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
811-06110
Western Asset Funds, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
100 International Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21202
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Marc A. De Oliveira
Franklin Templeton
100 First Stamford Place
Stamford, CT 06902
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
877-6LM-FUND/656-3863
Date of fiscal year end: May 31
Date of reporting period: May 31, 2024
| ITEM 1. | REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS. |
The Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.
| | |
Western Asset High Yield Fund | |
| Class A [WAYAX] |
| Annual Shareholder Report | May 31, 2024 |
|
This annual shareholder report contains important information about Western Asset High Yield Fund for the period June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024.
You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents. You can also request this information by contacting us at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863.
This report describes changes to the Fund that occurred during the reporting period.
WHAT WERE THE FUND COSTS FOR THE LAST YEAR? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| | |
Class Name | Costs of $10,000 investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment* |
| Class A | $102 | 0.97% |
| * | Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which expenses would have been higher. |
HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM LAST YEAR AND WHAT AFFECTED ITS PERFORMANCE?
For the twelve months ended May 31, 2024 Class A shares of Western Asset High Yield Fund returned 10.97%. The Fund compares its performance to the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield - 2% Issuer Cap Index, which returned 11.23% for the same period.
| |
Top contributors to performance: |
| ↑ | An overweight to collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) |
| ↑ | An overweight to the consumer cyclical sector |
| ↑ | Issue selection within the energy sector |
| |
Top detractors from performance: |
| Issue selection within various sectors: |
| ↓ | Capital goods sector |
| ↓ | Information technology (IT) sector |
| ↓ | Consumer cyclicals sector |
Use of derivatives and the impact on performance:
Credit default swaps, which were used to manage the Fund’s exposure to credit index spread levels, contributed to performance. U.S. Treasury futures, which were used to manage duration positioning, detracted from performance.
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 1 | 7824-ATSR-0724 |
HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS?
The Fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.
VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT ($9,575 AFTER MAXIMUM APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE) –
Class A 5/31/2014 — 5/31/2024
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (%) Period Ended May 31, 2024
| | | |
| | 1 Year | 5 Year | 10 Year |
Class A (without sales charge) | 10.97 | 3.15 | 2.92 |
Class A (with sales charge) | 6.77 | 2.26 | 2.47 |
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index | 1.31 | -0.17 | 1.26 |
Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield - 2% Issuer Cap Index | 11.23 | 4.18 | 4.29 |
Fund performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which the performance would have been lower.
Performance for periods beginning prior to August 15, 2022, reflects a higher maximum sales charge in effect at that time. Performance for periods beginning after August 15, 2022, reflects the current maximum sales charge.
For current month-end performance, please call Franklin Templeton at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863 or visit https://www.franklintempleton.com/investments/options/mutual-funds.
Important data provider notices and terms available at www.franklintempletondatasources.com.
KEY FUND STATISTICS (as of May 31, 2024)
| |
Total Net Assets | $225,340,651 |
Total Number of Portfolio Holdings* | 377 |
Total Management Fee Paid | $1,251,916 |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 45% |
| * | Does not include derivatives, except purchased option contracts, if any. |
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 2 | 7824-ATSR-0724 |
WHAT DID THE FUND INVEST IN? (as of May 31, 2024)
Portfolio Composition*,† (% of Total Investments)
| * | Does not include derivatives, except purchased option contracts, if any. |
| † | Certain categories may represent less than 0.1%. |
HOW HAS THE FUND CHANGED?
Effective as of March 1, 2024, the Fund’s named portfolio management team consists of Michael C. Buchanan, Ryan Kohan and Walter E. Kilcullen.
This is a summary of certain changes to the Fund since June 1, 2023. For more complete information, you may review the Fund’s current prospectus and any applicable supplements at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents or upon request at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863 or prospectus@franklintempleton.com.
| |
| WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND? |
Additional information is available on https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents, including its: |
| • prospectus • proxy voting information • financial information • holdings • tax information |
HOUSEHOLDING
You will receive the Fund’s shareholder reports every six months. In addition, you will receive an annual updated summary prospectus (detail prospectus available upon request). To reduce fund expenses, we try to identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the shareholder reports and summary prospectus. This process, called “householding”, will continue indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you prefer not to have these documents householded, please call us at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863. At any time you may view current prospectuses/summary prospectuses and shareholder reports on our website. If you choose, you may receive these documents through electronic delivery.
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 3 | 7824-ATSR-0724 |
95759514897810151104841092910872126561179911502127631000010303106121078010739114261250212452114281118311329100001019610118114911176112409125711444513683136891522621.913.212.910.08.38.36.24.43.93.62.71.21.00.90.40.40.40.20.10.00.0
| | |
Western Asset High Yield Fund | |
| Class C [WAYCX] |
| Annual Shareholder Report | May 31, 2024 |
|
This annual shareholder report contains important information about Western Asset High Yield Fund for the period June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024.
You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents. You can also request this information by contacting us at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863.
This report describes changes to the Fund that occurred during the reporting period.
WHAT WERE THE FUND COSTS FOR THE LAST YEAR? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| | |
Class Name | Costs of $10,000 investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment* |
| Class C | $180 | 1.71% |
| * | Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which expenses would have been higher. |
HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM LAST YEAR AND WHAT AFFECTED ITS PERFORMANCE?
For the twelve months ended May 31, 2024 Class C shares of Western Asset High Yield Fund returned 10.02%. The Fund compares its performance to the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield - 2% Issuer Cap Index, which returned 11.23% for the same period.
| |
Top contributors to performance: |
| ↑ | An overweight to collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) |
| ↑ | An overweight to the consumer cyclical sector |
| ↑ | Issue selection within the energy sector |
| |
Top detractors from performance: |
| Issue selection within various sectors: |
| ↓ | Capital goods sector |
| ↓ | Information technology (IT) sector |
| ↓ | Consumer cyclicals sector |
Use of derivatives and the impact on performance:
Credit default swaps, which were used to manage the Fund’s exposure to credit index spread levels, contributed to performance. U.S. Treasury futures, which were used to manage duration positioning, detracted from performance.
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 1 | 7823-ATSR-0724 |
HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS?
The Fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.
VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT – Class C 5/31/2014 — 5/31/2024
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (%) Period Ended May 31, 2024
| | | |
| | 1 Year | 5 Year | 10 Year |
Class C (without sales charge) | 10.02 | 2.36 | 2.13 |
Class C (with sales charge) | 9.02 | 2.36 | 2.13 |
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index | 1.31 | -0.17 | 1.26 |
Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield - 2% Issuer Cap Index | 11.23 | 4.18 | 4.29 |
Fund performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which the performance would have been lower.
For current month-end performance, please call Franklin Templeton at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863 or visit https://www.franklintempleton.com/investments/options/mutual-funds.
Important data provider notices and terms available at www.franklintempletondatasources.com.
KEY FUND STATISTICS (as of May 31, 2024)
| |
Total Net Assets | $225,340,651 |
Total Number of Portfolio Holdings* | 377 |
Total Management Fee Paid | $1,251,916 |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 45% |
| * | Does not include derivatives, except purchased option contracts, if any. |
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 2 | 7823-ATSR-0724 |
WHAT DID THE FUND INVEST IN? (as of May 31, 2024)
Portfolio Composition*,† (% of Total Investments)
| * | Does not include derivatives, except purchased option contracts, if any. |
| † | Certain categories may represent less than 0.1%. |
HOW HAS THE FUND CHANGED?
Effective as of March 1, 2024, the Fund’s named portfolio management team consists of Michael C. Buchanan, Ryan Kohan and Walter E. Kilcullen.
This is a summary of certain changes to the Fund since June 1, 2023. For more complete information, you may review the Fund’s current prospectus and any applicable supplements at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents or upon request at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863 or prospectus@franklintempleton.com.
| |
| WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND? |
Additional information is available on https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents, including its: |
| • prospectus • proxy voting information • financial information • holdings • tax information |
HOUSEHOLDING
You will receive the Fund’s shareholder reports every six months. In addition, you will receive an annual updated summary prospectus (detail prospectus available upon request). To reduce fund expenses, we try to identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the shareholder reports and summary prospectus. This process, called “householding”, will continue indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you prefer not to have these documents householded, please call us at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863. At any time you may view current prospectuses/summary prospectuses and shareholder reports on our website. If you choose, you may receive these documents through electronic delivery.
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 3 | 7823-ATSR-0724 |
100009875925110377106351098810843125411161811223123471000010303106121078010739114261250212452114281118311329100001019610118114911176112409125711444513683136891522621.913.212.910.08.38.36.24.43.93.62.71.21.00.90.40.40.40.20.10.00.0
| | |
Western Asset High Yield Fund | |
| Class I [WAHYX] |
| Annual Shareholder Report | May 31, 2024 |
|
This annual shareholder report contains important information about Western Asset High Yield Fund for the period June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024.
You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents. You can also request this information by contacting us at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863.
This report describes changes to the Fund that occurred during the reporting period.
WHAT WERE THE FUND COSTS FOR THE LAST YEAR? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| | |
Class Name | Costs of $10,000 investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment* |
| Class I | $79 | 0.75% |
| * | Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which expenses would have been higher. |
HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM LAST YEAR AND WHAT AFFECTED ITS PERFORMANCE?
For the twelve months ended May 31, 2024 Class I shares of Western Asset High Yield Fund returned 11.24%. The Fund compares its performance to the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield - 2% Issuer Cap Index, which returned 11.23% for the same period.
| |
Top contributors to performance: |
| ↑ | An overweight to collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) |
| ↑ | An overweight to the consumer cyclical sector |
| ↑ | Issue selection within the energy sector |
| |
Top detractors from performance: |
| Issue selection within various sectors: |
| ↓ | Capital goods sector |
| ↓ | Information technology (IT) sector |
| ↓ | Consumer cyclicals sector |
Use of derivatives and the impact on performance:
Credit default swaps, which were used to manage the Fund’s exposure to credit index spread levels, contributed to performance. U.S. Treasury futures, which were used to manage duration positioning, detracted from performance.
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 1 | 7258-ATSR-0724 |
HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS?
The Fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.
VALUE OF A $1,000,000 INVESTMENT – Class I 5/31/2014 — 5/31/2024
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (%) Period Ended May 31, 2024
| | | |
| | 1 Year | 5 Year | 10 Year |
Class I (without sales charge) | 11.24 | 3.41 | 3.18 |
Class I (with sales charge) | 11.24 | 3.41 | 3.18 |
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index | 1.31 | -0.17 | 1.26 |
Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield - 2% Issuer Cap Index | 11.23 | 4.18 | 4.29 |
Fund performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which the performance would have been lower.
For current month-end performance, please call Franklin Templeton at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863 or visit https://www.franklintempleton.com/investments/options/mutual-funds.
Important data provider notices and terms available at www.franklintempletondatasources.com.
KEY FUND STATISTICS (as of May 31, 2024)
| |
Total Net Assets | $225,340,651 |
Total Number of Portfolio Holdings* | 377 |
Total Management Fee Paid | $1,251,916 |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 45% |
| * | Does not include derivatives, except purchased option contracts, if any. |
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 2 | 7258-ATSR-0724 |
WHAT DID THE FUND INVEST IN? (as of May 31, 2024)
Portfolio Composition*,† (% of Total Investments)
| * | Does not include derivatives, except purchased option contracts, if any. |
| † | Certain categories may represent less than 0.1%. |
HOW HAS THE FUND CHANGED?
Effective as of March 1, 2024, the Fund’s named portfolio management team consists of Michael C. Buchanan, Ryan Kohan and Walter E. Kilcullen.
