|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security |
|
Rate |
|
|
Maturity Date |
|
|
Face Amount |
|
|
Value |
|
Financials 0.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mortgage Real Estate Investment
Trusts (REITs) 0.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc., Senior Notes |
|
|
5.625 |
% |
|
|
12/1/22 |
|
|
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,010,000 |
(a) |
Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc., Senior Notes |
|
|
6.375 |
% |
|
|
10/1/23 |
|
|
|
7,554,000 |
|
|
|
7,738,317 |
|
Total Financials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,748,317 |
|
Total Convertible Bonds & Notes (Cost
$13,406,477) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,541,139 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty |
|
|
Expiration Date |
|
|
Contracts |
|
|
Notional Amount |
|
|
|
|
Purchased Options 0.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTC Purchased Options
0.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit default swaption to buy protection on Markit CDX.NA.HY.37 Index, Call @
$109.00 (Cost $43,860) |
|
|
BNP Paribas SA |
|
|
|
1/19/22 |
|
|
|
10,200,000 |
|
|
|
10,200,000 |
|
|
|
38,353 |
|
Total Investments before Short-Term Investments
(Cost $1,350,713,200) |
|
|
|
1,334,899,082 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rate |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
Short-Term Investments 4.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares (Cost
$44,173,390) |
|
|
0.010 |
% |
|
|
44,173,390 |
|
|
|
44,173,390 |
(m) |
Total Investments 135.5% (Cost
$1,394,886,590) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,379,072,472 |
|
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets
(35.5)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(361,331,315 |
) |
Total Net Assets 100.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,017,741,157 |
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
30 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund
|
Face amount/notional amount denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted. |
|
Represents less than 0.1%. |
* |
Non-income producing security. |
(a) |
Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in
transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees. |
(b) |
Payment-in-kind security for which the
issuer has the option at each interest payment date of making interest payments in cash or additional securities. |
(c) |
Security is exempt from registration under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. Regulation S applies to securities
offerings that are made outside of the United States and do not involve direct selling efforts in the United States. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees. |
(d) |
Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is as of the most recent information available. Certain variable rate
securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description above.
|
(e) |
Security has no maturity date. The date shown represents the next call date. |
(f) |
The coupon payment on this security is currently in default as of December 31, 2021. |
(g) |
Collateralized mortgage obligations are secured by an underlying pool of mortgages or mortgage pass-through certificates
that are structured to direct payments on underlying collateral to different series or classes of the obligations. The interest rate may change positively or inversely in relation to one or more interest rates, financial indices or other financial
indicators and may be subject to an upper and/or lower limit. |
(h) |
Security is valued in good faith in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 1).
|
(i) |
Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs (Note 1). |
(j) |
Interest rates disclosed represent the effective rates on senior loans. Ranges in interest rates are attributable to
multiple contracts under the same loan. |
(k) |
Senior loans may be considered restricted in that the Fund ordinarily is contractually obligated to receive approval from
the agent bank and/or borrower prior to the disposition of a senior loan. |
(l) |
All or a portion of this loan is unfunded as of December 31, 2021. The interest rate for fully unfunded term loans is
to be determined. |
(m) |
In this instance, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, an Affiliated Company represents Fund
ownership of at least 5% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. At December 31, 2021, the total market value of investments in Affiliated Companies was
$44,173,390 and the cost was $44,173,390 (Note 8). |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
31 |
Schedule of investments (contd)
December 31, 2021
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund
|
|
|
Abbreviation(s) used in this
schedule: |
|
|
CAD |
|
Canadian Dollar |
|
|
CAS |
|
Connecticut Avenue Securities |
|
|
CLO |
|
Collateralized Loan Obligation |
|
|
EUR |
|
Euro |
|
|
GBP |
|
British Pound |
|
|
GHS |
|
Ghanaian Cedi |
|
|
LIBOR |
|
London Interbank Offered Rate |
|
|
OFZ |
|
Obligatsyi Federalnovo Zaima (Russian Federal Loan Obligation) |
|
|
PIK |
|
Payment-In-Kind |
|
|
REMIC |
|
Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit |
|
|
Re-REMIC |
|
Resecuritization of Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit |
|
|
RUB |
|
Russian Ruble |
|
|
SOFR |
|
Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
|
|
UAH |
|
Ukrainian Hryvnia |
|
|
USD |
|
United States Dollar |
|
|
UYU |
|
Uruguayan Peso |
|
|
UZS |
|
Uzbekistani Som |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Schedule of Written Options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTC Written Options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security |
|
Counterparty |
|
|
Expiration Date |
|
|
Strike Price |
|
|
Contracts |
|
|
Notional Amount |
|
|
Value |
|
Credit default swaption to sell protection on Markit CDX.NA.HY.37 Index, Put (Premiums received $58,956) |
|
|
BNP Paribas SA |
|
|
|
1/19/22 |
|
|
$ |
106.00 |
|
|
|
10,200,000 |
|
|
$ |
10,200,000 |
|
|
$ |
(8,279) |
|
|
Notional amount denominated in U.S. dollar unless otherwise noted. |
At December 31, 2021, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Contracts |
|
|
Expiration Date |
|
|
Notional Amount |
|
|
Market Value |
|
|
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|
Contracts to Buy: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90-Day Eurodollar |
|
|
1,489 |
|
|
|
12/23 |
|
|
$ |
367,378,160 |
|
|
$ |
366,331,225 |
|
|
$ |
(1,046,935 |
) |
U.S. Treasury Ultra 10-Year Notes |
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
3/22 |
|
|
|
7,771,594 |
|
|
|
7,907,625 |
|
|
|
136,031 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(910,904 |
) |
Contracts to Sell: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury 5-Year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes |
|
|
303 |
|
|
|
3/22 |
|
|
|
36,769,429 |
|
|
|
36,655,898 |
|
|
|
113,531 |
|
U.S. Treasury 10-Year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes |
|
|
204 |
|
|
|
3/22 |
|
|
|
26,672,539 |
|
|
|
26,615,625 |
|
|
|
56,914 |
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
32 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Contracts |
|
|
Expiration Date |
|
|
Notional Amount |
|
|
Market
Value |
|
|
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|
Contracts to Sell
continued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Long-Term Bonds |
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
3/22 |
|
|
$ |
13,273,440 |
|
|
$ |
13,155,875 |
|
|
$ |
117,565 |
|
U.S. Treasury Ultra Long- Term Bonds |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
3/22 |
|
|
|
4,285,995 |
|
|
|
4,139,625 |
|
|
|
146,370 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
434,380 |
|
Net unrealized depreciation on open futures contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(476,524) |
|
At December 31, 2021, the Fund had the following open forward foreign currency contracts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currency Purchased |
|
|
Currency
Sold |
|
|
Counterparty |
|
Settlement Date |
|
|
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|
USD |
|
|
1,725,278 |
|
|
EUR |
|
|
1,490,000 |
|
|
BNP Paribas SA |
|
|
1/18/22 |
|
|
$ |
28,305 |
|
USD |
|
|
2,500,944 |
|
|
EUR |
|
|
2,160,000 |
|
|
BNP Paribas SA |
|
|
1/18/22 |
|
|
|
40,903 |
|
USD |
|
|
2,627,284 |
|
|
CAD |
|
|
3,300,000 |
|
|
Citibank N.A. |
|
|
1/18/22 |
|
|
|
18,529 |
|
USD |
|
|
362,648 |
|
|
EUR |
|
|
320,000 |
|
|
Citibank N.A. |
|
|
1/18/22 |
|
|
|
(1,802) |
|
USD |
|
|
5,042,481 |
|
|
EUR |
|
|
4,350,000 |
|
|
Citibank N.A. |
|
|
1/18/22 |
|
|
|
88,231 |
|
USD |
|
|
12,267,558 |
|
|
GBP |
|
|
9,000,000 |
|
|
Citibank N.A. |
|
|
1/18/22 |
|
|
|
86,114 |
|
RUB |
|
|
22,580,000 |
|
|
USD |
|
|
305,365 |
|
|
Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. |
|
|
1/18/22 |
|
|
|
(5,890) |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
254,390 |
|
|
|
|
Abbreviation(s) used in this
table: |
|
|
CAD |
|
Canadian Dollar |
|
|
EUR |
|
Euro |
|
|
GBP |
|
British Pound |
|
|
RUB |
|
Russian Ruble |
|
|
USD |
|
United States Dollar |
At December 31, 2021, the Fund had the following open swap contracts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CENTRALLY CLEARED INTEREST RATE
SWAPS |
|
|
|
Notional Amount* |
|
|
Termination Date |
|
|
Payments
Made by the Fund |
|
Payments Received by
the Fund |
|
Upfront Premiums Paid (Received) |
|
|
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|
|
|
$ |
12,890,000 |
|
|
|
11/18/23 |
|
|
3.970%** |
|
CPURNSA** |
|
$ |
(47,529) |
|
|
$ |
(15,978) |
|
|
|
|
12,890,000 |
|
|
|
11/18/26 |
|
|
CPURNSA** |
|
3.370%** |
|
|
134,250 |
|
|
|
22,543 |
|
|
|
|
14,650,000 |
|
|
|
11/20/26 |
|
|
1.520% annually |
|
Daily SOFR Compound annually |
|
|
(25,135) |
|
|
|
(38,138) |
|
Total |
|
$ |
40,430,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
61,586 |
|
|
$ |
(31,573) |
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
33 |
Schedule of investments (contd)
December 31, 2021
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS ON CORPORATE ISSUES SELL PROTECTION1
|
|
Reference Entity |
|
Notional Amount2 |
|
|
Termination Date |
|
|
Implied Credit Spread at December 31, 20213 |
|
Periodic Payments Received by
the Fund |
|
Market Value |
|
|
Upfront Premiums
Paid (Received) |
|
|
Unrealized
Appreciation |
|
Ford Motor Co.,
4.346%, due 12/8/26 |
|
$ |
4,320,000 |
|
|
|
6/20/26 |
|
|
1.402% |
|
5.000% quarterly |
|
$ |
661,347 |
|
|
$ |
560,410 |
|
|
$ |
100,937 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS ON CORPORATE ISSUES BUY PROTECTION4
|
|
Reference Entity |
|
Notional Amount2 |
|
|
Termination Date |
|
|
Implied Credit Spread at December 31, 20213 |
|
Periodic Payments Made by
the Fund |
|
Market Value |
|
|
Upfront Premiums Paid (Received) |
|
|
Unrealized Depreciation |
|
General Motors Co., 4.875%, due 10/2/23 |
|
$ |
4,320,000 |
|
|
|
6/20/26 |
|
|
0.909% |
|
5.000% quarterly |
|
$ |
(764,661) |
|
|
$ |
(753,219) |
|
|
$ |
(11,442) |
|
1 |
If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap
agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net
settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index. |
2 |
The maximum potential amount the Fund could be required to pay as a seller of credit protection or receive as a buyer of
credit protection if a credit event occurs as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement. |
3 |
Implied credit spreads, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swap agreements on corporate or
sovereign issues as of period end, serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity
reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads represent a deterioration of the referenced entitys credit soundness and a greater likelihood
or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as Defaulted indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced entity or obligation. |
4 |
If the Fund is a buyer of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap
agreement, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and deliver the referenced obligation or the underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) receive
a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or the underlying securities comprising the referenced index. |
|
Percentage shown is an annual percentage rate. |
* |
Notional amount denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted. |
** One time payment made at termination date.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
34 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund
|
|
|
Abbreviation(s) used in this
table: |
|
|
CPURNSA |
|
U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index |
|
|
SOFR |
|
Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
35 |
Statement of assets and liabilities
December 31, 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (Cost $1,350,713,200) |
|
|
$1,334,899,082 |
|
Investments in affiliated securities, at value (Cost $44,173,390) |
|
|
44,173,390 |
|
Foreign currency, at value (Cost $3,271,184) |
|
|
3,216,900 |
|
Cash |
|
|
619,844 |
|
Interest and dividends receivable |
|
|
15,085,544 |
|
Receivable for securities sold |
|
|
6,703,432 |
|
Receivable from broker net variation margin on centrally cleared swap
contracts |
|
|
4,085,122 |
|
Deposits with brokers for open futures contracts and exchange-traded options |
|
|
1,675,024 |
|
Deposits with brokers for centrally cleared swap contracts |
|
|
586,000 |
|
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts |
|
|
262,082 |
|
Foreign currency collateral for open futures contracts and exchange-traded options, at
value (Cost $42,842) |
|
|
43,965 |
|
Principal paydown receivable |
|
|
2,845 |
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
|
5,500 |
|
Total Assets |
|
|
1,411,358,730 |
|
|
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
Loan payable (Note 5) |
|
|
370,000,000 |
|
Payable for securities purchased |
|
|
21,761,740 |
|
Investment management fee payable |
|
|
1,293,371 |
|
Interest expense payable |
|
|
358,438 |
|
Trustees fees payable |
|
|
45,188 |
|
Payable to broker net variation margin on open futures contracts |
|
|
42,810 |
|
Written options, at value (premiums received $58,956) |
|
|
8,279 |
|
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts |
|
|
7,692 |
|
Accrued expenses |
|
|
100,055 |
|
Total Liabilities |
|
|
393,617,573 |
|
Total Net Assets |
|
|
$1,017,741,157 |
|
|
|
Net Assets: |
|
|
|
|
Par value ($0.001 par value; 51,788,210 shares issued and outstanding; Unlimited shares
authorized) |
|
|
$ 51,788 |
|
Paid-in capital in excess of par value |
|
|
1,035,712,966 |
|
Total distributable earnings (loss) |
|
|
(18,023,597 |
) |
Total Net Assets |
|
|
$1,017,741,157 |
|
|
|
Shares Outstanding |
|
|
51,788,210 |
|
|
|
Net Asset Value |
|
|
$19.65 |
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
36 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
Statement of operations
For the Period Ended December 31, 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Income: |
|
|
|
|
Interest |
|
$ |
38,372,326 |
|
Dividends from unaffiliated investments |
|
|
993,822 |
|
Dividends from affiliated investments |
|
|
10,106 |
|
Less: Foreign taxes withheld |
|
|
(59,546) |
|
Total Investment
Income |
|
|
39,316,708 |
|
|
|
Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
Investment management fee (Note 2) |
|
|
7,368,333 |
|
Interest expense (Note 5) |
|
|
1,599,575 |
|
Commitment fees (Note 5) |
|
|
227,500 |
|
Trustees fees |
|
|
155,066 |
|
Legal fees |
|
|
129,867 |
|
Audit and tax fees |
|
|
78,000 |
|
Transfer agent fees |
|
|
75,905 |
|
Fund accounting fees |
|
|
38,885 |
|
Shareholder reports |
|
|
15,000 |
|
Custody fees |
|
|
3,384 |
|
Miscellaneous expenses |
|
|
7,537 |
|
Total Expenses |
|
|
9,699,052 |
|
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Note 2) |
|
|
(13,731) |
|
Net Expenses |
|
|
9,685,321 |
|
Net Investment Income |
|
|
29,631,387 |
|
|
|
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Futures Contracts, Written Options, Swap Contracts, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency
Transactions (Notes 1, 3 and 4): |
|
|
|
|
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From: |
|
|
|
|
Investment transactions in unaffiliated securities |
|
|
(2,219,271) |
|
Futures contracts |
|
|
375,535 |
|
Written options |
|
|
83,252 |
|
Swap contracts |
|
|
40,790 |
|
Forward foreign currency contracts |
|
|
386,358 |
|
Foreign currency transactions |
|
|
(30,286) |
|
Net Realized Loss |
|
|
(1,363,622) |
|
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From: |
|
|
|
|
Investments in unaffiliated securities |
|
|
(15,814,118) |
|
Futures contracts |
|
|
(476,524 |
) |
Written options |
|
|
50,677 |
|
Swap contracts |
|
|
57,922 |
|
Forward foreign currency contracts |
|
|
254,390 |
|
Foreign currencies |
|
|
(69,226 |
) |
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
|
|
(15,996,879 |
) |
Net Loss on Investments, Futures Contracts, Written Options, Swap Contracts, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions |
|
|
(17,360,501 |
) |
Increase in Net Assets From Operations |
|
|
$ 12,270,886 |
|
|
For the period June 25, 2021 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2021. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
37 |
Statement of changes in net assets
|
|
|
|
|
For the Period Ended December 31, 2021 |
|
2021 |
|
|
|
Operations: |
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
$ |
29,631,387 |
|
Net realized loss |
|
|
(1,363,622) |
|
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
|
|
(15,996,879) |
|
Increase in Net Assets From
Operations |
|
|
12,270,886 |
|
|
|
Distributions to Shareholders From (Note 1): |
|
|
|
|
Total distributable earnings |
|
|
(30,294,483) |
|
Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions
to Shareholders |
|
|
(30,294,483) |
|
|
|
Fund Share Transactions: |
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from sale of shares (51,769,367 shares issued) (Note 7) |
|
|
1,035,387,340 |
|
Reinvestment of distributions (13,843 shares issued) |
|
|
277,414 |
|
Increase in Net Assets From Fund Share
Transactions |
|
|
1,035,664,754 |
|
Increase in Net
Assets |
|
|
1,017,641,157 |
|
|
|
Net Assets: |
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period* |
|
|
100,000 |
|
End of period |
|
$ |
1,017,741,157 |
|
|
For the period June 25, 2021 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2021. |
* |
5,000 shares issued and outstanding (5,000 shares were issued to Franklin Resources, Inc. as of April 9, 2021).
