As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 18, 2015
Securities Act File No. 33-43446
Investment Company Act File No. 811-06444
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | x | |||
Pre-Effective Amendment No. | ||||
Post-Effective Amendment No. 347 | x |
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | x | |||
Amendment No. 347 | ||||
(Check appropriate box or boxes) |
Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
620 Eighth Avenue, 49 th Floor, New York, New York | 10018 | |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code (877) 721-1926
Robert I. Frenkel
Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust
100 First Stamford Place
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
COPY TO:
Benjamin J. Haskin, Esq.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
1875 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Continuous
(Approximate Date of Proposed Offering)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
¨ | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
x | on December 29, 2015 pursuant to paragraph (b) |
¨ | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
¨ | on pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
¨ | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
¨ | on pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485. |
If appropriate, check the following box:
¨ | This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
This filing relates solely to ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund.
Prospectus
December 29, 2015
Share class (Symbol): A (SHRAX), B (SAGBX), C (SAGCX), FI (LMPFX), R (LMPRX), R1 (), I (SAGYX), IS (LSIFX)
CLEARBRIDGE
AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined whether this Prospectus is accurate or complete. Any statement to the contrary is a crime.
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE |
Contents | ||||
Investment objective | 2 | |||
Fees and expenses of the fund | 2 | |||
Principal investment strategies | 3 | |||
Principal risks | 3 | |||
Performance | 6 | |||
Management | 7 | |||
Purchase and sale of fund shares | 7 | |||
Tax information | 7 | |||
Payments to broker/dealers and other financial intermediaries | 8 | |||
More on the funds investment strategies, investments and risks | 9 | |||
More on fund management | 13 | |||
Choosing a class of shares to buy | 15 | |||
Comparing the funds classes | 16 | |||
Sales charges | 17 | |||
More about contingent deferred sales charges | 20 | |||
Retirement and Institutional Investors eligible investors | 21 | |||
Buying shares | 23 | |||
Exchanging shares | 24 | |||
Redeeming shares | 26 | |||
Other things to know about transactions | 28 | |||
Dividends, other distributions and taxes | 31 | |||
Share price | 33 | |||
Financial highlights | 34 |
Investment objective
The fund seeks capital appreciation.
Fees and expenses of the fund
The accompanying table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in funds sold by Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (LMIS), the funds distributor. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary, in this Prospectus on page 17 under the heading Sales charges and in the funds statement of additional information (SAI) on page 52 under the heading Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions.
The fund no longer offers Class B shares or Class R1 shares for purchase by new or existing investors. Class B shares will continue to be available for dividend reinvestment and incoming exchanges.
Shareholder fees |
1 |
The sales charge is waived for shareholders purchasing Class A shares through accounts where Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC is the broker-dealer of record (LMIS Accounts). |
2 |
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) may be reduced over time. |
3 |
You may buy Class A shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within 18 months of their purchase, you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00%. |
4 |
If your shares are held in a direct account and the value of your account is below $1,000 ($250 for retirement plans that are not employer-sponsored), the fund may charge you a fee of $3.75 per account that is determined and assessed quarterly (with an annual maximum of $15.00 per account). Direct accounts generally include accounts held in the name of the individual investor on the funds books and records. |
5 |
Other expenses have been restated to reflect current fees. |
6 |
Other expenses for Class R1 shares are estimated for the current fiscal year. Actual expenses may differ from estimates. |
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes:
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You invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated |
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Your investment has a 5% return each year and the funds operating expenses remain the same |
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You reinvest all distributions and dividends without a sales charge |
2 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Number of years you own your shares ($) | ||||||||
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||||
Class A (with or without redemption at end of period) | 684 | 914 | 1,162 | 1,871 | ||||
Class B (with redemption at end of period) | 720 | 979 | 1,264 | 2,239 | ||||
Class B (without redemption at end of period) | 220 | 679 | 1,164 | 2,239 | ||||
Class C (with redemption at end of period) | 286 | 576 | 991 | 2,148 | ||||
Class C (without redemption at end of period) | 186 | 576 | 991 | 2,148 | ||||
Class FI (with or without redemption at end of period) | 115 | 359 | 622 | 1,374 | ||||
Class R (with or without redemption at end of period) | 145 | 450 | 777 | 1,703 | ||||
Class R1 (with or without redemption at end of period) | 194 | 600 | 1,031 | 2,232 | ||||
Class I (with or without redemption at end of period) | 84 | 262 | 456 | 1,015 | ||||
Class IS (with or without redemption at end of period) | 73 | 228 | 396 | 882 |
Portfolio turnover. The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the funds performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the funds portfolio turnover rate was 3% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal investment strategies
The fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies the portfolio managers believe are experiencing, or will experience, growth in earnings exceeding the average rate of earnings growth of the companies which comprise the S&P 500 Index. The fund may invest in the securities of large, well-known companies offering prospects of long-term earnings growth. However, because higher earnings growth rates are often achieved by small to medium capitalization companies, a significant portion of the funds assets may be invested in the securities of such companies. The fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets (at the time of investment) in foreign securities.
Principal risks
Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly. You may lose part or all of your investment in the fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The following is a summary description of certain risks of investing in the fund.
Stock market and equity securities risk. The securities markets are volatile and the market prices of the funds securities may decline generally. Securities fluctuate in price based on changes in a companys financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. If the market prices of the securities owned by the fund fall, the value of your investment in the fund will decline.
Market events risk. In the past several years financial markets, such as those in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere, have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.
The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, have taken steps to support financial markets, including by keeping interest rates at historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The Federal Reserve recently has reduced its market support activities. Further reduction or withdrawal of Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank support, including interest rate increases, could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the fund invests.
Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and may in some instances contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 3 |
Principal risks contd
Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected. As a result, whether or not the fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to countries experiencing economic and financial difficulties, the value and liquidity of the funds investments may be negatively affected.
Market sector risk. The fund may be significantly overweight or underweight certain companies, industries or market sectors, which may cause the funds performance to be more sensitive to developments affecting those companies, industries or sectors.
Large capitalization company risk. Large capitalization companies may fall out of favor with investors based on market and economic conditions. In return for the relative stability and low volatility of large capitalization companies, the funds value may not rise as much as the value of funds that focus on companies with smaller market capitalizations.
Small and medium capitalization company risk. The fund will be exposed to additional risks as a result of its investments in the securities of small and medium capitalization companies. Small and medium capitalization companies may fall out of favor with investors; may have limited product lines, operating histories, markets or financial resources; or may be dependent upon a limited management group. The prices of securities of small and medium capitalization companies generally are more volatile than those of large capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than large capitalization companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions, including those experienced during a recession. Securities of small and medium capitalization companies may underperform large capitalization companies, may be harder to sell at times and at prices the portfolio managers believe appropriate and may offer greater potential for losses.
Issuer risk. The value of a security can go up or down more than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole, often due to disappointing earnings reports by the issuer, unsuccessful products or services, loss of major customers, major litigation against the issuer or changes in government regulations affecting the issuer or the competitive environment. The fund may experience a substantial or complete loss on an individual security.
Foreign investments risk. The funds investments in securities of foreign issuers or issuers with significant exposure to foreign markets involve additional risk. Foreign countries in which the fund may invest may have markets that are less liquid, less regulated and more volatile than U.S. markets. The value of the funds investments may decline because of factors affecting the particular issuer as well as foreign markets and issuers generally, such as unfavorable or unsuccessful government actions, reduction of government or central bank support and political or financial instability. Lack of information may also affect the value of these securities.
The risks of foreign investments are heightened when investing in issuers in emerging market countries.
Currency risk. The value of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increases or decreases as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile, and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls and speculation.
Growth investing risk. The funds growth-oriented investment style may increase the risks of investing in the fund. Growth securities typically are very sensitive to market movements because their market prices tend to reflect future expectations. When it appears those expectations will not be met, the prices of growth securities typically fall. Growth stocks as a group may be out of favor and underperform the overall equity market while the market concentrates on value stocks. Although the fund will not concentrate its investments in any one industry or industry group, it may, like many growth funds, weight its investments toward certain industries, thus increasing its exposure to factors adversely affecting issuers within those industries.
Liquidity risk. Some assets held by the fund may be impossible or difficult to sell, particularly during times of market turmoil. These illiquid assets may also be difficult to value. If the fund is forced to sell an illiquid asset to meet redemption requests or other cash needs, the fund may be forced to sell at a loss.
Portfolio management risk. The value of your investment may decrease if the subadvisers judgment about the attractiveness or value of, or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, or about market movements is incorrect, or if there are imperfections, errors or limitations in the tools and data used by the subadviser. In addition, the funds investment strategies or policies may change from time to time. Those changes may not lead to the results intended by the subadviser and could have an adverse effect on the value or performance of the fund.
Cybersecurity risk. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to fund assets, customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or cause the fund, the manager, the subadvisers and/or its service providers (including, but not limited to, fund accountants, custodians, sub-custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality.
These risks are discussed in more detail later in this Prospectus or in the SAI.
4 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
Performance
The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The bar chart shows changes in the funds performance from year to year for Class A shares. The table shows the average annual total returns of each class of the fund that has been in operation for at least one full calendar year and also compares the funds performance with the average annual total returns of an index or other benchmark. Performance for classes other than those shown may vary from the performance shown to the extent the expenses for those classes differ. The fund makes updated performance information, including its current net asset value, available at the funds website, http://www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors/prospectuses (click on the name of the fund), or by calling the fund at 1-877-721-1926.
The funds past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.
Sales charges are not reflected in the accompanying bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.
Best Quarter (06/30/2009): 17.34 Worst Quarter (12/31/2008): (22.67)
The year-to-date return as of the most recent calendar quarter, which ended September 30, 2015, was (8.56)
Average annual total returns (%) | ||||||||||
(for periods ended December 31, 2014) | ||||||||||
Class A | 1 year | 5 years | 10 years |
Since
inception |
Inception
date |
|||||
Return before taxes | 7.96 | 18.39 | 8.14 | |||||||
Return after taxes on distributions | 7.46 | 18.05 | 7.98 | |||||||
Return after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | 4.91 | 14.98 | 6.65 | |||||||
Other Classes (Return before taxes only) | ||||||||||
Class B | 8.39 | 18.67 | 8.06 | |||||||
Class C | 12.74 | 19.08 | 8.11 | |||||||
Class FI | 14.60 | 19.76 | N/A | 8.31 | 04/30/2007 | |||||
Class R | 14.24 | 19.52 | N/A | 8.16 | 12/28/2006 | |||||
Class I | 14.91 | 20.24 | 9.22 | |||||||
Class IS | 15.03 | 20.38 | N/A | 13.85 | 08/04/2008 | |||||
Russell 3000 Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 1 | 12.44 | 15.89 | 8.50 |
1 |
For Class FI, Class R and Class IS shares, each for the period from the class inception date to December 31, 2014, the average annual total return of the Russell 3000 Growth Index was 8.39%, 8.73% and 11.50%, respectively. |
The after-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares, are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investors tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns for classes other than Class A will vary from returns shown for Class A.
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 5 |
Management
Investment manager: Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC
Subadviser: ClearBridge Investments, LLC (ClearBridge)
Portfolio managers: Richard A. Freeman and Evan Bauman. Mr. Freeman (a Managing Director and a Portfolio Manager of ClearBridge) and Mr. Bauman (a Managing Director and a Portfolio Manager of ClearBridge) have been portfolio managers for the fund since October 1983 and April 2009, respectively.
Purchase and sale of fund shares
You may purchase, redeem or exchange shares of the fund each day the New York Stock Exchange is open, at the funds net asset value determined after receipt of your request in good order, subject to any applicable sales charge.
The funds initial and subsequent investment minimums generally are set forth in the accompanying table:
1 |
Class B shares are not available for purchase by new or existing investors. Class B shares will continue to be available for dividend reinvestment and incoming exchanges. |
2 |
On or about March 1, 2016, any Class C shares held through LMIS Accounts will be converted to Class A shares. After that date, LMIS Accounts will not be eligible to hold Class C shares. |
3 |
Class R1 shares are closed to all new purchases and incoming exchanges. |
* | Available to investors investing directly with the fund. |
Your financial intermediary may impose different investment minimums.
For more information about how to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, and to learn which classes of shares are available to you, you should contact your financial intermediary, or, if you hold your shares or plan to purchase shares through the fund, you should contact the fund by phone at 1-877-721-1926, by regular mail at Legg Mason Funds, P.O. Box 9699, Providence, RI 02940-9699 or by express, certified or registered mail at Legg Mason Funds, 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA 01581.
Tax information
The funds distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income or capital gain.
Payments to broker/dealers and other financial intermediaries
The funds related companies may pay broker/dealers or other financial intermediaries (such as a bank or an insurance company) for the sale of fund shares, shareholder services and other purposes. These payments create a conflict of interest by influencing your broker/dealer or other intermediary or its employees or associated persons to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your financial adviser or salesperson or visit your financial intermediarys or salespersons website for more information.
6 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
More on the funds investment strategies, investments and risks
Important Information
The fund seeks capital appreciation.
The funds investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees (the Board) without shareholder approval and on notice to shareholders.
There is no assurance that the fund will meet its investment objective.
The fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies the portfolio managers believe are experiencing, or will experience, growth in earnings exceeding the average rate of earnings growth of the companies which comprise the S&P 500 Index. The fund may invest in the securities of large, well-known companies offering prospects of long-term earnings growth. However, because higher earnings growth rates are often achieved by small to medium capitalization companies, a significant portion of the funds assets may be invested in the securities of such companies.
The funds investment strategies and policies may be changed from time to time without shareholder approval, unless specifically stated otherwise in this Prospectus or in the SAI.
Equity investments
Equity securities include exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) common and preferred stocks, warrants and rights, securities convertible into common stocks, and securities of other investment companies and of real estate investment trusts (REITs).
Foreign investments
The fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets (at the time of investment) in foreign securities. The fund may invest directly in foreign issuers or invest in depositary receipts.
Short sales
A short sale is a transaction in which the fund sells securities it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the securities. The fund may hold no more than 25% of its net assets (taken at the then current market value) as required collateral for such sales at any one time.
Cash management
The fund may hold cash pending investment, and may invest in money market instruments for cash management purposes. The amount of assets the fund may hold for cash management purposes will depend on market conditions and the need to meet expected redemption requests.
Investments by other funds
The fund may be an investment option for other funds, including affiliated funds.
Defensive investing
The fund may depart from its principal investment strategies in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions by taking temporary defensive positions, including by investing in any type of money market instruments, short-term debt securities or cash without regard to any percentage limitations. Although the subadviser has the ability to take defensive positions, it may choose not to do so for a variety of reasons, even during volatile market conditions.
Other investments
The fund may also use other strategies and invest in other securities that are described, along with their risks, in the SAI. However, the fund might not use all of the strategies and techniques or invest in all of the types of securities described in this Prospectus or in the SAI.
Percentage and other limitations
The funds compliance with its investment limitations and requirements described in this Prospectus is usually determined at the time of investment. If such a percentage limitation is complied with at the time of an investment, any subsequent change resulting from a change in values or assets will not constitute a violation of that limitation.
Selection process
The portfolio managers emphasize individual security selection while diversifying the funds investments across industries, which may help to reduce risk. The portfolio managers focus primarily, but not exclusively, on emerging growth companies that have passed their start-up phase and show
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 7 |
More on the funds investment strategies, investments and risks contd
positive earnings and the prospect of achieving significant profit gains beginning in the two to three years after the fund acquires their stocks. When evaluating an individual stock, the portfolio managers consider whether the company may benefit from:
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New technologies, products or services |
|
New cost reducing measures |
|
Changes in management |
|
Favorable changes in government regulations |
More on risks of investing in the fund
Stock market and equity securities risk. The securities markets are volatile and the market prices of the funds securities may decline generally. Securities fluctuate in price based on changes in a companys financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. The value of a particular security may decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as an increase in production costs, competitive conditions or labor shortages; or due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment. If the market prices of the securities owned by the fund fall, the value of your investment in the fund will decline.
Market events risk. In the past several years financial markets, such as those in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere, have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.
The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, have taken steps to support financial markets, including by keeping interest rates at historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The Federal Reserve recently has reduced its market support activities. Further reduction or withdrawal of Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank support, including interest rate increases, could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the fund invests.
Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and may in some instances contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.
Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected. As a result, whether or not the fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to countries experiencing economic and financial difficulties, the value and liquidity of the funds investments may be negatively affected.
Market sector risk. The fund may be significantly overweight to underweight certain companies, industries or market sectors, which may cause the funds performance to be more sensitive to developments affecting those companies, industries or sectors.
Large capitalization company risk. Large capitalization companies may fall out of favor with investors based on market and economic conditions. In return for the relative stability and low volatility of large capitalization companies, the funds value may not rise as much as the value of funds that focus on companies with smaller market capitalizations.
Small and medium capitalization company risk. The fund will be exposed to additional risks as a result of its investments in the securities of small and medium capitalization companies. Small and medium capitalization companies may fall out of favor with investors; may have limited product lines, operating histories, markets or financial resources; or may be dependent upon a limited management group. The prices of securities of small and medium capitalization companies generally are more volatile than those of large capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than large capitalization companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions, including those experienced during a recession. Securities of small and medium capitalization companies may underperform large capitalization companies, may be harder to sell at times and at prices the portfolio managers believe appropriate and may offer greater potential for losses.
Issuer risk. The value of a security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. The value of a companys securities may deteriorate because of a variety of factors, including disappointing earnings reports by the issuer, unsuccessful products or services, loss of major customers, major litigation against the issuer or changes in government regulations affecting the issuer or the competitive environment.
8 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
Growth investing risk. The funds growth-oriented investment style may increase the risks of investing in the fund. Growth securities typically are quite sensitive to market movements because their market prices tend to reflect future expectations. When it appears those expectations will not be met, the prices of growth securities typically fall. Growth securities may also be more volatile than other investments because they often do not pay dividends.
Growth stocks as a group may be out of favor and underperform the overall equity market while the market concentrates on value stocks. Although the fund will not concentrate its investments in any one industry or industry group, it may, like many growth funds, weight its investments toward certain industries, thus increasing its exposure to factors adversely affecting issuers within those industries.
Foreign investments risk. The funds investments in securities of foreign issuers or issuers with significant exposure to foreign markets involve additional risk. Foreign countries in which the fund may invest may have markets that are less liquid, less regulated and more volatile than U.S. markets. The value of the funds investments may decline because of factors affecting the particular issuer as well as foreign markets and issuers generally, such as unfavorable or unsuccessful government actions , reduction of government or central bank support and political or financial instability. Lack of information may also affect the value of these securities.
The value of the funds foreign investments may also be affected by foreign tax laws, special U.S. tax considerations and restrictions on receiving the investment proceeds from a foreign country. Dividends or interest on, or proceeds from the sale or disposition of, foreign securities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding or other taxes.
In some foreign countries, less information is available about issuers and markets because of less rigorous accounting and regulatory standards than in the United States. It may be difficult for the fund to pursue claims against a foreign issuer in the courts of a foreign country. Some securities issued by non-U.S. governments or their subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities may not be backed by the full faith and credit of such governments. Even where a security is backed by the full faith and credit of a government, it may be difficult for the fund to pursue its rights against the government. Some non-U.S. governments have defaulted on principal and interest payments, and more may do so. In certain foreign markets, settlement and clearance procedures may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments.
The risks of foreign investments are heightened when investing in issuers in emerging market countries.
Currency risk. The value of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increases or decreases as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile, and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls and speculation.
Valuation risk. Many factors may influence the price at which the fund could sell any particular portfolio investment. The sales price may well differhigher or lowerfrom the funds last valuation, and such differences could be significant, particularly for illiquid securities and securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. If market conditions make it difficult to value some investments, the fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair value methodologies. Investors who purchase or redeem fund shares on days when the fund is holding fair- valued securities may receive fewer or more shares, or lower or higher redemption proceeds, than they would have received if the fund had not fair-valued the security or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed income securities and currencies, as applicable, may also be materially affected by events after the close of the markets on which they are traded, but before the fund determines its net asset value. The funds ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third party service providers.
Liquidity risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are impossible or difficult to sell. Although most of the funds investments must be liquid at the time of investment, investments may become illiquid after purchase by the fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Markets may become illiquid when, for instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers or sellers or when dealers are unwilling or unable to make a market for certain securities. When the fund holds illiquid investments, the portfolio may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the fund may suffer a loss. The fund may experience heavy redemptions that could cause the fund to liquidate its assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value, which could cause the value of your investment to decline. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain investments, the fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain sector.
Portfolio management risk. The value of your investment may decrease if the subadvisers judgment about the attractiveness or value of, or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, or about market movements is incorrect, or if there are imperfections, errors or limitations in the tools and data used by the subadviser. In addition, the funds investment strategies or policies may change from time to time. Those changes may not lead to the results intended by the subadviser and could have an adverse effect on the value or performance of the fund.
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 9 |
More on the funds investment strategies, investments and risks contd
Short sales risk. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the fund replaces the borrowed security, the fund will realize a loss, which may be substantial.
Redemptions by other funds and by other significant investors. The fund may be an investment option for other Legg Mason, Inc. (Legg Mason) sponsored mutual funds that are managed as funds of funds, unaffiliated mutual funds and other investors with substantial investments in the fund. As a result, from time to time, the fund may experience relatively large redemptions and could be required to liquidate its assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value, which could cause the value of your investment to decline.
Cash management and defensive investing risk. The value of the investments held by the fund for cash management or defensive investing purposes can fluctuate. Like other fixed income securities, they are subject to risk, including market, interest rate and credit risk. If the fund holds cash uninvested it will be subject to the credit risk of the depository institution holding the cash. If the fund holds cash uninvested, the fund will not earn income on the cash. If a significant amount of the funds assets are used for cash management or defensive investing purposes, it may not achieve its investment objective.
Risk of increase in expenses. Your actual costs of investing in the fund may be higher than the expenses shown in Annual fund operating expenses for a variety of reasons. For example, expense ratios may be higher than those shown if average net assets decrease, as a result of redemptions or otherwise, or if a fee limitation is changed or terminated. Net assets are more likely to decrease and fund expense ratios are more likely to increase when markets are volatile.
Cybersecurity risk. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to fund assets, customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or cause the fund, the manager, the subadvisers and/or its service providers (including, but not limited to, fund accountants, custodians, sub-custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Operational risk. Your ability to transact with the fund or the valuation of your investment may be negatively impacted because of the operational risks arising from factors such as processing errors and human errors, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, failures in systems and technology, changes in personnel, and errors caused by third party service providers or trading counterparties. Although the fund attempts to minimize such failures through controls and oversight, it is not possible to identify all of the operational risks that may affect the fund or to develop processes and controls that completely eliminate or mitigate the occurrence of such failures. The fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.
Please note that there are other factors that could adversely affect your investment and that could prevent the fund from achieving its investment objective. More information about risks appears in the SAI. Before investing, you should carefully consider the risks that you will assume.
Portfolio holdings
A description of the funds policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio holdings is available in the SAI. The fund posts its complete portfolio holdings at http://www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors/prospectuses (click on the name of the fund) on a quarterly basis. The fund intends to post its complete portfolio holdings 14 calendar days following the quarter-end. The fund intends to post partial information concerning the funds portfolio holdings (such as top 10 holdings or sector breakdowns, for example) on the Legg Mason funds website on a monthly basis. The fund intends to post this partial information 10 business days following each month-end. Such information will remain available until the next months or quarters holdings are posted.
10 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
More on fund management
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA or the manager) is the funds investment manager. LMPFA, with offices at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, also serves as the investment manager of other Legg Mason-sponsored funds. LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the fund. As of September 30, 2015, LMPFAs total assets under management were approximately $223 billion.
ClearBridge Investments, LLC (ClearBridge or the subadviser) provides the day-to-day portfolio management of the fund, except for any portion of the funds cash and short-term instruments that is allocated to Western Asset Management Company (Western Asset). ClearBridge has offices at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018 and is an investment adviser that manages U.S. and international equity investment strategies for institutional and individual investors. ClearBridge has been committed to delivering long-term results through active management for more than 50 years, and bases its investment decisions on fundamental research and the insights of seasoned portfolio management teams. As of September 30, 2015, ClearBridges total assets under management were approximately $103.9 billion, including $7.4 billion for which ClearBridge provides investment models to managed account sponsors.
Western Asset manages the portion of the funds cash and short-term instruments allocated to it. Western Asset, established in 1971, has offices at 385 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91101 and 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018. Western Asset acts as investment adviser to institutional accounts, such as corporate pension plans, mutual funds and endowment funds. As of September 30, 2015, the total assets under management of Western Asset and its supervised affiliates were approximately $446 billion.
LMPFA, ClearBridge and Western Asset are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. (Legg Mason). Legg Mason, whose principal executive offices are at 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, is a global asset management company. As of September 30, 2015, Legg Masons asset management operations had aggregate assets under management of approximately $672.1 billion.
Portfolio managers
Mr. Freeman is a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of ClearBridge. Mr. Freeman joined a predecessor organization in 1983 which included Shearson/American Express where he was a portfolio manager. Prior to that, he was a Vice President at Chemical Bank and Research Analyst at Drexel Burnham Lambert. Mr. Freeman has an MBA in Finance from New York University and a BS in Accounting from Brooklyn College/CUNY. He has 39 years of investment industry experience.
Mr. Bauman is a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of ClearBridge. Mr. Bauman joined a predecessor organization in 1996. He has a BS in Mathematics from Duke University. Mr. Bauman has 19 years of investment industry experience.
Management fee
The fund pays a management fee at an annual rate that decreases as assets increase, as follows: 0.750% of assets up to and including $1 billion, 0.725% of assets over $1 billion and up to and including $2 billion, 0.700% of assets over $2 billion and up to and including $5 billion, 0.675% of assets over $5 billion and up to and including $10 billion and 0.650% of assets over $10 billion.
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the fund paid LMPFA an effective management fee of 0.68% of the funds average daily net assets for management services.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Boards approval of the funds management agreement and subadvisory agreements is available in the funds Semi-Annual Report for the period ended February 28, 2015.
Expense limitation
The manager has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse operating expenses (other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses) so that total annual operating expenses will not exceed 1.25% for Class A shares, 2.25% for Class B shares, 2.00% for Class C shares, 1.25% for Class FI shares, 1.50% for Class R shares, 2.05% for Class R1 shares, 0.90% for Class I shares and 0.80% for Class IS shares, subject to recapture as described below. In addition, total annual fund operating expenses for Class IS shares will not exceed total annual fund operating expenses for Class I shares, subject to recapture as described below. These arrangements are expected to continue until December 31, 2017, may be terminated prior to that date by agreement of the manager and the Board, and may be terminated at any time after that date by the manager. These arrangements, however, may be modified by the manager to decrease total annual operating expenses at any time. The manager is also permitted to recapture amounts waived and/or reimbursed to a class during the same fiscal year if the class total annual operating expenses have fallen to a level below the limits described above. In no case will the manager recapture any amount that would result, on any particular business day of the fund, in the class total annual operating expenses exceeding the applicable limits described above or any other lower limit then in effect.
Additional information
The fund enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, the funds investment manager and subadvisers, who provide services to the fund. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or third-party) beneficiaries of, those contractual arrangements.
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 11 |
More on fund management contd
This Prospectus and the SAI provide information concerning the fund that you should consider in determining whether to purchase shares of the fund. The fund may make changes to this information from time to time. Neither this Prospectus nor the SAI is intended to give rise to any contract rights or other rights in any shareholder, other than any rights conferred explicitly by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.
Distribution
LMIS, a wholly-owned broker/dealer subsidiary of Legg Mason, serves as the funds sole and exclusive distributor.
The fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 shareholder services and distribution plan. Under the plan, the fund pays distribution and/or service fees based on annualized percentages of average daily net assets, of up to 0.25% for Class A shares; up to 1.00% for Class B shares; up to 1.00% for Class C shares; up to 0.25% for Class FI shares; up to 0.50% for Class R shares; and up to 1.00% for Class R1 shares. From time to time, LMIS and/or financial intermediaries may agree to a reduction or waiver of these fees. These fees are an ongoing expense and, over time, will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than other types of sales charges. Class I shares and Class IS shares are not subject to distribution and/or service fees under the plan.
Additional payments
In addition to distribution and service fees and sales charges, the distributor, the manager and/or their affiliates make payments for distribution, shareholder servicing, marketing and promotional activities and related expenses out of their profits and other available sources, including profits from their relationships with the fund. These payments are not reflected as additional expenses in the fee table contained in this Prospectus. The recipients of these payments may include the funds distributor and affiliates of the manager, as well as non-affiliated broker/dealers, insurance companies, financial institutions and other financial intermediaries through which investors may purchase shares of the fund, including your financial intermediary. The total amount of these payments is substantial, may be substantial to any given recipient and may exceed the costs and expenses incurred by the recipient for any fund-related marketing or shareholder servicing activities. The payments described in this paragraph are often referred to as revenue sharing payments. Revenue sharing arrangements are separately negotiated between the distributor, the manager and/or their affiliates, and the recipients of these payments.
Revenue sharing payments create an incentive for an intermediary or its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell shares of the fund to you. Contact your financial intermediary for details about revenue sharing payments it receives or may receive. Revenue sharing payments, as well as payments under the shareholder services and distribution plan (where applicable), also benefit the manager, the distributor and their affiliates to the extent the payments result in more assets being invested in the fund on which fees are being charged.
12 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
Choosing a class of shares to buy
Individual investors can generally invest in Class A and Class C shares. Class C shares are not available for purchase through accounts where Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC is the broker-dealer of record (LMIS Accounts). Individual investors who invest directly with the fund and who meet the $1,000,000 minimum initial investment requirement may purchase Class I shares.
Retirement Plan and Institutional Investors and Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries should refer to Retirement and Institutional Investors eligible investors below for a description of the classes available to them. Each class has different sales charges and expenses, allowing you to choose a class that may be appropriate for you.
When choosing which class of shares to buy, you should consider:
|
How much you plan to invest |
|
How long you expect to own the shares |
|
The expenses paid by each class detailed in the fee table and example at the front of this Prospectus |
|
Whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of sales charges |
|
Availability of share classes |
When choosing between Class A and Class C shares, you should be aware that, generally speaking, the larger the size of your investment and the longer your investment horizon, the more likely it will be that Class C shares will not be as advantageous as Class A shares. The annual distribution and/or service fees on Class C shares may cost you more over the longer term than the front-end sales charge and service fees you would have paid for larger purchases of Class A shares. If you are eligible to purchase Class I shares, you should be aware that Class I shares are not subject to a front-end sales charge and generally have lower annual expenses than Class A or Class C shares.
Class R1 shares are closed to all new purchases and incoming exchanges.
The fund no longer offers Class B shares for purchase by new or existing investors. Individual investors who owned Class B shares on June 30, 2011 may continue to hold those shares, but they may not add to their Class B share positions except through dividend reinvestment. Class B shares are also available for incoming exchanges.
Each class of shares, except Class IS shares, is authorized to pay fees for recordkeeping services to Service Agents. As a result, operating expenses of classes that incur new or additional recordkeeping fees may increase over time.
You may buy shares:
|
Through banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, investment advisers, financial consultants or advisers, mutual fund supermarkets and other financial intermediaries that have entered into an agreement with the distributor to sell shares of the fund (each called a Service Agent) |
|
Directly from the fund |
Your Service Agent may provide shareholder services that differ from the services provided by other Service Agents. Services provided by your Service Agent may vary by class. You should ask your Service Agent to explain the shareholder services it provides for each class and the compensation it receives in connection with each class. Remember that your Service Agent may receive different compensation depending on the share class in which you invest.
Your Service Agent may not offer all classes of shares. You should contact your Service Agent for further information.
More information about the funds classes of shares is available through the Legg Mason funds website. Youll find detailed information about sales charges and ways you can qualify for reduced or waived sales charges, including:
|
The front-end sales charges that apply to the purchase of Class A shares |
|
The contingent deferred sales charges that apply to the redemption of Class B shares, Class C shares and certain Class A shares |
|
Who qualifies for lower sales charges on Class A shares |
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Who qualifies for a sales load waiver |
To visit the website, go to http://www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors/products, and click on the name of the fund in the dropdown menu. On the selected funds page, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the disclosure labeled Click here for Legg Mason Funds sales charge and break point information.
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 13 |
Comparing the funds classes
The following table compares key features of the funds classes. You should review the fee table and example at the front of this Prospectus carefully before choosing your share class. Your Service Agent can help you choose a class that may be appropriate for you. Please contact your Service Agent regarding the availability of Class FI or Class R shares. You may be required to provide appropriate documentation confirming your eligibility to invest in Class FI or Class R shares. Your Service Agent may receive different compensation depending upon which class you choose.
Key features | Initial sales charge |
Contingent deferred sales
charge |
Annual distribution
and/or service fees |
Exchange privilege 1 | ||||||
Class A |
Initial sales charge You may qualify for reduction or waiver of initial sales charge Generally lower annual expenses than Class C |
Up to 5.75%; reduced or waived for large purchases and certain investors. No charge for purchases of $1 million or more | 1.00% on purchases of $1 million or more if you redeem within 18 months of purchase; waived for certain investors | 0.25% of average daily net assets | Class A shares of funds sold by the distributor | |||||
Class B |
Closed to all new purchases No initial sales charge Contingent deferred sales charge declines over time Converts to Class A after approximately 8 years Generally higher annual expenses than Class A |
None | Up to 5.00% charged if you redeem shares. This charge is reduced over time and there is no contingent deferred sales charge after 5 years; waived for certain investors | 1.00% of average daily net assets | Class B shares of funds sold by the distributor | |||||
Class C |
No initial sales charge Contingent deferred sales charge for only 1 year Does not convert to Class A Generally higher annual expenses than Class A Not available through LMIS Accounts |
None | 1.00% if you redeem within 1 year of purchase; waived for certain investors | 1.00% of average daily net assets | Class C shares of funds sold by the distributor | |||||
Class FI |
No initial or contingent deferred sales charge Only offered to Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries and eligible Retirement Plans |
None | None | 0.25% of average daily net assets | Class FI shares of funds sold by the distributor | |||||
Class R |
No initial or contingent deferred sales charge Only offered to eligible Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the fund, Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries and Eligible Investment Programs |
None | None | 0.50% of average daily net assets | Class R shares of funds sold by the distributor | |||||
Class R1 |
Closed to all new purchases |
None | None | 1.00% of average daily net assets | N/A | |||||
Class I |
No initial or contingent deferred sales charge Only offered to institutional and other eligible investors Generally lower annual expenses than all classes except Class IS |
None | None | None | Class I shares of funds sold by the distributor | |||||
Class IS |
No initial or contingent deferred sales charge Only offered to institutional and other eligible investors Generally lower annual expenses than the other classes |
None | None | None | Class IS shares of funds sold by the distributor |
1 |
Ask your Service Agent about the funds available for exchange. |
14 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
Sales charges
Class A shares
You buy Class A shares at the offering price, which is the net asset value plus a sales charge. You pay a lower rate as the size of your investment increases to certain levels called breakpoints. You do not pay a sales charge on the funds distributions or dividends that you reinvest in additional Class A shares.
The table below shows the rate of sales charge you pay, depending on the amount you purchase. It also shows the amount of broker/dealer compensation that will be paid out of the sales charge if you buy shares from a Service Agent. For Class A shares sold by the distributor, the distributor will receive the sales charge imposed on purchases of Class A shares (or any contingent deferred sales charge paid on redemptions) and will retain the full amount of such sales charge. Service Agents will receive a distribution and/or service fee payable on Class A shares at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets represented by the Class A shares serviced by them.