This is a summary of certain changes to the Fund since June 1, 2023. For more complete information, you may review the Fund’s current prospectus and any applicable supplements at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents or upon request at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863 or prospectus@franklintempleton.com.
| |
| WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND? |
Additional information is available on https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents, including its: |
| • prospectus • proxy voting information • financial information • holdings • tax information |
HOUSEHOLDING
You will receive the Fund’s shareholder reports every six months. In addition, you will receive an annual updated summary prospectus (detail prospectus available upon request). To reduce fund expenses, we try to identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the shareholder reports and summary prospectus. This process, called “householding”, will continue indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you prefer not to have these documents householded, please call us at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863. At any time you may view current prospectuses/summary prospectuses and shareholder reports on our website. If you choose, you may receive these documents through electronic delivery.
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 3 | 7258-ATSR-0724 |
100000099721094385610696881107473115620711545601346729125962912292551367463100000010303421061199107795110739131142647125023412451721142793111830511329051000000101964910118001149140117614312408591257108144447513682701368923152264721.913.212.910.08.38.36.24.43.93.62.71.21.00.90.40.40.40.20.10.00.0
| | |
Western Asset High Yield Fund | |
| Class IS [WAHSX] |
| Annual Shareholder Report | May 31, 2024 |
|
This annual shareholder report contains important information about Western Asset High Yield Fund for the period June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024.
You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents. You can also request this information by contacting us at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863.
This report describes changes to the Fund that occurred during the reporting period.
WHAT WERE THE FUND COSTS FOR THE LAST YEAR? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| | |
Class Name | Costs of $10,000 investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment* |
| Class IS | $69 | 0.65% |
| * | Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which expenses would have been higher. |
HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM LAST YEAR AND WHAT AFFECTED ITS PERFORMANCE?
For the twelve months ended May 31, 2024 Class IS shares of Western Asset High Yield Fund returned 11.29%. The Fund compares its performance to the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield - 2% Issuer Cap Index, which returned 11.23% for the same period.
| |
Top contributors to performance: |
| ↑ | An overweight to collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) |
| ↑ | An overweight to the consumer cyclical sector |
| ↑ | Issue selection within the energy sector |
| |
Top detractors from performance: |
| Issue selection within various sectors: |
| ↓ | Capital goods sector |
| ↓ | Information technology (IT) sector |
| ↓ | Consumer cyclicals sector |
Use of derivatives and the impact on performance:
Credit default swaps, which were used to manage the Fund’s exposure to credit index spread levels, contributed to performance. U.S. Treasury futures, which were used to manage duration positioning, detracted from performance.
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 1 | 7227-ATSR-0724 |
HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS?
The Fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.
VALUE OF A $1,000,000 INVESTMENT – Class IS 5/31/2014 — 5/31/2024
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (%) Period Ended May 31, 2024
| | | |
| | 1 Year | 5 Year | 10 Year |
Class IS (without sales charge) | 11.29 | 3.51 | 3.25 |
Class IS (with sales charge) | 11.29 | 3.51 | 3.25 |
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index | 1.31 | -0.17 | 1.26 |
Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield - 2% Issuer Cap Index | 11.23 | 4.18 | 4.29 |
Fund performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which the performance would have been lower.
For current month-end performance, please call Franklin Templeton at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863 or visit https://www.franklintempleton.com/investments/options/mutual-funds.
Important data provider notices and terms available at www.franklintempletondatasources.com.
KEY FUND STATISTICS (as of May 31, 2024)
| |
Total Net Assets | $225,340,651 |
Total Number of Portfolio Holdings* | 377 |
Total Management Fee Paid | $1,251,916 |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 45% |
| * | Does not include derivatives, except purchased option contracts, if any. |
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 2 | 7227-ATSR-0724 |
WHAT DID THE FUND INVEST IN? (as of May 31, 2024)
Portfolio Composition*,† (% of Total Investments)
| * | Does not include derivatives, except purchased option contracts, if any. |
| † | Certain categories may represent less than 0.1%. |
HOW HAS THE FUND CHANGED?
Effective as of March 1, 2024, the Fund’s named portfolio management team consists of Michael C. Buchanan, Ryan Kohan and Walter E. Kilcullen.
This is a summary of certain changes to the Fund since June 1, 2023. For more complete information, you may review the Fund’s current prospectus and any applicable supplements at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents or upon request at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863 or prospectus@franklintempleton.com.
| |
| WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND? |
Additional information is available on https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents, including its: |
| • prospectus • proxy voting information • financial information • holdings • tax information |
HOUSEHOLDING
You will receive the Fund’s shareholder reports every six months. In addition, you will receive an annual updated summary prospectus (detail prospectus available upon request). To reduce fund expenses, we try to identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the shareholder reports and summary prospectus. This process, called “householding”, will continue indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you prefer not to have these documents householded, please call us at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863. At any time you may view current prospectuses/summary prospectuses and shareholder reports on our website. If you choose, you may receive these documents through electronic delivery.
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 3 | 7227-ATSR-0724 |
100000099766894461410712711110335115863311572121352503126590812369291376582100000010303421061199107795110739131142647125023412451721142793111830511329051000000101964910118001149140117614312408591257108144447513682701368923152264721.913.212.910.08.38.36.24.43.93.62.71.21.00.90.40.40.40.20.10.00.0
| | |
Western Asset High Yield Fund | |
| Class R [WAYRX] |
| Annual Shareholder Report | May 31, 2024 |
|
This annual shareholder report contains important information about Western Asset High Yield Fund for the period June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024.
You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents. You can also request this information by contacting us at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863.
This report describes changes to the Fund that occurred during the reporting period.
WHAT WERE THE FUND COSTS FOR THE LAST YEAR? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| | |
Class Name | Costs of $10,000 investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment* |
| Class R | $137 | 1.30% |
| * | Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which expenses would have been higher. |
HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM LAST YEAR AND WHAT AFFECTED ITS PERFORMANCE?
For the twelve months ended May 31, 2024 Class R shares of Western Asset High Yield Fund returned 10.63%. The Fund compares its performance to the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield - 2% Issuer Cap Index, which returned 11.23% for the same period.
| |
Top contributors to performance: |
| ↑ | An overweight to collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) |
| ↑ | An overweight to the consumer cyclical sector |
| ↑ | Issue selection within the energy sector |
| |
Top detractors from performance: |
| Issue selection within various sectors: |
| ↓ | Capital goods sector |
| ↓ | Information technology (IT) sector |
| ↓ | Consumer cyclicals sector |
Use of derivatives and the impact on performance:
Credit default swaps, which were used to manage the Fund’s exposure to credit index spread levels, contributed to performance. U.S. Treasury futures, which were used to manage duration positioning, detracted from performance.
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 1 | 7822-ATSR-0724 |
HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS?
The Fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.
VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT – Class R 5/31/2014 — 5/31/2024
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (%) Period Ended May 31, 2024
| | | |
| | 1 Year | 5 Year | 10 Year |
Class R (without sales charge) | 10.63 | 2.85 | 2.59 |
Class R (with sales charge) | 10.63 | 2.85 | 2.59 |
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index | 1.31 | -0.17 | 1.26 |
Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield - 2% Issuer Cap Index | 11.23 | 4.18 | 4.29 |
Fund performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which the performance would have been lower.
For current month-end performance, please call Franklin Templeton at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863 or visit https://www.franklintempleton.com/investments/options/mutual-funds.
Important data provider notices and terms available at www.franklintempletondatasources.com.
KEY FUND STATISTICS (as of May 31, 2024)
| |
Total Net Assets | $225,340,651 |
Total Number of Portfolio Holdings* | 377 |
Total Management Fee Paid | $1,251,916 |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 45% |
| * | Does not include derivatives, except purchased option contracts, if any. |
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 2 | 7822-ATSR-0724 |
WHAT DID THE FUND INVEST IN? (as of May 31, 2024)
Portfolio Composition*,† (% of Total Investments)
| * | Does not include derivatives, except purchased option contracts, if any. |
| † | Certain categories may represent less than 0.1%. |
HOW HAS THE FUND CHANGED?
Effective as of March 1, 2024, the Fund’s named portfolio management team consists of Michael C. Buchanan, Ryan Kohan and Walter E. Kilcullen.
This is a summary of certain changes to the Fund since June 1, 2023. For more complete information, you may review the Fund’s current prospectus and any applicable supplements at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents or upon request at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863 or prospectus@franklintempleton.com.
| |
| WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND? |
Additional information is available on https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents, including its: |
| • prospectus • proxy voting information • financial information • holdings • tax information |
HOUSEHOLDING
You will receive the Fund’s shareholder reports every six months. In addition, you will receive an annual updated summary prospectus (detail prospectus available upon request). To reduce fund expenses, we try to identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the shareholder reports and summary prospectus. This process, called “householding”, will continue indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you prefer not to have these documents householded, please call us at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863. At any time you may view current prospectuses/summary prospectuses and shareholder reports on our website. If you choose, you may receive these documents through electronic delivery.
| Western Asset High Yield Fund |
| NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE | PAGE 3 | 7822-ATSR-0724 |
100009923932710520108301122511143129431203011679129191000010303106121078010739114261250212452114281118311329100001019610118114911176112409125711444513683136891522621.913.212.910.08.38.36.24.43.93.62.71.21.00.90.40.40.40.20.10.00.0
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 Mr. Robert Abeles, Jr., possesses the technical attributes identified in Instruction 2(b) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as “audit committee financial expert,” and have designated Mr. Abeles as the Audit Committee’s financial expert. Mr. Abeles is an “independent” Director pursuant to paragraph (a) (2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR.
| ITEM 4. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
(a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the last two fiscal years ending May 31, 2023 and May 31, 2024 (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 $169,204 in May 31, 2023 and in $169,204 in May 31, 2024.
(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 May 31, 2023 and $0 in May 31, 2024.
(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 $30,000 in May 31, 2023 and $30,000 in May 31, 2024. 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 other fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor were $0 in May 31, 2023 and $0 in May 31, 2024, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) for the Item for the Western Asset Funds, Inc.
All Other Fees. There were no other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC (“FTFA”), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with FTFA that provided ongoing services to Western Asset Funds, Inc. 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 FTFA 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 may implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved other than by the full Committee.
The Committee shall not approve non-audit services that the Committee believes may impair the independence of the auditors. As of the date of the approval of this Audit Committee Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to the Fund by the independent auditors, other than those provided to the Fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements of the Fund. Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services; (v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and (ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.
Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Adviser and any service providers controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Covered Service Providers”) constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the independent auditors during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) the Fund, (b) the Adviser and (c) any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund during the fiscal year in which the services are provided that would have to be approved by the Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the Fund at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit.
(2) None of the services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item were performed in reliance on paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f) Not applicable.
(g) Non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to Western Asset Funds, Inc., FTFA and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with FTFA that provides ongoing services to Western Asset Funds, Inc. during the reporting period were $350,359 in May 31, 2023 and $342,635 in May 31, 2024.
(h) Yes. Western Asset Funds, Inc.’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 Western Asset Funds, Inc. or to Service Affiliates, which were required to be pre-approved, were pre-approved as required.
(i) Not applicable.