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
38 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
Statement of cash flows
For the Period Ended December 31, 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Cash: |
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
|
$ |
12,270,886 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash
provided (used) by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
Purchases of portfolio securities |
|
|
(1,578,196,587) |
|
Sales of portfolio securities |
|
|
227,368,566 |
|
Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments |
|
|
(44,247,632) |
|
Payment-in-kind |
|
|
(273,722) |
|
Net amortization of premium (accretion of discount) |
|
|
(1,756,486) |
|
Increase in receivable for securities sold |
|
|
(6,703,432) |
|
Increase in interest and dividends receivable |
|
|
(15,085,544) |
|
Increase in receivable from broker net variation margin on centrally cleared swap
contracts |
|
|
(4,085,122) |
|
Increase in prepaid expenses |
|
|
(5,500) |
|
Increase in principal paydown receivable |
|
|
(2,845) |
|
Increase in payable for securities purchased |
|
|
21,761,740 |
|
Increase in investment management fee payable |
|
|
1,293,371 |
|
Increase in Trustees fees payable |
|
|
45,188 |
|
Increase in interest expense payable |
|
|
358,438 |
|
Increase in accrued expenses |
|
|
100,055 |
|
Increase in premiums received from written options |
|
|
58,956 |
|
Increase in payable to broker net variation margin on futures contracts |
|
|
42,810 |
|
Net realized loss on investments |
|
|
2,219,271 |
|
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, written options and
forward foreign currency contracts |
|
|
15,509,051 |
|
Net Cash Used in Operating
Activities* |
|
|
(1,369,328,538) |
|
|
|
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
|
|
|
|
Distributions paid on common stock |
|
|
(30,017,069) |
|
Proceeds from loan facility borrowings |
|
|
370,000,000 |
|
Proceeds from sale of shares |
|
|
1,035,387,340 |
|
Net Cash Provided by Financing
Activities |
|
|
1,375,370,271 |
|
Net Increase in Cash and Restricted Cash |
|
|
6,041,733 |
|
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period |
|
|
100,000 |
|
Cash and restricted cash at end of period |
|
$ |
6,141,733 |
|
*Included |
in operating expenses is cash of $1,462,179 paid for interest and commitment fees on borrowings. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
39 |
Statement of cash flows (contd)
For the Period Ended December 31, 2021
|
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash (including foreign currency) and restricted cash reported within the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities that sums to the total of such amounts shown on the Statement of Cash Flows. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
Cash |
|
$ |
3,836,744 |
|
Restricted cash |
|
|
2,304,989 |
|
Total cash and restricted cash shown in the Statement of Cash
Flows |
|
$ |
6,141,733 |
|
|
Restricted cash consists of cash that has been segregated to cover the Funds collateral or margin obligations under
derivative contracts. It is separately reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Deposits with brokers. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Cash Financing Activities: |
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions |
|
$ |
277,414 |
|
|
For the period June 25, 2021 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2021. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
40 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
Financial highlights
|
|
|
|
|
For a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended
December 31, unless otherwise noted: |
|
|
|
20211,2 |
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
|
|
$20.00 |
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations: |
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
|
0.58 |
|
Net realized and unrealized loss |
|
|
(0.34) |
|
Total income from
operations |
|
|
0.24 |
|
|
|
Less distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
|
(0.59) |
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
(0.59) |
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period |
|
|
$19.65 |
|
Market price, end of period |
|
|
$18.31 |
|
Total return, based on NAV3,4 |
|
|
1.19 |
% |
Total return, based on Market Price5 |
|
|
(5.62) |
% |
|
|
Net assets, end of period (millions) |
|
|
$1,018 |
|
|
|
Ratios to average net assets: |
|
|
|
|
Gross expenses6 |
|
|
1.82 |
% |
Net expenses6,7,8 |
|
|
1.82 |
|
Net investment income6 |
|
|
5.57 |
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate |
|
|
19 |
% |
|
|
Supplemental data: |
|
|
|
|
Loan Outstanding, End of Period (000s) |
|
|
$370,000 |
|
Asset Coverage Ratio for Loan Outstanding9
|
|
|
375 |
% |
Asset Coverage, per $1,000 Principal Amount of Loan Outstanding9 |
|
|
$3,751 |
|
Weighted Average Loan (000s) |
|
|
$314,938 |
|
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Loan |
|
|
1.13 |
% |
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
41 |
Financial highlights (contd)
1 |
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 |
For the period June 25, 2021 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2021. |
3 |
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.
|
4 |
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. |
5 |
The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Funds dividend
reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. |
7 |
Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
8 |
The manager has agreed to waive the Funds management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee
payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund. |
9 |
Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding at the end of the period divided by the loan outstanding at the
end of the period. |
See Notes to
Financial Statements.
|
|
|
42 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
Notes to financial statements
1. Organization and significant accounting policies
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund (the Fund) was organized in Maryland on July 27, 2020 and is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Board of Trustees has authorized the issuance of an unlimited amount of common shares of
beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share (the Common Shares). The Funds primary investment objective is to seek high current income. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek capital appreciation. The Fund
seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, across fixed income sectors and securities in seeking to deliver a well-diversified portfolio. The Fund expects to dissolve on or about June 24, 2033 (the
Dissolution Date); provided that the Board of Trustees may, without shareholder approval, extend the Dissolution Date for up to two years. As of a date within the 6-18 months preceding the
Dissolution Date, the Board of Trustees may cause the Fund to conduct a tender offer to all shareholders to purchase 100% of the then outstanding Common Shares of the Fund at a price equal to the NAV per Common Share on the expiration date of the
tender offer (the Eligible Tender Offer). The Board of Trustees has established that the Fund must have at least $200 million of aggregate net assets immediately following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer to ensure the
continued viability of the Fund (the Dissolution Threshold). In an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund will offer to purchase all Common Shares held by each Common Shareholder; provided that if the payment for properly tendered Common Shares
would result in the Fund having aggregate net assets below the Dissolution Threshold, the Eligible Tender Offer will be canceled, no Common Shares will be repurchased and the Fund will dissolve as scheduled. If an Eligible Tender Offer is conducted
and the payment for properly tendered Common Shares would result in the Fund having aggregate net assets greater than or equal to the Dissolution Threshold, all Common Shares properly tendered and not withdrawn will be purchased by the Fund pursuant
to the terms of the Eligible Tender Offer. Following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer, the Board may eliminate the Dissolution Date without shareholder approval and provide for the Funds perpetual existence. Upon its dissolution, it
is anticipated that the Fund will have distributed substantially all of its net assets to shareholders, although securities for which no market exists or securities trading at depressed prices, if any, may be placed in a liquidating trust.
The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
(GAAP). Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets
and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.
(a) Investment valuation. The valuations for fixed income securities (which may include, but are not
limited to, corporate, government, municipal, mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities) and certain derivative instruments are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which
may use
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
43 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of valuation techniques and methodologies.
The independent third party pricing services typically 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. Investments
in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day of valuation. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or
exchange on which they are traded. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. When the Fund holds
securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio
investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been
purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or
market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Funds Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the valuation process and has delegated the supervision of the daily valuation process to the Global Fund Valuation Committee
(the Valuation Committee). The Valuation Committee, pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Trustees, is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Funds pricing policies, and
reporting to the Board of Trustees. When determining the reliability of third party pricing information for investments owned by the Fund, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of pricing vendors, monitors the
daily change in prices and reviews transactions among market participants.
The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and
appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of possible methodologies include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a
multiple thereof; risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity; and/or fundamental investment analysis. The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of
possible factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security; the issuers financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase;
analysts research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of
public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.
|
|
|
44 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Trustees, 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 Trustees quarterly.
The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the
particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash
flows to present value.
GAAP establishes a disclosure hierarchy that categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value assets and liabilities at
measurement date. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
|
|
Level 1 quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
|
|
Level 2 other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates,
prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
|
|
Level 3 significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds own assumptions in determining the fair
value of investments) |
The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing
in those securities.
