. |
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report | 1 |
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Schedule of investments (unaudited)
May 31, 2017
ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc.
| Security | Shares/ Units |
Value | ||||||||||||||
| Master Limited Partnerships — 131.6% | ||||||||||||||||
| Diversified Energy Infrastructure — 36.9% |
||||||||||||||||
| Energy Transfer Partners LP |
2,241,037 | $ | 48,764,965 | |||||||||||||
| Enterprise Products Partners LP |
2,305,873 | 61,820,455 | ||||||||||||||
| Genesis Energy LP |
1,124,610 | 35,076,586 | ||||||||||||||
| ONEOK Partners LP |
718,035 | 35,119,092 | ||||||||||||||
| Plains GP Holdings LP, Class A Shares |
428,465 | 11,427,161 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Diversified Energy Infrastructure |
192,208,259 | |||||||||||||||
| Gathering/Processing — 26.6% |
||||||||||||||||
| Antero Midstream Partners LP |
242,379 | 8,396,009 | ||||||||||||||
| Blueknight Energy Partners LP |
323,480 | 2,248,186 | ||||||||||||||
| DCP Midstream LP |
500,638 | 16,911,552 | ||||||||||||||
| Dominion Energy Midstream Partners LP |
365,680 | 10,476,732 | ||||||||||||||
| Enable Midstream Partners LP |
1,011,501 | 15,607,460 | ||||||||||||||
| EnLink Midstream Partners LP |
1,399,830 | 23,755,115 | ||||||||||||||
| Hess Midstream Partners LP |
233,000 | 5,414,920 | * | |||||||||||||
| Noble Midstream Partners LP |
203,800 | 9,372,762 | ||||||||||||||
| Rice Midstream Partners LP |
744,839 | 18,256,004 | ||||||||||||||
| Summit Midstream Partners LP |
370,930 | 8,568,483 | ||||||||||||||
| Western Gas Partners LP |
351,010 | 19,561,787 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Gathering/Processing |
138,569,010 | |||||||||||||||
| General Partner — 0.9% |
||||||||||||||||
| Tallgrass Energy GP LP |
185,570 | 4,782,139 | ||||||||||||||
| Global Infrastructure — 7.9% |
||||||||||||||||
| Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP |
1,017,660 | 41,215,230 | ||||||||||||||
| Liquids Transportation & Storage — 34.2% |
||||||||||||||||
| Buckeye Partners LP |
607,890 | 38,904,960 | ||||||||||||||
| Delek Logistics Partners LP |
319,688 | 9,686,547 | ||||||||||||||
| Enbridge Energy Partners LP |
1,257,810 | 20,829,334 | ||||||||||||||
| Holly Energy Partners LP |
197,340 | 6,464,858 | ||||||||||||||
| Magellan Midstream Partners LP |
577,580 | 41,926,532 | ||||||||||||||
| NuStar Energy LP |
456,210 | 20,794,052 | ||||||||||||||
| PBF Logistics LP |
628,112 | 12,310,995 | ||||||||||||||
| Plains All American Pipeline LP |
752,736 | 19,932,449 | ||||||||||||||
| World Point Terminals LP |
401,571 | 6,866,864 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Liquids Transportation & Storage |
177,716,591 | |||||||||||||||
| Natural Gas Transportation & Storage — 10.1% |
||||||||||||||||
| TC Pipelines LP |
234,335 | 13,186,031 | ||||||||||||||
| Williams Partners LP |
1,002,432 | 39,265,261 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Natural Gas Transportation & Storage |
52,451,292 | |||||||||||||||
See Notes to Financial Statements.
| 2 | ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report |
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ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc.
| Security | Shares/ Units |
Value | ||||||||||||||
| Oil/Refined Products — 7.5% |
||||||||||||||||
| MPLX LP |
556,040 | $ | 18,377,122 | |||||||||||||
| Shell Midstream Partners LP |
260,790 | 7,779,366 | ||||||||||||||
| VTTI Energy Partners LP |
657,153 | 12,814,484 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Oil/Refined Products |
38,970,972 | |||||||||||||||
| Propane — 2.6% |
||||||||||||||||
| AmeriGas Partners LP |
153,370 | 6,800,426 | ||||||||||||||
| Suburban Propane Partners LP |
281,767 | 6,660,972 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Propane |
13,461,398 | |||||||||||||||
| Refining — 1.1% |
||||||||||||||||
| Western Refining Logistics LP |
222,690 | 5,500,443 | ||||||||||||||
| Shipping — 3.8% |
||||||||||||||||
| Golar LNG Partners LP |
334,310 | 6,605,966 | ||||||||||||||
| KNOT Offshore Partners LP |
522,011 | 11,066,633 | ||||||||||||||
| Teekay Offshore Partners LP |
673,046 | 2,106,634 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Shipping |
19,779,233 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Master Limited Partnerships (Cost — $608,952,392) |
|
684,654,567 | ||||||||||||||
| Shares | ||||||||||||||||
| Common Stocks — 9.7% | ||||||||||||||||
| Energy — 7.7% | ||||||||||||||||
| Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 7.7% |
||||||||||||||||
| SemGroup Corp., Class A Shares |
445,505 | 13,810,655 | ||||||||||||||
| Targa Resources Corp. |
573,670 | 26,348,663 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Energy |
40,159,318 | |||||||||||||||
| Industrials — 2.0% | ||||||||||||||||
| Transportation Infrastructure — 2.0% |
||||||||||||||||
| Macquarie Infrastructure Corp. |
134,930 | 10,511,047 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Common Stocks (Cost — $32,609,399) |
50,670,365 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $641,561,791) |
|
735,324,932 | ||||||||||||||
| Rate | ||||||||||||||||
| Short-Term Investments — 2.8% | ||||||||||||||||
| State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class (Cost — $14,868,697) |
0.702 | % | 14,868,697 | 14,868,697 | ||||||||||||
| Total Investments** — 144.1% (Cost — $656,430,488#) |
750,193,629 | |||||||||||||||
| Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock, at Liquidation Value — (2.7)% |
|
(14,000,000 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (41.4)% |
(215,693,822 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders — 100.0% |
|
$ | 520,499,807 | |||||||||||||
| * | Non-income producing security. |
| ** | The entire portfolio is subject to lien, granted to the lender and Senior Note holders, to the extent of the borrowing outstanding and any additional expenses. |
| # | Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is $535,649,437. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report | 3 |
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Statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited)
May 31, 2017
| Assets: | ||||
| Investments, at value (Cost — $656,430,488) |
$ | 750,193,629 | ||
| Current tax receivable |
521,199 | |||
| Dividends and distributions receivable |
379,563 | |||
| Interest receivable |
5,207 | |||
| Prepaid expenses |
68,507 | |||
| Total Assets |
751,168,105 | |||
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Senior Secured Notes (net of deferred debt issuance and offering costs of $822,796) (Note 6) |
141,177,204 | |||
| Loan payable (Note 5) |
40,000,000 | |||
| Deferred tax liability (Note 9) |
22,264,602 | |||
| Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock ($100,000 liquidation value per share; 140 shares issued and outstanding) (net of deferred offering costs of $249,923) (Note 7) |
13,750,077 | |||
| Distributions payable to Common Stockholders |
11,136,041 | |||
| Interest payable |
1,075,967 | |||
| Investment management fee payable |
628,462 | |||
| Distributions payable to Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stockholders |
176,662 | |||
| Directors’ fees payable |
11,897 | |||
| Accrued expenses |
447,386 | |||
| Total Liabilities |
230,668,298 | |||
| Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | $ | 520,499,807 | ||
| Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders: | ||||
| Common stock par value ($0.001 par value, 38,400,142 shares issued and outstanding; |
$ | 38,400 | ||
| Paid-in capital in excess of par value |
494,997,583 | |||
| Accumulated net investment loss, net of income taxes |
(47,781,808) | |||
| Accumulated net realized gain on investments, net of income taxes |
14,081,089 | |||
| Net unrealized appreciation on investments, net of income taxes |
59,164,543 | |||
| Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | $ | 520,499,807 | ||
| Common Shares Outstanding | 38,400,142 | |||
| Net Asset Value Per Common Share | $13.55 | |||
See Notes to Financial Statements.
| 4 | ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report |
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Statement of operations (unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2017
| Investment Income: | ||||
| Dividends and distributions |
$ | 27,563,041 | ||
| Return of capital (Note 1(e)) |
(24,551,345) | |||
| Net Dividends and Distributions |
3,011,696 | |||
| Interest |
13,297 | |||
| Less: Foreign taxes withheld |
(77,043) | |||
| Total Investment Income |
2,947,950 | |||
| Expenses: | ||||
| Investment management fee (Note 2) |
3,758,056 | |||
| Interest expense (Notes 5, 6 and 7) |
3,055,416 | |||
| Distributions to Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stockholders (Notes 1 and 7) |
285,705 | |||
| Audit and tax fees |
138,500 | |||
| Commitment fees (Note 5) |
95,591 | |||
| Directors’ fees |
71,342 | |||
| Legal fees |
69,026 | |||
| Amortization of debt issuance and offering costs (Note 6) |
66,088 | |||
| Transfer agent fees |
47,080 | |||
| Fund accounting fees |
27,109 | |||
| Franchise taxes |
27,044 | |||
| Amortization of preferred stock offering costs (Note 7) |
24,026 | |||
| Shareholder reports |
17,737 | |||
| Stock exchange listing fees |
13,834 | |||
| Rating agency fees |
7,979 | |||
| Insurance |
4,125 | |||
| Custody fees |
3,002 | |||
| Miscellaneous expenses |
51,753 | |||
| Total Expenses |
7,763,413 | |||
| Net Investment Loss, before income taxes | (4,815,463) | |||
| Net current and deferred tax benefit (Note 9) |
1,773,579 | |||
| Net Investment Loss, net of income taxes | (3,041,884) | |||
| Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments (Notes 1, 3 and 9): | ||||
| Net Realized Gain (Loss) From: |
||||
| Investment transactions |
8,679,422 | |||
| Deferred tax expense (Note 9) |
(3,202,707) | |||
| Net Realized Gain, net of income taxes |
5,476,715 | |||
| Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From: |
||||
| Investments |
11,809,992 | |||
| Deferred tax expense (Note 9) |
(4,357,887) | |||
| Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation), net of income taxes |
7,452,105 | |||
| Net Gain on Investments, net of income taxes | 12,928,820 | |||
| Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From Operations | $ | 9,886,936 | ||
See Notes to Financial Statements.
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report | 5 |
Table of Contents
Statements of changes in net assets
| For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2017 (unaudited) and the Year Ended November 30, 2016 |
2017 | 2016 | ||||||
| Operations: | ||||||||
| Net investment loss, net of income taxes |
$ | (3,041,884) | $ | (11,956,002) | ||||
| Net realized gain (loss), net of income taxes |
5,476,715 | (64,275,656) | ||||||
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net of income taxes |
7,452,105 | 84,015,040 | ||||||
| Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From Operations |
9,886,936 | 7,783,382 | ||||||
| Distributions to Common Shareholders From (Note 1): | ||||||||
| Return of capital |
(22,272,082) | (44,516,629) | ||||||
| Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Common Shareholders |
(22,272,082) | (44,516,629) | ||||||
| Fund Share Transactions: | ||||||||
| Reinvestment of distributions (0 and 94,952 shares issued, respectively) |
— | 817,005 | ||||||
| Increase in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions |
— | 817,005 | ||||||
| Decrease in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
(12,385,146) | (35,916,242) | ||||||
| Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders: | ||||||||
| Beginning of period |
532,884,953 | 568,801,195 | ||||||
| End of period* |
$ | 520,499,807 | $ | 532,884,953 | ||||
| *Includes accumulated net investment loss, net of income taxes, of: |
$(47,781,808) | $(44,739,924) | ||||||
See Notes to Financial Statements.
