UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-21128
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
125 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Robert I. Frenkel, Esq.
Legg Mason & Co., LLC
300 First Stamford Place, 4th Floor
Stamford, CT 06902
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 451-2010
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: December 31, 2007
ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.
The Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.
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ANNUAL REPORT DECEMBER 31, 2007 | | Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio |
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| | INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED•NO BANK GUARANTEE•MAY LOSE VALUE
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Legg Mason Partners
Variable Fundamental
Value Portfolio
Annual Report • December 31, 2007
What’s
Inside
Portfolio Objective
The Portfolio seeks long-term capital growth. Current income is a secondary consideration. The investment objective of the Portfolio is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without the approval of shareholders or Policy holders.
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Letter from the Chairman | | I |
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Portfolio Overview | | 1 |
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Portfolio at a Glance | | 4 |
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Portfolio Expenses | | 5 |
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Portfolio Performance | | 7 |
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Historical Performance | | 8 |
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Schedule of Investments | | 9 |
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities | | 14 |
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Statement of Operations | | 15 |
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Statements of Changes in Net Assets | | 16 |
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Financial Highlights | | 17 |
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Notes to Financial Statements | | 19 |
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | | 30 |
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Board Approval of Management and Subadvisory Agreements | | 31 |
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Additional Information | | 36 |
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Important Tax Information | | 42 |
Letter from the Chairman
R. JAY GERKEN, CFA
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Dear Shareholder,
While the U.S. economy continued to expand during the 12-month reporting period ended December 31, 2007, it weakened late in the period. In the first quarter of 2007, U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”)i growth was a tepid 0.6%, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. This was the lowest growth rate since the fourth quarter of 2002. The economy then rebounded, as second quarter 2007 GDP growth was a solid 3.8%. GDP growth accelerated in the third quarter to 4.9%, its strongest showing in four years. A surge in inventory-building and robust exports supported the economy during the third quarter. However, continued weakness in the housing market and an ongoing credit crunch then took their toll on the economy during the last three months of 2007. During this period, the advance estimate for GDP growth was 0.6%.
Ongoing issues related to the housing and subprime mortgage markets and an abrupt tightening in the credit markets prompted the Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”)ii to take several actions during the reporting period. The Fed initially responded by lowering the discount rate — the rate the Fed uses for loans it makes directly to banks — from 6.25% to 5.75% in mid-August 2007. Then, at its meeting on September 18, the Fed reduced the discount rate to 5.25% and the federal funds rateiii from 5.25% to 4.75%. This marked the first reduction in the federal funds rate since June 2003. The Fed again lowered rates in October and December 2007, bringing the federal funds rate to 4.25% at the end of the year. Shortly after the reporting period ended, the Fed continued to ease monetary policy in an attempt to ward off a recession. In a surprise move, the Fed aggressively cut the federal funds rate on January 22, 2008 by 0.75% to 3.50%. The Fed again lowered the federal funds rate during its meeting on January 30, 2008, bringing it to 3.00%. In its statement accompanying its latest rate cut, the Fed stated:
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio I
“Today’s policy action, combined with those taken earlier, should help to promote moderate growth over time and to mitigate the risks to economic activity. However, downside risks to growth remain. The Committee will continue to assess the effects of financial and other developments on economic prospects and will act in a timely manner as needed to address those risks.”
Despite periods of extreme volatility, the U.S. stock market produced overall positive results during the 12-month reporting period. After rising in four of the first five months of the period, the market reversed course beginning in June 2007. Earlier in the reporting period, U.S. stock prices rose on the back of solid corporate profits, an active merger and acquisition (M&A) environment and hopes that the Fed would lower the federal funds rate in 2007. U.S. equity prices then faltered in June and July 2007 due to troubles in the housing market and expectations that the Fed would not lower short-term interest rates in the foreseeable future. U.S. stock prices then rallied from August through October 2007, as the Fed lowered interest rates and it appeared the credit crunch was easing. However, stock prices then fell sharply in November and modestly in December due to mounting losses related to subprime mortgages and fears of slower economic growth in 2008. All told, the S&P 500 Indexiv returned 5.49% during the 12 months ended December 31, 2007.
Looking at the U.S. stock market more closely, large- and mid-cap stocks outperformed their small-cap counterparts, as the Russell 1000v, Russell Midcapvi and Russell 2000vii Indexes returned 5.77%, 5.60% and -1.57%, respectively, during the 12 months ended December 31, 2007. From an investment style perspective, growth stocks outperformed value stocks, with the Russell 3000 Growthviii and Russell 3000 Valueix Indexes returning 11.40% and -1.01%, respectively. This marked the first calendar year since 1999 that, overall, growth stocks outperformed value stocks.
Please read on for a more detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Portfolio’s fiscal year and to learn how those conditions have affected Portfolio performance.
II Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio
Information About Your Portfolio
As you may be aware, several issues in the mutual fund industry have come under the scrutiny of federal and state regulators. Affiliates of the Portfolio’s manager have, in recent years, received requests for information from various government regulators regarding market timing, late trading, fees, and other mutual fund issues in connection with various investigations. The regulators appear to be examining, among other things, the Portfolio’s response to market timing and shareholder exchange activity, including compliance with prospectus disclosure related to these subjects. The Portfolio is not in a position to predict the outcome of these requests and investigations.
Important information with regard to recent regulatory developments that may affect the Portfolio is contained in the Notes to Financial Statements included in this report.
As always, thank you for your confidence in our stewardship of your assets. We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.
Sincerely,
R. Jay Gerken, CFA
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
January 30, 2008
All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
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i | | Gross domestic product (“GDP”) is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time. |
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ii | | The Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”) is responsible for the formulation of policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices, and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments. |
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iii | | The federal funds rate is the rate charged by one depository institution on an overnight sale of immediately available funds (balances at the Federal Reserve) to another depository institution; the rate may vary from depository institution to depository institution and from day to day. |
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iv | | The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 stocks that is generally representative of the performance of larger companies in the U.S. |
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v | | The Russell 1000 Index measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 92% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index. |
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vi | | The Russell Midcap Index measures the performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000 Index, which represents approximately 25% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000 Index. |
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vii | | The Russell 2000 Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index. |
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viii | | The Russell 3000 Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 3000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. (A price-to-book ratio is the price of a stock compared to the difference between a company’s assets and liabilities.) |
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ix | | The Russell 3000 Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 3000 Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. |
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio III
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Portfolio Overview
Q. What were the overall market conditions during the Portfolio’s reporting period?
A. 2007 was characterized by widely disparate conditions that existed in the first and second halves of the year. The year saw the continuation of the “China trade”, enthusiasm for energy and natural resource companies that benefit from increased demand from China and India and the emerging markets. In the first half of the year, risk premiums between lower- and higher-rated assets were among the lowest in history. The first half of 2007 also saw longer-term interest rates bottom out earlier in the period. Yields on 10-year Treasurys then peaked at 5.26% in mid-June, before easing back below 5% as the first half was coming to an endi.
Second quarter earnings reports ushered in a new set of concerns headed by subprime mortgages. It became apparent that many of these mortgages would never be repaid. Securitized packages of subprime loans (collateralized debt obligations or “CDO’s”) were difficult to price and many investment banks and other financial services companies indicated that they had large holdings of these on their balance sheets. During the second half of 2007, financial services stocks declined more than 30% in response to the crisis. With this, came much wider risk premiums and some segments, such as asset-backed commercial paper, became illiquid. During the first half of 2007, there were mild concerns over the possibility inflation would become a problem. As 2007 came to a close, these fears were replaced by concerns that the economy could fall into recession. In the final months of 2007, the Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”)ii reduced interest rates, but the federal funds rateiii remained well above two-year Treasurys. In our opinion, the Fed was waiting to get more complete information on the extent of the subprime problem before getting more aggressive on the monetary front.
Performance Review
For the 12 months ended December 31, 2007, Class I shares of Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio1 returned 1.27%. The Portfolio’s unmanaged benchmark, the S&P 500 Indexiv, returned 5.49 % over the same time frame. The Portfolio’s Lipper Variable Multi-Cap Core Funds Category Average2 returned 6.23% for the same period.
1 The Portfolio is an underlying investment option of various variable annuity and variable life insurance products. The Portfolio’s performance returns do not reflect the deduction of initial sales charges and expenses imposed in connection with investing in variable annuity or variable life insurance contracts, such as administrative fees, account charges and surrender charges, which, if reflected, would reduce the performance of the Portfolio. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
2 Lipper, Inc. is a major independent mutual-fund tracking organization. Returns are based on the 12-month period ended December 31, 2007, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 214 funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category.
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 1
Performance Snapshot as of December 31, 2007 (unaudited)
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| | 6 Months | | 12 Months |
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Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio1 — Class I Shares | | | -4.50% | | | | 1.27% | |
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S&P 500 Index | | | -1.37% | | | | 5.49% | |
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Lipper Variable Multi-Cap Core Funds Category Average2 | | | -1.83% | | | | 6.23% | |
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The performance shown represents past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown above. Principal value and investment returns will fluctuate and investors’ shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Class II shares returned -4.71% over the six months ended December 31, 2007. All share class returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value and the deduction of all Portfolio expenses.
Performance figures reflect expense reimbursements and/or fee waivers, without which the performance would have been lower.
Performance information for the 12-month period is not provided for Class II shares as this share class commenced operations on February 2, 2007.
Effective April 30, 2007, the Portfolio’s non-designated class of shares is re-designated “Class I” shares.
Total Annual Operating Expenses (unaudited)
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| As of the Portfolio’s most current prospectus dated April 30, 2007, the gross total operating expenses for Class I and Class II shares were 0.77% and 1.02%, respectively. |
Q. What were the most significant factors affecting Portfolio performance?
A. Three sectors of the market accounted for the Portfolio underperforming its benchmark. Stock selection within the Information Technology (“IT”) sector negatively impacted Portfolio performance relative to the S&P 500 Index. Four companies in the IT sector had a disproportionate effect on this sector’s results: Apple Inc., Research In Motion Ltd., Google Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. Because of their high valuations, the Portfolio did not own these outperforming issues. We continue to believe our IT holdings represent outstanding absolute and relative values.