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
45 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Funds assets and liabilities
carried at fair value:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS |
|
Description |
|
Quoted Prices (Level 1) |
|
|
Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
|
|
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3) |
|
|
Total |
|
Long-Term Investments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate Bonds & Notes |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
485,728,963 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
485,728,963 |
|
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
240,635,545 |
|
|
$ |
8,501,065 |
|
|
|
249,136,610 |
|
Senior Loans: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Communication Services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,468,778 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,468,778 |
|
Consumer Discretionary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
65,017,626 |
|
|
|
3,657,228 |
|
|
|
68,674,854 |
|
Consumer Staples |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,725,000 |
|
|
|
4,725,000 |
|
Financials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,421,391 |
|
|
|
8,589,053 |
|
|
|
24,010,444 |
|
Health Care |
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,530,365 |
|
|
|
6,443,125 |
|
|
|
34,973,490 |
|
Industrials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,314,001 |
|
|
|
8,905,635 |
|
|
|
59,219,636 |
|
Information Technology |
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,172,335 |
|
|
|
7,726,000 |
|
|
|
41,898,335 |
|
Materials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,910,500 |
|
|
|
4,910,500 |
|
Asset-Backed Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
232,568,263 |
|
|
|
1,072,881 |
|
|
|
233,641,144 |
|
Sovereign Bonds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,122,844 |
|
|
|
3,682,580 |
|
|
|
50,805,424 |
|
Convertible Preferred Stocks: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,521,575 |
|
|
|
17,794,517 |
|
|
|
31,316,092 |
|
Preferred Stocks |
|
$ |
24,810,320 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,810,320 |
|
Convertible Bonds & Notes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,541,139 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,541,139 |
|
Purchased Options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,353 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,353 |
|
Total Long-Term Investments |
|
|
24,810,320 |
|
|
|
1,234,081,178 |
|
|
|
76,007,584 |
|
|
|
1,334,899,082 |
|
Short-Term Investments |
|
|
44,173,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,173,390 |
|
Total Investments |
|
$ |
68,983,710 |
|
|
$ |
1,234,081,178 |
|
|
$ |
76,007,584 |
|
|
$ |
1,379,072,472 |
|
Other Financial Instruments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Futures Contracts |
|
$ |
570,411 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
570,411 |
|
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
262,082 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
262,082 |
|
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps |
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,543 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,543 |
|
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps on Corporate Issues Sell
Protection |
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,937 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,937 |
|
Total Other Financial Instruments |
|
$ |
570,411 |
|
|
$ |
385,562 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
955,973 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
69,554,121 |
|
|
$ |
1,234,466,740 |
|
|
$ |
76,007,584 |
|
|
$ |
1,380,028,445 |
|
|
|
|
46 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES |
|
Description |
|
Quoted Prices (Level 1) |
|
|
Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
|
|
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3) |
|
|
Total |
|
Other Financial Instruments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written Options |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,279 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,279 |
|
Futures Contracts |
|
$ |
1,046,935 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,046,935 |
|
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,692 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,692 |
|
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps |
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,116 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,116 |
|
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps on Corporate Issues Buy
Protection |
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,442 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,442 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,046,935 |
|
|
$ |
81,529 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,128,464 |
|
|
See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations. |
|
Reflects the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of the instruments. |
The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments in Securities |
|
Balance
as of June 25, 2021 (commencement of operations) |
|
|
Accrued
premiums/ discounts |
|
|
Realized gain (loss) |
|
|
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)1
|
|
|
Purchases |
|
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ 1,296 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ 11,239 |
|
|
|
$8,488,530 |
|
Senior Loans: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer Discretionary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,043) |
|
|
$ |
(125) |
|
|
|
(43,667) |
|
|
|
3,718,563 |
|
Consumer Staples |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
4,650,000 |
|
Financials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,231 |
|
|
|
10,762 |
|
|
|
8,495 |
|
|
|
10,012,500 |
|
Health Care |
|
|
|
|
|
|
459 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(28,584) |
|
|
|
6,471,250 |
|
Industrials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(49,252) |
|
|
|
9,000,000 |
|
Information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Technology |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,031 |
|
|
|
8,787 |
|
|
|
70,432 |
|
|
|
9,644,750 |
|
Materials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,570 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(32,432) |
|
|
|
4,939,362 |
|
Asset-Backed Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,880 |
|
|
|
361 |
|
|
|
(27,283) |
|
|
|
1,100,682 |
|
Sovereign Bonds: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supranational |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(99,479) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(96,323) |
|
|
|
3,878,382 |
|
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
47 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments in Securities |
|
Balance
as of June 25, 2021 (commencement of operations) |
|
|
Accrued premiums/ discounts |
|
|
Realized gain
(loss) |
|
|
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)1 |
|
|
Purchases |
|
Convertible Preferred Stocks: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
119,048 |
|
|
$ |
17,675,469 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(82,055) |
|
|
$ |
19,785 |
|
|
$ |
6,673 |
|
|
$ |
79,579,488 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments in Securities (contd) |
|
Sales |
|
|
Transfers into Level 3 |
|
|
Transfers out of Level 3 |
|
|
Balance
as of December 31, 2021 |
|
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments in securities still held
at December 31, 20211 |
|
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$8,501,065 |
|
|
|
$11,239 |
|
Senior Loans: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer Discretionary |
|
$ |
(15,500) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,657,228 |
|
|
|
(43,667) |
|
Consumer Staples |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,725,000 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
Financials |
|
|
(1,443,935) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,589,053 |
|
|
|
8,495 |
|
Health Care |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,443,125 |
|
|
|
(28,584) |
|
Industrials |
|
|
(45,113) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,905,635 |
|
|
|
(49,252) |
|
Information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Technology |
|
|
(2,000,000) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,726,000 |
|
|
|
70,432 |
|
Materials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,910,500 |
|
|
|
(32,432) |
|
Asset-Backed Securities |
|
|
(11,759) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,072,881 |
|
|
|
(27,283) |
|
Sovereign Bonds: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supranational |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,682,580 |
|
|
|
(96,323) |
|
Convertible Preferred Stocks: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,794,517 |
|
|
|
119,048 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
(3,516,307) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
76,007,584 |
|
|
$ |
6,673 |
|
1 |
This amount is included in the change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the accompanying Statement of
Operations. Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) includes net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from changes in investment values during the reporting period and the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) when gains or losses are realized. |
The following table summarizes the valuation techniques used and unobservable inputs approved by
the Valuation Committee to determine the fair value of certain material Level 3 investments. The table does not include Level 3 investments with values derived utilizing
|
|
|
48 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
prices from prior transactions or third party pricing information without adjustment (e.g., broker quotes, pricing
services, net asset values).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value at 12/31/21 (000s) |
|
|
Valuation Technique(s) |
|
|
Unobservable Input(s) |
|
|
Value, Range/Weighted Average |
|
|
Impact to Valuation from an Increase in Input* |
|
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations |
|
$ |
8,501.1 |
|
|
|
Discounted Cash Flow Method |
|
|
|
Yield |
|
|
|
7.79 |
% |
|
|
Decrease |
|
Senior Loans |
|
|
8,905.6 |
|
|
|
Discounted Cash Flow Method |
|
|
|
Discount Rate |
|
|
|
7.08 |
% |
|
|
Decrease |
|
* |
This column represents the directional change in the fair value of the Level 3 investments that would result in an
increase from the corresponding unobservable input. A decrease to the unobservable input would have the opposite effect. Significant increases and decreases in these unobservable inputs in isolation could result in significantly higher or lower fair
value measurements. |
(b) Purchased options. When the Fund purchases an option, an
amount equal to the premium paid by the Fund is recorded as an investment on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, the value of which is marked-to-market to reflect
the current market value of the option purchased. If the purchased option expires, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the amount of premium paid. When an instrument is purchased or sold through the exercise of an option, the related premium paid is
added to the basis of the instrument acquired or deducted from the proceeds of the instrument sold. The risk associated with purchasing put and call options is limited to the premium paid.
(c) Written options. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is
recorded as a liability, the value of which is marked-to-market daily to reflect the current market value of the option written. If the option expires, the premium
received is recorded as a realized gain. When a written call option is exercised, the difference between the premium received plus the option exercise price and the Funds basis in the underlying security (in the case of a covered written call
option), or the cost to purchase the underlying security (in the case of an uncovered written call option), including brokerage commission, is recognized as a realized gain or loss. When a written put option is exercised, the amount of the premium
received is subtracted from the cost of the security purchased by the Fund from the exercise of the written put option to form the Funds basis in the underlying security purchased. The writer or buyer of an option traded on an exchange can
liquidate the position before the exercise of the option by entering into a closing transaction. The cost of a closing transaction is deducted from the original premium received resulting in a realized gain or loss to the Fund.
The risk in writing a covered call option is that the Fund may forego the opportunity of profit if the market price of the underlying security increases and the option
is exercised. The risk in writing a put option is that the Fund may incur a loss if the market price of the underlying security decreases and the option is exercised. The risk in writing an uncovered call option is that the Fund is exposed to the
risk of loss if the market price of the underlying security
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
49 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
increases. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing
transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.
(d) Futures contracts. The Fund uses futures
contracts generally to gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in interest rates or gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in certain asset classes. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a
specified price on a specified date.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit cash or securities with a broker in an amount equal to a
certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the initial margin and subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuation
in the value of the contract. For certain futures, including foreign denominated futures, variation margin is not settled daily, but is recorded as a net variation margin payable or receivable. The daily changes in contract value are recorded as
unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Statement of Operations and the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.
Futures
contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the amounts reflected in the financial statements. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary
market.
(e) Forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund enters into a forward foreign currency
contract to hedge exposure of bond positions or in an attempt to increase the Funds return. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price with delivery and settlement at a
future date. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When a forward foreign currency
contract is closed, through either delivery or offset by entering into another forward foreign currency contract, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the
value of the contract at the time it is closed.
Forward foreign currency contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign exchange rate underlying the forward foreign currency contract. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability
of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.
(f) Swap agreements. The Fund invests in
swaps for the purpose of managing its exposure to interest rate, credit or market risk, or for other purposes. The use of swaps involves risks that are different from those associated with other portfolio transactions. Swap agreements are privately
negotiated in the over-the-counter market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract (OTC Swaps) or centrally cleared (Centrally Cleared
Swaps). Unlike Centrally Cleared Swaps, the Fund has credit exposure to the counterparties of OTC Swaps.
In a Centrally Cleared Swap, immediately following
execution of the swap, the swap agreement is submitted to a clearinghouse or central counterparty (the CCP) and the CCP
|
|
|
50 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
becomes the ultimate counterparty of the swap agreement. The Fund is required to interface with the CCP through a broker,
acting in an agency capacity. All payments are settled with the CCP through the broker. Upon entering into a Centrally Cleared Swap, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities.
Swap contracts are marked-to-market daily and changes in value are recorded as unrealized
appreciation (depreciation). The daily change in valuation of Centrally Cleared Swaps, if any, is recorded as a net receivable or payable for variation margin on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gains or losses are realized upon termination
of the swap agreement. Collateral, in the form of restricted cash or securities, may be required to be held in segregated accounts with the Funds custodian in compliance with the terms of the swap contracts. Securities posted as collateral for
swap contracts are identified in the Schedule of Investments and restricted cash, if any, is identified on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks may exceed amounts recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These risks include
changes in the returns of the underlying instruments, failure of the counterparties to perform under the contracts terms, and the possible lack of liquidity with respect to the swap agreements.
OTC Swap payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are reflected as a premium or deposit, respectively, on the Statement of Assets and
Liabilities. These upfront payments are amortized over the life of the swap and are recognized as realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are recognized as a realized gain or loss in
the Statement of Operations.
The Funds maximum exposure in the event of a defined credit event on a credit default swap to sell protection is the notional
amount. As of December 31, 2021, the total notional value of all credit default swaps to sell protection was $4,320,000. This amount would be offset by the value of the swaps reference entity, upfront premiums received on the swap and any
amounts received from the settlement of a credit default swap where the Fund bought protection for the same referenced security/entity.
For average notional amounts
of swaps held during the period ended December 31, 2021, see Note 4.
Credit default swaps
The Fund enters into credit default swap (CDS) contracts for investment purposes, to manage its credit risk or to add leverage. CDS agreements involve one
party making a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default by a third party, typically corporate or sovereign issuers, on a specified obligation, or in the event of a
write-down, principal shortfall, interest shortfall or default of all or part of the referenced entities comprising a credit index. The Fund may use a CDS to provide protection against defaults of the issuers (i.e., to reduce risk where the Fund has
exposure to an issuer) or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuers default. As a seller of protection, the Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a stream of payments throughout the
term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
51 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the maximum potential amount
of future payments (undiscounted) that the Fund could be required to make under a CDS agreement would be an amount equal to the notional amount of the agreement. These amounts of potential payments will be partially offset by any recovery of values
from the respective referenced obligations. As a seller of protection, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
As a buyer of protection, the Fund generally receives an amount up to the notional value of the swap if a credit event occurs.
Implied spreads are the theoretical
prices a lender receives for credit default protection. When spreads rise, market perceived credit risk rises and when spreads fall, market perceived credit risk falls. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of
buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads and decreasing market values, when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the referenced
entitys credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. Credit spreads utilized in determining the period end market value of CDS agreements on corporate
or sovereign issues are disclosed in the Schedule of Investments and serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/ performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for credit derivatives. For CDS agreements on
asset-backed securities and credit indices, the quoted market prices and resulting values, particularly in relation to the notional amount of the contract as well as the annual payment rate, serve as an indication of the current status of the
payment/ performance risk.
The Funds maximum risk of loss from counterparty risk, as the protection buyer, is the fair value of the contract (this risk is
mitigated by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Funds exposure to the counterparty). As the protection seller, the Funds maximum risk is the notional amount of the contract. CDS are considered to have
credit risk-related contingent features since they require payment by the protection seller to the protection buyer upon the occurrence of a defined credit event.
Entering into a CDS agreement involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk in excess of the related amounts recognized on the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreement may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of the
contractual terms in the agreement, and that there will be unfavorable changes in net interest rates.
Interest rate swaps
The Fund enters into interest rate swap contracts to manage its exposure to interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps are agreements between two
parties to exchange cash flows based on a notional principal amount. The Fund may elect to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate, or receive a fixed rate and pay a floating rate, on a notional principal amount. Interest rate swaps are marked-to-market daily based upon quotations from market makers
|
|
|
52 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
and the change, if any, is recorded as an unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Statement of Operations. When a
swap contract is terminated early, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the original cost and the settlement amount of the closing transaction.
The risks of interest rate swaps include changes in market conditions that will affect the value of the contract or changes in the present value of the future cash flow
streams and the possible inability of the counterparty to fulfill its obligations under the agreement. The Funds maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the discounted net value of the cash flows to be received from the
counterparty over the contracts remaining life, to the extent that amount is positive. This risk is mitigated by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Funds exposure to the counterparty.
(g) Swaptions. The Fund may purchase or write swaption contracts to manage
exposure to fluctuations in interest rates or to enhance yield. The Fund may also purchase and write swaption contracts to manage exposure to an underlying instrument. Swaption contracts written by the Fund represent an option that gives the
purchaser the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a previously agreed upon swap contract at a future date. Swaption contracts purchased by the Fund represent an option that gives the Fund the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a
previously agreed upon swap contract at a future date.
When the Fund writes a swaption, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is recorded as a
liability, the value of which is marked-to-market daily to reflect the current market value of the swaption written. If the swaption expires, the Fund realizes a gain
equal to the amount of the premium received.
When the Fund purchases a swaption, an amount equal to the premium paid by the Fund is recorded as an investment on the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities, the value of which is marked-to-market daily to reflect the current market value of the swaption purchased. If the swaption expires,
the Fund realizes a loss equal to the amount of the premium paid.