| 6 | ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report |
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Statement of cash flows (unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2017
| Increase (Decrease) in Cash: | ||||
| Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities: | ||||
| Net increase in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations |
$ | 9,886,936 | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided (used) by operating activities: |
||||
| Purchases of portfolio securities |
(42,746,839) | |||
| Sales of portfolio securities |
35,180,879 | |||
| Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments |
(3,768,318) | |||
| Return of capital |
24,551,345 | |||
| Increase in interest receivable |
(2,477) | |||
| Decrease in dividends and distributions receivable |
31,248 | |||
| Increase in prepaid expenses |
(167) | |||
| Decrease in current tax receivable |
362,553 | |||
| Decrease in payable for securities purchased |
(6,392,425) | |||
| Increase in investment management fee payable |
48,281 | |||
| Increase in Directors’ fees payable |
2,166 | |||
| Decrease in interest payable |
(31,026) | |||
| Decrease in accrued expenses |
(148,345) | |||
| Increase in distributions payable to Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stockholders |
142,068 | |||
| Increase in deferred tax liability |
5,419,462 | |||
| Net realized gain on investments |
(8,679,422) | |||
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments |
(11,809,992) | |||
| Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities* |
2,045,927 | |||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||
| Distributions paid on common stock |
(11,136,041) | |||
| Increase in loan payable |
9,000,000 | |||
| Decrease in deferred debt issuance and offering costs |
66,088 | |||
| Decrease in preferred stock offering costs |
24,026 | |||
| Net Cash Used in Financing Activities |
(2,045,927) | |||
| Cash at Beginning of Period | — | |||
| Cash at End of Period | — | |||
| * | Included in operating expenses is cash of $3,202,540 paid for interest and commitment fees on borrowings and $5,000 paid for income taxes, net of refunds, if any. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report | 7 |
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| For a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30, unless otherwise noted: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20171,2 | 20161 | 20151 | 20141 | 20131 | 20121,3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $13.88 | $14.85 | $24.42 | $22.79 | $19.59 | $19.06 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment loss |
(0.08) | (0.31) | (0.23) | (0.24) | (0.31) | (0.08) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
0.33 | 0.50 | (7.94) | 3.20 | 4.83 | 1.26 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total income (loss) from operations |
0.25 | 0.19 | (8.17) | 2.96 | 4.52 | 1.18 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Less distributions to common shareholders from: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends |
— | — | — | — | (0.27) | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Return of capital |
(0.58) | 5 | (1.16) | (1.40) | (1.33) | (1.05) | (0.65) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total distributions to common shareholders |
(0.58) | (1.16) | (1.40) | (1.33) | (1.32) | (0.65) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net asset value, end of period | $13.55 | $13.88 | $14.85 | $24.42 | $22.79 | $19.59 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Market price, end of period | $12.80 | $12.53 | $14.21 | $22.07 | $21.90 | $19.82 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total return, based on NAV6,7 |
1.60 | % | 2.89 | % | (34.65) | % | 13.03 | % | 23.39 | % | 6.28 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total return, based on Market Price8 |
6.64 | % | (2.47) | % | (30.25) | % | 6.76 | % | 17.34 | % | 2.50 | % | ||||||||||||
| Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of period (millions) | $520 | $533 | $569 | $935 | $873 | $748 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios to average net assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Management fees |
1.35 | 9 | 1.39 | 1.43 | 1.28 | 1.30 | 1.24 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses |
1.44 | 9 | 2.55 | 10 | 1.47 | 0.98 | 0.89 | 0.45 | 9 | |||||||||||||||
| Subtotal |
2.79 | 3.94 | 10 | 2.90 | 2.26 | 2.19 | 1.69 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense |
2.08 | 9 | 1.39 | — | 11 | 6.91 | 12.02 | 8.55 | 9 | |||||||||||||||
| Total expenses |
4.87 | 9 | 5.33 | 10 | 2.90 | 9.17 | 14.21 | 10.24 | 9,12 | |||||||||||||||
| Net investment loss, net of income taxes |
(1.09) | 9 | (2.48) | 10 | (1.10) | (0.99) | (1.42) | (0.92) | 9 | |||||||||||||||
| Portfolio turnover rate | 5 | % | 22 | % | 16 | % | 13 | % | 25 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||||
| Supplemental data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loan and Debt Issuance Outstanding, End of Period (000s) |
$182,000 | $173,000 | $263,000 | $280,000 | $260,000 | $240,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Asset Coverage Ratio for Loan and Debt Issuance Outstanding13 |
394 | % | 416 | % | 343 | % | 434 | % | 436 | % | 412 | % | ||||||||||||
| Asset Coverage, per $1,000 Principal Amount of Loan and Debt Issuance Outstanding13 |
$3,937 | $4,161 | $3,429 | $4,341 | 14 | $4,358 | 14 | $4,117 | 14 | |||||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Loan and Debt Issuance (000s) |
$181,703 | $159,759 | $289,523 | $260,493 | $250,082 | $175,796 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Interest Rate on Loan and Debt Issuance |
3.37 | % | 4.71 | %15 | 2.89 | % | 2.99 | % | 2.42 | % | 1.04 | % | ||||||||||||
| Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock at Liquidation Value, End of Period (000s) |
$14,000 | $14,000 | $70,000 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Asset Coverage Ratio for Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock16 |
366 | % | 385 | % | 271 | % | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Asset Coverage, per $100,000 Liquidation Value per Share of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock16 |
$365,561 | $384,965 | $270,811 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Financial Statements.