We also felt that enthusiasm for Materials and Energy was unsustainable and reduced our positions accordingly. Our Energy holdings performed well; however, our reduced Materials holdings underperformed. And finally, our emphasis on pharmaceuticals within Health Care detracted from performance in that sector.
What were the leading contributors to performance?
A. Over the 12 months ending December 31, 2007, the leading contributing stocks included Honeywell International Inc., Vodafone Group PLC (ADR), Schlumberger Ltd., Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and State Street Corp.
1 The Portfolio is an underlying investment option of various variable annuity and variable life insurance products. The Portfolio’s performance returns do not reflect the deduction of initial sales charges and expenses imposed in connection with investing in variable annuity or variable life insurance contracts, such as administrative fees, account charges and surrender charges, which, if reflected, would reduce the performance of the Portfolio. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
2 Lipper, Inc. is a major independent mutual-fund tracking organization. Returns are based on the period ended December 31, 2007, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 230 funds for the six-month period and among the 214 funds for the 12-month period in the Portfolio’s Lipper category.
2 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
What were the leading detractors from performance?
A. Detractors from performance included stock holdings in PMI Group Inc., Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., MGIC Investment Corp., Interpublic Group of Cos. Inc. and Home Depot Inc.
Q. Were there any significant changes to the Portfolio during the reporting period?
A. There were no significant changes to the Portfolio during the period.
Thank you for your investment in Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Portfolio’s investment goals.
Sincerely,
John C. Goode
Portfolio Manager
ClearBridge Advisors, LLC
January 15, 2008
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.
Portfolio holdings and breakdowns are as of December 31, 2007 and are subject to change and may not be representative of the portfolio manager’s current or future investments. The Portfolio’s top ten holdings (as a percentage of net assets) as of this date were: Vodafone Group PLC (2.9%), State Street Corp. (2.8%), Abbott Laboratories (2.8%), Honeywell International Inc. (2.7%), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (2.6%), Raytheon Co. (2.6%), Microsoft Corp. (2.6%), News Corp. (2.6%), Walt Disney Co. (2.4%), Bank of America Corp. (2.3%). Please refer to pages 9 through 13 for a list and percentage breakdown of the Portfolio’s holdings.
The mention of sector breakdowns is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any securities. The information provided regarding such sectors is not a sufficient basis upon which to make an investment decision. Investors seeking financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities or investment strategies discussed should consult their financial professional. The Portfolio’s top five sector holdings (as a percentage of net assets) as of December 31, 2007 were: Information Technology (18.3%), Financials (16.1%), Health Care (13.3%), Industrials (12.1%), Consumer Discretionary (11.3%). The Portfolio’s composition is subject to change at any time.
RISKS: The Portfolio may invest in small- and mid-cap companies that may involve a higher degree of risk and volatility than investments in large-cap companies. The Portfolio may use derivatives, such as options and futures, which can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on portfolio performance. Foreign securities are subject to certain risks of overseas investing including currency fluctuations and changes in political and economic conditions, which could result in significant market fluctuations. Please see the Portfolio’s prospectus for more information on these and other risks.
All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
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i | | Source: Ned Davis. December, 2007. |
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ii | | The Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”) is responsible for the formulation of policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices, and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments. |
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iii | | The federal funds rate is the rate charged by one depository institution on an overnight sale of immediately available funds (balances at the Federal Reserve) to another depository institution; the rate may vary from depository institution to depository institution and from day to day. |
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iv | | The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 stocks that is generally representative of the performance of larger companies in the U.S. |
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 3
Portfolio at a Glance (unaudited)
Investment Breakdown
4 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
Portfolio Expenses (unaudited)
Example
As a shareholder of the Portfolio, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or services (12b-1) fees; and other Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on July 1, 2007 and held for the six months ended December 31, 2007.
Actual Expenses
The table below titled “Based on Actual Total Return” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 ending account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period”.
Based on Actual Total Return(1)
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| | Annualized
| | Expenses
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| | Actual Total
| | Account
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| | Expense
| | Paid During
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| | Return(2) | | Value | | Value | | Ratio | | the Period(3) |
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Class I | | | -4.50 | % | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 955.00 | | | | 0.77 | % | | $ | 3.79 | |
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Class II | | | -4.71 | % | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 952.90 | | | | 1.25 | % | | | 6.15 | |
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(1) | | For the six months ended December 31, 2007. |
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(2) | | Assumes reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value. Total return is not annualized, as it may not be representative of the total return for the year. Total returns do not reflect expenses associated with the separate account such as administrative fees, account charges and surrender charges, which, if reflected, would reduce the total returns. Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total returns would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. |
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(3) | | Expenses (net of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements) are equal to each class’ respective annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 365. |
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 5
Portfolio Expenses (unaudited) (continued)
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The table below titled “Based on Hypothetical Total Return” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5.00% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use the information provided in this table to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Portfolio and other funds. To do so, compare the 5.00% hypothetical example relating to the Portfolio with the 5.00% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table below are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Based on Hypothetical Total Return(1)
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| | Hypothetical
| | Beginning
| | Ending
| | Annualized
| | Expenses
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| | Annualized
| | Account
| | Account
| | Expense
| | Paid During
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| | Total Return | | Value | | Value | | Ratio | | the Period(2) |
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Class I | | | 5.00 | % | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,021.32 | | | | 0.77 | % | | $ | 3.92 | |
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Class II | | | 5.00 | | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1.018.90 | | | | 1.25 | | | | 6.36 | |
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(1) | | For the six months ended December 31, 2007. |
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(2) | | Expenses (net of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements) are equal to each class’ respective annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year, then divided by 365. |
6 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
Portfolio Performance
Average Annual Total Returns(1) (unaudited)
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| | Class I | | Class II |
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Twelve Months Ended 12/31/07 | | | 1.27 | % | | | N/A | |
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Five Years Ended 12/31/07 | | | 13.21 | | | | N/A | |
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Ten Years Ended 12/31/07 | | | 7.90 | | | | N/A | |
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Inception* through 12/31/07 | | | 10.98 | | | | (1.34 | )% |
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Cumulative Total Return(1) (unaudited)
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Class I (12/31/97* through 12/31/07) | | | | | | | 113.90 | % |
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Class II (Inception* through 12/31/07) | | | | | | | (1.34 | ) |
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(1) | | Assumes reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value. All figures represent past performance, and are not a guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect expenses associated with the separate account, such as administrative fees, account charges and surrender charges, which, if reflected, would reduce the total returns. Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. |
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* | | Inception dates for Class I and II shares are December 3, 1993 and February 2, 2007, respectively. |
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 7
Historical Performance (unaudited)
Value of $10,000 Invested in Class I Shares of the Legg Mason Partners Variable
Fundamental Value Portfolio vs. S&P 500 Index† (December 1997 - December 2007)
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† | Hypothetical illustration of $10,000 invested in Class I shares on December 31, 1997 through December 31, 2007 with that of a similar investment in the S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 stocks that is generally representative of the performance of larger companies in the U.S. The Index is unmanaged and is not subject to the same management and trading expenses as a mutual fund. Please note an investor cannot invest directly in an index. The performance for the Fund’s other class, Class II, would be lower than the Class I shares’ performance indicated on this chart to the extent that Class II shares have higher expenses than Class I shares. |
All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The graph does not reflect expenses associated with the separate account such as administrative fees, account charges and surrender charges which, if reflected, would reduce the total returns. Performance figures may reflect voluntary fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower.
8 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (December 31, 2007)
LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE FUNDAMENTAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
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Shares | | Security | | Value |
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COMMON STOCKS — 97.6% |
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 11.3% |
Media — 8.3% |
| 1,574,620 | | | Interpublic Group of Cos. Inc.* | | $ | 12,770,168 | |
| 279,100 | | | News Corp., Class A Shares | | | 5,718,759 | |
| 1,376,300 | | | News Corp., Class B Shares | | | 29,246,375 | |
| 1,170,650 | | | Time Warner Inc. | | | 19,327,432 | |
| 842,300 | | | Walt Disney Co. | | | 27,189,444 | |
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| | | | Total Media | | | 94,252,178 | |
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Specialty Retail — 3.0% |
| 954,600 | | | Gap Inc. | | | 20,313,888 | |
| 536,500 | | | Home Depot Inc. | | | 14,453,310 | |
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| | | | Total Specialty Retail | | | 34,767,198 | |
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| | | | TOTAL CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY | | | 129,019,376 | |
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CONSUMER STAPLES — 7.2% |
Food & Staples Retailing — 2.2% |
| 10,971 | | | FHC Delaware Inc. (a)(b)* | | | 0 | |
| 527,400 | | | Wal-Mart Stores Inc. | | | 25,067,322 | |
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| | | | Total Food & Staples Retailing | | | 25,067,322 | |
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Food Products — 3.5% |
| 441,776 | | | Kraft Foods Inc., Class A Shares | | | 14,415,151 | |
| 307,520 | | | Unilever PLC | | | 11,532,578 | |
| 371,620 | | | Unilever PLC, ADR | | | 13,906,020 | |
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| | | | Total Food Products | | | 39,853,749 | |
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Household Products — 1.5% |
| 251,800 | | | Kimberly-Clark Corp. | | | 17,459,812 | |
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| | | | TOTAL CONSUMER STAPLES | | | 82,380,883 | |
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ENERGY — 10.7% |
Energy Equipment & Services — 4.6% |
| 114,600 | | | Baker Hughes Inc. | | | 9,294,060 | |
| 281,300 | | | BJ Services Co. | | | 6,824,338 | |
| 320,700 | | | Halliburton Co. | | | 12,157,737 | |
| 105,900 | | | Nabors Industries Ltd.* | | | 2,900,601 | |
| 119,600 | | | Schlumberger Ltd. | | | 11,765,052 | |
| 68,120 | | | Transocean Inc. | | | 9,751,378 | |
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| | | | Total Energy Equipment & Services | | | 52,693,166 | |
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See Notes to Financial Statements.