Amount of investment |
Sales charge
as a % of offering price |
Sales charge
as a % of net amount invested |
Broker/dealer
commission as a % of offering price |
||||||||||||
Less than $25,000 | 5.75 | 6.10 | 5.00 | ||||||||||||
$25,000 but less than $50,000 | 5.00 | 5.26 | 4.25 | ||||||||||||
$50,000 but less than $100,000 | 4.50 | 4.71 | 3.75 | ||||||||||||
$100,000 but less than $250,000 | 3.50 | 3.63 | 2.75 | ||||||||||||
$250,000 but less than $500,000 | 2.50 | 2.56 | 2.00 | ||||||||||||
$500,000 but less than $750,000 | 2.00 | 2.04 | 1.60 | ||||||||||||
$750,000 but less than $1 million | 1.50 | 1.52 | 1.20 | ||||||||||||
$1 million or more 1 | -0- | -0- | up to 1.00 |
1 |
The distributor may pay a commission of up to 1.00% to a Service Agent for purchase amounts of $1 million or more. In such cases, starting in the thirteenth month after purchase, the Service Agent will also receive an annual distribution and/or service fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets represented by the Class A shares held by its clients. Prior to the thirteenth month, the distributor will retain this fee. Where the Service Agent does not receive the payment of this commission, the Service Agent will instead receive the annual distribution and/or service fee starting immediately after purchase. Please contact your Service Agent for more information. |
Investments of $1,000,000 or more
You do not pay an initial sales charge when you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares. However, if you redeem these Class A shares within 18 months of purchase, you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00%.
Qualifying for a reduced Class A sales charge
There are several ways you can combine multiple purchases of shares of funds sold by the distributor to take advantage of the breakpoints in the Class A sales charge schedule. In order to take advantage of reductions in sales charges that may be available to you when you purchase fund shares, you must inform your Service Agent or the fund if you are eligible for a letter of intent or a right of accumulation and if you own shares of other funds that are eligible to be aggregated with your purchases. Certain records, such as account statements, may be necessary in order to verify your eligibility for a reduced sales charge.
Accumulation Privilege allows you to combine the current value of shares of the fund with other shares of funds sold by the distributor that are owned by:
|
you or |
|
your spouse and children under the age of 21 |
with the dollar amount of your next purchase of Class A shares for purposes of calculating the initial sales charges.
If you hold fund shares in accounts at two or more Service Agents, please contact your Service Agents to determine which shares may be combined.
Shares of money market funds sold by the distributor acquired by exchange from other funds offered with a sales charge may be combined. Shares of money market funds sold by the distributor that were not acquired by exchange from other funds offered with a sales charge may not be combined. Please contact your Service Agent or the fund for additional information.
Certain trustees and other fiduciaries may be entitled to combine accounts in determining their sales charge.
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 15 |
Sales charges contd
Letter of Intent allows you to purchase Class A shares of funds sold by the distributor over a 13-month period and pay the same sales charge, if any, as if all shares had been purchased at once. At the time you enter into the letter of intent, you select your asset goal amount. Generally, purchases of shares of funds sold by the distributor that are purchased during the 13-month period by:
|
you or |
|
your spouse, and children under the age of 21 |
are eligible for inclusion under the letter of intent, based on the public offering price at the time of the purchase and any capital appreciation on those shares. In addition, you can include the current value of any eligible holdings toward your asset goal amount.
If you hold shares of funds sold by the distributor in accounts at two or more Service Agents, please contact your Service Agents to determine which shares may be credited toward your asset goal amount.
Shares of money market funds sold by the distributor acquired by exchange from other funds offered with a sales charge may be credited toward your asset goal amount. Please contact your Service Agent for additional information.
If you do not meet your asset goal amount, shares in the amount of any sales charges due, based on the amount of your actual purchases, will be redeemed from your account.
Waivers for certain Class A investors
Class A initial sales charges are waived for certain types of investors, including:
|
Shareholders investing in Class A shares through LMIS Accounts |
|
Employees of Service Agents |
|
Investors who redeemed Class A shares of a fund sold by the distributor in the past 60 days, if the investors Service Agent is notified |
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Directors and officers of any Legg Mason-sponsored fund |
|
Employees of Legg Mason and its subsidiaries |
|
Investors investing through certain Retirement Plans |
|
Investors who rollover fund shares from a qualified retirement plan into an individual retirement account administered on the same retirement plan platform |
If you qualify for a waiver of the Class A initial sales charge, you must notify your Service Agent or the fund at 1-877-721-1926 at the time of purchase and provide sufficient information at the time of purchase to permit verification that the purchase qualifies for the initial sales charge waiver.
If you want to learn about additional waivers of Class A initial sales charges, contact your Service Agent, consult the SAI or visit the Legg Mason funds website, http://www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors/products, and click on the name of the fund in the dropdown menu.
Class B shares
The fund no longer offers Class B shares for purchase by new or existing investors. If you owned Class B shares on June 30, 2011, you may continue to hold those shares, but you may not add to your Class B share position except through dividend reinvestment. Class B shares are also available for incoming exchanges. Class B shares are issued at net asset value with no initial sales charge. If you redeem your Class B shares within five years of your purchase payment, you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge based on the schedule of the fund that you originally purchased. The contingent deferred sales charge decreases as the number of years since your purchase payment increases.
Year after purchase | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th through 8th | ||||||||||||||||||
Contingent deferred sales charge (%) | 5% | 4% | 3% | 2% | 1% | 0% |
LMIS will retain the contingent deferred sales charges. The fund pays annual distribution and/or service fees of up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B shares. Service Agents receive an annual distribution and/or service fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets represented by the Class B shares serviced by them.
16 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
Class B conversion
After approximately 8 years, Class B shares automatically convert into Class A shares. This helps you because Class A shares have lower annual expenses. Your Class B shares will convert to Class A shares as follows:
Shares issued: at initial purchase |
Shares issued: on reinvestment of dividends and distributions |
Shares issued: upon exchange from another fund sold by LMIS |
||
Approximately 8 years after the date of purchase | In same proportion as the number of Class B shares converting is to total Class B shares you own (excluding shares issued as dividends) | On the date the shares originally acquired would have converted into Class A shares |
Class C shares
You buy Class C shares at net asset value with no initial sales charge. However, if you redeem your Class C shares within one year of purchase, you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00%. Class C shares are not available for purchase through LMIS Accounts.
LMIS generally will pay Service Agents selling Class C shares a commission of up to 1.00% of the purchase price of the Class C shares they sell. LMIS will retain the contingent deferred sales charges and an annual distribution and/or service fee of up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets represented by the Class C shares serviced by these Service Agents until the thirteenth month after purchase. Starting in the thirteenth month after purchase, these Service Agents will receive an annual distribution and/or service fee of up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets represented by the Class C shares serviced by them.
Class FI, Class R and Class R1 shares
You buy Class FI and Class R shares at net asset value with no initial sales charge and no contingent deferred sales charge when redeemed. Class R1 shares are closed to all new purchases and incoming exchanges.
Service Agents receive an annual distribution and/or service fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets represented by Class FI shares serviced by them, up to 0.50% of the average daily net assets represented by Class R shares serviced by them and up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets represented by Class R1 shares serviced by them.
Class I and Class IS shares
You buy Class I and Class IS shares at net asset value with no initial sales charge and no contingent deferred sales charge when redeemed. Class I and Class IS shares are not subject to any distribution and/or service fees.
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 17 |
More about contingent deferred sales charges
The contingent deferred sales charge is based on the net asset value at the time of purchase or redemption, whichever is less, and therefore you do not pay a sales charge on amounts representing appreciation or depreciation.
In addition, you do not pay a contingent deferred sales charge:
|
When you exchange shares for shares of another fund sold by the distributor |
|
On shares representing reinvested distributions and dividends |
|
On shares no longer subject to the contingent deferred sales charge |
Each time you place a request to redeem shares, the fund will first redeem any shares in your account that are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and then redeem the shares in your account that have been held the longest.
If you redeem shares of a fund sold by the distributor and pay a contingent deferred sales charge, you may, under certain circumstances, reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds within 60 days and receive pro rata credit for any contingent deferred sales charge imposed on the prior redemption. Please contact your Service Agent for additional information.
The distributor receives contingent deferred sales charges as partial compensation for its expenses in selling shares, including the payment of compensation to your Service Agent.
Contingent deferred sales charge waivers
The contingent deferred sales charge for each share class will generally be waived:
|
On payments made through certain systematic withdrawal plans |
|
On certain distributions from a Retirement Plan |
|
For Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the fund |
|
For involuntary redemptions of small account balances |
|
For 12 months following the death or disability of a shareholder |
If you want to learn more about additional waivers of contingent deferred sales charges, contact your Service Agent, consult the SAI or visit the Legg Mason funds website, http://www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors/products, and click on the name of the fund in the dropdown menu.
18 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
Retirement and Institutional Investors eligible investors
Retirement Plans
Retirement Plans include 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit-sharing plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans, employer sponsored benefit plans (including health savings accounts), other similar employer-sponsored retirement and benefit plans, and individual retirement accounts that are administered on the same IRA recordkeeping platform and that invest in the fund through a single omnibus account pursuant to a special contractual arrangement with the fund or the distributor. Retirement Plans do not include individual retirement vehicles, such as traditional and Roth IRAs (absent an exception that is explicitly described in this Prospectus), Coverdell education savings accounts, individual 403(b)(7) custodial accounts, Keogh plans, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs or similar accounts.
Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the fund can generally invest in Class A, Class C, Class FI, Class R, Class I and Class IS shares.
Investors who rollover fund shares from a Retirement Plan into an individual retirement account administered on the same retirement plan platform may hold, purchase and exchange shares of the fund to the same extent as the applicable Retirement Plan.
Although Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the fund are not subject to minimum initial investment requirements for any of these share classes, certain investment minimums may be imposed by a financial intermediary. The distributor may impose certain additional requirements. Please contact your Service Agent for more information.
Other Retirement Plans
Other Retirement Plans include Retirement Plans investing through brokerage accounts and also include certain Retirement Plans with direct relationships to the fund that are neither Institutional Investors nor investing through omnibus accounts. Other Retirement Plans and individual retirement vehicles, such as IRAs, are treated like individual investors for purposes of determining sales charges and any applicable sales charge reductions or waivers.
Other Retirement Plans do not include arrangements whereby an investor would rollover fund shares from a Retirement Plan into an individual retirement account administered on the same retirement plan platform. Such arrangements are deemed to be Retirement Plans and are subject to the rights and privileges described under Retirement and Institutional Investors eligible investors Retirement Plans.
Other Retirement Plan investors can generally invest in Class A, Class C and Class I shares. Individual retirement vehicles may also choose between these share classes.
Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries
Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries are investors who invest in the fund through financial intermediaries that (i) charge such investors an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the distributor to offer Class A, Class FI, Class R or Class I shares through a no-load network or platform (Eligible Investment Programs). Such investors may include pension and profit sharing plans, other employee benefit trusts, endowments, foundations and corporations. Eligible Investment Programs may also include college savings vehicles such as Section 529 plans and direct retail investment platforms through mutual fund supermarkets, where the sponsor links its clients account (including IRA accounts on such platforms) to a master account in the sponsors name. The financial intermediary may impose separate investment minimums.
Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries may generally invest in Class A, Class FI, Class R or Class I shares. Class I shares are available for exchange from Class A or Class C shares of the fund by participants in the Eligible Investment Programs.
Institutional Investors
Institutional Investors may include corporations, banks, trust companies, insurance companies, investment companies, foundations, endowments, defined benefit plans and other similar entities. The distributor or the financial intermediary may impose additional eligibility requirements or criteria to determine if an investor, including the types of investors listed above, qualifies as an Institutional Investor.
Institutional Investors may invest in Class I or Class IS shares if they meet the $1,000,000 minimum initial investment requirement. Institutional Investors may also invest in Class A and Class C shares, which have different investment minimums, fees and expenses.
Class A shares Retirement Plans
Retirement Plans may buy Class A shares. Under certain programs for current and prospective Retirement Plan investors sponsored by financial intermediaries, the initial sales charge and contingent deferred sales charge for Class A shares are waived where:
|
Such Retirement Plans recordkeeper offers only load-waived shares, |
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 19 |
Retirement and Institutional Investors eligible investors contd
|
Fund shares are held on the books of the fund through an omnibus account, and |
|
The Retirement Plan has more than 100 participants or has total assets exceeding $1 million. |
LMIS does not pay Service Agents selling Class A shares to Retirement Plans with a direct omnibus relationship with the fund a commission on the purchase price of Class A shares sold by them. However, for certain Retirement Plans that are permitted to purchase shares at net asset value, LMIS may pay Service Agents commissions of up to 1.00% of the purchase price of the Class A shares that are purchased with regular ongoing plan contributions. Please contact your Service Agent for more information.
Class C shares Retirement Plans
Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the fund may buy Class C shares at net asset value without paying a contingent deferred sales charge. LMIS does not pay Service Agents selling Class C shares to Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the fund a commission on the purchase price of Class C shares sold by them. Instead, immediately after purchase, LMIS may pay these Service Agents an annual distribution and/or service fee of up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets represented by the Class C shares serviced by them.
Certain Retirement Plan programs with exchange features in effect prior to November 20, 2006, as approved by LMIS, will be eligible for exchange from Class C shares to Class A shares in accordance with the program terms. Please see the SAI for more details.
Class FI shares
Class FI shares are offered only to Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries and Retirement Plans.
Class R shares
Class R shares are offered only to Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the fund (either at the plan level or at the level of the financial intermediary), to Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries and through Eligible Investment Programs.
Class R1 shares
Class R1 shares are closed to all new purchases and incoming exchanges.
Class I shares
Class I shares are offered only to Institutional Investors and individual investors (investing directly with the fund) who meet the $1,000,000 minimum initial investment requirement, Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the fund and certain rollover IRAs, Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries and other investors authorized by LMIS.
Certain waivers of these requirements for individuals associated with the fund, Legg Mason or its affiliates are discussed in the SAI.
Class IS shares
Class IS shares may be purchased only by Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the fund, certain rollover IRAs and Institutional Investors, and other investors authorized by LMIS. In order to purchase Class IS shares, an investor must hold its shares in one account with the fund, which account is not subject to payment of recordkeeping or similar fees by the fund to any intermediary.
Class B shares
The fund no longer offers Class B shares for purchase by new or existing investors. Institutional Investors and certain Retirement Plans that owned Class B shares may continue to hold those shares, but they may not add to their Class B share positions except through dividend reinvestment. Class B shares are also available for incoming exchanges.
Other considerations
Plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries and other financial intermediaries may choose to impose qualification requirements that differ from the funds share class eligibility standards. In certain cases this could result in the selection of a share class with higher distribution and/or service fees than otherwise would have been charged. The fund is not responsible for, and has no control over, the decision of any plan sponsor, plan fiduciary or financial intermediary to impose such differing requirements. Please consult with your plan sponsor, plan fiduciary or financial intermediary for more information about available share classes.
Your Service Agent may not offer all share classes. Please contact your Service Agent for additional details.
20 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
Buying shares
Generally |
You may buy shares at their net asset value next determined after receipt by your Service Agent or the transfer agent of your purchase request in good order, plus any applicable sales charge.
You must provide the following information for your order to be processed:
Name of fund being bought
Class of shares being bought
Dollar amount or number of shares being bought (as applicable)
Account number (if existing account) |
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Through a Service Agent |
You should contact your Service Agent to open a brokerage account and make arrangements to buy shares.
Your Service Agent may charge an annual account maintenance fee. |
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Through the fund |
Investors should contact the fund at 1-877-721-1926 to open an account and make arrangements to buy shares.
For initial purchases, complete and send your account application to the fund at one of the following addresses:
Regular Mail:
Legg Mason Funds P.O. Box 9699 Providence, RI 02940-9699
Express, Certified or Registered Mail:
Legg Mason Funds 4400 Computer Drive Westborough, MA 01581
Subsequent purchases should be sent to the same addresses. Enclose a check to pay for the shares.
For more information, please call the fund between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Eastern time). |
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Through a systematic investment plan |
You may authorize your Service Agent or the transfer agent to transfer funds automatically from (i) a regular bank account, (ii) cash held in a brokerage account with a Service Agent or (iii) certain money market funds, in order to buy shares on a regular basis.
Amounts transferred must meet the applicable minimums (see Purchase and sale of fund shares)
Amounts may be transferred monthly, every alternate month, quarterly, semi-annually or annually
If you do not have sufficient funds in your account on a transfer date, you may be charged a fee
For more information, please contact your Service Agent or the fund or consult the SAI. |
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 21 |
Exchanging shares
Generally |
You may exchange shares of the fund for the same class of shares of other funds sold by the distributor on any day that both the fund and the fund into which you are exchanging are open for business. For investors who qualify as Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries and participate in Eligible Investment Programs made available through their financial intermediaries (such as investors in fee-based advisory or mutual fund wrap programs), an exchange may be made from Class A or Class C shares to Class I shares of the same fund under certain limited circumstances. Please refer to the section of this Prospectus titled Retirement and Institutional Investors eligible investors or contact your financial intermediary for more information.
An exchange of shares of one fund for shares of another fund is considered a sale and generally results in a capital gain or loss for federal income tax purposes, unless you are investing through an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged account. An exchange of shares of one class directly for shares of another class of the same fund normally should not be taxable for federal income tax purposes. You should talk to your tax advisor before making an exchange.
The exchange privilege is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading. The fund may suspend or terminate your exchange privilege if you engage in a pattern of excessive exchanges. |
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Legg Mason offers a distinctive family of funds tailored to help meet the varying needs of large and small investors |
You may exchange shares at their net asset value next determined after receipt by your Service Agent or the transfer agent of your exchange request in good order.
If you bought shares through a Service Agent, contact your Service Agent to learn which funds your Service Agent makes available to you for exchanges
If you bought shares directly from the fund, contact the fund at 1-877-721-1926 to learn which funds are available to you for exchanges
Exchanges may be made only between accounts that have identical registrations
Not all funds offer all classes
Funds that offer Class B shares may continue to make them available for incoming exchanges
Some funds are offered only in a limited number of states. Your Service Agent or the fund will provide information about the funds offered in your state
Always be sure to read the prospectus of the fund into which you are exchanging shares. |
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Investment minimums, sales charges and other requirements |
In most instances, your shares will not be subject to an initial sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge at the time of the exchange. You may be charged an initial or contingent deferred sales charge if the shares being exchanged were not subject to a sales charge
Except as noted above, your contingent deferred sales charge (if any) will continue to be measured from the date of your original purchase of shares subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, and you will be subject to the contingent deferred sales charge of the fund that you originally purchased
You will generally be required to meet the minimum investment requirement for the class of shares of the fund or share class into which your exchange is made (except in the case of systematic exchange plans)
Your exchange will also be subject to any other requirements of the fund or share class into which you are exchanging shares
The fund may suspend or terminate your exchange privilege if you engage in a pattern of excessive exchanges |
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By telephone | Contact your Service Agent or, if you hold shares directly with the fund, call the fund at 1-877-721-1926 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Eastern time) for information. Exchanges are priced at the net asset value next determined. | |
By mail |
Contact your Service Agent or, if you hold shares directly with the fund, write to the fund at one of the following addresses:
Regular Mail:
Legg Mason Funds P.O. Box 9699 Providence, RI 02940-9699
Express, Certified or Registered Mail:
Legg Mason Funds 4400 Computer Drive Westborough, MA 01581 |
|
Through a systematic exchange plan |
You may be permitted to schedule automatic exchanges of shares of the fund for shares of other funds available for exchange. All requirements for exchanging shares described above apply to these exchanges. In addition:
Exchanges may be made monthly, every alternate month, quarterly, semi-annually or annually
Each exchange must meet the applicable investment minimums for systematic investment plans (see Purchase and sale of fund shares)
For more information, please contact your Service Agent or the fund or consult the SAI. |
22 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
Redeeming shares
Generally |
You may redeem shares at their net asset value next determined after receipt by your Service Agent or the transfer agent of your redemption request in good order, less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
If the shares are held by a fiduciary or corporation, partnership or similar entity, other documents may be required. |
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Redemption proceeds |
Your redemption proceeds normally will be sent within 3 business days after your request is received in good order, but in any event within 7 days, except that your proceeds may be delayed for up to 10 days if your share purchase was made by check.
Your redemption proceeds may be delayed, or your right to receive redemption proceeds suspended, if the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is closed (other than on weekends or holidays) or trading is restricted, if an emergency exists, or otherwise as permitted by order of the SEC.
If you have a brokerage account with a Service Agent, your redemption proceeds will be sent to your Service Agent. Your redemption proceeds can be sent by check to your address of record or by wire or electronic transfer (ACH) to a bank account designated by you. To change the bank account designated to receive wire or electronic transfers, you will be required to deliver a new written authorization and may be asked to provide other documents. You may be charged a fee on a wire or an electronic transfer (ACH).
In other cases, unless you direct otherwise, your proceeds will be paid by check mailed to your address of record.
The fund reserves the right to pay redemption proceeds by giving you securities. You may pay transaction costs to dispose of the securities, and you may receive less for them than the price at which they were valued for purposes of the redemption. |
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By mail |
Contact your Service Agent or, if you hold shares directly with the fund, write to the fund at one of the following addresses:
Regular Mail:
Legg Mason Funds P.O. Box 9699 Providence, RI 02940-9699
Express, Certified or Registered Mail:
Legg Mason Funds 4400 Computer Drive Westborough, MA 01581
Your written request must provide the following:
The fund name, the class of shares being redeemed and your account number
The dollar amount or number of shares being redeemed
Signature of each owner exactly as the account is registered
Signature guarantees, as applicable (see Other things to know about transactions) |
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By telephone |
If your account application permits, you may be eligible to redeem shares by telephone. Contact your Service Agent or, if you hold shares directly with the fund, call the fund at 1-877-721-1926 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Eastern time) for more information. Please have the following information ready when you call:
Name of fund being redeemed
Class of shares being redeemed
Account number |
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Automatic cash
withdrawal plans |
You may be permitted to schedule automatic redemptions of a portion of your shares. To qualify, you must own shares of the fund with a value of at least $10,000 ($5,000 for Retirement Plan accounts) and each automatic redemption must be at least $50.
The following conditions apply:
Redemptions may be made monthly, every alternate month, quarterly, semi-annually or annually
If your shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, the charge will be required to be paid upon redemption. However, the charge will be waived if your automatic redemptions are equal to or less than 2% per month of your account balance on the date the redemptions commence, up to a maximum of 12% in one year
You must elect to have all dividends and distributions reinvested
For more information, please contact your Service Agent or the fund or consult the SAI. |
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 23 |
Other things to know about transactions
When you buy, exchange or redeem shares, your request must be in good order. This means you have provided the following information, without which your request may not be processed:
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Name of the fund |
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Your account number |
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In the case of a purchase (including a purchase as part of an exchange transaction), the class of shares being bought |
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In the case of an exchange or redemption, the class of shares being exchanged or redeemed (if you own more than one class) |
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Dollar amount or number of shares being bought, exchanged or redeemed |
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In certain circumstances, the signature of each owner exactly as the account is registered (see Redeeming shares) |
The fund generally will not permit non-resident aliens with non-U.S. addresses to establish accounts. U.S. citizens with APO/FPO addresses or addresses in the United States (including its territories) and resident aliens with U.S. addresses are permitted to establish accounts with the fund. Generally, U.S. citizens residing in foreign countries will not be permitted to establish accounts with the fund. Neither the manager, the subadviser nor the fund is currently approved, registered or otherwise permitted to market to prospective investors which are domiciled in, or with a registered office in, any jurisdiction within the Member States of the European Union and the European Economic Area under any legislation implementing the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (the AIFMD) and the supplementing Level 2 Delegated Regulation to the AIFMD in the relevant country.
In certain circumstances, such as during periods of market volatility, severe weather and emergencies, shareholders may experience difficulties placing exchange or redemption orders by telephone. In that case, shareholders should consider using the funds other exchange and redemption procedures described under Exchanging shares and Redeeming shares.
The transfer agent or the fund will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that any telephone exchange or redemption request is genuine, which may include recording calls, asking the caller to provide certain personal identification information, sending you a written confirmation or requiring other confirmation procedures from time to time. If these procedures are followed, neither the fund nor its agents will bear any liability for these transactions, subject to applicable law.
The fund has the right to:
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Suspend the offering of shares |
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Waive or change minimum initial and additional investment amounts |
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Reject any purchase or exchange order |
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Change, revoke or suspend the exchange privilege |
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Suspend telephone transactions |
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Suspend or postpone redemptions of shares on any day when trading on the NYSE is restricted or as otherwise permitted by the SEC |
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Close your account after a period of inactivity, as determined by state law, and transfer your shares to the appropriate state |
For your protection, the fund or your Service Agent may request additional information in connection with large redemptions, unusual activity in your account, or otherwise to ensure your redemption request is in good order. Please contact your Service Agent or the fund for more information.
Signature guarantees
To be in good order, your redemption request must include a signature guarantee if you:
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Are redeeming shares and sending the proceeds to an address or bank not currently on file |
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Changed your account registration or your address within 30 days |
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Want the check paid to someone other than the account owner(s) |
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Are transferring the redemption proceeds to an account with a different registration |
You can obtain a signature guarantee from most banks, dealers, brokers, credit unions and federal savings and loan institutions, but not from a notary public.
Anti-money laundering
Federal anti-money laundering regulations require all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you sign your account application, you may be asked to provide additional information in order for the fund to verify your
24 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
identity in accordance with these regulations. Accounts may be restricted and/or closed, and the monies withheld, pending verification of this information or as otherwise required under these and other federal regulations.
Small account fees/Mandatory redemptions
Small accounts may be subject to a small account fee or to mandatory redemption, as described below, depending on whether the account is held directly with the fund or through a Service Agent.
Direct accounts
Direct accounts generally include accounts held in the name of the individual investor on the funds books and records. To offset the relatively higher impact on fund expenses of servicing smaller direct accounts, if your shares are held in a direct account and the value of your account is below $1,000 (if applicable, $250 for retirement plans that are not employer-sponsored) for any reason (including declines in net asset value), the fund may charge you a fee of $3.75 per account that is determined and assessed quarterly on the next-to-last business day of the quarter (with an annual maximum of $15.00 per account). The small account fee will be charged by redeeming shares in your account. If the value of your account is $3.75 or less, the amount in the account may be exhausted to pay the small account fee. The small account fee will not be assessed on systematic investment plans until the end of the first quarter after the account has been established for 21 months. Payment of the small account fee through a redemption of fund shares may result in tax consequences to you (see Taxes for more information).
The small account fee will not be charged on, if applicable: (i) Retirement Plans (but will be charged on other plans that are not employer-sponsored such as traditional and Roth individual retirement accounts, Coverdell education savings accounts, individual 403(b)(7) custodial accounts, Keogh plans, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs or similar accounts); (ii) Legg Mason funds that have been closed to subsequent purchases for all classes; (iii) accounts that do not have a valid address as evidenced by mail being returned to the fund or its agents; and (iv) Class FI, Class R, Class R1, Class I and Class IS shares.
If your share class is no longer offered, you may not be able to bring your account up to the minimum investment amount (although you may exchange into existing accounts of other Legg Mason funds in which you hold the same share class, to the extent otherwise permitted by those funds and subject to any applicable sales charges).
The small account fee is calculated on a fund-by-fund basis. If you have accounts in multiple funds, they will not be aggregated for the purpose of calculating the small account fee. Some shareholders who hold accounts in Classes A and B of the same fund may have those accounts aggregated for the purposes of these calculations. Please contact the fund or your Service Agent for more information.
Non-direct accounts
Non-direct accounts include omnibus accounts and accounts jointly maintained by the Service Agent and the fund. Such accounts are not subject to the small account fee that may be charged to direct accounts.
The fund reserves the right to ask you to bring your non-direct account up to a minimum investment amount determined by your Service Agent if the aggregate value of the fund shares in your account is less than $500 for any reason (including solely due to declines in net asset value and/or failure to invest at least $500 within a reasonable period). You will be notified in writing and will have 60 days to make an additional investment to bring your account value up to the required level. If you choose not to do so within this 60-day period, the fund may close your account and send you the redemption proceeds. If your share class is no longer offered, you may not be able to bring your account up to the minimum investment amount. Some shareholders who hold accounts in multiple classes of the same fund may have those accounts aggregated for the purposes of these calculations. If your account is closed, you will not be eligible to have your account reinstated without imposition of any sales charges that may apply to your new purchase. Please contact your Service Agent for more information. Any redemption of fund shares may result in tax consequences to you (see Taxes for more information).
All accounts
The fund may, with prior notice, change the minimum size of accounts subject to mandatory redemption, which may vary by class, implement fees for small non-direct accounts or change the amount of the fee for small direct accounts.
Subject to applicable law, the fund may, with prior notice, adopt other policies from time to time requiring mandatory redemption of shares in certain circumstances.
For more information, please contact your Service Agent or the fund or consult the SAI.
Frequent trading of fund shares
Frequent purchases and redemptions of fund shares may interfere with the efficient management of the fund, increase fund transaction costs, and have a negative effect on the funds long-term shareholders. For example, in order to handle large flows of cash into and out of the fund, the subadviser may need to allocate more assets to cash or other short-term investments or sell securities, rather than maintaining full investment in
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 25 |
Other things to know about transactions contd
securities selected to achieve the funds investment objective. Frequent trading may cause the fund to sell securities at less favorable prices. Transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and market spreads, can detract from the funds performance. In addition, the return received by long-term shareholders may be reduced when trades by other shareholders are made in an effort to take advantage of certain pricing discrepancies, when, for example, it is believed that the funds share price, which is determined at the close of the NYSE on each trading day, does not accurately reflect the value of the funds investments. Funds investing in foreign securities have been particularly susceptible to this form of arbitrage, but other funds could also be affected.
Because of the potential harm to funds sold by the funds distributor and their long-term shareholders, the Board has approved policies and procedures that are intended to detect and discourage excessive trading and market timing abuses through the use of various surveillance techniques. Under these policies and procedures, the fund may limit additional exchanges or purchases of fund shares by shareholders who are believed by the manager to be engaged in these abusive trading activities in the fund or in other funds sold by the distributor. In the event that an exchange or purchase request is rejected, the shareholder may nonetheless redeem its shares. The intent of the policies and procedures is not to inhibit legitimate strategies, such as asset allocation, dollar cost averaging, or similar activities that may nonetheless result in frequent trading of fund shares.
Under the funds policies and procedures, the fund reserves the right to restrict or reject purchases of shares (including exchanges) without prior notice whenever a pattern of excessive trading by a shareholder is detected in funds sold by the distributor. A committee established by the manager administers the policy. The policy provides that the committee may take action, which may include using its best efforts to restrict a shareholders trading privileges in funds sold by the distributor, if that shareholder has engaged in one or more Round Trips across all funds sold by the distributor. However, the committee has the discretion to determine that action is not necessary if it is determined that the pattern of trading is not abusive or harmful. In making such a determination, the committee will consider, among other things, the nature of the shareholders account, the reason for the frequent trading, the amount of trading and the particular funds in which the trading has occurred. Additionally, the committee has the discretion to make inquiries or to take any action against a shareholder whose trading appears inconsistent with the frequent trading policy, regardless of the number of Round Trips. Examples of the types of actions the committee may take include heightened surveillance of a shareholder account, providing a written warning letter to an account holder, restricting the shareholder from purchasing additional shares in the fund altogether or imposing other restrictions (such as requiring purchase orders to be submitted by mail) that would deter the shareholder from trading frequently in the fund. The committee will generally follow a system of progressive deterrence, although it is not required to do so.
A Round Trip is defined as a purchase (including subscriptions and exchanges) into a fund sold by the distributor either preceded or followed by a sale (including redemptions and exchanges) of the same or a similar number of shares out of that fund within 30 days of such purchase. Purchases and sales of the funds shares pursuant to an automatic investment plan or similar program for periodic transactions are not considered in determining Round Trips. These policies and procedures do not apply to money market funds sold by the distributor.
The policies apply to any account, whether a direct account or accounts with financial intermediaries such as investment advisers, broker/dealers or retirement plan administrators, commonly called omnibus accounts, where the intermediary holds fund shares for a number of its customers in one account. The funds ability to monitor trading in omnibus accounts may, however, be severely limited due to the lack of access to an individual investors trading activity when orders are placed through these types of accounts. There may also be operational and technological limitations on the ability of the funds service providers to identify or terminate frequent trading activity within the various types of omnibus accounts. The distributor has entered into agreements with intermediaries requiring the intermediaries to, among other things, help identify frequent trading activity and prohibit further purchases or exchanges by a shareholder identified as having engaged in frequent trading.
The fund has also adopted policies and procedures to prevent the selective release of information about the funds holdings, as such information may be used for market-timing and similar abusive practices.
The policies provide for ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of current policies and surveillance tools, and the Board reserves the right to modify these or adopt additional policies and restrictions in the future. Shareholders should be aware, however, that any surveillance techniques currently employed by the fund or other techniques that may be adopted in the future may not be effective, particularly where the trading takes place through certain types of omnibus accounts. Furthermore, the fund may not apply its policies consistently or uniformly, resulting in the risk that some shareholders may be able to engage in frequent trading while others will bear the costs and effects of that trading.
Although the fund will attempt to monitor shareholder transactions for certain patterns of frequent trading activity, there can be no assurance that all such trading activity can be identified, prevented or terminated. Monitoring of shareholder transactions may only occur for shareholder transactions that exceed a certain transaction amount threshold, which may change from time to time. The fund reserves the right to refuse any client or reject any purchase order for shares (including exchanges) for any reason.
26 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
Record ownership
If you hold shares through a Service Agent, your Service Agent may establish and maintain your account and be the shareholder of record. In the event that the fund holds a shareholder meeting, your Service Agent, as record holder, will be entitled to vote your shares and may seek voting instructions from you. If you do not give your Service Agent voting instructions, your Service Agent, under certain circumstances, may nonetheless be entitled to vote your shares.
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 27 |
Dividends, other distributions and taxes
Dividends and other distributions
The fund generally pays dividends and distributes capital gain, if any, once in December and at such other times as are necessary. The fund may pay additional distributions and dividends in order to avoid a federal tax.
You can elect to receive dividends and/or other distributions in cash.
Unless you elect to receive dividends and/or other distributions in cash, your dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested in shares of the same class you hold, at the net asset value determined on the reinvestment date. You do not pay a sales charge on reinvested distributions or dividends.
If you hold shares directly with the fund and you elect to receive dividends and/or distributions in cash, you have the option to receive such dividends and/or distributions via a direct deposit to your bank account or, provided that the dividend and/or distribution is $10.00 or more, by check. If you choose to receive dividends and/or distributions via check, amounts less than $10.00 will automatically be reinvested in fund shares as described above.
If you do not want dividends and/or distributions in amounts less than $10.00 to be reinvested in fund shares, you must elect to receive dividends and distributions via a direct deposit to your bank account.
If you hold Class A or Class C shares directly with the fund, you may instruct the fund to have your dividends and/or distributions invested in the corresponding class of shares of another fund sold by the distributor, subject to the following conditions:
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You have a minimum account balance of $10,000 in the fund and |
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The other fund is available for sale in your state. |
To change those instructions, you must notify your Service Agent or the fund at least three days before the next distribution is to be paid.
Please contact your Service Agent or the fund to discuss what options are available to you for receiving your dividends and other distributions.
The Board reserves the right to revise the dividend policy or postpone the payment of dividends, if warranted in the Boards judgment, due to unusual circumstances.
Taxes
The following discussion is very general, applies only to shareholders who are U.S. persons, and does not address shareholders subject to special rules, such as those who hold fund shares through an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged account. Except as specifically noted, the discussion is limited to federal income tax matters, and does not address state, local, foreign or non-income taxes. Further information regarding taxes, including certain federal income tax considerations relevant to non-U.S. persons, is included in the SAI. Because each shareholders circumstances are different and special tax rules may apply, you should consult your tax adviser about federal, state, local and/or foreign tax considerations that may be relevant to your particular situation.