| 8 | ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report |
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| 1 | Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
| 2 | For the six months ended May 31, 2017 (unaudited). |
| 3 | For the period June 27, 2012 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2012. |
| 4 | Initial public offering price of $20.00 per share less offering costs and sales load totaling $0.94 per share. |
| 5 | The actual source of the Fund’s current fiscal year distributions may be from net investment income, return of capital or a combination of both. Shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the fiscal year. |
| 6 | 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. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. |
| 7 | The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. |
| 8 | The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. |
| 9 | Annualized. |
| 10 | Includes non-recurring prepayment penalties, the write off of debt issuance and offering costs and the write off of preferred stock offering costs recognized during the year totaling 0.71% of average assets. |
| 11 | For the year ended November 30, 2015, the net income tax benefit was 23.01%. The net income tax benefit is not reflected in the Fund’s expense ratios. |
| 12 | Excludes the impact of reimbursement for organization fees in the amount of 0.02%. Inclusive of the reimbursement the ratio is 10.22%. The investment manager has agreed to reimburse all organization expenses. |
| 13 | Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding, debt issuance outstanding and mandatory redeemable preferred stock at the end of the period divided by the loan and debt issuance outstanding at the end of the period. |
| 14 | Added to conform to current period presentation. |
| 15 | Includes prepayment penalties recognized during the period. |
| 16 | Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding, debt issuance outstanding and mandatory redeemable preferred stock at the end of the period divided by the loan, debt issuance and mandatory redeemable preferred stock outstanding at the end of the period. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report | 9 |
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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)
1. Organization and significant accounting policies
ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on April 10, 2012 and is registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Board of Directors authorized 100 million shares of $0.001 par value common stock. The Fund’s investment objective is to provide a high level of total return, consisting of cash distributions and capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) in the energy sector. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in MLPs in the energy sector (the “80% policy”). For purposes of the 80% policy, the Fund considers investments in MLPs to include investments that offer economic exposure to public and private MLPs in the form of equity securities of MLPs, securities of entities holding primarily general partner or managing member interests in MLPs, securities that are derivatives of interests in MLPs, including I-Shares, exchange-traded funds that primarily hold MLP interests and debt securities of MLPs. Energy entities are engaged in the business of exploring, developing, producing, gathering, transporting, processing, storing, refining, distributing, mining or marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal. “Managed Assets” means net assets plus the amount of any borrowings and assets attributable to any preferred stock of the Fund that may be outstanding.
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. 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. 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 investment’s fair value. Investments in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on
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the day of valuation. 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 Fund’s 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 Atlantic 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, evaluating the effectiveness of the Fund’s 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 issuer’s 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
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report | 11 |
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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)
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 Fund’s 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.
The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets 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†: | ||||||||||||||||
| Master limited partnerships |
$ | 684,654,567 | — | — | $ | 684,654,567 | ||||||||||
| Common stocks |
50,670,365 | — | — | 50,670,365 | ||||||||||||
| Total long-term investments | 735,324,932 | — | — | 735,324,932 | ||||||||||||
| Short-term investments† | 14,868,697 | — | — | 14,868,697 | ||||||||||||
| Total investments | $ | 750,193,629 | — | — | $ | 750,193,629 | ||||||||||
| † | See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations. |
(b) Net asset value. The Fund determines the net asset value of its common stock on each day the NYSE is open for business, as of the close of the customary trading session (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), or any earlier closing time that day. The Fund determines the net asset value per share of common stock by dividing the value of the Fund’s securities, cash and other assets (including interest accrued but not collected) less all its liabilities (including accrued expenses, borrowings, interest payables and the aggregate liquidation value (i.e., $100,000 per outstanding share) of the Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock), net of income taxes, by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding.
(c) Master limited partnerships. Entities commonly referred to as “MLPs” are generally organized under state law as limited partnerships or limited liability companies. The Fund intends to primarily invest in MLPs receiving partnership taxation treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), and whose interests or “units” are traded on
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securities exchanges like shares of corporate stock. To be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an MLP whose units are traded on a securities exchange must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources such as interest, dividends, real estate rents, gain from the sale or disposition of real property, income and gain from mineral or natural resources activities, income and gain from the transportation or storage of certain fuels, and, in certain circumstances, income and gain from commodities or futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities. Mineral or natural resources activities include exploration, development, production, processing, mining, refining, marketing and transportation (including pipelines) of oil and gas, minerals, geothermal energy, fertilizer, timber or industrial source carbon dioxide. An MLP consists of a general partner and limited partners (or in the case of MLPs organized as limited liability companies, a managing member and members). The general partner or managing member typically controls the operations and management of the MLP and has an ownership stake in the partnership. The limited partners or members, through their ownership of limited partner or member interests, provide capital to the entity, are intended to have no role in the operation and management of the entity and receive cash distributions. The MLPs themselves generally do not pay U.S. federal income taxes. Thus, unlike investors in corporate securities, direct MLP investors are generally not subject to double taxation (i.e., corporate level tax and tax on corporate dividends). Currently, most MLPs operate in the energy and/or natural resources sector.
(d) Concentration risk. Concentration in the energy sector may present more risks than if the Fund were broadly diversified over numerous sectors of the economy. A downturn in the energy sector of the economy could have a larger impact on the Fund than on an investment company that does not concentrate in the sector. At times, the performance of securities of companies in the sector may lag the performance of other sectors or the broader market as a whole.
(e) Return of capital estimates. Distributions received from the Fund’s investments in MLPs generally are comprised of income and return of capital. The Fund records investment income and return of capital based on estimates made at the time such distributions are received. Such estimates are based on historical information available from each MLP and other industry sources. These estimates may subsequently be revised based on information received from MLPs after their tax reporting periods are concluded.
For the six months ended May 31, 2017, the Fund estimated that approximately 92% of the MLP distributions received would be treated as a return of capital. The Fund recorded as return of capital the amount of $25,283,518 of dividends and distributions received from its investments.
Additionally, the Fund recorded revisions to the return of capital estimates from the year ended November 30, 2016 in the amount of an $732,173 increase in dividends and distributions received from investments.
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report | 13 |
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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)
(f) 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 and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Foreign dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as practicable after the Fund determines the existence of a dividend declaration after exercising reasonable due diligence. 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.
(g) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions to common shareholders are declared and paid on a quarterly basis and are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The estimated characterization of the distributions paid to common shareholders will be either a dividend (ordinary income) or distribution (return of capital). This estimate is based on the Fund’s operating results during the period. The Fund anticipates that 100% of its current year distribution to common shareholders will be treated as return of capital. The actual tax characterization of the common stock distributions made during the current year will not be determined until after the end of the fiscal year when the Fund can determine its earnings and profits and, therefore, may differ from the preliminary estimates.