(j) Not applicable.
| | ITEM 5. | AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS. |
| a) | The independent board members are 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: |
Robert Abeles, Jr
Jane F. Dasher
Anita L. DeFrantz
Susan B. Kerley
Michael Larson
Avedick B. Poladian
William E.B. Siart
JaynieM. Studenmund
Peter J. Taylor
| ITEM 6. | SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS. |
| | |
| a) | Please see schedule of investments contained in the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights included under Item 7 of this Form N-CSR. |
| ITEM 7. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Western Asset
High Yield Fund
Financial Statements and Other Important Information
Financial Statements and Other Important Information — Annual
Schedule of InvestmentsMay 31, 2024 Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
Corporate Bonds & Notes — 83.3% |
Communication Services — 8.1% |
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.6% |
Altice Financing SA, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Altice Financing SA, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Altice France Holding SA, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Altice France Holding SA, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Altice France SA, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Altice France SA, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Telecom Italia Capital SA, Senior Notes | | | | |
Telecom Italia Capital SA, Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Diversified Telecommunication Services | |
|
Allen Media LLC/Allen Media Co-Issuer Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Banijay Entertainment SASU, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Speedway Motorsports LLC/Speedway Funding II Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
Interactive Media & Services — 0.1% |
Match Group Holdings II LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
|
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
DirecTV Financing LLC/DirecTV Financing Co-Obligor Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
DISH DBS Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
DISH DBS Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
DISH DBS Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
DISH DBS Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Gray Television Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
iHeartCommunications Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
iHeartCommunications Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Univision Communications Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
| |
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.8% |
CSC Holdings LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
CSC Holdings LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
CSC Holdings LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
CSC Holdings LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
CSC Holdings LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Vmed O2 UK Financing I PLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Total Wireless Telecommunication Services | |
|
Total Communication Services | |
Consumer Discretionary — 21.5% |
Automobile Components — 1.8% |
American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Dornoch Debt Merger Sub Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Garrett Motion Holdings Inc./Garrett LX I Sarl, Senior Notes | | | | |
JB Poindexter & Co. Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
ZF North America Capital Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
ZF North America Capital Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Automobile Components | |
|
Ford Motor Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Ford Motor Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
PM General Purchaser LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
| |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
|
Accelerate360 Holdings LLC, Secured Notes | | | | |
American News Co. LLC, Secured Notes (8.500% Cash or 10.000% PIK) | | | | |
| |
Diversified Consumer Services — 1.2% |
Adtalem Global Education Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Carriage Services Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance Inc., Secured Notes | | | | |
WW International Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Total Diversified Consumer Services | |
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 12.0% |
888 Acquisitions Ltd., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Boyne USA Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Caesars Entertainment Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Caesars Entertainment Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Caesars Entertainment Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Carnival Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Carnival Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Carnival Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Carnival Holdings Bermuda Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Fertitta Entertainment LLC/Fertitta Entertainment Finance Co. Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Full House Resorts Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Las Vegas Sands Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Marston’s Issuer PLC, Secured Notes (SONIA + 2.669%) | | | | |
Melco Resorts Finance Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Melco Resorts Finance Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Melco Resorts Finance Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Secured Notes | | | | |
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Senior Notes | | | | |
NCL Corp. Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
NCL Corp. Ltd., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — continued |
NCL Corp. Ltd., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
NCL Finance Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Sands China Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Sizzling Platter LLC/Sizzling Platter Finance Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Sugarhouse HSP Gaming Prop Mezz LP/ Sugarhouse HSP Gaming Finance Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Viking Cruises Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Viking Cruises Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Viking Cruises Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Viking Ocean Cruises Ship VII Ltd., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
VOC Escrow Ltd., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Wynn Macau Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Wynn Macau Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Wynn Macau Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Wynn Macau Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Wynn Resorts Finance LLC/Wynn Resorts Capital Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Wynn Resorts Finance LLC/Wynn Resorts Capital Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure | |
Household Durables — 0.1% |
TopBuild Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
|
Academy Ltd., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Bath & Body Works Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
FirstCash Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
FirstCash Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
FirstCash Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Foot Locker Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Gannett Holdings LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Global Auto Holdings Ltd./AAG FH UK Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Michaels Cos. Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Specialty Retail — continued |
NMG Holding Co. Inc./Neiman Marcus Group LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Sally Holdings LLC/Sally Capital Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Upbound Group Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
|
Total Consumer Discretionary | |
|
|
Triton Water Holdings Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
|
Darling Ingredients Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Simmons Foods Inc./Simmons Prepared Foods Inc./Simmons Pet Food Inc./Simmons Feed Ingredients Inc., Secured Notes | | | | |
| |
|
| |
|
Energy Equipment & Services — 1.2% |
Nabors Industries Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Noble Finance II LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Shelf Drilling Holdings Ltd., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Sunnova Energy Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Energy Equipment & Services | |
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 11.4% |
Berry Petroleum Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Blue Racer Midstream LLC/Blue Racer Finance Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Blue Racer Midstream LLC/Blue Racer Finance Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Chord Energy Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
CNX Midstream Partners LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Crescent Energy Finance LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Crescent Energy Finance LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
DCP Midstream Operating LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
DCP Midstream Operating LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Energy Transfer LP, Junior Subordinated Notes (6.625% to 2/15/28 then 3 mo. USD LIBOR + 4.155%) | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — continued |
Energy Transfer LP, Junior Subordinated Notes (6.750% to 5/15/25 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 5.134%) | | | | |
EQM Midstream Partners LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
EQM Midstream Partners LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Howard Midstream Energy Partners LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Howard Midstream Energy Partners LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Northern Oil & Gas Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Permian Resources Operating LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Permian Resources Operating LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Permian Resources Operating LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Permian Resources Operating LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Petrobras Global Finance BV, Senior Notes | | | | |
Range Resources Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Range Resources Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
SilverBow Resources Inc., Secured Notes (3 mo. Term SOFR + 7.750%) | | | | |
Southwestern Energy Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Summit Midstream Holdings LLC/Summit Midstream Finance Corp., Secured Notes | | | | |
Tallgrass Energy Partners LP/Tallgrass Energy Finance Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — continued |
Venture Global LNG Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Vital Energy Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | |
|
| |
|
|
Banco Santander SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (9.625% to 11/21/33 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 5.298%) | | | | |
Bank of Nova Scotia, Junior Subordinated Notes (8.000% to 1/27/29 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 4.017%) | | | | |
BNP Paribas SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (7.375% to 8/19/25 then USD 5 year ICE Swap Rate + 5.150%) | | | | |
BNP Paribas SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (7.750% to 8/16/29 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 4.899%) | | | | |
BNP Paribas SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (8.000% to 8/22/31 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 3.727%) | | | | |
Citigroup Inc., Junior Subordinated Notes (7.200% to 5/15/29 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 2.905%) | | | | |
Credit Agricole SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (8.125% to 12/23/25 then USD 5 year ICE Swap Rate + 6.185%) | | | | |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC, Junior Subordinated Notes (6.750% to 6/27/26 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 4.815%) | | | | |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC, Junior Subordinated Notes (8.000% to 3/27/30 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 3.913%) | | | | |
Toronto-Dominion Bank, Junior Subordinated Notes (8.125% to 10/31/27 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 4.075%) | | | | |
UniCredit SpA, Subordinated Notes (5.459% to 6/30/30 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 4.750%) | | | | |
| |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
|
Charles Schwab Corp., Junior Subordinated Notes (4.000% to 12/1/30 then 10 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 3.079%) | | | | |
Coinbase Global Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Credit Suisse AG AT1 Claim | | | | |
StoneX Group Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
UBS Group AG, Junior Subordinated Notes (7.750% to 4/12/31 then USD 5 year SOFR ICE Swap Rate + 4.160%) | | | | |
UBS Group AG, Junior Subordinated Notes (9.250% to 11/13/28 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 4.745%) | | | | |
UBS Group AG, Senior Notes (9.016% to 11/15/32 then SOFR + 5.020%) | | | | |
| |
|
Midcap Financial Issuer Trust, Senior Notes | | | | |
Midcap Financial Issuer Trust, Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
Financial Services — 3.9% |
Boost Newco Borrower LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Burford Capital Global Finance LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Burford Capital Global Finance LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Burford Capital Global Finance LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Global Aircraft Leasing Co. Ltd., Senior Notes (6.500% Cash or 7.250% PIK) | | | | |
Jane Street Group/JSG Finance Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Jane Street Group/JSG Finance Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Rocket Mortgage LLC/Rocket Mortgage Co-Issuer Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Rocket Mortgage LLC/Rocket Mortgage Co-Issuer Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
VistaJet Malta Finance PLC/Vista Management Holding Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Financial Services — continued |
VistaJet Malta Finance PLC/Vista Management Holding Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
VistaJet Malta Finance PLC/Vista Management Holding Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
|
Highlands Holdings Bond Issuer Ltd./Highlands Holdings Bond Co-Issuer Inc., Senior Secured Notes (7.625% Cash or 8.375% PIK) | | | | |
Ryan Specialty Group LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
| |
Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.6% |
Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP/Ladder Capital Finance Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP/Ladder Capital Finance Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Starwood Property Trust Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) | |
|
| |
|
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.8% |
Medline Borrower LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Medline Borrower LP, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Medline Borrower LP/Medline Co-Issuer Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies | |
Health Care Providers & Services — 3.4% |
Akumin Inc., Senior Secured Notes (9.000% PIK) | | | | |
CHS/Community Health Systems Inc., Secured Notes | | | | |
CHS/Community Health Systems Inc., Secured Notes | | | | |
CHS/Community Health Systems Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
CHS/Community Health Systems Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Health Care Providers & Services — continued |
| | | | |
LifePoint Health Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
LifePoint Health Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Sotera Health Holdings LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
U.S. Renal Care Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Total Health Care Providers & Services | |
Health Care Technology — 0.1% |
AthenaHealth Group Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
|
Bausch Health Cos. Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Bausch Health Cos. Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Bausch Health Cos. Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Endo Finance Holdings Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Endo Luxembourg Finance Co. I Sarl/Endo US Inc., Escrow | | | | |
Par Pharmaceutical Inc., Escrow | | | | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV, Senior Notes | | | | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV, Senior Notes | | | | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV, Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
|
| |
|
Aerospace & Defense — 2.1% |
AAR Escrow Issuer LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Bombardier Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Bombardier Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Bombardier Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Bombardier Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
TransDigm Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
TransDigm Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
TransDigm Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Total Aerospace & Defense | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
|
Advanced Drainage Systems Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Miter Brands Acquisition Holdco Inc./MIWD Borrower LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
MIWD Holdco II LLC/MIWD Finance Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
Commercial Services & Supplies — 3.1% |
Allied Universal Holdco LLC/Allied Universal Finance Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Allied Universal Holdco LLC/Allied Universal Finance Corp./Atlas Luxco 4 Sarl, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Clean Harbors Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
CoreCivic Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
CoreCivic Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
GEO Group Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