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 9
Schedule of Investments (December 31, 2007) (continued)
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | Security | | Value |
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Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 6.1% |
| 289,500 | | | Anadarko Petroleum Corp. | | $ | 19,017,255 | |
| 111,800 | | | Chevron Corp. | | | 10,434,294 | |
| 75,200 | | | ConocoPhillips | | | 6,640,160 | |
| 86,300 | | | Devon Energy Corp. | | | 7,672,933 | |
| 124,100 | | | Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | 11,626,929 | |
| 383,090 | | | Williams Cos. Inc. | | | 13,706,960 | |
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| | | | Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | | | 69,098,531 | |
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| | | | TOTAL ENERGY | | | 121,791,697 | |
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FINANCIALS — 16.1% |
Capital Markets — 4.5% |
| 39,400 | | | Franklin Resources Inc. | | | 4,508,542 | |
| 294,300 | | | Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. | | | 15,798,024 | |
| 388,100 | | | State Street Corp. | | | 31,513,720 | |
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| | | | Total Capital Markets | | | 51,820,286 | |
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Consumer Finance — 1.2% |
| 277,200 | | | American Express Co. | | | 14,419,944 | |
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Diversified Financial Services — 4.9% |
| 630,942 | | | Bank of America Corp. | | | 26,032,667 | |
| 685,156 | | | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 29,907,059 | |
|
| | | | Total Diversified Financial Services | | | 55,939,726 | |
|
Insurance — 3.8% |
| 145,620 | | | Allied World Assurance Holdings Ltd. | | | 7,305,755 | |
| 369,200 | | | Chubb Corp. | | | 20,150,936 | |
| 327,015 | | | CNA Surety Corp.* | | | 6,471,627 | |
| 102,900 | | | Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. | | | 8,971,851 | |
|
| | | | Total Insurance | | | 42,900,169 | |
|
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.1% |
| 674,300 | | | Annaly Mortgage Management Inc. | | | 12,258,774 | |
|
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.6% |
| 488,980 | | | PMI Group Inc. | | | 6,493,655 | |
|
| | | | TOTAL FINANCIALS | | | 183,832,554 | |
|
|
HEALTH CARE — 13.3% |
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.5% |
| 492,419 | | | Enzo Biochem Inc.* | | | 6,273,418 | |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
10 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (December 31, 2007) (continued)
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | Security | | Value |
|
|
Pharmaceuticals — 12.8% |
| 558,600 | | | Abbott Laboratories | | $ | 31,365,390 | |
| 216,172 | | | Bentley Pharmaceuticals Inc.* | | | 3,262,036 | |
| 212,700 | | | Eli Lilly & Co. | | | 11,356,053 | |
| 155,400 | | | Forest Laboratories Inc.* | | | 5,664,330 | |
| 311,700 | | | GlaxoSmithKline PLC, ADR | | | 15,706,563 | |
| 324,200 | | | Johnson & Johnson | | | 21,624,140 | |
| 227,400 | | | Novartis AG, ADR | | | 12,350,094 | |
| 935,100 | | | Pfizer Inc. | | | 21,254,823 | |
| 523,400 | | | Wyeth | | | 23,129,046 | |
|
| | | | Total Pharmaceuticals | | | 145,712,475 | |
|
| | | | TOTAL HEALTH CARE | | | 151,985,893 | |
|
|
INDUSTRIALS — 12.1% |
Aerospace & Defense — 6.5% |
| 159,300 | | | Boeing Co. | | | 13,932,378 | |
| 496,000 | | | Honeywell International Inc. | | | 30,538,720 | |
| 490,700 | | | Raytheon Co. | | | 29,785,490 | |
|
| | | | Total Aerospace & Defense | | | 74,256,588 | |
|
Building Products — 0.3% |
| 108,550 | | | Simpson Manufacturing Co. Inc. | | | 2,886,344 | |
|
Electrical Equipment — 0.5% |
| 98,500 | | | Emerson Electric Co. | | | 5,581,010 | |
|
Industrial Conglomerates — 2.3% |
| 696,800 | | | General Electric Co. | | | 25,830,376 | |
|
Machinery — 2.5% |
| 236,900 | | | Caterpillar Inc. | | | 17,189,464 | |
| 250,600 | | | Dover Corp. | | | 11,550,154 | |
|
| | | | Total Machinery | | | 28,739,618 | |
|
| | | | TOTAL INDUSTRIALS | | | 137,293,936 | |
|
|
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY — 18.3% |
Communications Equipment — 3.6% |
| 695,200 | | | Cisco Systems Inc.* | | | 18,819,064 | |
| 1,359,900 | | | Motorola Inc. | | | 21,812,796 | |
|
| | | | Total Communications Equipment | | | 40,631,860 | |
|
Computers & Peripherals — 1.7% |
| 185,500 | | | International Business Machines Corp. | | | 20,052,550 | |
| 42,500 | | | Socket Communications Inc.* | | | 34,850 | |
|
| | | | Total Computers & Peripherals | | | 20,087,400 | |
|
Electronic Equipment & Instruments — 0.9% |
| 282,300 | | | Agilent Technologies Inc.* | | | 10,371,702 | |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 11
Schedule of Investments (December 31, 2007) (continued)
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | Security | | Value |
|
|
Internet Software & Services — 1.4% |
| 67,400 | | | Bridgeline Software Inc.* | | $ | 246,684 | |
| 258,400 | | | eBay Inc.* | | | 8,576,296 | |
| 183,810 | | | VeriSign Inc.* | | | 6,913,094 | |
|
| | | | Total Internet Software & Services | | | 15,736,074 | |
|
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 8.0% |
| 1,308,900 | | | Applied Materials Inc. | | | 23,246,064 | |
| 444,900 | | | Novellus Systems Inc.* | | | 12,265,893 | |
| 45,600 | | | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., GDR(c) | | | 13,349,400 | |
| 1,577,204 | | | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., ADR | | | 15,708,952 | |
| 708,200 | | | Texas Instruments Inc. | | | 23,653,880 | |
| 91,191 | | | Verigy Ltd.* | | | 2,477,660 | |
|
| | | | Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | | | 90,701,849 | |
|
Software — 2.7% |
| 824,800 | | | Microsoft Corp. | | | 29,362,880 | |
| 6,700 | | | Sybase Inc.* | | | 174,803 | |
| 709,867 | | | Wave Systems Corp., Class A* | | | 1,029,307 | |
|
| | | | Total Software | | | 30,566,990 | |
|
| | | | TOTAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | | | 208,095,875 | |
|
|
MATERIALS — 5.7% |
Chemicals — 2.8% |
| 311,900 | | | Dow Chemical Co. | | | 12,295,098 | |
| 430,200 | | | E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. | | | 18,967,518 | |
|
| | | | Total Chemicals | | | 31,262,616 | |
|
Metals & Mining — 1.5% |
| 472,400 | | | Alcoa Inc. | | | 17,266,220 | |
|
Paper & Forest Products — 1.4% |
| 216,800 | | | Weyerhaeuser Co. | | | 15,986,832 | |
|
| | | | TOTAL MATERIALS | | | 64,515,668 | |
|
|
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 2.9% |
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.9% |
| 878,412 | | | Vodafone Group PLC, ADR | | | 32,782,335 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT (Cost — $861,829,918) | | | 1,111,698,217 | |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
12 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (December 31, 2007) (continued)
| | | | | | | | |
Face
| | | | |
Amount | | Security | | Value |
|
|
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT — 2.2% |
Repurchase Agreement — 2.2% |
$ | 25,157,000 | | | Interest in $240,762,000 joint tri-party repurchase agreement dated 12/31/07 with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., 3.800% due 1/2/08; Proceeds at maturity — $25,162,311; (Fully collateralized by various U.S. government agency obligations, 0.000% to 9.375% due 7/15/15 to 1/15/30; Market value — $25,660,159) (Cost — $25,157,000) | | $ | 25,157,000 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.8% (Cost — $886,986,918#) | | | 1,136,855,217 | |
| | | | Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.2% | | | 1,721,238 | |
|
| | | | TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0% | | $ | 1,138,576,455 | |
|
| | |
* | | Non-income producing security. |
|
(a) | | Security is valued in good faith at fair value by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees (See Note 1). |
|
(b) | | Illiquid security. |
|
(c) | | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees, unless otherwise noted. |
|
# | | Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is $887,016,904. |
Abbreviations used in this schedule:
| | |
ADR | | — American Depositary Receipt |
GDR | | — Global Depositary Receipt |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 13
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (December 31, 2007)
| | | | |
ASSETS: | | | | |
Investments, at value (Cost — $886,986,918) | | $ | 1,136,855,217 | |
Foreign currency, at value (Cost — $75) | | | 73 | |
Cash | | | 414 | |
Receivable for securities sold | | | 2,893,425 | |
Dividends and interest receivable | | | 2,440,787 | |
Receivable for Fund shares sold | | | 83,569 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 12,394 | |
|
Total Assets | | | 1,142,285,879 | |
|
LIABILITIES: | | | | |
Payable for securities purchased | | | 1,850,007 | |
Payable for Fund shares repurchased | | | 985,558 | |
Investment management fee payable | | | 775,679 | |
Trustees’ fees payable | | | 34,010 | |
Deferred compensation payable | | | 6,711 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 57,459 | |
|
Total Liabilities | | | 3,709,424 | |
|
Total Net Assets | | $ | 1,138,576,455 | |
|
| | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | |
Par value (Note 6) | | $ | 525 | |
Paid-in capital in excess of par value | | | 888,096,889 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 745,503 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions | | | (134,759 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currencies | | | 249,868,297 | |
|
Total Net Assets | | $ | 1,138,576,455 | |
|
| | | | |
Shares Outstanding: | | | | |
| | | | |
Class I | | | 52,491,919 | |
|
Class II | | | 22 | |
|
Net Asset Value: | | | | |
| | | | |
Class I | | | $21.69 | |
|
Class II | | | $21.70 | |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
14 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
Statement of Operations (For the year ended December 31, 2007)
| | | | |
INVESTMENT INCOME: | | | | |
Dividends | | $ | 21,861,029 | |
Interest | | | 2,051,416 | |
Less: Foreign taxes withheld | | | (195,284 | ) |
|
Total Investment Income | | | 23,717,161 | |
|
EXPENSES: | | | | |
Investment management fee (Note 2) | | | 8,587,598 | |
Legal fees | | | 59,333 | |
Shareholder reports (Note 4) | | | 56,918 | |
Trustees’ fees | | | 47,493 | |
Audit and tax | | | 33,643 | |
Insurance | | | 15,877 | |
Custody fees | | | 14,086 | |
Transfer agent fees (Note 4) | | | 328 | |
Distribution fees (Notes 2 and 4) | | | 1 | |
Miscellaneous expenses | | | 12,210 | |
|
Total Expenses | | | 8,827,487 | |
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Note 2) | | | (2,523 | ) |
|
Net Expenses | | | 8,824,964 | |
|
Net Investment Income | | | 14,892,197 | |
|
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS (NOTES 1 AND 3): | | | | |
Net Realized Gain From: | | | | |
Investment transactions | | | 52,502,122 | |
Foreign currency transactions | | | 16,826 | |
|
Net Realized Gain | | | 52,518,948 | |
|
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation From: | | | | |
Investments | | | (65,232,874 | ) |
Foreign currencies | | | (2 | ) |
|
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation | | | (65,232,876 | ) |
|
Net Loss on Investments and Foreign Currency Transactions | | | (12,713,928 | ) |
|
Increase in Net Assets From Operations | | $ | 2,178,269 | |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 15
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (For the years ended December 31,)
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 |
|
|
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 14,892,197 | | | $ | 14,566,027 | |
Net realized gain | | | 52,518,948 | | | | 39,081,203 | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | (65,232,876 | ) | | | 89,832,519 | |
|
Increase in Net Assets From Operations | | | 2,178,269 | | | | 143,479,749 | |
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM (NOTES 1 AND 5): | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | (14,300,058 | ) | | | (14,835,090 | ) |
Net realized gains | | | (55,968,611 | ) | | | (37,566,545 | ) |
|
Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders | | | (70,268,669 | ) | | | (52,401,635 | ) |
|
FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 6): | | | | | | | | |
Net proceeds from sale of shares | | | 69,687,155 | | | | 49,205,279 | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | | 70,268,669 | | | | 52,401,635 | |
Cost of shares repurchased | | | (222,048,406 | ) | | | (126,127,386 | ) |
Net assets of shares issued in connection with merger (Note 7) | | | 325,733,849 | | | | — | |
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions | | | 243,641,267 | | | | (24,520,472 | ) |
|
Increase in Net Assets | | | 175,550,867 | | | | 66,557,642 | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | 963,025,588 | | | | 896,467,946 | |
|
End of year* | | $ | 1,138,576,455 | | | $ | 963,025,588 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
* Includes undistributed net investment income of: | | | $745,503 | | | | $170,434 | |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
16 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
Financial Highlights
For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I Shares | | 2007(1) | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 |
|
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year | | | $22.79 | | | | $20.63 | | | | $21.10 | | | | $20.08 | | | | $14.56 | |
|
Income From Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 0.30 | | | | 0.36 | | | | 0.21 | | | | 0.13 | | | | 0.11 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain | | | 0.01 | | | | 3.10 | | | | 0.80 | | | | 1.52 | | | | 5.51 | |
|
Total Income From Operations | | | 0.31 | | | | 3.46 | | | | 1.01 | | | | 1.65 | | | | 5.62 | |
|
Less Distributions From: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | (0.29 | ) | | | (0.37 | ) | | | (0.20 | ) | | | (0.14 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) |
Net realized gains | | | (1.12 | ) | | | (0.93 | ) | | | (1.28 | ) | | | (0.49 | ) | | | — | |
|
Total Distributions | | | (1.41 | ) | | | (1.30 | ) | | | (1.48 | ) | | | (0.63 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) |
|
Net Asset Value, End of Year | | | $21.69 | | | | $22.79 | | | | $20.63 | | | | $21.10 | | | | $20.08 | |
|
Total Return(2) | | | 1.27 | % | | | 16.80 | % | | | 4.78 | % | | | 8.22 | % | | | 38.64 | % |
|
Net Assets, End of Year (millions) | | | $1,139 | | | | $963 | | | | $896 | | | | $886 | | | | $734 | |
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross expenses | | | 0.77 | % | | | 0.79 | %(3) | | | 0.78 | % | | | 0.77 | % | | | 0.77 | % |
Net expenses | | | 0.77 | | | | 0.78 | (3)(4) | | | 0.78 | | | | 0.77 | (4) | | | 0.77 | |
Net investment income | | | 1.30 | | | | 1.59 | | | | 0.97 | | | | 0.68 | | | | 0.71 | |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 15 | % | | | 21 | % | | | 34 | % | | | 31 | % | | | 18 | % |
|
| | |
(1) | | Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
|
(2) | | Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns do not reflect expenses associated with the separate accounts such as administrative fees, account charges and surrender charges which, if reflected, would reduce the total return for all periods shown. |
|
(3) | | Included in the expense ratios are certain non-recurring restructuring (and reorganization, if applicable) fees that were incurred by the Fund during the period. Without these fees, the gross and net expense ratios would have been 0.77 % and 0.76%, respectively (Note 12). |
|
(4) | | Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 17
Financial Highlights (continued)
For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended December 31, unless otherwise noted:
| | | | | | | | |
Class II Shares(1) | | 2007(2) | | |
|
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | | | $23.29 | | | | | |
|
Income (Loss) From Operations: | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 0.19 | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized loss | | | (0.48 | ) | | | | |
|
Total Loss From Operations | | | (0.29 | ) | | | | |
|
Less Distributions From: | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | (0.18 | ) | | | | |
Net realized gains | | | (1.12 | ) | | | | |
|
Total Distributions | | | (1.30 | ) | | | | |
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period | | | $21.70 | | | | | |
|
Total Return(3) | | | (1.34 | )% | | | | |
|
Net Assets, End of Period | | | $487 | | | | | |
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets: | | | | | | | | |
Gross expenses | | | 557.68 | %(4) | | | | |
Net expenses(5) | | | 1.25 | (4)(6) | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 0.88 | (4) | | | | |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 15 | % | | | | |
|
| | |
(1) | | Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
|
(2) | | For the period February 2, 2007 (inception date) to December 31, 2007. |
|
(3) | | Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Total returns do not reflect expenses associated with the separate accounts such as administrative fees, account charges and surrender charges which, if reflected, would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. |
|
(4) | | Annualized. |
|
(5) | | As a result of an expense limitation, the ratio of expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes and extraordinary expenses, to average net assets of Class II shares will not exceed 1.25%. |
|
(6) | | Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
18 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
| |
1. | Organization and Significant Accounting Policies |
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio (the “Fund”) is a separate diversified investment series of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust, a Maryland business trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. Prior to April 30, 2007, the Fund was a separate diversified series of Legg Mason Partners Variable Portfolios II, a Massachusetts business trust registered under the 1940 Act.
Shares of the Fund may only be purchased or redeemed through variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or through eligible pension or other qualified plans.
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.
(a) Investment Valuation. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Debt securities are valued at the mean between the last quoted bid and asked prices provided by an independent pricing service that are based on transactions in debt obligations, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in comparable securities and various other relationships between securities. When prices are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect fair value, 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 may value these securities at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Short-term obligations with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
(b) Repurchase Agreements. When entering into repurchase agreements, it is the Fund’s policy that its custodian or a third party custodian take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the market value of which, at all times, at least equals the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the seller defaults, and the market value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.
(c) Foreign Currency Translation. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates at the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 19
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions.
The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.
Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, including gains and losses on forward foreign currency contracts, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, at the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of lower levels of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.
(d) Security Transactions and Investment Income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis.
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Foreign dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as practical after the Fund determines the existence of a dividend declaration after exercising reasonable due diligence. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults on an expected interest payment, the Fund’s policy is to generally halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default.
(e) Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions from net investment income and distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Distributions to shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
(f) Class Accounting. Investment income, common expenses and realized/unrealized gain (loss) on investments are allocated to the various classes of the Fund on the basis of daily net assets of each class. Fees relating to a specific class are charged directly to that class.
(g) Federal and Other Taxes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders each year. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements.
20 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of December 31, 2007, no provision for income tax would be required in the fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.
Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and capital gains at various rates.
(h) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. During the current year, the following reclassifications have been made:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Undistributed Net
| | Accumulated Net
| | Paid-in
|
| | Investment Income | | Realized Loss | | Capital |
|
|
(a) | | $ | (32,718 | ) | | | — | | | $ | 32,718 | |
(b) | | | 16,813 | | | $ | (16,813 | ) | | | — | |
|
| | |
(a) | | Reclassifications are primarily due to book/tax differences in the treatment of various items. |
|
(b) | | Reclassifications are primarily due to foreign currency transactions treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. |
| |
2. | Investment Management Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates |
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager and ClearBridge Advisors, LLC (“ClearBridge”) is the Fund’s subadviser. LMPFA and ClearBridge are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”).
Under the investment management agreement, the Fund pays an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, in accordance with the following breakpoint schedule:
| | | | |
Average Daily Net Assets | | Annual Rate |
|
|
Up to $1.5 billion | | | 0.750 | % |
Next $0.5 billion | | | 0.700 | |
Next $0.5 billion | | | 0.650 | |
Next $1 billion | | | 0.600 | |
Over $3.5 billion | | | 0.500 | |
|
LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. LMPFA delegates to the subadviser the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund, except for the management for cash and short-term investment. For its services, LMPFA pays ClearBridge 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Fund’s Class II Shares had a voluntary expense limitation in place of 1.25%.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, The Fund was reimbursed for expenses amounting to $2,523.
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 21
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
Where the Fund’s Total Annual Operating Expenses shown above are reduced by voluntarily fee waivers and reimbursements (“expense cap”), the manager (effective January 1, 2008) is permitted to recapture amounts previously waived, or reimbursed, by the manager to the Fund during the same fiscal year if the Fund’s Total Annual Operating Expenses have fallen to a level below the expense cap. In no case will the manager recapture any amount that would result, on any particular Fund Business Day, in the Fund’s Total Annual Operating Expenses exceeding the expense cap.
Effective December 1, 2007, Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (“LMIS”), a wholly owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Legg Mason, serves as the Fund’s sole and exclusive distributor. Prior to December 1, 2007, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGM”) and LMIS served as co-distributors of the Fund.
