|
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE
VALUE
|
Fund objectives
The Funds primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income which is exempt from regular federal income taxes*,
consistent with the preservation of capital. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund intends to enhance portfolio value by purchasing tax-exempt securities that, in the opinion of the investment manager,
may appreciate in value relative to other similar obligations in the marketplace.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests substantially all of
its assets in a diversified portfolio of tax-exempt securities that are rated investment grade at the time of purchase by at least one rating agency or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable credit
quality by the subadviser, and that the subadviser believes do not involve undue risk to income or principal.
*
|
Certain investors may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT), and state and local taxes will apply. Capital gains, if any,
are fully taxable. Please consult your personal tax or legal adviser.
|
|
|
|
II
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
Letter from the chairman
Dear Shareholder,
We are pleased to provide the annual report of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. for the twelve-month reporting period ended
November 30, 2019. Please read on for a detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Funds reporting period and to learn how those conditions have affected Fund performance.
As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the
support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our website, www.lmcef.com. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:
|
|
Fund prices and performance,
|
|
|
Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and
|
|
|
A host of educational resources.
|
We look
forward to helping you meet your financial goals.
Sincerely,
Jane Trust, CFA
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
December 31, 2019
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
III
|
Fund overview
Q. What is the Funds investment strategy?
A. The Funds primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income which is exempt from regular federal income taxes, consistent with the preservation of capital. As a secondary
investment objective, the Fund intends to enhance portfolio value by purchasing tax-exempt securities that, in the opinion of the Funds investment manager, may appreciate in value relative to other
similar obligations in the marketplace. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests substantially all of its assets in a diversified portfolio of tax-exempt securities that are rated investment grade at
the time of purchase by at least one rating agency or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable credit quality by the subadviser, and that the subadviser believes do not involve undue risk to income or principal. The Fund may invest up to 20% of
its net assets in securities rated below investment grade (commonly known as high yield or junk bonds) at the time of purchase. The Fund may use a variety of derivative instruments as part of its investment strategy, or for
hedging or risk management purposes.
At Western Asset Management Company, LLC (Western Asset), the Funds subadviser, we utilize a
fixed income team approach, with decisions derived from interaction among various investment management sector specialists. The sector teams are comprised of Western Assets senior portfolio management personnel, research analysts and an in-house economist. Under this team approach, management of client fixed income portfolios will reflect a consensus of interdisciplinary views within the Western Asset organization. The individuals responsible for
development of investment strategy, day-to-day portfolio management, oversight and coordination of the Fund are S. Kenneth Leech, Robert E. Amodeo and David T. Fare.
Q. What were the overall market conditions during the Funds reporting period?
A. Fixed income markets generally posted strong results over the twelve-month reporting period ended November 30, 2019. Spread
sectors (non-Treasuries) experienced periods of volatility as they were impacted by a number of factors, including moderating global growth, monetary policy tightening and then a dovish pivot by
the Federal Reserve Board (the Fed)i, the ongoing trade war
between the U.S. and China, uncertainties surrounding Brexit and numerous other geopolitical issues.
Both short- and long-term U.S. Treasury yields
declined during the reporting period. The yield for the two-year Treasury note began the reporting period at 2.80% (the peak for the reporting period) and ended the period at 1.61%. The low for the reporting
period was 1.39% on October 3, 2019. The yield for the ten-year Treasury began the reporting period at 3.01% (the peak for the reporting period) and ended the period at 1.78%. The low for the reporting
period was 1.47% on August 28, September 3 and September 4, 2019.
The municipal bond market produced a strong
absolute return but underperformed its taxable bond counterpart during the twelve-month reporting period. Over that time, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Indexii and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Indexiii returned 8.49% and 10.79%, respectively. Both the taxable and tax-free bond markets
were supported by declining interest rates. The tax-free market also benefited from generally solid investor demand.
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
1
|
Fund overview (contd)
Q. How did we respond to these changing market conditions?
A. We extended the Funds durationiv
during the reporting period. From a sector positioning perspective, we increased the Funds allocations to the Special Tax Obligation, Transportation and Leasing sectors, as well as State General Obligation bonds. In contrast, we reduced the
Funds exposures to the Health Care sector and Pre-Refundedv securities.
The Fund employed the use of U.S. Treasury futures during the reporting period to tactically manage duration. This strategy detracted from performance.
During the reporting period, we utilized leverage in the Fund. This contributed to performance over the Funds reporting period. We ended the
period with leverage from preferred shares as a percentage of gross assets of roughly 34% versus approximately 35% when the period began.
Performance review
For
the twelve months ended November 30, 2019, Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. returned 10.50% based on its net asset value (NAV)vi and 16.36% based on its New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) market price per share. The Funds unmanaged benchmark,
the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index, returned 8.49% for the same period. The Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt (Leveraged) Closed-End Funds Category Averagevii returned 11.61% over the same time frame. Please note that Lipper performance returns
are based on each funds NAV.
Certain investors may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, and state and local taxes will apply.
Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Please consult your personal tax or legal adviser.
During the twelve-month period, the Fund made distributions
to shareholders totaling $0.68 per share.* The performance table shows the Funds twelve-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of November 30, 2019. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
|
|
|
|
|
Performance Snapshot as
of November 30, 2019
|
|
Price Per Share
|
|
12-Month
Total Return**
|
|
$16.57 (NAV)
|
|
|
10.50
|
%
|
$15.12 (Market Price)
|
|
|
16.36
|
%
|
All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results.
*
|
For the tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019, please refer to page 41 of this report.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
** Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively. Returns reflect the deduction of all
Fund expenses, including management fees, operating expenses, and other Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares.
Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions at NAV.
Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions in additional shares in accordance with the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
Q. What were the leading contributors to performance?
A. The largest contributors to
the Funds relative performance during the reporting period were its sector allocation and security selection. Overweights to the Industrial Revenue and Leasing sectors, coupled with security selection in the Education and Hospital sectors, as
well as State and Local General Obligation bonds, were additive for results. Elsewhere, an underweight position in Local General Obligation bonds was beneficial.
The Funds quality biases also contributed to performance for the reporting period. In particular, overweights to municipal securities rated A and BBB, along with underweights to securities rated AA and AAA,
were positive for results, as lower rated issues outperformed their higher rated counterparts over the reporting period.
Q. What were
the leading detractors from performance?
A. The largest detractor from the Funds relative performance was duration positioning. Having
a duration that was shorter than that of the benchmark was a headwind for results as yields moved lower over the reporting period.
From a sector
perspective, an underweight to State General Obligation bonds, coupled with security selection in Transportation and Industrial Revenue sector bonds, were negative for performance.
Looking for additional information?
The Fund is traded under the symbol MNP and
its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available on-line under the symbol XMNPX on most financial websites. Barrons and the
Wall Street Journals Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide additional information. In addition, the Fund issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major
financial websites as well as www.lmcef.com (click on the name of the Fund).
In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund,
shareholders may call 1-888-777-0102 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, for the
Funds current NAV, market price and other information.
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
3
|
Fund overview (contd)
Thank you for your investment in Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. As always,
we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Funds investment goals.
Sincerely,
Western Asset Management Company, LLC
December 20, 2019
RISKS: The Fund is a diversified closed-end
management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance
that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Funds common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Similar to stocks, the Funds share price will fluctuate with market conditions and at the time of sale, may be worth
more or less than the original investment. Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value. Diversification does not assure against market loss. The Funds investments are
subject to a number of risks, including interest rate risk, credit risk, leveraging risk and management risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of the Funds fixed-income securities. The Fund may invest in lower-rated
high yield bonds or junk bonds, which are subject to greater liquidity and credit risk (risk of default) than higher rated obligations. Municipal securities purchased by the Fund may be adversely affected by changes in the financial
condition of municipal issuers and insurers, regulatory and political developments, uncertainties and public perceptions, and other factors. The Fund may use derivatives, such as options and futures, which can be illiquid, may disproportionately
increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies. To the extent it does, Fund stockholders will indirectly pay a portion of the operating costs of such
companies, in addition to the expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operation. Investing in securities issued by other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that invest primarily in
municipal securities, involves risks similar to those of investing directly in the securities in which those investment companies invest. Leverage may result in greater volatility of NAV and the market price of common shares and increases a
shareholders risk of loss.
The mention of sector breakdowns is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation
to purchase or sell any securities. The information provided regarding such sectors is not a sufficient basis upon which to make an investment decision. Investors seeking financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities
or investment strategies discussed should consult their financial professional. Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time and may not be representative of the portfolio managers current or future investments. The Funds
portfolio composition is subject to change at any time.
All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance
is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
|
|
|
4
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
The information provided is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or
investment advice. Views expressed may differ from those of the firm as a whole.
i
|
The Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) is responsible for the formulation of U.S. policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable
prices, and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments.
|
ii
|
The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is a market value weighted index of investment grade municipal bonds with maturities of one year or more.
|
iii
|
The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index is a broad-based bond index comprised of government, corporate, mortgage- and asset-backed issues, rated investment
grade or higher, and having at least one year to maturity.
|
iv
|
Duration is the measure of the price sensitivity of a fixed income security to an interest rate change of 100 basis points. Calculation is based on the weighted
average of the present values for all cash flows.
|
v
|
A pre-refunded bond is a bond in which the original security has been replaced by an escrow, usually consisting of
treasuries or agencies, which has been structured to pay principal and interest and any call premium, either to a call date (in the case of a pre-refunded bond), or to maturity (in the case of an escrowed to
maturity bond).
|
vi
|
Net asset value (NAV) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities, including liabilities associated with financial leverage (if any), from the
closing value of all securities held by the Fund (plus all other assets) and dividing the result (total net assets) by the total number of the common shares outstanding. The NAV fluctuates with changes in the market prices of securities in which the
Fund has invested. However, the price at which an investor may buy or sell shares of the Fund is the Funds market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Funds shares.
|
vii
|
Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the twelve-month period
ended November 30, 2019, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 60 funds in the Funds Lipper category.
|
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
5
|
Fund at a
glance (unaudited)
Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments
|
The bar graph above represents the composition of the Funds investments as of November 30, 2019 and November 30 2018. The Fund is
actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Funds investments is subject to change at any time.