GEO Group Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
GFL Environmental Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Legends Hospitality Holding Co. LLC/Legends Hospitality Co-Issuer Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Madison IAQ LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Madison IAQ LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Total Commercial Services & Supplies | |
Construction & Engineering — 1.1% |
Brundage-Bone Concrete Pumping Holdings Inc., Secured Notes | | | | |
Empire Communities Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Tutor Perini Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Construction & Engineering | |
Electrical Equipment — 0.2% |
Gates Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Ground Transportation — 0.6% |
Carriage Purchaser Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
XPO CNW Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
Total Ground Transportation | |
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.1% |
Reworld Holding Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
|
| | | | |
| | | | |
Park-Ohio Industries Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Roller Bearing Co. of America Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Titan International Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Vertiv Group Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
| |
Marine Transportation — 0.3% |
Stena International SA, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Passenger Airlines — 2.3% |
American Airlines Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
American Airlines Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
American Airlines Inc./AAdvantage Loyalty IP Ltd., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Spirit Loyalty Cayman Ltd./Spirit IP Cayman Ltd., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Spirit Loyalty Cayman Ltd./Spirit IP Cayman Ltd., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
United Airlines Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
| |
Professional Services — 0.3% |
RR Donnelley & Sons Co., Secured Notes | | | | |
ZipRecruiter Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Professional Services | |
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.9% |
AerCap Holdings NV, Senior Notes (5.875% to 10/10/24 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 4.535%) | | | | |
Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
H&E Equipment Services Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
United Rentals North America Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Trading Companies & Distributors | |
|
| |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Information Technology — 3.5% |
Communications Equipment — 0.8% |
CommScope Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
CommScope Technologies LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Communications Equipment | |
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.7% |
EquipmentShare.com Inc., Secured Notes | | | | |
NCR Atleos Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Total Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | |
|
Central Parent Inc./CDK Global Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Cloud Software Group Inc., Secured Notes | | | | |
Cloud Software Group Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
Gen Digital Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Open Text Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Rackspace Finance LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
| |
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.6% |
CA Magnum Holdings, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Vericast Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | |
|
Total Information Technology | |
|
|
Anagram Holdings LLC/Anagram International Inc., Secured Notes | | | | |
LSF11 A5 Holdco LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
Construction Materials — 0.3% |
Smyrna Ready Mix Concrete LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Smyrna Ready Mix Concrete LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Total Construction Materials | |
Containers & Packaging — 1.2% |
ARD Finance SA, Senior Secured Notes (6.500% Cash or 7.250% PIK) | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Containers & Packaging — continued |
Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance USA LLC/ Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance PLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance USA LLC/ Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance PLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Canpack SA/Canpack US LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Cascades Inc./Cascades USA Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Containers & Packaging | |
|
First Quantum Minerals Ltd., Secured Notes | | | | |
First Quantum Minerals Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
First Quantum Minerals Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Hudbay Minerals Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
|
| |
|
|
IIP Operating Partnership LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Iron Mountain Information Management Services Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
|
Diversified Healthcare Trust, Senior Notes | | | | |
Diversified Healthcare Trust, Senior Notes | | | | |
Diversified Healthcare Trust, Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
Hotel & Resort REITs — 0.8% |
Service Properties Trust, Senior Notes | | | | |
Service Properties Trust, Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Hotel & Resort REITs | |
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.7% |
Cushman & Wakefield US Borrower LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Real Estate Management & Development — continued |
Five Point Operating Co. LP/Five Point Capital Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Forestar Group Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Real Estate Management & Development | |
|
| |
|
Electric Utilities — 0.8% |
Vistra Operations Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Vistra Operations Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
|
Suburban Propane Partners LP/Suburban Energy Finance Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.3% |
TransAlta Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
|
| |
Total Corporate Bonds & Notes (Cost — $194,731,276) | |
Asset-Backed Securities — 8.1% |
AB BSL CLO Ltd., 2021-2A D (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.612%) | | | | |
AGL CLO Ltd., 2021-16A D (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.362%) | | | | |
AGL CLO Ltd., 2021-11A E (3 mo. Term SOFR + 6.622%) | | | | |
Aimco CLO Ltd., 2020-12A DR (3 mo. Term SOFR + 2.900%) | | | | |
ALM Ltd., 2020-1A D (3 mo. Term SOFR + 6.262%) | | | | |
Bain Capital Credit CLO Ltd., 2021-4A E (3 mo. Term SOFR + 6.762%) | | | | |
Ballyrock CLO Ltd., 2018-1A C (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.412%) | | | | |
Ballyrock CLO Ltd., 2022-19A D (3 mo. Term SOFR + 7.110%) | | | | |
Barings CLO Ltd., 2018-3A D (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.162%) | | | | |
Battalion CLO Ltd., 2017-11A DR (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.912%) | | | | |
Battalion CLO Ltd., 2021-20A D (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.362%) | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
Asset-Backed Securities — continued |
BlueMountain CLO Ltd., 2020-30A DR (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.300%) | | | | |
BlueMountain CLO Ltd., 2021-31A E (3 mo. Term SOFR + 6.792%) | | | | |
Carlyle US CLO Ltd., 2017-2A C (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.962%) | | | | |
Carlyle US CLO Ltd., 2019-2A DR (3 mo. Term SOFR + 6.762%) | | | | |
Catskill Park CLO Ltd., 2017-1A C (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.962%) | | | | |
Eaton Vance CLO Ltd., 2020-2A ER (3 mo. Term SOFR + 6.762%) | | | | |
Galaxy CLO Ltd., 2016-22A DRR (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.612%) | | | | |
GoldenTree Loan Management US CLO Ltd., 2018-3A C (3 mo. Term SOFR + 2.162%) | | | | |
Greenwood Park CLO Ltd., 2018-1A D (3 mo. Term SOFR + 2.762%) | | | | |
Greenwood Park CLO Ltd., 2018-1A E (3 mo. Term SOFR + 5.212%) | | | | |
Grippen Park CLO Ltd., 2017-1A E (3 mo. Term SOFR + 5.962%) | | | | |
Halsey Point CLO Ltd., 2019-1A E (3 mo. Term SOFR + 7.962%) | | | | |
ICG US CLO Ltd., 2022-1A DJ (3 mo. Term SOFR + 5.730%) | | | | |
Magnetite Ltd., 2015-12A ER (3 mo. Term SOFR + 5.942%) | | | | |
Magnetite Ltd., 2020-26A ER (3 mo. Term SOFR + 6.212%) | | | | |
Marble Point CLO Ltd., 2017-1A C (3 mo. Term SOFR + 2.612%) | | | | |
Marble Point CLO Ltd., 2018-2A D (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.792%) | | | | |
Mountain View CLO Ltd., 2015-9A CR (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.382%) | | | | |
Mountain View CLO Ltd., 2022-1A DR (3 mo. Term SOFR + 4.190%) | | | | |
Neuberger Berman CLO Ltd., 2017-16SA DR (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.162%) | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
Asset-Backed Securities — continued |
Neuberger Berman Loan Advisers CLO Ltd., 2018-28A D (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.112%) | | | | |
Neuberger Berman Loan Advisers CLO Ltd., 2017-25A DR (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.112%) | | | | |
Oaktree CLO Ltd., 2022-2A DR (3 mo. Term SOFR + 4.500%) | | | | |
Ocean Trails CLO, 2014-5A DRR (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.712%) | | | | |
Octagon Ltd., 2021-1A D (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.362%) | | | | |
Palmer Square CLO Ltd., 2021-2A E (3 mo. Term SOFR + 6.612%) | | | | |
Palmer Square Loan Funding Ltd., 2022-3A CR (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.000%) | | | | |
Sculptor CLO Ltd., 26A E (3 mo. Term SOFR + 7.512%) | | | | |
Symphony CLO Ltd., 2020-22A D (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.412%) | | | | |
Symphony CLO Ltd., 2021-25A D (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.862%) | | | | |
Trinitas CLO Ltd., 2023-26A D (3 mo. Term SOFR + 4.500%) | | | | |
|
Total Asset-Backed Securities (Cost — $17,638,532) | |
|
Communication Services — 0.2% |
|
Gray Television Inc., Term Loan B | | | | |
|
Consumer Discretionary — 1.3% |
Automobile Components — 0.4% |
Clarios Global LP, 2024 Refinancing Term Loan Facility (1 mo. Term SOFR + 3.000%) | | | | |
First Brands Group LLC, 2021 First Lien Term Loan (3 mo. Term SOFR + 5.262%) | | | | |
Total Automobile Components | |
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.1% |
Adtalem Global Education Inc., 2024 Repricing Term Loan (1 mo. Term SOFR + 3.500%) | | | | |
WW International Inc., Initial Term Loan (1 mo. Term SOFR + 3.614%) | | | | |
Total Diversified Consumer Services | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.5% |
Scientific Games International Inc., Term Loan B1 (1 mo. Term SOFR + 2.750%) | | | | |
Station Casinos LLC, Term Loan Facility B | | | | |
Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure | |
Leisure Products — 0.0%†† |
Peloton Interactive Inc., Initial Term Loan | | | | |
|
Spencer Spirit IH LLC, Initial Term Loan (1 mo. Term SOFR + 6.100%) | | | | |
|
Total Consumer Discretionary | |
|
Financial Services — 0.2% |
Citadel Securities LP, 2024 Term Loan B (1 mo. Term SOFR + 2.250%) | | | | |
Deerfield Dakota Holding LLC, 2021 Replacement Term Loan (3 mo. Term SOFR + 7.012%) | | | | |
| |
|
Asurion LLC, New Term Loan B10 (1 mo. Term SOFR + 4.100%) | | | | |
|
| |
|
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.3% |
EyeCare Partners LLC, Term Loan B (3 mo. Term SOFR + 4.710%) | | | | |
LifePoint Health Inc., 2024 Repricing Term Loan B (2 mo. Term SOFR + 4.750%) | | | | |
Total Health Care Providers & Services | |
Health Care Technology — 0.2% |
Cotiviti Inc., Initial Term Loan (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.250%) | | | | |
|
| |
|
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.2% |
Neptune Bidco US Inc., Term Loan B (3 mo. Term SOFR + 5.100%) | | | | |
Ground Transportation — 0.2% |
Genesee & Wyoming Inc., Initial Term Loan B (2 mo. Term SOFR + 2.000%) | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Passenger Airlines — 0.1% |
United Airlines Inc., Term Loan B (1 mo. Term SOFR + 2.750%) | | | | |
|
| |
Information Technology — 0.8% |
Communications Equipment — 0.1% |
Global Tel Link Corp., First Lien Term Loan (1 mo. Term SOFR + 4.350%) | | | | |
|
DCert Buyer Inc., First Lien Initial Term Loan (1 mo. Term SOFR + 4.000%) | | | | |
DCert Buyer Inc., Second Lien Initial Term Loan (1 mo. Term SOFR + 7.000%) | | | | |
MRI Software LLC, Second Amendment Term Loan (3 mo. Term SOFR + 5.600%) | | | | |
MRI Software LLC, Term Loan B (3 mo. Term SOFR + 5.600%) | | | | |
Peraton Corp., First Lien Term Loan B (1 mo. Term SOFR + 3.850%) | | | | |
| |
|
Total Information Technology | |
|
|
Arctic Canadian Diamond Co. Ltd., Second Lien Term Loan | | | | |
|
Total Senior Loans (Cost — $9,026,791) | |
Convertible Bonds & Notes — 0.9% |
Communication Services — 0.3% |
|
DISH Network Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
|
Consumer Discretionary — 0.1% |
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.1% |
DraftKings Holdings Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
|
|
Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.3% |
Two Harbors Investment Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
|
|
Electrical Equipment — 0.1% |
Bloom Energy Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
|
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.1% |
NextEra Energy Partners LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
|
Total Convertible Bonds & Notes (Cost — $2,296,533) | |
|
|
Provincia de Buenos Aires, Senior Notes, Step bond (6.375% to 9/1/24 then 6.625%) | | | | |
Provincia de Buenos Aires, Senior Notes, Step bond (6.375% to 9/1/24 then 6.625%) | | | | |
|
Total Sovereign Bonds (Cost — $882,703) | |
| | | | | |
Convertible Preferred Stocks — 0.4% |
|
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.4% |
Equitrans Midstream Corp. (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 8.150%) (Cost — $861,565) | | | | |
| | | | | |
|
|
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.2% |
| | | |
Permian Production Partners LLC | | | |
|
| |
|
|
| | | |
| | | |
|
| |
|
|
Arctic Canadian Diamond Co. Ltd. | | | |
|
Total Common Stocks (Cost — $325,633) | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset High Yield Fund
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
|
Passenger Airlines — 0.0%†† |
flyExclusive Inc. (Cost — $14,372) | | | | |
Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $225,777,405) | |
| | | | | |
Short-Term Investments — 1.0% |
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares (Cost — $2,248,421) | | | | |
Total Investments — 98.3% (Cost — $228,025,826) | |
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 1.7% | |
Total Net Assets — 100.0% | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset High Yield Fund
| Face amount denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted. |
| Represents less than 0.1%. |
| Non-income producing security. |
| Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. |
| Payment-in-kind security for which the issuer has the option at each interest payment date of making interest payments in cash or additional securities. |
| Security is exempt from registration under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. Regulation S applies to securities offerings that are made outside of the United States and do not involve direct selling efforts in the United States. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. |
| Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is as of the most recent information available. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description above. |
| Security has no maturity date. The date shown represents the next call date. |
| Security is fair valued in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Directors (Note 1). |
| Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs (Note 1). |
| Securities traded on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. |
| |
| The coupon payment on this security is currently in default as of May 31, 2024. |
| All or a portion of this loan has not settled as of May 31, 2024. Interest rates are not effective until settlement date. Interest rates shown, if any, are for the settled portion of the loan. |
| Interest rates disclosed represent the effective rates on senior loans. Ranges in interest rates are attributable to multiple contracts under the same loan. |
| Senior loans may be considered restricted in that the Fund ordinarily is contractually obligated to receive approval from the agent bank and/or borrower prior to the disposition of a senior loan. |
| Rate shown is one-day yield as of the end of the reporting period. |
| In this instance, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, an “Affiliated Company” represents Fund ownership of at least 5% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. At May 31, 2024, the total market value of investments in Affiliated Companies was $2,248,421 and the cost was $2,248,421 (Note 9). |
Abbreviation(s) used in this schedule: |
| | Collateralized Loan Obligation |
| | |
| | |
| | Intercontinental Exchange |
| | London Interbank Offered Rate |
| | |
| | Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
| | Sterling Overnight Index Average |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset High Yield Fund
At May 31, 2024, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
U.S. Treasury 5-Year Notes | | | | | |
At May 31, 2024, the Fund had the following open forward foreign currency contracts:
| | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. | | |
Net unrealized appreciation on open forward foreign currency contracts | |
Abbreviation(s) used in this table: |
| | |
| | |
| | |
At May 31, 2024, the Fund had the following open swap contracts:
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS ON CORPORATE ISSUES — SELL PROTECTION1 |
| | | Implied
Credit
Spread at
May 31,
| Periodic
Payments
Received by
| | Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received) | |
American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., 6.250%, due 3/15/26 | | | | | | | |
Calpine Corp., 5.125%, due 3/15/28 | | | | | | | |
Delta Air Lines Inc., 7.375%, due 1/15/26 | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of Investments (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset High Yield Fund