In general, redeeming shares, exchanging shares and receiving dividends and distributions (whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares or shares of another fund) are all taxable events. An exchange between classes of shares of the same fund normally is not taxable for federal income tax purposes, whether or not the shares are held in a taxable account.
The following table summarizes the tax status of certain transactions related to the fund.
Transaction | Federal income tax status | |
Redemption or exchange of shares | Usually capital gain or loss; long-term only if shares are owned more than one year | |
Dividends of investment income and distributions of net short-term capital gain | Ordinary income, or in certain cases qualified dividend income | |
Distributions of net capital gain (excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) | Long-term capital gain |
Distributions of investment income that the fund reports as qualified dividend income may be eligible to be taxed to noncorporate shareholders at the reduced rates applicable to long-term capital gain if certain requirements are satisfied. Distributions of net capital gain reported by the fund as capital gain dividends are taxable to you as long-term capital gain regardless of how long you have owned your shares. Noncorporate shareholders ordinarily pay tax at reduced rates on long-term capital gain.
You may want to avoid buying shares when the fund is about to declare a dividend or capital gain distribution because it will be taxable to you even though it may economically represent a return of a portion of your investment.
28 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
A Medicare contribution tax is imposed at the rate of 3.8% on net investment income of U.S. individuals with income exceeding specified thresholds, and on undistributed net investment income of certain estates and trusts. Net investment income generally includes for this purpose dividends and capital gain distributions paid by the fund and gain on the redemption or exchange of fund shares.
A dividend declared by the fund in October, November or December and paid during January of the following year will, in certain circumstances, be treated as paid in December for tax purposes.
After the end of each year, your Service Agent or the fund will provide you with information about the distributions and dividends you received and any redemptions of shares during the previous year. Because each shareholders circumstances are different and special tax rules may apply, you should consult your tax adviser about your investment in the fund.
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 29 |
Share price
You may buy, exchange or redeem shares at their net asset value next determined after receipt of your request in good order, adjusted for any applicable sales charge. The funds net asset value per share is the value of its assets minus its liabilities divided by the number of shares outstanding. Net asset value is calculated separately for each class of shares.
The fund calculates its net asset value every day the NYSE is open. The fund generally values its securities and other assets and calculates its net asset value as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE, normally at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time). If the NYSE closes at another time, the fund will calculate its net asset value as of the actual closing time. The NYSE is closed on certain holidays listed in the SAI.
In order to buy, redeem or exchange shares at a certain days price, you must place your order with your Service Agent or the transfer agent before the NYSE closes on that day. If the NYSE closes early on that day, you must place your order prior to the actual closing time. It is the responsibility of the Service Agent to transmit all orders to buy, exchange or redeem shares to the transfer agent on a timely basis.
Valuation of the funds securities and other assets is performed in accordance with procedures approved by the Board. These procedures delegate most valuation functions to the manager, which generally uses independent third party pricing services approved by the funds Board. Under the procedures, assets are valued as follows:
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Equity securities and certain derivative instruments that are traded on an exchange are valued at the closing price or, if that price is unavailable or deemed by the manager not representative of market value, the last sale price. Where a security is traded on more than one exchange (as is often the case overseas), the security is generally valued at the price on the exchange considered by the manager to be the primary exchange. In the case of securities not traded on an exchange, or if exchange prices are not otherwise available, the prices are typically determined by independent third party pricing services that use a variety of techniques and methodologies. |
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The valuations for fixed income 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 fair valuation techniques and methodologies. Short-term fixed income securities that will mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless it is determined that using this method would not reflect an investments fair value. |
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The valuations of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade, unless a significant event has occurred. 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). The fund uses a fair value model developed by an independent third party pricing service to value foreign equity securities on days when a certain percentage change in the value of a domestic equity security index suggests that the closing prices on foreign exchanges may no longer represent the value of those securities at the time of closing of the NYSE. Foreign markets are open for trading on weekends and other days when the fund does not price its shares. Therefore, the value of the funds shares may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem the funds shares. |
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For investments in exchange-traded funds, the market price is usually the closing sale or official closing price on that exchange. |
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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. When such prices or quotations are not available, or when the manager believes that they are unreliable, the manager may price securities using fair value procedures approved by the Board. These procedures permit, among other things, the use of a matrix, formula or other method that takes into consideration market indices, yield curves and other specific adjustments to determine fair value. Fair value of a security is the amount, as determined by the manager in good faith, that the fund might reasonably expect to receive upon a current sale of the security. The fund may also use fair value procedures if the manager determines that a significant event has occurred between the time at which a market price is determined and the time at which the funds net asset value is calculated. |
Many factors may influence the price at which the fund could sell any particular portfolio investment. The sales price may well differhigher or lowerfrom the funds last valuation, and such differences could be significant, particularly for securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. Moreover, valuing securities using fair value methodologies involves greater reliance on judgment than valuing securities based on market quotations. A fund that uses fair value methodologies may value those securities higher or lower than another fund using market quotations or its own fair value methodologies to price the same securities. There can be no assurance that the fund could obtain the value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security at approximately the time at which the fund determines its net asset value. Investors who purchase or redeem fund shares on days when the fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive a greater or lesser number of shares, or higher or lower redemption proceeds, than they would have received if the fund had not fair-valued the security or had used a different methodology.
30 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
Financial highlights
The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the performance of each class for the past five years, unless otherwise noted. No financial highlights are presented for Class R1 shares because no Class R1 shares were outstanding for the periods shown. The returns for Class R1 shares will differ from those of the other classes to the extent that their expenses differ. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share. Total return represents the rate that a shareholder would have earned (or lost) on a fund share assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The information in the following tables has been derived from the funds financial statements, which have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the funds financial statements, is included in the Annual Report (available upon request).
1 |
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 |
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. |
3 |
The impact to the expense ratio was less than 0.01% as a result of interest expense. |
4 |
As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective August 3, 2015, the ratio of expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class A shares did not exceed 1.25%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2016 without the Board of Trustees consent. |
5 |
Excludes securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind. |
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 31 |
Financial highlights contd
1 |
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 |
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. |
3 |
The impact to the expense ratio was less than 0.01% as a result of interest expense. |
4 |
As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective August 3, 2015, the ratio of expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class B shares did not exceed 2.25%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2016 without the Board of Trustees consent. |
5 |
Excludes securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind. |
32 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
1 |
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 |
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. |
3 |
The impact to the expense ratio was less than 0.01% as a result of interest expense. |
4 |
As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective August 3, 2015, the ratio of expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class C shares did not exceed 2.00%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2016 without the Board of Trustees consent. |
5 |
Excludes securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind. |
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 33 |
Financial highlights contd
1 |
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 |
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. |
3 |
The impact to the expense ratio was less than 0.01% as a result of interest expense. |
4 |
As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective August 3, 2015, the ratio of expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class FI shares did not exceed 1.25%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2016 without the Board of Trustees consent. Prior to August 3, 2015, the ratio of expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class FI shares did not exceed 1.30%. |
5 |
Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
6 |
Excludes securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind. |
34 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
1 |
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 |
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. |
3 |
The impact to the expense ratio was less than 0.01% as a result of interest expense. |
4 |
As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective August 3, 2015, the ratio of expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class R shares did not exceed 1.50%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2016 without the Board of Trustees consent. Prior to August 3, 2015, the ratio of expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class R shares did not exceed 1.55%. |
5 |
Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
6 |
Excludes securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind. |
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 35 |
Financial highlights contd
1 |
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 |
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. |
3 |
The impact to the expense ratio was less than 0.01% as a result of interest expense. |
4 |
As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective August 3, 2015, the ratio of expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class I shares did not exceed 0.90%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2016 without the Board of Trustees consent. Prior to August 3, 2015, the ratio of expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class I shares did not exceed 1.00%. |
5 |
Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
6 |
Excludes securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind. |
36 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
1 |
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 |
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. |
3 |
The impact to the expense ratio was less than 0.01% as a result of interest expense. |
4 |
As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective August 3, 2015, the ratio of expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class IS shares did not exceed 0.80%. In addition, total annual fund operating expenses for Class IS shares did not exceed total annual fund operating expenses for Class I shares. These expense limitation arrangements cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2016 without the Board of Trustees consent. |
5 |
Excludes securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind. |
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | 37 |
Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice
Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to the Legg Mason Funds
This Privacy and Security Notice (the Privacy Notice) addresses the Legg Mason Funds privacy and data protection practices with respect to nonpublic personal information the Funds receive. The Legg Mason Funds include any funds sold by the Funds distributor, Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds and certain closed-end funds managed or sub-advised by Legg Mason or its affiliates. The provisions of this Privacy Notice apply to your information both while you are a shareholder and after you are no longer invested with the Funds.
The Type of Nonpublic Personal Information the Funds Collect About You
The Funds collect and maintain nonpublic personal information about you in connection with your shareholder account. Such information may include, but is not limited to:
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Personal information included on applications or other forms; |
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Account balances, transactions, and mutual fund holdings and positions; |
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Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses; and |
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Information received from consumer reporting agencies regarding credit history and creditworthiness (such as the amount of an individuals total debt, payment history, etc.). |
How the Funds Use Nonpublic Personal Information About You
The Funds do not sell or share your nonpublic personal information with third parties or with affiliates for their marketing purposes, or with other financial institutions or affiliates for joint marketing purposes, unless you have authorized the Funds to do so. The Funds do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you except as may be required to perform transactions or services you have authorized or as permitted or required by law. The Funds may disclose information about you to:
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Employees, agents, and affiliates on a need to know basis to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business or comply with obligations to government regulators; |
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Service providers, including the Funds affiliates, who assist the Funds as part of the ordinary course of business (such as printing, mailing services, or processing or servicing your account with us) or otherwise perform services on the Funds behalf, including companies that may perform marketing services solely for the Funds; |
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The Funds representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors; and |
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Fiduciaries or representatives acting on your behalf, such as an IRA custodian or trustee of a grantor trust. |
Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, companies acting on the Funds behalf are contractually obligated to keep nonpublic personal information the Funds provide to them confidential and to use the information the Funds share only to provide the services the Funds ask them to perform.
The Funds may disclose nonpublic personal information about you when necessary to enforce their rights or protect against fraud, or as permitted or required by applicable law, such as in connection with a law enforcement or regulatory request, subpoena, or similar legal process. In the event of a corporate action or in the event a Fund service provider changes, the Funds may be required to disclose your nonpublic personal information to third parties. While it is the Funds practice to obtain protections for disclosed information in these types of transactions, the Funds cannot guarantee their privacy policy will remain unchanged.
Keeping You Informed of the Funds Privacy and Security Practices
The Funds will notify you annually of their privacy policy as required by federal law. While the Funds reserve the right to modify this policy at any time they will notify you promptly if this privacy policy changes.
The Funds Security Practices
The Funds maintain appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to guard your nonpublic personal information. The Funds internal data security policies restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to authorized employees, who may use your nonpublic personal information for Fund business purposes only.
Although the Funds strive to protect your nonpublic personal information, they cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you provide or transmit to them, and you do so at your own risk. In the event of a breach of the confidentiality or security of your nonpublic personal information, the Funds will attempt to notify you as necessary so you can take appropriate protective steps. If you have consented to the Funds using electronic communications or electronic delivery of statements, they may notify you under such circumstances using the most current email address you have on record with them.
In order for the Funds to provide effective service to you, keeping your account information accurate is very important. If you believe that your account information is incomplete, not accurate or not current, or if you have questions about the Funds privacy practices, write the Funds using the contact information on your account statements, email the Funds by clicking on the Contact Us section of the Funds website at www.leggmason.com, or contact the Funds at 1-877-721-1926.
THIS PAGE IS NOT PART OF THE PROSPECTUS |
ClearBridge
Aggressive Growth Fund
You may visit the funds website, http://www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors/prospectuses, for a free copy of a Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information (SAI) or an Annual or Semi-Annual Report.
Shareholder reports Additional information about the funds investments is available in the funds Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders. In the funds Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the funds performance during its last fiscal year. The independent registered public accounting firms report and financial statements in the funds Annual Report are incorporated by reference into (are legally a part of) this Prospectus.
The fund sends only one report to a household if more than one account has the same last name and same address. Contact your Service Agent or the fund if you do not want this policy to apply to you.
Statement of additional information The SAI provides more detailed information about the fund and is incorporated by reference into (is legally a part of) this Prospectus.
You can make inquiries about the fund or obtain shareholder reports or the SAI (without charge) by contacting your Service Agent, by calling the fund at 1-877-721-1926, or by writing to the fund at 100 First Stamford Place, Attn: Shareholder Services 5 th Floor, Stamford, Connecticut 06902.
Information about the fund (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commissions (the SEC) Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet site at http://www.sec.gov . Copies of this information may be obtained for a duplicating fee by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov , or by writing the SECs Public Reference Room, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.
If someone makes a statement about the fund that is not in this Prospectus, you should not rely upon that information. Neither the fund nor the distributor is offering to sell shares of the fund to any person to whom the fund may not lawfully sell its shares.
(Investment Company Act
file no. 811-06444)
FD01060ST 12/15
December 29, 2015
LEGG MASON PARTNERS EQUITY TRUST
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund
Class A (SHRAX), Class B (SAGBX), Class C (SAGCX), Class FI (LMPFX),
Class R (LMPRX), Class R1, Class I (SAGYX) and Class IS (LSIFX)
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10018
1-877-721-1926
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information (this SAI) is not a prospectus and is meant to be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus of ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund (the fund), dated December 29, 2015, as amended or supplemented from time to time, and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into the Prospectus.
The fund is a series of Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust (the Trust), a Maryland statutory trust. Prior to January 1, 2013, the fund was named Legg Mason ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund.
Additional information about the funds investments is available in the funds annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. The annual report contains financial statements that are incorporated herein by reference. The funds Prospectus and copies of the annual and semi-annual reports may be obtained free of charge by contacting banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, investment advisers, financial consultants or advisers, mutual fund supermarkets and other financial intermediaries that have entered into an agreement with the funds distributor to sell shares of the fund (each called a Service Agent), by writing the Trust at 100 First Stamford Place, Attn: Shareholder Services - 5th Floor, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, by calling the telephone number set forth above, by sending an e-mail request to prospectus@leggmason.com or by visiting the funds website at http://www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors. Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (LMIS or the distributor), a wholly-owned broker/dealer subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc. (Legg Mason), serves as the funds sole and exclusive distributor.
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Appendix A ClearBridge Investments, LLC Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures |
A-1 |
THIS SAI IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND IS AUTHORIZED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ONLY IF PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY AN EFFECTIVE PROSPECTUS.
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations not contained in the Prospectus or this SAI in connection with the offerings made by the Prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the fund or its distributor. The Prospectus and this SAI do not constitute offerings by the fund or by the distributor in any jurisdiction in which such offerings may not lawfully be made.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND MANAGEMENT POLICIES
The fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) as an open-end, diversified management investment company.
The funds Prospectus discusses the funds investment objective and policies. The following discussion supplements the description of the funds investment policies in its Prospectus.
Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
The fund seeks capital appreciation.
The fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies the portfolio managers believe are experiencing, or will experience, growth in earnings exceeding the average rate of earnings growth of the companies which comprise the S&P 500 Index. The fund may invest in the securities of large, well-known companies offering prospects of long-term earnings growth. However, because higher earnings growth rates are often achieved by small to medium capitalization companies, a significant portion of the funds assets may be invested in the securities of such companies. The fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets (at the time of investment) in foreign securities.
There is no guarantee that the fund will achieve its investment objective.
INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND RISK FACTORS
The funds principal investment strategies are described above. The following provides additional information about these principal strategies and describes other investment strategies and practices that may be used by the fund, which all involve risks of varying degrees.
Certain Risk Considerations. Securities of the kinds of companies in which the fund invests may be subject to significant price fluctuation and above-average risk. In addition, companies achieving an earnings growth rate higher than that of S&P 500 companies tend to reinvest their earnings rather than distribute them. As a result, the fund is not likely to receive significant dividend income on its portfolio securities. Accordingly, an investment in the fund should not be considered as a complete investment program and may not be appropriate for all investors.
Common Stocks. The fund may purchase common stocks. Common stocks are shares of a corporation or other entity that entitle the holder to a pro rata share of the profits of the corporation, if any, without preference over any other shareholder or class of shareholders, including holders of the entitys preferred stock and other senior equity. Common stock usually carries with it the right to vote and frequently an exclusive right to do so.
Convertible Securities. The fund may invest in convertible securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion or exchange, convertible securities ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower than the yield of nonconvertible debt. Convertible securities are usually subordinated to comparable-tier nonconvertible securities but rank senior to common stock in a corporations capital structure.
The value of a convertible security is a function of (1) its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege and (2) its worth, at market
1
value, if converted or exchanged into the underlying common stock. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible securitys governing instrument, which may be less than the ultimate conversion or exchange value.
Convertible securities are subject both to the stock market risk associated with equity securities and to the credit and interest rate risks associated with fixed income securities. As the market price of the equity security underlying a convertible security falls, the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its yield and other fixed income characteristics. As the market price of such equity security rises, the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its equity conversion features.
Smaller Market Capitalization Companies. The fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in securities of small to medium capitalization companies when the subadviser believes those companies offer more attractive investment opportunities. Investments in securities of companies with small and medium market capitalizations are generally considered to offer greater opportunity for appreciation but involve special risks. The securities of those companies may be subject to more abrupt fluctuations in market price than larger, more established companies. Small and medium capitalization companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or they may be dependent upon a limited management group. In addition to exhibiting greater volatility, small and medium capitalization company stocks may, to a degree, fluctuate independently of larger company stocks, i.e., small and medium capitalization company stocks may decline in price as the prices of large company stocks rise or vice versa.
It is anticipated that some of the portfolio securities of the fund may not be widely traded and that the funds position in such securities may be substantial in relation to the market for such securities. Accordingly, it may be difficult for the fund to dispose of such securities at prevailing market prices in order to meet redemptions. In addition, transaction costs in smaller capitalization stocks may be higher than in those of larger capitalization companies.
Warrants. The fund may invest in warrants. The funds investment in warrants will not entitle it to receive dividends or exercise voting rights and will become worthless if the warrants cannot be profitably exercised before the expiration dates.
Preferred Stock. The fund may purchase preferred stock. Preferred stock pays dividends at a specified rate and generally has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of the issuers assets, but is junior to the debt securities of the issuer in those same respects. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, dividends on preferred stock are generally payable at the discretion of the issuers board of directors. Holders of preferred stock may suffer a loss of value if dividends are not paid. The market prices of preferred stocks are subject to changes in interest rates and are more sensitive to changes in the issuers creditworthiness than are the prices of debt securities. Generally, under normal circumstances, preferred stock does not carry voting rights.
Foreign Securities. The fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets (at the time of investment) in foreign securities. The fund may invest directly in foreign issuers or invest in depositary receipts.
Economic, Political and Social Factors. Certain non-U.S. countries, including emerging markets, may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social instability. Such instability may result from, among other things: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved economic, political and social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; and (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection and conflict. Such economic, political and social instability could significantly disrupt the financial markets in such countries and the ability of the issuers in such countries to repay their obligations. In addition, it may be difficult for the fund to pursue claims against a foreign issuer in the courts of a foreign country. Investing in emerging countries also involves the risk of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or
2
the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. In the event of such expropriation, nationalization or other confiscation in any emerging country, the fund could lose its entire investment in that country. Certain emerging market countries restrict or control foreign investment in their securities markets to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit the funds investment in those markets and may increase the expenses of the fund. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from certain markets in the region is subject to restrictions such as the need for certain governmental consents. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the funds operation. Economies in individual non-U.S. countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation, currency valuation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments positions. Many non-U.S. countries have experienced substantial, and in some cases extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging countries. Economies in emerging countries generally are dependent heavily upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These economies also have been, and may continue to be, affected adversely and significantly by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade. Whether or not the fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to countries experiencing economic, financial and other difficulties, the value and liquidity of the funds investments may be negatively affected by the conditions in the countries experiencing the difficulties.
The returns of the fund may be adversely affected by fluctuations in value of one or more currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. Investing in the securities of foreign companies involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These include risks resulting from revaluation of currencies; future adverse political and economic developments; possible imposition of currency exchange blockages or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions; reduced availability of public information concerning issuers; differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards; generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions; possible expropriation, nationalization or confiscatory taxation; possible withholding taxes and limitations on the use or removal of funds or other assets, including the withholding of dividends; adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations; political instability, which could affect U.S. investments in foreign countries; and potential restrictions on the flow of international capital. Additionally, foreign securities often trade with less frequency and volume than domestic securities and, therefore, may exhibit greater price volatility and be less liquid. Foreign securities may not be registered with, nor the issuers thereof be subject to the reporting requirements of, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information about the securities and about the foreign company issuing them than is available about a U.S. company and its securities. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payment positions. These risks are intensified when investing in countries with developing economies and securities markets, also known as emerging markets.
The costs associated with investment in the securities of foreign issuers, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions and custodial fees, may be higher than those associated with investment in domestic issuers. In addition, foreign investment transactions may be subject to difficulties associated with the settlement of such transactions. Transactions in securities of foreign issuers may be subject to less efficient settlement practices, including extended clearance and settlement periods. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when assets of the fund are uninvested and no return can be earned on them. The inability of the fund to make intended investments due to settlement problems could cause the fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. The inability to dispose of a portfolio security due to settlement problems could result in losses to the fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio security or, if the fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in liability to the purchaser.
3
Since the fund may invest in securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, it may be affected favorably or unfavorably by exchange control regulations or changes in the exchange rates between such currencies and the U.S. dollar. Changes in currency exchange rates may influence the value of the funds shares and may also affect the value of dividends and interest earned by the fund and gains and losses realized by the fund. Exchange rates are determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets. These forces are affected by the international balance of payments, other economic and financial conditions, government intervention, speculation and other factors.
Generally, American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), in registered form, are denominated in U.S. dollars and are designed for use in the domestic market. Usually issued by a U.S. bank or trust company, ADRs are receipts that demonstrate ownership of underlying foreign securities. For purposes of the funds investment policies and limitations, ADRs are considered to have the same characteristics as the securities underlying them. ADRs may be sponsored or unsponsored; issuers of securities underlying unsponsored ADRs are not contractually obligated to disclose material information in the United States. Accordingly, there may be less information available about such issuers than there is with respect to domestic companies and issuers of securities underlying sponsored ADRs. The fund may also invest in Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs), European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and other similar instruments, which are receipts that are often denominated in U.S. dollars and are issued by either a U.S. or non-U.S. bank evidencing ownership of underlying foreign securities. Even where they are denominated in U.S. dollars, depositary receipts are subject to currency risk if the underlying security is denominated in a foreign currency. EDRs are issued in bearer form and are designed for use in European securities markets. GDRs are tradable both in the United States and Europe and are designed for use throughout the world.
Securities of Emerging Markets Issuers. Investors are strongly advised to consider carefully the special risks involved in emerging markets, which are in addition to the usual risks of investing in developed foreign markets around the world.
The risks of investing in securities in emerging countries include: (i) less social, political and economic stability; (ii) the smaller size of the markets for such securities and lower volume of trading, which result in a lack of liquidity and in greater price volatility; (iii) certain national policies that may restrict the funds investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests; (iv) foreign taxation; and (v) the absence of developed structures governing private or foreign investment or allowing for judicial redress for injury to private property.
Investors should note that upon the accession to power of authoritarian regimes, the governments of a number of emerging market countries previously expropriated large quantities of real and personal property similar to the property which may be represented by the securities purchased by the fund. The claims of property owners against those governments were never finally settled. There can be no assurance that any property represented by securities purchased by the fund will not also be expropriated, nationalized, or otherwise confiscated at some time in the future. If such confiscation were to occur, the fund could lose a substantial portion or all of its investments in such countries. The funds investments would similarly be adversely affected by exchange control regulation in any of those countries.
Certain countries in which the fund may invest may have vocal minorities that advocate radical religious or revolutionary philosophies or support ethnic independence. Any disturbance on the part of such individuals could carry the potential for widespread destruction or confiscation of property owned by individuals and entities foreign to such country and could cause the loss of the funds investment in those countries.
Settlement mechanisms in emerging market securities may be less efficient and reliable than in more developed markets. In such emerging securities markets there may be delays and failures in share registration and delivery.
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Investing in emerging markets involves risks relating to potential political and economic instability within such markets and the risks of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property, the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and the repatriation of capital invested.
Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging markets. Economies in emerging markets generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by economic conditions, trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade.
While some emerging market countries have sought to develop a number of corrective mechanisms to reduce inflation or mitigate its effects, inflation may continue to have significant effects both on emerging market economies and their securities markets. In addition, many of the currencies of emerging market countries have experienced steady devaluations relative to the U.S. dollar and major devaluations have occurred in certain countries.
Because of the high levels of foreign-denominated debt owed by many emerging market countries, fluctuating exchange rates can significantly affect the debt service obligations of those countries. This could, in turn, affect local interest rates, profit margins and exports, which are a major source of foreign exchange earnings.
To the extent an emerging market country faces a liquidity crisis with respect to its foreign exchange reserves, it may increase restrictions on the outflow of any foreign exchange. Repatriation is ultimately dependent on the ability of the fund to liquidate its investments and convert the local currency proceeds obtained from such liquidation into U.S. dollars. Where this conversion must be done through official channels (usually the central bank or certain authorized commercial banks), the ability to obtain U.S. dollars is dependent on the availability of such U.S. dollars through those channels and, if available, upon the willingness of those channels to allocate those U.S. dollars to the fund. The funds ability to obtain U.S. dollars may be adversely affected by any increased restrictions imposed on the outflow of foreign exchange. If the fund is unable to repatriate any amounts due to exchange controls, it may be required to accept an obligation payable at some future date by the central bank or other governmental entity of the jurisdiction involved. If such conversion can legally be done outside official channels, either directly or indirectly, the funds ability to obtain U.S. dollars may not be affected as much by any increased restrictions except to the extent of the price which may be required to be paid for in U.S. dollars.
Many emerging market countries have little experience with the corporate form of business organization and may not have well-developed corporation and business laws or concepts of fiduciary duty in the business context.
The securities markets of emerging markets are substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the securities markets of the United States and other more developed countries. Disclosure and regulatory standards in many respects are less stringent than in the United States and other major markets. There also may be a lower level of monitoring and regulation of emerging markets and the activities of investors in such markets; enforcement of existing regulations has been extremely limited. Investing in the securities of companies in emerging markets may entail special risks relating to the potential political and economic instability and the risks of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investment, convertibility of currencies into U.S. dollars and on repatriation of capital invested. In the event of such expropriation, nationalization or other confiscation by any country, the fund could lose its entire investment in any such country.
Some emerging markets have different settlement and clearance procedures. In certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. The inability of the fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement problems could cause the fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement problems could result either in losses to the fund due to subsequent declines in the value of the portfolio security or, if the fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, in possible liability to the purchaser.
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The risk also exists that an emergency situation may arise in one or more emerging markets as a result of which trading of securities may cease or may be substantially curtailed and prices for the funds portfolio securities in such markets may not be readily available. Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act permits a registered investment company to suspend redemption of its shares for any period during which an emergency exists, as determined by the SEC. Accordingly, if the fund believes that appropriate circumstances warrant, it will promptly apply to the SEC for a determination that an emergency exists within the meaning of Section 22(a) of the 1940 Act. During the period commencing from the funds identification of such conditions until the date of SEC action, the portfolio securities in the affected markets will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees (the Board).
Although it might be theoretically possible to hedge for anticipated income and gains, the ongoing and indeterminate nature of the risks associated with emerging market investing (and the costs associated with hedging transactions) makes it very difficult to hedge effectively against such risks.
EuropeRecent Events. A number of countries in Europe have experienced severe economic and financial difficulties. Many non-governmental issuers, and even certain governments, have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts; many other issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations; financial institutions have in many cases required government or central bank support, have needed to raise capital, and/or have been impaired in their ability to extend credit; and financial markets in Europe and elsewhere have experienced extreme volatility and declines in asset values and liquidity. These difficulties may continue, worsen or spread within and without Europe. Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro, the common currency of the European Union, and/or withdraw from the European Union. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far-reaching. Whether or not the fund invests in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries, these events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the funds investments.
Derivatives.
General. The fund may utilize options, futures contracts (sometimes referred to as futures), options on futures contracts and other derivative instruments (collectively, Financial Instruments). The fund may use Financial Instruments as a hedging technique in an attempt to manage risk in the funds portfolio, as a substitute for buying or selling securities (including to attempt to mitigate risk of loss in some fashion, or hedge) and as a cash flow management technique. Except as otherwise provided in the Prospectus, this SAI or by applicable law, the fund may purchase and sell any type of Financial Instrument. The fund may choose not to make use of derivatives for a variety of reasons, and no assurance can be given that any derivatives strategy employed will be successful.
The U.S. government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of derivatives may make them more costly, may limit their availability, may disrupt markets or may otherwise adversely affect their value or performance.
The use of Financial Instruments may be limited by applicable law and any applicable regulations of the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC), or the exchanges on which some Financial Instruments may be traded. (Note, however, that some Financial Instruments that the fund may use may not be listed on any exchange and may not be regulated by the SEC or the CFTC.) In addition, the funds ability to use Financial Instruments may be limited by tax considerations.
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In addition to the instruments and strategies discussed in this section, the subadviser may discover additional opportunities in connection with Financial Instruments and other similar or related techniques. These opportunities may become available as the subadviser develops new techniques, as regulatory authorities broaden the range of permitted transactions and as new Financial Instruments or other techniques are developed. The subadviser may utilize these opportunities and techniques to the extent that they are consistent with the funds investment objective and permitted by its investment limitations and applicable regulatory authorities. These opportunities and techniques may involve risks different from or in addition to those summarized herein.
This discussion is not intended to limit the funds investment flexibility, unless such a limitation is expressly stated, and therefore will be construed by the fund as broadly as possible. Statements concerning what the fund may do are not intended to limit any other activity. Also, as with any investment or investment technique, even when the Prospectus or this discussion indicates that the fund may engage in an activity, it may not actually do so for a variety of reasons, including cost considerations.
Each Financial Instrument purchased for the fund is reviewed and analyzed by the subadviser to assess the risk and reward of each such instrument in relation to the funds investment strategy. The decision to invest in derivative instruments or conventional securities is made by measuring the respective instruments ability to provide value to the fund.
Hedging strategies can be broadly categorized as short hedges and long hedges. A short hedge is a purchase or sale of a Financial Instrument intended partially or fully to offset potential declines in the value of one or more investments held in the funds portfolio. In a short hedge, the fund takes a position in a Financial Instrument whose price is expected to move in the opposite direction of the price of the investment being hedged.
Conversely, a long hedge is a purchase or sale of a Financial Instrument intended partially or fully to offset potential increases in the acquisition cost of one or more investments that the fund intends to acquire. In a long hedge, the fund takes a position in a Financial Instrument whose price is expected to move in the same direction as the price of the prospective investment being hedged. A long hedge is sometimes referred to as an anticipatory hedge. In an anticipatory hedge transaction, the fund does not own a corresponding security and, therefore, the transaction does not relate to a security the fund owns. Rather, it relates to a security that the fund intends to acquire. If the fund does not complete the hedge by purchasing the security as anticipated, the effect on the funds portfolio is the same as if the transaction were entered into for speculative purposes.
Financial Instruments on securities may be used to attempt to hedge against price movements in one or more particular securities positions that the fund owns or intends to acquire. Financial Instruments on indexes, in contrast, may be used to attempt to hedge against price movements in market sectors in which the fund has invested or expects to invest. Financial Instruments on debt securities may be used to hedge either individual securities or broad debt market sectors.
Summary of Certain Risks. The use of Financial Instruments involves special considerations and risks, certain of which are summarized below, and may result in losses to the fund. In general, the use of Financial Instruments may increase the volatility of the fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risk or exposure assumed. Even a small investment in derivatives may magnify or otherwise increase investment losses to the fund. As noted above, there can be no assurance that any derivatives strategy will succeed.
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Financial Instruments are subject to the risk that the market value of the derivative itself or the market value of underlying instruments will change in a way adverse to the funds interest. Many Financial Instruments are complex, and successful use of them depends in part upon the subadvisers ability to forecast correctly future market trends and other financial or economic factors or the value of the underlying security, index, interest rate, currency or other instrument or measure. Even if the subadvisers forecasts are correct, other factors may cause distortions or dislocations in the markets that result in unsuccessful transactions. Financial Instruments may behave in unexpected ways, especially in abnormal or volatile market conditions. |
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The fund may be required to maintain assets as cover, maintain segregated accounts, post collateral or make margin payments when it takes positions in Financial Instruments. Assets that are segregated or used as cover, margin or collateral may be required to be in the form of cash or liquid securities, and typically may not be sold while the position in the Financial Instrument is open unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets. If markets move against the funds position, the fund may be required to maintain or post additional assets and may have to dispose of existing investments to obtain assets acceptable as collateral or margin. This may prevent it from pursuing its investment objective. Assets that are segregated or used as cover, margin or collateral typically are invested, and these investments are subject to risk and may result in losses to the fund. These losses may be substantial, and may be in addition to losses incurred by using the Financial Instrument in question. If the fund is unable to close out its positions, it may be required to continue to maintain such assets or accounts or make such payments until the positions expire or mature, and the fund will continue to be subject to investment risk on the assets. In addition, the fund may not be able to recover the full amount of its margin from an intermediary if that intermediary were to experience financial difficulty. Segregation, cover, margin and collateral requirements may impair the funds ability to sell a portfolio security or make an investment at a time when it would otherwise be favorable to do so, or require the fund to sell a portfolio security or close out a derivatives position at a disadvantageous time or price. |
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The funds ability to close out or unwind a position in a Financial Instrument prior to expiration or maturity depends on the existence of a liquid market or, in the absence of such a market, the ability and willingness of the other party to the transaction (the counterparty) to enter into a transaction closing out the position. If there is no market or the fund is not successful in its negotiations, the fund may not be able to sell or unwind the derivative position at a particular time or at an anticipated price. This may also be the case if the counterparty to the Financial Instrument becomes insolvent. The fund may be required to make delivery of portfolio securities or other assets underlying a Financial Instrument in order to close out a position or to sell portfolio securities or assets at a disadvantageous time or price in order to obtain cash to close out the position. While the position remains open, the fund continues to be subject to investment risk on the Financial Instrument. The fund may or may not be able to take other actions or enter into other transactions, including hedging transactions, to limit or reduce its exposure to the Financial Instrument. |
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Certain Financial Instruments transactions may have a leveraging effect on the fund, and adverse changes in the value of the underlying security, index, interest rate, currency or other instrument or measure can result in losses substantially greater than the amount invested in the Financial Instrument itself. When the fund engages in transactions that have a leveraging effect, the value of the fund is likely to be more volatile and all other risks also are likely to be compounded. This is because leverage generally magnifies the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of an asset and creates investment risk with respect to a larger pool of assets than the fund would otherwise have. Certain Financial Instruments have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. |
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Many Financial Instruments may be difficult to value, which may result in increased payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to the fund. |
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Liquidity risk exists when a particular Financial Instrument is difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, the fund may be unable to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price. Certain Financial Instruments, including certain over-the-counter (OTC) options and swaps, may be considered illiquid and therefore subject to the funds limitation on illiquid investments. |
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In a hedging transaction there may be imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between the identity, price or price movements of a Financial Instrument and the identity, price or price movements of the investments being hedged. This lack of correlation may cause the hedge to be unsuccessful and may result in the fund incurring substantial losses and/or not achieving anticipated gains. Even if the strategy works as intended, the fund might have been in a better position had it not attempted to hedge at all. |
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Financial Instruments used for non-hedging purposes may result in losses which would not be offset by increases in the value of portfolio holdings or declines in the cost of securities or other assets to be acquired. In the event that the fund uses a Financial Instrument as an alternative to purchasing or selling other investments or in order to obtain desired exposure to an index or market, the fund will be exposed to the same risks as are incurred in purchasing or selling the other investments directly, as well as the risks of the transaction itself. |
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Certain Financial Instruments involve the risk of loss resulting from the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty or the failure by the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the contract. In the event of default by a counterparty, the fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction, which may be limited by applicable law in the case of the counterpartys bankruptcy. |
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Financial Instruments involve operational risk. There may be incomplete or erroneous documentation or inadequate collateral or margin, or transactions may fail to settle. For Financial Instruments not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, the fund may have only contractual remedies in the event of a counterparty default, and there may be delays, costs or disagreements as to the meaning of contractual terms and litigation in enforcing those remedies. |
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Certain Financial Instruments transactions, including certain options, are entered into directly by the counterparties or through financial institutions acting as market makers (OTC derivatives), rather than being traded on exchanges or in markets registered with the CFTC or the SEC. Many of the protections afforded to exchange participants will not be available to participants in OTC derivatives transactions. For example, OTC derivatives transactions are not subject to the guarantee of an exchange, and only OTC derivatives that either are required to be cleared or submitted voluntarily for clearing to a clearinghouse will enjoy the protections that central clearing provides against default by the original counterparty to the trade. In an OTC derivatives transaction that is not cleared, the fund bears the risk of default by its counterparty. In a cleared derivatives transaction, the fund is instead exposed to the risk of default of the clearinghouse and the risk of default of the broker through which it has entered into the transaction. Information available on counterparty creditworthiness may be incomplete or outdated, thus reducing the ability to anticipate counterparty defaults. |
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Financial Instruments transactions conducted outside the United States may not be conducted in the same manner as those entered into on U.S. exchanges, and may be subject to different margin, exercise, settlement or expiration procedures. Many of the risks of OTC derivatives transactions are also applicable to Financial Instruments used outside the United States. Financial Instruments used outside the United States also are subject to the risks affecting foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. |
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Use of Financial Instruments involves transaction costs, which may be significant. Use of Financial Instruments also may increase the amount of taxable income to shareholders. |
The funds ability to close out a position in a Financial Instrument prior to expiration or maturity depends on the existence of a liquid secondary market or, in the absence of such a market, the ability and willingness of the counterparty to enter into a transaction closing out the position. Therefore, there is no assurance that any position can be closed out at a time and price that is favorable to the fund.