Distributions to holders of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock (“MRPS”) are accrued on a daily basis as described in Note 7 and are treated as an operating expense as required by GAAP. For tax purposes, the payments made to the holders of the Fund’s MRPS are treated as a dividend (ordinary income) or distribution (return of capital) similar to the treatment of distributions made to common shareholders as described above. The Fund anticipates that 100% of its current period distribution to the MRPS shareholders will be treated as return of capital. The actual tax characterization of the MRPS distributions made during the current period will not be determined until after the end of the fiscal year when the Fund can determine its earnings and profits and, therefore, may differ from the preliminary estimates.
(h) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodian’s fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank.
(i) Partnership accounting policy. The Fund records its pro rata share of the income (loss) and capital gains (losses), to the extent of distributions it has received, allocated from the underlying partnerships and accordingly adjusts the cost basis of the underlying partnerships for return of capital. These amounts are included in the Fund’s Statement of Operations.
(j) Federal and other taxes. The Fund, as a corporation, is obligated to pay federal and state income tax on its taxable income. The Fund invests its assets primarily in MLPs, which generally are treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. As a limited partner in the MLPs, the Fund includes its allocable share of the MLP’s taxable income in computing
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its own taxable income. The Fund, and entities in which the Fund invests, may be subject to audit by the Internal Revenue Service or other applicable tax authorities. The Fund’s taxable income or tax liability for prior taxable years could be adjusted if there is an audit of the Fund, or of any entity that is treated as a partnership for tax purposes in which the Fund holds an equity interest. The Fund may be required to pay tax, as well as interest and penalties, in connection with such an adjustment.
Deferred income taxes reflect (i) taxes on unrealized gains (losses), which are attributable to the temporary difference between fair market value and book basis, (ii) the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes and, as applicable, (iii) the net tax benefit of accumulated net operating losses, capital losses and tax credit carryforwards. To the extent the Fund has a deferred tax asset, consideration is given as to whether or not a valuation allowance is required. The need to establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is assessed periodically by the Fund based on Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In the assessment for a valuation allowance, consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax asset. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability (which are highly dependent on future allocations of taxable income and future cash distributions from the Fund’s MLP holdings), the duration of statutory carryforward periods and the associated risk that net operating losses, capital losses and tax credit carryforwards may expire unused.
For all open tax years and for all major jurisdictions, management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Furthermore, management of the Fund is also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
The Fund may rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs, which may not necessarily be timely, to estimate taxable income allocable to the MLP units held in the portfolio and to estimate the associated deferred tax liability. Such estimates are made in good faith. From time to time, as new information becomes available, the Fund modifies its estimates or assumptions regarding the deferred tax liability.
The Fund’s policy is to classify interest and penalties associated with underpayment of federal and state income taxes, if any, as income tax expense on its Statement of Operations. The 2012 through 2016 tax years remain open and subject to examination by tax jurisdictions.
(k) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report | 15 |
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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)
have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. During the period ended May 31, 2017, the Fund had no reclassifications.
2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager and ClearBridge Investments, LLC (“ClearBridge”) is the Fund’s subadviser. LMPFA and ClearBridge are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”).
Under the investment management agreement, the Fund pays LMPFA an annual fee, paid monthly, in an amount equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets.
LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. LMPFA delegates to the subadviser the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. For its services, LMPFA pays ClearBridge monthly 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund.
During periods in which the Fund utilizes financial leverage, the fees paid to LMPFA will be higher than if the Fund did not utilize leverage because the fees are calculated as a percentage of the Fund’s assets, including those investments purchased with leverage.
All officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.
3. Investments
During the six months ended May 31, 2017, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:
| Purchases | $ | 42,746,839 | ||
| Sales | 35,180,879 |
4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities
During the six months ended May 31, 2017, the Fund did not invest in derivative instruments.
5. Loan
The Fund has a 364-day revolving credit agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), which allows the Fund to borrow up to an aggregate amount of $100,000,000. Unless renewed, the agreement will terminate on March 22, 2018. The Fund pays a commitment fee at an annual rate of 0.25% on the unutilized portion of the loan commitment amount. Prior to March 23, 2017, the revolving credit agreement with State Street allowed the Fund to borrow up to an aggregate amount of $125,000,000 and the Fund paid a commitment fee at an annual rate of 0.25% on the unutilized portion, except that the commitment fee was 0.15% in the event that the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the loan was equal to or greater than 75% of $125,000,000. The interest on the loan is calculated at variable rates based on the LIBOR, plus any applicable margin. Securities held by the Fund are subject to a lien, granted to State Street to the extent of the borrowing outstanding and any additional expenses. State Street and the senior secured notes holders have equal access to the lien (See Note 6). The Fund’s credit agreement contains customary covenants that, among other things, may limit the Fund’s ability to pay
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distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change its fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations, and require asset coverage ratios in addition to those required by the 1940 Act. In addition, the credit agreement may be subject to early termination under certain conditions and may contain other provisions that could limit the Fund’s ability to utilize borrowing under the agreement. At May 31, 2017, the Fund had $40,000,000 of borrowings outstanding per the credit agreement. Interest expense related to the loan for the six months ended May 31, 2017 was $341,709. For the six months ended May 31, 2017, the Fund incurred $95,591 in commitment fees. For the six months ended May 31, 2017, the average daily loan balance was $39,703,297 and the weighted average interest rate was 1.73%.
6. Senior secured notes
At May 31, 2017, the Fund had $142,000,000 aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate senior secured notes (“Senior Notes”) outstanding. Interest expense related to the Senior Notes for the six months ended May 31, 2017 was $2,713,707. Costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the Senior Notes are recorded as a deferred charge, which are amortized over the life of the notes. Securities held by the Fund are subject to a lien, granted to the Senior Notes holders, to the extent of the borrowings outstanding and any additional expenses. The Senior Notes holders and the lender have equal access to the lien (See Note 5).