The Fund had adopted an unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”) which allowed non-interested trustees (“Trustees”) to defer the receipt of all or a portion of the trustees’ fees earned until a later date specified by the Trustees. The deferred fees earn a return based on notional investments selected by the Trustees. The balance of the deferred fees payable may change depending upon the investment performance. Any gains or losses incurred in the deferred balances are reported in the Statement of Operations under Trustees’ fees. Under the Plan, deferred fees are considered a general obligation of the Fund and any payments made pursuant to the Plan will be made from the Fund’s general assets. The Plan was terminated effective January 1, 2007. This change will have no effect on fees previously deferred. As of December 31, 2007, the Fund had accrued $6,711 as deferred compensation payable.
Certain officers and one Trustee of the Trust are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Trust.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:
| | | | |
Purchases | | $ | 169,479,209 | |
|
Sales | | | 245,955,129 | |
|
At December 31, 2007, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:
| | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation | | $ | 286,819,146 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation | | | (36,980,833 | ) |
|
Net unrealized appreciation | | $ | 249,838,313 | |
|
| |
4. | Class Specific Expenses |
The Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 distribution plan and under that plan the Fund pays a service fee with respect to its Class II shares calculated at the annual rate of 0.25% of
22 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
the average daily net assets. There is no distribution fee incurred by the Fund’s Class I Shares. Distribution fees are accrued daily and paid monthly.
For the year ended December 31, 2007, class specific expenses were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Distribution
| | Transfer Agent
| | Shareholder Reports
|
| | Fees | | Fees | | Expenses |
|
|
Class I | | | — | | | $ | 304 | | | $ | 54,418 | |
Class II* | | $ | 1 | | | | 24 | | | | 2,500 | |
|
Total | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 328 | | | $ | 56,918 | |
|
| | |
* | | For the period February 2, 2007 (inception date) to December 31, 2007. |
| |
5. | Distributions to Shareholders by Class |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended
| | Year Ended
|
| | December 31, 2007 | | December 31, 2006 |
|
|
Net Investment Income | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | $ | 14,300,054 | | | $ | 14,835,090 | |
Class II* | | | 4 | | | | — | |
|
Total | | $ | 14,300,058 | | | $ | 14,835,090 | |
|
Net Realized Gains | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | $ | 55,968,587 | | | $ | 37,566,545 | |
Class II* | | | 24 | | | | — | |
|
Total | | $ | 55,968,611 | | | $ | 37,566,545 | |
|
| | |
* | | For the period February 2, 2007 (inception date) to December 31, 2007. |
| |
6. | Shares of Beneficial Interest |
At December 31, 2007, the Trust had an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized with a par value of $0.00001 per share. The Fund has the ability to issue multiple classes of shares. Each share of a class represents an identical interest and has the same rights, except that each class bears certain direct expenses including those specifically related to the distribution of its shares. Prior to April 30, 2007, the Fund had an unlimited number of shares of capital stock authorized with a par value of $0.001 per share.
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 23
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
Transactions in shares of each Fund were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended
| | Year Ended
|
| | December 31, 2007 | | December 31, 2006 |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount |
|
|
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 2,950,416 | | | $ | 69,686,655 | | | | 2,235,413 | | | $ | 49,205,279 | |
Shares issued on reinvestment | | | 3,183,679 | | | | 70,268,642 | | | | 2,300,194 | | | | 52,401,635 | |
Shares repurchased | | | (9,445,024 | ) | | | (222,048,399 | ) | | | (5,739,088 | ) | | | (126,127,386 | ) |
Shares issued with merger | | | 13,544,874 | | | | 325,733,849 | | | | — | | | | — | |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) | | | 10,233,945 | | | $ | 243,640,747 | | | | (1,203,481 | ) | | $ | (24,520,472 | ) |
|
Class II* | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 21 | | | $ | 500 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Shares issued on reinvestment | | | 1 | | | | 27 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Shares repurchased | | | (0 | )** | | | (7 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
|
Net Increase | | | 22 | | | $ | 520 | | | | — | | | | — | |
|
| | |
* | | For the period February 2, 2007 (inception date) to December 31, 2007. |
|
** | | Rounds to less than 1 share. |
| |
7. | Transfer of Net Assets |
On April 27, 2007, the Fund acquired the assets and certain liabilities of the Legg Mason Partners Variable All Cap Portfolio, pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by Legg Mason Partners Variable All Cap Portfolio shareholders. Total shares issued by the Fund and the total net assets of the Legg Mason Partners Variable All Cap Portfolio and the Fund on the date of the transfer were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Total Net Assets of the
| | |
| | Shares Issued
| | Legg Mason Partners
| | |
| | by the
| | Variable
| | Total Net Assets
|
Acquired Fund | | Fund | | All Cap Portfolio | | of the Fund |
|
|
Legg Mason Partners Variable All Cap Portfolio | | | 13,544,874 | | | $ | 325,733,849 | | | $ | 987,926,472 | |
|
The total net assets of the Legg Mason Partners Variable All Cap Portfolio before acquisition included unrealized appreciation of $85,274,532, accumulated net realized loss of $13,457 and accumulated net investment loss of $1,165. Total net assets of the Fund immediately after the transfer were $1,313,660,321. The transaction was structured to qualify as a tax-free reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
24 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
| |
8. | Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders |
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007, was as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 |
|
|
Distributions Paid From: | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary Income | | $ | 19,639,722 | | | $ | 16,842,892 | |
Net Long-term Capital Gains | | | 50,628,947 | | | | 35,558,743 | |
|
Total Taxable Distributions | | $ | 70,268,669 | | | $ | 52,401,635 | |
|
As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income — net | | | | | | $ | 790,702 | |
Undistributed long-term capital gains — net | | | | | | | 677,930 | |
|
Total undistributed earnings | | | | | | $ | 1,468,632 | |
Capital loss carryforward* | | | | | | $ | (575,004 | ) |
Other book/tax temporary differences(a) | | | | | | | (252,898 | ) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)(b) | | | | | | | 249,838,311 | |
|
Total accumulated earnings/(losses) — net | | | | | | $ | 250,479,041 | |
|
| | |
* | | During the taxable year ended December 31, 2007, the Fund utilized $191,668 of its capital loss carryover available from prior years. As of December 31, 2007, the Fund had the following net capital loss carryforwards remaining: |
| | | | |
Year of Expiration | | Amount |
12/31/2009 | | $ | (383,336 | ) |
12/31/2010 | | | (191,668 | ) |
| | | | |
| | $ | (575,004 | ) |
| | | | |
These amounts will be available to offset any future tax capital gains. However, the Fund is subject to an annual limitation of $191,668 as a result of a previous ownership change.
| | |
(a) | | Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on straddles and book/tax treatment of various items. |
|
(b) | | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
On May 31, 2005, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued an order in connection with the settlement of an administrative proceeding against Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“SBFM”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason and the then-investment adviser or manager to the Fund, and CGM, a former distributor of the Fund, relating to the appointment of an affiliated transfer agent for the Smith Barney family of mutual funds, including the Fund (the “Affected Funds”).
The SEC order found that SBFM and CGM willfully violated Section 206(1) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder (the “Advisers Act”). Specifically, the order found that SBFM and CGM knowingly or recklessly failed to disclose to the boards of the Affected Funds in 1999 when proposing a
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 25
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
new transfer agent arrangement with an affiliated transfer agent that: First Data Investors Services Group (“First Data”), the Affected Funds’ then-existing transfer agent, had offered to continue as transfer agent and do the same work for substantially less money than before; and that Citigroup Asset Management (“CAM”), the Citigroup business unit that, at the time, included the Affected Funds’ investment manager and other investment advisory companies, had entered into a side letter with First Data under which CAM agreed to recommend the appointment of First Data as sub-transfer agent to the affiliated transfer agent in exchange, among other things, for a guarantee by First Data of specified amounts of asset management and investment banking fees to CAM and CGM. The order also found that SBFM and CGM willfully violated Section 206(2) of the Advisers Act by virtue of the omissions discussed above and other misrepresentations and omissions in the materials provided to the Affected Funds’ boards, including the failure to make clear that the affiliated transfer agent would earn a high profit for performing limited functions while First Data continued to perform almost all of the transfer agent functions, and the suggestion that the proposed arrangement was in the Affected Funds’ best interests and that no viable alternatives existed.
SBFM and CGM do not admit or deny any wrongdoing or liability. The settlement does not establish wrongdoing or liability for purposes of any other proceeding. The SEC censured SBFM and CGM and ordered them to cease and desist from violations of Sections 206(1) and 206(2) of the Advisers Act. The order required Citigroup to pay $208.1 million, including $109 million in disgorgement of profits, $19.1 million in interest, and a civil money penalty of $80 million. Approximately $24.4 million has already been paid to the Affected Funds, primarily through fee waivers. The remaining $183.7 million, including the penalty, has been paid to the U.S. Treasury and will be distributed pursuant to a plan submitted for the approval of the SEC. At this time, there is no certainty as to how the above-described proceeds of the settlement will be distributed, to whom such distributions will be made, the methodology by which such distributions will be allocated, and when such distributions will be made. The order also required that transfer agency fees received from the Affected Funds since December 1, 2004, less certain expenses, be placed in escrow and provided that a portion of such fees might be subsequently distributed in accordance with the terms of the order. On April 3, 2006, an aggregate amount of approximately $9 million held in escrow was distributed to the Affected Funds.
The order required SBFM to recommend a new transfer agent contract to the Affected Funds’ boards within 180 days of the entry of the order; if a Citigroup affiliate submitted a proposal to serve as transfer agent or sub-transfer agent, SBFM and CGM would have been required, at their expense, to engage an independent monitor to oversee a competitive bidding process. On November 21, 2005, and within the specified timeframe, the Affected Funds’ boards selected a new transfer agent for the Affected Funds. No Citigroup affiliate submitted a proposal to serve as transfer agent. Under the order, SBFM also must comply with an amended version of a vendor policy that Citigroup instituted in August 2004. Although there can be no assurance, the manager does not believe that this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Affected Funds.