Selling Call and Put Options. The principal reason for selling options is to obtain, through receipt of premiums, a greater current return than would be realized on the underlying securities alone. The funds current return can be expected to fluctuate because premiums earned from writing options and dividend or interest income yields on portfolio securities vary as economic and market conditions change. Writing options on portfolio securities also results in a higher portfolio turnover. The purchaser of a call option pays a premium to the writer ( i.e., the seller) for the right to buy the underlying security from the writer at a specified price during a certain period. The fund may sell call options only on a covered basis. A call option is covered if the fund owns or has the right to acquire the underlying securities subject to the call option at all times during the option period.
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The purchaser of a put option pays a premium to the seller ( i.e., the writer) for the right to sell the underlying security to the writer at a specified price during a certain period. The fund sells put options only on a covered basis, which means that, at all times during the option period, the fund would maintain in a segregated account with its custodian cash, cash equivalents or liquid securities in an amount of not less than the exercise price of the option or would hold a put on the same underlying security at an equal or greater exercise price. The fund generally would sell put options when the subadviser wishes to purchase the underlying security for the fund at a price lower than the current market price of the security.
In order to terminate its position as writer of a call or put option, the fund may enter into a closing purchase transaction, which is the purchase of a call (put) on the same underlying security having the same exercise price and expiration date as the call (put) previously sold by the fund. The fund would realize a gain (loss) if the premium plus commission paid in the closing purchase transaction is less (greater) than the premium it received on the sale of the option. The fund would also realize a gain if an option it has sold lapses unexercised. The fund may sell options that are listed on an exchange as well as options that are traded over-the-counter. The fund may close out its position as writer of an option only if a liquid secondary market exists for options of that series, but there is no assurance that such a market will exist, particularly in the case of over-the-counter options, since they can be closed out only with the other party to the transaction. Alternatively, the fund may purchase an offsetting option, which does not close out its position as a writer but provides an asset of equal value to its obligation under the option sold. If the fund is not able to enter into a closing purchase transaction or to purchase an offsetting option with respect to an option it has sold, it will be required to maintain the securities subject to the call or the collateral securing the put until a closing purchase transaction can be entered into (or the option is exercised or expires) even though it might not be advantageous to do so.
By selling a call option, the fund loses the potential for gain on the underlying security above the exercise price while the option is outstanding; by writing a put option, the fund might become obligated to purchase the underlying security at an exercise price that exceeds the then current market price.
Each of the U.S. exchanges has established limitations governing the maximum number of call or put options on the same underlying security (whether or not covered) that may be written by a single investor, whether acting alone or in concert with others, regardless of whether such options are written on one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of those limits, and it may impose other sanctions or restrictions. These position limits may restrict the number of options the fund may be able to write.
Purchasing Put Options. The fund may purchase put options to protect ( i.e., hedge) against anticipated declines in the market value of either specific portfolio securities or of the funds assets generally. As the holder of a put option, the fund has the right to sell the underlying security at the exercise price at any time during the option period. The fund may enter into closing sale transactions with respect to such options, exercise them or permit them to expire.
The fund may purchase a put option on an underlying security or currency (a protective put) owned by the fund as a hedging technique in order to protect against an anticipated decline in the value of the security. Such hedge protection is provided only during the life of the put option when the fund, as the holder of the put option, is able to sell the underlying security at the put exercise price regardless of any decline in the underlying securitys market price. The premium paid for the put option and any transaction costs may reduce any capital gain.
The fund may also purchase put options at a time when the fund does not own the underlying security. By purchasing put options on a security it does not own, the fund seeks to benefit from a decline in the market price of the underlying security. If the put option is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security remains equal to or greater than the exercise price during the life of the put option, the fund will lose its entire investment in the put option. In order for the purchase of a put option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs, unless the put option is sold in a closing sale transaction.
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The premium paid by the fund when purchasing a put option will be recorded as an asset in the funds statement of assets and liabilities. This asset will be adjusted daily to the options current market value, as calculated by the fund. The asset will be extinguished upon expiration of the option or the delivery of the underlying security upon the exercise of the option. The asset with respect to a listed option will also be extinguished upon the writing of an identical option in a closing transaction. The fund may purchase either listed or OTC options.
Purchasing Call Options. The fund may purchase call options to protect (i.e., hedge) against anticipated increases in the prices of the securities it wishes to acquire. As the holder of a call option, the fund has the right to purchase the underlying security at the exercise price at any time during the option period. The fund may enter into closing sale transactions with respect to such options, exercise them or permit them to expire. Call options may be purchased by the fund for the purpose of acquiring the underlying security for its portfolio. Utilized in this fashion, the purchase of call options enables the fund to acquire the security at the exercise price of the call option plus the premium paid. At times the net cost of acquiring the security in this manner may be less than the cost of acquiring the security directly. This technique may also be useful to the fund in purchasing a large block of securities that would be more difficult to acquire by direct market purchases. So long as it holds such a call option rather than the underlying security itself, the fund is partially protected from any unexpected decline in the market price of the underlying security and in such event could allow the call option to expire, incurring a loss only to the extent of the premium paid for the option. The fund may also purchase call options on underlying securities it owns in order to protect unrealized gains on call options previously written by it. Call options may also be purchased at times to avoid realizing losses that would result in a reduction of the funds current return. The fund may purchase either listed or OTC options.
Stock Index Options. The fund may purchase and write put and call options on U.S. stock indexes listed on U.S. exchanges for the purpose of hedging its portfolio holdings. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the stocks included in the index. Some stock index options are based on a broad market index such as the NYSE Composite Index or the Canadian Market Portfolio Index, or a narrower market or industry index such as the S&P 100 Index, the NYSE Arca Oil Index or the NYSE Arca Computer Technology Index.
Options on stock indexes are generally similar to options on stock except for the delivery requirements. Instead of giving the right to take or make delivery of stock at a specified price, an option on a stock index gives the holder the right to receive a cash exercise settlement amount equal to (a) the amount, if any, by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds (in the case of a put) or is less than (in the case of a call) the closing value of the underlying index on the date of exercise, multiplied by (b) a fixed index multiplier. Receipt of this cash amount will depend upon the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based being greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. The amount of cash received will be equal to such difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars or a foreign currency, as the case may be, times a specified multiple. The writer of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The writer may offset its position in stock index options prior to expiration by entering into a closing transaction on an exchange or it may let the option expire unexercised.
The effectiveness of purchasing or writing stock index options as a hedging technique will depend upon the extent to which price movements in the portion of the securities portfolio of the fund being hedged correlate with price movements of the stock index selected. Because the value of an index option depends upon movements in the level of the index rather than the price of a particular stock, whether the fund will realize a gain or loss from the purchase or writing of options on an index depends upon movements in the level of stock prices in the stock market generally or, in the case of certain indexes, in an industry or market segment, rather than movements in the price of a particular stock. Accordingly, successful use by the fund of options on stock indexes will be subject to the subadvisers ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the stock market generally or of a particular industry. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the price of individual stocks.
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The fund will engage in stock index options transactions only when determined by the subadviser to be consistent with the funds efforts to control risk. There can be no assurance that such judgment will be accurate or that the use of these portfolio strategies will be successful. When the fund writes an option on a stock index, the fund will establish a segregated account with its custodian in an amount equal to the market value of the option and will maintain the account while the option is open.
A position in an exchange-listed option may be closed out only on an exchange that provides a secondary market for identical options. The ability to establish and close out positions on the exchanges is subject to maintenance of a liquid secondary market. Closing transactions may be effected with respect to options traded in the OTC markets only by negotiating directly with the other party to the option contract or in a secondary market for the option if such market exists. Although the fund intends to purchase only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option at any specific time. In such event, it may not be possible to effect closing transactions with respect to certain options, with the result that the fund would have to exercise those options which it has purchased in order to realize any profit. The staff of the SEC has taken the position that, in general, purchased OTC options and the underlying securities used to cover written OTC options are illiquid securities. However, the fund may treat as liquid the underlying securities used to cover written OTC options, provided it has arrangements with certain qualified dealers who agree that the fund may repurchase any option it writes for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In these cases, the OTC option itself would only be considered illiquid to the extent that the maximum repurchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option.
Stock Index and Interest Rate Futures Contracts. The fund may enter into stock index or interest rate futures contracts.
A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument for a specified price at a designated date, time and place. The purchaser of a futures contract on an index agrees to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between a specified dollar multiple of the value of the index on the expiration date of the contract (current contract value) and the price at which the contract was originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities underlying the index is made. Brokerage fees are incurred when a futures contract is bought or sold, and margin deposits must be maintained at all times that the futures contract is outstanding.
The purpose of entering into a futures contract is to protect the fund from fluctuations in the value of securities without actually buying or selling the securities. For example, in the case of stock index futures contracts, if the fund anticipates an increase in the price of stocks that it intends to purchase at a later time, the fund could enter into contracts to purchase the stock index (known as taking a long position) as a temporary substitute for the purchase of stocks. If an increase in the market occurs that influences the stock index as anticipated, the value of the futures contracts increases and thereby serves as a hedge against the funds not participating in a market advance. The fund then may close out the futures contracts by entering into offsetting futures contracts to sell the stock index (known as taking a short position) as it purchases individual stocks.
Although techniques other than sales and purchases of futures contracts could be used to reduce the funds exposure to market value and interest rate fluctuations, the fund may be able to hedge its exposure more effectively and at a lower cost through using futures contracts.
Although futures contracts typically require future delivery of and payment for financial instruments, futures contracts are usually closed out before the delivery date. Closing out an open futures contract sale or purchase is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract purchase or sale, respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical financial instrument and the same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the fund realizes a gain; if it is more, the fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the fund realizes a loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that
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the fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If the fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits of the underlying financial instrument on the relevant delivery date. The fund intends to enter into futures transactions only on exchanges or boards of trade where there appears to be a liquid secondary market. However, there can be no assurance that such a market will exist for a particular contract at a particular time.
As an example of an offsetting transaction, the contractual obligations arising from the sale of one futures contract of September Treasury Bills on an exchange may be fulfilled at any time before delivery under the futures contract is required ( i.e. , on a specific date in September, the delivery month) by the purchase of another futures contract of September Treasury Bills on the same exchange. In such instance the difference between the price at which the futures contract was sold and the price paid for the offsetting purchase, after allowance for transaction costs, represents the profit or loss to the fund.
Persons who trade in futures contracts may be broadly classified as hedgers and speculators. Hedgers, whose business activity involves investment or other commitment in securities or other obligations, use the futures markets to offset unfavorable changes in value that may occur because of fluctuations in the value of the securities and obligations held or committed to be acquired by them. Debtors and other obligors may also hedge the interest cost of their obligations. The speculator, like the hedger, generally expects neither to deliver nor to receive the financial instrument underlying the futures contract, but, unlike the hedger, hopes to profit from fluctuations in prevailing interest rates.
The fund may enter into futures transactions for traditional hedging purposes; that is, futures contracts will be sold to protect against a decline in the price of securities or currencies that the fund owns, or futures contracts will be purchased to protect the fund against an increase in the price of securities it has committed to purchase or expects to purchase. The fund may also enter into futures transactions as a substitute for buying or selling securities or as a cash flow management technique.
No consideration will be paid or received by the fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the fund will be required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents equal to approximately 2% to 10% of the contract amount (this amount is subject to change by the exchange or board of trade on which the contract is traded and brokers or members of such board of trade may charge a higher amount). This amount is known as initial margin and is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract, which is returned to the fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, known as variation margin, to and from the broker, will be made daily as the price of the index or securities underlying the futures contract fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking-to-market. In addition, when the fund enters into a long position in a futures contract or an option on a futures contract, it must maintain an amount of cash or cash equivalents equal to the total market value of the underlying futures contract, less amounts held in the funds commodity brokerage account at its broker. At any time prior to the expiration of a futures contract, the fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, which will operate to terminate the funds existing position in the contract.
Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into (or through a linked exchange) and no secondary market exists for those contracts. In addition, although the fund intends to enter into futures contracts only if there is an active market for the contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time. Most futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit. It is possible that futures contract prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and subjecting some futures traders to substantial losses. In such event, and in the event of adverse price movements, the fund would be required to
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make daily cash payments of variation margin; in such circumstances, an increase in the value of the portion of the portfolio being hedged, if any, may partially or completely offset losses on the futures contract. As described above, however, no assurance can be given that the price of the securities being hedged will correlate with the price movements in a futures contract and thus provide an offset to losses on the futures contract.
Commodity Exchange Act Regulation. The fund is operated by persons who have claimed an exclusion, granted to operators of registered investment companies like the fund, from registration as a commodity pool operator with respect to the fund under the Commodity Exchange Act (the CEA), and, therefore, are not subject to registration or regulation with respect to the fund under the CEA. As a result, the fund is limited in its ability to trade instruments subject to the CFTCs jurisdiction, including commodity futures (which include futures on broad-based securities indexes, interest rate futures and currency futures), options on commodity futures, certain swaps or other investments (whether directly or indirectly through investments in other investment vehicles).
Under this exclusion, the fund must satisfy one of the following two trading limitations whenever it enters into a new commodity trading position: (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the funds positions in CFTC-regulated instruments may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the funds portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the funds portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). The fund would not be required to consider its exposure to such instruments if they were held for bona fide hedging purposes, as such term is defined in the rules of the CFTC. In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, the fund may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the markets for CFTC-regulated instruments.
If the funds operators were to lose their ability to claim this exclusion with respect to the fund, such persons would be required to comply with certain CFTC rules regarding commodity pools that could impose additional regulatory requirements, compliance obligations and expenses for the fund.
Single Stock Futures. The fund may trade standardized futures contracts on individual equity securities, such as common stocks, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and ADRs, as well as narrow-based securities indexes, generally called security futures contracts or SFCs, on U.S. and foreign exchanges. As with other futures contracts, an SFC involves an agreement to purchase or sell in the future a specific quantity of shares of a security or the component securities of the index. The initial margin requirements (typically 20%) are generally higher than with other futures contracts. Trading SFCs involves many of the same risks as trading other futures contracts, including the risks involved with leverage, and losses are potentially unlimited. Under certain market conditions, for example if trading is halted due to unusual trading activity in either the SFC or the underlying security, it may be difficult or impossible for the fund to liquidate its position or manage risk by entering into an offsetting position. In addition, the prices of SFCs may not correlate as anticipated with the prices of the underlying security. Unlike options on securities in which the fund may invest, where the fund has the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a security prior to the expiration date, if the fund has a position in an SFC, the fund has both the right and the obligation to buy or sell the security at a future date, or otherwise offset its position.
Options on Futures Contracts. The fund may purchase and sell options on futures contracts that are traded on an exchange. Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities except that options on futures contracts give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), rather than to purchase or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writers futures margin account, which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than
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(in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. If an option is exercised on the last trading day prior to the expiration date of the option, the settlement will be made entirely in cash equal to the difference between the exercise price of the option and the closing level of the securities or currencies upon which the futures contracts are based on the expiration date. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.
The fund may purchase put options on futures contracts in lieu of, and for the same purposes as, the sale of a futures contract. The purchase of call options on futures is intended to serve the same purpose as the actual purpose of the futures contract. As an alternative to purchasing call and put options on futures, the fund may purchase call and put options on the underlying securities themselves (see Purchasing Put Options and Purchasing Call Options above). Such options would be used in a manner identical to the use of options on futures contracts.
To reduce or eliminate the leverage then employed by the fund or to reduce or eliminate the hedge position then currently held by the fund, the fund may seek to close out an option position by selling an option covering the same securities and having the same exercise price and expiration date. The ability to establish and close out positions on options on futures contracts is subject to the existence of a liquid market. It is not certain that this market will exist at any specific time.
Special Risks of Using Futures Contracts. The prices of futures contracts are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in stock market prices or interest rates, which in turn are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and national and international political and economic events. At best, the correlation between changes in prices of futures contracts and of the securities being hedged can be only approximate. The degree of imperfection of correlation depends upon circumstances such as: variations in speculative market demand for futures and for equity securities or debt securities, including technical influences in futures trading; and differences between the financial instruments being hedged and the instruments underlying the standard futures contracts available for trading, with respect to market values, interest rate levels, maturities and creditworthiness of issuers. A decision of whether, when, and how to hedge involves skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived hedge may be unsuccessful to some degree because of unexpected market behavior or interest rate trends.
Because of the low margin deposits required, futures trading involves an extremely high degree of leverage. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss, as well as gain, to the investor.
Furthermore, in the case of a futures contract purchase, in order to be certain that the fund has sufficient assets to satisfy its obligations under a futures contract, the fund segregates and commits to back the futures contract with an amount of cash and liquid securities from the fund equal in value to the current value of the underlying instrument less the margin deposit.
Most U.S. futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous days settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of futures contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during a particular trading day, and therefore, does not limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and subjecting some futures traders to substantial losses.
Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts. Use of many hedging and other strategic transactions including market index transactions by the fund will require, among other things, that the fund segregate cash, liquid securities or other assets with its custodian, or a designated sub-custodian, to the extent the funds obligations are not otherwise covered through ownership of the underlying security or financial instrument. In
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general, either the full amount of any obligation by the fund to pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by the securities or instruments required to be delivered, or, subject to any regulatory restrictions, appropriate securities as required by the 1940 Act at least equal to the current amount of the obligation must be segregated with the custodian or sub-custodian. The segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. A call option on securities written by the fund, for example, will require the fund to hold the securities subject to the call (or securities convertible into the needed securities without additional consideration) or to segregate liquid securities sufficient to purchase and deliver the securities if the call is exercised. A call option written by the fund on an index will require the fund to own portfolio securities that correlate with the index or to segregate liquid securities equal to the excess of the index value over the exercise price on a current basis. A put option on securities written by the fund will require the fund to segregate liquid securities equal to the exercise price.
OTC options entered into by the fund, including those on securities, financial instruments or indexes, and Options Clearing Corporation (OCC)-issued and exchange-listed index options will generally provide for cash settlement, although the fund may not be required to do so. As a result, when the fund sells these instruments it will segregate an amount of assets equal to its obligations under the options. OCC-issued and exchange-listed options sold by the fund other than those described above generally settle with physical delivery, and the fund will segregate an amount of assets equal to the full value of the option. OTC options settling with physical delivery or with an election of either physical delivery or cash settlement will be treated the same as other options settling with physical delivery. If the fund enters into OTC options transactions, it will be subject to counterparty risk.
In the case of a futures contract or an option on a futures contract, the fund must deposit initial margin and, in some instances, daily variation margin, typically with third parties such as a clearing organization, in addition to segregating assets with its custodian sufficient to meet its obligations to purchase or provide securities, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration of an index-based futures contract. These assets may consist of cash, cash equivalents, liquid securities or other acceptable assets.
Hedging and other strategic transactions may be covered by means other than those described above when consistent with applicable regulatory policies. The fund may also enter into offsetting transactions so that its combined position, coupled with any segregated assets, equals its net outstanding obligation in related options and hedging and other strategic transactions. The fund could purchase a put option, for example, if the strike price of that option is the same or higher than the strike price of a put option sold by the fund. Moreover, instead of segregating assets if it holds a futures contract or forward contract, the fund could purchase a put option on the same futures contract or forward contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held. Other hedging and other strategic transactions may also be offset in combinations. If the offsetting transaction terminates at the time of or after the primary transaction, no segregation is required, but if it terminates prior to that time, assets equal to any remaining obligation would need to be segregated.
Investment in Other Investment Companies. The fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies, which can include open-end funds, closed-end funds and unregistered investment companies, subject to the limits set forth in the 1940 Act that apply to these types of investments. Investments in other investment companies are subject to the risks of the securities in which those investment companies invest. In addition, to the extent the fund invests in securities of other investment companies, fund shareholders would indirectly pay a portion of the operating costs of such companies in addition to the expenses of the funds own operation. These costs include management, brokerage, shareholder servicing and other operational expenses.
The fund may invest in shares of ETFs, which are mutual funds or unit investment trusts that are traded on a stock exchange. Typically an ETF seeks to track the performance of an index, such as the S&P 500 Index, the NASDAQ-100 Index, the Barclays Treasury Bond Index or more narrow sector or foreign indexes, by holding in its portfolio either the same securities that comprise the index or a representative sample of the index. Investing in an ETF will give the fund exposure to the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based.
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Unlike shares of typical mutual funds or unit investment trusts, shares of ETFs are designed to be traded throughout the trading day, bought and sold based on market prices rather than net asset value (NAV). Shares can trade at either a premium or discount to NAV. However, the portfolios held by index-based ETFs are publicly disclosed on each trading day and an approximation of actual NAV is disseminated throughout the trading day. Because of this transparency, the trading prices of index-based ETFs tend to closely track the actual NAV of the underlying portfolios and the fund will generally gain or lose value depending on the performance of the index. However, gains or losses on the funds investment in ETFs will ultimately depend on the purchase and sale price of the ETF. In the future, as new products become available, the fund may invest in ETFs that are actively managed. Actively managed ETFs will likely not have the transparency of index-based ETFs and, therefore, may be more likely to trade at a larger discount or premium to actual NAVs.
The fund may invest in closed-end funds, which hold securities of U.S. and/or non-U.S. issuers. Because shares of closed-end funds trade on an exchange, investments in closed-end funds may entail the additional risk that the discount from NAV could increase while the fund holds the shares.
Repurchase Agreements. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, the fund would acquire one or more underlying debt obligations, frequently obligations issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, for a relatively short period (typically overnight, although the term of an agreement may be many months), subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the fund to resell, the obligation at an agreed-upon time and price. The repurchase price is typically greater than the purchase price paid by the fund, thereby determining the funds yield. A repurchase agreement is similar to, and may be treated as, a secured loan, where the fund loans cash to the counterparty and the loan is secured by the purchased securities as collateral. All repurchase agreements entered into by the fund are required to be collateralized so that at all times during the term of a repurchase agreement, the value of the underlying securities is at least equal to the amount of the repurchase price. Also, the fund or its custodian is required to have control of the collateral, which the subadviser or Western Asset Management Company (Western Asset), as applicable, believes will give the fund a valid, perfected security interest in the collateral.
Repurchase agreements could involve certain risks in the event of default or insolvency of the other party, including possible delays or restrictions upon the funds ability to dispose of the underlying securities, the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period in which the fund seeks to assert its right to them, the risk of incurring expenses associated with asserting those rights and the risk of losing all or part of the income from the agreement. If the fund enters into a repurchase agreement involving securities the fund could not purchase directly, and the counterparty defaults, the fund may become the holder of securities that it could not purchase. These repurchase agreements may be subject to greater risks. In addition, these repurchase agreements may be more likely to have a term to maturity of longer than seven days.
Repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days are considered to be illiquid.
Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the fund, along with other affiliated entities managed by the manager, may transfer uninvested cash balances into one or more joint accounts for the purpose of entering into repurchase agreements secured by cash and U.S. government securities, subject to certain conditions.
Short Sales. A short sale is a transaction in which the fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market price of that security. To effect a short sale, the fund arranges through a broker to borrow the security it does not own to be delivered to a buyer of such security. In borrowing the security to be delivered to the buyer, the fund will become obligated to replace the security borrowed at its market price at the time of replacement, whatever that price may be. A short sale results in a gain when the price of the securities sold short declines between the date of the short sale and the date on which a security is purchased to replace the borrowed security. Conversely, a short sale will result in a loss if the price of the security sold short increases. Short selling is a technique that may be considered speculative and involves risk beyond the amount of money used to secure each transaction.
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When the fund makes a short sale, the broker effecting the short sale typically holds the proceeds as part of the collateral securing the funds obligation to cover the short position. The fund may use securities it owns to meet such collateral obligations. Generally, the fund may not keep, and must return to the lender, any dividends or interest that accrue on the borrowed security during the period of the loan. Depending on the arrangements with a broker or the custodian, the fund may or may not receive any payments (including interest) on collateral it designates as security for the broker. The fund may hold no more than 25% of the funds net assets (taken at the then-current market value) as required collateral for such sales at any one time.
In addition, until the fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, the fund, pursuant to the 1940 Act, will designate liquid assets it owns (other than short sale proceeds) as segregated assets in an amount equal to its obligation to purchase the securities sold short. The amount segregated in this manner will be increased or decreased each business day (called marking-to-market) in an amount equal to the changes in the market value of the funds obligation to purchase the security sold short. This may limit the funds investment flexibility as well as its ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
The fund will realize a gain if the price of a security declines between the date of the short sale and the date the fund purchases a security to replace the borrowed security. On the other hand, the fund will incur a loss if the price of the security increases between those dates. The amount of any gain will be decreased and the amount of any loss increased by any premium or interest that the fund may be required to pay in connection with a short sale. It should be noted that possible losses from short sales differ from those that could arise from a cash investment in a security in that losses from a short sale may be limitless, while the losses from a cash investment in a security cannot exceed the total amount of the investment in the security.
Short Sales Against the Box. The fund may sell securities short against the box. While a short sale is the sale of a security the fund does not own, it is against the box if at all times when the short position is open, the fund owns an equal amount of the securities or securities convertible into, or exchangeable without further consideration for, securities of the same issue as the securities sold short.
Investments by Other Funds and by Other Significant Investors. Certain investment companies, including those that are affiliated with the fund because they are managed by the manager or an affiliate of the manager, may invest in the fund and may at times have substantial investments in one or more funds. Other investors also may at times have substantial investments in one or more funds.
From time to time, the fund may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to transactions in fund shares by a fund or other significant investor. The effects of these transactions could adversely affect the funds performance. In the event of such redemptions or investments, the fund could be required to sell securities or to invest cash at a time when it is not advantageous to do so. Such transactions may increase brokerage and/or other transaction costs of the fund. A large redemption could cause the funds expenses to increase and could result in the fund becoming too small to be economically viable. Redemptions of fund shares could also accelerate the realization of taxable capital gains in the fund if sales of securities result in capital gains. The impact of these transactions is likely to be greater when a fund or other significant investor purchases, redeems, or owns a substantial portion of a funds shares.
The manager and the subadviser may be subject to potential conflicts of interest in connection with investments in the fund by an affiliated fund due to their affiliation. For example, the manager and the subadviser could have the incentive to permit an affiliated fund to become a more significant shareholder (with the potential to cause greater disruption) than would be permitted for an unaffiliated investor. Investments by an affiliated fund may also give rise to conflicts in connection with the voting of fund shares. The manager, the subadviser and/or its advisory affiliates intend to seek to address these potential conflicts of interest in the best interests of the funds shareholders, although there can be no assurance that such efforts will be successful. The manager and the subadviser will consider how to minimize potential adverse impacts of affiliated fund investments, and may take such actions as each deems appropriate to address potential adverse impacts, including redemption of shares in-kind, rather than in cash.
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Securities Lending. Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements, the fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations meeting capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the Board. The fund will not lend portfolio securities to affiliates of Legg Mason unless it has applied for and received specific authority to do so from the SEC. From time to time, the fund may pay to the borrower and/or a third party which is unaffiliated with the fund or Legg Mason and is acting as a finder a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral received for securities loaned. Although the borrower will generally be required to make payments to the fund in lieu of any dividends the fund would have otherwise received had it not loaned the shares to the borrower, such payments will not be treated as qualified dividend income for purposes of determining what portion of the funds regular dividends (as defined below) received by individuals may be taxed at the rates generally applicable to long-term capital gains (see Taxes below).
Requirements of the SEC, which may be subject to future modification, currently provide that the following conditions must be met whenever the fund lends its portfolio securities: (a) the fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral or equivalent securities from the borrower; (b) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (c) the fund must be able to terminate the loan at any time; (d) the fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities, and any increase in market value; (e) the fund may pay only reasonable custodian fees in connection with the loan; and (f) voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower. However, if a material event adversely affecting the investment in the loaned securities occurs, the fund must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities.
The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of secured credit, consist of possible delay in receiving additional collateral or in the recovery of the securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. The fund could also lose money if its short-term investment of the cash collateral declines in value over the period of the loan. Loans will be made to firms deemed by the subadviser to be of good standing and will not be made unless, in the judgment of the subadviser, the consideration to be earned from such loans would justify the risk.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities. Up to 15% of the net assets of the fund may be invested in illiquid securities. An illiquid security is any security which may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value at which the fund has valued the security. Illiquid securities may include (a) repurchase agreements with maturities greater than seven days; (b) futures contracts and options thereon for which a liquid secondary market does not exist; (c) time deposits (TDs) maturing in more than seven calendar days; (d) securities subject to contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that lack readily available markets; and (e) securities of new and early stage companies whose securities are not publicly traded.
Under SEC regulations, certain securities acquired through private placements can be traded freely among qualified purchasers. The SEC has stated that an investment companys board of directors, or its investment adviser acting under authority delegated by the board, may determine that a security eligible for trading under these regulations is liquid. The fund intends to rely on these regulations, to the extent appropriate, to deem specific securities acquired through private placements as liquid. The Board has delegated to the subadviser or Western Asset, as applicable, the responsibility for determining whether a particular security eligible for trading under these regulations is liquid. Investing in these restricted securities could have the effect of increasing the funds illiquidity if qualified purchasers become, for a time, uninterested in buying these securities.
Restricted securities are securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on their resale, such as private placements. Such restrictions might prevent the sale of restricted securities at a time when the sale would otherwise be desirable. Restricted securities may be sold only (1) pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) (such securities are referred to herein as Rule 144A securities), or another exemption; (2) in privately negotiated transactions; or (3) in public offerings with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A securities, although not registered in the United
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States, may be sold to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. As noted above, the subadviser or Western Asset, as applicable, acting pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, may determine that some Rule 144A securities are liquid for purposes of limitations on the amount of illiquid investments the fund may own. Where registration is required, the fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the fund is able to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the fund might obtain a less favorable price than expected when it decided to sell.
Illiquid securities may be difficult to value and the fund may have difficulty disposing of such securities promptly. Judgment plays a greater role in valuing illiquid investments than those securities for which a more active market exists. The fund does not consider non-U.S. securities to be restricted if they can be freely sold in the principal markets in which they are traded, even if they are not registered for sale in the United States.
Money Market Instruments. The fund may invest in money market funds managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Adviser, LLC (LMPFA) or its affiliates and money market funds managed by unaffiliated advisers.
Money market funds invest in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term debt securities and must follow strict rules as to the credit quality, liquidity, diversification and maturity of their investments. The fund may lose money on its investment in money market funds. If the fund invests in money market funds it will indirectly bear its proportionate share of the management fees and other expenses that are charged by the money market fund in addition to the management fees and other expenses paid by the fund. If the fund invests in money market funds that are managed by LMPFA or its affiliates, it is possible that a conflict of interest among the fund and the affiliated funds could affect how the funds manager and its affiliates fulfill their fiduciary duty to the fund and the affiliated funds.
The fund may invest for defensive purposes in corporate and government bonds and notes and money market instruments. Money market instruments in which the fund may invest include: U.S. government securities; certificates of deposit (CDs), TDs and bankers acceptances issued by domestic banks (including their branches located outside the United States and subsidiaries located in Canada), domestic branches of foreign banks, savings and loan associations and similar institutions; high grade commercial paper; and repurchase agreements with respect to the foregoing types of instruments. The following is a more detailed description of such money market instruments.
CDs are short-term negotiable obligations of commercial banks. TDs are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers usually in connection with international transactions.
Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. A variable amount master demand note (which is a type of commercial paper) represents a direct borrowing arrangement involving periodically fluctuating rates of interest under a letter agreement between a commercial paper issuer and an institutional lender, such as the fund, pursuant to which the lender may determine to invest varying amounts. Transfer of such notes is usually restricted by the issuer and there is no secondary trading market for such notes. Recently enacted legislation will affect virtually every area of banking and financial regulation. The impact of the regulation is not yet known and may not be known for some time. In addition, new regulations to be promulgated pursuant to the legislation could adversely affect the funds investments in money market instruments.
Domestic commercial banks organized under federal law are supervised and examined by the Comptroller of the Currency (the COTC) and are required to be members of the Federal Reserve System and to be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the FDIC). Domestic banks organized under state law are supervised and examined by state banking authorities but are members of the Federal Reserve System only if they elect to join. Most state banks are insured by the FDIC (although such insurance may not be of material
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benefit to the fund, depending upon the principal amount of CDs of each bank held by the fund) and are subject to federal examination and to a substantial body of federal law and regulation. As a result of governmental regulations, domestic branches of domestic banks are, among other things, generally required to maintain specified levels of reserves, and are subject to other supervision and regulation.
Obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks, such as CDs and TDs, may be general obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and government regulation. Such obligations are subject to different risks than are those of domestic banks or domestic branches of foreign banks. These risks include foreign economic and political developments, foreign governmental restrictions that may adversely affect payment of principal and interest on the obligations, foreign exchange controls and foreign withholding and other taxes on interest income. Foreign branches of domestic banks are not necessarily subject to the same or similar regulatory requirements that apply to domestic banks, such as mandatory reserve requirements, loan limitations, and accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping requirements. In addition, less information may be publicly available about a foreign branch of a domestic bank than about a domestic bank.
Obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks may be general obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by governmental regulation as well as governmental action in the country in which the foreign bank has its head office. A domestic branch of a foreign bank with assets in excess of $1 billion may or may not be subject to reserve requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve System or by the state in which the branch is located if the branch is licensed in that state. In addition, branches licensed by the COTC and branches licensed by certain states (State Branches) may or may not be required to: (a) pledge to the regulator by depositing assets with a designated bank within the state, an amount of its assets equal to 5% of its total liabilities; and (b) maintain assets within the state in an amount equal to a specified percentage of the aggregate amount of liabilities of the foreign bank payable at or through all of its agencies or branches within the state. The deposits of State Branches may not necessarily be insured by the FDIC. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about a domestic branch of a foreign bank than about a domestic bank.