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
Schedule of investments
November 30, 2019
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Municipal Bonds 151.0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alabama 2.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hoover, AL, IDA Revenue, United States Steel Corp. Project, Series 2019
|
|
|
5.750
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/49
|
|
|
$
|
200,000
|
|
|
$
|
215,708
|
(a)
|
Jefferson County, AL, Sewer Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subordinated Lien, Warrants, Series D
|
|
|
6.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/42
|
|
|
|
760,000
|
|
|
|
898,913
|
|
Subordinated Lien, Warrants, Series D
|
|
|
6.500
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/53
|
|
|
|
1,300,000
|
|
|
|
1,555,892
|
|
Lower Alabama Gas District, Natural Gas Revenue, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
9/1/46
|
|
|
|
850,000
|
|
|
|
1,198,389
|
|
Total Alabama
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,868,902
|
|
Alaska 1.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alaska State Housing Finance Corp. Revenue, State Capital Project II, Series B
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/39
|
|
|
|
245,000
|
|
|
|
300,630
|
|
Valdez, AK, Marine Terminal Revenue, BP Pipelines Inc. Project, Series C, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/21
|
|
|
|
2,150,000
|
|
|
|
2,231,786
|
|
Total Alaska
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,532,416
|
|
Arizona 3.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arizona State Lottery Revenue, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/29
|
|
|
|
260,000
|
|
|
|
338,754
|
|
Chandler, AZ, IDA Revenue, Intel Corp. Project
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/3/24
|
|
|
|
1,650,000
|
|
|
|
1,890,438
|
(a)(b)(c)
|
Navajo Nation, AZ, Revenue, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.500
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/30
|
|
|
|
275,000
|
|
|
|
312,785
|
(d)
|
Salt Verde, AZ, Financial Corp., Natural Gas Revenue, Series 2007
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/32
|
|
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
|
2,577,440
|
|
Total Arizona
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,119,417
|
|
California 21.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alameda, CA, Corridor Transportation Authority Revenue, Second Subordinated Lien, Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/34
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
590,550
|
|
Bay Area Toll Authority, CA, Toll Bridge Revenue, San Francisco Bay Area,
Series B-1, (SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 1.100%)
|
|
|
2.200
|
%
|
|
|
4/1/24
|
|
|
|
2,500,000
|
|
|
|
2,567,575
|
(b)(c)
|
California State MFA Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Lien, Linux Apartment Project, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/31/43
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
585,910
|
(a)
|
Senior Lien, Linux Apartment Project, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/31/47
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
583,280
|
(a)
|
California State PCFA Water Furnishing Revenue, Poseidon Resources Desalination Project
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/21/45
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,064,110
|
(a)(d)
|
California State, GO:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Various Purpose
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
4/1/43
|
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
|
|
3,341,130
|
|
Various Purpose, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/29
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
262,946
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
7
|
Schedule of investments (contd)
November 30, 2019
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
California continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eastern Municipal Water District Financing Authority, CA, Water & Wastewater Revenue,
Series D
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/47
|
|
|
$
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,202,330
|
|
Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp. Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tobacco Settlement Funded, Series A-1, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/1/47
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
514,455
|
|
Tobacco Settlement Funded, Series A-2, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/1/47
|
|
|
|
550,000
|
|
|
|
565,901
|
|
Los Angeles County, CA, MTA, Sales Tax Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transit Improvements, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/37
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,259,170
|
|
Transit Improvements, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/44
|
|
|
|
400,000
|
|
|
|
492,144
|
|
Los Angeles County, CA, Public Works Financing Authority, Multiple Capital Projects II
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
8/1/30
|
|
|
|
2,500,000
|
|
|
|
2,752,325
|
|
Los Angeles, CA, Department of Airports Revenue, Los Angeles International Airport, Subordinated, Series
D
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
5/15/49
|
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
|
1,797,480
|
(a)
|
Los Angeles, CA, Department of Water & Power, Power System Revenue, Power System, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/47
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,191,390
|
|
Lower Tule River, CA, Irrigation District Revenue, COP, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
8/1/40
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,022,160
|
|
Morongo Band of Mission Indians, CA, Revenue, Tribal Economic Development, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/42
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
|
143,630
|
(d)
|
M-S-R Energy Authority, CA, Natural Gas
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series B
|
|
|
7.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/1/34
|
|
|
|
2,490,000
|
|
|
|
3,786,045
|
|
Series C
|
|
|
6.500
|
%
|
|
|
11/1/39
|
|
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
|
3,099,760
|
|
Rancho Cucamonga, CA, RDA, Rancho Redevelopment Project Area, AGM
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
9/1/30
|
|
|
|
750,000
|
|
|
|
870,037
|
|
River Islands, CA, Public Financing Authority, Special Tax Revenue, Community Facilities District No. 2003-1, Refunding
|
|
|
5.500
|
%
|
|
|
9/1/45
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
542,440
|
|
Riverside County, CA, Transportation Commission Toll Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Lien, Series A
|
|
|
5.750
|
%
|
|
|
6/1/44
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
111,859
|
|
Senior Lien, Series A
|
|
|
5.750
|
%
|
|
|
6/1/48
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
223,342
|
|
Riverside, CA, Electric Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/38
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
315,125
|
|
Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/48
|
|
|
|
750,000
|
|
|
|
925,995
|
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
8
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
California continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
San Bernardino, CA, USD Revenue, COP, 2019 School Financing Project, AGM
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/38
|
|
|
$
|
300,000
|
|
|
$
|
369,381
|
|
San Diego County, CA, Regional Transportation Commission, Sales Tax Revenue, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
4/1/48
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,179,730
|
|
Stockton, CA, PFA Wastewater Revenue, Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2019
|
|
|
1.400
|
%
|
|
|
6/1/22
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
199,826
|
|
Tobacco Securitization Authority of Southern California Revenue, Asset Backed Refunding, Class 1,
Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/1/48
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
354,894
|
|
Tulare, CA, Sewer Revenue, Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/15/41
|
|
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
|
2,346,560
|
|
Total California
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,261,480
|
|
Colorado 6.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base Village Metropolitan District #2, CO,
GO, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.750
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/46
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
526,405
|
|
Colliers Hill Metropolitan District #2, CO, GO, Senior Bonds, Series A
|
|
|
6.250
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/37
|
|
|
|
750,000
|
|
|
|
785,790
|
|
Colorado State Health Facilities Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commonspirit Health Project, Series A-1
|
|
|
4.000
|
%
|
|
|
8/1/44
|
|
|
|
600,000
|
|
|
|
646,428
|
|
Sisters of Charity Leavenworth Health System Inc., Series B
|
|
|
5.250
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/25
|
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
|
1,504,755
|
|
Colorado State High Performance Transportation Enterprise Revenue, C-470 Express
Lanes
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/31/51
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
218,794
|
|
Public Authority for Colorado Energy, Natural Gas Purchase Revenue
|
|
|
6.500
|
%
|
|
|
11/15/38
|
|
|
|
4,000,000
|
|
|
|
6,074,240
|
|
Total Colorado
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,756,412
|
|
Connecticut 1.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connecticut State Special Tax Revenue, Transportation Infrastructure, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/37
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
601,105
|
|
Connecticut State, GO:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A
|
|
|
4.000
|
%
|
|
|
4/15/37
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
565,225
|
|
Series E
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/15/34
|
|
|
|
270,000
|
|
|
|
320,080
|
|
Harbor Point, CT, Infrastructure Improvement District, Special Obligation Revenue, Harbor Point Project Ltd.,
Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
4/1/39
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
282,082
|
(d)
|
University of Connecticut, Student Fee Revenue, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/15/43
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,208,680
|
|
Total Connecticut
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,977,172
|
|
Delaware 0.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Delaware State Health Facilities Authority Revenue, Beebe Medical Center Project
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/1/48
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
584,865
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
9
|
Schedule of investments (contd)
November 30, 2019
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
District of Columbia 0.7%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
District of Columbia Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ingleside Rock Creek Project, Series A
|
|
|
4.125
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/27
|
|
|
$
|
200,000
|
|
|
$
|
210,058
|
|
KIPP DC Issue, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/37
|
|
|
|
800,000
|
|
|
|
945,776
|
|
Total District of Columbia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,155,834
|
|
Florida 8.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Broward County, FL, Airport System Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2017
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/47
|
|
|
|
350,000
|
|
|
|
409,430
|
(a)
|
Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/45
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,137,100
|
(a)
|
Capital Trust Agency Inc., FL, Senior Living Facilities Revenue, Elim Senior Housing Inc.
|
|
|
5.875
|
%
|
|
|
8/1/52
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
104,534
|
(d)
|
Florida State Development Finance Corp., Educational Facilities Revenue, Renaissance Charter School Inc. Projects,
Series A
|
|
|
6.125
|
%
|
|
|
6/15/46
|
|
|
|
160,000
|
|
|
|
175,170
|
(d)
|
Florida State Mid-Bay Bridge Authority Revenue, First Senior Lien, Series A,
Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/40
|
|
|
|
740,000
|
|
|
|
836,792
|
|
Greater Orlando, FL, Aviation Authority, Airport Facilities Revenue, Priority Subordinated,
Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/42
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
588,860
|
(a)
|
Miami-Dade County, FL, Aviation Revenue, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/41
|
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
|
|
3,531,540
|
|
Miami-Dade County, FL, Expressway Authority Toll System Revenue, Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/24
|
|
|
|
1,250,000
|
|
|
|
1,441,037
|
|
Miami-Dade County, FL, GO, Seaport, Series C, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/23
|
|
|
|
2,315,000
|
|
|
|
2,475,869
|
|
Miami-Dade County, FL, Health Facilities Authority, Hospital Revenue, Nicklaus Childrens Hospital,
Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
8/1/42
|
|
|
|
350,000
|
|
|
|
412,710
|
|
Miami-Dade County, FL, School District, GO
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
3/15/30
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,229,020
|
|
Orange County, FL, Health Facilities Authority Revenue, Presbyterian Retirement Communities, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
8/1/47
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
276,535
|
|
Volusia County, FL, EFA Revenue, Educational Facilities Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Inc. Project,
Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/15/42
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,165,240
|
|
Total Florida
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,783,837
|
|
Georgia 1.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Main Street Natural Gas Inc., GA, Gas Project
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
5/15/43
|
|
|
|
650,000
|
|
|
|
769,035
|
|
Series C
|
|
|
4.000
|
%
|
|
|
3/1/50
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,129,640
|
(c)(e)
|
Total Georgia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,898,675
|
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
10
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Illinois 15.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chicago, IL, Board of Education, Dedicated Capital Improvement, Special Tax Revenue
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
4/1/42
|
|
|
$
|
500,000
|
|
|
$
|
568,735
|
|
Chicago, IL, Board of Education, GO:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dedicated, Series G, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/44
|
|
|
|
330,000
|
|
|
|
369,293
|
|
Series D
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/46
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
282,220
|
|
Chicago, IL, GO:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2002B
|
|
|
5.500
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/37
|
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
|
67,739
|
|
Series 2005D, Refunding
|
|
|
5.500
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/34
|
|
|
|
950,000
|
|
|
|
1,077,737
|
|
Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/44
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
112,654
|
|
Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
6.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/38
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
601,205
|
|
Series C, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/25
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,120,520
|
|
Chicago, IL, OHare International Airport Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Senior Lien, Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/41
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
289,515
|
|
Senior Lien, Series D
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/47
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
584,305
|
|
Senior Lien, Series D
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/52
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
582,370
|
|
Series C
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/35
|
|
|
|
2,200,000
|
|
|
|
2,495,108
|
(a)
|
Trips Obligated Group
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/48
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
232,530
|
(a)
|
Chicago, IL, Transit Authority, Sales Tax Receipts Revenue, Second Lien
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/51
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
280,340
|
|
Chicago, IL, Wastewater Transmission Revenue, Second Lien, Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/38
|
|
|
|
750,000
|
|
|
|
858,900
|
|
Chicago, IL, Waterworks Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Lien Project
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/1/34
|
|
|
|
800,000
|
|
|
|
899,048
|
|
Second Lien Project
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/1/39
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
555,255
|
|
Illinois State Sports Facilities Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State Tax Supported, Series 2019, Refunding, BAM
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/15/30
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
301,365
|
|
State Tax Supported, Series 2019, Refunding, BAM
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/15/30
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
305,388
|
|
Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Senior Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/31
|
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
|
1,760,340
|
|
Illinois State University Revenue, Auxiliary Facilities System, Series A, Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
4/1/37
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
117,360
|
|
Illinois State, GO:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2016
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/33
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
555,385
|
|
Series 2016
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/1/33
|
|
|
|
650,000
|
|
|
|
729,898
|
|
Series 2016
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/35
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
276,800
|
|
Series 2016, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
2/1/29
|
|
|
|
440,000
|
|
|
|
500,856
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
11
|
Schedule of investments (contd)
November 30, 2019
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Illinois continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/42
|
|
|
$
|
600,000
|
|
|
$
|
667,998
|
|
Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/29