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS ON CORPORATE ISSUES — SELL PROTECTION1 (cont’d) |
| | | Implied Credit Spread at May 31, 20243 | Periodic Payments Received by the Fund† | | Upfront Premiums Paid (Received) | |
Ford Motor Co., 4.346%, due 12/8/26 | | | | | | | |
Nabors Industries Inc., 5.750%, due 2/1/25 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS ON CORPORATE ISSUES — BUY PROTECTION4 |
| | | Implied
Credit
Spread at
May 31,
| | | Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received) | |
General Motors Co., 4.200%, due 10/1/27 | | | | | | | |
Transocean Inc., 8.000%, due 2/1/27 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS ON CREDIT INDICES — SELL PROTECTION1 |
| | | Periodic
Payments
Received by
| | Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received) | |
Markit CDX.NA.HY.42 Index | | | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset High Yield Fund
| If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index. |
| The maximum potential amount the Fund could be required to pay as a seller of credit protection or receive as a buyer of credit protection if a credit event occurs as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement. |
| Implied credit spreads, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swap agreements on corporate or sovereign issues as of period end, serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as “Defaulted” indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced entity or obligation. |
| If the Fund is a buyer of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and deliver the referenced obligation or the underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) receive a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or the underlying securities comprising the referenced index. |
| The quoted market prices and resulting values for credit default swap agreements on asset-backed securities and credit indices serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood of an expected loss (or profit) for the credit derivative had the notional amount of the swap agreement been closed/sold as of the period end. Decreasing market values (sell protection) or increasing market values (buy protection), when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. |
| Percentage shown is an annual percentage rate. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Statement of Assets and LiabilitiesMay 31, 2024
| |
Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (Cost — $225,777,405) | |
Investments in affiliated securities, at value (Cost — $2,248,421) | |
Foreign currency, at value (Cost — $456,897) | |
| |
| |
Deposits with brokers for centrally cleared swap contracts | |
Receivable for securities sold | |
Deposits with brokers for open futures contracts | |
Receivable for Fund shares sold | |
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts | |
Foreign currency collateral for centrally cleared swap contracts, at value (Cost — $50,821) | |
Receivable from brokers — net variation margin on open futures contracts | |
Receivable from brokers — net variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts | |
Dividends receivable from affiliated investments | |
| |
| |
| |
Payable for securities purchased | |
Payable for Fund shares repurchased | |
| |
Investment management fee payable | |
Service and/or distribution fees payable | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Paid-in capital in excess of par value | |
Total distributable earnings (loss) | |
| |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Class A (and redemption price) | |
| |
Class R (and redemption price) | |
Class I (and redemption price) | |
Class IS (and redemption price) | |
Maximum Public Offering Price Per Share: | |
Class A (based on maximum initial sales charge of 3.75%) | |
| Redemption price per share is NAV of Class C shares reduced by a 1.00% CDSC if shares are redeemed within one year from purchase payment (Note 2). |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Statement of OperationsFor the Year Ended May 31, 2024
| |
| |
Dividends from unaffiliated investments | |
Dividends from affiliated investments | |
Less: Foreign taxes withheld | |
| |
| |
Investment management fee (Note 2) | |
Service and/or distribution fees (Notes 2 and 5) | |
Transfer agent fees (Notes 2 and 5) | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Commitment fees (Note 10) | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Notes 2 and 5) | |
| |
| |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Futures Contracts, Written Options, Swap Contracts, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions
(Notes 1, 3 and 4): |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From: | |
Investment transactions in unaffiliated securities | |
| |
| |
| |
Forward foreign currency contracts | |
Foreign currency transactions | |
| |
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From: | |
Investments in unaffiliated securities | |
| |
| |
Forward foreign currency contracts | |
| |
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Net Gain on Investments, Futures Contracts, Written Options, Swap Contracts, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions | |
Increase in Net Assets From Operations | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
For the Years Ended May 31, | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations | | |
Distributions to Shareholders From (Notes 1 and 6): | | |
Total distributable earnings | | |
| | |
Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders | | |
Fund Share Transactions (Note 7): | | |
Net proceeds from sale of shares | | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | |
Cost of shares repurchased | | |
Net assets of shares issued in connection with merger (Note 8) | | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions | | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
For a share of each class of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended May 31: |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of year | | | | | |
Income (loss) from operations: |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | | | |
Total income (loss) from operations | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of year | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of year (000s) | | | | | |
Ratios to average net assets: |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
| Amount represents less than $0.005 or greater than $(0.005) per share. |
| Performance figures, exclusive of sales charges, may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. |
| The total return includes gains from settlement of security litigations. Without these gains, the total return would have been (0.92)% for the year ended May 31, 2020. |
| Reflects recapture of fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed from prior fiscal years. |
| Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
| As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective May 21, 2021, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses, other than interest, brokerage commissions, taxes, extraordinary expenses, deferred organizational expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class A shares did not exceed 1.01%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2025 without the Board of Directors’ consent. In addition, the manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund. Prior to May 21, 2021, the expense limitation was 1.05%. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
For a share of each class of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended May 31: |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of year | | | | | |
Income (loss) from operations: |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | | | |
Total income (loss) from operations | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of year | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of year (000s) | | | | | |
Ratios to average net assets: |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
| Amount represents less than $0.005 or greater than $(0.005) per share. |
| Performance figures, exclusive of CDSC, may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. |
| The total return includes gains from settlement of security litigations. Without these gains, the total return would have been (1.46)% for the year ended May 31, 2020. |
| Reflects recapture of fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed from prior fiscal years. |
| Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
| As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses, other than interest, brokerage commissions, taxes, extraordinary expenses, deferred organizational expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class C shares did not exceed 1.80%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2025 without the Board of Directors’ consent. In addition, the manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Financial Highlights (cont’d)
For a share of each class of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended May 31: |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of year | | | | | |
Income (loss) from operations: |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | | | |
Total income (loss) from operations | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of year | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of year (000s) | | | | | |
Ratios to average net assets: |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
| Amount represents less than $0.005 or greater than $(0.005) per share. |
| Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. |
| The total return includes gains from settlement of security litigations. Without these gains, the total return would have been (0.86)% for the year ended May 31, 2020. |
| Reflects recapture of fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed from prior fiscal years. |
| Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
| As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses, other than interest, brokerage commissions, taxes, extraordinary expenses, deferred organizational expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class R shares did not exceed 1.30%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2025 without the Board of Directors’ consent. In addition, the manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
For a share of each class of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended May 31: |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of year | | | | | |
Income (loss) from operations: |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | | | |
Total income (loss) from operations | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of year | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of year (000s) | | | | | |
Ratios to average net assets: |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
| Amount represents less than $0.005 or greater than $(0.005) per share. |
| Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. |
| The total return includes gains from settlement of security litigations. Without these gains, the total return would have been (0.42)% for the year ended May 31, 2020. |
| Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
| As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective November 21, 2022, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses, other than interest, brokerage commissions, taxes, extraordinary expenses, deferred organizational expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class I shares did not exceed 0.75%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2025 without the Board of Directors’ consent. In addition, the manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Financial Highlights (cont’d)
For a share of each class of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended May 31: |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of year | | | | | |
Income (loss) from operations: |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | | | |
Total income (loss) from operations | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of year | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of year (000s) | | | | | |
Ratios to average net assets: |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
| Amount represents less than $0.005 or greater than $(0.005) per share. |
| Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. |
| The total return includes gains from settlement of security litigations. Without these gains, the total return would have been (0.26)% for the year ended May 31, 2020. |
| Reflects recapture of fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed from prior fiscal years. |
| Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
| As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses, other than interest, brokerage commissions, taxes, extraordinary expenses, deferred organizational expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class IS shares did not exceed 0.65%. In addition, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses for Class IS shares did not exceed the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses for Class I shares. These expense limitation arrangements cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2025 without the Board of Directors’ consent. In addition, the manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements
1. Organization and significant accounting policies
Western Asset High Yield Fund (the “Fund”) is a separate diversified investment series of Western Asset Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”). The Corporation, a Maryland corporation, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company.
The Fund follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC 946”). The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), including, but not limited to, ASC 946. Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.
(a) Investment valuation. The valuations for fixed income securities (which may include, but are not limited to, corporate, government, municipal, mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities) and certain derivative instruments are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of valuation techniques and methodologies. The independent third party pricing services typically use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar securities. Investments in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day of valuation. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (cont’d)
Pursuant to policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the Fund’s manager has been designated as the valuation designee and is responsible for the oversight of the daily valuation process. The Fund’s manager is assisted by the Global Fund Valuation Committee (the “Valuation Committee”). The Valuation Committee is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Fund’s pricing policies, and reporting to the Fund’s manager and the Board of Directors. When determining the reliability of third party pricing information for investments owned by the Fund, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of pricing vendors, monitors the daily change in prices and reviews transactions among market participants.
The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of possible methodologies include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a multiple thereof; risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity; and/or fundamental investment analysis. The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security; the issuer’s financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; analysts’ research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.
For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such back testing monthly and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board of Directors quarterly.
The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
GAAP establishes a disclosure hierarchy that categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value assets and liabilities at measurement date. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
•
Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
•
Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
•
Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value:
|
| | Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2) | Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Other Corporate Bonds & Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Convertible Bonds & Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
Convertible Preferred Stocks | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Total Long-Term Investments | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (cont’d)
|
| | Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |
Other Financial Instruments: | | | | |
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts†† | | | | |
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps on Corporate Issues — Sell Protection†† | | | | |
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps on Credit Indices — Sell Protection†† | | | | |
Total Other Financial Instruments | | | | |
| | | | |
|
| | Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2) | Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3) | |
Other Financial Instruments: | | | | |
| | | | |
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps on Corporate Issues — Buy Protection†† | | | | |
| | | | |
| See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations. |
| Amount represents less than $1. |
| Reflects the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of the instruments. |
(b) Purchased options. The Fund may purchase option contracts generally to gain or reduce exposure to certain types of investments or market factors or as a means of attempting to enhance returns. When the Fund purchases an option, an amount equal to the premium paid by the Fund is recorded as an investment on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, the value of which is marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option purchased. If the purchased option expires, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the amount of premium paid. When an instrument is purchased or sold through the exercise of an option, the related premium paid is added to the basis of the instrument acquired or deducted from the proceeds of the instrument sold. The risk associated with purchasing put and call options is limited to the premium paid.