26 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
On December 1, 2005, Citigroup completed the sale of substantially all of its global asset management business, including SBFM, to Legg Mason.
Beginning in June 2004, class action lawsuits alleging violations of the federal securities laws were filed against CGM, a former distributor of the Fund, and other affiliated funds (collectively, the “Funds”) and a number of its then affiliates, including SBFM and Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc. (“SBAM”), which were then investment adviser or manager to certain of the Funds (the “Managers”), substantially all of the mutual funds then managed by the Managers (the “Defendant Funds”), and Board members of the Defendant Funds (collectively, the “Defendants”). The complaints alleged, among other things, that CGM created various undisclosed incentives for its brokers to sell Smith Barney and Salomon Brothers funds. In addition, according to the complaints, the Managers caused the Defendant Funds to pay excessive brokerage commissions to CGM for steering clients towards proprietary funds. The complaints also alleged that the Defendants breached their fiduciary duty to the Defendant Funds by improperly charging Rule 12b-1 fees and by drawing on fund assets to make undisclosed payments of soft dollars and excessive brokerage commissions. The complaints also alleged that the Defendant Funds failed to adequately disclose certain of the allegedly wrongful conduct. The complaints sought injunctive relief and compensatory and punitive damages, rescission of the Defendant Funds’ contracts with the Managers, recovery of all fees paid to the Managers pursuant to such contracts and an award of attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses.
On December 15, 2004, a consolidated amended complaint (the “Complaint”) was filed alleging substantially similar causes of action. On May 27, 2005, all of the Defendants filed motions to dismiss the Complaint. On July 26, 2006, the court issued a decision and order (1) finding that plaintiffs lacked standing to sue on behalf of the shareholders of the Funds in which none of the plaintiffs had invested and dismissing those Funds from the case (although stating that they could be brought back into the case if standing as to them could be established), and (2) other than one stayed claim, dismissing all of the causes of action against the remaining Defendants, with prejudice, except for the cause of action under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act, which the court granted plaintiffs leave to repeal as a derivative claim.
On October 16, 2006, plaintiffs filed their Second Consolidated Amended Complaint (“Second Amended Complaint”) which alleges derivative claims on behalf of nine funds identified in the Second Amended Complaint, under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act, against CAM, SBAM and SBFM as investment advisers to the identified funds, as well as CGM as a distributor for the identified funds (collectively, the “Second Amended Complaint Defendants”). The Fund was not identified in the Second Amended Complaint. The Second Amended Complaint alleges no claims against any of the funds or any of their Board Members. Under Section 36(b), the Second Amended Complaint alleges similar facts and seeks similar relief against the Second Amended Complaint Defendants as the Complaint.
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 27
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
On December 3, 2007, the court granted the Defendants’ motion to dismiss with prejudice. On January 2, 2008, the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be filed in the future.
* * *
Beginning in August 2005, five class action lawsuits alleging violations of federal securities laws and state law were filed against CGM and SBFM, (collectively, the “Defendants”) based on the May 31, 2005 settlement order issued against the Defendants by the SEC as described in Note 9. The complaints seek injunctive relief and compensatory and punitive damages, removal of SBFM as the investment manager for the Smith Barney family of funds, rescission of the funds’ management and other contracts with SBFM, recovery of all fees paid to SBFM pursuant to such contracts, and an award of attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses.
On October 5, 2005, a motion to consolidate the five actions and any subsequently filed, related action was filed. That motion contemplates that a consolidated amended complaint alleging substantially similar causes of action will be filed in the future.
On September 26, 2007, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an order dismissing the consolidated complaint. The plaintiffs have filed a notice of appeal.
As previously disclosed, on September 16, 2005 the staff of the SEC informed SBFM and SBAM, that the staff was considering recommending administrative proceedings against SBFM and SBAM for alleged violations of Section 19(a) and 34(b) of the Investment Company Act (and related Rule 19a-1). On September 27, 2007, SBFM and SBAM, without admitting or denying any findings therein, consented to the entry of an order by the SEC relating to the disclosure by certain other funds that are closed-end funds of the sources of distributions paid by the funds between 2001 and 2004. Each of SBFM and SBAM agreed to pay a fine of $450,000, for which it was indemnified by Citigroup, Inc., its former parent. It is not expected that this matter will adversely impact the Fund or its current investment adviser.
| |
12. | Special Shareholder Meeting and Reorganization |
Shareholders of the Fund approved a number of initiatives designed to streamline and restructure the fund complex. These matters were implemented in early 2007. As noted in the proxy materials, Legg Mason paid for a portion of the costs related to these initiatives. The portions of the costs borne by the Fund were recognized in the period during which the expense was incurred. Such expenses relate to obtaining shareholder votes for proposals presented in the proxy, the election of board members, retirement of board members, as well as printing, mailing, and soliciting proxies.
28 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
The portions of these costs borne by the Fund are deemed extraordinary and, therefore, not subject to expense limitation agreements, if applicable.
| |
13. | Recent Accounting Pronouncement |
On September 20, 2006, Financial Accounting Standard Board released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157.
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report 29
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio, a series of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust (formerly a series of Legg Mason Partners Variable Portfolios II) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio as of December 31, 2007, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
New York, New York
February 19, 2008
30 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 2007 Annual Report
Board Approval of Management and Subadvisory
Agreements (unaudited)
At a meeting of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, the Board considered the re-approval for an annual period of the Fund’s management agreement, pursuant to which Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (the “Manager”) provides the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services, and the Fund’s sub-advisory agreement, pursuant to which ClearBridge Advisors, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. (The management agreement and sub-advisory agreement are collectively referred to as the “Agreements.”) The Manager and the Sub-Adviser are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. The Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”)) of the Fund were assisted in their review by Fund counsel and independent legal counsel and met with independent legal counsel in executive sessions separate from representatives of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser. The Independent Trustees requested and received information from the Manager and the Sub-Adviser they deemed reasonably necessary for their review of the Agreements and the performance of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser. Included was information about the Manager, the Sub-Adviser and the Fund’s distributor (including any distributors affiliated with the Fund during the past two years), as well as the management, sub-advisory and distribution arrangements for the Fund and other funds overseen by the Board. This information was initially reviewed by a special committee of the Independent Trustees and then by the full Board.
In voting to approve the Agreements, the Independent Trustees considered whether the approval of the Agreements would be in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, an evaluation based on several factors including those discussed below.
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services provided to the Fund under the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement
The Board received and considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser under the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively, during the past two years. The Trustees also considered the Manager’s supervisory activities over the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Independent Trustees received and considered other information regarding the administrative and other services rendered to the Fund and its shareholders by the Manager. The Board noted information received at regular meetings throughout the year related to the services rendered by the Manager in its management of the Fund’s affairs, including the management of cash and short-term instruments, and the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Sub-Adviser and the Fund’s other service providers. The Board’s evaluation of the services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser took into account the Board’s knowledge and familiarity gained as Board members of funds in the Legg Mason Partners fund complex, including the scope and quality of the investment management and other capabilities of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser and the quality of the Manager’s administrative and other services. The Board observed that the scope of services provided by the Manager had expanded over time as a result of regulatory and other developments, including maintaining and monitoring its own and the Fund’s expanded compliance programs. The Board also considered the Manager’s
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 31
Board Approval of Management and Subadvisory
Agreements (unaudited) (continued)
response to recent regulatory compliance issues affecting the Manager and the Legg Mason Partners fund complex. The Board reviewed information received from the Manager and the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding the Fund’s compliance policies and procedures established pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
The Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the Fund’s senior personnel and the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board considered the degree to which the Manager implemented organizational changes to improve investment results and the services provided to the Legg Mason Partners fund complex. The Board also considered, based on its knowledge of the Manager and the Manager’s affiliates, the financial resources available to the Manager’s parent organization, Legg Mason, Inc.
The Board also considered the division of responsibilities between the Manager and the Sub-Adviser and the oversight provided by the Manager. The Board also considered the Manager’s and the Sub-Adviser’s brokerage policies and practices, the standards applied in seeking best execution, the Manager’s policies and practices regarding soft dollars, and the existence of quality controls applicable to brokerage allocation procedures. In addition, management also reported to the Board on, among other things, its business plans, recent organizational changes, portfolio manager compensation plan and policy regarding portfolio managers’ ownership of fund shares.
The Board concluded that, overall, it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) under the respective Agreement by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser.
Fund Performance
The Board received and reviewed performance information for the Fund and for all multi-cap core funds underlying variable insurance products (the “Performance Universe”) selected by Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an independent provider of investment company data. The Board was provided with a description of the methodology Lipper used to determine the similarity of the Fund with the funds included in the Performance Universe. The Board members noted that they also had received and discussed with management information at periodic intervals comparing the Fund’s performance to that of its benchmark index. The information comparing the Fund’s performance to that of the Performance Universe was for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2007. The Fund performed below the median for the one-, three- and five-year periods, but performed better than the median for the ten-year period. The Board noted that the Fund’s one- and five-year performance was only slightly below the median and that the Fund’s one-year performance showed significant improvement over the Fund’s three-year performance. The Board also reviewed performance information provided by the Manager for periods ended September 2007, which showed the Fund’s performance was competitive compared to the Lipper category average during the third quarter. The Board members then discussed with representatives of management, including the Chief Investment Officer
32 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio
Board Approval of Management and Subadvisory
Agreements (unaudited) (continued)
for the Sub-Adviser, the portfolio management strategy of the Fund’s portfolio managers and the reasons for the Fund’s underperformance versus the Performance Universe. The Trustees noted that the portfolio managers are very experienced with an impressive long-term track record and continued to apply a consistent investment strategy. The Trustees also noted that the Manager was committed to providing the resources necessary to assist the portfolio managers and improve Fund performance. Based on its review, the Board generally was satisfied with the Fund’s long-term performance and the improvement in the Fund’s recent performance, as well as with management’s efforts to improve performance going forward. The Board determined to continue to evaluate the Fund’s performance and established a committee of Independent Trustees to review performance with the Manager and report to the full Board during periods between Board meetings.