|
|
|
|
1,300,000
|
|
|
|
1,510,457
|
|
Series C
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/1/29
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
341,676
|
|
Series D
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/1/26
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
342,192
|
|
Series D
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/1/27
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
575,810
|
|
Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, IL, Dedicated State Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series A, CAB, State Appropriations
|
|
|
0.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/15/52
|
|
|
|
900,000
|
|
|
|
254,556
|
|
McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series B-2, Refunding, State
Appropriations
|
|
|
5.200
|
%
|
|
|
6/15/50
|
|
|
|
970,000
|
|
|
|
981,233
|
|
McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series B-2, Refunding, State
Appropriations
|
|
|
5.250
|
%
|
|
|
6/15/50
|
|
|
|
215,000
|
|
|
|
217,548
|
|
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, IL, GO, Green Bond, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/44
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,119,500
|
|
Regional Transportation Authority, IL, GO, Series A, Refunding, NATL
|
|
|
6.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/29
|
|
|
|
1,300,000
|
|
|
|
1,684,384
|
|
University of Illinois, COP, Series C, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
3/15/24
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,146,740
|
|
Total Illinois
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,366,960
|
|
Indiana 2.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Revenue, Indiana University Health, Series B
|
|
|
2.250
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/25
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
311,415
|
(b)(c)
|
Indiana State Finance Authority Hospital Revenue, Indiana University Health Obligated Group, Series B,
Refunding
|
|
|
1.650
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/22
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
251,482
|
(b)(c)
|
Indianapolis, IN, Local Public Improvement Bond Bank:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Courthouse and Jail Project, Series A
|
|
|
4.000
|
%
|
|
|
2/1/44
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
557,180
|
|
Courthouse and Jail Project, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
2/1/54
|
|
|
|
750,000
|
|
|
|
908,040
|
|
Series K
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/1/27
|
|
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
|
2,104,160
|
|
Total Indiana
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,132,277
|
|
Iowa 0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Iowa State Finance Authority Midwestern Disaster Area Revenue, Iowa Fertilizer Company Project,
Refunding
|
|
|
3.125
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/22
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
202,596
|
|
Kentucky 1.0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kentucky State PEA, Gas Supply Revenue, Series B
|
|
|
4.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/25
|
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
|
1,657,695
|
(b)(c)
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
12
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Louisiana 2.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parish of St. John the Baptist, LA, State Revenue, Marathon Oil Corp. Project, Refunding
|
|
|
2.200
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/26
|
|
|
$
|
350,000
|
|
|
$
|
351,057
|
(b)(c)
|
Port New Orleans, LA, Board of Commissioners Revenue, Series B, Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
4/1/43
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
586,475
|
(a)
|
Shreveport, LA, Water & Sewer Revenue, Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/34
|
|
|
|
2,080,000
|
|
|
|
2,429,523
|
|
Total Louisiana
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,367,055
|
|
Maryland 0.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prince Georges County, MD, Consolidated Public Improvement Bonds, GO, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/15/29
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
655,515
|
|
Massachusetts 5.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Massachusetts State Clean Water Trust, Unrefunded Balance, MWRA Project, Subordinated Series A
|
|
|
5.750
|
%
|
|
|
8/1/29
|
|
|
|
355,000
|
|
|
|
356,235
|
|
Massachusetts State Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Highway System Revenue, Series A,
Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/34
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,247,820
|
|
Massachusetts State DFA Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
International Charter School
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
4/15/40
|
|
|
|
1,875,000
|
|
|
|
2,019,675
|
|
UMass Boston Student Housing Project
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/48
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
225,670
|
|
Wellforce Issue, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/44
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
293,668
|
|
Massachusetts State Port Authority Revenue, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/36
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
620,835
|
(a)
|
Massachusetts State, GO, Consolidated Loan, Series C
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
5/1/49
|
|
|
|
2,750,000
|
|
|
|
3,390,447
|
|
Total Massachusetts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,154,350
|
|
Michigan 2.7%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Detroit, MI, Downtown Development Authority Revenue, Catalyst Development, Series A, Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/43
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
332,988
|
|
Detroit, MI, Water & Sewage Department, Disposal System Revenue, Senior Lien, Series A,
Refunding
|
|
|
5.250
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/39
|
|
|
|
405,000
|
|
|
|
438,457
|
|
Great Lakes, MI, Water Authority Water Supply System Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Lien, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/46
|
|
|
|
1,300,000
|
|
|
|
1,518,634
|
|
Senior Lien, Series C, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/35
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
176,970
|
|
Michigan State Finance Authority Limited Obligation Revenue, Higher Education, Thomas M Cooley Law School Project,
Refunding
|
|
|
6.750
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/44
|
|
|
|
350,000
|
|
|
|
367,906
|
(d)
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
13
|
Schedule of investments (contd)
November 30, 2019
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Michigan continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Facilities Program, Series 1-A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.250
|
%
|
|
|
10/15/47
|
|
|
$
|
250,000
|
|
|
$
|
281,580
|
|
Local Government Loan Program, Detroit Water & Sewer Department, Senior Lien, Great Lakes Water
Authority & Sewer, Series C-1, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/44
|
|
|
|
380,000
|
|
|
|
408,033
|
|
Local Government Loan Program, Detroit Water & Sewer Department, Senior Lien, Great Lakes Water
Authority & Sewer, Series C-6, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/33
|
|
|
|
370,000
|
|
|
|
421,160
|
|
Michigan State Strategic Fund Limited Obligation Revenue, I-75 Improvement
Project
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/31/43
|
|
|
|
400,000
|
|
|
|
475,820
|
(a)
|
Total Michigan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,421,548
|
|
Missouri 1.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kansas City, MO, IDA, Airport System Revenue, Kansas City International Airport Terminal Modernization Project, Series
B
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
3/1/46
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,192,550
|
(a)
|
Kansas City, MO, IDA, Senior Living Facilities Revenue, Kingswood Project
|
|
|
6.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/15/51
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
260,397
|
(d)
|
Missouri State HEFA Revenue, Lutheran Senior Service Projects, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
2/1/42
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
168,530
|
|
St. Louis County, MO, IDA, Senior Living Facilities Revenue, Friendship Village, St. Louis Obligated Group, Series
A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
9/1/38
|
|
|
|
350,000
|
|
|
|
393,729
|
|
Total Missouri
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,015,206
|
|
New Jersey 11.9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, NJ, Luxury Tax Revenue, Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/1/27
|
|
|
|
240,000
|
|
|
|
270,214
|
|
New Jersey State EDA Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cigarette Tax, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/15/29
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
532,695
|
|
Private Activity-The Goethals Bridge Replacement Project
|
|
|
5.375
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/43
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,118,610
|
(a)
|
Provident Group - Rowan Properties LLC, Rowan University Housing Project
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/48
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
536,495
|
|
School Facilities Construction, Series I, Refunding, State Appropriations (SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield +
1.600%)
|
|
|
2.700
|
%
|
|
|
3/1/28
|
|
|
|
2,500,000
|
|
|
|
2,509,325
|
(c)
|
New Jersey State EDA, Special Facility Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continental Airlines Inc. Project
|
|
|
5.250
|
%
|
|
|
9/15/29
|
|
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
|
2,180,620
|
(a)
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
14
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
New Jersey continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Port Newark Container Terminal LLC Project, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/37
|
|
|
$
|
175,000
|
|
|
$
|
202,979
|
(a)
|
New Jersey State EFA Revenue, Stevens Institute of Technology, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/42
|
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
|
|
3,532,680
|
|
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hackensack Meridian Health, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/38
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
119,861
|
|
RWJ Barnabas Health Obligation Group, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/43
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
352,662
|
|
New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Revenue, Transportation Program, State Appropriations, Series
AA
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/15/38
|
|
|
|
6,000,000
|
|
|
|
6,385,020
|
|
New Jersey State Turnpike Authority Revenue, Series G, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/35
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,222,430
|
|
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., NJ, Revenue, Senior, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/1/46
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
227,226
|
|
Total New Jersey
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,190,817
|
|
New York 18.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MTA, NY, Dedicated Tax Fund Revenue, Green Bonds, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/15/47
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
593,455
|
|
Nassau County, NY, Industrial Development Agency, Continuing Care Retirement Community Revenue, Amsterdam at Harborside,
Series C
|
|
|
2.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/49
|
|
|
|
73,950
|
|
|
|
12,017
|
*
|
New York City, NY, Water & Sewer System Revenue, Second General Resolution Fiscal 2011, Series
BB
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/15/31
|
|
|
|
4,850,000
|
|
|
|
4,950,540
|
|
New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Court Facilities Lease, NYC Issue, Series A, AMBAC
|
|
|
5.500
|
%
|
|
|
5/15/30
|
|
|
|
3,365,000
|
|
|
|
4,545,610
|
|
New School, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/35
|
|
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
|
2,317,140
|
|
New York State Dormitory Authority, Sales Tax Revenue, Group 4, Series E, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
3/15/44
|
|
|
|
850,000
|
|
|
|
1,035,963
|
|
New York State Dormitory Authority, State Personal Income Tax Revenue, Bidding Group 4, Series A,
Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
3/15/46
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,220,810
|
|
New York State Liberty Development Corp., Liberty Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 World Trade Center Project, Class 1, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/15/44
|
|
|
|
490,000
|
|
|
|
541,406
|
(d)
|
4 World Trade Center Project, Refunding
|
|
|
5.750
|
%
|
|
|
11/15/51
|
|
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
|
2,168,420
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
15
|
Schedule of investments (contd)
November 30, 2019
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
New York continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park Project, Series 2019, Refunding
|
|
|
2.450
|
%
|
|
|
9/15/69
|
|
|
$
|
500,000
|
|
|
$
|
502,655
|
|
New York State Transportation Development Corp., Special Facilities Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Airlines Inc., John F. Kennedy International Airport Project, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
8/1/31
|
|
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
|
2,090,640
|
(a)
|
Delta Air Lines Inc., LaGuardia Airport Terminals C and D Redevelopment Project
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/31
|
|
|
|
1,100,000
|
|
|
|
1,318,372
|
(a)
|
LaGuardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment Project, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/41
|
|
|
|
2,250,000
|
|
|
|
2,494,620
|
(a)
|
LaGuardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment Project, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/46
|
|
|
|
400,000
|
|
|
|
441,792
|
(a)
|
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Revenue, Consolidated Series 166, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/15/41
|
|
|
|
4,750,000
|
|
|
|
4,931,830
|
|
Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, NY, Revenue, General-MTA
Bridges & Tunnels, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/15/43
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
303,373
|
|
Total New York
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,468,643
|
|
North Carolina 5.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charlotte, NC, Airport Revenue, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/49
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
614,790
|
|
Charlotte, NC, Lease Revenue, COP, Convention Facility Project, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
4.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/1/49
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
278,780
|
|
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority, NC, Healthcare System Revenue, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/15/31
|
|
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
|
|
5,354,500
|
|
North Carolina State Limited Obligation Revenue, Series A
|
|
|
4.000
|
%
|
|
|
5/1/34
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,160,400
|
|
North Carolina State Turnpike Authority, Triangle Expressway System Revenue, Senior Lien, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/30
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
119,964
|
|
North Carolina State Turnpike Authority, Monroe Expressway Toll Revenue, Series A, Refunding, State
Appropriations
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/47
|
|
|
|
750,000
|
|
|
|
850,995
|
|
Total North Carolina
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,379,429
|
|
Ohio 3.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Northeast, OH, Regional Sewer District, Waste Water Improvement Revenue
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/15/43
|
|
|
|
4,040,000
|
|
|
|
4,571,947
|
(f)
|
Ohio State Air Quality Development Authority Revenue, American Electric Company Project, Series B,
Refunding
|
|
|
2.500
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/29
|
|
|
|
450,000
|
|
|
|
455,926
|
(a)(b)(c)
|
Total Ohio
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,027,873
|
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
16
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Oklahoma 0.0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payne County, OK, EDA Revenue, Epworth Living at The Ranch, Series A
|
|
|
6.875
|
%
|
|
|
11/1/46
|
|
|
$
|
99,820
|
|
|
$
|
829
|
*(g)
|
Oregon 1.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Multnomah County, OR, School District No 7, Reynolds, GO, Deferred Interest, Series B, School Bond
Guaranty
|
|
|
0.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/15/31
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
686,840
|
|
Oregon State Facilities Authority Revenue, Legacy Health Project, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/1/46
|
|
|
|
600,000
|
|
|
|
696,654
|
|
Yamhill County, OR, Hospital Authority Revenue, Friendsview Retirement Community, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/15/46
|
|
|
|
475,000
|
|
|
|
524,733
|
|
Total Oregon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,908,227
|
|
Pennsylvania 9.7%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allegheny County, PA, HDA Revenue, University Pittsburgh Medical Center, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
4.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/15/38
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
557,085
|
|
Central Bradford Progress Authority, PA, Guthrie Healthcare Systems
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/26
|
|
|
|
5,130,000
|
|
|
|
5,510,954
|
(f)
|
Commonwealth Financing Authority, PA, Tobacco Master Settlement Payment Revenue, Series 2018
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/1/33
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
305,173
|
|
Cumberland County, PA, Municipal Authority Revenue, Diakon Lutheran Ministries Project
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/29
|
|
|
|
750,000
|
|
|
|
837,945
|
|
East Hempfield Township, PA, IDA Revenue, Student Services Inc. Student Housing Project - Millersville
University
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/47
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
273,243
|
|
Pennsylvania State Economic Development Financing Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Revenue, Waste Management Inc.