Swaptions are
marked-to-market daily based upon quotations from market makers. Changes in the value of the swaption are reported as unrealized gains or losses in the Statement of
Operations.
(h) Loan participations. The Fund may invest in loans arranged through private negotiation
between one or more financial institutions. The Funds investment in any such loan may be in the form of a participation in or an assignment of the loan. In connection with purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to
enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement related to the loan, or any rights of off-set against the borrower and the Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting
the loan in which it has purchased the participation.
The Fund assumes the credit risk of the borrower, the lender that is selling the participation and any other
persons interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower. In the event of
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
53 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
the insolvency of the lender selling the participation, the Fund may be treated as a general
creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any off-set between the lender and the borrower.
(i) Unfunded loan commitments. The Fund may enter into certain credit agreements where all or a portion of the total amount committed may be unfunded. The Fund is obligated to fund these
commitments at the borrowers discretion. The commitments are disclosed in the accompanying Schedule of Investments. At December 31, 2021, the Fund had sufficient cash and/or securities to cover these commitments.
(j) Foreign currency translation. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in
foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into
U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions.
The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of
operations resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on
investments.
Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, including gains and losses on forward foreign currency contracts,
currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Funds books and the U.S. dollar
equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, on the date of valuation, resulting from changes
in exchange rates.
Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar
denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of lower levels of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.
(k) Credit and market risk. The Fund invests in high-yield instruments that
are subject to certain credit and market risks. The yields of high-yield obligations reflect, among other things, perceived credit and market risks. The Funds investments in securities rated below investment grade typically involve risks not
associated with higher rated securities including, among others, greater risk related to timely and ultimate payment of interest and principal, greater market price volatility and less liquid secondary market trading.
Investments in securities that are collateralized by real estate mortgages are subject to certain credit and liquidity risks. When market conditions result in an
increase in default rates of the underlying mortgages and the foreclosure values of underlying real estate
|
|
|
54 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
properties are materially below the outstanding amount of these underlying mortgages, collection of the full amount of
accrued interest and principal on these investments may be doubtful. Such market conditions may significantly impair the value and liquidity of these investments and may result in a lack of correlation between their credit ratings and values.
(l) Foreign investment risks. The Funds investments in foreign securities may involve risks not
present in domestic investments. Since securities may be denominated in foreign currencies, may require settlement in foreign currencies or may pay interest or dividends in foreign currencies, changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies
to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Fund. Foreign investments may also subject the Fund to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation or other political, social or
economic developments, all of which affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.
(m) Counterparty
risk and credit-risk-related contingent features of derivative instruments. The Fund may invest in certain securities or engage in other transactions where the Fund is exposed to counterparty credit risk in addition to broader market
risks. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers, which may also be considered counterparties as trading partners in other transactions. This may increase the risk of loss in the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty or if the
counterparty otherwise fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Funds subadviser attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by (i) periodically assessing the creditworthiness of its trading partners, (ii) monitoring and/or limiting
the amount of its net exposure to each individual counterparty based on its assessment and (iii) requiring collateral from the counterparty for certain transactions. Market events and changes in overall economic conditions may impact the
assessment of such counterparty risk by the subadviser. In addition, declines in the values of underlying collateral received may expose the Fund to increased risk of loss.
With exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives, there is less counterparty risk to the Fund since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such
instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, the credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law,
the Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default of the clearing broker or clearinghouse.
The Fund has entered into master agreements, such as an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (ISDA Master Agreement) or
similar agreement, with certain of its derivative counterparties that govern over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and provide for general obligations,
representations, agreements, collateral posting terms, netting provisions in the event of default or termination and credit related contingent features. The credit related contingent features include, but are not limited to, a percentage decrease in
the Funds net assets or net asset value per share over a specified period of time. If these credit related contingent features were triggered, the derivatives counterparty could terminate the positions and demand payment or require additional
collateral.
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
55 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the
counterparty certain derivative financial instruments payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. However, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement,
the terms of the ISDA Master Agreements do not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the Fund and the applicable counterparty. The
enforceability of the right to offset may vary by jurisdiction.
Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or margin requirements are set by
the broker or exchange clearinghouse for exchange traded derivatives while collateral terms are contract specific for OTC traded derivatives. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund under derivative contracts, if any,
will be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged as collateral, if any, for the same purpose are noted in the Schedule of Investments.
As of December 31, 2021, the Fund held OTC written options and forward foreign currency contracts with credit related contingent features which had a liability
position of $15,971. If a contingent feature in the master agreements would have been triggered, the Fund would have been required to pay this amount to its derivatives counterparties.
(n) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date
basis. Interest income (including interest income from payment-in-kind securities), adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the
accrual basis. Paydown gains and losses on mortgage- and asset-backed securities are recorded as adjustments to interest income. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. The cost of investments
sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest
accrued up to the date of default or credit event.
(o) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions
from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid on a monthly basis. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Distributions to shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
(p) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodians fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Funds
cash on deposit with the bank.
(q) Federal and other taxes. It is the Funds policy to comply
with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net
realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Funds financial statements.
|
|
|
56 |
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Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and capital gains at various
rates. Realized gains upon disposition of securities issued in or by certain foreign countries are subject to capital gains tax imposed by those countries.
(r) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no
effect on net assets or net asset value per share. During the current period, the Fund had no reclassifications.
2. Investment management
agreement and other transactions with affiliates
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA) is the Funds investment manager. Western
Asset Management Company, LLC (Western Asset), Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. (Western Asset Singapore), Western Asset Management Company Ltd (Western Asset Japan) and Western Asset Management Company
Limited (Western Asset London) are the Funds sub-subadvisers. LMPFA, Western Asset, Western Asset Singapore, Western Asset Japan and Western Asset London are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc.
(Franklin Resources).
LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. The Fund pays LMPFA an investment management fee,
calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 1.10% of the Funds average daily managed assets, which are the net assets of the Fund plus the principal amount of any borrowings or preferred shares that may be outstanding, reverse
repurchase agreements, dollar rolls or similar transactions.
LMPFA delegates to Western Asset the
day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. Western Asset Singapore, Western Asset Japan and Western Asset London provide certain subadvisory services to the Fund
relating to currency transactions and investments in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities and related foreign currency instruments. For its services, LMPFA pays Western Asset a fee monthly, at an annual rate
equal to 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund. In turn, Western Asset pays Western Asset Singapore, Western Asset Japan and Western Asset London a monthly subadvisory fee in an amount equal to 100% of the management fee paid to
Western Asset on the assets that Western Asset allocates to each such non-U.S. subadviser to manage.
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 Funds assets, including those investments purchased with leverage.
The manager has agreed to waive the Funds management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in
an affiliated money market fund.
During the period ended December 31, 2021, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed amounted to $13,731, all of which was an
affiliated money market fund waiver.
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
57 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
All officers and one Trustee of the Fund are employees of Franklin Resources or its affiliates and
do not receive compensation from the Fund.
3. Investments
During the period ended December 31, 2021, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) and U.S.
Government & Agency Obligations were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments |
|
|
U.S. Government & Agency Obligations |
|
Purchases |
|
$ |
1,479,675,229 |
|
|
$ |
98,521,358 |
|
Sales |
|
|
221,699,847 |
|
|
|
5,668,719 |
|
At December 31, 2021, the aggregate cost of investments and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of
investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost/Premiums
Paid (Received) |
|
|
Gross Unrealized Appreciation |
|
|
Gross Unrealized Depreciation |
|
|
Net
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|
Securities |
|
$ |
1,395,698,783 |
|
|
$ |
9,618,972 |
|
|
$ |
(26,245,283) |
|
|
$ |
(16,626,311) |
|
Written options |
|
|
(58,956) |
|
|
|
50,677 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,677 |
|
Futures contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
570,411 |
|
|
|
(1,046,935) |
|
|
|
(476,524) |
|
Forward foreign currency contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
262,082 |
|
|
|
(7,692) |
|
|
|
254,390 |
|
Swap contracts |
|
|
(131,223) |
|
|
|
123,480 |
|
|
|
(65,558) |
|
|
|
57,922 |
|
4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities
Below is a table, grouped by derivative type, that provides information about the fair value and the location of derivatives within the Statement of Assets and
Liabilities at December 31, 2021.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSET DERIVATIVES1 |
|
|
|
Interest Rate Risk |
|
|
Foreign Exchange Risk |
|
|
Credit Risk |
|
|
Total |
|
Purchased options2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
38,353 |
|
|
$ |
38,353 |
|
Futures contracts3 |
|
$ |
570,411 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
570,411 |
|
Forward foreign currency contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
262,082 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
262,082 |
|
Centrally cleared swap contracts4 |
|
|
22,543 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,937 |
|
|
|
123,480 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
592,954 |
|
|
$ |
262,082 |
|
|
$ |
139,290 |
|
|
$ |
994,326 |
|
|
|
|
58 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITY DERIVATIVES1 |
|
|
|
Interest
Rate Risk |
|
|
Foreign Exchange Risk |
|
|
Credit Risk |
|
|
Total |
|
Written options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,279 |
|
|
$ |
8,279 |
|
Futures contracts3 |
|
$ |
1,046,935 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,046,935 |
|
Forward foreign currency contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,692 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,692 |
|
Centrally cleared swap contracts4 |
|
|
54,116 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,442 |
|
|
|
65,558 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,101,051 |
|
|
$ |
7,692 |
|
|
$ |
19,721 |
|
|
$ |
1,128,464 |
|
1 |
Generally, the balance sheet location for asset derivatives is receivables/net unrealized appreciation and for liability
derivatives is payables/net unrealized depreciation. |
2 |
Market value of purchased options is reported in Investments at value in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
|
3 |
Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of
Investments. Only net variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
4 |
Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of centrally cleared swap contracts as reported in the Schedule
of Investments. Only net variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
The
following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Funds Statement of Operations for the period ended December 31, 2021. The first table provides additional detail about the amounts and
sources of gains (losses) realized on derivatives during the period. The second table provides additional information about the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from the Funds derivatives and hedging activities during
the period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED |
|
|
|
Interest Rate Risk |
|
|
Foreign Exchange Risk |
|
|
Total |
|
Purchased options1 |
|
$ |
(30,382) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(30,382) |
|
Futures contracts |
|
|
375,535 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
375,535 |
|
Written options |
|
|
83,252 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,252 |
|
Swap contracts |
|
|
40,790 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,790 |
|
Forward foreign currency contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
386,358 |
|
|
|
386,358 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
469,195 |
|
|
$ |
386,358 |
|
|
$ |
855,553 |
|
1 |
Net realized gain (loss) from purchased options is reported in Net Realized Gain (Loss) From Investment transactions in
the Statement of Operations. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED |
|
|
|
Interest
Rate Risk |
|
|
Foreign Exchange Risk |
|
|
Credit
Risk |
|
|
Total |
|
Purchased options1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(5,507) |
|
|
$ |
(5,507) |
|
Futures contracts |
|
$ |
(476,524) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(476,524) |
|
Written options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,677 |
|
|
|
50,677 |
|
Swap contracts |
|
|
(31,573) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
89,495 |
|
|
|
57,922 |
|
Forward foreign currency contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
254,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
254,390 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
(508,097) |
|
|
$ |
254,390 |
|
|
$ |
134,665 |
|
|
$ |
(119,042) |
|
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
59 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
1 |
The change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from purchased options is reported in the Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation) From Investments in the Statement of Operations. |
During the period ended December 31, 2021, the volume of
derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Market Value |
|
Purchased options |
|
$ |
8,612 |
|
Written options |
|
|
67,469 |
|
Futures contracts (to buy) |
|
|
214,862,930 |
|
Futures contracts (to sell) |
|
|
27,277,148 |
|
Forward foreign currency contracts (to buy) |
|
|
218,434 |
|
Forward foreign currency contracts (to sell) |
|
|
20,159,090 |
|
|
|
|
|
Average Notional Balance |
|
Interest rate swap contracts |
|
$ |
16,765,889 |
|
Credit default swap contracts (buy protection) |
|
|
3,702,857 |
|
Credit default swap contracts (sell protection) |
|
|
3,702,857 |
|
The following table presents the Funds OTC derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset
under an ISDA Master Agreement and net of the related collateral pledged (received) by the Fund as of December 31, 2021.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty |
|
Gross Assets Subject to Master Agreements1 |
|
|
Gross Liabilities Subject to Master Agreements1 |
|
|
Net Assets (Liabilities) Subject to Master Agreements |
|
|
Collateral Pledged (Received) |
|
|
Net Amount2 |
|
BNP Paribas SA |
|
$ |
107,561 |
|
|
$ |
(8,279) |
|
|
$ |
99,282 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
99,282 |
|
Citibank N.A. |
|
|
192,874 |
|
|
|
(1,802) |
|
|
|
191,072 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
191,072 |
|
Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,890) |
|
|
|
(5,890) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,890) |
|
Total |
|
$ |
300,435 |
|
|
$ |
(15,971) |
|
|
$ |
284,464 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
284,464 |
|
1 |
Absent an event of default or early termination, derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in
the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
2 |
Represents the net amount receivable (payable) from (to) the counterparty in the event of default. |
5. Loan
The Fund has a revolving credit
agreement with Societe Generale (Credit Agreement), which allows the Fund to borrow up to an aggregate amount of $400,000,000 ($340,000,000 prior to August 30, 2021). The Credit Agreement renews daily for a 150-day term unless notice to the contrary is given to the Fund and it has a scheduled maturity date of June 30, 2023. The Fund pays a commitment fee on the unutilized portion of the loan commitment amount at
an annual rate of 0.50%, except that the commitment fee is 0.25% in the event that the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the loan, plus the outstanding aggregate purchase price under all reverse repurchase agreements between the Fund and
Societe Generale, is greater than 80% of the loan commitment amount. The interest on the
|
|
|
60 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
loan is calculated at a variable rate based on a benchmark (currently LIBOR, but subject to transition to adjusted SOFR, or
an alternative benchmark, upon the occurrence of certain benchmark transition events including the cessation of publication of LIBOR) plus any applicable margin. Securities held by the Fund are subject to a lien, granted to Societe Generale, to the
extent of the borrowing outstanding and any additional expenses. The Funds Credit Agreement contains customary covenants that, among other things, may limit the Funds ability to pay 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 Funds ability to utilize borrowing under the agreement. Interest expense related to the loan for the period ended
December 31, 2021 was $1,594,375. For the period ended December 31, 2021, the Fund incurred commitment fees in the amount of $227,500. For the period ended December 31, 2021, based on the number of days during the reporting period
that the Fund had a loan balance outstanding, the average daily loan balance was $314,938,272 and the weighted average interest rate was 1.13%. At December 31, 2021, the Fund had $370,000,000 of borrowings outstanding.