The table below summarizes the key terms of each series of Senior Notes at May 31, 2017.
| Security |
Amount | Rate | Maturity | Estimated Fair Value |
||||||||||||
| Senior secured notes: | ||||||||||||||||
| Series A | $ | 19,683,168 | 3.33 | % | March 28, 2020 | $ | 20,046,047 | |||||||||
| Series B | $ | 45,693,069 | 3.93 | % | March 28, 2023 | $ | 47,590,976 | |||||||||
| Series C | $ | 52,019,802 | 4.08 | % | March 28, 2025 | $ | 54,478,258 | |||||||||
| Series D | $ | 7,029,703 | 3.33 | % | August 26, 2022 | $ | 7,135,423 | |||||||||
| Series E | $ | 7,029,703 | 3.60 | % | August 26, 2024 | $ | 7,152,266 | |||||||||
| Series F | $ | 10,544,555 | 3.76 | % | August 26, 2026 | $ | 10,774,152 | |||||||||
| $ | 142,000,000 | $ | 147,177,122 | |||||||||||||
The Senior Notes are not listed on any exchange or automated quotation system. The estimated fair value of the Senior Notes was calculated, for disclosure purposes, based on estimated market yields and credit spreads for comparable instruments with similar maturity, terms and structure. The Senior Notes are categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
7. Mandatory redeemable preferred stock
At May 31, 2017, the Fund had 140 shares of fixed rate Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock (“MRPS”) outstanding with an aggregate liquidation value of $14,000,000. Offering costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the MRPS issuance are being amortized to expense over the respective life of each series of MRPS.
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report | 17 |
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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)
The table below summarizes the key terms of each series of the MRPS at May 31, 2017.
| Series | Term Redemption Date |
Rate | Shares | Liquidation Preference Per Share |
Aggregate Liquidation Value |
Estimated Fair Value |
||||||||||||||||||
| Series A | 3/26/20 | 3.69% | 30 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 3,000,000 | $ | 3,030,168 | |||||||||||||||
| Series B | 3/28/22 | 4.07% | 25 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 2,500,000 | $ | 2,541,348 | |||||||||||||||
| Series C | 3/26/24 | 4.26% | 85 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 8,500,000 | $ | 8,649,770 | |||||||||||||||
| $ | 14,000,000 | $ | 14,221,286 | |||||||||||||||||||||
The MRPS are not listed on any exchange or automated quotation system. The estimated fair value of the MRPS was calculated, for disclosure purposes, based on estimated market yields and credit spreads for comparable instruments with similar maturity, terms and structure. The MRPS are categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
Holders of MRPS are entitled to receive quarterly cumulative cash dividends payable on the first business day following each quarterly dividend date (February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15). In the event of a rating downgrade of any series of the MRPS below “A” by Fitch Ratings Inc., the applicable dividend rate will increase, according to a predetermined schedule, by 0.5% to 4.0%.
The MRPS rank senior to the Fund’s outstanding common stock and on parity with any other preferred stock. The Fund may, at its option, redeem the MRPS, in whole or in part, at the liquidation preference amount plus all accumulated but unpaid dividends plus the make-whole amount equal to the discounted value of the remaining scheduled payments. If the Fund fails to maintain a total leverage (debt and preferred stock) asset coverage ratio of at least 225% or is in default of specified rating agency requirements, the MRPS are subject to mandatory redemption under certain provisions.
The Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on shares of its common stock unless the Fund has declared and paid full cumulative dividends on the MRPS, due on or prior to the date of the common stock dividend or distribution, and meets the MRPS asset coverage and rating agency requirements.
The holders of the MRPS have one vote per share and vote together with the holders of common stock of the Fund as a single class except on matters affecting only the holders of MRPS or the holders of common stock. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, holders of the MRPS have the right to elect two Directors of the Fund, voting separately as a class.
8. Stock repurchase program
On November 16, 2015, the Fund announced that the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) had authorized the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to approximately 10% of the Fund’s outstanding common stock when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The Board has directed management of the Fund to repurchase shares of common stock at such times and in such amounts as management reasonably believes may enhance stockholder value. The Fund is under no obligation to purchase
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shares at any specific discount levels or in any specific amounts. During the six months ended May 31, 2017, the Fund did not repurchase any shares.
9. Income taxes
The Fund's current and deferred income tax provision for the respective categories on the Statement of Operations are as follows:
| Net Investment Loss |
Net Realized Gain |
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation |
Total | |||||||||||||
| Current tax expense (benefit) | $ | 367,553 | — | — | $ | 367,553 | ||||||||||
| Deferred tax expense (benefit) | (2,141,132) | $ | 3,202,707 | $ | 4,357,887 | 5,419,462 | ||||||||||
| Total tax expense (benefit) | $ | (1,773,579) | $ | 3,202,707 | $ | 4,357,887 | $ | 5,787,015 | ||||||||
The Fund's federal and state income tax provision consist of the following:
| Federal | State | Total | ||||||||||||||
| Current tax expense (benefit) | $ | 367,553 | — | $ | 367,553 | |||||||||||
| Deferred tax expense (benefit) | 4,995,014 | $ | 424,448 | 5,419,462 | ||||||||||||
| Total tax expense (benefit) | $ | 5,362,567 | $ | 424,448 | $ | 5,787,015 | ||||||||||
Total income taxes have been computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate of 35% plus a blended state income tax rate of 1.9%. The Fund applied this rate to net investment income (loss) and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments before income taxes in computing its total income tax expense (benefit).
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount derived from applying the statutory income tax rate to net investment income (loss) and realized and unrealized gains (losses) before income taxes as follows:
| Provision at statutory rates | 35.00 | % | $ | 5,485,883 | ||||
| State taxes, net of federal tax benefit | 1.90 | % | 297,805 | |||||
| Non-deductible distributions on MRPS | 0.73 | % | 114,291 | |||||
| Dividends received deduction | -0.88 | % | (138,427) | |||||
| Other, net | 0.17 | % | 27,463 | |||||
| Total tax expense (benefit) | 36.92 | % | $ | 5,787,015 |
Deferred income taxes reflect (i) taxes on unrealized gains (losses), which are attributable to the difference between fair market value and book basis, (ii) the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, and (iii) the net tax benefit of net operating losses, capital losses and tax credit carryforwards.