Project
|
|
|
2.150
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/24
|
|
|
|
350,000
|
|
|
|
354,231
|
(a)(b)(c)
|
Pennsylvania State Economic Development Financing Authority, Sewage Sludge Disposal Revenue, Philadelphia Biosolids
Facility
|
|
|
6.250
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/32
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
508,815
|
|
Pennsylvania State, GO, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/15/30
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,280,020
|
|
Philadelphia, PA, Airport Revenue, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/15/35
|
|
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
|
2,285,640
|
(a)
|
Philadelphia, PA, Authority for IDR:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
City Service Agreement Revenue, Rebuild Project
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
5/1/35
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
304,845
|
|
City Service Agreement Revenue, Rebuild Project
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
5/1/38
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
604,375
|
|
Lease Revenue, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/30
|
|
|
|
350,000
|
|
|
|
452,210
|
|
Philadelphia, PA, GO, Series B
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
2/1/38
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
307,867
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
17
|
Schedule of investments (contd)
November 30, 2019
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Pennsylvania continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
School District Philadelphia, PA, GO, Series A, State Aid Withholding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
9/1/32
|
|
|
$
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,157,330
|
|
State Public School Building Authority, PA, Lease Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philadelphia School District Project, Series A, Refunding, AGM, State Aid Withholding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/1/31
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
235,856
|
|
Philadelphia School District Project, Series A, Refunding, AGM, State Aid Withholding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
6/1/33
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
586,965
|
|
Total Pennsylvania
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,562,554
|
|
Puerto Rico 1.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Puerto Rico Commonwealth Aqueduct & Sewer Authority Revenue, Senior Lien, Series A
|
|
|
5.250
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/42
|
|
|
|
1,150,000
|
|
|
|
1,203,187
|
|
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/42
|
|
|
|
400,000
|
|
|
|
307,000
|
*(g)
|
Series A
|
|
|
5.050
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/42
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
76,750
|
*(g)
|
Series XX
|
|
|
5.250
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/40
|
|
|
|
890,000
|
|
|
|
683,075
|
*(g)
|
Total Puerto Rico
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,270,012
|
|
South Carolina 0.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Carolina State Ports Authority Revenue, Series 2018
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/36
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
602,855
|
(a)
|
South Dakota 0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Dakota State HEFA Revenue, Regional Health
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
9/1/40
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
235,836
|
|
Tennessee 2.0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tennessee State Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2018
|
|
|
4.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/1/25
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,113,720
|
(b)(c)
|
Series C
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
2/1/21
|
|
|
|
2,025,000
|
|
|
|
2,103,813
|
|
Total Tennessee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,217,533
|
|
Texas 12.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arlington, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp., Education Revenue, Uplift Education, Series A, Refunding, PSF
GTD
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/47
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
294,342
|
|
Arlington, TX, Special Tax Revenue, Senior Lien, Series A, AGM
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
2/15/48
|
|
|
|
350,000
|
|
|
|
414,694
|
|
City of Austin, TX, Airport System Revenue, Series B
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/15/37
|
|
|
|
600,000
|
|
|
|
741,840
|
(a)
|
Corpus Christi, TX, Utility System Revenue, Junior Lien, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/15/31
|
|
|
|
2,905,000
|
|
|
|
3,392,139
|
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
18
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Texas continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grand Parkway Transportation Corp., TX, System Toll Revenue, Convertible CAB, Step bond, (0.000% until 10/1/23, 5.500%),
Series A, B and C
|
|
|
0.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/36
|
|
|
$
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,153,780
|
|
Harris County, TX, MTA, Sales & Use Tax Revenue, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/1/36
|
|
|
|
3,125,000
|
|
|
|
3,334,719
|
|
Houston, TX, Airport Systems Revenue, Series B-1
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/15/30
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,121,670
|
(a)
|
Love Field, TX, Airport Modernization Corp., General Airport Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2017
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/1/33
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
47,381
|
(a)
|
Series 2017
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
11/1/36
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
47,085
|
(a)
|
New Hope, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Student Housing Revenue, Collegiate Housing-Tarleton State
University Project
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
4/1/35
|
|
|
|
800,000
|
|
|
|
876,424
|
|
North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/39
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
291,440
|
|
Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/40
|
|
|
|
600,000
|
|
|
|
658,284
|
|
Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
1/1/45
|
|
|
|
600,000
|
|
|
|
679,500
|
|
Prosper, TX, ISD, GO, School Building, PSF GTD
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
2/15/49
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,221,920
|
|
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Retirement Facility Revenue, Buckner Senior Living
Ventana Project, Series A
|
|
|
6.625
|
%
|
|
|
11/15/37
|
|
|
|
170,000
|
|
|
|
197,786
|
|
Texas State Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp. Revenue, Senior Lien, Blueridge Transportation Group
LLC
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/31/40
|
|
|
|
460,000
|
|
|
|
517,928
|
(a)
|
Texas State Public Finance Authority Lease Revenue, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
4.000
|
%
|
|
|
2/1/39
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
566,540
|
|
Texas State Water Development Board Revenue, State Water Implementation Fund, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/15/43
|
|
|
|
1,550,000
|
|
|
|
1,891,434
|
|
University of Texas, TX, System Revenue, Financing System Board of Regents, Series B
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
8/15/29
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,310,810
|
|
Woodloch, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Senior Housing Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inspired Living at Lewisville Project, Series A-1
|
|
|
6.750
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/51
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
120,311
|
(d)
|
Subordinate, Inspired Living at Lewisville Project, Series B
|
|
|
10.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/51
|
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
34,751
|
|
Total Texas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,914,778
|
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
19
|
Schedule of investments (contd)
November 30, 2019
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
U.S. Virgin Islands 0.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matching Fund Loan, Senior Lien, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/29
|
|
|
$
|
235,000
|
|
|
$
|
236,029
|
|
Subordinated, Matching Fund Loan, Cruzan Project, Series A
|
|
|
6.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/39
|
|
|
|
420,000
|
|
|
|
420,000
|
|
Subordinated, Matching Fund Loan, Diageo Project, Series A
|
|
|
6.625
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/29
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
200,508
|
|
Subordinated, Matching Fund Loan, Diageo Project, Series A
|
|
|
6.750
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/37
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
100,192
|
|
Total U.S. Virgin Islands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
956,729
|
|
Utah 0.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utah State Charter School Finance Authority, Charter School Revenue, Syracuse Arts Academy Project, UT
CSCE
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
4/15/42
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
285,055
|
|
Utah State Infrastructure Agency Telecommunication Revenue, Series 2019
|
|
|
4.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/15/42
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
312,723
|
|
Total Utah
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
597,778
|
|
Virginia 0.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia State Port Authority, Port Facilities Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/41
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
348,522
|
(a)
|
Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/45
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
577,835
|
(a)
|
Total Virginia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
926,357
|
|
Washington 2.5%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Port of Seattle, WA, Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intermediate Lien, Series 2019
|
|
|
4.000
|
%
|
|
|
4/1/44
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
274,852
|
(a)
|
Intermediate Lien, Series 2019
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
4/1/44
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
599,165
|
(a)
|
Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
8/1/25
|
|
|
|
2,395,000
|
|
|
|
2,629,423
|
|
Washington State Health Care Facilities Authority Revenue, Commonspirit Health, Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
8/1/26
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
355,074
|
(b)(c)
|
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Herons Key, Series A
|
|
|
6.500
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/30
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
108,584
|
(d)
|
Herons Key, Series A
|
|
|
6.750
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/35
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
109,234
|
(d)
|
Total Washington
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,076,332
|
|
West Virginia 0.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
West Virginia University Revenue, West Virginia Projects, Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
10/1/29
|
|
|
|
400,000
|
|
|
|
514,524
|
(b)(c)
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
20
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
|
Face
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Wisconsin 3.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mount Pleasant, WI, Tax Increment Revenue, Series A
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
4/1/48
|
|
|
$
|
500,000
|
|
|
$
|
591,575
|
|
Public Finance Authority, WI, Airport Facilities Revenue, Transportation Infrastructure Properties LLC, Series B,
Refunding
|
|
|
5.000
|
%
|
|
|
7/1/42
|
|
|
|
4,000,000
|
|
|
|
4,254,160
|
(a)
|
Public Finance Authority, WI, Limited Obligation Pilot Revenue, American Dream @ Meadowlands Project, Series
2017
|
|
|
7.000
|
%
|
|
|
12/1/50
|
|
|
|
400,000
|
|
|
|
478,692
|
(d)
|
Total Wisconsin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,324,427
|
|
Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost
$224,263,474)
|
|
|
|
243,087,745
|
|
Short-Term Investments 0.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Municipal Bonds 0.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York 0.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York City, NY, HDC, MFH Revenue, Sustainable Neighborhood, Series C-4, SPA -
Wells Fargo Bank N.A.
|
|
|
1.070
|
%
|
|
|
5/1/57
|
|
|
|
400,000
|
|
|
|
400,000
|
(h)(i)
|
Utah 0.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utah County, UT, Hospital Revenue Bonds, Health Services Inc., Series C, SPA - BMO Harris Bank N.A.
|
|
|
1.080
|
%
|
|
|
5/15/51
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
(h)(i)
|
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $700,000)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
700,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
|
|
Money Market Funds 0.0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares (Cost $15,218)
|
|
|
1.556
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,218
|
|
|
|
15,218
|
|
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $715,218)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
715,218
|
|
Total Investments 151.4% (Cost $224,978,692)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
243,802,963
|
|
Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, at Liquidation Value (11.4)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18,350,000
|
)
|
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock, at Liquidation Value (41.3)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(66,500,000
|
)
|
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities 1.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,058,036
|
|
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders 100.0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
161,010,999
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
21
|
Schedule of investments (contd)
November 30, 2019
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
*
|
Non-income producing security.
|
(a)
|
Income from this issue is considered a preference item for purposes of calculating the alternative minimum tax (AMT).
|
(b)
|
Maturity date shown represents the mandatory tender date.
|
(c)
|
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.
|
(d)
|
Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from
registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.
|
(e)
|
Securities traded on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
|
(f)
|
Pre-Refunded bonds are generally escrowed with U.S. government obligations and/or U.S. government agency securities.
|
(g)
|
The coupon payment on these securities is currently in default as of November 30, 2019.
|
(h)
|
Variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs) have a demand feature under which the Fund can tender them back to the issuer or liquidity provider on no
more than 7 days notice. The interest rate generally resets on a daily or weekly basis and is determined on the specific interest rate reset date by the Remarketing Agent, pursuant to a formula specified in official documents for the VRDO, or set at
the highest rate allowable as specified in official documents for the VRDO. VRDOs are benchmarked to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Municipal Swap Index. The SIFMA Municipal Swap Index is compiled from
weekly interest rate resets of tax-exempt VRDOs reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Boards Short-term Obligation Rate Transparency System.
|
(i)
|
Maturity date shown is the final maturity date. The security may be sold back to the issuer before final maturity.
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
22
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
Abbreviations used in this schedule:
|
|
|
AGM
|
|
Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation Insured Bonds
|
|
|
AMBAC
|
|
American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation Insured Bonds
|
|
|
BAM
|
|
Build America Mutual Insured Bonds
|
|
|
CAB
|
|
Capital Appreciation Bonds
|
|
|
COP
|
|
Certificates of Participation
|
|
|
CSCE
|
|
Charter School Credit Enhancement
|
|
|
DFA
|
|
Development Finance Agency
|
|
|
EDA
|
|
Economic Development Authority
|
|
|
EFA
|
|
Educational Facilities Authority
|
|
|
GO
|
|
General Obligation
|
|
|
GTD
|
|
Guaranteed
|
|
|
HDA
|
|
Housing Development Authority
|
|
|
HDC
|
|
Housing Development Corporation
|
|
|
HEFA
|
|
Health & Educational Facilities Authority
|
|
|
IDA
|
|
Industrial Development Authority
|
|
|
IDR
|
|
Industrial Development Revenue
|
|
|
ISD
|
|
Independent School District
|
|
|
MFA
|
|
Municipal Finance Authority
|
|
|
MFH
|
|
Multi-Family Housing
|
|
|
MTA
|
|
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
|
|
|
MWRA
|
|
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
|
|
|
NATL
|
|
National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation Insured Bonds
|
|
|
PCFA
|
|
Pollution Control Financing Authority
|
|
|
PEA
|
|
Public Energy Authority
|
|
|
PFA
|
|
Public Facilities Authority
|
|
|
PSF
|
|
Permanent School Fund
|
|
|
RDA
|
|
Redevelopment Agency
|
|
|
SIFMA
|
|
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
|
|
|
SPA
|
|
Standby Bond Purchase Agreement Insured Bonds
|
|
|
USD
|
|
Unified School District
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
23
|
Statement of assets and liabilities
November 30, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
Investments, at value (Cost $224,978,692)
|
|
$
|
243,802,963
|
|
Interest receivable
|
|
|
3,081,972
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
31,319
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
246,916,254
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock ($50,000 liquidation value per share; 1,330 shares issued and outstanding) (net of
deferred offering costs of $750,888) (Note 5)
|
|
|
65,749,112
|
|
Payable for securities purchased
|
|
|
1,126,510
|
|
Distributions payable to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
510,251
|
|
Investment management fee payable
|
|
|
110,960
|
|
Distributions payable to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders
|
|
|
4,433
|
|
Directors fees payable
|
|
|
3,060
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
50,929
|
|
Total Liabilities
|
|
|
67,555,255
|
|
Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (367 shares authorized and issued at $50,000 per share) (Note 6)
|
|
|
18,350,000
|
|
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders
|
|
$
|
161,010,999
|
|
|
|
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock par value ($0.001 par value; 9,719,063 shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 common shares
authorized)
|
|
$
|
9,719
|
|
Paid-in capital in excess of par value
|
|
|
142,099,363
|
|
Total distributable earnings (loss)
|
|
|
18,901,917
|
|
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders
|
|
$
|
161,010,999
|
|
|
|
Common Shares Outstanding
|
|
|
9,719,063
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value Per Common Share
|
|
|
$16.57
|
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
24
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
Statement of operations
For the Year Ended November 30, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Income:
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
$
|
9,380,096
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
Investment management fee (Note 2)
|
|
|
1,337,927
|
|
Distributions to Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stockholders (Notes 1 and 5)
|
|
|
1,094,135
|
|
Liquidity fees (Note 5)
|
|
|
515,033
|
|
Remarketing fees (Note 5)
|
|
|
67,423
|
|
Audit and tax fees
|
|
|
56,146
|
|
Rating agency fees
|
|
|
45,958
|
|
Directors fees
|
|
|
41,565
|
|
Amortization of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock offering costs (Note 5)
|
|
|
29,686
|
|
Transfer agent fees
|
|
|
28,324
|
|
Fund accounting fees
|
|
|
27,723
|
|
Auction participation fees (Note 6)
|
|
|
23,299
|
|
Legal fees
|
|
|
16,797
|
|
Stock exchange listing fees
|
|
|
12,501
|
|
Shareholder reports
|
|
|
11,319
|
|
Auction agent fees
|
|
|
10,774
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
3,018
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
447
|
|
Custody fees
|
|
|
(586)
|
|
Miscellaneous expenses
|
|
|
23,734
|
|
Total Expenses
|
|
|
3,345,223
|
|
Net Investment Income
|
|
|
6,034,873
|
|
|
|
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Futures Contracts (Notes 1, 3 and 4):
|
|
|
|
|
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From:
|
|
|
|
|
Investment transactions
|
|
|
1,160,464
|
|
Futures contracts
|
|
|
(537,934)
|
|
Net Realized Gain
|
|
|
622,530
|
|
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From
Investments
|
|
|
9,447,488
|
|
Net Gain on Investments and Futures Contracts
|
|
|
10,070,018
|
|
Distributions Paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders From Net Investment Income (Notes 1 and
6)
|
|
|
(472,589)
|
|
Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From Operations
|
|
$
|
15,632,302
|
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
25
|
Statements of changes in net assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended November 30,
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
|
|
Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
$
|
6,034,873
|
|
|
$
|
6,554,988
|
|
Net realized gain (loss)
|
|
|
622,530
|
|
|
|
(226,920)
|
|
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
|
|
|
9,447,488
|
|
|
|
(6,091,157)
|
|
Distributions paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders from net investment income
|
|
|
(472,589)
|
|
|
|
(409,102)
|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From
Operations
|
|
|
15,632,302
|
|
|
|
(172,191)
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to Common Shareholders From (Note 1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributable earnings
|
|
|
(6,560,369)
|
|
|
|
(6,997,726)
|
|
Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Common
Shareholders
|
|
|
(6,560,369)
|
|
|
|
(6,997,726)
|
|
|
|
|
Fund Share Transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase from tender and repurchase of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares (Note 6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,500
|
|
Increase in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,500
|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common
Shareholders
|
|
|
9,071,933
|
|
|
|
(7,147,417)
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of year
|
|
|
151,939,066
|
|
|
|
159,086,483
|
|
End of year
|
|
$
|
161,010,999
|
|
|
$
|
151,939,066
|
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
26
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
Statement of cash flows
For the Year Ended November 30, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Cash:
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations
|
|
$
|
16,104,891
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided (used) by operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of portfolio securities
|
|
|
(50,320,363)
|
|
Sales of portfolio securities
|
|
|
46,884,781
|
|
Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments
|
|
|
3,584,847
|
|
Net amortization of premium (accretion of discount)
|
|
|
1,286,748
|
|
Decrease in interest receivable
|
|
|
136,422
|
|
Decrease in prepaid expenses
|
|
|
46,287
|
|
Increase in payable for securities purchased
|
|
|
46,051
|
|
Amortization of preferred stock offering costs
|
|
|
29,686
|
|
Increase in investment management fee payable
|
|
|
4,388
|
|
Decrease in Directors fees payable
|
|
|
(1,509)
|
|
Decrease in accrued expenses
|
|
|
(53,772)
|
|
Net realized gain on investments
|
|
|
(1,160,464)
|
|
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
|
|
|
(9,447,488)
|
|
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities*
|
|
|
7,140,505
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions paid on common stock
|
|
|
(6,608,964)
|
|
Distributions paid on Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock
|
|
|
(473,495)
|
|
Decrease in due to custodian
|
|
|
(58,046)
|
|
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
|
|
|
(7,140,505)
|
|
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of year
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and restricted cash at end of year
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
Included in operating expenses is cash of $447 paid for interest on borrowings.