6. Distributions subsequent to December 31, 2021
The following distributions have been declared by the Funds Board of Trustees and are payable subsequent to the period end of this report:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Record Date |
|
Payable Date |
|
|
Amount |
|
1/24/2022 |
|
|
2/1/2022 |
|
|
$ |
0.1170 |
|
2/18/2022 |
|
|
3/1/2022 |
|
|
$ |
0.1170 |
|
3/24/2022 |
|
|
4/1/2022 |
|
|
$ |
0.1170 |
|
4/22/2022 |
|
|
5/2/2022 |
|
|
$ |
0.1170 |
|
5/23/2022 |
|
|
6/1/2022 |
|
|
$ |
0.1170 |
|
7. Stock repurchase program
On July 29, 2021, the Fund announced that the Funds Board of Trustees (the Board) had authorized the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to
approximately 10% of the Funds outstanding common stock when the Funds 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 shares at any specific discount levels or in any specific amounts. During the period ended December 31, 2021, the Fund did not
repurchase any shares.
8. Transactions with affiliated company
As defined by the 1940 Act, an affiliated company is one in which the Fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common
ownership or control with the Fund. The following company was considered an affiliated company for
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
61 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
all or some portion of the period ended December 31, 2021. The following transactions were
effected in such company for the period ended December 31, 2021.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Affiliate
Value at June 25, 2021 (commencement |
|
|
Purchased |
|
|
Sold |
|
|
|
of operations) |
|
|
Cost |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Cost |
|
|
Shares |
|
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,377,527,946 |
|
|
|
1,377,527,946 |
|
|
$ |
1,333,354,556 |
|
|
|
1,333,354,556 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(contd) |
|
Realized Gain (Loss) |
|
|
Dividend Income |
|
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|
|
Affiliate Value at December 31, 2021 |
|
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
10,106 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
44,173,390 |
|
9. Income tax information and distributions to shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the tax period ended December 31, 2021, was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021 |
|
Distributions paid from: |
|
|
|
|
Ordinary income |
|
$ |
30,294,483 |
|
As of December 31, 2021, the components of distributable earnings (loss) on a tax basis were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Undistributed ordinary income net |
|
$ |
1,138,901 |
|
Deferred capital losses* |
|
|
(2,562,601) |
|
Other book/tax temporary differences(a) |
|
|
209,175 |
|
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(b) |
|
|
(16,809,072) |
|
Total distributable earnings (loss) net |
|
$ |
(18,023,597) |
|
* |
These capital losses have been deferred in the current year as either short-term or long-term losses. The losses will be
deemed to occur on the first day of the next taxable year in the same character as they were originally deferred and will be available to offset future taxable capital gains. |
(a) |
Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable to the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on
certain futures and foreign currency contracts and book/tax differences in the timing of the deductibility of various expenses. |
(b) |
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) is attributable to the difference between book and tax amortization methods for premiums on fixed income securities, the difference between the book and tax cost basis of partnership investments and other book/tax basis adjustments.
|
|
|
|
62 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
10. Recent accounting pronouncement
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2020-04,
Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, with further amendments to
Topic 848. The amendments in the ASUs provide optional temporary accounting recognition and financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the LIBOR and other
interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021 and 2023. The ASUs are effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management has
reviewed the requirements and believes the adoption of these ASUs will not have a material impact on the financial statements.
11. Other
matters
The outbreak of the respiratory illness COVID-19 (commonly referred to as coronavirus) has
continued to rapidly spread around the world, causing considerable uncertainty for the global economy and financial markets. The ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual
issuers, are not known. The COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Funds investments and negatively impact the Funds performance. In addition, the outbreak of COVID-19, and measures taken to mitigate its effects, could result in disruptions to the services provided to the Fund by its service providers.
* * *
The Funds investments,
payment obligations, and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, which is the offered rate for short-term Eurodollar deposits between major international banks. On
March 5, 2021, the ICE Benchmark Administration, the administrator of LIBOR, stated that it will cease the publication of the overnight and one-, three-, six- and
twelve-month USD LIBOR settings immediately following the LIBOR publication on Friday, June 30, 2023. All other LIBOR settings, including the one-week and two-month
USD LIBOR settings, have ceased publication as of January 1, 2022. There remains uncertainty regarding the nature of any replacement rate and the impact of the transition from LIBOR on the Funds transactions and the financial markets
generally. As such, the potential effect of a transition away from LIBOR on the Fund or the Funds investments cannot yet be determined.
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
|
63 |
Report of independent registered public accounting firm
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Western Asset Diversified
Income Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Western Asset Diversified Income Fund (the
Fund) as of December 31, 2021, and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for the period June 25, 2021 (commencement of operations)
through December 31, 2021 (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2021,
and the results of its operations, changes in its net assets, its cash flows and the financial highlights for the period June 25, 2021 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds financial statements
based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws
and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance
with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing
procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2021 by correspondence with the custodian,
transfer agent, agent banks and brokers; when replies were not received, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
February 23, 2022
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment
companies in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds since 1948.
|
|
|
64 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 2021 Annual Report |
Additional information (unaudited)
Information about Trustees and Officers
The business and
affairs of Western Asset Diversified Income Fund (the Fund) are conducted by management under the supervision and subject to the direction of its Board of Trustees. The business address of each Trustee is c/o Jane Trust, Legg Mason, 100
International Drive, 11th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Information pertaining to the Trustees and officers of the Fund is set forth below.
The Funds
annual proxy statement includes additional information about Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling the Fund at
1-888-777-0102.
|
|
|
Independent Trustees |
|
|
|
|
Robert D. Agdern* |
|
|
|
|
Year of birth |
|
1950 |
Position(s) held with Fund1 |
|
Trustee and Member of Nominating, Audit, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Compliance Liaison, Class I |
Term of office1 and length of time served |
|
Since 2021 |
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years |
|
Member of the Advisory Committee of the Dispute Resolution Research Center at the Kellogg Graduate School of Business, Northwestern University (2002 to 2016); formerly, Deputy General
Counsel responsible for western hemisphere matters for BP PLC (1999 to 2001); Associate General Counsel at Amoco Corporation responsible for corporate, chemical, and refining and marketing matters and special assignments (1993 to 1998) (Amoco merged
with British Petroleum in 1998 forming BP PLC) |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Trustee (including the Fund) |
|
20 |
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years |
|
None |
|
|
Carol L. Colman |
|
|
|
|
Year of birth |
|
1946 |
Position(s) held with Fund1 |
|
Trustee and Member of Nominating, Audit and Compensation Committees, and Chair of Pricing and Valuation Committee, Class I |
Term of office1 and length of time served |
|
Since 2021 |
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years |
|
President, Colman Consulting Company (consulting) |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Trustee (including the Fund) |
|
20 |
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years |
|
None |
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund |
|
65 |
Additional information
(unaudited) (contd)
Information about Trustees and
Officers
|
|
|
Independent Trustees
(contd) |
|
|
|
|
Daniel P. Cronin |
|
|
|
|
Year of birth |
|
1946 |
Position(s) held with Fund1 |
|
Trustee and Member of Audit, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Chair of Nominating Committee, Class I |
Term of office1 and length of time served |
|
Since 2021 |
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years |
|
Retired; formerly, Associate General Counsel, Pfizer Inc. (prior to and including 2004) |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Trustee (including the Fund) |
|
20 |
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years |
|
None |
|
|
Paolo M. Cucchi |
|
|
|
|
Year of birth |
|
1941 |
Position(s) held with Fund1 |
|
Trustee and Member of Nominating, Audit, and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Chair of Compensation Committee, Class III |
Term of office1 and length of time served |
|
Since 2021 |
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years |
|
Emeritus Professor of French and Italian (since 2014) and formerly, Vice President and Dean of The College of Liberal Arts (1984 to 2009) and Professor of French and Italian (2009 to 2014)
at Drew University |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Trustee (including the Fund) |
|
20 |
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years |
|
None |
|
|
William R. Hutchinson |
|
|
|
|
Year of birth |
|
1942 |
Position(s) held with Fund1 |
|
Lead Independent Trustee and Member of Nominating, Audit, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, Class II |
Term of office1 and length of time served |
|
Since 2021 |
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years |
|
President, W.R. Hutchinson & Associates Inc. (consulting) (since 2001) |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Trustee (including the Fund) |
|
20 |
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years |
|
Director (1994 to 2021) and Non-Executive Chairman of the Board (December 2009 to April 2020), Associated Banc-Corp. (financial services
company) |
|
|
|
66 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund |
|
|
|
Independent Trustees
(contd) |
|
|
|
|
Eileen A. Kamerick |
|
|
|
|
Year of birth |
|
1958 |
Position(s) held with Fund1 |
|
Trustee and Member of Nominating, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Chair of Audit Committee, Class II |
Term of office1 and length of time served |
|
Since 2021 |
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years |
|
Chief Executive Officer, The Governance Partners, LLC (consulting firm) (since 2015); National Association of Corporate Directors Board Leadership Fellow (since 2016, with Directorship
Certification since 2019) and financial expert; Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Law Center (since 2021); Adjunct Professor, The University of Chicago Law School (since 2018); Adjunct Professor, Washington University in St. Louis and
University of Iowa law schools (since 2007); formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Press Ganey Associates (health care informatics company) (2012 to 2014); Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, Houlihan Lokey (international investment bank)
and President, Houlihan Lokey Foundation (2010 to 2012) |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Trustee (including the Fund) |
|
20 |
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years |
|
Director of ACV Auctions Inc. (since 2021); Trustee of AIG Funds and Anchor Series Trust (2018 to 2021); Director of Hochschild Mining plc (precious metals company) (since 2016); Director
of Associated Banc-Corp (financial services company) (since 2007) |
|
|
Nisha Kumar |
|
|
|
|
Year of birth |
|
1970 |
Position(s) held with Fund1 |
|
Trustee and Member of Nominating, Audit, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Coordinator of Alternative Investments, Class III |
Term of office1 and length of time served |
|
Since 2021 |
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years |
|
Managing Director and the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Greenbriar Equity Group, LP (since 2011); formerly, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative
Officer of Rent the Runway, Inc. (2011); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of AOL LLC, a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. (2007 to 2009), Member of the Council of Foreign Relations |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Trustee (including the Fund) |
|
20 |
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years |
|
Director of The India Fund, Inc. (since 2016); formerly, Director of Aberdeen Income Credit Strategies Fund (2017-2018); and Director of The Asia Tigers Fund, Inc. (2016 to 2018) |
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund |
|
67 |
Additional information
(unaudited) (contd)
Information about Trustees and
Officers
|
|
|
Interested Trustee and Officer |
|
|
|
|
Jane Trust, CFA2 |
|
|
|
|
Year of birth |
|
1962 |
Position(s) held with Fund1 |
|
Trustee, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Class III |
Term of office1 and length of time served |
|
Since 2021 |
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years |
|
Senior Vice President, Fund Board Management, Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Officer and/or Trustee/Director of 131 funds associated with LMPFA or its affiliates (since 2015); President
and Chief Executive Officer of LMPFA (since 2015); formerly, Senior Managing Director (2018 to 2020) and Managing Director (2016 to 2018) of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (Legg Mason & Co.); Senior Vice President of LMPFA
(2015) |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Trustee (including the Fund) |
|
129 |
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years |
|
None |
|
|
|
Additional Officers |
|
|
|
|
Fred Jensen Franklin Templeton 620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY
10018 |
|
|
|
|
Year of birth |
|
1963 |
Position(s) held with Fund1 |
|
Chief Compliance Officer |
Term of office1 and length of time served |
|
Since 2021 |
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years |
|
Director - Global Compliance of Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (2006 to 2020); Director of Compliance, Legg Mason Office of the Chief
Compliance Officer (2006 to 2020); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of Legg Mason Global Asset Allocation (prior to 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group (prior to 2013); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of The
Reserve Funds (investment adviser, funds and broker-dealer) (2004) and Ambac Financial Group (investment adviser, funds and broker-dealer) (2000 to 2003) |
|
|
Jenna Bailey Franklin Templeton 100 First Stamford Place, 5th Floor, Stamford, CT
06902 |
|
|
|
|
Year of birth |
|
1978 |
Position(s) held with Fund1 |
|
Identity Theft Prevention Officer |
Term of office1 and length of time served |
|
Since 2021 |
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years |
|
Senior Compliance Analyst of Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Identity Theft Prevention Officer of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2015);
formerly, Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (2013 to 2020); Assistant Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (2011 to 2020) |
|
|
|
68 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund |
|
|
|
Additional Officers (contd) |
|
|
George P. Hoyt Franklin Templeton 100 First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT
06902 |
|
|
|
|
Year of birth |
|
1965 |
Position(s) held with Fund1 |
|
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer |
Term of office1 and length of time served |
|
Since 2021 |
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years |
|
Associate General Counsel of Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since
2020); formerly, Managing Director (2016 to 2020) and Associate General Counsel for Legg Mason & Co. and Assistant Secretary of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (2006 to 2020) |
|
|
Thomas C. Mandia** Franklin Templeton 100 First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT
06902 |
|
|
|
|
Year of birth |
|
1962 |
Position(s) held with Fund1 |
|
Senior Vice President |
Term of office1 and length of time served |
|
Since 2022 |
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years |
|
Senior Associate General Counsel of Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Secretary of LMPFA (since 2006); Assistant Secretary of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its
affiliates (since 2006); Secretary of LM Asset Services, LLC (LMAS) (since 2002) and Legg Mason Fund Asset Management, Inc. (LMFAM) (since 2013) (formerly registered investment advisers); formerly, Managing Director and
Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (2005 to 2020) and Assistant Secretary of certain funds in the fund complex (2006 to 2022) |
|
|
Christopher Berarducci Franklin Templeton 620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY
10018 |
|
|
|
|
Year of birth |
|
1974 |
Position(s) held with Fund1 |
|
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer |
Term of office1 and length of time served |
|
Since 2021 |
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years |
|
Vice President, Fund Administration and Reporting, Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Treasurer (since 2010) and Principal Financial Officer (since 2019) of certain funds associated with Legg
Mason & Co. or its affiliates; formerly, Managing Director (2020), Director (2015 to 2020), and Vice President (2011 to 2015) of Legg Mason & Co. |
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund |
|
69 |
Additional information
(unaudited) (contd)
Information about Trustees and
Officers
|
|
|
Additional Officers (contd) |
|
|
|
|
Jeanne M. Kelly Franklin Templeton 620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY
10018 |
|
|
|
|
Year of birth |
|
1951 |
Position(s) held with Fund1 |
|
Senior Vice President |
Term of office1 and length of time served |
|
Since 2021 |
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years |
|
U.S. Fund Board Team Manager, Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Senior Vice President of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2007); Senior Vice
President of LMPFA (since 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMAS and LMFAM (since 2015); formerly, Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (2005 to 2020); Senior Vice President of LMFAM (2013 to 2015) |
|
Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). |
* |
Effective August 16, 2021, Mr. Agdern became a Trustee. |
** |
Effective February 10, 2022, Mr. Mandia became a Senior Vice President. |
1 |
The Funds Board of Trustees is divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The terms
of office of the Class I, II and III Trustees expire at the Annual Meetings of Stockholders in the year 2022, year 2023 and year 2024, respectively, or thereafter in each case when their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The
Funds executive officers are chosen each year, to hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified. |
2 |
Ms. Trust is an interested person of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act because Ms. Trust is an
officer of LMPFA and certain of its affiliates. |
|
|
|
70 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund |
Annual chief executive officer and principal financial officer
certifications (unaudited)
The Funds Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has submitted to the NYSE the required
annual certification and the Fund also has included the Certifications of the Funds CEO and Principal Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the Funds Form
N-CSR filed with the SEC for the period of this report.