Management Fees and Expense Ratios
The Board reviewed and considered, the contractual management fee (the “Contractual Management Fee”) payable by the Fund to the Manager in light of the nature, extent and quality of the management and sub-advisory services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, respectively. The Board noted that the Manager, and not the Fund, pays the sub-advisory fee to the Sub-Adviser and, accordingly, that the retention of the Sub-Adviser does not increase the fees and expenses incurred by the Fund. In addition, because of the Manager’s fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement arrangement that was in effect for the Fund, which partially reduced the management fee paid to the Manager, the Board also reviewed and considered the actual management fee rate (after taking into account waivers and reimbursements) (“Actual Management Fee”).
The Board also reviewed information regarding the fees the Manager and the Sub-Adviser charged any of their U.S. clients investing primarily in an asset class similar to that of the Fund including, where applicable, separate accounts. The Manager reviewed with the Board the significant differences in the scope of services provided to the Fund and to such other clients, noting that the Fund is provided with regulatory compliance and administrative services, office facilities and Fund officers (including the Fund’s chief financial, chief legal and chief compliance officers), and that the Manager coordinates and oversees the provision of services to the Fund by other fund service providers, including the Sub-Adviser. The Board considered the fee comparisons in light of the scope of services required to manage these different types of accounts.
The Board received an analysis of complex-wide management fees provided by the Manager, which, among other things, set out a framework of fees based on asset classes. Management also discussed with the Board the Fund’s distribution arrangements, including how amounts received by the Fund’s distributors are expended, and the fees received and expenses incurred in connection with such arrangements by affiliates of the Manager.
Additionally, the Board received and considered information comparing the Fund’s Contractual Management Fee and Actual Management Fee and the Fund’s overall expense ratio with those of a group of seven multi-cap core funds underlying variable insurance products selected by Lipper as comparable to the Fund (the “Expense Group”), and a
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 33
Board Approval of Management and Subadvisory
Agreements (unaudited) (continued)
broader group of funds selected by Lipper consisting of all multi-cap core funds underlying variable insurance products (“Expense Universe”). This information showed that the Fund’s Contractual Management Fee and Actual Management Fee were higher than the median of management fees paid by the other funds in the Expense Group and Expense Universe, and that the Fund’s actual total expense ratio also was higher than the median of the total expense ratios of the funds in the Expense Group but lower than the average of the total expense ratios of the funds in the Expense Universe.
Manager Profitability
The Board received and considered a profitability analysis of the Manager and its affiliates in providing services to the Fund. The Board also received profitability information with respect to the Legg Mason Partners fund complex as a whole. In addition, the Board received information with respect to the Manager’s allocation methodologies used in preparing this profitability data as well as a report from an outside consultant that had reviewed the Manager’s methodology. The Board also noted the profitability percentage ranges determined by appropriate court cases to be reasonable given the services rendered to investment companies. The Board determined that the Manager’s profitability was not excessive in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund.
Economies of Scale
The Board received and considered information regarding whether there have been economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund as the Fund’s assets grow, whether the Fund has appropriately benefited from any economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered whether economies of scale in the provision of services to the Fund were being passed along to the shareholders.
The Board noted that the Manager instituted breakpoints in the Fund’s Contractual Management Fee, reflecting the potential for reducing the Contractual Management Fee as the Fund’s assets grow. The Board noted that the Fund’s assets had not yet reached the specified asset level at which a breakpoint to its Contractual Management Fee would be triggered. The Board noted, however, that the Contractual Management Fee increases the potential for sharing economies of scale with shareholders as the Fund’s assets grow than if no breakpoints were in place. The Board also noted that as the Fund’s assets increase over time, the Fund and its shareholders should realize other economies of scale as certain expenses, such as fixed fund fees, become a smaller percentage of overall assets. The Board noted that it appeared that the benefits of any economies of scale also would be appropriately shared with shareholders through increased investment in fund management and administration resources.
Taking all of the above into consideration, the Board determined that the management fee was reasonable in light of the comparative performance and expense information and the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund under the Agreements.
34 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio
Board Approval of Management and Subadvisory
Agreements (unaudited) (continued)
Other Benefits to the Manager
The Board considered other benefits received by the Manager and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of the Manager’s relationship with the Fund, including the opportunity to offer additional products and services to Fund shareholders.
In light of the costs of providing investment management and other services to the Fund and the Manager’s ongoing commitment to the Fund, the profits and other ancillary benefits that the Manager and its affiliates received were considered reasonable.
Based on their discussions and considerations, including those described above, the Trustees approved the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement to continue for another year.
No single factor reviewed by the Board was identified by the Board as the principal factor in determining whether to approve the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement.
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 35
Additional Information (unaudited)
Information about Trustees and Officers
The business and affairs of the Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio (the “Fund”) are managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees. Information pertaining to the Trustees and Officers is set forth below. The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling Legg Mason Partners Shareholder Services at 1-800-451-2010.
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Number of
| | |
| | | | Term of
| | | | Portfolios
| | |
| | | | Office(1) and
| | Principal
| | in Fund
| | Other Board
|
| | Position(s)
| | Length of
| | Occupation(s)
| | Complex
| | Memberships
|
Name, Address and
| | Held with
| | Time
| | During Past
| | Overseen by
| | Held by
|
Birth Year | | Fund(1) | | Served(2) | | Five Years | | Trustee | | Trustee |
|
|
Non-Interested Trustees: |
Paul R. Ades c/o R. Jay Gerken, CFA Legg Mason & Co., LLC (“Legg Mason”) 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1940 | | Trustee | | Since 1983 | | Law Firm of Paul R. Ades, PLLC (since 2000) | | 47 | | None
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Andrew L. Breech c/o R. Jay Gerken, CFA Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1952 | | Trustee | | Since 1991 | | President, Dealer Operating Control Service, Inc. (automotive retail management) (since 1985) | | 47 | | None
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Dwight B. Crane c/o R. Jay Gerken, CFA Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1937 | | Trustee | | Since 1981 | | Independent Consultant (since 1969); Professor Harvard Business School (1969 to 2007) | | 49 | | None
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Robert M. Frayn, Jr. c/o R. Jay Gerken, CFA Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1934 | | Trustee | | Since 1981 | | Retired; Formerly, President and Director, Book Publishing Co. (from 1970 to 2002) | | 47 | | None
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Frank G. Hubbard c/o R. Jay Gerken, CFA Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1937 | | Trustee | | Since 1993 | | President of Avatar International, Inc. (Business Development) (since 1998) | | 47 | | None
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
36 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio
Additional Information (unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Number of
| | |
| | | | Term of
| | | | Portfolios
| | |
| | | | Office(1) and
| | Principal
| | in Fund
| | Other Board
|
| | Position(s)
| | Length of
| | Occupation(s)
| | Complex
| | Memberships
|
Name, Address and
| | Held with
| | Time
| | During Past
| | Overseen by
| | Held by
|
Birth Year | | Fund(1) | | Served(2) | | Five Years | | Trustee | | Trustee |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Howard J. Johnson c/o R. Jay Gerken, CFA Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1938 | | Trustee | | From 1981 to 1998 and 2000 to Present | | Chief Executive Officer, Genesis Imaging LLC (technology company) (since 2003) | | 47 | | None
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
David E. Maryatt c/o R. Jay Gerken, CFA Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1936 | | Trustee | | Since 1983 | | Private Investor; President and Director, ALS Co. (real estate management and development firm) (since 1993) | | 47 | | None
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Jerome H. Miller c/o R. Jay Gerken, CFA Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1938 | | Trustee | | Since 1995 | | Retired | | 47 | | None
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Ken Miller c/o R. Jay Gerken, CFA Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1942 | | Trustee | | Since 1983 | | President of Young Stuff Apparel Group, Inc. (since 1963) | | 47 | | None
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
John J. Murphy c/o R. Jay Gerken, CFA Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1944 | | Trustee | | Since 2002 | | President; Murphy Capital Management (investment advice) (since 1983) | | 47 | | Director, Nicholas Applegate funds; Trustee; Consulting Group Capital Markets Funds; Formerly, Director, Atlantic Stewardship Bank (from 2004 to 2005); director, Barclays International Funds Group Ltd. and affiliated companies (to 2003) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 37
Additional Information (unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Number of
| | |
| | | | Term of
| | | | Portfolios
| | |
| | | | Office(1) and
| | Principal
| | in Fund
| | Other Board
|
| | Position(s)
| | Length of
| | Occupation(s)
| | Complex
| | Memberships
|
Name, Address and
| | Held with
| | Time
| | During Past
| | Overseen by
| | Held by
|
Birth Year | | Fund(1) | | Served(2) | | Five Years | | Trustee | | Trustee |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Thomas F. Schlafly c/o R. Jay Gerken, CFA Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1948 | | Trustee | | Since 1983 | | Of Counsel, Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP (law firm) (since 1984); President, The Saint Louis Brewery, Inc. (brewery) (since 1989) | | 47 | | Director, Citizens National Bank, of Greater St. Louis, MO (since 2006)
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Jerry A. Viscione c/o R. Jay Gerken, CFA Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1944 | | Trustee | | Since 1993 | | Retired; Formerly, Executive Vice President, Marquette University (from 1997 to 2002) | | 47 | | None
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Interested Trustee: | | | | | | | | | | |
R. Jay Gerken, CFA(3) Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1951 | | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | | Since 2002 | | Managing Director of Legg Mason; Chairman of the Board and Trustee/Director of 149 funds associated with Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) and its affiliates; Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of LMPFA (since 2006); Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason and its affiliates; Formerly Chairman President and Chief Executive Officer of Travelers Investment Adviser, Inc. (“TIA”) (from 2002 to 2005) | | 137 | | Trustee, Consulting Group Capital Markets Funds (from 2002 to 2006) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
38 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio
Additional Information (unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Number of
| | |
| | | | Term of
| | | | Portfolios
| | |
| | | | Office(1) and
| | Principal
| | in Fund
| | Other Board
|
| | Position(s)
| | Length of
| | Occupation(s)
| | Complex
| | Memberships
|
Name, Address and
| | Held with
| | Time
| | During Past
| | Overseen by
| | Held by
|
Birth Year | | Fund(1) | | Served(2) | | Five Years | | Trustee | | Trustee |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Officers: | | | | | | | | | | |
Kaprel Ozsolak Legg Mason 55 Water Street New York, NY 10041 Birth Year: 1965 | | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | | Since 2004 | | Director of Legg Mason; Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason; Formerly, Controller of certain mutual funds associated with certain predecessor firms of Legg Mason (from 2002 to 2004) | | N/A | | N/A
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Ted P. Becker Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1951 | | Chief Compliance Officer | | Since 2006 | | Director of Global Compliance at Legg Mason (since 2006); Chief Compliance Officer of LMPFA (since 2006); Managing Director of Compliance at Legg Mason (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer with certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason, LMPFA and certain affiliates (since 2006); Managing Director of Compliance at Legg Mason or its predecessor (from 2002 to 2005) | | N/A | | N/A