|
|
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 30, 2019
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash and restricted cash shown in the Statement of Cash Flows
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
27
|
Financial highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November
30:
|
|
|
|
20191
|
|
|
20181
|
|
|
20171
|
|
|
20161
|
|
|
20151
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
|
|
$15.63
|
|
|
|
$16.37
|
|
|
|
$15.90
|
|
|
|
$16.79
|
|
|
|
$16.37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
0.62
|
|
|
|
0.67
|
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
0.81
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
|
|
1.05
|
|
|
|
(0.65)
|
|
|
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
(0.77)
|
|
|
|
(0.20)
|
|
Distributions paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders from net investment income
|
|
|
(0.05)
|
|
|
|
(0.04)
|
|
|
|
(0.03)
|
|
|
|
(0.01)
|
|
|
|
(0.00)
|
2
|
Total income (loss) from operations
|
|
|
1.62
|
|
|
|
(0.02)
|
|
|
|
1.27
|
|
|
|
(0.02)
|
|
|
|
0.61
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less distributions to common shareholders from:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
(0.68)
|
|
|
|
(0.72)
|
|
|
|
(0.80)
|
|
|
|
(0.87)
|
|
|
|
(0.87)
|
|
Total distributions to common shareholders
|
|
|
(0.68)
|
|
|
|
(0.72)
|
|
|
|
(0.80)
|
|
|
|
(0.87)
|
|
|
|
(0.87)
|
|
Net increase from tender and repurchase of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.68
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
|
|
$16.57
|
|
|
|
$15.63
|
|
|
|
$16.37
|
|
|
|
$15.90
|
|
|
|
$16.79
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market price, end of year
|
|
|
$15.12
|
|
|
|
$13.60
|
|
|
|
$15.14
|
|
|
|
$14.80
|
|
|
|
$15.51
|
|
Total return, based on NAV3,4
|
|
|
10.50
|
%
|
|
|
(0.12)
|
%5
|
|
|
8.09
|
%
|
|
|
(0.36)
|
%
|
|
|
8.04
|
%6
|
Total return, based on Market Price7
|
|
|
16.36
|
%
|
|
|
(5.50)
|
%
|
|
|
7.70
|
%
|
|
|
0.57
|
%
|
|
|
12.11
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of year (millions)
|
|
|
$161
|
|
|
|
$152
|
|
|
|
$159
|
|
|
|
$155
|
|
|
|
$163
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross expenses
|
|
|
2.11
|
%
|
|
|
2.09
|
%
|
|
|
1.87
|
%
|
|
|
1.61
|
%
|
|
|
1.46
|
%
|
Net expenses
|
|
|
2.11
|
|
|
|
2.09
|
|
|
|
1.87
|
|
|
|
1.61
|
|
|
|
1.46
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
3.81
|
|
|
|
4.21
|
|
|
|
4.31
|
|
|
|
4.45
|
|
|
|
4.82
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
|
|
14
|
%
|
|
|
24
|
%
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock at Liquidation Value, End of Year (000s)
|
|
|
$18,350
|
|
|
|
$18,350
|
|
|
|
$18,500
|
|
|
|
$18,500
|
|
|
|
$18,500
|
|
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock at Liquidation Value, End of Year (000s)
|
|
|
$66,500
|
|
|
|
$66,500
|
|
|
|
$66,500
|
|
|
|
$66,500
|
|
|
|
$66,500
|
|
Asset Coverage Ratio for Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock and Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock9
|
|
|
290
|
%
|
|
|
279
|
%
|
|
|
287
|
%
|
|
|
282
|
%
|
|
|
292
|
%
|
Asset Coverage, per $50,000 Liquidation Value per Share of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock and Variable Rate
Demand Preferred Stock9
|
|
|
$144,880
|
|
|
|
$139,534
|
|
|
|
$143,580
|
|
|
|
$140,909
|
|
|
|
$146,018
|
|
See Notes to Financial
Statements.
|
|
|
28
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
1
|
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
2
|
Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.
|
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.
|
4
|
The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
|
5
|
The total return based on NAV reflects the impact of the tender and repurchase by the Fund of a portion of its Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares at 85% of
the per share liquidation preference. Absent this transaction, the total return based on NAV would have been the same.
|
6
|
The total return based on NAV reflects the impact of the tender and repurchase by the Fund of a portion of its Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares at 90% of
the per share liquidation preference. Absent this transaction, the total return based on NAV would have been 3.67%.
|
7
|
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.
|
8
|
Calculated on the basis of average net assets of common stock shareholders. Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to auction rate cumulative
preferred stockholders.
|
9
|
Represents value of net assets plus the liquidation value of the auction rate cumulative preferred stock and variable rate demand preferred stock, if any, at the
end of the period divided by the auction rate cumulative preferred stock and variable rate demand preferred stock, if any, outstanding at the end of the period.
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
29
|
Notes to financial statements
1. Organization and significant accounting policies
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (the Fund) was incorporated in Maryland on November 24, 1992 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 Directors authorized 100 million shares of $0.001 par value common stock.
The Funds primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income which is exempt from regular federal income taxes, consistent with the preservation of capital. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund intends to enhance
portfolio value by purchasing tax-exempt securities that, in the opinion of the investment manager, may appreciate in value relative to other similar obligations in the marketplace. On October 31, 2019,
the Board of Directors of the Fund approved amendments to the Funds bylaws. The amended and restated bylaws were subsequently filed on Form 8-K and are available on the Securities and Exchange
Commissions website at www.sec.gov.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests substantially all of its assets in a diversified portfolio of
tax-exempt securities that are rated investment grade at the time of purchase by at least one rating agency or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable credit quality by the subadviser, and that the
subadviser believes do not involve undue risk to income or principal. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities rated below investment grade (commonly known as high yield or junk bonds) at the time of
purchase. For credit ratings purposes, pre-refunded bonds are deemed to be unrated. The subadviser determines the credit quality of pre-refunded bonds based on the
quality of the escrowed collateral and such other factors as the subadviser deems appropriate.
The following are significant accounting policies
consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from
operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated
through the date the financial statements were issued.
(a) Investment valuation.
The valuations for fixed income securities (which may include, but are not limited to, corporate, government, municipal, mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities) and certain derivative instruments are
typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of valuation techniques and methodologies. The independent third party pricing services use inputs that
are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar securities. 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. If independent third party pricing
services are unable to supply prices
|
|
|
30
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may
be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices
are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the
Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Funds Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors is
responsible for the valuation process and has delegated the supervision of the daily valuation process to the Legg Mason North Atlantic Fund Valuation Committee (the Valuation Committee). The Valuation Committee, pursuant to the policies
adopted by the Board of Directors, is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Funds pricing policies, and reporting to the Board of Directors. When determining the reliability of third party
pricing information for investments owned by the Fund, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of pricing vendors, monitors the daily change in prices and reviews transactions among market participants.
The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of
possible methodologies include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a multiple thereof; risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity;
and/or fundamental investment analysis. The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security;
the issuers financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; analysts research and observations from financial institutions;
information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable
companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.
For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the
policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such back testing monthly and fair valuation occurrences are
reported to the Board of Directors quarterly.
The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach
and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income
approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
31
|
Notes to financial statements (contd)
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.
The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Funds assets carried at fair value:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
Description
|
|
Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
|
|
|
Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
|
|
|
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Municipal Bonds
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
243,087,745
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
243,087,745
|
|
Short-Term Investments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Municipal Bonds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
700,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
700,000
|
|
Money Market Funds
|
|
$
|
15,218
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,218
|
|
Total Short-Term Investments
|
|
|
15,218
|
|
|
|
700,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
715,218
|
|
Total Investments
|
|
$
|
15,218
|
|
|
$
|
243,787,745
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
243,802,963
|
|
|
See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.
|
(b) Net asset value. The net asset value (NAV) of the Funds common stock is determined no less frequently than the close of
business on the Funds last business day of each week (generally Friday) and on the last business day of the month. It is determined by dividing the value of the net assets available to common stock by the total number of shares of common stock
outstanding. For the purpose of determining the NAV per share of the common stock, the value of the Funds net assets shall be deemed to equal the value of the Funds assets less (1) the Funds liabilities including the aggregate
liquidation value (i.e., $50,000 per outstanding share) of the Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock (VRDPS) net of the deferred offering costs, and (2) the aggregate liquidation value (i.e., $50,000 per outstanding share) of the
Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (ARCPS).
(c) Futures contracts.
The Fund uses futures contracts generally to gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in interest rates or gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in certain asset classes. A futures
contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.
|
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
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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 gains or losses in the Statement of Operations and the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.
Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the amounts reflected in the financial statements. In addition, there is the risk that the
Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.
(d) Securities traded on a
when-issued and delayed delivery basis. The Fund may trade securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. In when-issued and delayed delivery transactions, the securities are purchased or
sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction.
Purchasing such securities involves risk of loss if the value of the securities declines prior to settlement. These securities are subject to market fluctuations
and their current value is determined in the same manner as for other securities.
(e) Cash flow information. The Fund invests in securities and distributes dividends from net investment income and net realized gains, which are paid in cash and may be reinvested at the discretion of shareholders. These activities are
reported in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets and additional information on cash receipts and cash payments are presented in the Statement of Cash Flows.
(f) 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.
|
|
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
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33
|
Notes to financial statements (contd)
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 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 NAV 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.
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 over-the-counter 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 November 30, 2019, the Fund did not have any open OTC derivative transactions with credit related contingent features in a net liability position.
(g) 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. 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.
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
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(h) Distributions to shareholders.
Distributions to common shareholders from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared quarterly and paid on a monthly basis. The Fund intends to satisfy conditions that will enable
interest from municipal securities, which is exempt from federal and certain state income taxes, to retain such tax-exempt status when distributed to the common shareholders of the Fund. Distributions to
common shareholders of net realized gains, if any, are taxable and are declared at least annually. Distributions to common 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.