(c) Written options. The Fund may write option contracts generally to gain or reduce exposure to certain types of investments or market factors or as a means of attempting to enhance returns. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability, the value of which is marked-to-market daily
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
to reflect the current market value of the option written. If the option expires, the premium received is recorded as a realized gain. When a written call option is exercised, the difference between the premium received plus the option exercise price and the Fund’s basis in the underlying security (in the case of a covered written call option), or the cost to purchase the underlying security (in the case of an uncovered written call option), including brokerage commission, is recognized as a realized gain or loss. When a written put option is exercised, the amount of the premium received is subtracted from the cost of the security purchased by the Fund from the exercise of the written put option to form the Fund’s basis in the underlying security purchased. The writer or buyer of an option traded on an exchange can liquidate the position before the exercise of the option by entering into a closing transaction. The cost of a closing transaction is deducted from the original premium received resulting in a realized gain or loss to the Fund.
The risk in writing a covered call option is that the Fund may forego the opportunity of profit if the market price of the underlying security increases and the option is exercised. The risk in writing a put option is that the Fund may incur a loss if the market price of the underlying security decreases and the option is exercised. The risk in writing an uncovered call option is that the Fund is exposed to the risk of loss if the market price of the underlying security increases. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.
(d) Futures contracts. The Fund uses futures contracts generally to gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in interest rates or gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in certain asset classes. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit cash or securities with a broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the ‘‘initial margin’’ and subsequent payments (‘‘variation margin’’) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. For certain futures, including foreign denominated futures, variation margin is not settled daily, but is recorded as a net variation margin payable or receivable. The daily changes in contract value are recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Statement of Operations and the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.
Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the amounts reflected in the financial statements. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.
(e) Forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund enters into a forward foreign currency contract to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risk on its non-U.S. dollar denominated securities or to facilitate settlement of a foreign currency denominated portfolio transaction. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price with delivery and settlement at a future
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (cont’d)
date. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When a forward foreign currency contract is closed, through either delivery or offset by entering into another forward foreign currency contract, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value of the contract at the time it is closed.
Forward foreign currency contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign exchange rate underlying the forward foreign currency contract. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.
(f) Swap agreements. The Fund invests in swaps for the purpose of managing its exposure to interest rate, credit or market risk, or for other purposes. The use of swaps involves risks that are different from those associated with other portfolio transactions. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract (“OTC Swaps”) or centrally cleared (“Centrally Cleared Swaps”). Unlike Centrally Cleared Swaps, the Fund has credit exposure to the counterparties of OTC Swaps.
In a Centrally Cleared Swap, immediately following execution of the swap, the swap agreement is submitted to a clearinghouse or central counterparty (the “CCP”) and the CCP becomes the ultimate counterparty of the swap agreement. The Fund is required to interface with the CCP through a broker, acting in an agency capacity. All payments are settled with the CCP through the broker. Upon entering into a Centrally Cleared Swap, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities.
Swap contracts are marked-to-market daily and changes in value are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation). The daily change in valuation of Centrally Cleared Swaps, if any, is recorded as a net receivable or payable for variation margin on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gains or losses are realized upon termination of the swap agreement. Collateral, in the form of restricted cash or securities, may be required to be held in segregated accounts with the Fund’s custodian in compliance with the terms of the swap contracts. Securities posted as collateral for swap contracts are identified in the Schedule of Investments and restricted cash, if any, is identified on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks may exceed amounts recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These risks include changes in the returns of the underlying instruments, failure of the counterparties to perform under the contracts’ terms, and the possible lack of liquidity with respect to the swap agreements.
OTC Swap payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are reflected as a premium or deposit, respectively, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These upfront payments are amortized over the life of the swap and are recognized as
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are recognized as a realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations.
The Fund’s maximum exposure in the event of a defined credit event on a credit default swap to sell protection is the notional amount. As of May 31, 2024, the total notional value of all credit default swaps to sell protection was $9,615,500. This amount would be offset by the value of the swap’s reference entity, upfront premiums received on the swap and any amounts received from the settlement of a credit default swap where the Fund bought protection for the same referenced security/entity.
For average notional amounts of swaps held during the year ended May 31, 2024, see Note 4.
The Fund enters into credit default swap (“CDS”) contracts for investment purposes, to manage its credit risk or to add leverage. CDS agreements involve one party making a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default by a third party, typically corporate or sovereign issuers, on a specified obligation, or in the event of a write-down, principal shortfall, interest shortfall or default of all or part of the referenced entities comprising a credit index. The Fund may use a CDS to provide protection against defaults of the issuers (i.e., to reduce risk where the Fund has exposure to an issuer) or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default. As a seller of protection, the Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a stream of payments throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the Fund could be required to make under a CDS agreement would be an amount equal to the notional amount of the agreement. These amounts of potential payments will be partially offset by any recovery of values from the respective referenced obligations. As a seller of protection, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. As a buyer of protection, the Fund generally receives an amount up to the notional value of the swap if a credit event occurs.
Implied spreads are the theoretical prices a lender receives for credit default protection. When spreads rise, market perceived credit risk rises and when spreads fall, market perceived credit risk falls. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads and decreasing market values, when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. Credit spreads utilized in determining the period end market value of CDS agreements on corporate or sovereign issues are disclosed in the
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (cont’d)
Schedule of Investments and serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for credit derivatives. For CDS agreements on asset-backed securities and credit indices, the quoted market prices and resulting values, particularly in relation to the notional amount of the contract as well as the annual payment rate, serve as an indication of the current status of the payment/performance risk.
The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty risk, as the protection buyer, is the fair value of the contract (this risk is mitigated by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty). As the protection seller, the Fund’s maximum risk is the notional amount of the contract. CDS are considered to have credit risk-related contingent features since they require payment by the protection seller to the protection buyer upon the occurrence of a defined credit event.
Entering into a CDS agreement involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk in excess of the related amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreement may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of the contractual terms in the agreement, and that there will be unfavorable changes in net interest rates.
(g) Loan participations. The Fund may invest in loans arranged through private negotiation between one or more financial institutions. The Fund’s investment in any such loan may be in the form of a participation in or an assignment of the loan. In connection with purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement related to the loan, or any rights of offset against the borrower and the Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation.
The Fund assumes the credit risk of the borrower, the lender that is selling the participation and any other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling the participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any offset between the lender and the borrower.
(h) Securities traded on a when-issued and delayed delivery basis. The Fund may trade securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. In when-issued and delayed delivery transactions, the securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction.
Purchasing such securities involves risk of loss if the value of the securities declines prior to settlement. These securities are subject to market fluctuations and their current value is determined in the same manner as for other securities.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
(i) Foreign currency translation. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions.
The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.
Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, including gains and losses on forward foreign currency contracts, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the 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 values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, on the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of lower levels of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.
(j) Credit and market risk. The Fund invests in high-yield and emerging market instruments that are subject to certain credit and market risks. The yields of high-yield and emerging market debt obligations reflect, among other things, perceived credit and market risks. The Fund’s investments in securities rated below investment grade typically involve risks not associated with higher rated securities including, among others, greater risk related to timely and ultimate payment of interest and principal, greater market price volatility and less liquid secondary market trading. The consequences of political, social, economic or diplomatic changes may have disruptive effects on the market prices of investments held by the Fund. The Fund’s investments in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities may also result in foreign currency losses caused by devaluations and exchange rate fluctuations.
Investments in securities that are collateralized by real estate mortgages are subject to certain credit and liquidity risks. When market conditions result in an increase in default rates of the underlying mortgages and the foreclosure values of underlying real estate properties are materially below the outstanding amount of these underlying mortgages, collection of the full amount of accrued interest and principal on these investments may be
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (cont’d)
doubtful. Such market conditions may significantly impair the value and liquidity of these investments and may result in a lack of correlation between their credit ratings and values.
(k) Foreign investment risks. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may involve risks not present in domestic investments. Since securities may be denominated in foreign currencies, may require settlement in foreign currencies or may pay interest or dividends in foreign currencies, changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Fund. Foreign investments may also subject the Fund to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation or other political, social or economic developments, all of which affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.
(l) Counterparty risk and credit-risk-related contingent features of derivative instruments. The Fund may invest in certain securities or engage in other transactions where the Fund is exposed to counterparty credit risk in addition to broader market risks. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers, which may also be considered counterparties as trading partners in other transactions. This may increase the risk of loss in the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty or if the counterparty otherwise fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Fund’s subadviser attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by (i) periodically assessing the creditworthiness of its trading partners, (ii) monitoring and/or limiting the amount of its net exposure to each individual counterparty based on its assessment and (iii) requiring collateral from the counterparty for certain transactions. Market events and changes in overall economic conditions may impact the assessment of such counterparty risk by the subadviser. In addition, declines in the values of underlying collateral received may expose the Fund to increased risk of loss.
With exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives, there is less counterparty risk to the Fund since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, the credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, the Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default of the clearing broker or clearinghouse.
The Fund has entered into master agreements, such as an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement, with certain of its derivative counterparties that govern over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives and provide for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral posting terms, netting provisions in the event of default or termination and credit related contingent features. The credit related contingent features include, but are not limited to, a percentage decrease in the Fund’s net assets or net asset value per share over a specified period of time. If these credit related contingent features were triggered, the derivatives counterparty could terminate the positions and demand payment or require additional collateral.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. However, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the terms of the ISDA Master Agreements do not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the Fund and the applicable counterparty. The enforceability of the right to offset may vary by jurisdiction.
Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearinghouse for exchange traded derivatives while collateral terms are contract specific for OTC traded derivatives. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged as collateral, if any, for the same purpose are noted in the Schedule of Investments.
As of May 31, 2024, the Fund did not have any open OTC derivative transactions with credit related contingent features in a net liability position.
(m) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income (including interest income from payment-in-kind securities) is recorded on the accrual basis. Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on debt securities are recorded to interest income over the lives of the respective securities, except for premiums on certain callable debt securities, which are amortized to the earliest call date. Paydown gains and losses on mortgage- and asset-backed securities are recorded as adjustments to interest income. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. Foreign dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as practicable after the Fund determines the existence of a dividend declaration after exercising reasonable due diligence. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.
(n) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund are declared each business day to shareholders of record and are paid monthly. 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.
(o) Share class accounting. Investment income, common expenses and realized/unrealized gains (losses) 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 share class.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (cont’d)
(p) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodian’s fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank.
(q) 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 (the “Code”), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements.
Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of May 31, 2024, no provision for income tax is 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.
(r) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. During the current year, the following reclassifications have been made:
| Total Distributable
Earnings (Loss) | |
| | |
(a)
Reclassifications are due to non-deductible offering costs and book/tax differences in the treatment of various items.
2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates
Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC (“FTFA”) (formerly known as Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC prior to November 30, 2023) is the Fund’s investment manager. Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”) and Western Asset Management Company Limited (“Western Asset London”) are the Fund’s subadvisers. FTFA, Western Asset and Western Asset London are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin Resources”).
FTFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. The Fund pays FTFA an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For their services, FTFA pays Western Asset and Western Asset London monthly all of the management fee that it receives from the Fund.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
As a result of expense limitation arrangements between the Fund and FTFA, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses, other than interest, brokerage commissions, taxes, extraordinary expenses, deferred organizational expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class A, Class C, Class R, Class I and Class IS shares did not exceed 1.01%, 1.80%, 1.30%, 0.75% and 0.65%, respectively. In addition, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses for Class IS shares did not exceed the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses for Class I shares. These expense limitation arrangements cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2025 without the Board of Directors’ consent. In addition, the manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund (the “affiliated money market fund waiver”). The affiliated money market fund waiver is not subject to the recapture provision discussed below.
During the year ended May 31, 2024, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed amounted to $47,436, which included an affiliated money market fund waiver of $561.