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 39
Additional Information (unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Number of
| | |
| | | | Term of
| | | | Portfolios
| | |
| | | | Office(1) and
| | Principal
| | in Fund
| | Other Board
|
| | Position(s)
| | Length of
| | Occupation(s)
| | Complex
| | Memberships
|
Name, Address and
| | Held with
| | Time
| | During Past
| | Overseen by
| | Held by
|
Birth Year | | Fund(1) | | Served(2) | | Five Years | | Trustee | | Trustee |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
John Chiota Legg Mason 300 First Stamford Place Stamford, CT 06902 Birth Year: 1968 | | Chief Anti- Money Laundering Compliance Officer | | Since 2006 | | Vice President of Legg Mason or its predecessor (since 2004); Chief Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer with certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason or its affiliates (since 2006); Prior to August 2004, Chief AML Compliance Officer with TD Waterhouse | | N/A | | N/A
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Robert I. Frenkel Legg Mason 300 First Stamford Place Stamford, CT 06902 Birth Year: 1954 | | Secretary and Chief Legal Officer | | Since 2003 | | Managing Director and General Counsel of Global Mutual Funds for Legg Mason and its predecessors (since 1994); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of mutual funds associated with Legg Mason (since 2003); Formerly, Secretary of CFM (from 2001 to 2004) | | N/A | | N/A
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Thomas C. Mandia Legg Mason 300 First Stamford Place Stamford, CT 06902 Birth Year: 1962 | | Assistant Secretary | | Since 2000 | | Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason (since 2005); Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel for CAM (since 1992); Assistant Secretary of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason | | N/A | | N/A
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
40 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio
Additional Information (unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Number of
| | |
| | | | Term of
| | | | Portfolios
| | |
| | | | Office(1) and
| | Principal
| | in Fund
| | Other Board
|
| | Position(s)
| | Length of
| | Occupation(s)
| | Complex
| | Memberships
|
Name, Address and
| | Held with
| | Time
| | During Past
| | Overseen by
| | Held by
|
Birth Year | | Fund(1) | | Served(2) | | Five Years | | Trustee | | Trustee |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Steven Frank Legg Mason 55 Water Street New York, NY 10041 Birth Year: 1967 | | Controller | | Since 2005 | | Vice President of Legg Mason (since 2002); Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason or its predecessors (since 2005); Formerly, Assistant Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason predecessors (from 2001 to 2005) | | N/A | | N/A
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Albert Laskaj Legg Mason 55 Water Street New York, NY 10041 Birth Year: 1977 | | Controller | | Since 2007 | | Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason (since 2007); Formerly, Assistant Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason (from 2005 to 2007); Formerly, Accounting Manager of certain mutual funds associated with certain predecessor firms of Legg Mason (from 2003 to 2005); Prior to 2003, Senior Analyst of certain mutual funds associated with certain predecessor firms of Legg Mason | | N/A | | N/A
|
| | |
| | |
|
(1) | | Each Trustee and Officer serves until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal. |
|
(2) | | Indicates the earliest year in which the Trustee or Officer became a Board Member or Officer, as applicable, for a Fund in the Legg Mason Partners Fund complex. |
|
(3) | | Mr. Gerken is an “interested person” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act, as amended, because Mr. Gerken is an officer of LMPFA and certain of its affiliates. |
Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio 41
Important Tax Information (unaudited)
The following information is provided with respect to the distributions paid during the taxable year ended December 31, 2007:
| | | | | | | | |
Record Date: | | | 6/21/2007 | | | | 12/20/2007 | |
Payable Date: | | | 6/22/2007 | | | | 12/21/2007 | |
|
Dividends Qualifying for the Dividends Received Deduction for Corporations | | | 55.38 | % | | | 86.08 | % |
|
Long-Term Capital Gain Dividend | | $ | 0.057004 | | | | $0.957983 | |
|
Please retain this information for your records.
42 Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio
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Legg Mason Partners
Variable Fundamental
Value Portfolio
TRUSTEES
Paul R. Ades
Andrew L. Breech
Dwight B. Crane
Robert M. Frayn, Jr.
R. Jay Gerken, CFA
Chairman
Frank G. Hubbard
Howard J. Johnson
David E. Maryatt
Jerome H. Miller
Ken Miller
John J. Murphy
Thomas F. Schlafly
Jerry A. Viscione
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Legg Mason Partners Fund
Advisor, LLC
SUBADVISER
ClearBridge Advisors, LLC
DISTRIBUTOR
Legg Mason Investor
Services, LLC
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust
Company
TRANSFER AGENT
PFPC, Inc.
4400 Computer Drive
Westborough, Massachusetts 01581
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
KPMG LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
| | |
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio. It is not for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied by a current prospectus This report must be preceded or accompanied by a free prospectus. Investors should consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors 2008 Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC Member FINRA, SIPC FDXX010731 2/08 SR08-520
 | | Legg Mason Partners Variable Fundamental Value Portfolio The Fund is a separate investment series of the Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust, a Maryland business trust. LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE FUNDAMENTAL VALUE PORTFOLIO Legg Mason Partners Funds 55 Water Street 32nd Floor New York, New York 10041 The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. To obtain information on Form N-Q from the Funds, shareholders can call Legg Mason Partners Shareholder Services at 1-800-451-2010. 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 Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-451-2010, (2) on the Fund’s website at www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors.com and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. |
| | |
| | |
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
The Board of Directors of the registrant has determined that Jerry A. Viscione possesses the technical attributes identified in Instruction 2(b) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” and has designated Mr. Viscione as the Audit Committee’s financial expert. Mr. Viscione is an “independent” Director pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the last two fiscal years ending December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007 (the “Reporting Periods”) for professional services rendered by the Registrant’s principal accountant (the “Auditor”) for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $174,500 in 2006 and $183,300 in 2007.
b) Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the Registrant’s financial statements were $0 in 2006 and $36,000 in 2007. These services consisted of procedures performed in connection with the Re-domiciliation of the various reviews of Prospectus supplements, and consent issuances related to the N-1A filings for the Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust.
In addition, there were no Audit-Related Fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor to the Registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust (“service affiliates”), that were reasonably related to the performance of the annual audit of the service affiliates. Accordingly, there were no such fees that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee for the Reporting Periods (prior to July 6, 2003 services provided by the Auditor were not required to be pre-approved).
(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (“Tax Services”) were $18,500 in 2006 and $35,900 in 2007. These services consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held.
There were no fees billed for tax services by the Auditors to service affiliates during the Reporting Periods that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
d) All Other Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the Registrant’s financial statements, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item for the Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust were $0 in 2006 and $25,500 in 2007. These services consisted of procedures performed in connection with the mergers of the Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust for the following date of August 27, 2007.
All Other Fees. There were no other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with LMPFA that provided ongoing services to Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust requiring pre-approval by the Audit Committee in the Reporting Period.
(e) Audit Committee’s pre—approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c) (7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(1) The Charter for the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of each registered investment company (the “Fund”) advised by LMPFA or one of their affiliates (each, an “Adviser”) requires that the Committee shall approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Fund and (b) all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the Fund’s independent auditors to the Adviser and any Covered Service Providers if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. The Committee July implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved other than by the full Committee.
The Committee shall not approve non-audit services that the Committee believes July impair the independence of the auditors. As of the date of the approval of this Audit Committee Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to the Fund by the independent auditors, other than those provided to the Fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements of the Fund. Permissible non-audit services July not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services; (v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and (ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.
Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Adviser and any service providers controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Covered Service Providers”) constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the independent auditors during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) the Fund, (b) the Adviser and (c) any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund during the fiscal year in which the services are provided that would have to be approved by the Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the Fund at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit.
(2) For the Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust, the percentage of fees that were approved by the audit committee, with respect to: Audit-Related Fees were 100% and 0% for 2006 and 2007; Tax Fees were 100% and 0% for 2006 and 2007; and Other Fees were 100% and 0% for 2006 and 2007.
(f) N/A
(g) Non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust, LMPFA and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with LMPFA that provides ongoing services to Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust during the reporting period were $0 in 2007.
(h) Yes. Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates, which were not pre-approved (not requiring pre-approval), is compatible with maintaining the Accountant’s independence. All services provided by the Auditor to the Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust to Service Affiliates, which were required to be pre-approved, were pre-approved as required.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
| a) | | The entire board of directors is acting as the registrant’s audit committee as specified in Section 3(a)(58)(B) of the Exchange Act .The Audit Committee consists of the following Board members: |
Paul R. Ades
Andrew L. Breech
Dwight B. Crane
Robert M. Frayn, Jr.
Frank G. Hubbard
Howard J. Johnson
David E. Maryatt
Jerome H. Miller
Ken Miller
John J. Murphy
Thomas F. Schlafly
Jerry A. Viscione
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
Included herein under Item 1.
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
| (a) | | The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
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| (b) | | There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal half-year (the registrant’s second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.
(a) (1) Code of Ethics attached hereto.
Exhibit 99.CODE ETH
(a) (2) Certifications pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.
Exhibit 99.CERT
(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.
Exhibit 99.906CERT
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.
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Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust |
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By: | | /s/ R. Jay Gerken |
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| | R. Jay Gerken Chief Executive Officer of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust |
Date: February 29, 2008
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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By: | | /s/ R. Jay Gerken |
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| | R. Jay Gerken Chief Executive Officer of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust |
Date: February 29, 2008
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By: | | /s/ Kaprel Ozsolak |
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| | Kaprel Ozsolak Chief Financial Officer of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust |
Date: February 29, 2008