Distributions to holders of ARCPS are accrued daily and paid on a weekly basis and
are determined as described in Note 6. Distributions to holders of VRDPS are accrued on a daily basis and paid monthly as described in Note 5 and are treated as an operating expense as required by GAAP. For tax purposes, the payments made to the
holders of the Funds VRDPS are treated as dividends or distributions.
(i) 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.
(j) Federal and other taxes. It is the Funds policy to comply with the federal income
and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to
shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Funds financial statements.
Management has analyzed the Funds tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of November 30, 2019, no provision for income tax is required in the
Funds financial statements. The Funds federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and
state departments of revenue.
(k) 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 year, the following
reclassifications have been made:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Distributable
Earnings (Loss)
|
|
|
Paid-in
Capital
|
|
(a)
|
|
$
|
29,686
|
|
|
$
|
(29,686)
|
|
(a)
|
Reclassifications are due to non-deductible offering costs for tax purposes.
|
|
|
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
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35
|
Notes to financial statements (contd)
2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA) is the Funds investment manager and Western Asset Management Company, LLC (Western
Asset) is the Funds subadviser. LMPFA and Western Asset are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. (Legg Mason).
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 0.55% of the Funds average weekly net assets. For purposes of
calculating this fee, the aggregate liquidation value of the preferred stock of the Fund is not deducted in determining the Funds average daily net assets.
LMPFA delegates to Western Asset the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. For its services, LMPFA pays Western Asset monthly
70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund.
All officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do
not receive compensation from the Fund.
The Fund is permitted to purchase or sell securities, typically short-term variable rate demand obligations,
from or to certain other affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The procedures have been designed to provide assurance that any purchase or sale of securities by the Fund
from or to another fund or portfolio that is, or could be considered, an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment manager or subadviser (or affiliated investment manager or subadviser), common Directors and/or common officers complies with
Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under the procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price. For the year ended November 30, 2019, such purchase and sale transactions
(excluding accrued interest) were $18,650,000 and $24,450,000, respectively.
3. Investments
During the year ended November 30, 2019, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases
|
|
$
|
50,320,363
|
|
Sales
|
|
|
46,884,781
|
|
At November 30, 2019, the aggregate cost of investments and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of
investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
|
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
|
|
|
Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
|
|
Securities
|
|
$
|
224,894,324
|
|
|
$
|
19,132,952
|
|
|
$
|
(224,313)
|
|
|
$
|
18,908,639
|
|
|
|
|
36
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities
At November 30, 2019, the Fund did not have any derivative instruments outstanding.
The following table provides information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Funds Statement of Operations for the year ended November 30, 2019. The table provides additional
detail about the amounts and sources of gains (losses) realized on derivatives during the period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
Rate Risk
|
|
Futures contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(537,934)
|
|
During the year ended November 30, 2019, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Market
Value
|
|
Futures contracts (to sell)
|
|
$
|
2,662,423
|
|
|
At November 30, 2019, there were no open positions held in this derivative.
|
5. Variable rate demand preferred stock
On
March 11, 2015, the Fund completed a private offering of 1,330 shares of Series 1 Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock (VRDPS). Net proceeds from the offering were used by the Fund to repurchase outstanding shares of Series M
Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (ARCPS) that had been accepted for payment pursuant to the tender offer (See Note 6). Offering costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the VRDPS issuance are being amortized to expense over
the life of the VRDPS.
The table below summarizes the key terms of Series 1 of the VRDPS at November 30, 2019.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series
|
|
Mandatory
Redemption
Date
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Liquidation
Preference
Per Share
|
|
|
Aggregate
Liquidation
Value
|
|
Series 1
|
|
|
3/11/2045
|
|
|
|
1,330
|
|
|
$
|
50,000
|
|
|
$
|
66,500,000
|
|
The VRDPS shares are not listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system. For financial reporting purposes, the
VRDPS shares are considered debt of the Fund; therefore, the liquidation value, which approximates fair value of the VRDPS shares, is recorded as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Holders of VRDPS have the right to tender their VRDPS shares for remarketing at a price equal to the liquidation preference amount plus all accumulated but unpaid
dividends and at a date which is no earlier than the seventh day following delivery of the notice to the tender and paying agent. The VRDPS shares include a liquidity feature that allows VRDPS holders to have their shares purchased by the liquidity
provider with whom the Fund has contracted in the event of a failed remarketing where purchase orders are not sufficient in
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
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37
|
Notes to financial statements (contd)
number to be matched with the sale orders. The Fund is required to redeem the VRDPS shares owned by the liquidity provider after six
months of continuous, unsuccessful remarketing. The Fund pays a monthly remarketing fee at the annual rate of 0.10% of the liquidation value of each VRDPS share outstanding on the first calendar day of the preceding calendar month. These fees are
shown as remarketing fees on the Statement of Operations.
Holders of VRDPS are entitled to receive monthly cumulative cash dividends, payable on the
first business day of each calendar month, at a variable rate set weekly by the remarketing agent. The dividend rate is generally based upon a spread over a base rate and cannot exceed a maximum rate. In the event of a failed remarketing, the
dividend rate will reset to the maximum rate. The maximum rate is determined, in part, based upon the long-term rating assigned to the VRDPS. In the event the Fund fails to make a scheduled dividend payment, all outstanding shares of the VRDPS are
subject to mandatory tender.
Subject to certain conditions, the VRDPS shares may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at the option of the
Fund. The redemption price per share is equal to the liquidation value per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends. The Fund is required to redeem its VRDPS on the mandatory redemption date, March 11, 2045. In addition, the Fund is
required to redeem certain of the VRDPS shares if the Fund fails to maintain certain asset coverage and rating agency guidelines.
The Fund has entered
into a fee agreement with the liquidity provider that requires monthly payment of an annual liquidity fee. These fees are shown as liquidity fees on the Statement of Operations. The fee agreement between the Fund and the liquidity provider is
scheduled to terminate on March 6, 2020. The Fund has the right, which is exercisable 120 to 90 days prior to the scheduled termination date, to request that the liquidity provider extend the term of the agreement for an additional period. The
Fund may also terminate the agreement early. In the event the fee agreement is not renewed or is terminated in advance, and the Fund does not enter into a fee agreement with an alternate liquidity provider, the VRDPS will be subject to mandatory
purchase by the liquidity provider prior to the termination of the fee agreement. The Fund is required to redeem any VRDPS purchased by the liquidity provider six months after the purchase date.
The VRDPS ranks senior to the Funds outstanding common stock and on parity with any other preferred stock. The Fund may not declare dividends or make other
distributions on shares of its common stock unless the Fund has declared and paid full cumulative dividends on the VRDPS, due on or prior to the date of the common stock dividend or distribution, and meets the VRDPS asset coverage and rating agency
requirements.
The holders of the VRDPS have one vote per share and vote together with the holders of common stock of the Fund as a single class except
on matters affecting only the holders of VRDPS or the holders of common stock. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, holders of the VRDPS have the right to elect two Directors of the Fund, voting separately as a class.
|
|
|
38
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
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The annualized dividend rate for the VRDPS shares for the year ended November 30, 2019 was 1.645%. VRDPS shares
issued and outstanding remained constant during the year ended November 30, 2019.
6. Auction rate cumulative preferred stock
On April 2, 1993, the Fund closed its public offering of 800 shares of $0.001 par value Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series M
(Preferred Stock), at an offering price of $50,000 per share. On July 20, 2007, the Fund acquired the Preferred Stock of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. On October 1, 1993, Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II
Inc. closed its public offering of 900 shares of $0.001 par value Preferred Stock at an offering price of $50,000 per share.
On January 22, 2015,
the Fund announced that it had commenced an issuer tender offer for up to 100% of its outstanding ARCPS at a price equal to 90% of the liquidation preference of $50,000 per share (or $45,000 per share), plus any unpaid dividends accrued through
March 6, 2015, the expiration date of the tender offer.
The Funds tender offer was conditioned upon the Fund closing on the private offering
of VRDPS with an aggregate liquidation preference at least equal to the aggregate liquidation preference of ARCPS accepted for tender.
On March 11,
2015, the Fund announced the final results for its issuer tender offer and all shares that were validly tendered and not withdrawn during the offering period were accepted for payment. The Fund accepted for payment 1,330 Series M ARCPS, which
represented 78.24% of the outstanding ARCPS. The ARCPS that were not tendered will remain outstanding. The difference between the liquidation preference of the ARCPS and the actual purchase price of the tendered ARCPS was recognized by the Fund in
the Statement of Changes in Net Assets as an increase in net assets applicable to common shares resulting from the tender and repurchase of the ARCPS by the Fund.
On April 25, 2018, the Fund repurchased 2 Series M ARCPS in a private transaction at a price equal to 85% of the liquidation preference of $50,000 per share (or $42,500 per share), plus any unpaid dividends.
On June 4, 2018, the Fund repurchased 1 Series M ARCPS in a private transaction at a price equal to 85% of the liquidation preference of $50,000 per share (or $42,500 per share), plus any unpaid dividends. The difference between the liquidation
preference of the ARCPS and the actual purchase price of the tendered ARCPS was recognized by the Fund in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets as an increase in net assets applicable to common shares resulting from the tender and repurchase of the
ARCPS by the Fund.
At November 30, 2019, the Fund had 367 shares of Preferred Stock outstanding with a liquidation preference of $50,000 per share
plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) and subject to certain restrictions, are redeemable in whole or in part.
|
|
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
39
|
Notes to financial statements (contd)
Dividend rates generally reset every 7 days and are determined by auction procedures. The dividend rate cannot exceed a certain maximum
rate, including in the event of a failed auction. The maximum rate is calculated using the higher of 110% of the taxable equivalent of the short-term municipal bond rate and 110% of the prevailing 30 day AA commercial paper rate. The Fund may pay
higher maximum rates if the rating of the Funds Preferred Stock were to be lowered by the rating agencies. To the extent capital gains and other taxable income are allocated to holders of Preferred Shares for tax purposes, the Fund will likely
have to pay higher dividends to holders of Preferred Shares to compensate them for the increased tax liability to them resulting from such allocation. Due to failed auctions experienced by the Funds Preferred Stock starting on
February 15, 2008, the Fund pays the applicable maximum rate. The dividend rates ranged from 1.763% to 3.740% during the year ended November 30, 2019. At November 30, 2019, the dividend rate was 1.763%.
After each auction, the auction agent will pay to each broker/dealer, from monies the Fund provides, a participation fee. For the period of the report and for all
previous periods since the ARCPS have been outstanding, the participation fee has been paid at the annual rate of 0.25% of the purchase price of the ARCPS that the broker/dealer places at the auction. However, on August 3, 2009 and
December 28, 2009, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (CGM) and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., respectively, reduced their participation fee to an annual rate of 0.05% of the purchase price of the ARCPS, in the case
of a failed auction. Effective June 1, 2010, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC reduced its participation fee to an annual rate of 0.10% of the purchase price of the ARCPS, in the case of a failed auction. For the year ended November 30, 2019, the
Fund paid $23,299 to participating broker/dealers.
The Fund is subject to certain restrictions relating to the Preferred Stock. The Fund may not declare
dividends or make other distributions on shares of common stock or purchase any such shares if, at the time of the declaration, distribution or purchase, asset coverage with respect to the outstanding Preferred Stock would be less than 200%. The
Preferred Stock is also subject to mandatory redemption at $50,000 per share plus any accumulated or unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, if certain requirements relating to the composition of the assets and liabilities of the Fund as set
forth in its Articles Supplementary are not satisfied.
The Preferred Stock Shareholders are entitled to one vote per share and generally vote with the
common stock shareholders but vote separately as a class to elect two directors and on certain matters affecting the rights of the Funds Preferred Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock poses certain risks to holders of common stock,
including, among others, the possibility of greater market price volatility, and in certain market conditions, the yield to holders of common stock may be adversely affected. The Fund is required to maintain certain asset coverages with respect to
the Preferred Stock. If the Fund fails to maintain these coverages and does not cure any such failure within the required time period, the Fund is required to
|
|
|
40
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
redeem a requisite number of the
Preferred Stock in order to meet the applicable requirement. The Preferred Stock is otherwise not redeemable by holders of the shares. Additionally, failure to meet the foregoing asset requirements would restrict the Funds ability to pay
dividends to common shareholders.
7. Distributions to common shareholders subsequent to November 30, 2019
The following distributions to common shareholders have been declared by the Funds Board of Directors and are payable subsequent to the period end of this
report:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Record Date
|
|
Payable Date
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
11/22/2019
|
|
|
12/2/2019
|
|
|
|
$0.0525
|
|
12/20/2019
|
|
|
12/31/2019
|
|
|
|
$0.0475
|
|
1/24/2020
|
|
|
2/3/2020
|
|
|
|
$0.0475
|
|
2/21/2020
|
|
|
3/2/2020
|
|
|
|
$0.0475
|
|
8. Stock repurchase program
On November 16, 2015, the Fund announced that the Funds Board of Directors (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 year ended November 30, 2019, the Fund did not repurchase any shares.