In view of the foregoing factors associated with the purchase of CDs and TDs issued by foreign branches of domestic banks or by domestic branches of foreign banks, the subadviser or Western Asset, as applicable, will carefully evaluate such investments on a case-by-case basis
Borrowing. The fund is authorized to borrow money in an amount up to 5% of its total assets for temporary or emergency purposes.
Cybersecurity Risk
With the increased use of technologies such as mobile devices and Web-based or cloud applications, and the dependence on the Internet and computer systems to conduct business, the fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. In general, cybersecurity incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events (arising from external or internal sources) that may cause the fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, physical damage to a computer or network system or lose operational capacity. Cybersecurity attacks include, but are not limited to, infection by malicious software, such as malware or computer viruses or gaining unauthorized access to digital systems, networks or devices that are used to service the funds operations (e.g., through hacking, phishing or malicious software coding) or other means for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cybersecurity attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on the funds websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). In addition, authorized persons could inadvertently or intentionally release confidential or proprietary information stored on the funds systems.
Cybersecurity incidents affecting the funds manager, subadvisers, other service providers to the fund or its shareholders (including, but not limited to, fund accountants, custodians, sub-custodians, transfer agents and
21
financial intermediaries) have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses to both the fund and shareholder, interference with the funds ability to calculate its NAV, impediments to trading, the inability of fund shareholders to transact business and the fund to process transactions (including fulfillment of fund share purchases and redemptions), violations of applicable privacy and other laws (including the release of private shareholder information) and attendant breach notification and credit monitoring costs, regulatory fines, penalties, litigation costs, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, forensic investigation and remediation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity incidents affecting issuers of securities in which the fund invests, counterparties with which the fund engages in transactions, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies and other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and other service providers ) and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to safeguard against and reduce the risk of any cybersecurity incidents in the future. In addition to administrative, technological and procedural safeguards, the funds manager and subadvisers have established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent or reduce the impact of, such cybersecurity incidents. However, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified, as well as the rapid development of new threats. Furthermore, the fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers or any other third parties whose operations may affect the fund or its shareholders. The fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.
Redemption Risk
The fund may experience periods of heavy redemptions that could cause the fund to liquidate its assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value, particularly during periods of declining or illiquid markets. Redemption risk is greater to the extent that the fund has investors with large shareholdings, short investment horizons, or unpredictable cash flow needs. In addition, redemption risk is heightened during periods of overall market turmoil. The redemption by one or more large shareholders of their holdings in the fund could hurt performance and/or cause the remaining shareholders in the fund to lose money. Further, if one decision maker has control of fund shares owned by separate fund shareholders, including clients or affiliates of the funds investment manager, redemptions by these shareholders may further increase the funds redemption risk. If the fund is forced to liquidate its assets under unfavorable conditions or at inopportune times, the value of your investment could decline.
The fund has adopted the fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies below for the protection of shareholders. Fundamental investment policies of the fund may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the fund, defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting power of the fund present at a shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the voting power of the fund are present in person or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the voting power of the fund. The Board may change non-fundamental investment policies at any time.
If any percentage restriction described below is complied with at the time of an investment, a later increase or decrease in the percentage resulting from a change in values or assets will not constitute a violation of such restriction, unless otherwise noted below.
Fundamental Investment Policies
The funds fundamental investment policies are as follows:
(1) The fund may not borrow money except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.
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(2) The fund may not engage in the business of underwriting the securities of other issuers except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.
(3) The fund may lend money or other assets to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.
(4) The fund may not issue senior securities except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.
(5) The fund may not purchase or sell real estate except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.
(6) The fund may purchase or sell commodities or contracts related to commodities to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.
(7) Except as permitted by exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, the fund may not make any investment if, as a result, the funds investments will be concentrated in any one industry.
With respect to the fundamental policy relating to borrowing money set forth in (1) above, the 1940 Act permits the fund to borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of the funds total assets from banks for any purpose, and to borrow up to 5% of the funds total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes. (The funds total assets include the amounts being borrowed.) To limit the risks attendant to borrowing, the 1940 Act requires the fund to maintain an asset coverage of at least 300% of the amount of its borrowings, provided that in the event that the funds asset coverage falls below 300%, the fund is required to reduce the amount of its borrowings so that it meets the 300% asset coverage threshold within three days (not including Sundays and holidays). Asset coverage means the ratio that the value of the funds total assets (including amounts borrowed), minus liabilities other than borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of all borrowings. Certain trading practices and investments, such as reverse repurchase agreements, may be considered to be borrowings and thus subject to the 1940 Act restrictions. Borrowing money to increase portfolio holdings is known as leveraging. Borrowing, especially when used for leverage, may cause the value of the funds shares to be more volatile than if the fund did not borrow. This is because borrowing tends to magnify the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the funds portfolio holdings. Borrowed money thus creates an opportunity for greater gains, but also greater losses. To repay borrowings, the fund may have to sell securities at a time and at a price that is unfavorable to the fund. There also are costs associated with borrowing money, and these costs would offset and could eliminate the funds net investment income in any given period. Currently, the fund does not contemplate borrowing money for leverage, but if the fund does so, it will not likely do so to a substantial degree. The policy in (1) above will be interpreted to permit the fund to engage in trading practices and investments that may be considered to be borrowing to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Short-term credits necessary for the settlement of securities transactions and arrangements with respect to securities lending will not be considered to be borrowings under the policy. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered to be borrowings are not subject to the policy.
With respect to the fundamental policy relating to underwriting set forth in (2) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit the fund from engaging in the underwriting business or from underwriting the securities of other issuers; in fact, the 1940 Act permits the fund to have underwriting commitments of up to 25% of its assets under certain circumstances. Those circumstances currently are that the amount of the funds underwriting commitments, when added to the value of the funds investments in issuers where the fund owns more than 10% of the outstanding
23
voting securities of those issuers, cannot exceed the 25% cap. A fund engaging in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of portfolio securities may be considered to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act. Under the 1933 Act, an underwriter may be liable for material omissions or misstatements in an issuers registration statement or prospectus. Securities purchased from an issuer and not registered for sale under the 1933 Act are considered restricted securities. There may be a limited market for these securities. If these securities are registered under the 1933 Act, they may then be eligible for sale but participating in the sale may subject the seller to underwriter liability. These risks could apply to a fund investing in restricted securities. Although it is not believed that the application of the 1933 Act provisions described above would cause the fund to be engaged in the business of underwriting, the policy in (2) above will be interpreted not to prevent the fund from engaging in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of portfolio securities, regardless of whether the fund may be considered to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act.
With respect to the fundamental policy relating to lending set forth in (3) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit the fund from making loans; however, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit funds from lending more than one-third of their total assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations or the use of repurchase agreements. (A repurchase agreement is an agreement to purchase a security, coupled with an agreement to sell that security back to the original seller on an agreed-upon date at a price that reflects current interest rates. The SEC frequently treats repurchase agreements as loans.) While lending securities may be a source of income to the fund, as with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the underlying securities should the borrower fail financially. However, loans would be made only when the funds subadviser believes the income justifies the attendant risks. The fund also will be permitted by this policy to make loans of money, including to other funds. The fund would have to obtain exemptive relief from the SEC to make loans to other funds. The policy in (3) above will be interpreted not to prevent the fund from purchasing or investing in debt obligations and loans. In addition, collateral arrangements with respect to options, forward currency and futures transactions and other derivative instruments, as well as delays in the settlement of securities transactions, will not be considered loans.
With respect to the fundamental policy relating to issuing senior securities set forth in (4) above, senior securities are defined as fund obligations that have a priority over the funds shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of fund assets. The 1940 Act prohibits the fund from issuing senior securities, except that the fund may borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of the funds total assets from banks for any purpose. The fund may also borrow up to 5% of the funds total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes, and these borrowings are not considered senior securities. The issuance of senior securities by the fund can increase the speculative character of the funds outstanding shares through leveraging. Leveraging of the funds portfolio through the issuance of senior securities magnifies the potential for gain or loss on monies, because even though the funds net assets remain the same, the total risk to investors is increased to the extent of the funds gross assets. The policy in (4) above will be interpreted not to prevent collateral arrangements with respect to swaps, options, forward or futures contracts or other derivatives, or the posting of initial or variation margin.
With respect to the fundamental policy relating to real estate set forth in (5) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit the fund from owning real estate; however, the fund is limited in the amount of illiquid assets it may purchase. Investing in real estate may involve risks, including that real estate is generally considered illiquid and may be difficult to value and sell. Owners of real estate may be subject to various liabilities, including environmental liabilities. To the extent that investments in real estate are considered illiquid, the current SEC staff position generally limits the funds purchases of illiquid securities to 15% of net assets. The policy in (5) above will be interpreted not to prevent the fund from investing in real estate-related companies, companies whose businesses consist in whole or in part of investing in real estate, instruments (like mortgages) that are secured by real estate or interests therein, or real estate investment trust securities.
With respect to the fundamental policy relating to commodities set forth in (6) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit the fund from owning commodities, whether physical commodities and contracts related to physical
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commodities (such as oil or grains and related futures contracts), or financial commodities and contracts related to financial commodities (such as currencies and, possibly, currency futures). However, the fund is limited in the amount of illiquid assets it may purchase. To the extent that investments in commodities are considered illiquid, the current SEC staff position generally limits the funds purchases of illiquid securities to 15% of net assets. If the fund were to invest in a physical commodity or a physical commodity-related instrument, the fund would be subject to the additional risks of the particular physical commodity and its related market. The value of commodities and commodity-related instruments may be extremely volatile and may be affected either directly or indirectly by a variety of factors. There may also be storage charges and risks of loss associated with physical commodities. The policy in (6) above will be interpreted to permit investments in exchange-traded funds that invest in physical and/or financial commodities.
With respect to the fundamental policy relating to concentration set forth in (7) above, the 1940 Act does not define what constitutes concentration in an industry. The SEC staff has taken the position that investment of 25% or more of a funds total assets in one or more issuers conducting their principal activities in the same industry or group of industries constitutes concentration. It is possible that interpretations of concentration could change in the future. A fund that invests a significant percentage of its total assets in a single industry may be particularly susceptible to adverse events affecting that industry and may be more risky than a fund that does not concentrate in an industry. The policy in (7) above will be interpreted to refer to concentration as that term may be interpreted from time to time. The policy also will be interpreted to permit investment without limit in the following: securities of the U.S. government and its agencies or instrumentalities; securities of state, territory, possession or municipal governments and their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions; securities of foreign governments; and repurchase agreements collateralized by any such obligations. Accordingly, issuers of the foregoing securities will not be considered to be members of any industry. There also will be no limit on investment in issuers domiciled in a single jurisdiction or country. The policy also will be interpreted to give broad authority to the fund as to how to classify issuers within or among industries.
The funds fundamental policies will be interpreted broadly. For example, the policies will be interpreted to refer to the 1940 Act and the related rules as they are in effect from time to time, and to interpretations and modifications of or relating to the 1940 Act by the SEC and others as they are given from time to time. When a policy provides that an investment practice may be conducted as permitted by the 1940 Act, the policy will be interpreted to mean either that the 1940 Act expressly permits the practice or that the 1940 Act does not prohibit the practice.
Non-Fundamental Investment Policies
The funds non-fundamental investment policies are as follows:
1. The fund may not invest in other registered open-end management investment companies and registered unit investment trusts in reliance upon the provisions of subparagraphs (G) or (F) of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. The foregoing investment policy does not restrict the fund from (i) acquiring securities of other registered investment companies in connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or acquisition of assets, or (ii) purchasing the securities of registered investment companies, to the extent otherwise permissible under Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act.
2. The fund may not purchase or otherwise acquire any security if, as a result, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are illiquid. The fund monitors the portion of the funds total assets that is invested in illiquid securities on an ongoing basis, not only at the time of investment in such securities.
Diversification
The fund is currently classified as a diversified fund under the 1940 Act. This means that the fund may not purchase securities of an issuer (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies
25
or instrumentalities) if, with respect to 75% of its total assets, (a) more than 5% of the funds total assets would be invested in securities of that issuer or (b) the fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer. With respect to the remaining 25% of its total assets, the fund can invest more than 5% of its assets in one issuer. Under the 1940 Act, the fund cannot change its classification from diversified to non-diversified without shareholder approval.
Portfolio Turnover
For reporting purposes, the funds portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the fund during the fiscal year. In determining such portfolio turnover, all securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less are excluded. A 100% portfolio turnover rate would occur, for example, if all of the securities in the funds investment portfolio (other than short-term money market securities) were replaced once during the fiscal year.
In the event that portfolio turnover increases, this increase necessarily results in correspondingly greater transaction costs which must be paid by the fund. To the extent the portfolio trading results in realization of net short-term capital gains, shareholders will be taxed on such gains at ordinary tax rates (except shareholders who invest through individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and other retirement plans which are not taxed currently on accumulations in their accounts).
Portfolio turnover will not be a limiting factor should the subadviser or Western Asset, as applicable, deem it advisable to purchase or sell securities.
For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014 and August 31, 2015, the funds portfolio turnover rates were as follows:
2014 (%) |
2015 (%) | |
5 |
3 |
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The business and affairs of the fund are conducted by management under the supervision and subject to the direction of its Board. The business address of each Trustee (including each Trustee of the fund who is not an interested person of the fund (an Independent Trustee) is c/o Jane Trust, Legg Mason, 100 International Drive, 11 th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. Information pertaining to the Trustees and officers of the fund is set forth below.
Name and Year of Birth |
Position(s)
with Trust |
Term of
Office* and Length of Time Served** |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Number of
Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee |
Other
Board
|
|||||
Independent Trustees#: |
||||||||||
Paul R. Ades Born 1940 |
Trustee | Since 1983 | Paul R. Ades, PLLC (law firm) (since 2000) | 40 | None | |||||
Andrew L. Breech Born 1952 |
Trustee | Since 1991 | President, Dealer Operating Control Service, Inc. (automotive retail management) (since 1985) | 40 | None | |||||
Dwight B. Crane Born 1937 |
Trustee | Since 1981 | Professor Emeritus, Harvard Business School (since 2007); formerly, Professor, Harvard Business School (1969 to 2007); Independent Consultant (since 1969) | 40 | None | |||||
Althea L. Duersten Born 1951 |
Trustee | Since 2014 | Retired (since 2011); formerly, Chief Investment Officer, North America, JP Morgan Chase (investment bank) and member of JP Morgan Executive Committee (2007 to 2011) | 40 | None | |||||
Frank G. Hubbard Born 1937 |
Trustee | Since 1993 | President, Avatar International Inc. (business development) (since 1998) | 40 | None | |||||
Howard J. Johnson Born 1938 |
Chairman
and Trustee |
From 1981
to 1998 and since 2000 (Chairman since 2013) |
Chief Executive Officer, Genesis Imaging LLC (technology company) (since 2003) | 40 | None | |||||
Jerome H. Miller Born 1938 |
Trustee | Since 1995 | Retired | 40 | None | |||||
Ken Miller Born 1942 |
Trustee | Since 1983 |
Retired; formerly, President, Young Stuff Apparel Group, Inc. (apparel manufacturer), division of Li & Fung (1963 to 2012) |
40 | None |
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# | Trustees who are not interested persons of the fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. |
* |
Each Trustee serves until his or her respective successor has been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal. |
** |
Indicates the earliest year in which the Trustee became a board member for a fund in the Legg Mason fund complex. |
| Effective June 1, 2015, Ms. Trust became a Trustee. Ms. Trust is an interested person of the fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, because of her position with LMPFA and/or certain of its affiliates. |
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Name, Year of Birth and Address |
Position(s) with Trust |
Term of Office* and Length of Time Served** |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
|||
Additional Officers: | ||||||
Ted P. Becker Born 1951 Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue 49 th Floor New York, NY 10018 |
Chief Compliance Officer | Since 2007 | Director of Global Compliance at Legg Mason (since 2006); Chief Compliance Officer of LMPFA (since 2006); Managing Director of Compliance of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) | |||
Susan Kerr Born 1949 Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue 49 th Floor New York, NY 10018 |
Chief Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Since 2013 | Assistant Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. and LMIS (since 2010); Chief Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2013) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of LMIS (since 2012); Senior Compliance Officer of LMIS (since 2011); formerly, AML Consultant, DTCC (2010); formerly, AML Consultant, Rabobank Netherlands (2009); formerly, First Vice President, Director of Marketing & Advertising Compliance and Manager of Communications Review Group at Citigroup Inc. (1996 to 2008) | |||
Jenna Bailey Born 1978 Legg Mason 100 First Stamford Place 6 th Floor Stamford, CT 06902 |
Identity Theft Prevention Officer |
Since 2015 | Identity Theft Prevention Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2015); Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2013); Associate Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (2011 to 2013); Assistant Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2011); formerly, Risk Manager of U.S. Distribution of Legg Mason & Co. (2007 to 2011) | |||
Robert I. Frenkel Born 1954 Legg Mason 100 First Stamford Place 6 th Floor Stamford, CT 06902 |
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer |
Since 2007 | Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason (since 2006); Managing Director and General Counsel of U.S. Mutual Funds for Legg Mason & Co. (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (since 1994); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006) | |||
Thomas C. Mandia Born 1962 Legg Mason 100 First Stamford Place 6 th Floor Stamford, CT 06902 |
Assistant Secretary | Since 2007 | Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005); Secretary of LMPFA (since 2006); Assistant Secretary of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors |
29
Name, Year of Birth and Address |
Position(s) with Trust |
Term of Office* and Length of Time Served** |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
|||
(prior to 2006); Secretary of LM Asset Services, LLC (LMAS) (since 2002) and Legg Mason Fund Asset Management, Inc. (LMFAM) (formerly registered investment advisers) (since 2013) | ||||||
Richard F. Sennett Born 1970 Legg Mason 100 International Drive 7 th Floor Baltimore, MD 21202 |
Principal Financial Officer | Since 2011 | Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2011 and since 2013); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. and Senior Manager of the Treasury Policy group for Legg Mason & Co.s Global Fiduciary Platform (since 2011); formerly, Chief Accountant within the SECs Division of Investment Management (2007 to 2011); formerly, Assistant Chief Accountant within the SECs Division of Investment Management (2002 to 2007) | |||
Christopher Berarducci Born 1974 Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue 49 th Floor New York, NY 10018 |
Treasurer | Since 2014 | Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2015); Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2010); formerly, Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (2011 to 2015); formerly, Assistant Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (prior to 2010) | |||
Jeanne M. Kelly Born 1951 Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue 49 th Floor New York, NY 10018 |
Senior Vice President | Since 2007 | Senior Vice President of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2007); Senior Vice President of LMPFA (since 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMAS and LMFAM (since 2015); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005); formerly, Senior Vice President of LMFAM (2013 to 2015) |
* |
Each officer serves until his or her respective successor has been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal. |
** | Indicates the earliest year in which the officer took such office for a fund in the Legg Mason fund complex. |
Each of the Trustees, except for Ms. Trust and Ms. Duersten, previously served as a trustee or director of certain predecessor funds in the Legg Mason-sponsored fund complex, and each Trustee, except for Ms. Trust and Ms. Duersten, was thus initially selected by the board of the predecessor fund. In connection with a restructuring of the fund complex completed in 2007, the Board was established to oversee mutual funds in the fund complex that invest primarily in equity securities, including the fund, with a view to ensuring continuity of representation by board members of predecessor funds on the Board and in order to establish a Board with experience in and focused on overseeing equity mutual funds, which experience would be further developed and enhanced over time.
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The Independent Trustees were selected to join the Board based upon the following as to each Trustee: character and integrity; service as a board member of predecessor funds (except Ms. Trust and Ms. Duersten); willingness to serve and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Trustee; the fact that service as a Trustee would be consistent with the requirements of the Trusts retirement policies and the Trustees status as not being an interested person of the fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. Ms. Trust was selected to join the Board based upon her investment management and risk oversight experience as an executive and portfolio manager and leadership roles with Legg Mason and affiliated entities. The Board also considered her character and integrity, her willingness to serve and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Trustee, the fact that service as a Trustee would be consistent with requirements of the Trusts retirement policies, and her status as a representative of Legg Mason.
Independent Trustees constitute more than 75% of the Board. Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman of the Board and is an Independent Trustee. Ms. Trust is an interested person of the fund.
The Board believes that each Trustees experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that the Board possesses the requisite attributes and skills. The Board believes that the Trustees ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the manager, the subadviser and Western Asset, other service providers, counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties support this conclusion. In addition, the following specific experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills apply to each Trustee.
Each Trustee, except for Ms. Trust and Ms. Duersten, has served as a board member of the fund and other funds (or predecessor funds) in the fund complex for at least eight years. Mr. Ades has substantial experience practicing law and advising clients with respect to various business transactions. Mr. Breech has substantial experience as the chief executive of a private corporation. Mr. Crane has substantial experience as an economist, academic and business consultant. Ms. Duersten has substantial experience as a global investment and trading manager in capital markets across multiple asset classes, including as the chief investment officer for the North American region of a major investment bank and service on its executive committee. Mr. Hubbard has substantial experience in business development and was a senior executive of an operating company. Mr. Johnson has substantial experience as the chief executive of an operating company and in the financial services industry, including as an actuary and pension consultant. Mr. Jerome Miller had substantial experience as an executive in the asset management group of a major broker/dealer. Mr. Ken Miller has substantial experience as a senior executive of an operating company. Mr. Murphy has substantial experience in the asset management business and has current and prior service on the boards of other mutual funds and corporations. Mr. Schlafly has substantial experience practicing law and also serves as the president of a private corporation and as director of a bank. Ms. Trust has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Trust and other funds in the fund complex since 2015 and has investment management and risk oversight experience as an executive and portfolio manager and in leadership roles with Legg Mason and affiliated entities. References to the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board.
The Board has five standing Committees: the Audit Committee, the Contract Committee, the Performance Committee, the Governance Committee, and the Compensation and Nominating Committee (which is a sub-committee of the Governance Committee). Each Committee is chaired by an Independent Trustee. The Audit Committee and the Governance Committee are composed of all of the Independent Trustees. The Contract Committee is composed of three Independent Trustees. The Performance Committee is composed of four Independent Trustees and the Chairman of the Board. The Compensation and Nominating Committee is composed of two Independent Trustees. Where deemed appropriate, the Board may constitute ad hoc committees.
The Chairman of the Board and the chairs of the Audit and Performance Committees work with the Chief Executive Officer of the Trust to set the agendas for Board and committee meetings. The Chairman of the Board also serves as a key point person for interaction between management and the other Independent Trustees. Through
31
the committees the Independent Trustees consider and address important matters involving the fund, including those presenting conflicts or potential conflicts of interest for management. The Independent Trustees also regularly meet outside the presence of management and are advised by independent legal counsel. The Board has determined that its committees help ensure that the fund has effective and independent governance and oversight. The Board also has determined that its leadership structure, in which the Chairman of the Board is not affiliated with Legg Mason, is appropriate. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information between the Independent Trustees and management, including the funds subadviser and Western Asset.
The Audit Committee oversees the scope of the funds audit, the funds accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and its internal controls. The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the integrity of the funds accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices, the qualifications and independence of the funds independent registered public accounting firm and the funds compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee approves, and recommends to the Board for ratification, the selection, appointment, retention or termination of the funds independent registered public accounting firm and approves the compensation of the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided to the fund by the independent registered public accounting firm and all permissible non-audit services provided by the funds independent registered public accounting firm to its manager and any affiliated service providers if the engagement relates directly to the funds operations and financial reporting.
The Contract Committee is charged with assisting the Board in requesting and evaluating such information from the manager, the subadviser and Western Asset as may reasonably be necessary to evaluate the terms of the funds investment management agreement, subadvisory arrangements and distribution arrangements.
The Performance Committee is charged with assisting the Board in carrying out its oversight responsibilities over the fund and fund management with respect to investment management, objectives, strategies, policies and procedures, performance and performance benchmarks, and the applicable risk management process.
The Governance Committee is charged with overseeing Board governance and related Trustee practices, including selecting and nominating persons for election or appointment by the Board as Trustees of the Trust. The Governance Committee has formed the Compensation and Nominating Committee, the function of which is to recommend to the Board the appropriate compensation for serving as a Trustee on the Board. In addition, the Compensation and Nominating Committee is responsible for, among other things, selecting and recommending candidates to fill vacancies on the Board. The Committee may consider nominees recommended by a shareholder. In evaluating potential nominees, including any nominees recommended by shareholders, the Committee takes into consideration various factors, including, among any others it may deem relevant, character and integrity, business and professional experience, and whether the committee believes the person has the ability to apply sound and independent business judgment and would act in the interest of the fund and its shareholders. Shareholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send recommendations to the Trusts Secretary that include all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of Trustees. A recommendation must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board and to serve if elected by the shareholders.
Service providers to the fund, primarily the funds manager, the subadviser and Western Asset and, as appropriate, their affiliates, have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the fund, which includes responsibility for risk management. As an integral part of its responsibility for oversight of the fund, the Board oversees risk management of the funds investment program and business affairs. Oversight of the risk management process is part of the Boards general oversight of the fund and its service providers. The Board has emphasized to the funds manager, the subadviser and Western Asset the importance of maintaining vigorous risk management. The Board exercises oversight of the risk management process primarily through the Audit Committee and the Performance Committee, and through oversight by the Board itself.
32
The fund is subject to a number of risks, including investment risk, counterparty risk, valuation risk, reputational risk, risk of operational failure or lack of business continuity, and legal, compliance and regulatory risk. Risk management seeks to identify and address risks, i.e. , events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the fund. The funds manager, the subadviser and Western Asset, the affiliates of the manager, the subadviser and Western Asset, or various service providers to the fund employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various of those possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Various personnel, including the funds and the managers Chief Compliance Officer and the managers chief risk officer, as well as personnel of the subadviser and Western Asset and other service providers, such as the funds independent registered public accounting firm, make periodic reports to the Audit Committee, the Performance Committee or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management, as well as events and circumstances that have arisen and responses thereto. The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the fund can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the funds goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Trustees as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Boards risk management oversight is subject to inherent limitations.
The Board met 8 times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. The Audit Committee, the Contract Committee, the Performance Committee, the Governance Committee and the Compensation and Nominating Committee met 4, 1, 4, 4 and 1 time(s), respectively, during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.
The following table shows the amount of equity securities owned by the Trustees in the fund and other investment companies in the fund complex overseen by the Trustees as of December 31, 2014, except as noted below.
Name of Trustee |
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in the Fund ($) |
Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities In Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee ($) |
||
Independent Trustees |
||||
Paul R. Ades |
Over 100,000 | Over 100,000 | ||
Andrew L. Breech |
Over 100,000 | Over 100,000 | ||
Dwight B. Crane |
50,001-100,000 | Over 100,000 | ||
Althea L. Duersten |
None | Over 100,000 | ||
Frank G. Hubbard |
over $100,000 | Over 100,000 | ||
Howard J. Johnson |
10,001-50,000 | Over 100,000 | ||
Jerome H. Miller |
Over 100,000 | Over 100,000 | ||
Ken Miller |
Over 100,000 | Over 100,000 | ||
John J. Murphy |
Over 100,000 | Over 100,000 | ||
Thomas F. Schlafly |
None | Over 100,000 | ||
Interested Trustee |
||||
Jane Trust* |
None | Over 100,000 |
* | Information is provided as of November 27, 2015. |
As of December 31, 2014, none of the Independent Trustees or their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any securities of the manager, the subadviser, Western Asset or the distributor of the fund, or of a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the manager, the subadviser, Western Asset or the distributor of the fund.
For serving as a trustee of the fund and other funds in the Fund Complex, each Independent Trustee receives an annual retainer plus fees for attending each regularly scheduled meeting and special Board meeting they attend in
33
person or by telephone. They are also reimbursed for all out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at such meetings. Those Independent Trustees who serve in leadership positions of the Board or Board committees, and members of the Contract Committee, the Performance Committee, and the Compensation and Nominating Committee, receive additional compensation. The Board reviews the level of trustee compensation periodically and trustee compensation may change from time to time. Ms. Trust, an interested person of the fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, does not receive compensation from the fund for her service as Trustee. The fund pays its pro rata share of the Trustees fees and expenses based upon asset size.
Officers of the Trust receive no compensation from the fund.
Information regarding compensation paid to the Trustees is shown below.
Name of Trustee |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Fund (2) ($) |
Total Pension
or Retirement Benefits Paid as Part of Fund Expenses (4) ($) |
Total
Compensation from Fund Complex Paid to Trustee (3) ($) |
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee (2) |
||||||||||
Independent Trustees |
||||||||||||||
Paul R. Ades |
91,241 | None | 302,000 | 52 | ||||||||||
Andrew L. Breech |
93,332 | None | 307,000 | 52 | ||||||||||
Dwight B. Crane |
95,776 | None | 317,000 | 52 | ||||||||||
Althea Duersten |
91,121 | None | 213,500 | 52 | ||||||||||
Frank G. Hubbard |
88,974 | None | 294,500 | 52 | ||||||||||
Howard J. Johnson |
101,822 | None | 337,000 | 52 | ||||||||||
Jerome H. Miller |
91,871 | None | 263,500 | 52 | ||||||||||
Ken Miller |
89,680 | None | 303,500 | 52 | ||||||||||
John J. Murphy |
88,218 | None | 292,000 | 52 | ||||||||||
Thomas F. Schlafly |
88,218 | None | 292,000 | 52 | ||||||||||
Interested Trustee: |
||||||||||||||
Jane Trust (1) |
None | None | N/A | 147 |
(1) | Ms. Trust is not compensated for her services as a Trustee because of her affiliations with the manager. |
(2) | Information is for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. |
(3) | Information is for the calendar year ended December 31, 2014. |
(4) | Pursuant to prior retirement plans, the fund made payments of $103 to former Trustees for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. |
As of November 28, 2015, the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the fund.
To the knowledge of the fund, as of November 30, 2015, the following shareholders owned or held of record 5% or more, as indicated, of the outstanding shares of the following classes of the fund:
Class |
Name and Address |
Percent of Ownership (%) | ||
A |
BNY MELLON INVESTMENT SERVICING (US) INC FBO PRIMERICA FINANCIAL SERVICES 760 MOORE RD KING OF PRUSSIA PA 19406-1212 |
36.03 | ||
A |
MORGAN STANLEY & CO INC ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS OPERATIONS HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER PLAZA TWO 2ND FLOOR JERSEY CITY NJ 07311 |
20.03 |
34
Class |
Name and Address |
Percent of Ownership (%) | ||
A |
PERSHING LLC 1 PERSHING PLZ JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0001 |
5.40 | ||
A |
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC 707 2ND AVE S MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405 |
5.31 | ||
B |
BNY MELLON INVESTMENT SERVICING (US) INC FBO PRIMERICA FINANCIAL SERVICES 760 MOORE RD KING OF PRUSSIA PA 19406-1212 |
81.52 | ||
C |
MORGAN STANLEY & CO INC ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS OPERATIONS HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER PLAZA TWO 2ND FLOOR JERSEY CITY NJ 07311 |
45.92 | ||
C |
FIRST CLEARING, LLC 2801 MARKET STREET SAINT LOUIS, MO 63103 |
10.55 | ||
C |
RAYMOND JAMES OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS ATTN COURTNEY WALLER 880 CARILLON PKWY ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100 |
8.88 | ||
C |
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS ATTN: FUND ADMINISTRATION 4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484 |
7.91 | ||
C |
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. 1000 HARBOR BLVD WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761 |
7.18 | ||
FI |
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FBO EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CUST ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR 499 WASHINGTON BLVD JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010 |
33.43 | ||
FI |
AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INS CO UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST ATTN SEPARATE ACCOUNTS PO BOX 368 INDIANAPOLIS IN 46206-0368 |
12.53 | ||
FI |
AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INS CO GROUP RETIREMENT ANNUITY ATTN SEPARATE ACCOUNTS PO BOX 368 INDIANAPOLIS IN 46206-0368 |
10.64 |
35
Class |
Name and Address |
Percent of Ownership (%) | ||
FI |
PERSHING LLC 1 PERSHING PLZ JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0001 |
8.42 | ||
FI |
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INSTITUTIONAL OPERATIONS 100 MAGELLAN WAY (KWIC) COVINGTON KY 41015-1999 |
7.71 | ||
I |
EDWARD D JONES & CO FOR THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS 12555 MANCHESTER RD SAINT LOUIS MO 63131-3729 |
19.84 | ||
I |
MORGAN STANLEY & CO INC ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS OPERATIONS HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER PLAZA TWO 2ND FLOOR JERSEY CITY NJ 07311 |
19.34 | ||
I |
FIRST CLEARING, LLC 2801 MARKET STREET SAINT LOUIS, MO 63103 |
9.38 | ||
I |
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS ATTN: FUND ADMINISTRATION 4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484 |
8.72 | ||
I |
RAYMOND JAMES OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS ATTN COURTNEY WALLER 880 CARILLON PKWY ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100 |
6.06 | ||
I |
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. FBO UBS WM USA 1000 HARBOR BLVD WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761 |
5.03 | ||
I |
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FBO EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CUST ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR 499 WASHINGTON BLVD JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010 |
5.00 | ||
IS |
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP FBO EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CUST ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR 499 WASHINGTON BLVD JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010 |
16.17 | ||
IS |
VOYA RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY 1 ORANGE WAY WINDSOR CT 06095-4773 |
15.65 |
36
Class |
Name and Address |
Percent of Ownership (%) | ||
IS |
LM DYNAMIC MULTI-STRATEGY VIT PORTFOLIO ATTN STEVEN BLEIBERG 620 8TH AVENUE 49TH FL NEW YORK NY 10018-1618 |
12.43 | ||
IS |
STATE OF COLORADO COLLEGEINVEST PORTFOLIO 4 SCHOLARS CHOICE COLLEGE 620 8TH AVE FL 49 NEW YORK NY 10018-1618 |
7.16 | ||
IS |
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS 211 MAIN STREET SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1905 |
6.05 | ||
IS |
STATE OF COLORADO COLLEGEINVEST EQUITY PORTFOLIO SCHOLARS CHOICE 620 8TH AVE FL 49 NEW YORK NY 10018-1618 |
5.74 | ||
R |
VOYA RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY 1 ORANGE WAY WINDSOR CT 06095-4773 |
26.74 | ||
R |
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS ATTN: FUND ADMINISTRATION 4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484 |
16.71 | ||
R |
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST TTEE AND/OR CUSTODIAN (FBO) ADP ACCESS PRODUCT 1 LINCOLN ST BOSTON MA 02111-2901 |
15.22 |
37
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES
Manager
LMPFA serves as investment manager to the fund, pursuant to an investment management agreement (the Management Agreement). LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the fund. LMPFA, with offices at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, also serves as the investment manager of other Legg Mason-sponsored funds. As of September 30, 2015, LMPFAs total assets under management were approximately $223 billion. LMPFA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. Legg Mason, whose principal executive offices are at 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, is a global asset management company. As of September 30, 2015, Legg Masons asset management operations had aggregate assets under management of approximately $672.1 billion.
The manager has agreed, under the Management Agreement, subject to the supervision of the funds Board, to provide the fund with investment research, advice, management and supervision; furnish a continuous investment program for the funds portfolio of securities and other investments consistent with the funds investment objective, policies and restrictions; and place orders pursuant to its investment determinations. The manager is permitted to enter into contracts with subadvisers or subadministrators, subject to the Boards approval. The manager has entered into subadvisory arrangements, as described below.