Components of the Fund's net deferred tax asset (liability) as of May 31, 2017 are as follows:
| Deferred tax assets | ||||
| Net operating loss carryforward | $ | 15,806,090 | ||
| Capital loss carryforward | 40,115,401 | |||
| Other deferred tax assets | 1,357,883 |
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report | 19 |
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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)
| Deferred tax liabilities | ||||
| Unrealized gains on investment securities | (34,598,599) | |||
| Basis reduction resulting from differences in the book vs. taxable income received from MLPs | (44,945,377) | |||
| Total net deferred tax asset (liability) | $ | (22,264,602) | ||
At May 31, 2017 the Fund had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of $42,683,504 and $19,073,124 (net of state apportionment), respectively (deferred tax asset of $15,806,090). Several states compute net operating losses before apportionment, therefore the value of the state net operating loss carryforward disclosed may fluctuate for changes in apportionment factors. Realization of the deferred tax asset related to the net operating loss carryforwards is dependent, in part, on generating sufficient taxable income, as well as sufficient taxable income in each respective jurisdiction, prior to expiration of the loss carryforwards. If not utilized, the federal net operating loss carryforward expires in tax years 2034 and 2036, and the state net operating loss carryforwards expire in tax years between 2021 and 2036.
Additionally, at May 31, 2017 the Fund had a capital loss carryforward of $108,713,824 (deferred tax asset of $40,115,401), which may be carried forward for 5 years. During the period ended May 31, 2017 the Fund utilized $5,918,097 of capital loss carryforward available from previous years. If not utilized, this capital loss will expire in tax year 2020. For corporations, capital losses can only be used to offset capital gains and cannot be used to offset ordinary income. Therefore the use of this capital loss carryforward is dependent upon the Fund generating sufficient net capital gains prior to the expiration of the loss carryforward.
At May 31, 2017 the Fund also had a minimum tax credit carryforward of $981,973, which is available to offset against future regular federal tax liabilities. The minimum tax credit does not carry an expiration.
The amount of net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards differed from the amounts disclosed in the prior year financial statements due to differences between the estimated and actual amounts of taxable income received from the MLPs for the prior year.
Although the Fund currently has a net deferred tax liability, it periodically reviews the recoverability of its deferred tax assets based on the weight of available evidence. When assessing the recoverability of its deferred tax assets, significant weight is given to the effects of potential future realized and unrealized gains on investments and the period over which these deferred tax assets can be realized. Based on the Fund’s assessment, it has determined that it is more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will be realized through future taxable income of the appropriate character. Accordingly, no valuation allowance has been established on the Fund's deferred tax assets. The Fund will continue to assess the need for a valuation allowance in the future. Significant declines in the fair value of its portfolio of investments may change the Fund's assessment regarding the recoverability of its deferred tax assets and may result in a valuation allowance. If a valuation allowance is required to reduce any deferred tax asset in the future, it could have a
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material impact on the Fund's net asset value and results of operations in the period it is recorded.
At May 31, 2017, the cost basis of investments for Federal income tax purposes was $535,649,437. At May 31, 2017, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for Federal income tax purposes were as follows:
| Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 242,780,941 | ||
| Gross unrealized (depreciation) | (28,236,749) | |||
| Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) before tax | $ | 214,544,192 | ||
| Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) after tax | $ | 135,377,385 |
10. Distributions to common shareholders subsequent to May 31, 2017
The following distribution to common shareholders has been declared by the Fund’s Board of Directors and is payable subsequent to the period end of this report:
| Record Date | Payable Date | Amount | ||||||
| 5/19/2017 | 6/1/2017 | $ | 0.2900 | |||||
11. Recent accounting pronouncement
In October 2016, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted new rules and amended existing rules (together, the “final rules”) intended to modernize the reporting and disclosure of information by registered investment companies. In part, the final rules amend Regulation S-X and require standardized, enhanced disclosure about derivatives in investment company financial statements, as well as other amendments. The compliance date for the amendments to Regulation S-X is August 1, 2017. Management is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the amendments to Regulation S-X will have on the Fund’s financial statements and related disclosures.
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report | 21 |
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Additional shareholder information (unaudited)
Results of annual meeting of shareholders
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. was held on April 7, 2017, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the election of Directors. The following table provides information concerning the matter voted upon at the Meeting:
Election of directors
| Nominees | Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting together, Voted for Election |
Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting together, Withheld |
Preferred Voted for |
Preferred Shares, Withheld |
||||||||||||
| Leslie H. Gelb | — | — | 96 | — | ||||||||||||
| William R. Hutchinson | 34,924,300 | 633,473 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Jane Trust | 34,884,105 | 663,668 | — | — | ||||||||||||
At May 31, 2017, in addition to Leslie H. Gelb, William R. Hutchinson and Jane Trust, the other Directors of the Fund were as follows:
Robert D. Agdern
Carol L. Colman
Daniel P. Cronin
Paolo M. Cucchi
Eileen A. Kamerick
Riordan Roett
| 22 | ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. |
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Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)
Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain dividends and return of capital distributions, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested by Computershare Inc., as agent for the stockholders (the “Plan Agent”), in additional shares of Common Stock under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). You may elect not to participate in the Plan by contacting the Plan Agent. If you do not participate, you will receive all cash distributions paid by check mailed directly to you by Computershare Inc., as dividend paying agent.
If you participate in the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined as follows:
(1) If the market price of the Common Stock on the record date (or, if the record date is not a NYSE trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) for determining stockholders eligible to receive the relevant dividend or distribution (the “determination date”) is equal to or exceeds 98% of the net asset value per share of the Common Stock, the Fund will issue new Common Stock at a price equal to the greater of (a) 98% of the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the determination date or (b) 95% of the market price per share of the Common Stock on the determination date.