9. Income tax information and distributions to shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2018
|
|
Distributions paid from:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax exempt income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shareholders
|
|
$
|
6,559,884
|
|
|
$
|
6,997,512
|
|
Auction rate cumulative preferred stockholders
|
|
|
472,557
|
|
|
|
409,094
|
|
Variable rate demand preferred stockholders
|
|
|
1,094,055
|
|
|
|
1,015,316
|
|
Total tax exempt distributions
|
|
$
|
8,126,496
|
|
|
$
|
8,421,922
|
|
Taxable income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shareholders
|
|
|
485
|
|
|
|
214
|
|
Auction rate cumulative preferred stockholders
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
Variable rate demand preferred stockholders
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
Total taxable distributions
|
|
$
|
597
|
|
|
$
|
243
|
|
Total distributions paid
|
|
$
|
8,127,093
|
|
|
$
|
8,422,165
|
|
|
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
|
41
|
Notes to financial statements (contd)
As of November 30, 2019, the components of distributable earnings (loss) on a tax basis were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Undistributed ordinary income net
|
|
$
|
644
|
|
Undistributed long-term capital gains net
|
|
|
75,747
|
|
Total undistributed earnings
|
|
$
|
76,391
|
|
Other book/tax temporary differences(a)
|
|
|
(83,114)
|
|
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(b)
|
|
|
18,908,639
|
|
Total distributable earnings (loss) net
|
|
$
|
18,901,916
|
|
(a)
|
Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable to book/tax differences in the accrual of interest income on securities in default, the difference between
cash and accrual basis distributions paid and book/tax differences in the timing of the deductibility of various expenses.
|
(b)
|
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable to the tax
deferral of losses on wash sales and the difference between book and tax amortization methods for discount on fixed income securities.
|
10. Recent accounting pronouncement
The Fund has adopted the disclosure provisions of the
Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework Changes to the Disclosure Requirements
for Fair Value Measurement (ASU 2018-13) which introduces new fair value disclosure requirements as well as eliminates and modifies certain existing fair value disclosure requirements. ASU 2018-13 would be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years; however, management has elected to early adopt ASU
2018-13. The impact of the Funds adoption was limited to changes in the Funds financial statement disclosures regarding fair value, primarily those disclosures related to transfers between levels
of the fair value hierarchy.
|
|
|
42
|
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
|
Report of independent registered public accounting firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Western Asset
Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (the Fund) as of November 30, 2019, the
related statements of operations and cash flows for the year ended November 30, 2019, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended November 30, 2019, including the related notes, and the financial
highlights for each of the three years in the period ended November 30, 2019 (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 November 30, 2019, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended November 30, 2019 and the financial
highlights for each of the three years in the period ended November 30, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The financial statements of the Fund as of and for the year ended November 30, 2016 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to November 30, 2016 (not presented herein, other
than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated January 19, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.
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 audits. 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 audits 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 audits 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 audits 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 November 30, 2019 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
January 22, 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Legg Mason investment company group since at least 1973. We have not been able to determine the specific year we began serving as auditor.
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2019 Annual Report
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43
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Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited)
Background
The Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), requires that the Board of Directors (the Board) of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (the Fund), including a majority of its members who are not considered to be
interested persons under the 1940 Act (the Independent Directors) voting separately, approve on an annual basis the continuation of the investment management contract (the Management Agreement) with the
Funds manager, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (the Manager), and the sub-advisory agreement (the Sub-Advisory Agreement) with the
Managers affiliate, Western Asset Management Company, LLC (Western Asset). At a meeting (the Contract Renewal Meeting) held in-person on November 13 and 14, 2019, the Board,
including the Independent Directors, considered and approved the continuation of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for an additional
one-year period. To assist in its consideration of the renewal of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board received and considered a
variety of information (together with the information provided at the Contract Renewal Meeting, the Contract Renewal Information) about the Manager and Western Asset, as well as the management and
sub-advisory arrangements for the Fund and the other closed-end funds in the same complex under the Boards purview (the Legg Mason Closed-end Funds), certain portions of which are discussed below. A presentation made by the Manager and Western Asset to the Board at the Contract Renewal Meeting in connection with the Boards
evaluation of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement encompassed the Fund and other Legg Mason Closed-end Funds. In addition to the Contract
Renewal Information, the Board received performance and other information throughout the year related to the respective services rendered by the Manager and Western Asset to the Fund. The Boards evaluation took into account the information
received throughout the year and also reflected the knowledge and familiarity gained as members of the Boards of the Fund and other Legg Mason Closed-end Funds with respect to the services provided to the Fund
by the Manager and Western Asset.
At a meeting held by conference call on October 10, 2019, the Independent Directors in preparation for the
Contract Renewal Meeting met in a private session with their independent legal counsel to review the Contract Renewal Information concerning the Legg Mason Closed-end Funds, including the Fund, received to
date. No representatives of the Manager or Western Asset participated in this meeting. The discussion below reflects all of these reviews.
The Manager
provides the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services pursuant to the Management Agreement and Western Asset provides the Fund with certain investment sub-advisory services pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The discussion below covers both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by the Manager, each such function being encompassed by the Management Agreement, and the investment sub-advisory functions being rendered by Western Asset.
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44
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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Board Approval of
Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement
In its deliberations regarding the renewal of each of the
Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered various factors, including those described below.
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services under the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement
The Board received and considered Contract Renewal Information regarding the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the Fund by the
Manager and Western Asset under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively, during the past year. The Board also reviewed Contract Renewal Information regarding the Funds
compliance policies and procedures established pursuant to the 1940 Act.
The Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds, and responsibilities of the
Funds senior personnel and the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-today portfolio management of the Fund. The Board also considered, based on its knowledge of the Manager and its
affiliates, the Contract Renewal Information and the Boards discussions with the Manager and Western Asset at the Contract Renewal Meeting, the general reputation and investment performance records of the Manager and Western Asset and their
affiliates and the financial resources available to the corporate parent of the Manager and Western Asset, Legg Mason, Inc. (Legg Mason), to support their activities in respect of the Fund and the other Legg Mason Closed-end Funds.
The Board considered the responsibilities of the Manager and Western Asset under the Management
Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively, including the Managers coordination and oversight of the services provided to the Fund by Western Asset and other fund service providers. The
Management Agreement permits the Manager to delegate certain of its responsibilities, including its investment advisory duties thereunder, provided that the Manager, in each case, will supervise the activities of the delegee. Pursuant to this
provision of the Management Agreement, the Manager does not provide day-to-day portfolio management services to the Fund. Rather, portfolio management services for the
Fund are provided by Western Asset pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement.
In reaching its determinations
regarding continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board took into account that Fund stockholders, in pursuing their investment goals and objectives, likely purchased their
shares of the Fund based upon the reputation and the investment style, philosophy and strategy of the Manager and Western Asset, as well as the resources available to the Manager and Western Asset.
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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45
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Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (contd)
The Board concluded that, overall, the nature, extent, and quality of the management and other services provided to the Fund under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement have been satisfactory under the circumstances.
Fund Performance
The Board received and considered information regarding Fund performance, including information and analyses (the Broadridge Performance
Information) for the Fund, as well as for a group of comparable funds (the Performance Universe) selected by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (Broadridge), an independent provider of investment company data. The
Board was provided with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to determine the similarity of the Fund with the funds included in the Performance Universe. The Performance Universe included the Fund and all leveraged general and insured
municipal debt closed-end funds, as classified by Broadridge, regardless of asset size. The Board noted that it had received and discussed with the Manager and Western Asset information throughout the year at
periodic intervals comparing the Funds performance against its benchmark and its peer funds as selected by Broadridge.
The Broadridge Performance
Information comparing the Funds performance to that of the Performance Universe based on net asset value per share showed, among other things, that among the funds in the Performance Universe, the Funds performance was ranked in the
third quintile for each of the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods ended June 30, 2019. In these performance rankings, the first
quintile represents funds with the highest performance among the funds in the Performance Universe and the fifth quintile represents funds with the lowest performance among the funds in the Performance Universe. The Funds performance was below
the median performance of the Performance Universe for each of the 1- and 3-year periods but was above the Performance Universe median for the 5-year period. In reviewing the Funds performance, the Manager noted differences in the Funds objective and strategies and those of other Performance Universe funds. The Manager noted that the
Funds duration and yield curve positioning, in the aggregate, detracted from the Funds performance relative to the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, while the Funds use of leverage
helped generate outperformance relative to its benchmark over the same period. The Manager noted the Funds long-term and continuing avoidance of tobacco securities, which had a negative impact on the Funds relative performance for the 3- and 5-year periods, while the Funds consistent use of leverage over these periods was positive for performance. In addition to the Funds performance relative to
the Performance Universe, the Board considered the Funds performance in absolute terms and the Funds performance relative to its benchmark. On a net asset value basis, the Fund outperformed its benchmark for each of the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods ended June 30, 2019.
Based on the reviews and discussions of Fund performance and considering other relevant factors, including those noted above, the Board concluded, under the circumstances, that continuation of the Management
Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year period would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its stockholders.
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46
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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Management and Sub-Advisory Fees and Expense Ratios
The Board reviewed and considered the management fee (the Management
Fee) payable by the Fund to the Manager under the Management Agreement and the sub-advisory fee (the Sub-Advisory Fee) payable by the Manager to
Western Asset under the Sub-Advisory Agreement in view of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided by the Manager and Western Asset. The Board
noted that the Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the Manager, not the Fund, and, accordingly, that the retention of Western Asset does not increase the fees or expenses otherwise incurred by the Funds
stockholders.
Additionally, the Board received and considered information and analyses prepared by Broadridge (the Broadridge Expense
Information) comparing the Management Fee and the Funds overall expenses with those of funds in an expense group (the Expense Group) selected and provided by Broadridge. The comparison was based upon the constituent
funds latest fiscal years. The Expense Group consisted of the Fund and ten other leveraged general and insured municipal debt closed-end funds, as classified by Broadridge. The eleven funds in the
Expense Group had average net common share assets ranging from $64.1 million to $366.1 million. Seven of the other Expense Group funds were larger than the Fund and three were smaller.
The Broadridge Expense Information, comparing the Management Fee as well as the Funds actual total expenses to the Funds Expense Group, showed, among
other things, that the Management Fee on a contractual basis was ranked second (first being lowest and, therefore, best in these expense component rankings) among the funds in the Expense Group. The Funds actual Management Fee (i.e., giving
effect to any voluntary fee waivers implemented by the Manager with respect to the Fund and by the managers of the other Expense Group funds) was ranked fourth among the Expense Group funds when compared on the basis of common share assets only and
was ranked third when compared on the basis of common share and leveraged assets. Each of the foregoing Fund expense components was below the Expense Group median for that expense component. The Broadridge Expense Information further showed that the
Funds actual total expenses ranked fourth among the Expense Group funds whether compared on the basis of common share assets only or compared on the basis of common share and leveraged assets and in each case were below the Expense Group
median. The Manager noted that the small number of funds in the Expense Group made meaningful expense comparisons difficult.
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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47
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Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (contd)
The Board also reviewed Contract Renewal Information regarding fees charged by the Manager to other U.S. clients investing primarily in an asset class similar to
that of the Fund, including, where applicable, institutional and separate accounts. The Board was advised that the fees paid by such institutional, separate account and other clients (collectively, institutional clients) generally are
lower, and may be significantly lower, than the Management Fee. The Contract Renewal Information generally attributed the fee differential to differences in the scope of services provided to the Fund and to institutional clients. Among other things,
institutional clients have fewer compliance, administration and other needs than the Fund and the Fund is subject not only to heightened regulatory requirements relative to institutional clients but also to requirements for listing on the New York
Stock Exchange. The Contract Renewal Information noted further that the Fund is provided with administrative services, office facilities, Fund officers (including the Funds chief executive, chief financial and chief compliance officers), and
that the Manager coordinates and oversees the provision of services to the Fund by other fund service providers. The Contract Renewal Information included information regarding management fees paid by open-end
mutual funds in the same complex (the Legg Mason Open-end Funds) and such information indicated that the management fees paid by the Legg Mason Closed-end
Funds generally were higher than those paid by the Legg Mason Open-end Funds. The Contract Renewal Information noted that the Legg Mason Closed-end Funds typically incur
expenses that usually are not incurred by the Legg Mason Open-end Funds such as those related to the annual stockholder meeting, compliance with securities exchange listing requirements and the management and
monitoring of leverage. The Board considered the fee comparisons in view of the different services provided in managing these other types of clients and funds.
Taking all of the above into consideration, the Board determined that the Management Fee and the Sub-Advisory Fee were reasonable in view of the nature, extent and overall
quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided by the Manager and Western Asset to the Fund under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively.