The manager performs administrative and management services as reasonably requested by the fund necessary for the operation of the fund, such as (i) supervising the overall administration of the fund, including negotiation of contracts and fees with and the monitoring of performance and billings of the funds transfer agent, shareholder servicing agents, custodian and other independent contractors or agents; (ii) providing certain compliance, fund accounting, regulatory reporting and tax reporting services; (iii) preparing or participating in the preparation of Board materials, registration statements, proxy statements and reports and other communications to shareholders; (iv) maintaining the funds existence; and (v) maintaining the registration and qualification of the funds shares under federal and state laws.
The Management Agreement will continue in effect for its initial term and thereafter from year to year, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), and (b) in either event, by a majority of the Independent Trustees with such Independent Trustees casting votes in person at a meeting called for such purpose.
The Management Agreement provides that the manager may render services to others. The Management Agreement is terminable without penalty on not more than 60 days nor less than 30 days written notice by the fund when authorized either by a vote of holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) or by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, or by the manager on not less than 90 days written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Management Agreement is not assignable by the Trust except with the consent of the manager. The Management Agreement provides that neither the manager nor its personnel shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of security transactions for the fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of its or their obligations and duties.
38
For its services under the Management Agreement, LMPFA receives an investment management fee that is calculated daily and payable monthly according to the following schedule:
Average Daily Net Assets |
Investment
Management Fee Rate (%) |
|||
First $1 billion |
0.750 | |||
Next $1 billion |
0.725 | |||
Next $3 billion |
0.700 | |||
Next $5 billion |
0.675 | |||
Over $10 billion |
0.650 |
For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the fund paid management fees to LMPFA as follows:
For the fiscal year ended August 31 |
Gross
Management Fees ($) |
Management Fees
Waived/Expenses Reimbursed ($) |
Net Management
Fees (After Waivers/Expense Reimbursements) ($) |
|||||||||
2015 |
96,286,538 | 5,345 | 96,281,193 | |||||||||
2014 |
69,199,150 | 13,689 | 69,185,461 | |||||||||
2013 |
46,751,505 | 864 | 46,750,641 |
The funds expense limitation arrangements are set forth in the funds Prospectus.
Subadvisory Arrangements
ClearBridge Investments, LLC (ClearBridge or the subadviser) serves as the subadviser to the fund pursuant to a subadvisory agreement between the manager and ClearBridge (the Subadvisory Agreement). ClearBridge has offices at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018. As of September 30, 2015, ClearBridges total assets under management were approximately $103.9 billion, including $7.4 billion for which ClearBridge provides investment models to managed account sponsors.
Western Asset manages the portion of the funds cash and short-term instruments allocated to it pursuant to an agreement between the manager and Western Asset (the Western Asset Agreement). Western Asset, established in 1971, has offices at 385 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91101 and 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018. Western Asset acts as investment adviser to institutional accounts, such as corporate pension plans, mutual funds and endowment funds. As of September 30, 2015, the total assets under management of Western Asset and its supervised affiliates were approximately $446 billion.
ClearBridge and Western Asset are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason.
Under the Subadvisory Agreement and the Western Asset Agreement, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board and the manager, the subadviser and Western Asset will manage the funds portfolio in accordance with the funds stated investment objective and policies, assist in supervising all aspects of the funds operations, make investment decisions for the fund, place orders to purchase and sell securities and employ professional portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research services to the fund.
Each of the Subadvisory Agreement and the Western Asset Agreement will continue in effect for its initial term and thereafter from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), and (b) in either event, by a majority of the Independent Trustees with such Independent Trustees casting votes in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Board or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) may terminate the Subadvisory Agreement or the Western Asset Agreement without penalty, in each case on not more than 60 days nor less than 30 days written notice to the subadviser or Western
39
Asset. Each of the subadviser and Western Asset may terminate the Subadvisory Agreement or the Western Asset Agreement, as applicable, on 90 days written notice to the fund and the manager. Each of the Subadvisory Agreement and the Western Asset Agreement may be terminated upon the mutual written consent of the manager and the subadviser or Western Asset, as applicable. Each of the Subadvisory Agreement and the Western Asset Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) by the subadviser or Western Asset, as applicable, and shall not be assignable by the manager without the consent of the subadviser or Western Asset, as applicable.
As compensation for their subadvisory services, the manager pays the subadviser and Western Asset an aggregate fee equal to 70% of the management fee paid to LMPFA, net of fee waivers and expense reimbursements.
Portfolio Managers
The following tables set forth certain additional information with respect to the portfolio managers for the fund. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of August 31, 2015.
Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers
The table below identifies the portfolio managers, the number of accounts (other than the fund) for which each portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, other accounts and, if applicable, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance.
Portfolio Manager Compensation Structure
ClearBridges portfolio managers participate in a competitive compensation program that is designed to attract and retain outstanding investment professionals and closely align the interests of its investment professionals with those of its clients and overall firm results. The total compensation program includes a significant incentive component that rewards high performance standards, integrity, and collaboration consistent with the firms values. Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed and modified each year as appropriate to reflect changes in the market and to ensure the continued alignment with the goals stated above. ClearBridges portfolio managers and other investment professionals receive a combination of base compensation and discretionary compensation, comprising a cash incentive award and deferred incentive plans described below.
Base salary compensation. Base salary is fixed and primarily determined based on market factors and the experience and responsibilities of the investment professional within the firm.
40
Discretionary compensation. In addition to base compensation managers may receive discretionary compensation.
Discretionary compensation can include:
|
Cash Incentive Award |
|
ClearBridges Deferred Incentive Plan (CDIP)a mandatory program that typically defers 15% of discretionary year-end compensation into ClearBridge managed products. For portfolio managers, one-third of this deferral tracks the performance of their primary managed product, one-third tracks the performance of a composite portfolio of the firms new products and one-third can be elected to track the performance of one or more of ClearBridge managed funds. Consequently, portfolio managers can have two-thirds of their CDIP award tracking the performance of their primary managed product. |
For centralized research analysts, two-thirds of their deferral is elected to track the performance of one of more of ClearBridge managed funds, while one-third tracks the performance of the new product composite.
ClearBridge then makes a company investment in the proprietary managed funds equal to the deferral amounts by fund. This investment is a company asset held on the balance sheet and paid out to the employees in shares subject to vesting requirements.
|
Legg Mason Restricted Stock Deferrala mandatory program that typically defers 5% of discretionary year-end compensation into Legg Mason restricted stock. The award is paid out to employees in shares subject to vesting requirements. |
|
Legg Mason Restricted Stock and Stock Option Grantsa discretionary program that may be utilized as part of the total compensation program. These special grants reward and recognize significant contributions to our clients, shareholders and the firm and aid in retaining key talent. |
Several factors are considered by ClearBridge Senior Management when determining discretionary compensation for portfolio managers. These include but are not limited to:
|
Investment performance. A portfolio managers compensation is linked to the pre-tax investment performance of the fund/accounts managed by the portfolio manager. Investment performance is calculated for 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods measured against the applicable product benchmark (e.g., a securities index and, with respect to a fund, the benchmark set forth in the funds Prospectus) and relative to applicable industry peer groups. The greatest weight is generally placed on 3- and 5-year performance. |
|
Appropriate risk positioning that is consistent with ClearBridges investment philosophy and the Investment Committee/CIO approach to generation of alpha. |
|
Overall firm profitability and performance. |
|
Amount and nature of assets managed by the portfolio manager. |
|
Contributions for asset retention, gathering and client satisfaction. |
|
Contribution to mentoring, coaching and/or supervising. |
|
Contribution and communication of investment ideas in ClearBridges Investment Committee meetings and on a day to day basis. |
|
Market compensation survey research by independent third parties. |
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Potential conflicts of interest may arise when the funds portfolio managers also have day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to one or more other funds or other accounts, as is the case for the funds portfolio managers.
41
The subadviser and the fund have adopted compliance policies and procedures that are designed to address various conflicts of interest that may arise for the subadviser and the individuals that each employs. For example, the subadviser seeks to minimize the effects of competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by assigning portfolio managers to manage funds and accounts that share a similar investment style. The subadviser has also adopted trade allocation procedures that are designed to facilitate the fair allocation of limited investment opportunities among multiple funds and accounts. There is no guarantee, however, that the policies and procedures adopted by the subadviser and the fund will be able to detect and/or prevent every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may appear. These potential conflicts include:
Allocation of Limited Time and Attention . A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. As a result, the portfolio manager may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those accounts as might be the case if he or she were to devote substantially more attention to the management of a single fund. The effects of this potential conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts overseen by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies.
Allocation of Limited Investment Opportunities . If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and/or accounts, the opportunity may be allocated among these several funds or accounts, which may limit a funds ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity.
Pursuit of Differing Strategies . At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the funds and/or accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds and/or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may place separate transactions for one or more funds or accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment or benefit of one or more other funds and/or accounts.
Selection of Broker/Dealers . Portfolio managers may be able to select or influence the selection of the brokers and dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the funds and/or accounts that they supervise. In addition to executing trades, some brokers and dealers provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act), which may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees than might have otherwise been available. These services may be more beneficial to certain funds or accounts than to others. Although the payment of brokerage commissions is subject to the requirement that the subadviser determines in good faith that the commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided to the fund, a decision as to the selection of brokers and dealers could yield disproportionate costs and benefits among the funds and/or accounts managed. For this reason, the subadviser has formed a brokerage committee that reviews, among other things, the allocation of brokerage to broker/dealers, best execution and soft dollar usage.
Variation in Compensation . A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to the portfolio manager differ among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages. If the structure of the managers management fee (and the percentage paid to the subadviser) and/or the portfolio managers compensation differs among funds and/or accounts (such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio manager might be motivated to help certain funds and/or accounts over others. The portfolio manager might be motivated to favor funds and/or accounts in which he or she has an interest or in which the manager and/or its affiliates have interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance the portfolio managers performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the portfolio manager in affording preferential treatment to those funds and/or accounts that could most significantly benefit the portfolio manager.
42
Related Business Opportunities . The manager or its affiliates may provide more services (such as distribution or recordkeeping) for some types of funds or accounts than for others. In such cases, a portfolio manager may benefit, either directly or indirectly, by devoting disproportionate attention to the management of funds and/or accounts that provide greater overall returns to the manager and its affiliates.
Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership
The table below identifies ownership of equity securities of the fund by the portfolio managers responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund as of August 31, 2015. These holdings are in addition to the shares held for the portfolio managers benefit under the subadvisers incentive compensation program.
Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range of Ownership of
Securities ($) |
|||
Richard Freeman |
Over 1,000,000 | |||
Evan Bauman |
Over 1,000,000 |
Expenses
In addition to amounts payable under the Management Agreement and the 12b-1 Plan (as discussed below), the fund is responsible for its own expenses, including, among other things: interest; taxes; governmental fees; voluntary assessments and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; organization costs of the fund; the cost (including brokerage commissions, transaction fees or charges, if any) in connection with the purchase or sale of the funds securities and other investments and any losses in connection therewith; fees and expenses of custodians, transfer agents, registrars, independent pricing vendors or other agents; legal expenses; loan commitment fees; expenses relating to the issuance and redemption or repurchase of the funds shares and servicing shareholder accounts; expenses of registering and qualifying the funds shares for sale under applicable federal and state law; expenses of preparing, setting in print, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information and any supplements thereto, reports, proxy statements, notices and dividends to the funds shareholders; costs of stationery; website costs; costs of meetings of the Board or any committee thereof, meetings of shareholders and other meetings of the fund; Board fees; audit fees; travel expenses of officers, Trustees and employees of the fund, if any; the funds pro rata portion of premiums on any fidelity bond and other insurance covering the fund and its officers, Trustees and employees; and litigation expenses and any non-recurring or extraordinary expenses as may arise, including, without limitation, those relating to actions, suits or proceedings to which the fund is a party and any legal obligation which the fund may have to indemnify the funds Trustees and officers with respect thereto.
Management may agree to implement an expense cap, waive fees and/or reimburse operating expenses for one or more classes of shares. Any such waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses are described in the funds Prospectus. The expense caps and waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses do not cover extraordinary expenses, such as (a) any expenses or charges related to litigation, derivative actions, demand related to litigation, regulatory or other government investigations and proceedings, for cause regulatory inspections and indemnification or advancement of related expenses or costs, to the extent any such expenses are considered extraordinary expenses for the purposes of fee disclosure in Form N-1A as the same may be amended from time to time; (b) transaction costs (such as brokerage commissions and dealer and underwriter spreads) and taxes; and (c) other extraordinary expenses as determined for the purposes of fee disclosure in Form N-1A, as the same may be amended from time to time. Without limiting the foregoing, extraordinary expenses are generally those that are unusual or expected to recur only infrequently, and may include such expenses, by way of illustration, as (i) expenses of the reorganization, restructuring, redomiciling or merger of the fund or class or the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of another fund or class; (ii) expenses of holding, and soliciting proxies for, a meeting of shareholders of the fund or class (except to the extent relating to routine items such as the election of Trustees or the approval of the independent registered public accounting firm); and (iii) expenses of converting to a new custodian, transfer agent or other service provider, in each case to the extent any such expenses are considered extraordinary expenses for the purposes of fee disclosure in Form N-1A as the same may be amended from time to time.
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In order to implement an expense cap, the manager will, as necessary, waive management fees or reimburse operating expenses. However, the manager is permitted to recapture amounts previously waived or reimbursed by the manager to the fund during the same fiscal year if the funds total annual operating expenses have fallen to a level below the expense cap shown in the funds Prospectus. In no case will the manager recapture any amount that would result, on any particular fund business day, in the funds total annual operating expenses exceeding the expense cap.
Distributor
LMIS, a wholly-owned broker/dealer subsidiary of Legg Mason, located at 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, serves as the sole and exclusive distributor of the fund pursuant to a written agreement (as amended, the Distribution Agreement).
Under the Distribution Agreement, the distributor is appointed as principal underwriter and distributor in connection with the offering and sale of shares of the fund. The distributor offers the shares on an agency or best efforts basis under which the fund issues only the number of shares actually sold. Shares of the fund are continuously offered by the distributor.
The Distribution Agreement is renewable from year to year with respect to the fund if approved (a) by the Board or by a vote of a majority of the funds outstanding voting securities, and (b) by the affirmative vote of a majority of Trustees who are not parties to such agreement or interested persons of any party by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose.
The Distribution Agreement is terminable with respect to the fund without penalty by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund, or by the distributor, on not less than 60 days written notice to the other party (unless the notice period is waived by mutual consent). The Distribution Agreement will automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment.
LMIS may be deemed to be an underwriter for purposes of the 1933 Act. Dealer reallowances are described in the funds Prospectus.
LMPFA, LMIS, their affiliates and their personnel have interests in promoting sales of the Legg Mason Funds, including remuneration, fees and profitability relating to services to and sales of the funds. Employees of LMPFA, LMIS or their affiliates (including wholesalers registered with LMIS) may receive additional compensation related to the sale of individual Legg Mason Funds or categories of Legg Mason Funds. LMPFA, the subadvisers, and their advisory or other personnel may also benefit from increased amounts of assets under management.
Financial intermediaries, including broker/dealers, investment advisers, financial consultants or advisers, mutual fund supermarkets, insurance companies, financial institutions and other financial intermediaries through which investors may purchase shares of the fund, also may benefit from the sales of shares of the Legg Mason Funds. For example, in connection with such sales, financial intermediaries may receive compensation from the fund (with respect to the fund as a whole or a particular class of shares) and/or from LMPFA, LMIS, and/or their affiliates, as further described below. The structure of these compensation arrangements, as well as the amounts paid under such arrangements, vary and may change from time to time. In addition, new compensation arrangements may be negotiated at any time. The compensation arrangements described in this section are not mutually exclusive, and a single financial intermediary may receive multiple types of compensation.
LMIS has agreements in place with financial intermediaries defining how much each firm will be paid for the sale of a particular mutual fund from sales charges, if any, paid by fund shareholders and from Rule 12b-1 Plan fees paid to LMIS by the fund. These financial intermediaries then pay their employees or associated persons who sell fund shares from the sales charges and/or fees they receive. The financial intermediary, and/or
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its employees or associated persons may receive a payment when a sale is made and will, in most cases, continue to receive ongoing payments while you are invested in the fund. In other cases, LMIS may retain all or a portion of such fees and sales charges.
In addition, LMIS, LMPFA and/or certain of their affiliates may make additional payments (which are often referred to as revenue sharing payments) to the financial intermediaries from their past profits and other available sources, including profits from their relationships with the fund. Revenue sharing payments are a form of compensation paid to a financial intermediary in addition to the sales charges paid by fund shareholders or Rule 12b-1 Plan fees paid by the fund. LMPFA, LMIS and/or certain of its affiliates may revise the terms of any existing revenue sharing arrangement, and may enter into additional revenue sharing arrangements with other financial services firms.
Revenue sharing arrangements are intended, among other things, to foster the sale of fund shares and/or to compensate financial services firms for assisting in marketing or promotional activities in connection with the sale of fund shares. In exchange for revenue sharing payments, LMPFA and LMIS generally expect to receive the opportunity for the fund to be sold through the financial intermediaries sales forces or to have access to third-party platforms or other marketing programs, including but not limited to mutual fund supermarket platforms or other sales programs. To the extent that financial intermediaries receiving revenue sharing payments sell more shares of the fund, LMPFA and LMIS and/or their affiliates benefit from the increase in fund assets as a result of the fees they receive from the fund.
Revenue sharing payments are usually calculated based on a percentage of fund sales and/or fund assets attributable to a particular financial intermediary. Payments may also be based on other criteria or factors such as, for example, a fee per each transaction. Specific payment formulas are negotiated based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, reputation in the industry, ability to attract and retain assets, target markets, customer relationships and scope and quality of services provided. In addition, LMIS, LMPFA and/or certain of their affiliates may pay flat fees on a one-time or irregular basis for the initial set-up of the fund on a financial intermediarys systems, participation or attendance at a financial intermediarys meetings, or for other reasons. In addition, LMIS, LMPFA and/or certain of their affiliates may pay certain education and training costs of financial intermediaries (including, in some cases, travel expenses) to train and educate the personnel of the financial intermediaries. It is likely that financial intermediaries that execute portfolio transactions for the fund will include those firms with which LMPFA, LMIS and/or certain of their affiliates have entered into revenue sharing arrangements.
The fund generally pays the transfer agent for certain recordkeeping and administrative services. In addition, the fund may pay financial intermediaries for certain recordkeeping, administrative, sub-accounting and networking services. These services include maintenance of shareholder accounts by the firms, such as recordkeeping and other activities that otherwise would be performed by a funds transfer agent. Administrative fees may be paid to a firm that undertakes, for example, shareholder communications on behalf of the fund. Networking services are services undertaken to support the electronic transmission of shareholder purchase and redemption orders through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC). These payments are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net assets of fund shareholders serviced by a financial intermediary or (2) a fixed dollar amount for each account serviced by a financial intermediary. LMIS, LMPFA and/or their affiliates may make all or a portion of these payments.
In addition, the fund reimburses LMIS for NSCC fees that are invoiced to LMIS as the party to the agreement with NSCC for the administrative services provided by NSCC to the fund and its shareholders. These services include transaction processing and settlement through Fund/SERV, electronic networking services to support the transmission of shareholder purchase and redemption orders to and from financial intermediaries, and related recordkeeping provided by NSCC to the fund and its shareholders.
If your fund shares are purchased through a retirement plan, LMIS, LMPFA or certain of their affiliates may also make similar payments to those described in this section to the plans recordkeeper or an affiliate.
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Revenue sharing payments, as well as the other types of compensation arrangements described in this section, may provide an incentive for financial intermediaries and their employees or associated persons to recommend or sell shares of the fund to customers and in doing so may create conflicts of interest between the firms financial interests and the interests of their customers. Please contact your financial intermediary for details about any payments it (and its employees) may receive from the fund and/or from LMIS, LMPFA and/or their affiliates. You should review your financial intermediarys disclosure and/or talk to your broker/dealer or financial intermediary to obtain more information on how this compensation may have influenced your broker/dealers or financial intermediarys recommendation of the fund.
Dealer Commissions and Concessions
From time to time, the funds distributor or the manager, at its expense, may provide compensation or promotional incentives (concessions) to dealers that sell or arrange for the sale of shares of the fund or a managed account strategy of which the fund is part. Such concessions provided by the funds distributor or the manager may include financial assistance to dealers in connection with preapproved conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other employees, payment for travel expenses, including lodging, incurred by registered representatives and other employees for such seminars or training programs, seminars for the public, advertising and sales campaigns regarding one or more funds, and/or other dealer-sponsored events. From time to time, the funds distributor or manager may make expense reimbursements for special training of a dealers registered representatives and other employees in group meetings or to help pay the expenses of sales contests. Other concessions may be offered to the extent not prohibited by applicable laws or any self-regulatory agency, such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Sales Charges
The following expenses were incurred during the periods indicated:
Initial Sales Charge
The aggregate dollar amounts of initial sales charges received on Class A shares and the amounts retained by the distributor were as follows:
Class A Shares
For the fiscal year ended August 31 |
Total
Commissions ($) |
Amounts
Retained by LMIS ($) |
||||||
2015 |
15,022,129 | 2,279,976 | ||||||
2014 |
12,048,663 | 1,874,692 | ||||||
2013 |
6,413,065 | 958,552 |
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Contingent Deferred Sales Charges
The aggregate dollar amounts of contingent deferred sales charges on Class A, Class B and Class C shares received and retained by the distributor were as follows:
Class A Shares
For the fiscal year ended August 31 |
Amounts
Retained by LMIS ($) |
|||
2015 |
153,153 | |||
2014 |
12,529 | |||
2013 |
1,026 |
Class B Shares
For the fiscal year ended August 31 |
Amounts
Retained by LMIS ($) |
|||
2015 |
34,583 | |||
2014 |
100,581 | |||
2013 |
221,628 |
Class C Shares
For the fiscal year ended August 31 |
Amounts
Retained by LMIS ($) |
|||
2015 |
208,364 | |||
2014 |
61,752 | |||
2013 |
16,115 |
Services and Distribution Plan
The Trust, on behalf of the fund, has adopted a shareholder services and distribution plan (the 12b-1 Plan) in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the 12b-1 Plan, the fund may pay monthly fees to LMIS at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the fund attributable to Class A shares, not to exceed 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the fund attributable to Class B shares, not to exceed 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the fund attributable to Class C shares, not to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the fund attributable to Class FI shares, not to exceed 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the fund attributable to Class R shares and not to exceed 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the fund attributable to Class R1 shares. The fund will provide the Board with periodic reports of amounts expended under the 12b-1 Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
Fees under the 12b-1 Plan may be used to make payments to the distributor, Service Agents and other parties in respect of the sale of shares of the fund for advertising, marketing or other promotional activity, and payments for preparation, printing, and distribution of prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports for recipients other than existing shareholders. The fund also may make payments to the distributor, Service Agents and others for providing personal service or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The amounts paid to each recipient may vary based upon certain factors, including, among other things, the levels of sales of shares and/or shareholder services; provided, however, that the fees paid to a recipient with respect to a particular class that may be used to cover expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of that class, or that may be used to cover expenses primarily intended for personal service and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts, may not exceed the maximum amounts, if any, as may from time to time be permitted for such services under FINRA Conduct Rule 2830 or any successor rule, in each case as amended or interpreted by FINRA.
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Since fees paid under the 12b-1 Plan are not tied directly to expenses incurred by the distributor (or others), the amount of the fees paid by a class of the fund during any year may be more or less than actual expenses incurred by the distributor (or others). This type of distribution fee arrangement is characterized by the staff of the SEC as being of the compensation variety (in contrast to reimbursement arrangements by which a distributors payments are directly linked to its expenses). Thus, even if the distributors expenses exceed the fees provided for by the 12b-1 Plan, the fund will not be obligated to pay more than those fees and, if expenses incurred by the distributor (or others) are less than the fees paid to the distributor and others, they will realize a profit.
The 12b-1 Plan recognizes that various service providers to the fund, such as its manager, may make payments for distribution, marketing or sales-related expenses out of their own resources of any kind, including profits or payments received from the fund for other purposes, such as management fees. The 12b-1 Plan provides that, to the extent that such payments might be deemed to be indirect financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the fund, the payments are deemed to be authorized by the 12b-1 Plan.
Under its terms, the 12b-1 Plan continues in effect for successive annual periods, provided continuance is specifically approved at least annually by vote of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the 12b-1 Plan or in any agreements related to it (Qualified Trustees). The 12b-1 Plan may not be amended to increase the amount of the service and distribution fees without shareholder approval, and all amendments of the 12b-1 Plan also must be approved by the Trustees, including the Qualified Trustees, in the manner described above. The 12b-1 Plan may be terminated with respect to a class of the fund at any time, without penalty, by vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that class (as defined in the 1940 Act).
The following service and distribution fees were incurred by the fund pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plan in effect during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015:
Class |
Service and Distribution Fees Incurred ($) | |||
Class A |
14,575,722 | |||
Class B |
2,235,925 | |||
Class C |
16,018,489 | |||
Class FI |
132,371 | |||
Class R |
472,266 |
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, LMIS incurred distribution expenses for advertising, printing and mailing prospectuses, support services and overhead expenses and compensation to Service Agents and third parties as expressed in the following table. The distributor may have made revenue sharing payments in addition to the expenses shown here.
Third Party Fees($) |
Financial
Consultant Compensation (Amortized) ($) |
Marketing ($) | Printing ($) |
Total Current
Expenses ($) |
||||||||||||||||
Class A |
14,504,498 | | 3,478,577 | 12,913 | 17,995,988 | |||||||||||||||
Class B |
1,943,700 | 84,979 | 62,239 | 636 | 2,091,554 | |||||||||||||||
Class C |
11,230,872 | 3,216,292 | 1,167,948 | 3,324 | 15,618,436 | |||||||||||||||
Class FI |
130,411 | | 91,774 | 95 | 222,280 | |||||||||||||||
Class R |
469,121 | | 154,630 | 170 | 623,921 |
No information is presented for Class R1 shares because no shares of that class were outstanding during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.
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Custodian and Transfer Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street), One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, serves as the custodian of the fund. State Street, among other things, maintains a custody account or accounts in the name of the fund, receives and delivers all assets for the fund upon purchase and upon sale or maturity, collects and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the assets of the fund and makes disbursements on behalf of the fund. State Street neither determines the funds investment policies nor decides which securities the fund will buy or sell. For its services, State Street receives a monthly fee based upon the daily average market value of securities held in custody and also receives securities transaction charges, including out-of-pocket expenses. The fund may also periodically enter into arrangements with other qualified custodians with respect to certain types of securities or other transactions such as repurchase agreements or derivatives transactions. State Street may also act as the funds securities lending agent and in that case would receive a share of the income generated by such activities.
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (BNY or the transfer agent), located at 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581, serves as the funds transfer agent. Under the transfer agency agreement with BNY, BNY maintains the shareholder account records for the fund, handles certain communications between shareholders and the fund and distributes dividends and distributions payable by the fund. For these services, BNY receives a monthly fee computed on the basis of the number of shareholder accounts it maintains for the fund during the month and is reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses.
Counsel
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, serves as counsel to the Trust and the fund.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, 180 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038, serves as counsel to the Independent Trustees.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, located at 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154, has been selected to audit and report upon the funds financial statements and financial highlights.
Code of Ethics
Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, the fund, the manager, the subadviser, Western Asset and the distributor have adopted codes of ethics that permit personnel to invest in securities for their own accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the fund. All personnel must place the interests of clients first and avoid activities, interests and relationships that might interfere with the duty to make decisions in the best interests of the clients. All personal securities transactions by employees must adhere to the requirements of the codes and must be conducted in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest, the appearance of such a conflict or the abuse of an employees position of trust and responsibility. Copies of the codes of ethics applicable to personnel of the funds, the manager, the subadviser, Western Asset and the distributor and to The Independent Trustees of The Trust are on file with the SEC.
Proxy Voting Guidelines and Procedures
Although individual Trustees may not agree with particular policies or votes by the manager, the Board has delegated proxy voting discretion to the manager, believing that the manager should be responsible for voting because it is a matter relating to the investment decision making process.
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LMPFA delegates the responsibility for voting proxies for the fund to the subadviser through its contract with the subadviser. The subadviser will use its own proxy voting policies and procedures to vote proxies. Accordingly, LMPFA does not expect to have proxy -voting responsibility for the fund. Should LMPFA become responsible for voting proxies for any reason, such as the inability of the subadviser to provide investment advisory services, LMPFA shall utilize the proxy voting guidelines established by the most recent subadviser to vote proxies until a new subadviser is retained. In the case of a material conflict between the interests of LMPFA (or its affiliates if such conflict is known to persons responsible for voting at LMPFA) and the fund, the Board of Directors of LMPFA shall consider how to address the conflict and/or how to vote the proxies. LMPFA shall maintain records of all proxy votes in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations, to the extent that LMPFA votes proxies. LMPFA shall be responsible for gathering relevant documents and records related to proxy voting from the subadviser and providing them to the fund as required for the fund to comply with applicable rules under the 1940 Act.
The subadvisers proxy voting policies and procedures govern in determining how proxies relating to the funds portfolio securities are voted, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A to this SAI. Information regarding how the fund voted proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (1) by calling 1-877-721-1926, (2) on the funds website at http://www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors and (3) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
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General
See the funds Prospectus for a discussion of which classes of shares of the fund are available for purchase and who is eligible to purchase shares of each class.
Investors may purchase shares from a Service Agent. In addition, certain investors, including retirement plans purchasing through certain Service Agents, may purchase shares directly from the fund. When purchasing shares of the fund, investors must specify whether the purchase is for Class A, Class C, Class FI, Class R, Class I or Class IS shares. Service Agents may charge their customers an annual account maintenance fee in connection with a brokerage account through which an investor purchases or holds shares. Accounts held directly at the transfer agent are not subject to a maintenance fee.
Purchase orders received by the fund prior to the close of regular trading on the NYSE on any day the fund calculates its NAV are priced according to the NAV determined on that day (the trade date). Orders received by a Service Agent prior to the close of regular trading on the NYSE on any day the fund calculates its NAV are priced according to the NAV determined on that day, provided the order is transmitted by the Service Agent to the funds transfer agent in accordance with their agreed-upon procedures. Payment must be made with the purchase order.
Class B Shares. The fund no longer offers Class B shares for new purchases by new and existing investors. Individual investors who owned Class B shares may continue to hold those shares, but they may not add to their Class B share positions except through dividend reinvestment. Class B shares are available for incoming exchanges and for reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions.
Class I Shares. The following persons are eligible to purchase Class I shares directly from the fund: (i) current employees of the funds manager and its affiliates; (ii) former employees of the funds manager and its affiliates with existing accounts; (iii) current and former board members of investment companies managed by affiliates of Legg Mason; (iv) current and former board members of Legg Mason; and (v) the immediate families of such persons. Immediate families are such persons spouse (and, in the case of a deceased board member, the surviving spouse) and parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren (including step-relationships). For such investors, the minimum initial investment is $1,000 and the minimum for each purchase of additional shares is $50. Current employees may purchase additional Class I shares through a systematic investment plan.
Under certain circumstances, an investor who purchases fund shares pursuant to a fee-based advisory account program of an Eligible Financial Intermediary as authorized by LMIS may be afforded an opportunity to make a conversion between one or more share classes owned by the investor in the same fund to Class I shares of that fund. Such a conversion in these particular circumstances does not cause the investor to realize taxable gain or loss.
Class R1 Shares. Class R1 shares are closed to all new purchases and incoming exchanges.
Systematic Investment Plan. Shareholders may make additions to their accounts at any time by purchasing shares through a service known as the Systematic Investment Plan. Under the Systematic Investment Plan, shareholders may arrange for automatic monthly investments in certain share classes of $50 or more by authorizing the distributor or the transfer agent to charge the shareholders account held with a bank or other financial institution, as indicated by the shareholder, to provide for systematic additions to the shareholders fund account. Shareholders have the option of selecting the frequency of the investment (on a monthly, quarterly, every alternate month, semi-annual or annual basis) as long as the investment equals a minimum of $50 per month. Shareholders may terminate participation in the Systematic Investment Plan at any time without charge or penalty. Additional information is available from the fund or a Service Agent.
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Sales Charge Alternatives
The following classes of shares are available for purchase. See the Prospectus for a discussion of who is eligible to purchase certain classes and of factors to consider in selecting which class of shares to purchase.
Class A Shares. Class A shares are sold to investors at the public offering price, which is the NAV plus an initial sales charge, as described in the funds Prospectus. The sales charge is waived for shareholders purchasing Class A shares through accounts where Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC is the broker-dealer of record (LMIS Accounts).
Members of the selling group may receive a portion of the sales charge as described in the Prospectus and may be deemed to be underwriters of the fund as defined in the 1933 Act. Sales charges are calculated based on the aggregate of purchases of Class A shares of the fund made at one time by any person, which includes an individual and his or her spouse and children under the age of 21, or a trustee or other fiduciary of a single trust estate or single fiduciary account. For additional information regarding sales charge reductions, see Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions below.
You do not pay an initial sales charge when you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares. However, if you redeem these Class A shares within 18 months of purchase, you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% (except for purchases made through LMIS Accounts).
The contingent deferred sales charge is waived in the same circumstances in which the contingent deferred sales charge applicable to Class B and C shares is waived. See Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Provisions and Waivers of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge below.
Class C Shares . Class C shares are sold without an initial sales charge but are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge payable upon certain redemptions. See Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Provisions below. Class C shares are not available for purchase through LMIS Accounts.
Class FI, Class R, Class I and Class IS Shares . Class FI, Class R, Class I and Class IS shares are sold at NAV with no initial sales charge and no contingent deferred sales charge upon redemption.
Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions
Initial Sales Charge Waivers. Purchases of Class A shares may be made at NAV without an initial sales charge in the following circumstances:
(a) sales to (i) current and retired Board Members, (ii) current employees of Legg Mason and its subsidiaries, (iii) the immediate families of such persons (immediate families are such persons spouse, including the surviving spouse of a deceased Board Member, and children under the age of 21) and (iv) a pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for the benefit of such persons;
(b) sales to any employees of Service Agents having dealer, service or other selling agreements with the funds distributor or otherwise having an arrangement with any such Service Agent with respect to sales of fund shares, and by the immediate families of such persons or by a pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for the benefit of such persons (providing the purchase is made for investment purposes and such securities will not be resold except through redemption or repurchase);
(c) offers of Class A shares to any other investment company to effect the combination of such company with the fund by merger, acquisition of assets or otherwise;
(d) purchases by shareholders who have redeemed Class A shares in the fund (or Class A shares of another fund sold by the distributor that is offered with a sales charge) and who wish to reinvest their redemption proceeds in the fund, provided the reinvestment is made within 60 calendar days of the redemption;
(e) purchases by certain separate accounts used to fund unregistered variable annuity contracts;
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(f) purchases by investors participating in wrap fee or asset allocation programs or other fee-based arrangements sponsored by broker/dealers and other financial institutions that have entered into agreements with LMIS;
(g) purchases by direct retail investment platforms through mutual fund supermarkets, where the sponsor links its clients account (including IRA accounts on such platforms) to a master account in the sponsors name;
(h) sales through financial intermediaries who have entered into an agreement with LMIS to offer shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may or may not charge a transaction fee to their customers; and
(i) purchases of Class A shares by shareholders investing through LMIS Accounts.
In order to obtain such discounts, the purchaser must provide sufficient information at the time of purchase to permit verification that the purchase qualifies for the elimination of the sales charge.
All existing retirement plan shareholders who purchased Class A shares at NAV prior to November 20, 2006, are permitted to purchase additional Class A shares at NAV. Certain existing programs for current and prospective retirement plan investors sponsored by financial intermediaries approved by LMIS prior to November 20, 2006 will also remain eligible to purchase Class A shares at NAV.