FTFA is permitted to recapture amounts waived and/or reimbursed to a class within two years after the fiscal year in which FTFA earned the fee or incurred the expense if the class’ total annual fund operating expenses have fallen to a level below the expense limitation (“expense cap”) in effect at the time the fees were earned or the expenses incurred. In no case will FTFA recapture any amount that would result, on any particular business day of the Fund, in the class’ total annual fund operating expenses exceeding the expense cap or any other lower limit then in effect.
Pursuant to these arrangements, at May 31, 2024, the Fund had remaining fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements subject to recapture by FTFA and respective dates of expiration as follows:
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Total fee waivers/expense reimbursements subject to recapture | | | | | |
For the year ended May 31, 2024, FTFA did not recapture any fees.
Franklin Distributors, LLC (“Franklin Distributors”) serves as the Fund’s sole and exclusive distributor. Franklin Distributors is an indirect, wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Franklin Resources. Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC (“Investor Services”) serves as the Fund’s shareholder servicing agent and acts as the Fund’s transfer agent and dividend-paying agent. Investor Services is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources. Each class of shares of the Fund pays transfer agent fees to Investor Services for its performance of shareholder servicing obligations. Investor Services charges account-based fees based on the number of individual shareholder accounts, as well as a fixed percentage fee based on the total account-based fees charged. In addition, each class reimburses Investor Services for out of pocket expenses incurred. For the year ended
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (cont’d)
May 31, 2024, the Fund incurred transfer agent fees as reported on the Statement of Operations, of which $11,220 was earned by Investor Services.
There is a maximum initial sales charge of 3.75% for Class A shares. There is a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% on Class C shares, which applies if redemption occurs within 12 months from purchase payment. In certain cases, Class A shares have a 1.00% CDSC, which applies if redemption occurs within 18 months from purchase payment. This CDSC only applies to those purchases of Class A shares, which, when combined with current holdings of other shares of funds sold by Franklin Distributors, equal or exceed $500,000 in the aggregate. These purchases do not incur an initial sales charge.
For the year ended May 31, 2024, sales charges retained by and CDSCs paid to Franklin Distributors and its affiliates, if any, were as follows:
All officers and one Director of the Corporation are employees of Franklin Resources or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Corporation.
During the year ended May 31, 2024, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) and U.S. Government & Agency Obligations were as follows:
| | U.S. Government &
Agency Obligations |
| | |
| | |
At May 31, 2024, the aggregate cost of investments and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:
| Cost/Premiums
Paid (Received) | Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation | Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation | Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Forward foreign currency contracts | | | | |
| | | | |
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities
Below is a table, grouped by derivative type, that provides information about the fair value and the location of derivatives within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at May 31, 2024.
|
| | | |
Forward foreign currency contracts | | | |
Centrally cleared swap contracts2 | | | |
| | | |
|
| | | |
| | | |
Centrally cleared swap contracts2 | | | |
| | | |
| Generally, the balance sheet location for asset derivatives is receivables/net unrealized appreciation and for liability derivatives is payables/net unrealized depreciation. |
| Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of centrally cleared swap contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only net variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
| Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only net variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
The following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Fund’s Statement of Operations for the year ended May 31, 2024. The first table provides additional detail about the amounts and sources of gains (losses) realized on derivatives during the period. The second table provides additional information about the change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from the Fund’s derivatives and hedging activities during the period.
AMOUNT OF NET REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Forward foreign currency contracts | | | | |
| | | | |
| Net realized gain (loss) from purchased options is reported in Net Realized Gain (Loss) From Investment transactions in unaffiliated securities in the Statement of Operations. |
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (cont’d)
CHANGE IN NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Forward foreign currency contracts | | | | |
| | | | |
During the year ended May 31, 2024, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:
| |
| |
| |
Futures contracts (to buy) | |
Forward foreign currency contracts (to buy) | |
| |
Credit default swap contracts (buy protection) | |
Credit default swap contracts (sell protection) | |
| At May 31, 2024, there were no open positions held in this derivative. |
The following table presents the Fund’s OTC derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an ISDA Master Agreement and net of the related collateral pledged (received) by the Fund as of May 31, 2024.
| Gross Assets
Subject to
Master
| Gross
Liabilities
Subject to
Master
Agreements | Net Assets
(Liabilities)
Subject to
Master
Agreements | Collateral
Pledged
(Received) | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Absent an event of default or early termination, derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
| Represents the net amount receivable (payable) from (to) the counterparty in the event of default. |
5. Class specific expenses, waivers and/or expense reimbursements
The Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 shareholder services and distribution plan and under that plan the Fund pays service and/or distribution fees with respect to its Class A, Class C and Class R shares calculated at the annual rate of 0.25%, 1.00% and 0.50% of the average daily net assets of each class, respectively. Service and/or distribution fees are accrued daily and paid monthly.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
For the year ended May 31, 2024, class specific expenses were as follows:
| Service and/or
Distribution Fees | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
For the year ended May 31, 2024, waivers and/or expense reimbursements by class were as follows:
| Waivers/Expense
Reimbursements |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
6. Distributions to shareholders by class
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (cont’d)
7. Capital shares
At May 31, 2024, the Corporation had 42.7 billion shares of capital stock authorized with a par value of $0.001 per share. Transactions in shares of each class were as follows:
| | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued on reinvestment | | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued with merger | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued on reinvestment | | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued with merger | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued on reinvestment | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued on reinvestment | | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued with merger | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued on reinvestment | | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued with merger | | | | |
| | | | |
8. Transfer of net assets
On November 18, 2022, the Fund acquired the assets and certain liabilities of Western Asset Global High Yield Bond Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), a series of Legg Mason Partners Income Trust, pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by the Board of Directors of
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
both the Acquired Fund and the Fund. Total shares issued by the Fund and the total net assets of the Acquired Fund and the Fund on the date of the transfer were as follows:
| | Total Net Assets of the
Acquired Fund | Total Net Assets
of the Fund |
Western Asset Global High Yield Bond Fund | | | |
As part of the reorganization, for each share they held, shareholders of the Acquired Fund’s Class A, Class C, Class I and Class IS received 0.735800, 0.744103, 0.740617 and 0.729866 shares of Class A, Class C, Class I and Class IS shares of the Fund, respectively. The Fund did not issue any fractional shares to shareholders of the Acquired Fund. In lieu thereof, the Fund purchased all fractional shares at the current net asset value of the shares and remitted the cash proceeds to former shareholders of the Acquired Fund in proportion to their fractional shares.
The total net assets of the Acquired Fund before the acquisition included unrealized depreciation of $(16,622,723), accumulated net realized loss of $(72,302,004) and overdistributed net investment income of $(732,934). Total net assets of the Fund immediately after the transfer were $241,115,421. The transaction was structured to qualify as a tax-free reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Proforma results of operations of the combined entity for the entire year ended May 31, 2023, as though the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the year (rather than on the actual acquisition date), are as follows:
| |
| |
| |
Change in net unrealized appreciation | |
Increase in net assets from operations | |
Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single portfolio since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of the Acquired Fund that have been included in the Fund’s accompanying Statement of Operations since the close of business on November 18, 2022.
9. Transactions with affiliated company
As defined by the 1940 Act, an affiliated company is one in which the Fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. The following company was considered an affiliated company for
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Notes to Financial Statements (cont’d)
all or some portion of the year ended May 31, 2024. The following transactions were effected in such company for the year ended May 31, 2024.
| Affiliate
Value at
May 31,
2023 | | |
| | | |
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares | | | | | |
| | | Net Increase
(Decrease) in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | Affiliate
Value at
May 31,
2024 |
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares | | | | |
The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, the “Borrowers”) managed by Franklin Resources or its affiliates, is a borrower in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2.675 billion (the “Global Credit Facility”). The Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests. Unless renewed, the Global Credit Facility will terminate on January 31, 2025.
Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in the Statement of Operations. The Fund did not utilize the Global Credit Facility during the year ended May 31, 2024.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
11. Income tax information and distributions to shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended May 31, was as follows:
As of May 31, 2024, the components of distributable earnings (loss) on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income — net | |
| |
Other book/tax temporary differences(a) | |
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(b) | |
Total distributable earnings (loss) — net | |
| These capital losses have been deferred in the current year as either short-term or long-term losses. The losses will be deemed to occur on the first day of the next taxable year in the same character as they were originally deferred and will be available to offset future taxable capital gains. |
| Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable to the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on futures and foreign currency contracts, the difference between cash and accrual basis distributions paid. |
| The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, and other book/tax basis adjustments. |
12. Recent accounting pronouncement
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. In January 2021 and December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01 and ASU No. 2022-06, with further amendments to Topic 848. The amendments in the ASUs provide optional temporary accounting recognition and financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021 for certain LIBOR settings and 2023 for the remainder. The ASUs are effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2024. Management has reviewed the requirements and believes the adoption of these ASUs will not have a material impact on the financial statements.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors of Western Asset Funds, Inc. and Shareholders of Western Asset High Yield Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Western Asset High Yield Fund (one of the funds constituting Western Asset Funds, Inc., referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of May 31, 2024, the related statement of operations for the year ended May 31, 2024, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended May 31, 2024, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended May 31, 2024 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2024, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended May 31, 2024 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended May 31, 2024 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2024 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, agent banks and brokers; when replies were not received, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
July 26, 2024
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds since 1948.
Western Asset High Yield Fund 2024 Annual Report
Important Tax Information (unaudited)
By mid-February, tax information related to a shareholder’s proportionate share of distributions paid during the preceding calendar year will be received, if applicable. Please also refer to www.franklintempleton.com for per share tax information related to any distributions paid during the preceding calendar year. Shareholders are advised to consult with their tax advisors for further information on the treatment of these amounts on their tax returns.
The following tax information for the Fund is required to be furnished to shareholders with respect to income earned and distributions paid during its fiscal year.
The Fund hereby reports the following amounts, or if subsequently determined to be different, the maximum allowable amounts, for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2024:
| | |
Income Eligible for Dividends Received Deduction (DRD) | | |
Qualified Dividend Income Earned (QDI) | | |
Qualified Net Interest Income (QII) | | |
Section 163(j) Interest Earned | | |
Interest Earned from Federal Obligations | | |
Note (1) - The law varies in each state as to whether and what percentage of dividend income attributable to Federal obligations is exempt from state income tax. Shareholders are advised to consult with their tax advisors to determine if any portion of the dividends received is exempt from state income taxes.
Western Asset High Yield Fund
Changes In and Disagreements with AccountantsFor the period covered by this report
Results of Meeting(s) of ShareholdersFor the period covered by this report
Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers and OthersFor the period covered by this report
Refer to the financial statements included herein.
Western Asset High Yield Fund
Board Approval of Management andSubadvisory Agreements (unaudited) The Executive and Contracts Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Executive and Contracts Committee”) considered the Investment Management Agreement between the Corporation and Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC (“FTFA”) (formerly known as Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC) with respect to the Fund and the following subadvisory agreements with respect to the Fund (collectively, the “Agreements”) (i) a subadvisory agreement between FTFA and Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”) with respect to the Fund, and (ii) a subadvisory agreement between FTFA and Western Asset Management Company Limited (“WAML” or the “Non-U.S. Subadviser,” and together with Western Asset, the “Subadvisers,” and together with FTFA, the “Advisers”) with respect to the Fund at a meeting held on April 30, 2024. At an in-person meeting held on May 16, 2024, the Executive and Contracts Committee reported to the full Board of Directors their considerations and recommendation with respect to the Agreements, and the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Independent Directors, considered and approved renewal of the Agreements.
The Directors noted that although Western Asset’s business is operated through separate legal entities, such as the Non-U.S. Subadviser, senior investment personnel at Western Asset have supervisory oversight responsibility over the investment decisions made by the Non-U.S. Subadviser. Therefore, in connection with their deliberations noted below, the Directors primarily focused on the information provided by Western Asset when considering the approval of the Agreement between FTFA and the Non-U.S. Subadviser.