Manager Profitability
The Board, as part of
the Contract Renewal Information, received an analysis of the profitability to the Manager and its affiliates in providing services to the Fund for the Managers fiscal years ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019. The Board also
received profitability information with respect to the Legg Mason fund complex as a whole. In addition, the Board received Contract Renewal Information with respect to the Managers revenue and cost allocation methodologies used in preparing
such profitability data. The profitability to Western Asset was not considered to be a material factor in the Boards considerations since the Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the Manager, not the Fund. The
profitability analysis presented to the Board as part of the Contract Renewal Information indicated that the pre-tax profitability of the Fund to the Manager had decreased in fiscal year 2019 from the level in
fiscal year 2018 and remained at a level that the Board did not consider to be excessive in view of judicial guidance and the nature, extent and overall quality of the investment advisory and other services provided to the Fund.
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48
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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Economies of Scale
The Board received and discussed Contract Renewal Information concerning whether the Manager realizes economies of scale if the Funds assets grow. The Board noted that because the Fund is a closed-end fund with no current plans to seek additional assets beyond maintaining its dividend reinvestment plan, any significant growth in its assets generally will occur through appreciation in the value of the
Funds investment portfolio, rather than sales of additional shares in the Fund. The Board determined that the Management Fee structure, which incorporates no breakpoints reducing the Management Fee at specified increased asset levels, was
appropriate under the circumstances.
Other Benefits to the Manager and Western Asset
The Board considered other benefits received by the Manager, Western Asset and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund and did not regard
such benefits as excessive.
* * * * * *
In light of all of the foregoing and other relevant factors, the Board determined, under the circumstances, that continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its stockholders and unanimously voted to continue each Agreement for an additional one-year
period. No single factor reviewed by the Board was identified by the Board as the principal factor in determining whether to approve continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, and
each Board member may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The Independent Directors were advised by separate independent legal counsel throughout the process. Prior to the Contract Renewal Meeting, the Board received a
memorandum prepared by the Manager discussing its responsibilities in connection with its consideration of the continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement as part of the Contract
Renewal Information and the Independent Directors separately received a memorandum discussing such responsibilities from their independent legal counsel. Prior to voting, the Independent Directors also discussed the proposed continuation of the
Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement in private sessions with their independent legal counsel at which no representatives of the Manager or Western Asset were present.
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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49
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Additional information (unaudited)
Information about Directors and Officers
The business and affairs of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (the Fund) are conducted by management under the supervision and subject to the
direction of its Board of Directors. The business address of each Director is c/o Jane Trust, Legg Mason, 100 International Drive, 11th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Information pertaining to the Directors and officers of the Fund is set forth
below.
The Funds annual proxy statement includes additional information about Directors and is available, without charge, upon request by calling
the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.
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Independent Directors
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Robert D. Agdern
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Year of birth
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1950
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Director and Member of Nominating, Audit, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Compliance Liaison, Class III
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Since 2015
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
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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)
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Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)
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24
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Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years
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None
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Carol L. Colman
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Year of birth
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1946
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Director and Member of Nominating, Audit and Compensation Committees, and Chair of Pricing and Valuation Committee, Class I
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Since 2002
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
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President, Colman Consulting Company (consulting)
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Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)
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24
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Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years
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None
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50
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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Independent Directors (contd)
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Daniel P. Cronin
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Year of birth
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1946
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Director and Member of Audit, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Chair of Nominating Committee, Class II
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Since 2002
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
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Retired; formerly, Associate General Counsel, Pfizer Inc. (prior to and including 2004)
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Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)
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24
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Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years
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None
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Paolo M. Cucchi
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Year of birth
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1941
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Director and Member of Nominating, Audit, and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Chair of Compensation Committee, Class II
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Since 2007
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
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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
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Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)
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24
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Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years
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None
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William R. Hutchinson
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Year of birth
|
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1942
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Lead Independent Director and Member of Nominating, Audit, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, Class III
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Since 2003
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
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President, W.R. Hutchinson & Associates Inc. (consulting) (since 2001)
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Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)
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24
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Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years
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Director (Non-Executive Chairman of the Board (since December 1, 2009)), Associated Banc Corp. (banking)
(since 1994)
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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51
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Additional information
(unaudited) (contd)
Information about Directors and Officers
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Independent Directors (contd)
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Eileen A. Kamerick
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Year of birth
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1958
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Director and Member of Nominating, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Chair of Audit Committee, Class III
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Since 2013
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
|
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National Association of Corporate Directors Board Leadership Fellow and financial expert (since 2016); 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, Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
ConnectWise, Inc. (software and services company) (2015 to 2016); Chief Financial Officer, Press Ganey Associates (health care informatics company) (2012 to 2014); Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, Houlihan Lokey (international
investment bank) (2010 to 2012)
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Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)
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24
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Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years
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Trustee of AIG Funds and Anchor Series Trust (since 2018); Hochschild Mining plc (precious metals company) (since 2016); Director of Associated
Banc-Corp (financial services company) (since 2007); Westell Technologies, Inc. (technology company) (2003 to 2016)
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Nisha Kumar
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Year of birth
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1970
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Director and Member of Nominating, Audit, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, Class I
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Since 2019
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
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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
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Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)
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24
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Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years
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Director of the India Fund, Inc. (since 2016); GB Flow Investment LLC; EDAC Technologies Corp.; Nordco Holdings, LLC; and SEKO Global Logistics
Network, LLC; formerly, Director of Aberdeen Income Credit Strategies Fund (2017 to 2018); Director of The Asia Tigers Fund, Inc. (2016 to 2018)
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52
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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Interested Director and Officer
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Jane Trust, CFA2
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Year of birth
|
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1962
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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|
Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Class II
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Term of office1 and length of time served
|
|
Since 2015
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
|
|
Senior Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (Legg Mason & Co.) (since 2018); Managing Director of Legg
Mason & Co. (2016 to 2018); Officer and/or Trustee/Director of 145 funds associated with Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA) or its affiliates (since 2015); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMPFA (since 2015);
formerly, Senior Vice President of LMPFA (2015); Director of ClearBridge, LLC (formerly, Legg Mason Capital Management, LLC) (2007 to 2014); Managing Director of Legg Mason Investment Counsel & Trust Co. (2000 to 2007)
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Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)
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142
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Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years
|
|
None
|
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Additional Officers
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Todd F. Kuehl
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Legg Mason
100
International Drive, 9th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202
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Year of birth
|
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1969
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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|
Chief Compliance Officer
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Term of office1 and length of time served
|
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Since 2017
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
|
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Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2011); Chief Compliance Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason &
Co. or its affiliates (since 2006); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group (prior to 2010); formerly, Branch Chief, Division of Investment Management, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (2002 to
2006)
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Jenna Bailey
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Legg Mason
100
First Stamford Place, 5th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902
|
|
|
|
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Year of birth
|
|
1978
|
Position(s) held with Fund1
|
|
Identity Theft Prevention Officer
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Term of office1 and length of time served
|
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Since 2015
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
|
|
Identity Theft Prevention Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2015); Compliance
Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2013); Assistant Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2011); formerly, Associate Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (2011 to 2013)
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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53
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Additional information
(unaudited) (contd)
Information about Directors and Officers
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|
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Additional Officers (contd)
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Robert I. Frenkel
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|
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Legg Mason
100
First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902
|
|
|
|
|
Year of birth
|
|
1954
|
Position(s) held with Fund1
|
|
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
|
Term of office1 and length of time served
|
|
Since 2003
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
|
|
Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason, Inc. (since 2006); Managing Director and General Counsel U.S. Mutual Funds for Legg
Mason & Co. (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (since 1994); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason &
Co. predecessors (prior to 2006)
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Thomas C. Mandia
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|
|
Legg Mason
100
First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902
|
|
|
|
|
Year of birth
|
|
1962
|
Position(s) held with Fund1
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
Term of office1 and length of time served
|
|
Since 2006
|
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
|
|
Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005);
Secretary of LMPFA (since 2006); Assistant Secretary of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006); Secretary of LM Asset Services, LLC
(LMAS) (since 2002) and Legg Mason Fund Asset Management, Inc. (LMFAM) (since 2013) (formerly registered investment advisers)
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Christopher Berarducci*
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|
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Legg Mason
620
Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, NY 10018
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Year of birth
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1974
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Since 2019
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
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Treasurer (since 2010) and Principal Financial Officer (since 2019) of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its
affiliates; Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2015); formerly, Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (2011 to 2015); Assistant Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (prior to
2010)
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54
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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Additional Officers (contd)
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Jeanne M. Kelly
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Legg Mason
620
Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, NY 10018
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Year of birth
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1951
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Senior Vice President
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Since 2007
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
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Senior Vice President of certain mutual 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); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005); formerly, Senior Vice President of
LMFAM (2013 to 2015)
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Directors who are not interested persons of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the 1940 Act).
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*
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Effective September 27, 2019, Mr. Berarducci became Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer.
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1
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The Funds Board of Directors is divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The terms of office of the Class I, II and
III Directors expire at the Annual Meetings of Stockholders in the year 2021, year 2020 and year 2022, 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.
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2
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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.
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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55
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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.
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56
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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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, 49th 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.
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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57
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Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)
Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain dividends and
return of capital distributions, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent for the stockholders (the Plan Agent), in additional shares of Common Stock 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.
If you participate in the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined
as follows:
(1) If the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) on the payment date (or, if the payment date
is not a NYSE trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) is equal to or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Fund will issue new Common Stock at a price equal
to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date or (b) 95% of the market price per share of the Common Stock on the payment date.
(2) If the net asset value per share of the Common Stock exceeds the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) at the close
of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will buy Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading
day following the payment date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the payment date for the next succeeding dividend or distribution to be made to the stockholders;
except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) rises so that it equals or exceeds the net asset value per share of the
Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date before the Plan Agent has completed the open market purchases or (ii) if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full amount eligible to be reinvested in open market purchases,
the Plan Agent will cease purchasing Common Stock in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Stock at a price per share equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the
day prior to the issuance of shares for reinvestment or (b) 95% of the then current market price per share.
Common Stock in your account will be held by
the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under the Plan. You may withdraw from the Plan (i.e.,
opt-out) by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such
withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the Plan Agents investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Stock.
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58
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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Plan participants who sell their shares
will be charged a service charge (currently $5.00 per transaction) and the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage charges actually incurred from the proceeds (currently $0.05 per share commission). There is no service charge for reinvestment
of your dividends or distributions in Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be
automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, this allows you to add to your investment through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the average cost of your Common Stock over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for
lowering the average cost per share over time if the 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 Directors, the change is warranted. The Plan may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30 days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or
distribution by the Fund for which the termination or amendment is to be effective. Upon any termination, you will be sent cash for any fractional share of Common Stock in your account. You may elect to notify the Plan Agent in advance of such
termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of your Common Stock on your behalf. Additional information about the Plan and your account may be obtained from the Plan Agent at 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by
calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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59
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Important tax information (unaudited)
The following information is provided with respect to the distributions paid during the taxable year ended November 30, 2019:
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Common shareholders
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Record date:
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Monthly
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Monthly
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Payable date:
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December 2018
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January 2019 through
November 2019
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Tax-exempt interest
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99.91%
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100.00%
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Ordinary income*
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0.09%
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All of the distributions paid to holders of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock and holders of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred
Stock consist of tax-exempt income, except for the following distributions:
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Share Class
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Payable Date
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Tax Exempt Interest
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Ordinary Income*
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ARCP
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12/31/2018
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99.70%
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0.30%
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VRDP
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1/2/2019
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99.92%
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0.08%
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The following information is applicable to non-U.S. resident shareholders:
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All of the ordinary income distributions paid monthly by the Fund represent interest-related dividends eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax
for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations.
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60
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
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Western Asset
Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
Directors
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
Todd F. Kuehl
Chief Compliance Officer
Jenna Bailey
Identity Theft Prevention Officer
Robert I.
Frenkel
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Thomas
C. Mandia
Assistant Secretary
Jeanne M. Kelly
Senior Vice President
Western
Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
620 Eighth Avenue
49th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Investment manager
Legg Mason Partners Fund
Advisor, LLC
Subadviser
Western
Asset Management Company, LLC
Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon
Transfer agent
Computershare Inc.
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
Auction agent
Deutsche Bank
60 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
Independent registered public accounting firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, MD
Legal counsel
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
New York Stock Exchange Symbol
MNP
*
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Effective September 27, 2019, Mr. Berarducci became Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer.
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Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice
Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to the Legg Mason Funds
This Privacy and Security Notice (the Privacy Notice) addresses the Legg Mason Funds privacy and data protection practices with respect to
nonpublic personal information the Funds receive. The Legg Mason Funds include any funds sold by the Funds distributor, Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end
funds. 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.).
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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
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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.leggmason.com, or contact the Funds at 1-888-777-0102.
Revised April 2018
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NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT
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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
620 Eighth Avenue
49th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that from time to time the Fund may purchase, at
market prices, shares of its 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. Previously, the Fund filed a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the
first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds Forms N-PORT and N-Q are available on the SECs
website at www.sec.gov. To obtain information on Forms N-PORT and N-Q, 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.lmcef.com and (3) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset Municipal
Partners Fund Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.
Computershare Inc.
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
WASX010711 1/20 SR19-3788