There are several ways you can combine multiple purchases of shares of funds sold by the distributor to take advantage of the breakpoints in the Class A sales charge schedule. In order to take advantage of reductions in sales charges that may be available to you when you purchase fund shares, you must inform your Service Agent or the fund if you are eligible for a letter of intent or a right of accumulation and if you own shares of other funds that are eligible to be aggregated with your purchases. Certain records, such as account statements, may be necessary in order to verify your eligibility for a reduced sales charge.
Accumulation Privilege allows you to combine the current value of shares of the fund with other shares of funds sold by the distributor that are owned by:
|
you or |
|
your spouse and children under the age of 21 |
with the dollar amount of your next purchase of Class A shares for purposes of calculating the initial sales charges.
If you hold fund shares in accounts at two or more Service Agents, please contact your Service Agents to determine which shares may be combined.
Shares of money market funds sold by the distributor acquired by exchange from other funds offered with a sales charge may be combined. Shares of money market funds sold by the distributor that were not acquired by exchange from other funds offered with a sales charge may not be combined. Please contact your Service Agent or the fund for additional information.
Certain trustees and other fiduciaries may be entitled to combine accounts in determining their sales charge.
Letter of Intent Helps you take advantage of breakpoints in Class A sales charges. You may purchase Class A shares of funds sold by the distributor over a 13-month period and pay the same sales charge, if any, as if all shares had been purchased at once. You have a choice of seven Asset Level Goal amounts, as follows:
(1) $25,000
(2) $50,000
(3) $100,000
(4) $250,000
(5) $500,000
(6) $750,000
(7) $1,000,000
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Each time you make a Class A purchase under a Letter of Intent, you will be entitled to pay the sales charge that is applicable to the amount of your Asset Level Goal. For example, if your Asset Level Goal is $100,000, any Class A investments you make under a Letter of Intent would be subject to the sales charge of the specific fund you are investing in for purchases of $100,000. Sales charges and breakpoints vary among the funds sold by the distributor.
When you enter into a Letter of Intent, you agree to purchase in Eligible Accounts over a thirteen (13) month period Eligible Fund Purchases in an amount equal to the Asset Level Goal you have selected, less any Eligible Prior Purchases. For this purpose, shares are valued at the public offering price (including any sales charge paid) calculated as of the date of purchase, plus any appreciation in the value of the shares as of the date of calculation, except for Eligible Prior Purchases, which are valued at current value as of the date of calculation. Your commitment will be met if at any time during the 13-month period the value, as so determined, of eligible holdings is at least equal to your Asset Level Goal. All reinvested dividends and distributions on shares acquired under the Letter will be credited towards your Asset Level Goal. You may include any Eligible Fund Purchases towards the Letter, including shares of classes other than Class A shares. However, a Letter of Intent will not entitle you to a reduction in the sales charge payable on any shares other than Class A shares, and if the shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, you will still be subject to that contingent deferred sales charge with respect to those shares. You must make reference to the Letter of Intent each time you make a purchase under the Letter.
Eligible Fund Purchases. Generally, any shares of a fund sold by the distributor may be credited towards your Asset Level Goal. Shares of money market funds sold by the distributor acquired by exchange from other funds offered with a sales charge may be credited toward your Asset Level Goal.
The eligible funds may change from time to time. Investors should check with their Service Agent to see which funds may be eligible.
Eligible Accounts. Purchases may be made through any account in your name, or in the name of your spouse or your children under the age of 21. You may need to provide certain records, such as account statements, in order to verify your eligibility for reduced sales charges. Contact your Service Agent to see which accounts may be credited toward your Asset Level Goal.
Eligible Prior Purchases. You may also credit towards your Asset Level Goal any Eligible Fund Purchases made in Eligible Accounts at any time prior to entering into the Letter of Intent that have not been sold or redeemed, based on the current price of those shares as of the date of calculation.
Increasing the Amount of the Letter of Intent. You may at any time increase your Asset Level Goal. You must, however, contact your Service Agent, or if you purchase your shares directly through the transfer agent, contact the transfer agent, prior to making any purchases in an amount in excess of your current Asset Level Goal. Upon such an increase, you will be credited by way of additional shares at the then-current offering price for the difference between: (a) the aggregate sales charges actually paid for shares already purchased under the Letter of Intent and (b) the aggregate applicable sales charges for the increased Asset Level Goal. The 13-month period during which the Asset Level Goal must be achieved will remain unchanged.
Sales and Exchanges. Shares acquired pursuant to a Letter of Intent, other than Escrowed Shares as defined below, may be redeemed or exchanged at any time, although any shares that are redeemed prior to meeting your Asset Level Goal will no longer count towards meeting your Asset Level Goal. However, complete liquidation of purchases made under a Letter of Intent prior to meeting the Asset Level Goal will result in the cancellation of the Letter. See Failure to Meet Asset Level Goal below. Exchanges in accordance with the funds Prospectus are permitted, and shares so exchanged will continue to count towards your Asset Level Goal, as long as the exchange results in an Eligible Fund Purchase.
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Cancellation of Letter of Intent. You may cancel a Letter of Intent by notifying your Service Agent in writing, or if you purchase your shares directly through the transfer agent, by notifying the transfer agent in writing. The Letter will be automatically cancelled if all shares are sold or redeemed as set forth above. See Failure to Meet Asset Level Goal below.
Escrowed Shares. Shares equal in value to five percent (5%) of your Asset Level Goal as of the date your Letter of Intent (or the date of any increase in the amount of the Letter) is accepted will be held in escrow during the term of your Letter. The Escrowed Shares will be included in the total shares owned as reflected in your account statement and any dividends and capital gains distributions applicable to the Escrowed Shares will be credited to your account and counted towards your Asset Level Goal or paid in cash upon request. The Escrowed Shares will be released from escrow if all the terms of your Letter are met.
Failure to Meet Asset Level Goal. If the total assets under your Letter of Intent within its 13-month term are less than your Asset Level Goal whether because you made insufficient Eligible Fund Purchases, redeemed all of your holdings or cancelled the Letter before reaching your Asset Level Goal, you will be liable for the difference between: (a) the sales charge actually paid and (b) the sales charge that would have applied if you had not entered into the Letter. You may, however, be entitled to any breakpoints that would have been available to you under the accumulation privilege. An appropriate number of shares in your account will be redeemed to realize the amount due. For these purposes, by entering into a Letter of Intent, you irrevocably appoint your Service Agent, or if you purchase your shares directly through the transfer agent, the transfer agent, as your attorney-in-fact for the purposes of holding the Escrowed Shares and surrendering shares in your account for redemption. If there are insufficient assets in your account, you will be liable for the difference. Any Escrowed Shares remaining after such redemption will be released to your account.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Provisions
Contingent deferred sales charge shares are: (a) Class B shares, (b) Class C shares and (c) Class A shares that were purchased without an initial sales charge but are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. A contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed on certain redemptions of these shares.
Any applicable contingent deferred sales charge will be assessed on the NAV at the time of purchase or redemption, whichever is less.
Class A shares that are contingent deferred sales charge shares are subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within 18 months of purchase. Class C shares that are contingent deferred sales charge shares are subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within 12 months of purchase.
In circumstances in which the contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on Class B shares, the amount of the charge will depend on the number of years since the shareholder made the purchase payment from which the amount is being redeemed, as further described in the Prospectus.
The following table sets forth the rates of the charge for redemptions of Class B shares by shareholders.
Year Since Purchase Was Made |
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (%) | |||
First |
5.00 | |||
Second |
4.00 | |||
Third |
3.00 | |||
Fourth |
2.00 | |||
Fifth |
1.00 | |||
Sixth and thereafter |
0.00 |
Class B shares will convert automatically to Class A shares approximately eight years after the date on which they were purchased and thereafter will no longer be subject to any distribution fees. There will also be converted at that time such proportion of Class B dividend shares (Class B shares that were acquired through the
55
reinvestment of dividends and distributions) owned by the shareholder as the total number of his or her Class B shares converting at the time bears to the total number of outstanding Class B shares (other than Class B dividend shares) owned by the shareholder.
In determining the applicability of any contingent deferred sales charge, it will be assumed that a redemption is made first of shares representing capital appreciation, next of shares representing the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, next of shares that are not subject to the contingent deferred sales charge and finally of other shares held by the shareholder for the longest period of time. The length of time that contingent deferred sales charge shares acquired through an exchange have been held will be calculated from the date the shares exchanged were initially acquired in one of the other funds sold by the distributor. For federal income tax purposes, the amount of the contingent deferred sales charge will reduce the gain or increase the loss, as the case may be, on the amount realized on redemption. The funds distributor receives contingent deferred sales charges in partial consideration for its expenses in selling shares.
Waivers of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
The contingent deferred sales charge will be waived on: (a) exchanges (see Exchange Privilege); (b) automatic cash withdrawals in amounts equal to or less than 2.00% per month of the shareholders account balance at the time the withdrawals commence, up to a maximum of 12.00% in one year (see Automatic Cash Withdrawal Plan); (c) redemptions of shares within 12 months following the death or disability (as defined in the Code) of the shareholder; (d) mandatory post-retirement distributions from retirement plans or IRAs commencing on or after attainment of age 70 1 / 2 (except that shareholders of certain retirement plans or IRA accounts established prior to May 23, 2005 will be eligible to obtain a waiver of the contingent deferred sales charge on all funds held in those accounts at age 59 1 / 2 and may be required to demonstrate such eligibility at the time of redemption); (e) involuntary redemptions; (f) redemptions of shares to effect a combination of the fund with any investment company by merger, acquisition of assets or otherwise; (g) tax-free returns of an excess contribution to any retirement plan; and (h) certain redemptions of shares of the fund in connection with lump-sum or other distributions made by eligible retirement plans or redemption of shares by participants in certain wrap fee or asset allocation programs sponsored by broker/dealers and other financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the distributor or the manager.
The contingent deferred sales charge is waived on Class C shares purchased by retirement plan omnibus accounts held on the books of the fund.
A shareholder who has redeemed shares from other funds sold by the distributor may, under certain circumstances, reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds within 60 days and receive pro rata credit for any contingent deferred sales charge imposed on the prior redemption.
Contingent deferred sales charge waivers will be granted subject to confirmation by the distributor or the transfer agent of the shareholders status or holdings, as the case may be.
Grandfathered Retirement Program with Exchange Features
Certain retirement plan programs with exchange features in effect prior to November 20, 2006 (collectively, the Grandfathered Retirement Program) that are authorized by the distributor to offer eligible retirement plan investors the opportunity to exchange all of their Class C shares for Class A shares of an applicable fund sold by the distributor, are permitted to maintain such share class exchange feature for current and prospective retirement plan investors.
Under the Grandfathered Retirement Program, Class C shares of the fund may be purchased by plans investing less than $3,000,000. Class C shares are eligible for exchange into Class A shares not later than eight years after the plan joins the program. They are eligible for exchange in the following circumstances: For participating plans established with the fund or another fund in the Legg Mason family of funds (including funds
56
for which LMPFA or any predecessor serves or has served as investment manager or administrator) prior to June 2, 2003, if such plans total Class C and Class C1 holdings in all non-money market funds sold by the distributor equal at least $1,000,000 at the end of the fifth year after the date the participating plan enrolled in the Grandfathered Retirement Program, the participating plan will be permitted to exchange all of its Class C shares and Class C1 shares for Class A shares of the fund. For participating plans established with the fund or another fund in the Legg Mason family of funds (including funds for which LMPFA or any predecessor serves or has served as investment manager or administrator) on or after June 2, 2003, if such plans total Class C and Class C1 holdings in all non-money market funds sold by the distributor equal at least $3,000,000 at the end of the fifth year after the date the participating plan enrolled in the Grandfathered Retirement Program, the participating plan will be permitted to exchange all of its Class C shares and Class C1 shares for Class A shares of the fund.
Unless the exchange offer has been rejected in writing, the exchange will automatically occur within approximately 30 days after the fifth anniversary date. If the participating plan does not qualify for the five-year exchange to Class A shares, a review of the participating plans holdings will be performed each quarter until either the participating plan qualifies or the end of the eighth year.
Any participating plan that has not previously qualified for an exchange into Class A shares will be offered the opportunity to exchange all of its Class C shares for Class A shares of the same fund regardless of asset size at the end of the eighth year after the date the participating plan enrolled in the Grandfathered Retirement Program. Unless the exchange has been rejected in writing, the exchange will automatically occur on or about the eighth anniversary date. Once an exchange has occurred, a participating plan will not be eligible to acquire additional Class C shares, but instead may acquire Class A shares of the same fund. Any Class C shares not converted will continue to be subject to the distribution fee.
For further information regarding the Grandfathered Retirement Program, contact your Service Agent or the transfer agent. Participating plans that enrolled in the Grandfathered Retirement Program prior to June 2, 2003 should contact the transfer agent for information regarding Class C exchange privileges applicable to their plan.
Determination of Public Offering Price
The fund offers its shares to the public on a continuous basis. The public offering price for each class of shares of the fund is equal to the net asset value (NAV) per share at the time of purchase, plus for Class A shares, an initial sales charge based on the aggregate amount of the investment. The public offering price for Class C, Class FI, Class R, Class I and Class IS shares (and Class A share purchases, including applicable rights of accumulation, equaling or exceeding $1,000,000) is equal to the NAV per share at the time of purchase and no sales charge is imposed at the time of purchase. A contingent deferred sales charge, however, is imposed on certain redemptions of Class C shares and on Class A shares when purchased in amounts equaling or exceeding $1,000,000.
Set forth below is an example of the method of computing the offering price of the Class A shares of the fund based on the NAV of a share of the fund as of August 31, 2015
Class A (based on a NAV of $196.14 and a maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%) .$208.11
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (a) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than for customary weekend and holiday closings), (b) when trading in the markets the fund normally utilizes is restricted, or an emergency exists, as determined by the SEC, so that disposal of the funds investments or determination of NAV is not reasonably practicable or (c) for such other periods as the SEC by order may permit for protection of the funds shareholders.
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Redemption proceeds will be mailed to an investors address of record. The transfer agent may require additional supporting documents for redemptions made by corporations, executors, administrators, trustees or guardians. A redemption request will not be deemed properly received until the transfer agent receives all required documents in proper form.
If a shareholder holds shares in more than one class, any request for redemption must specify the class being redeemed. In the event of a failure to specify which class, or if the investor owns fewer shares of the class than specified, the redemption request will be delayed until the transfer agent receives further instructions. The redemption proceeds will be remitted on or before the seventh business day following receipt of proper tender, except on any days on which the NYSE is closed or as permitted under the 1940 Act, in extraordinary circumstances. Redemption proceeds for shares purchased by check, other than a certified or official bank check, will be remitted upon clearance of the check, which may take up to ten days. Each Service Agent is responsible for transmitting promptly orders for its customers.
The Service Agent may charge you a fee for executing your order. The amount and applicability of such a fee is determined and disclosed to its customers by each Service Agent.
Additional Information Regarding Telephone Redemption and Exchange Program. Neither the fund nor its agents will be liable for following instructions communicated by telephone that are reasonably believed to be genuine. The fund and its agents will employ procedures designed to verify the identity of the caller and legitimacy of instructions (for example, a shareholders name and account number will be required and phone calls may be recorded). The fund reserves the right to suspend, modify or discontinue the telephone redemption and exchange program or to impose a charge for this service at any time following at least seven (7) days prior notice to shareholders.
Automatic Cash Withdrawal Plan
An automatic cash withdrawal plan (the Withdrawal Plan) is available to shareholders as described in the Prospectus. To the extent withdrawals under the Withdrawal Plan exceed dividends, distributions and appreciation of a shareholders investment in the fund, there will be a reduction in the value of the shareholders investment, and continued withdrawal payments may reduce the shareholders investment and ultimately exhaust it. Withdrawal payments should not be considered as income from investment in the fund. The Withdrawal Plan will be carried over on exchanges between funds sold by the distributor or classes of the fund. All dividends and distributions on shares in the Withdrawal Plan are reinvested automatically at NAV in additional shares of the fund.
For additional information, shareholders should contact their Service Agent. A shareholder who purchases shares directly through the transfer agent may continue to do so and applications for participation in the Withdrawal Plan should be sent to the transfer agent. Withdrawals may be scheduled on any day of the month; however, if the shareholder does not specify a day, the transfer agent will schedule the withdrawal on the 25th day (or the next business day if the 25th day is a weekend or holiday) of the month.
Legg Mason Institutional Funds Systematic Withdrawal Plan
Certain shareholders of Class FI, Class I or Class IS shares with an initial NAV of $1,000,000 or more may be eligible to participate in the Legg Mason Institutional Funds Systematic Withdrawal Plan. Receipt of payment of proceeds of redemptions made through the Systematic Withdrawal Plan will be wired through ACH to your checking or savings account redemptions of fund shares may occur on any business day of the month and the checking or savings account will be credited with the proceeds in approximately two business days. Requests must be made in writing to the fund or a Service Agent to participate in, change or discontinue the Systematic Withdrawal Plan. You may change the monthly amount to be paid to you or terminate the Systematic Withdrawal Plan at any time, without charge or penalty, by notifying the fund or a Service Agent. The fund, its transfer agent and the distributor also reserve the right to modify or terminate the Systematic Withdrawal Plan at any time.
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Redemptions in Kind
If the funds manager determines that it would not be in the best interests of the funds remaining shareholders to make a redemption payment wholly in cash, the fund may honor a redemption request by delivering portfolio securities to a shareholder to pay all or a portion of the redemption proceeds. However, the fund will not use securities to satisfy any request for redemption, or combination of requests from the same shareholder in any 90-day period, if the total redemption amount does not exceed $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of the fund, whichever is less. When a redemption is paid in kind, the securities distributed to the redeeming shareholder will be valued in accordance with the procedures described under Share price in the funds Prospectus. Because a redemption in-kind may be used during times when the markets experience increased illiquidity, these valuation methods may include fair value estimations and a shareholder may have difficulty selling those securities at the valuation price. A shareholder receiving securities from the fund may incur costs in holding and when subsequently selling those securities, and the market price of those securities will be subject to fluctuation until they are sold. The fund will not use securities to pay redemptions by LMIS or other affiliated persons of the fund, except as permitted by law, SEC rules or orders, or interpretive guidance from the SEC staff or other proper authorities.
The exchange privilege enables shareholders to acquire shares of the same class in another fund sold by the distributor. This privilege is available to shareholders residing in any state in which the fund shares being acquired may legally be sold. Prior to any exchange, the shareholder should obtain and review a copy of the current prospectus of each fund into which an exchange is being considered. Prospectuses may be obtained from a Service Agent.
Upon receipt of proper instructions and all necessary supporting documents, shares submitted for exchange are redeemed at the then-current NAV, and the proceeds are immediately invested in shares of the fund being acquired at that funds then current NAV. The distributor reserves the right to reject any exchange request. The exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any time after written notice to shareholders.
Class A, Class FI, Class R, Class I and Class IS Exchanges. Class A, Class FI, Class R, Class I and Class IS shareholders of the fund who wish to exchange all or a portion of their shares for shares of the respective class in another fund may do so without imposition of any charge.
Class B Exchanges. Funds that offered Class B shares prior to July 1, 2011 continue to make them available for incoming exchanges. Class B shares of the fund may be exchanged for Class B shares of other funds without a contingent deferred sales charge at the time of exchange. Upon an exchange, the new Class B shares will be deemed to have been purchased on the same date as the Class B shares of the fund that have been exchanged.
Class C Exchanges. Class C shares of the fund may be exchanged for other Class C shares without a contingent deferred sales charge. Upon an exchange, the new Class C shares will be deemed to have been purchased on the same date as the Class C shares of the fund that have been exchanged.
Class R1 Exchanges. Class R1 shares are closed to all new purchases and incoming exchanges.
Certain retirement plan programs with exchange features in effect prior to November 20, 2006, as approved by LMIS, will remain eligible for exchange from Class C shares to Class A shares in accordance with the program terms. See Grandfathered Retirement Programs with Exchange Features for additional information.
Additional Information Regarding the Exchange Privilege
The fund is not designed to provide investors with a means of speculation on short-term market movements. A pattern of frequent exchanges by investors can be disruptive to efficient portfolio management and, consequently, can be detrimental to the fund and its shareholders. See Frequent trading of fund shares in the Prospectus.
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During times of drastic economic or market conditions, the fund may suspend the exchange privilege temporarily without notice and treat exchange requests based on their separate componentsredemption orders with a simultaneous request to purchase the other funds shares. In such a case, the redemption request would be processed at the funds next determined NAV but the purchase order would be effective only at the NAV next determined after the fund being purchased formally accepts the order, which may result in the purchase being delayed.
Certain shareholders may be able to exchange shares by telephone. See the funds Prospectus for additional information. Exchanges will be processed at the NAV next determined. Redemption procedures discussed above are also applicable for exchanging shares, and exchanges will be made upon receipt of all supporting documents in proper form. If the account registration of the shares of the fund being acquired is identical to the registration of the shares of the fund exchanged, no signature guarantee is required.
This exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any time, and is available only in those jurisdictions where such exchanges legally may be made. Before making any exchange, shareholders should contact the transfer agent or, if they hold fund shares through a Service Agent, their Service Agent, to obtain more information and prospectuses of the funds to be acquired through the exchange. An exchange is treated as a sale of the shares exchanged and could result in taxable gain or loss to the shareholder making the exchange.
The NAV per share of each class is calculated on each day, Monday through Friday, except days on which the NYSE is closed. As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE is normally open for trading every weekday except in the event of an emergency or for the following holidays (or the days on which they are observed): New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Because of the differences in distribution fees and class-specific expenses, the per share NAV of each class will differ. Please see the Prospectus for a description of the procedures used by the fund in valuing its assets.
Subject to such policies as may be established by the Board from time to time, the subadviser is primarily responsible for the funds portfolio decisions and the placing of the funds portfolio transactions and Western Asset manages the portion of the funds cash and short-term instruments allocated to it.
The cost of securities purchased from underwriters includes an underwriting commission, concession or a net price. Debt securities purchased and sold by the fund generally are traded on a net basis ( i.e. , without a commission) through dealers acting for their own account and not as brokers, or otherwise involve transactions directly with the issuer of the instrument. This means that a dealer makes a market for securities by offering to buy at one price and selling the security at a slightly higher price. The difference between the prices is known as a spread. Other portfolio transactions may be executed through brokers acting as agents. The fund will pay a spread or commission in connection with such transactions. Commissions are negotiated with brokers on such transactions. The aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the fund for the three most recent fiscal years or periods, as applicable, are set forth below under Aggregate Brokerage Commissions Paid.
Pursuant to the Subadvisory Agreement, the subadviser is authorized to place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the fund either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer, foreign currency dealer, futures commission merchant or others selected by it. The general policy of the subadviser in selecting brokers and dealers is to obtain the best results achievable in the context of a number of factors which are considered both in relation to individual trades and broader trading patterns, including the reliability of the broker/dealer, the competitiveness of the price and the commission, the research services received and whether the broker/dealer commits its own capital.
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In connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, subject to applicable law, brokers or dealers may be selected who also provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act) to the fund and/or the other accounts over which the subadviser or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The subadviser is authorized to pay a broker or dealer that provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the subadviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer. Investment research services include information and analysis on particular companies and industries as well as market or economic trends and portfolio strategy, market quotations for portfolio evaluations, analytical software and similar products and services. If a research service also assists the subadviser in a non-research capacity (such as bookkeeping or other administrative functions), then only the percentage or component that provides assistance to the subadviser in the investment decision making process may be paid in commission dollars. This determination may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities that the subadviser and its affiliates have with respect to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. The subadviser may also have arrangements with brokers pursuant to which such brokers provide research services to the subadviser in exchange for a certain volume of brokerage transactions to be executed by such brokers. While the payment of higher commissions increases the funds costs, the subadviser does not believe that the receipt of such brokerage and research services significantly reduces its expenses as subadviser. Arrangements for the receipt of research services from brokers may create conflicts of interest.
Research services furnished to the subadviser by brokers that effect securities transactions for the fund may be used by the subadviser in servicing other investment companies and accounts which the subadviser manages. Similarly, research services furnished to the subadviser by brokers that effect securities transactions for other investment companies and accounts which the subadviser manages may be used by the subadviser in servicing the fund. Not all of these research services are used by the subadviser in managing any particular account, including the fund.
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the fund paid commissions to brokers that provided research services as follows:
Total Dollar Amount of Brokerage Transactions
|
Total Dollar Amount of Brokerage Commissions Paid on
Transactions Related to Research Services ($) |
|||||
1,411,444,593 | 831,363 |
The fund contemplates that, consistent with the policy of obtaining the best net results, brokerage transactions may be conducted through affiliated broker/dealers, as defined in the 1940 Act. The funds Board has adopted procedures in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act to ensure that all brokerage commissions paid to such affiliates are reasonable and fair in the context of the market in which such affiliates operate.
Aggregate Brokerage Commissions Paid
For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the fund paid aggregate brokerage commissions as set forth in the table below.
Fiscal Year ended August 31, |
Aggregate Brokerage Commissions Paid ($) | |||
2015 |
1,603,360 | * | ||
2014 |
671,054 | * | ||
2013 |
130,370 |
* | The increase in commissions during the period from 2013 to 2015 was due to growth in the funds assets. |
For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the fund did not pay any brokerage commissions to LMIS or its affiliates.
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In certain instances there may be securities that are suitable as an investment for the fund as well as for one or more of the other clients of the subadviser. Investment decisions for the fund and for the subadvisers other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It may develop that a particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling the same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could adversely affect the price of or the size of the position obtainable in a security for the fund. When purchases or sales of the same security for the fund and for other portfolios managed by the subadviser occur contemporaneously, the purchase or sale orders may be aggregated in order to obtain any price advantages available to large volume purchases or sales.
At August 31, 2015, the fund held no securities issued by its regular broker/dealers.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The funds Board has adopted policies and procedures (the policy) developed by the manager with respect to the disclosure of a funds portfolio securities and any ongoing arrangements to make available information about the funds portfolio securities. The manager believes the policy is in the best interests of each fund and its shareholders and that it strikes an appropriate balance between the desire of investors for information about fund portfolio holdings and the need to protect funds from potentially harmful disclosures.
General rules/Website disclosure
The policy provides that information regarding a funds portfolio holdings may be shared at any time with employees of the manager, a funds subadviser and other affiliated parties involved in the management, administration or operations of the fund (referred to as fund-affiliated personnel). With respect to non-money market funds, a funds complete list of holdings (including the size of each position) may be made available to investors, potential investors, third parties and Legg Mason personnel that are not fund-affiliated personnel (i) upon the filing of Form N-Q or Form N-CSR in accordance with SEC rules, provided that such filings are not made until 15 calendar days following the end of the period covered by the Form N-Q or Form N-CSR or (ii) no sooner than 15 days after month end, provided that such information has been made available through public disclosure at least one day previously. Typically, public disclosure is achieved by required filings with the SEC and/or posting the information to Legg Masons or the funds Internet site that is accessible by the public, or through public release by a third party vendor.
The fund currently discloses its complete portfolio holdings 14 calendar days after quarter-end on Legg Masons website: http://www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors/prospectuses (click on the name of the fund).
Ongoing arrangements
Under the policy, a fund may release portfolio holdings information on a regular basis to a custodian, sub-custodian, fund accounting agent, proxy voting provider, rating agency or other vendor or service provider for a legitimate business purpose, where the party receiving the information is under a duty of confidentiality, including a duty to prohibit the sharing of non-public information with unauthorized sources and trading upon non-public information. A fund may enter into other ongoing arrangements for the release of portfolio holdings information, but only if such arrangements serve a legitimate business purpose and are with a party who is subject to a confidentiality agreement and restrictions on trading upon non-public information. None of the funds, Legg Mason or any other affiliated party may receive compensation or any other consideration in connection with such arrangements. Ongoing arrangements to make available information about a funds portfolio securities will be reviewed at least annually by the funds board.
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Set forth below is a list, as of September 30, 2015, of those parties with whom the manager, on behalf of each fund, has authorized ongoing arrangements that include the release of portfolio holdings information in accordance with the policy, as well as the maximum frequency of the release under such arrangements, and the minimum length of the lag, if any, between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. The ongoing arrangements may vary for each party, and it is possible that not every party will receive information for each fund. The parties identified below as recipients are service providers, fund rating agencies, consultants and analysts.
Recipient |
Frequency |
Delay Before
|
||
1919 Investment Counsel, LLC |
Daily | None | ||
Bloomberg AIM |
Daily | None | ||
Bloomberg L.P. |
Daily | None | ||
Bloomberg Portfolio Analysis |
Daily | None | ||
Brown Brothers Harriman |
Daily | None | ||
Charles River |
Daily | None | ||
Emerging Portfolio Fund Research, Inc. (EPFR), an Informa Company |
Monthly | None | ||
Enfusion Systems |
Daily | None | ||
ENSO LP |
Daily | None | ||
eVestment Alliance |
Quarterly | 8-10 Days | ||
EZE Order Management System |
Daily | None | ||
FactSet |
Daily | None | ||
Institutional Shareholder Services (Proxy Voting Services) |
Daily | None | ||
ITG |
Daily | None | ||
Middle Office Solutions, LLC |
Daily | None | ||
Morningstar |
Daily | None | ||
NaviSite, Inc. |
Daily | None | ||
StarCompliance |
Daily | None | ||
State Street Bank and Trust Company (Fund Custodian and Accounting Agent) |
Daily | None | ||
SunGard/Protegent (formerly Dataware) |
Daily | None | ||
The Bank of New York Mellon |
Daily | None | ||
The Northern Trust Company |
Daily | None | ||
Thomson |
Semi-annually | None | ||
Thomson Reuters |
Daily | None |
Portfolio holdings information for a fund may also be released from time to time pursuant to ongoing arrangements with the following parties:
Recipient |
Frequency |
Delay Before
|
||
Broadridge |
Daily | None | ||
Deutsche Bank |
Monthly | 6-8 Business Days | ||
DST International plc (DSTi) |
Daily | None | ||
Electra Information Systems |
Daily | None | ||
Fidelity |
Quarterly | 5 Business Days | ||
Fitch |
Monthly | 6-8 Business Days | ||
Frank Russell |
Monthly | 1 Day | ||
Glass Lewis & Co. |
Daily | None | ||
Informa Investment Solutions |
Quarterly | 8-10 Days | ||
Interactive Data Corp |
Daily | None | ||
Liberty Hampshire |
Weekly and Month End | None | ||
S&P (Rating Agency) |
Weekly Tuesday Night | 1 Business Day | ||
SunTrust |
Weekly and Month End | None |
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Excluded from the lists of ongoing arrangements set forth above are ongoing arrangements where either (i) the disclosure of portfolio holdings information occurs concurrently with or after the time at which the portfolio holdings information is included in a public filing with the SEC that is required to include the information, or (ii) a funds portfolio holdings information is made available no earlier than the day next following the day on which the fund makes the information available on its website, as disclosed in the funds Prospectus. The approval of the funds Chief Compliance Officer, or designee, must be obtained before entering into any new ongoing arrangement or altering any existing ongoing arrangement to make available portfolio holdings information, or with respect to any exceptions from the policy.
Release of limited portfolio holdings information
In addition to the ongoing arrangements described above, a funds complete or partial list of holdings (including size of positions) may be released to another party on a one-time basis, provided the party receiving the information has executed a non-disclosure and confidentiality agreement and provided that the specific release of information has been approved by the funds Chief Compliance Officer or designee as consistent with the policy. By way of illustration and not of limitation, release of non-public information about a funds portfolio holdings may be made (i) to a proposed or potential adviser or subadviser or other investment manager asked to provide investment management services to the fund, or (ii) to a third party in connection with a program or similar trade.
In addition, the policy permits the release to investors, potential investors, third parties and Legg Mason personnel that are not fund-affiliated personnel of limited portfolio holdings information in other circumstances, including:
1. | A funds top ten securities, current as of month-end, and the individual size of each such security position may be released at any time following month-end with simultaneous public disclosure. |
2. | A funds top ten securities positions (including the aggregate but not individual size of such positions) may be released at any time with simultaneous public disclosure. |
3. | A list of securities (that may include fund holdings together with other securities) followed by an investment professional (without position sizes or identification of particular funds) may be disclosed to sell-side brokers at any time for the purpose of obtaining research and/or market information from such brokers. |
4. | A trade in process may be discussed only with counterparties, potential counterparties and others involved in the transaction ( i.e ., brokers and custodians). |
5. | A funds sector weightings, yield and duration (for fixed income and money market funds), performance attribution ( e.g ., analysis of the funds out-performance or underperformance of its benchmark based on its portfolio holdings) and other summary and statistical information that does not include identification of specific portfolio holdings may be released, even if non-public, if such release is otherwise in accordance with the policys general principles. |
6. | A small number of a funds portfolio holdings (including information that the fund no longer holds a particular holding) may be released, but only if the release of the information could not reasonably be seen to interfere with current or future purchase or sales activities of the fund and is not contrary to law. |
7. | A funds portfolio holdings may be released on an as-needed basis to its legal counsel, counsel to its independent trustees and its independent public accounting firm, in required regulatory filings or otherwise to governmental agencies and authorities. |
Exceptions to the policy
A funds Chief Compliance Officer, or designee, may, as is deemed appropriate, approve exceptions from the policy. Exceptions are granted only after a thorough examination and consultation with the managers legal department, as necessary. Exceptions from the policy are reported annually to each funds board.
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Limitations of policy
The funds portfolio holdings policy is designed to prevent sharing of portfolio information with third parties that have no legitimate business purpose for accessing the information. The policy may not be effective to limit access to portfolio holdings information in all circumstances, however. For example, the manager or the subadviser may manage accounts other than a fund that have investment objectives and strategies similar to those of the fund. Because these accounts, including a fund, may be similarly managed, portfolio holdings may be similar across the accounts. In that case, an investor in another account managed by the manager or the subadviser may be able to infer the portfolio holdings of the fund from the portfolio holdings in that investors account.
The certificate of trust to establish Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust (referred to in this section as the Trust) was filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on October 4, 2006. As of April 16, 2007, the fund was redomiciled as a series of the Trust. Prior thereto, the fund was a series of Legg Mason Partners Investment Trust, a Massachusetts business trust. Prior to the reorganization of the fund as a series of Legg Mason Partners Investment Trust, the fund was a Maryland corporation.
The Trust is a Maryland statutory trust. A Maryland statutory trust is an unincorporated business association that is established under, and governed by, Maryland law. Maryland law provides a statutory framework for the powers, duties, rights and obligations of the trustees and shareholders of the statutory trust, while the more specific powers, duties, rights and obligations of the trustees and the shareholders are determined by the trustees as set forth in the trusts declaration of trust. Some of the more significant provisions of the Trusts declaration of trust (the Declaration) are described below.
Shareholder Voting. The Declaration provides for shareholder voting as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable laws, but otherwise permits, consistent with Maryland law, actions by the trustees of the Trust (the Trustees) without seeking the consent of shareholders. The Trustees may, without shareholder approval, amend the Declaration or authorize the merger or consolidation of the Trust into another trust or entity, reorganize the Trust or any series or class into another trust or entity or a series or class of another entity, sell all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust or any series or class to another entity, or a series or class of another entity, or terminate the Trust or any series or class.
A fund is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders, but a fund will call special meetings of shareholders whenever required by the 1940 Act or by the terms of the Declaration. The Declaration provides for dollar-weighted voting which means that a shareholders voting power is determined, not by the number of shares he or she owns, but by the dollar value of those shares determined on the record date. All shareholders of record of all series and classes of the Trust vote together, except where required by the 1940 Act to vote separately by series or by class, or when the Trustees have determined that a matter affects only the interests of one or more series or classes of shares. There is no cumulative voting on any matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders.