(2) If 98% of the net asset value per share of the Common Stock exceeds the market price of the Common Stock on the determination date, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will buy Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading day following the determination date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the record date for the next succeeding dividend or distribution to be made to the stockholders; except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price rises so that it equals or exceeds 98% of the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the determination date before the Plan Agent has completed the open market purchases or (ii) if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full amount eligible to be reinvested in open market purchases, the Plan Agent will cease purchasing Common Stock in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Stock at a price per share equal to the greater of (a) 98% of the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the determination date or (b) 95% of the then current market price per share.
Common Stock in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under the Plan.
You may withdraw from the Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at Computershare Inc., 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. | 23 |
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Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited) (cont’d)
received by the Plan Agent not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the Plan Agent’s investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Stock. The Plan may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30 days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund for which the termination or amendment is to be effective.
Upon any termination, you will be sent cash for any fractional share of Common Stock in your account. You may elect to notify the Plan Agent in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of your Common Stock on your behalf. You will be charged a service charge and the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage charges actually incurred for this transaction from the proceeds.
There is no service charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, this allows you to add to your investment through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the average cost of your Common Stock over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for lowering the average cost per share over time if the Fund’s net asset value declines. While dollar cost averaging has definite advantages, it cannot assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.
Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions. Investors will be subject to income tax on amounts reinvested under the Plan.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants. Additional information about the Plan and your account may be obtained from the Plan Agent at Computershare Inc., 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-877-366-6441.
* * *
On December 15, 2016, the Fund announced that the Board of Directors has authorized changes to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”) with respect to dividend reinvestment determinations and transaction fees for Plan participants selling their shares. A copy of the revised Plan is included below.
Effective July 1, 2017, the Fund uses the dividend payment date to determine if new shares are issued or shares are purchased in the open market for Plan participants reinvesting their distributions. If on the payment date the closing market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) is at or above the net asset value (“NAV”), the Fund will issue new shares of common stock. Newly issued shares of common stock will be issued at a price equal to the greater
| 24 | ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. |
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of (a) the NAV per share on the date prior to issuance or (b) 95% of the closing market price per share. If the closing market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) is lower than the NAV per share on the payment date, the Plan Agent will receive the distribution in cash and purchase common stock in the open market. In addition, effective July 1, 2017, fees paid by Plan participants to sell Fund shares decreased, with Plan participants paying a $5.00 transaction fee plus a $0.05 per share commission upon a sale of shares held pursuant to the Plan.
Revised Dividend reinvestment plan:
Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain dividends and return of capital distributions, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent for the stockholders (the “Plan Agent”), in additional shares of Common Stock under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). You may elect not to participate in the Plan by contacting the Plan Agent. If you do not participate, you will receive all cash distributions paid by check mailed directly to you by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as dividend paying agent.
If you participate in the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined as follows:
(1) If the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) on the payment date (or, if the payment date is not a NYSE trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) is equal to or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Fund will issue new Common Stock at a price equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date or (b) 95% of the market price per share of the Common Stock on the payment date.
(2) If the net asset value per share of the Common Stock exceeds the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will buy Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading day following the payment date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the payment date for the next succeeding dividend or distribution to be made to the stockholders; except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) rises so that it equals or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date before the Plan Agent has completed the open market purchases or (ii) if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full amount eligible to be reinvested in open market purchases, the Plan Agent will cease purchasing Common Stock in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Stock at a price per share equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the day prior to the issuance of shares for reinvestment or (b) 95% of the then current market price per share.
| ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. | 25 |
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Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited) (cont’d)
Common Stock in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under the Plan. You may withdraw from the Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the Plan Agent’s investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Stock.
Plan participants who sell their shares will be charged a service charge (currently $5.00 per transaction) and the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage charges actually incurred from the proceeds (currently $0.05 per share commission). There is no service charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, this allows you to add to your investment through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the average cost of your Common Stock over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for lowering the average cost per share over time if the Fund’s net asset value declines. While dollar cost averaging has definite advantages, it cannot assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.
Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions. Investors will be subject to income tax on amounts reinvested under the Plan.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. The Plan may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30 days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund for which the termination or amendment is to be effective. Upon any termination, you will be sent cash for any fractional share of Common Stock in your account. You may elect to notify the Plan Agent in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of your Common Stock on your behalf. Additional information about the Plan and your account may be obtained from the Plan Agent at 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.
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ClearBridge
Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc.
Directors
Robert D. Agdern
Carol L. Colman
Daniel P. Cronin
Paolo M. Cucchi
Leslie H. Gelb
William R. Hutchinson
Eileen A. Kamerick
Riordan Roett
Jane Trust
Chairman
Officers
Jane Trust
President and Chief Executive Officer
Richard F. Sennett
Principal Financial Officer
Todd F. Kuehl*
Chief Compliance Officer
Jenna Bailey
Identity Theft Prevention Officer
Robert I. Frenkel
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Thomas C. Mandia
Assistant Secretary
Steven Frank
Treasurer
Jeanne M. Kelly
Senior Vice President
| * | Effective May 11, 2017, Mr. Kuehl became Chief Compliance Officer. |
ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc.
620 Eighth Avenue
49th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Investment manager
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC
Subadviser
ClearBridge Investments, LLC
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
1 Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
Transfer agent
Computershare Inc.
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
Independent registered public accounting firm
KPMG LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Legal counsel
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017-3909
New York Stock Exchange Symbol
CTR
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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-end 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 individual’s 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 SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT |
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Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d)
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 nonpublic 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.
| NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT |
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ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc.
ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc.
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 and preferred stock.
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 Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s 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 relating to portfolio securities are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-777-0102, (2) at www.lmcef.com and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
This report is transmitted to the shareholders of the ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.
Computershare Inc.
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
CBAX015753 7/17 SR17-3109
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ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
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.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
| (a) | The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s 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 registrant’s 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 registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
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ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.
(a) (1) Not applicable.
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
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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.
ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc.
| By: | /s/ Jane Trust | |
| Jane Trust | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
| Date: | July 26, 2017 | |
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/ Jane Trust | |
| Jane Trust | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
| Date: | July 26, 2017 | |
| By: | /s/ Richard F. Sennett | |
| Richard F. Sennett | ||
| Principal Financial Officer | ||
| Date: | July 26, 2017 | |