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund |
|
71 |
Other shareholder communications regarding accounting matters (unaudited)
The Funds Audit Committee has established guidelines and procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal
accounting controls or auditing matters (collectively, Accounting Matters). Persons with complaints or concerns regarding Accounting Matters may submit their complaints to the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). Persons who are
uncomfortable submitting complaints to the CCO, including complaints involving the CCO, may submit complaints directly to the Funds Audit Committee Chair. Complaints may be submitted on an anonymous basis.
The CCO may be contacted at:
Legg Mason & Co., LLC
Compliance Department
620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor
New York, New York 10018
Complaints may also be submitted by telephone at 1-800-742-5274. Complaints submitted through this number will be received by the CCO.
|
|
|
72 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund |
Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited)
Investment Objectives
The Funds primary
investment objective is to seek high current income. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek capital appreciation.
Principal Investment Policies and Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest across fixed income sectors and securities in seeking to deliver a well-diversified portfolio. Western Assets
investment process utilizes cross-sector correlations designed to seek optimized return potential and diversification benefit within the portfolio. In managing the portfolio, Western Asset will employ its top down macro view to drive decisions on
value, credit sectors, credit quality and duration, and its deep research experience and bottom-up analysis to make sector and security selections. Under current market conditions, the Fund anticipates it will
initially focus on shorter-duration and floating rate securities, which have lower sensitivity to higher interest rates. The Funds duration and mix of fixed and floating rate investments is subject to change over time. As market conditions
change, Western Asset will seek to dynamically rotate investments into sectors and securities that it believes to be undervalued from a fundamental perspective with an attractive return profile and away from investments that it believes to be
overvalued. The Fund will provide exposure to residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), both agency and non-agency, consistent with
its investment policies.
The Fund may invest in investment grade and below investment grade corporate debt securities (commonly referred to as either high
yield securities or junk bonds), senior loans, agency and non-agency RMBS and CMBS, government (i.e., sovereign) debt (including U.S. government obligations), floating rate securities, bank
loans, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), asset-backed securities (whose underlying asset classes include, but are not limited to, equipment leases, solar and student loans), private debt and mortgage whole loans. The Fund may
invest up to 15% of its Managed Assets in securities issued by CLOs, including up to 5% of its Managed Assets in equity securities issued by CLOs (i.e., subordinated or residual tranches of CLO securities). Although the Fund does not specifically
target covenant lite loans, the Fund may invest in covenant lite loans if market conditions result in loans having fewer covenants.
The Fund may not concentrate its
investments in any one industry. For purposes of this fundamental policy, non-agency RMBS and non-agency CMBS are considered to represent separate industries; as such,
the Fund may invest up to 25% of its Managed Assets in non-agency RMBS and, separately, up to 25% of its Managed Assets in non-agency CMBS.
The Fund may invest in foreign securities denominated either in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. Under normal market circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 70%
of its Managed Assets in U.S. securities and at least 80% of its Managed Assets in U.S. dollar-denominated investments. Investments in non-U.S. securities may include emerging market
|
|
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund |
|
73 |
Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited) (contd)
corporate, government and quasi-sovereign debt. The Fund considers a country to be an emerging market country, if, at the time of investment, it is represented in the
J.P. Morgan Emerging Market Bond Index Global or the J.P. Morgan Corporate Emerging Market Bond Index Broad or categorized by the World Bank in its annual categorization as middle- or low-income. Under normal
circumstances, the Fund will be invested in at least three countries (one of which may be the United States) and may invest up to 30% of its Managed Assets in foreign securities. The Fund may also invest in issuers with significant exposure to
foreign markets.
The Fund may invest in securities of any maturity. The maturity of a fixed income security is a measure of the time remaining until the final
payment on the security is due. The Fund may invest in securities of any duration. Duration is a measure the expected sensitivity of a securitys market price to changes in interest rates.
With respect to all of the securities in which the Fund may invest, the Fund may invest in securities rated below investment grade (that is, securities rated below the
Baa/BBB categories, or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable credit quality by Western Asset). These below investment grade securities that comprise the Funds portfolio are commonly referred to as either high yield securities
or junk bonds. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its Managed Assets in securities, including structured instruments such as mortgage backed securities and commercial mortgage backed securities, rated CCC or below (or, if unrated,
determined to be of comparable credit quality by Western Asset) at the time of investment. For this purpose, if a security is rated by multiple nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) and receives different
ratings, the Fund will treat the security as being rated in the highest rating category received from an NRSRO. If the credit rating on a security is downgraded or the credit quality of an asset or counterparty deteriorates, or if the duration of a
security is extended, Western Asset will decide whether to exit the position, including in the event such downgrade of one or more securities held by the Fund causes the Fund to exceed the 25% limit of the Funds Managed Assets in securities
rated CCC or below (or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable credit quality by Western Asset).
The Fund may engage in a variety of transactions using
derivatives, including without limitation futures, options, forwards, interest rate swaps and other swaps (including buying and selling credit default swaps and options on credit default swaps), foreign currency futures, forwards and options, and
futures contracts, warrants and other synthetic instruments that are intended to provide economic exposure to particular securities, assets or issuers or to be used as a hedging technique. The Fund may use one or more types of these instruments
within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Fund may also engage in a variety of transactions using derivatives in order
|
|
|
74 |
|
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund |
to change the investment characteristics of its portfolio (such as shortening or lengthening duration) and for other
purposes.
The Fund will not invest, either directly or indirectly through derivatives, in contingent capital securities (sometimes referred to as
CoCos).
The Fund may use leverage through borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions and/or the issuance of debt securities
(collectively, Borrowings), and through the issuance of preferred shares of beneficial interest (Preferred Shares). The Fund may use leverage through Borrowings in an aggregate amount of up to approximately 33 1/3% of the
Funds total assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (for these purposes, total net assets) immediately after such Borrowings. Furthermore, the Fund may use leverage through the issuance of
Preferred Shares in an aggregate amount of liquidation preference attributable to the Preferred Shares combined with the aggregate amount of any Borrowings of up to approximately 50% of the Funds total net assets immediately after such
issuance. In addition, the Fund may enter into derivative transactions with a leverage component.
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements and use
similar investment management techniques that may provide leverage, but which are not subject to the foregoing 33 1/3% limitation so long as the Fund has covered its commitment with respect to such techniques by segregating or earmarking liquid
assets, entering into offsetting transactions or owning positions covering related obligations.
The Fund may establish a standby credit facility as a temporary
measure for purposes of making distributions to shareholders in order to maintain its favorable tax status as a regulated investment company. In addition, the Fund may borrow for temporary, emergency or other purposes as permitted under the 1940
Act. Any such indebtedness would be in addition to the leverage limit on Borrowings of up to 33 1/3% of the Funds total net assets.
The Fund may purchase
securities under arrangements (called when-issued, delayed delivery, to be announced or forward commitment basis) where the securities will not be delivered or paid for immediately. The Fund will set aside assets to pay for these securities at the
time of the agreement.
Principal Risk Factors
There is no assurance that the Fund will meet its investment objectives. You may lose money on your investment in the Fund. The value of the Funds shares may go up
or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Market conditions, financial conditions of issuers represented in the Funds portfolio, investment strategies, portfolio management, and other factors affect the volatility of the Funds
shares. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
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Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited) (contd)
The following section includes a summary of the principal risks of investing in the Fund.
No History of Operations. The Fund is a newly organized, diversified, closed-end management investment company with no
operating history. The Fund does not have any historical financial statements or other meaningful operating or financial data on which potential investors may evaluate the Fund and its performance.
Limited Term Risk. Unless the limited term provision of the Funds Declaration of Trust is amended by shareholders in accordance with the Declaration of
Trust, or unless the Fund completes an Eligible Tender Offer and converts to perpetual existence, the Fund will dissolve on or about the Dissolution Date. The Fund is not a so called target date or life cycle fund whose asset
allocation becomes more conservative over time as its target date, often associated with retirement, approaches. In addition, the Fund is not a target term fund and thus does not seek to return its initial public offering price per
Common Share upon dissolution.
Investment and Market Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire
amount that you invest. An investment in our Common Shares is not intended to constitute a complete investment program and should not be viewed as such. The value of the Funds portfolio securities and other investments may move up or down,
sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. At any point in time, your securities may be worth less than your original investment. The Fund is primarily a long-term investment vehicle and should not be used for short-term trading.
Market Price Discount from Net Asset Value Risk. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount
to their net asset value. This characteristic is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that the Funds net asset value could decrease as a result of the Funds investment activities and may be greater for investors expecting to sell
their shares in a relatively short period following completion of any offering under this Prospectus. Although the value of the Funds net assets is generally considered by market participants in determining whether to purchase or sell shares,
whether investors will realize gains or losses upon the sale of the Common Shares depends upon whether the market price of the Common Shares at the time of sale is above or below the investors purchase price for the Common Shares. Because the
market price of the Common Shares is affected by factors such as net asset value, dividend or distribution levels (which are dependent, in part, on expenses), supply of and demand for the Common Shares, stability of distributions, trading volume of
the Common Shares, general market and economic conditions, and other factors beyond our control, the Fund cannot predict whether the Common Shares will trade at, below or above net asset value or at, below or above the offering price. The Fund is
designed primarily for long-term investors and you should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes.
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Portfolio Management Risk. The value of your investment may decrease if Western Assets judgment about the
quality, relative yield, value or market trends affecting a particular security, asset class, industry, sector or region, or about interest rates, is incorrect or does not produce the desired results, or if there are imperfections, errors or
limitations in the models, tools and data used by Western Asset. For example, high yield bonds tend to be more susceptible to credit downgrades and may be difficult to value, and Western Assets judgment about the relative yield or value of a
high yield security may be incorrect or subject to change. While Western Asset will seek to dynamically allocate the Funds portfolio to sectors and investments it considers undervalued and away from sectors and investments that it considers
overvalued, there is no assurance that such allocation will produce the desired results. In addition, Western Assets allocation process may result in limited allocation between sectors and investments if, in the opinion of Western Asset, any
such allocation would not produce the desired results given current market conditions. In addition, the Funds investment strategies or policies may change from time to time. Those changes may not lead to the results intended by Western Asset
and could have an adverse effect on the value or performance of the Fund.
Market and Interest Rate Risk. The market prices of the Funds securities and
assets may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. If the market prices of the Funds investments fall, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline. The market price of an investment may fall due to general market
conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, tariffs and trade disruptions, inflation, changes in interest or currency rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets or adverse investor sentiment. The market prices
of securities and assets may fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. For example, when interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities held by the Fund generally goes down, a risk that is particularly relevant given the
historically low interest rate levels. Generally, the longer the maturity or duration of a fixed income security, the greater the impact of a rise in interest rates on the securitys market price. Also, when interest rates decline, investments
made by the Fund may pay a lower interest rate, which would reduce the income received by the Fund.