In arriving at their decision to approve the renewal of the Agreements, the Directors met with representatives of the Advisers, including relevant investment advisory personnel; considered a variety of information prepared by the Advisers, materials provided by Broadridge and advice and materials provided by counsel to the Independent Directors; reviewed performance and expense information for peer groups of comparable funds selected by Broadridge (the “Performance Universe”) and certain other comparable products available from Western Asset or affiliates of Western Asset, including separate accounts managed by Western Asset; and requested and reviewed additional information as necessary. These reviews were in addition to information obtained by the Directors at their regular quarterly meetings (and various committee meetings) with respect to the Fund’s performance and other relevant matters and related discussions with the Advisers’ personnel. The information received and considered by the Board both in conjunction with the May meeting and at prior meetings was both written and oral. With respect to the Broadridge materials, the Board was provided with a description of the methodology used to determine the similarity of the Fund with the funds included in the Performance Universe. It was noted that while the Board found the Broadridge data generally useful they recognized its limitations, including that the data may vary depending on the end date selected and that the results of the performance comparisons may vary depending on the selection of the peer group and its composition over time.
Western Asset High Yield Fund
Board Approval of Management andSubadvisory Agreements (unaudited) (cont’d) As part of their review, the Directors examined FTFA’s ability to provide high quality oversight and administrative and shareholder support services to the Fund and the Subadvisers’ ability to provide high quality investment management services to the Fund. The Directors considered the experience of FTFA’s personnel in providing the types of services that FTFA is responsible for providing to the Fund; the ability of FTFA to attract and retain capable personnel; and the capability and integrity of FTFA’s senior management and staff. The Directors also considered the investment philosophy and research and decision-making processes of the Subadvisers; the experience of their key advisory personnel responsible for management of the Fund; the ability of the Subadvisers to attract and retain capable research and advisory personnel; the risks to the Advisers associated with sponsoring the Fund (such as entrepreneurial, operational, reputational, litigation and regulatory risk), as well as FTFA’s and each Subadviser’s risk management processes; the capability and integrity of the Advisers’ senior management and staff; and the level of skill required to manage the Fund. In addition, the Directors reviewed the quality of the Advisers’ services with respect to regulatory compliance and compliance with the investment policies of the Fund, and conditions that might affect the Advisers’ ability to provide high quality services to the Fund in the future, including their business reputations, financial conditions and operational stabilities. Based on the foregoing, the Directors concluded that the Subadvisers’ investment process, research capabilities and philosophy were well suited to the Fund given its investment objectives and policies, and that the Advisers would be able to meet any reasonably foreseeable obligations under the Agreements.
The Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of FTFA’s and Western Asset’s senior personnel and the team of investment professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board also considered, based on its knowledge of FTFA and its affiliates, the financial resources of Franklin Resources, Inc., the parent organization of the Advisers. The Board recognized the importance of having a fund manager with significant resources.
In reviewing the quality of the services provided to the Fund, the Directors also reviewed comparisons of the performance of the Fund to the performance of certain comparable funds and to its investment benchmark over the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2023. The information comparing the Fund’s performance to that of its Performance Universe, consisting of all funds (including the Fund) classified as retail and institutional high yield funds by Broadridge, showed, among other data, that the Fund’s performance for the 1-year period ended December 31, 2023 was above the median, that the Fund’s performance for the 5-year period ended December 31, 2023 was slightly below the median, and that the Fund’s performance for the 3- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2023 was below the median. The Board noted that the Fund’s performance trailed that of its benchmark index for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods. The Board
Western Asset High Yield Fund
considered the factors involved in the Fund’s performance relative to the performance of its investment benchmark and Performance Universe.
The Directors also considered the management fee payable by the Fund to FTFA, total expenses payable by the Fund and the fee that FTFA pays to the Subadvisers. They reviewed information concerning management fees paid to investment advisers of similarly managed funds as well as fees paid by Western Asset’s other clients, including separate accounts managed by Western Asset. The Directors also noted that the Fund does not pay any management fees directly to any of the Subadvisers because FTFA pays the Subadvisers for services provided to the Fund out of the management fee FTFA receives from the Fund. The information comparing the Fund’s Contractual and Actual Management Fees as well as its actual total expense ratio to its peer group, consisting of a group of institutional high yield funds (including the Fund) chosen by Broadridge to be comparable to the Fund, showed that the Fund’s Contractual Management Fee was below the median and the Actual Management Fee was above the median. The Board noted that the Fund’s actual total expense ratio was above the median. The Board also considered that the current limitation on the Fund’s expenses is expected to continue through December 2025.
The Directors further evaluated the benefits of the advisory relationship to the Advisers, including, among others, the profitability of the relationship to the Advisers; the direct and indirect benefits that the Advisers may receive from their relationships with the Fund, including the “fallout benefits,” such as reputational value derived from serving as investment adviser to the Fund; and the affiliation between the Advisers and certain other service providers for the Fund. In that connection, the Board considered that the ancillary benefits that the Advisers receive were reasonable. The Directors noted that Western Asset does not have soft dollar arrangements.
Finally, the Directors considered, in light of the profitability information provided by the Advisers, the extent to which economies of scale would be realized by the Advisers as the assets of the Fund grow. The Board noted that the Fund’s Contractual Management Fee was below the median of the peer group and the Actual Management Fee was above the median of the peer group. The Board also noted the size of the Fund.
In their deliberations with respect to these matters, the Independent Directors were advised by their independent counsel, who is independent, within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Commission rules regarding the independence of counsel, of the Advisers. The Independent Directors weighed the foregoing matters in light of the advice given to them by their independent counsel as to the law applicable to the review of investment advisory contracts. In arriving at a decision, the Directors, including the Independent Directors, did not identify any single matter as all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different weight to the various factors in evaluating the Agreements. The foregoing summary does not detail all the matters considered. The Directors judged the
Western Asset High Yield Fund
Board Approval of Management andSubadvisory Agreements (unaudited) (cont’d) terms and conditions of the Agreements, including the investment advisory fees, in light of all of the surrounding circumstances.
Based upon their review, the Directors, including all of the Independent Directors, determined, in the exercise of their business judgment, that they were satisfied with the quality of investment advisory services being provided by the Advisers; that the fees to be paid to the Advisers under the Agreements were fair and reasonable given the scope and quality of the services rendered by the Advisers; and that approval of the Agreements was in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
Western Asset High Yield Fund
(This page intentionally left blank.)
(This page intentionally left blank.)
(This page intentionally left blank.)
(This page intentionally left blank.)
Western Asset
High Yield Fund
Directors
William E.B. Siart
Chairman
Investment manager
Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC*
Western Asset Management Company, LLC
Western Asset Management Company Limited
Franklin Distributors, LLC
The Bank of New York Mellon
Transfer agent
Franklin Templeton Investor
Services, LLC
3344 Quality Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670-7313
Independent registered
public accounting firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, MD
*
Formerly known as Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC.
Western Asset High Yield Fund
The Fund is a separate investment series of Western Asset Funds, Inc.
Western Asset High Yield Fund
Legg Mason Funds
100 International Drive
Baltimore, MD 21202
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. To obtain information on Form N-PORT, shareholders can call the Fund at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863.
Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863, (2) at www.franklintempleton.com and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of Western Asset High Yield Fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.
Investors should consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
www.franklintempleton.com
© 2024 Franklin Distributors, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved.
Franklin Templeton Funds Privacy and Security Notice
Your Privacy Is Our Priority
Franklin Templeton* is committed to safeguarding your personal information. This notice is designed to provide you with a summary of the non-public personal information Franklin Templeton may collect and maintain about current or former individual investors; our policy regarding the use of that information; and the measures we take to safeguard the information. We do not sell individual investors’ non-public personal information to anyone and only share it as described in this notice.
When you invest with us, you provide us with your non-public personal information. We collect and use this information to service your accounts and respond to your requests. The non-public personal information we may collect falls into the following categories:
•
Information we receive from you or your financial intermediary on applications or other forms, whether we receive the form in writing or electronically. For example, this information may include your name, address, tax identification number, birth date, investment selection, beneficiary information, and your personal bank account information and/or email address if you have provided that information.
•
Information about your transactions and account history with us, or with other companies that are part of Franklin Templeton, including transactions you request on our website or in our app. This category also includes your communications to us concerning your investments.
•
Information we receive from third parties (for example, to update your address if you move, obtain or verify your email address or obtain additional information to verify your identity).
•
Information collected from you online, such as your IP address or device ID and data gathered from your browsing activity and location. (For example, we may use cookies to collect device and browser information so our website recognizes your online preferences and device information.) Our website contains more information about cookies and similar technologies and ways you may limit them.
•
Other general information that we may obtain about you such as demographic information.
To better service your accounts and process transactions or services you requested, we may share non-public personal information with other Franklin Templeton companies. From time to time we may also send you information about products/services offered by other Franklin Templeton companies although we will not share your non-public personal information with these companies without first offering you the opportunity to prevent that sharing.
We will only share non-public personal information with outside parties in the limited circumstances permitted by law. For example, this includes situations where we need to share information with companies who work on our behalf to service or maintain your account or
NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT
Franklin Templeton Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d) process transactions you requested, when the disclosure is to companies assisting us with our own marketing efforts, when the disclosure is to a party representing you, or when required by law (for example, in response to legal process). Additionally, we will ensure that any outside companies working on our behalf, or with whom we have joint marketing agreements, are under contractual obligations to protect the confidentiality of your information, and to use it only to provide the services we asked them to perform.
Confidentiality and Security
Our employees are required to follow procedures with respect to maintaining the confidentiality of our investors’ non-public personal information. Additionally, we maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect the information. This includes performing ongoing evaluations of our systems containing investor information and making changes when appropriate.
At all times, you may view our current privacy notice on our website at
https://www.franklintempleton.com/help/privacy-policy or contact us for a copy at (800) 632-2301.
*For purposes of this privacy notice Franklin Templeton shall refer to the following entities:
Fiduciary Trust International of the South (FTIOS), as custodian for individual retirement plans
Franklin Distributors, LLC, including as program manager of the Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan and the NJBEST 529 College Savings Plan
Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC
Franklin, Templeton and Mutual Series Funds
Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC
Franklin Templeton Investments Corp., Canada
Franklin Templeton Investments Management, Limited UK
Templeton Asset Management, Limited
Templeton Global Advisors, Limited
Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC
If you are a customer of other Franklin Templeton affiliates and you receive notices from them, you will need to read those notices separately.
NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT
© 2024 Franklin Templeton. All rights reserved.
| ITEM 8. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
The information is disclosed as part of the Financial Statements included in Item 7 of this Form N-CSR.
| ITEM 9. | PROXY DISCLOSURES FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
The information is disclosed as part of the Financial Statements included in Item 7 of this Form N-CSR.
| ITEM 10. | REMUNERATION PAID TO DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND OTHERS OF OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
The information is disclosed as part of the Financial Statements included in Item 7 of this Form N-CSR.
| ITEM 11. | STATEMENT REGARDING BASIS FOR APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT. |
The information is disclosed as part of the Financial Statements included in Item 7 of this Form N-CSR.
| ITEM 12. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 13. | PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 14. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 15. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 16. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. |
| (a) | The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
| (b) | There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| ITEM 17. | DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 18. | RECOVERY OF ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.
Western Asset Funds, Inc.
| By: | /s/ Jane Trust | |
| | Jane Trust | |
| | Chief Executive Officer | |
| | | |
| Date: | July 25, 2024 | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| By: | /s/ Jane Trust | |
| | Jane Trust | |
| | Chief Executive Officer | |
| | | |
| Date: | July 25, 2024 | |
| By: | /s/ Christopher Berarducci | |
| | Christopher Berarducci | |
| | Principal Financial Officer | |
| | | |
| Date: | July 25, 2024 | |