Credit Risk. If an issuer or guarantor of a security held
by the Fund or a counterparty to a financial contract with the Fund defaults or its credit is downgraded, or is perceived to be less creditworthy, or if the value of the assets underlying a financial contract declines, the value of your investment
will typically decline. The Fund could be delayed or hindered in its enforcement of rights against an issuer, guarantor or counterparty. Subordinated securities are more likely to suffer a credit loss than
non-subordinated securities of the same issuer and will be disproportionately affected by a default, downgrade or perceived decline in creditworthiness.
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Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited) (contd)
High Yield (Junk) Bonds Risk. High yield bonds are generally subject to greater credit risks than higher-grade bonds, including the risk of default on
the payment of interest or principal. High yield bonds are considered speculative, typically have lower liquidity and are more difficult to value than higher grade bonds. High yield bonds tend to be volatile and more susceptible to adverse events,
credit downgrades and negative sentiments and may be difficult to sell at a desired price, or at all, during periods of uncertainty or market turmoil.
Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk. When market interest rates increase, the market values of mortgage-backed securities decline. At the same time,
mortgage re-financings and prepayments slow, which lengthens the effective duration of these securities. As a result, the negative effect of the interest rate increase on the market value of mortgage-backed
securities is usually more pronounced than it is for other types of fixed income securities, potentially increasing the volatility of the Fund. Conversely, when market interest rates decline, while the value of mortgage-backed securities may
increase, the rate of prepayment of the underlying mortgages also tends to increase, which shortens the effective duration of these securities. Mortgage-backed securities are also subject to the risk that underlying borrowers will be unable to meet
their obligations and the value of property that secures the mortgage may decline in value and be insufficient, upon foreclosure, to repay the associated loan. Investments in asset-backed securities are subject to similar risks.
Credit Risk Associated with Originators and Servicers of Residential and Commercial Mortgage Loans. A number of originators and servicers of residential and
commercial mortgage loans, including some of the largest originators and servicers in the residential and commercial mortgage loan market, have experienced serious financial difficulties, including some that are now subject to federal insolvency
proceedings. These difficulties have resulted from many factors, including increased competition among originators for borrowers, decreased originations by such originators of mortgage loans and increased delinquencies and defaults on such mortgage
loans, as well as from increases in claims for repurchases of mortgage loans previously sold by them under agreements that require repurchase in the event of breaches of representations regarding loan quality and characteristics. Furthermore, the
inability of the originator to repurchase such mortgage loans in the event of loan representation breaches or the servicer to repurchase such mortgage loans upon a breach of its servicing obligations also may affect the performance of related non-agency RMBS. Many of these originators and servicers are very highly leveraged. These difficulties may also increase the chances that these entities may default on their warehousing or other credit lines or
become insolvent or bankrupt thereby increasing both the likelihood that repurchase obligations will not be fulfilled and the potential for loss to holders of non-agency RMBS and subordinated security holders.
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Subprime Mortgage Market Risk. The residential mortgage market in the United States in the recent past experienced
difficulties that, should similar conditions occur in the future, may adversely affect the performance and market value of certain mortgages and mortgage-related securities. Delinquencies and losses on residential mortgage loans (especially subprime
and second-line mortgage loans) may increase, and a decline in or flattening of housing values may exacerbate such delinquencies and losses. Borrowers with adjustable rate mortgage loans are more sensitive to changes in interest rates, which affect
their monthly mortgage payments, and may be unable to secure replacement mortgages at comparably low interest rates. Any significant reduction in investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities or increase in investor yield
requirements may cause limited liquidity in the secondary market for mortgage-related securities, which could adversely affect the market value of mortgage-related securities. If the economy of the United States were to deteriorate, the incidence of
mortgage foreclosures, especially subprime mortgages, could increase, which may adversely affect the value of any MBS owned by the Fund.
Derivatives Risk.
Using derivatives can increase Fund losses and reduce opportunities for gains when market prices, interest rates, currencies, or the derivatives themselves behave in a way not anticipated by the Fund. Using derivatives also can have a leveraging
effect and increase Fund volatility. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Derivatives may not be available at the time or price desired, may be difficult to sell, unwind or
value, and the counterparty may default on its obligations to the Fund. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative and the credit risk of the counterparty to
the derivative transaction. The value of a derivative may fluctuate more than the underlying assets, rates, indices or other indicators to which it relates. Use of derivatives may have different tax consequences for the Fund than an investment in
the underlying asset or index, and those differences may affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. The U.S. government and foreign governments and their respective financial regulators are in the process of
adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements, among others. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation
of derivatives may make derivatives more costly, limit their availability or utility, otherwise adversely affect their performance or disrupt markets.
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Risks associated with the use of futures contracts include: (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market
value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the futures contract; (b) the possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract when desired; (c) the
inability to replace an expiring futures contract with an equivalent futures contract that |
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has a later expiration at the desired time and price; (d) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (e) Western Assets inability to predict correctly the direction of asset
prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates, the levels of indices or other indicators and other economic factors; and (f) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations. |
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When the Fund purchases an option, it may lose the total premium paid for it if the price of the underlying security or
other assets decreased, remained the same or failed to increase to a level at or beyond the exercise price (in the case of a call option) or increased, remained the same or failed to decrease to a level at or below the exercise price (in the case of
a put option). If a put or call option purchased by the Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund. To the extent that the Fund writes or sells an option, in particular a naked
option, if the decline or increase in the underlying asset is significantly below or above the exercise price of the written option, the Fund could experience a substantial loss. For the writer of a naked or uncovered call option, the potential loss
is unlimited. |
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Successful use of forward currency contracts depends on the portfolio managers skill in analyzing and predicting
currency values, among other factors. Forward currency contracts may substantially change the Funds exposure to changes in currency exchange rates and could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not perform as the portfolio manager
anticipates. There is no assurance that the portfolio managers use of forward currency contracts will be advantageous to the Fund or that the portfolio manager will hedge at an appropriate time. |
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Warrants are subject similar market risks as stocks, but may be more volatile in price. An investment in warrants may be
considered speculative. In addition, the value of a warrant does not necessarily commensurately with the value of the underlying securities and a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.
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Swap agreements used for hedging purposes may shift the Funds investment exposure from one type of investment to
another. For example, if an interest rate swap intended to be used as a hedge negates a favorable interest rate movement, the investment performance of the Fund would be worse than what it would have been if the Fund had not entered into the
interest rate swap. |
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Swap agreements involve heightened risks and may result in losses to the Fund. Swaps may be illiquid and difficult to
value, and may increase the aggregate market and credit risk to the Fund. For example, when the Fund sells credit protection on a debt security via a credit default swap, credit risk increases since the Fund has exposure to the issuer whose credit
is the subject of the swap, the counterparty to the swap, and in certain circumstances, the custodian of swap collateral. |
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The SEC has adopted new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, which will require a fund
that is not a limited derivatives user as described in Rule 18f-4(c)(4) to adopt a derivatives risk management program providing for specific items as required by the rule, including compliance
with a VaR test. The provisions of Rule 18f-4 will replace the 1940 Act cover requirements for reverse repurchase agreements, similar financing transactions and derivatives transactions discussed in this
Prospectus. Under Rule 18f-4(d), a fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions in reliance on the rule if the fund either (i) complies with the asset coverage
requirements of Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and combines the aggregate amount of indebtedness associated with all reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities
representing indebtedness when calculating its asset coverage ratio; or (ii) treats all reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions as derivatives transactions for all purposes under the rule. Compliance with Rule 18f-4 will be required by August 19, 2022. Following the compliance date, these requirements may limit the ability of the Fund to use derivatives and reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing
transactions as part of its investment strategies. These requirements may also increase the cost of the Funds investments in derivatives reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions, which could adversely affect the value
of your investment.
Investment in Loans Risk. Investments in loans are generally subject to the same risks as investments in other types of debt obligations,
including, among others, credit risk and interest rate risk, which are discussed above, and prepayment risk and extension risk, which are discussed below. In addition, in many cases loans are subject to the risks associated with below-investment
grade securities. This means loans are often subject to significant credit risks, including a greater possibility that the borrower will be adversely affected by changes in market or economic conditions and may default or enter bankruptcy. This risk
of default will increase in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase in interest rates (which will increase the cost of the borrowers debt service). Transactions in loans may settle on a delayed basis. As a result, the
proceeds from the sale of a loan may not be available to make additional investments. The Fund considers junior loans to be loans that have a junior position in an issuers capital structure. Because junior loans are unsecured and
subordinated and thus lower in priority of payment to senior loans, they are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and property securing the loan or debt, if any, may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after
giving effect to the senior secured obligations of the borrower. There are no limitations on the Funds investments in junior loans. Bank loans may not be considered securities and therefore, the Fund may not have the protections afforded by
U.S. federal securities laws with respect to such investments.
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CLOs Risk. CLOs issue securities in tranches with different payment characteristics and different credit ratings. The rated tranches of securities issued by CLOs
are generally assigned credit ratings by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. The subordinated (or residual) tranches do not receive ratings. Below investment grade tranches of CLO securities typically experience a
lower recovery rate and greater risk of loss or deferral or non-payment of interest than more senior tranches of the CLO. The riskiest portion of the capital structure of a CLO is the subordinated (or
residual) tranche, which bears the bulk of defaults from the loans in the CLO and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since it is partially protected from defaults, a senior
tranche from a CLO typically has higher ratings and lower yields than the underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the subordinated tranche, CLO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual
defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults and aversion to CLO securities as a class. The risks of an investment in a CLO depend largely on the
collateral and the tranche of the CLO in which the Fund invests.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. In addition to the risks described elsewhere with respect to
valuations and liquidity, fixed income securities, including high yield securities, are also subject to certain risks, including:
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Issuer RiskThe value of fixed income securities may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to
the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods and services. |
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Reinvestment RiskReinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Funds portfolio will decline if and
when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called fixed income securities at market interest rates that are below the portfolios current earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the Funds Common Share price or its
overall return. |
Covenant Lite Loans Risk. Covenant lite loans contain fewer maintenance covenants, or no maintenance covenants at all, than
traditional loans and may not include terms that allow the lender to monitor the financial performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached. This may expose the Fund to greater credit risk associated with the
borrower and reduce the Funds ability to restructure a problematic loan and mitigate potential loss. As a result, the Funds exposure to losses on such investments may be increased, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle.
Leverage Risk. The Funds use of leverage will magnify investment, market and certain other risks. Leverage involves risks and special considerations for
holders of the Common Shares including: the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of the
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Common Shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage; the risk that fluctuations in interest rates on borrowings and
short-term debt or in the dividend rates on any Preferred Shares that the Fund may pay will reduce the return to Common Shareholders or will result in fluctuations in the dividends paid on the Common Shares; the effect of leverage in a declining
market, which is likely to cause a greater decline in the net asset value of the Common Shares than if the Fund were not leveraged, which may result in a greater decline in the market price of the Common Shares; and when the Fund uses leverage, the
investment advisory fee payable by the Fund to LMPFA (and by LMPFA to Western Asset) will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage.
The use of borrowing,
reverse repurchase agreements and derivatives, as well as the issuance of Preferred Shares, creates leverage (i.e., a funds investment exposures exceed its net asset value). Leverage increases a funds losses when the value of its
investments (including derivatives) declines. Because many derivatives have a leverage component (i.e., a notional value in excess of the assets needed to establish or maintain the derivative position), adverse changes in the value or level of the
underlying asset, rate, or index may result in a loss substantially greater than the amount required to establish the derivative position.
Illiquidity Risk.
Some assets held by the Fund may be impossible or difficult to sell and some assets that the Fund wants to invest in may be impossible or difficult to purchase, particularly during times of market turmoil or due to adverse changes in the
conditions of a particular issuer. These illiquid assets may also be difficult to value. Markets may become illiquid when, for instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers or sellers or when dealers are unwilling or unable to make a market for
certain securities. As a general matter, dealers recently have been less willing to make markets for fixed income securities.
Foreign Investment and Emerging
Markets Risk. The Funds investments in securities of foreign issuers or issuers with significant exposure to foreign markets involve additional risk as compared to investments in U.S. securities or issuers with predominantly domestic
exposure, such as less liquid, less transparent, less regulated and more volatile markets. The value of the Funds investments may decline because of factors affecting the particular issuer as well as foreign markets and issuers generally, such
as unfavorable or unsuccessful government actions, reduction of government or central bank support, inadequate accounting standards, lack of information and political, economic, financial or social instability. To the extent the Fund focuses its
investments in a single country or only a few countries in a particular geographic region, economic, political, regulatory or other conditions affecting such country or region may have a greater impact on Fund performance relative to a more
geographically diversified Fund.
The risks of foreign investments are heightened when investing in issuers in emerging market countries. Emerging market countries
tend to have economic, political and legal
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systems that are less developed and are less stable than those of more developed countries. Less developed markets are more likely to experience problems with the
clearing and settling of trades and the holding of securities by banks, agents and depositories. Low trading volumes may result in a lack of liquidity and in extreme price volatility
Foreign Currency Risk. The value of investments denominated in foreign currencies increases or decreases as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the
U.S. dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile, and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions
of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls and speculation. The Fund may be unable or may choose not to hedge its foreign currency exposure.
Prepayment or Call Risk. Many issuers have a right to prepay their fixed income securities. Issuers may be more likely to prepay their securities if interest
rates fall. If this happens, the Fund would not benefit from the rise in the market price of the securities that normally accompanies a decline in interest rates, and would be forced to reinvest prepayment proceeds at a time when yields on
securities available in the market are lower than the yield on prepaid securities. The Fund may also lose any premium it paid to purchase the securities.
Extension Risk. When interest rates rise, repayments of fixed income securities, particularly asset- and mortgage- backed securities, may occur more slowly than
anticipated, extending the effective duration of these fixed income securities at below market interest rates and causing their market prices to decline more than they would have declined due to the rise in interest rates alone. This may cause the
Funds share price to be more volatile.
Valuation Risk. The sales price the Fund could receive for any particular portfolio investment may differ from
the Funds valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology.
The Funds ability to value its investments may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third party service providers. The
valuation of the Funds investments involves subjective judgment.
Market Events Risk. The market values of securities or other assets will fluctuate,
sometimes sharply and unpredictably, due to changes in general market conditions, overall economic trends or events, governmental actions or intervention, actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks, market disruptions caused
by trade disputes or other factors, political developments, investor sentiment, the global and domestic effects of a pandemic, and other factors that may or may not be related to the issuer of the security or other asset. Economies and financial
markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements,
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public health events, terrorism, natural disasters and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound
impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries directly affected, the value and liquidity of the Funds investments may be
negatively affected.
The rapid and global spread of a highly contagious novel coronavirus respiratory disease, designated
COVID-19, first detected in China in December 2019, has resulted in extreme volatility in the financial markets and severe losses; reduced liquidity of many instruments; restrictions on international and, in
some cases, local travel, significant disruptions to business operations (including business closures); strained healthcare systems; disruptions to supply chains, consumer demand and employee availability; and widespread uncertainty regarding the
duration and long-term effects of this pandemic. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic may result in a sustained
economic downturn or a global recession, domestic and foreign political and social instability, damage to diplomatic and international trade relations and increased volatility and/or decreased liquidity in the securities markets. The ultimate
economic fallout from the pandemic, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers, are not known. Certain risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and counterparty risk, may be heightened as
a result of such market events. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, are taking extraordinary actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets in response to
the COVID-19 pandemic, including by pushing interest rates to very low levels. This and other government intervention into the economy and financial markets to address the
COVID-19 pandemic may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The COVID-19
pandemic could adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Funds investments and negatively impact the Funds performance. In addition, the outbreak of COVID-19, and measures taken to mitigate
its effects, could result in disruptions to the services provided to the Fund by its service providers.
Cybersecurity Risk. Cybersecurity incidents, both
intentional and unintentional, may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, Fund or proprietary information, cause the Fund, Western Asset, the Sub-Advisers and/or their service providers to
suffer data breaches, data corruption or loss of operational functionality or prevent fund investors from purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares or receiving distributions. The Fund, Western Asset, and the
Sub-Advisers have limited ability to prevent or mitigate cybersecurity incidents affecting third party service providers, and such third party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to
the fund or the manager. Cybersecurity incidents may result in financial losses to the fund and its shareholders, and substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any future cybersecurity incidents. Issuers of securities in which
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the fund invests are also subject to cybersecurity risks, and the value of these securities could decline if the issuers experience cybersecurity incidents.
Operational risk. The valuation of the Funds investments may be negatively impacted because of the operational risks arising from factors such as processing
errors and human errors, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, failures in systems and technology, changes in personnel, and errors caused by third party service providers or trading counterparties. It is not possible to identify all
of the operational risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls that completely eliminate or mitigate the occurrence of such failures. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.
Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Funds annual portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year, as well as within a given year. Portfolio turnover
rate is not considered a limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions for the Fund. A higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund.
High portfolio turnover may result in an increased realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to Common Shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. Additionally, in a declining market, portfolio turnover
may create realized capital losses.
Anti-Takeover Provisions Risk. The Funds Declaration of Trust and Bylaws includes provisions that are designed to
limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund for short-term objectives, including by converting the Fund to open-end status or changing the composition of the Board, that may
be detrimental to the Funds ability to achieve its primary investment objective of seeking high current income. The Funds Declaration of Trust also contains a provision providing that the Fund is subject to the provisions of the Maryland
Control Share Acquisition Act. Such provisions may limit the ability of shareholders to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund. There can be no assurance,
however, that such provisions will be sufficient to deter activist investors that seek to cause the Fund to take actions that may not be aligned with the interests of long-term shareholders.
LIBOR Risk. The Funds investments, payment obligations, and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate, or
LIBOR, which is the offered rate for short-term Eurodollar deposits between major international banks. In 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced its intention to cease compelling banks to provide the
quotations needed to sustain LIBOR after 2021. ICE Benchmark Administration, the administrator of LIBOR, ceased publication of most LIBOR settings on a representative basis at the end of 2021 and is expected to cease publication of a majority of
U.S. dollar LIBOR settings on a representative basis after June 30, 2023. In
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addition, global regulators have announced that, with limited exceptions, no new LIBOR-based contracts should be entered
into after 2021. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies. Various financial industry groups have been planning for the transition away from LIBOR, but there remains
uncertainty regarding the nature of any replacement rate and the impact of the transition from LIBOR on the Funds transactions and the financial markets generally. The transition away from LIBOR may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity
in markets that rely on LIBOR and may adversely affect the Funds performance. The transition may also result in a reduction in the value of certain LIBOR-based investments held by the Fund or reduce the effectiveness of related transactions
such as hedges. Any such effects of the transition away from LIBOR, as well as other unforeseen effects, could result in losses for the Fund. Since the usefulness of LIBOR as a benchmark could also deteriorate during the transition period, effects
could occur at any time.
More Information
For a complete list of the Funds fundamental investment restrictions and more detailed descriptions of the Funds investment policies, strategies and risks,
see the Funds registration statement on Form N-2 that was declared effective by the SEC on June 24, 2021. The Funds fundamental investment restrictions may not be changed without the approval
of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as defined in the 1940 Act.
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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 Shares will be automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent for the shareholders (the Plan Agent), in additional Common Shares under the Funds 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.
In the case of a registered shareholder such as a broker, bank or other nominee (together, a nominee) that
holds Common Shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Common Shares certified by the nominee/record shareholder as representing the total amount registered in such
shareholders name and held for the account of beneficial owners who are to participate in the Plan. If your Common Shares are held through a nominee and are not registered with the Plan Agent, neither you nor the nominee will be participants
in or have distributions reinvested under the Plan. If you are a beneficial owner of Common Shares and wish to participate in the Plan, and your nominee is unable or unwilling to become a registered shareholder and a Plan participant on your behalf,
you may request that your nominee arrange to have all or a portion of your shares re-registered with the Plan Agent in your name so that you may be enrolled as a participant in the Plan. Please contact your
nominee for details or for other possible alternatives. Registered shareholders whose shares are registered in the name of one nominee firm may not be able to transfer the shares to another firm and continue to participate in the Plan.
If you participate in the Plan, the number of Common Shares you will receive will be determined as follows:
(1) If the market price of the Common Shares (plus $0.03 per share processing fee which includes any brokerage commission the Plan Agent is required to
pay) 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 Shares at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date,
the Fund will issue new Common Shares 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 Shares on the payment
date.
(2) If the net asset value per share of the Common Shares exceeds the market price of the Common Shares (plus $0.03 per share processing fee)
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 Shares 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
shareholders; except when necessary to comply with
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88 |
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Western Asset Diversified Income Fund |
applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price
(plus $0.03 per share processing fee) rises so that it equals or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Shares 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 Shares in the open market and the Fund will issue the remaining Common Shares 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.
Common Shares in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all
Common Shares you have received under the Plan.
You may withdraw from the Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the Plan Agent
through the Internet at www.computershare.com/investor, 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 prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such withdrawal will be effective as
soon as practicable after the Plan Agents investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Shares.
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 per share processing fees actually incurred from the proceeds (currently $0.05 per share, which includes any brokerage
commission the Plan Agent is required to pay). There is no service charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Shares. However, all participants will pay per share processing fees (currently $0.03 per share) incurred by the
Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares, this allows you to add to your investment through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the
average cost of your Common Shares over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for lowering the average cost per share over time if the Funds 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 Trustees, the change is warranted. The Plan may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to shareholders 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 Shares in your account less any applicable fees.
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Western Asset Diversified Income Fund |
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89 |
Dividend reinvestment plan
(unaudited) (contd)
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 Shares on your behalf. Additional information about the Plan and your account may be obtained from the Plan Agent through the Internet at www.computershare.com/investor, in writing 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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90 |
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Western Asset Diversified Income Fund |
Important tax information (unaudited)
By mid-February, tax information related to a shareholders proportionate share of distributions paid during the preceding
calendar year will be received, if applicable. Please also refer to www.franklintempleton.com for per share tax information related to any distributions paid during the preceding calendar year. Shareholders are advised to consult with their tax
advisors for further information on the treatment of these amounts on their tax returns.
The following tax information for the Fund is required to be furnished to
shareholders with respect to income earned and distributions paid during its tax period.
The Fund hereby reports the following amounts, or if subsequently
determined to be different, the maximum allowable amounts, for the tax period ended December 31, 2021:
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Pursuant to: |
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Amount Reported |
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Qualified Net Interest Income (QII) |
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§871(k)(1)(C) |
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$ |
14,123,366 |
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Section 163(j) Interest Earned |
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§163(j) |
|
$ |
27,959,640 |
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Western Asset Diversified Income Fund |
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91 |
Western Asset
Diversified Income Fund
Trustees
Robert D. Agdern*
Carol L. Colman
Daniel P. Cronin
Paolo M. Cucchi
William R. Hutchinson
Eileen A. Kamerick
Nisha Kumar
Jane Trust
Chairman
Officers
Jane Trust
President and Chief Executive Officer
Christopher Berarducci
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
Fred Jensen
Chief Compliance Officer
Jenna Bailey
Identity Theft Prevention Officer
George P. Hoyt
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Thomas C. Mandia**
Senior Vice President
Jeanne M. Kelly
Senior Vice President
* |
Effective August 16, 2021, Mr. Agdern became a Trustee. |
** |
Effective February 10, 2022, Mr. Mandia became a Senior Vice President. |
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund
620 Eighth Avenue
47th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Investment manager
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC
Subadviser
Western Asset Management Company, LLC
Western Asset Management Company
Limited
Western Asset Management Company Ltd
Western Asset Management Company
Pte. Ltd.
Custodian
The Bank of New York
Mellon
Transfer agent
Computershare Inc.
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
Independent registered public accounting firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, MD
Legal counsel
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
900 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
New York Stock Exchange Symbol
WDI
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, Franklin Distributors, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds. 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:
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Personal information included on applications or other forms; |
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Account balances, transactions, and mutual fund holdings and positions; |
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Bank account information, legal documents, and identity verification documentation; |
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Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses; and |
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Information received from consumer reporting agencies regarding credit history and creditworthiness (such as the amount of
an individuals total debt, payment history, etc.). |
How the Funds Use Nonpublic Personal Information About You
The Funds do not sell or share your nonpublic personal information with third parties or with affiliates for their marketing purposes, or with other
financial institutions or affiliates for joint marketing purposes, unless you have authorized the Funds to do so. The Funds do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you except as may be required to perform transactions or services
you have authorized or as permitted or required by law.
The Funds may disclose information about you to:
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Employees, agents, and affiliates on a need to know basis to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or
to comply with obligations to government regulators; |
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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 statistical analysis, market research and marketing services solely
for the Funds; |
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Permit access to transfer, whether in the United States or countries outside of the United States to such Funds
employees, agents and affiliates and service providers as required to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators; |
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The Funds representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary
business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators; |
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Fiduciaries or representatives acting on your behalf, such as an IRA custodian or trustee of a grantor trust.
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NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT |
Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (contd)
Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, companies acting on the Funds behalf,
including those outside the United States, 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, if you have questions about the Funds privacy practices, or our use of your nonpublic personal information, 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.franklintempleton.com, or contact the Fund at
1-888-777-0102.
Revised April 2018
Legg Mason California Consumer Privacy Act Policy
Although much of the personal information we collect is nonpublic personal information subject to federal law, residents of California may, in certain
circumstances, have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). For example, if you are a broker, dealer, agent, fiduciary, or representative acting by or on behalf of, or for, the account of any other person(s)
or household, or a financial advisor, or if you have otherwise provided personal
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NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT |
Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (contd)
information to us separate from the relationship we have with personal investors, the provisions
of this Privacy Policy apply to your personal information (as defined by the CCPA).
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In addition to the provisions of the Legg Mason Funds Security and Privacy Notice, you may have the right to know the
categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you. |
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You also have the right to request the deletion of the personal information collected or maintained by the Funds.
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If you wish to exercise any of the rights you have in respect of your personal information, you should advise the Funds by contacting them as set
forth below. The rights noted above are subject to our other legal and regulatory obligations and any exemptions under the CCPA. You may designate an authorized agent to make a rights request on your behalf, subject to the identification process
described below. We do not discriminate based on requests for information related to our use of your personal information, and you have the right not to receive discriminatory treatment related to the exercise of your privacy rights.
We may request information from you in order to verify your identity or authority in making such a request. If you have appointed an authorized agent to make a request
on your behalf, or you are an authorized agent making such a request (such as a power of attorney or other written permission), this process may include providing a password/passcode, a copy of government issued identification, affidavit or other
applicable documentation, i.e. written permission. We may require you to verify your identity directly even when using an authorized agent, unless a power of attorney has been provided. We reserve the right to deny a request submitted by an agent if
suitable and appropriate proof is not provided.
For the 12-month period prior to the date of this Privacy Policy, the Legg
Mason Funds have not sold any of your personal information; nor do we have any plans to do so in the future.
Contact Information
Address: Data Privacy Officer, 100 International Dr., Baltimore, MD 21202
Email: DataProtectionOfficer@franklintempleton.com
Phone: 1-800-396-4748
Revised October 2020
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NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT |
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund
620 Eighth Avenue
47th 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 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 as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds Forms N-PORT are available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
To obtain information on Form N-PORT, shareholders can call the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.
Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th
of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-777-0102, (2) at www.franklintempleton.com and (3) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Fund may be found on Franklin Templetons website,
which can be accessed at www.franklintempleton.com. Any reference to Franklin Templetons website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Fund and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate
Franklin Templetons website in this report.
This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset Diversified Income Fund 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
WASX647413 2/22 SR22-4361