Election and Removal of Trustees. The Declaration provides that the Trustees may establish the number of Trustees and that vacancies on the Board may be filled by the remaining Trustees, except when election of Trustees by the shareholders is required under the 1940 Act. Trustees are then elected by a plurality of votes cast by shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The Declaration also provides that a mandatory retirement age may be set by action of two-thirds of the Trustees and that Trustees may be removed, with or without cause, by a vote of shareholders holding two-thirds of the voting power of the Trust, or by a vote of two-thirds of the remaining Trustees. The provisions of the Declaration relating to the election and removal of Trustees may not be amended without the approval of two-thirds of the Trustees.
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Amendments to the Declaration. The Trustees are authorized to amend the Declaration without the vote of shareholders, but no amendment may be made that impairs the exemption from personal liability granted in the Declaration to persons who are or have been shareholders, Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust or that limits the rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance provided in the Declaration with respect to actions or omissions of persons entitled to indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance under the Declaration prior to the amendment.
Issuance and Redemption of Shares. A fund may issue an unlimited number of shares for such consideration and on such terms as the Trustees may determine. All shares offered pursuant to the Prospectus of the fund, when issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable. Shareholders are not entitled to any appraisal, preemptive, conversion, exchange or similar rights, except as the Trustees may determine. A fund may involuntarily redeem a shareholders shares upon certain conditions as may be determined by the Trustees, including, for example, if the shareholder fails to provide a fund with identification required by law, or if the fund is unable to verify the information received from the shareholder. Additionally, as discussed below, shares may be redeemed in connection with the closing of small accounts.
Disclosure of Shareholder Holdings. The Declaration specifically requires shareholders, upon demand, to disclose to a fund information with respect to the direct and indirect ownership of shares in order to comply with various laws or regulations, and a fund may disclose such ownership if required by law or regulation, or as the Trustees otherwise decide.
Small Accounts. The Declaration provides that a fund may close out a shareholders account by redeeming all of the shares in the account if the account falls below a minimum account size (which may vary by class) that may be set by the Trustees from time to time. Alternately, the Declaration permits a fund to assess a fee for small accounts (which may vary by class) and redeem shares in the account to cover such fees, or convert the shares into another share class that is geared to smaller accounts.
Series and Classes. The Declaration provides that the Trustees may establish series and classes in addition to those currently established and that the Trustees may determine the rights and preferences, limitations and restrictions, including qualifications for ownership, conversion and exchange features, minimum purchase and account size, expenses and charges, and other features of the series and classes. The Trustees may change any of those features, terminate any series or class, combine series with other series in the Trust, combine one or more classes of a series with another class in that series or convert the shares of one class into shares of another class. Each share of a fund, as a series of the Trust, represents an interest in the fund only and not in the assets of any other series of the Trust.
Shareholder, Trustee and Officer Liability. The Declaration provides that shareholders are not personally liable for the obligations of a fund and requires the fund to indemnify a shareholder against any loss or expense arising from any such liability. The fund will assume the defense of any claim against a shareholder for personal liability at the request of the shareholder. The Declaration further provides that a Trustee acting in his or her capacity as a Trustee is not personally liable to any person, other than the Trust or its shareholders, in connection with the affairs of the Trust. Each Trustee is required to perform his or her duties in good faith and in a manner he or she believes to be in the best interests of the Trust. All actions and omissions of Trustees are presumed to be in accordance with the foregoing standard of performance, and any person alleging the contrary has the burden of proving that allegation.
The Declaration limits a Trustees liability to the Trust or any shareholder to the fullest extent permitted under current Maryland law by providing that a Trustee is liable to the Trust or its shareholders for monetary damages only (a) to the extent that it is proved that he or she actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) to the extent that a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the Trustee is entered in a proceeding based on a finding in the proceeding that the Trustees action, or failure to act, was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding.
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The Declaration requires the Trust to indemnify any persons who are or who have been Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and expenses in connection with any claim or proceeding in which he or she is involved by virtue of having been a Trustee, officer or employee. In making any determination as to whether any person is entitled to the advancement of expenses in connection with a claim for which indemnification is sought, such person is entitled to a rebuttable presumption that he or she did not engage in conduct for which indemnification is not available.
The Declaration provides that any Trustee who serves as chair of the Board, a member or chair of a committee of the Board, lead independent Trustee, audit committee financial expert, or in any other similar capacity will not be subject to any greater standard of care or liability because of such position.
Derivative Actions. The Declaration provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders in order to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to a fund or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by no fewer than three unrelated shareholders must be made on the Trustees. The Declaration details information, certifications, undertakings and acknowledgements that must be included in the demand. The Trustees are not required to consider a demand that is not submitted in accordance with the requirements contained in the Declaration. The Declaration also requires that in order to bring a derivative action, the complaining shareholders must be joined in the action by shareholders owning, at the time of the alleged wrongdoing, at the time of demand, and at the time the action is commenced, shares representing at least 5% of the voting power of the affected funds. The Trustees have a period of 90 days, which may be extended by an additional 60 days, to consider the demand. If a majority of the Trustees who are considered independent for the purposes of considering the demand determine that a suit should be maintained, then the Trust will commence the suit and the suit will proceed directly and not derivatively. If a majority of the independent Trustees determines that maintaining the suit would not be in the best interests of the funds, the Trustees are required to reject the demand and the complaining shareholders may not proceed with the derivative action unless the shareholders are able to sustain the burden of proof to a court that the decision of the Trustees not to pursue the requested action was not consistent with the standard of performance required of the Trustees in performing their duties. If a demand is rejected, the complaining shareholders will be responsible for the costs and expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred by the Trust in connection with the consideration of the demand if, in the judgment of the independent Trustees, the demand was made without reasonable cause or for an improper purpose. If a derivative action is brought in violation of the Declaration, the shareholders bringing the action may be responsible for the funds costs, including attorneys fees.
The Declaration further provides that a fund shall be responsible for payment of attorneys fees and legal expenses incurred by a complaining shareholder only if required by law, and any attorneys fees that the fund is obligated to pay shall be calculated using reasonable hourly rates. The Declaration also requires that actions by shareholders against the Trust or a fund be brought only in federal court in Baltimore, Maryland, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in state court in Baltimore, Maryland, and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations regarding the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of the fund by U.S. persons. This summary does not address all of the potential U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be applicable to the fund or to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special tax rules. Current and prospective shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in the fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this SAI and existing judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
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The Fund and Its Investments
The fund intends to continue to qualify to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Code each taxable year. To so qualify, the fund must, among other things: (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships ( i . e ., partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive 90% of their income from interest, dividends, capital gains and other traditionally permitted mutual fund income); and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the funds taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the funds assets is represented by cash, securities of other regulated investment companies, U.S. government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the funds assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, any two or more issuers of which 20% or more of the voting stock is held by the fund and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.
Although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to regulated investment companies, such rules do apply to a regulated investment company with respect to items attributable to interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships ( i.e. , partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive 90% of their income from interest, dividends, capital gains, and other traditionally permitted mutual fund income). Fund investments in partnerships, including in qualified publicly traded partnerships, may result in the fund being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.
As a regulated investment company, the fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its net investment income ( i.e. , income other than its net realized long-term and short-term capital gains) and its net realized long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, that it distributes to its shareholders, provided an amount equal to at least (i) 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income ( i.e. , its taxable income minus the excess, if any, of its net realized long-term capital gains over its net realized short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers), plus or minus certain other adjustments as specified in the Code) and (ii) 90% of its net tax-exempt income for the taxable year is distributed to its shareholders in compliance with the Codes timing and other requirements. However, any taxable income or gain the fund does not distribute will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates.
On August 31, 2015, the unused capital loss carryforward of the fund was $0. For federal income tax purposes, this amount is available to be applied against the funds future realized capital gains that are realized prior to the expiration of the carryforward, if any. For taxable years beginning in 2011 or after, capital losses will not be subject to expiration. In the event that the fund were to experience an ownership change as defined under the Code, the funds loss carryforwards and any other favorable tax attributes, if any, may be subject to limitation.
The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the fund to the extent it does not distribute by the end of any calendar year at least 98% of its ordinary income for that year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (both long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending, as a general rule, on October 31 of that year. For this purpose, however, any ordinary income or capital gain net income retained by the fund that is subject to corporate income tax will be considered to have been distributed by year-end. In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any year to avoid the excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any underdistribution or overdistribution, as the case may be, from the previous year. The fund anticipates that it will pay such dividends and will make such distributions as are necessary in order to avoid the application of this excise tax, but there cannot be assurance that this will be the case.
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If, in any taxable year, the fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code or fails to meet the distribution requirement, it will be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to its shareholders will not be deductible by the fund in computing its taxable income. In addition, in the event of a failure to qualify, the funds distributions, to the extent derived from the funds current or accumulated earnings and profits, will constitute dividends that are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income, even though those distributions might otherwise (at least in part) have been treated in the shareholders hands as long-term capital gains. However, such dividends will be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. Moreover, if the fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company in any year, it must pay out its earnings and profits accumulated in that year in order to qualify again as a regulated investment company. If the fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company for a period greater than two taxable years, the fund may be required to recognize any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its assets ( i.e ., the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if the fund had been liquidated) in order to qualify as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year.
The funds transactions in foreign currencies, forward contracts, options and futures contracts (including options and futures contracts on foreign currencies) will be subject to special provisions of the Code (including provisions relating to hedging transactions and straddles) that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by the fund ( i.e ., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the fund and defer fund losses. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also (a) will require the fund to mark-to-market certain types of the positions in its portfolio ( i.e ., treat them as if they were closed out at the end of each year) and (b) may cause the fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to pay dividends or make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes. The fund will monitor its transactions, may make relevant tax elections, which may affect the recognition, timing or character of the funds income and gains, possibly in a manner deleterious to shareholders, and expects to make the entries in its books and records when it acquires any foreign currency, forward contract, option, futures contract or hedged investment with respect to these special provisions of the Code.
The funds investments in so-called section 1256 contracts, such as regulated futures contracts, most foreign currency forward contracts traded in the interbank market and options on most stock indexes, are subject to special tax rules. All section 1256 contracts held by the fund at the end of its taxable year are required to be marked to their market value, and any unrealized gain or loss on those positions will be included in the funds income as if each position had been sold for its fair market value at the end of the taxable year. The resulting gain or loss will be combined with any gain or loss realized by the fund from positions in section 1256 contracts closed during the taxable year. Provided such positions were held as capital assets and were not part of a hedging transaction nor part of a straddle, 60% of the resulting net gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and 40% of such net gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss, regardless of the period of time the positions were actually held by the fund.
As a result of entering into swap contracts, the fund may make or receive periodic net payments. The fund may also make or receive a payment when a swap is terminated prior to maturity through an assignment of the swap or other closing transaction. Periodic net payments will generally constitute ordinary income or deductions, while termination of a swap will generally result in capital gain or loss (which will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the fund has been a party to the swap for more than one year). With respect to certain types of swaps, the fund may be required to currently recognize income or loss with respect to future payments on such swaps or may elect under certain circumstances to mark such swaps to market annually for tax purposes as ordinary income or loss.
The fund may be required to treat amounts as taxable income or gain, subject to the distribution requirements referred to above, even though no corresponding amounts of cash are received concurrently, as a
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result of (a) mark-to-market, constructive sale or rules applicable to PFICs (as defined below) or partnerships or trusts in which the fund invests or to certain options, futures or forward contracts, or appreciated financial positions or (b) the inability to obtain cash distributions or other amounts due to currency controls or restrictions on repatriation imposed by a foreign country with respect to the funds investments (including through depositary receipts) in issuers in such country or (c) tax rules applicable to debt obligations acquired with original issue discount, including zero-coupon or deferred payment bonds and pay-in-kind debt obligations, or to market discount if an election is made with respect to such market discount. The fund may therefore be required to obtain cash to be used to satisfy these distribution requirements by selling securities at times that it might not otherwise be desirable to do so or borrowing the necessary cash, thereby incurring interest expenses.
In certain situations, the fund may, for a taxable year, defer all or a portion of its capital losses realized after October and its late-year ordinary losses (defined as the sum of the excess of post-October foreign currency and PFIC losses over post-October foreign currency and PFIC gains plus the excess of post-December ordinary losses over post-December ordinary income) realized after December until the next taxable year in computing its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, which will defer the recognition of such realized losses. Such deferrals and other rules regarding gains and losses realized after October (or December) may affect the tax character of shareholder distributions.
In general, gain or loss on a short sale is recognized when the fund closes the sale by delivering the borrowed property to the lender, not when the borrowed property is sold. Gain or loss from a short sale is generally considered as capital gain or loss to the extent that the property used to close the short sale constitutes a capital asset in the funds hands. Except with respect to certain situations where the property used by the fund to close a short sale has a long-term holding period on the date of the short sale, special rules would generally treat the gains on short sales as short-term capital gains. These rules may also terminate the running of the holding period of substantially identical property held by the fund. Moreover, a loss on a short sale will be treated as a long-term capital loss if, on the date of the short sale, substantially identical property has been held by the fund for more than one year. In general, the fund will not be permitted to deduct payments made to reimburse the lender of securities for dividends paid on borrowed stock if the short sale is closed on or before the 45th day after the short sale is entered into.
Foreign Investments . Dividends, interest and proceeds from the sale of foreign securities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding income and other taxes, including financial transaction taxes. Even if the fund is entitled to seek a refund in respect of such taxes, it may choose not to. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. Foreign taxes paid by the fund will reduce the return from the funds investments.
Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time the fund accrues income or receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the fund actually collects such income or pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. In general, gains (and losses) realized on debt instruments will be treated as Section 988 gain (or loss) to the extent attributable to changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which the instruments are denominated. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency, foreign currency forward contracts, certain foreign currency options or futures contracts and the disposition of debt securities denominated in foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, are also treated as ordinary income or loss unless the fund were to elect otherwise.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies . If the fund purchases shares in certain foreign investment entities, called passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), it may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any excess distribution or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the fund to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the fund in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains.
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If the fund were to invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a qualified electing fund under the Code, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, the fund might be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the qualified electing fund, even if not distributed to the fund, and such amounts would be subject to the 90% and excise tax distribution requirements described above. In order to make this election, the fund would be required to obtain certain annual information from the PFICs in which it invests, which may be difficult or impossible to obtain.
Alternatively, the fund may, in certain cases, make a mark-to-market election that will result in the fund being treated as if it had sold and repurchased its PFIC stock at the end of each year. In such case, the fund would report any such gains as ordinary income and would deduct any such losses as ordinary losses to the extent of previously recognized gains. The election must be made separately for each PFIC owned by the fund and, once made, would be effective for all subsequent taxable years, unless revoked with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS). By making the election, the fund could potentially ameliorate the adverse tax consequences with respect to its ownership of shares in a PFIC, but in any particular year may be required to recognize income in excess of the distributions it receives from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock. The fund may have to distribute this phantom income and gain to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement and to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax.
Taxation of U.S. Shareholders
Dividends and Distributions. Dividends and other distributions by the fund are generally treated under the Code as received by the shareholders at the time the dividend or distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by the fund in October, November or December of any calendar year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month shall be deemed to have been received by each shareholder on December 31 of such calendar year and to have been paid by the fund not later than such December 31, provided such dividend is actually paid by the fund during January of the following calendar year. The fund intends to distribute annually to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income, and any net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers). However, if the fund retains for investment an amount equal to all or a portion of its net long-term capital gains in excess of its net short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers), it will be subject to a corporate tax (at a maximum rate of 35%) on the amount retained. In that event, the fund will designate such retained amounts as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who (a) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gains, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amount, (b) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the 35% tax paid by the fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent their credits exceed their liabilities, if any, and (c) will be entitled to increase their tax basis, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in their shares by an amount equal to 65% of the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholders income. Organizations or persons not subject to federal income tax on such capital gains will be entitled to a refund of their pro rata share of such taxes paid by the fund upon filing appropriate returns or claims for refund with the IRS.
Dividends of net investment income and distributions of net realized short-term capital gains are taxable to a U.S. shareholder as ordinary income, whether paid in cash or in shares. Distributions of net realized long-term capital gains, if any, that the fund reports as capital gains dividends are taxable as long-term capital gains, whether paid in cash or in shares and regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares of the fund. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Dividends and distributions paid by the fund attributable to dividends on stock of U.S. corporations received by the fund, with respect to which the fund meets certain holding period requirements, will be eligible for the deduction for dividends received by corporations. Special rules apply, however, to regular dividends paid to individuals. Such a dividend may be subject to tax at the rates generally applicable to long-term capital gains for individuals (15% for individuals with incomes below approximately $400,000 ($450,000 if married filing jointly), 20% for individuals with any income above those amounts that is long-term capital gain and 0% at certain income levels; the above threshold amounts will be
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adjusted annually for inflation), provided that the individual receiving the dividend satisfies certain holding period and other requirements. Dividends subject to these special rules are not actually treated as capital gains, however, and thus are not included in the computation of an individuals net capital gain and generally cannot be used to offset capital losses. The long-term capital gains rates will apply to: (a) 100% of the regular dividends paid by the fund to an individual in a particular taxable year if 95% or more of the funds gross income (ignoring gains attributable to the sale of stocks and securities except to the extent net short-term capital gain from such sales exceeds net long-term capital loss from such sales) in that taxable year is attributable to qualified dividend income received by the fund; or (b) the portion of the regular dividends paid by the fund to an individual in a particular taxable year that is attributable to qualified dividend income received by the fund in that taxable year if such qualified dividend income accounts for less than 95% of the funds gross income (ignoring gains attributable to the sale of stocks and securities except to the extent net short-term capital gain from such sales exceeds net long-term capital loss from such sales) for that taxable year. For this purpose, qualified dividend income generally means income from dividends received by the fund from U.S. corporations and qualified foreign corporations, provided that the fund satisfies certain holding period requirements in respect of the stock of such corporations and has not hedged its position in the stock in certain ways. Also, dividends received by the fund from a REIT or another regulated investment company generally are qualified dividend income only to the extent the dividend distributions are made out of qualified dividend income received by such REIT or other regulated investment company. In the case of securities lending transactions, payments in lieu of dividends are not qualified dividend income. If a shareholder elects to treat fund dividends as investment income for purposes of the limitation on the deductibility of investment interest, such dividends would not be qualified dividend income.
We will send you information after the end of each year setting forth the amount of dividends paid by us that are eligible for the reduced rates.
If an individual receives a regular dividend qualifying for the long-term capital gains rates and such dividend constitutes an extraordinary dividend, and the individual subsequently recognizes a loss on the sale or exchange of stock in respect of which the extraordinary dividend was paid, then the loss will be long-term capital loss to the extent of such extraordinary dividend. An extraordinary dividend on common stock for this purpose is generally a dividend (a) in an amount greater than or equal to 10% of the taxpayers tax basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within an 85-day period or (b) in an amount greater than 20% of the taxpayers tax basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within a 365-day period. Distributions in excess of the funds current and accumulated earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a shareholders basis in his shares of the fund, and as a capital gain thereafter (if the shareholder holds his shares of the fund as capital assets). Shareholders receiving dividends or distributions in the form of additional shares should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of money that the shareholders receiving cash dividends or distributions will receive, and should have a cost basis in the shares received equal to such amount.
Investors considering buying shares just prior to the record date for a taxable dividend or capital gain distribution should be aware that, although the price of shares just purchased at that time may reflect the amount of the forthcoming distribution, such dividend or distribution may nevertheless be taxable to them. If the fund is the holder of record of any stock on the record date for any dividends payable with respect to such stock, such dividends are included in the funds gross income not as of the date received but as of the later of (a) the date such stock became ex-dividend with respect to such dividends ( i.e. , the date on which a buyer of the stock would not be entitled to receive the declared, but unpaid, dividends) or (b) the date the fund acquired such stock. Accordingly, in order to satisfy its income distribution requirements, the fund may be required to pay dividends based on anticipated earnings, and shareholders may receive dividends in an earlier year than would otherwise be the case.
Under current law, the fund serves to block unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) from being realized by its tax-exempt shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the fund if shares in the fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-
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exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b). Certain types of income received by the fund from REITs, real estate mortgage investment conduits, taxable mortgage pools or other investments may cause the fund to designate some or all of its distributions as excess inclusion income. To fund shareholders such excess inclusion income may (a) constitute taxable income, as UBTI for those shareholders who would otherwise be tax-exempt such as individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities; (b) not be offset by otherwise allowable deductions for tax purposes; (c) not be eligible for reduced U.S. withholding for non-U.S. shareholders even from tax treaty countries; and (d) cause the fund to be subject to tax if certain disqualified organizations as defined by the Code are fund shareholders.
If a charitable remainder annuity trust or charitable remainder unitrust (each as defined in Code Section 664) has UBTI for a tax year, a 100% excise tax on the UBTI is imposed on the trust.
Sales of Shares. Upon the sale or exchange of his shares, a shareholder will realize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and his or her basis in the shares. A redemption of shares by the fund will be treated as a sale for this purpose. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholders hands, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year and short-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for one year or less. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced, including replacement through the reinvesting of dividends and capital gains distributions in the fund, within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the shares. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss realized by a shareholder on the sale of a fund share held by the shareholder for six months or less will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions or deemed distributions of long-term capital gains received by the shareholder with respect to such share during such six month period. If a shareholder incurs a sales charge in acquiring shares of the fund, disposes of those shares within 90 days and then by January 31 of the calendar year following the year of disposition acquires shares in a mutual fund for which the otherwise applicable sales charge is reduced by reason of a reinvestment right ( e.g., an exchange privilege), the original sales charge will not be taken into account in computing gain or loss on the original shares to the extent the subsequent sales charge is reduced. Instead, the disregarded portion of the original sales charge will be added to the tax basis of the newly acquired shares. Furthermore, the same rule also applies to a disposition of the newly acquired shares made within 90 days of the second acquisition. This provision prevents a shareholder from immediately deducting the sales charge by shifting his or her investment in a family of mutual funds.
The fund, or, if you hold your shares through a Service Agent, your Service Agent will report to the IRS the amount of proceeds that a shareholder receives from a redemption or exchange of fund shares. For redemptions or exchanges of shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012, the fund will also report the shareholders basis in those shares and the character of any gain or loss that the shareholder realizes on the redemption or exchange ( i.e. , short-term or long-term), and certain related tax information. If a shareholder has a different basis for different shares of the fund in the same account ( e.g. , if a shareholder purchased fund shares held in the same account when the shares were at different prices), the fund will by default report the basis of the shares redeemed or exchanged using the average basis method, under which the basis per share is the average of the bases of all the shareholders fund shares in the account. (For these purposes, shares acquired prior to January 1, 2012 and shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012 will be treated as held in separate accounts.)
A shareholder may instruct the fund to use a method other than average basis for an account. If redemptions, including in connection with payment of an account fee, or exchanges have occurred in an account to which the average basis method applied, the basis of the fund shares remaining in the account will continue to reflect the average basis notwithstanding the shareholders subsequent election of a different method. For further assistance, shareholders who hold their shares directly with the fund may call the fund at 1-877-721-1926 Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Eastern time). Shareholders who hold shares through a Service Agent should contact the Service Agent for further assistance or for information regarding the Service Agents default method for calculating basis and procedures for electing to use an alternative method. Shareholders should
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consult their tax advisers concerning the tax consequences of applying the average basis method or electing another method of basis calculation, and should consider electing such other method prior to making redemptions or exchanges in their account.
Backup Withholding . The fund may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, 28% of the dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to provide the fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Certain shareholders are exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against a shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability.
Notices . Shareholders will be notified annually by the fund as to the U.S. federal income tax status of the dividends, distributions and deemed distributions attributable to undistributed capital gains (discussed above in Taxes-Taxation of U.S. Shareholders-Dividends and Distributions) made by the fund to its shareholders. Furthermore, shareholders will also receive, if appropriate, various written notices after the close of the funds taxable year regarding the U.S. federal income tax status of certain dividends, distributions and deemed distributions that were paid (or that are treated as having been paid) by the fund to its shareholders during the preceding taxable year.
If the fund is held through a qualified retirement plan entitled to tax exempt treatment for federal income tax purposes, distributions will generally not be taxable currently. Special tax rules apply to such retirement plans. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax treatment of distributions (which may include amounts attributable to fund distributions) which may be taxable when distributed from the retirement plan.
Other Taxes
Dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholders particular situation.
If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the funds shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders
Dividends paid by the fund to non-U.S. shareholders are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty to the extent derived from investment income and short-term capital gains. In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty. The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholders conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the non-U.S. shareholder were a U.S. shareholder. A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional branch profits tax imposed at a rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate). A non-U.S. shareholder who fails to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or other applicable form may be subject to backup withholding at the appropriate rate.
In general, U.S. federal withholding tax will not apply to any gain or income realized by a non-U.S. shareholder in respect of any distributions of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses, exempt-interest dividends, or upon the sale or other disposition of shares of the fund.
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For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2015, properly reported dividends are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (a) are paid in respect of the funds qualified net interest income (generally, the funds U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (b) are paid in respect of the funds qualified short-term capital gains (generally, the excess of the funds net short-term capital gain over the funds long-term capital loss for such taxable year). However, depending on its circumstances, the fund may report all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will need to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute Form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the fund reports the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.
For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2015, distributions that the fund reports as short-term capital gain dividends or long-term capital gain dividends will not be treated as such to a recipient non-U.S. shareholder if the distribution is attributable to gain received from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property or an interest in a U.S. real property holding corporation and the funds direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property exceeded certain levels. Instead, if the non-U.S. shareholder has not owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the fund at any time during the one year period ending on the date of distribution, such distributions will be subject to 30% withholding by the fund and will be treated as ordinary dividends to the non-U.S. shareholder; if the non-U.S. shareholder owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the fund at any time during the one year period ending on the date of the distribution, such distribution will be treated as real property gain subject to 35% withholding tax and could subject the non-U.S. shareholder to U.S. filing requirements. Additionally, if the funds direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property were to exceed certain levels, a non-U.S. shareholder realizing gains upon redemption from the fund on or before December 31, 2014 could be subject to the 35% withholding tax and U.S. filing requirements unless more than 50% of the funds shares were owned by U.S. persons at such time or unless the non-U.S. person had not held more than 5% of the funds outstanding shares throughout either such persons holding period for the redeemed shares or, if shorter, the previous five years.
In addition, the same rules apply with respect to distributions to a non-U.S. shareholder from the fund and redemptions of a non-U.S. shareholders interest in the fund attributable to a REITs distribution to the fund of gain from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property or an interest in a U.S. real property holding corporation, if the funds direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property were to exceed certain levels.
The rules laid out in the previous two paragraphs, other than the withholding rules, will apply notwithstanding the funds participation in a wash sale transaction or its payment of a substitute dividend.
Under legislation known as FATCA (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), the fund will be required to withhold 30% of certain ordinary dividends it pays and 30% of the gross proceeds of share redemptions and certain capital gain dividends it pays after December 31, 2018, to shareholders that fail to meet prescribed information reporting or certification requirements. In general, no such withholding will be required with respect to a U.S. person or non-U.S. individual that timely provides the certifications required by the fund or its agent on a valid IRS Form W-9 or W-8, respectively. Shareholders potentially subject to withholding include foreign financial institutions (FFIs), such as non-U.S. investment funds, and non-financial foreign entities (NFFEs). To avoid withholding under FATCA, an FFI generally must enter into an information sharing agreement with the IRS in which it agrees to report certain identifying information (including name, address, and taxpayer identification number) with respect to its U.S. account holders (which, in the case of an entity shareholder, may include its direct and indirect U.S. owners), and an NFFE generally must identify and provide other required information to the fund or other withholding agent regarding its U.S. owners, if any. Such non-U.S. shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by regulations and other guidance. A non-U.S.
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shareholder resident or doing business in a country that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. to implement FATCA will be exempt from FATCA withholding provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.
A non-U.S. entity that invests in the fund will need to provide the fund with documentation properly certifying the entitys status under FATCA in order to avoid FATCA withholding.
Non-U.S. investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the impact of these requirements on their investment in the fund.
Shares of the fund held by a non-U.S. shareholder at death will be considered situated in the United States and subject to the U.S. estate tax.
The tax consequences to a non-U.S. shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described here. Foreign shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the fund, including the applicability of non-U.S. taxes.
The foregoing is only a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences affecting the fund and its shareholders. Current and prospective shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the fund.
The audited financial statements of the fund (Statement of Assets and Liabilities, including the Schedule of Investments as of August 31, 2015, Statement of Operations for the year ended August 31, 2015, Statements of Changes in Net Assets for each of the years in the two-year period ended August 31, 2015, Financial Highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period ended August 31, 2015, and Notes to Financial Statements along with the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, each of which is included in the Annual Report to Shareholders of the fund), are incorporated by reference into this SAI (filed on October 22, 2015; Accession Number 0001193125-15-35018).
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C LEAR B RIDGE I NVESTMENTS , LLC
P ROXY V OTING P OLICIES AND P ROCEDURES
AMENDED AS OF JANUARY 7, 2013
I. | Types of Accounts for Which ClearBridge Votes Proxies |
II. | General Guidelines |
III. | How ClearBridge Votes |
IV. | Conflicts of Interest |
A. | Procedures for Identifying Conflicts of Interest |
B. | Procedures for Assessing Materiality of Conflicts of Interest and for Addressing Material Conflicts of Interest |
C. | Third Party Proxy Voting Firm Conflicts of Interest |
V. | Voting Policy |
A. | Election of Directors |
B. | Proxy Contests |
C. | Auditors |
D. | Proxy Contest Defenses |
E. | Tender Offer Defenses |
F. | Miscellaneous Governance Provisions |
G. | Capital Structure |
H. | Executive and Director Compensation |
I. | State of Incorporation |
J. | Mergers and Corporate Restructuring |
K. | Social and Environmental Issues |
L. | Miscellaneous |
VI. | Other Considerations |
A. | Share Blocking |
B. | Securities on Loan |
VII. | Disclosure of Proxy Voting |
VIII. | Recordkeeping and Oversight |
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CLEARBRIDGE INVESTMENTS, LLC
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
I. | TYPES OF ACCOUNTS FOR WHICH CLEARBRIDGE VOTES PROXIES |
ClearBridge votes proxies for each client that has specifically authorized us to vote them in the investment management contract or otherwise and votes proxies for each ERISA account unless the plan document or investment advisory agreement specifically reserves the responsibility to vote proxies to the plan trustees or other named fiduciary. These policies and procedures are intended to fulfill applicable requirements imposed on ClearBridge by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations adopted under these laws.
II. | GENERAL GUIDELINES |
In voting proxies, we are guided by general fiduciary principles. Our goal is to act prudently, solely in the best interest of the beneficial owners of the accounts we manage and, in the case of ERISA accounts, for the exclusive purpose of providing economic benefits to such persons. We attempt to provide for the consideration of all factors that could affect the value of the investment and will vote proxies in the manner that we believe will be consistent with efforts to maximize shareholder values.
III. | HOW CLEARBRIDGE VOTES |
Section V of these policies and procedures sets forth certain stated positions. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is a stated position, we generally vote in accordance with the stated position. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is a list of factors set forth in Section V that we consider in voting on such issue, we consider those factors and vote on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the general principles set forth above. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is no stated position or list of factors that we consider in voting on such issue, we vote on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the general principles set forth above. We may utilize an external service provider to provide us with information and/or a recommendation with regard to proxy votes but we are not required to follow any such recommendations. The use of an external service provider does not relieve us of our responsibility for the proxy vote.
For routine matters, we usually vote according to our policy or the external service providers recommendation, although we are not obligated to do so and an individual portfolio manager may vote contrary to our policy or the recommendation of the external service provider. If a matter is non-routine, e.g. , managements recommendation is different than that of the external service provider and ClearBridge is a significant holder or it is a significant holding for ClearBridge, the issues will be highlighted to the appropriate investment teams and their views solicited by members of the Proxy Committee. Different investment teams may vote differently on the same issue, depending upon their assessment of clients best interests.
ClearBridges proxy voting process is overseen and coordinated by its Proxy Committee.
IV. | CONFLICTS OF INTEREST |
In furtherance of ClearBridges goal to vote proxies in the best interests of clients, ClearBridge follows procedures designed to identify and address material conflicts that may arise between ClearBridges interests and those of its clients before voting proxies on behalf of such clients.
A. | Procedures for Identifying Conflicts of Interest |
ClearBridge relies on the following to seek to identify conflicts of interest with respect to proxy voting:
1. |
ClearBridges employees are periodically reminded of their obligation (i) to be aware of the potential for conflicts of interest on the part of ClearBridge with respect to voting proxies on |
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behalf of client accounts both as a result of their personal relationships or personal or business relationships relating to another Legg Mason business unit, and (ii) to bring conflicts of interest of which they become aware to the attention of ClearBridges General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer. |
2. | ClearBridges finance area maintains and provides to ClearBridge Compliance and proxy voting personnel an up- to-date list of all client relationships that have historically accounted for or are projected to account for greater than 1% of ClearBridges net revenues. |
3. | As a general matter, ClearBridge takes the position that relationships between a non-ClearBridge Legg Mason unit and an issuer ( e.g. , investment management relationship between an issuer and a non-ClearBridge Legg Mason affiliate) do not present a conflict of interest for ClearBridge in voting proxies with respect to such issuer because ClearBridge operates as an independent business unit from other Legg Mason business units and because of the existence of informational barriers between ClearBridge and certain other Legg Mason business units. As noted above, ClearBridge employees are under an obligation to bring such conflicts of interest, including conflicts of interest which may arise because of an attempt by another Legg Mason business unit or non-ClearBridge Legg Mason officer or employee to influence proxy voting by ClearBridge to the attention of ClearBridge Compliance. |
4. | A list of issuers with respect to which ClearBridge has a potential conflict of interest in voting proxies on behalf of client accounts will be maintained by ClearBridge proxy voting personnel. ClearBridge will not vote proxies relating to such issuers until it has been determined that the conflict of interest is not material or a method for resolving the conflict of interest has been agreed upon and implemented, as described in Section IV below. |
B. | Procedures for Assessing Materiality of Conflicts of Interest and for Addressing Material Conflicts of Interest |
1. | ClearBridge maintains a Proxy Committee which, among other things, reviews and addresses conflicts of interest brought to its attention. The Proxy Committee is comprised of such ClearBridge personnel (and others, at ClearBridges request), as are designated from time to time. The current members of the Proxy Committee are set forth in the Proxy Committees Terms of Reference. |
2. | All conflicts of interest identified pursuant to the procedures outlined in Section |
IV. A. must be brought to the attention of the Proxy Committee for resolution. A proxy issue that will be voted in accordance with a stated ClearBridge position on such issue or in accordance with the recommendation of an independent third party generally is not brought to the attention of the Proxy Committee for a conflict of interest review because ClearBridges position is that any conflict of interest issues are resolved by voting in accordance with a pre-determined policy or in accordance with the recommendation of an independent third party.
3. | The Proxy Committee will determine whether a conflict of interest is material. A conflict of interest will be considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict is likely to influence, or appear to influence, ClearBridges decision-making in voting the proxy. All materiality determinations will be based on an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. A written record of all materiality determinations made by the Proxy Committee will be maintained. |
4. | If it is determined by the Proxy Committee that a conflict of interest is not material, ClearBridge may vote proxies notwithstanding the existence of the conflict. |
5. | If it is determined by the Proxy Committee that a conflict of interest is material, the Proxy Committee will determine an appropriate method to resolve such conflict of interest before the proxy affected by the conflict of interest is voted. Such determination shall be based on the particular facts and circumstances, including the importance of the proxy issue, the nature of the conflict of interest, etc. Such methods may include: |
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disclosing the conflict to clients and obtaining their consent before voting; |
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suggesting to clients that they engage another party to vote the proxy on their behalf; |
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in the case of a conflict of interest resulting from a particular employees personal relationships, removing such employee from the decision-making process with respect to such proxy vote; or |
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such other method as is deemed appropriate given the particular facts and circumstances, including the importance of the proxy issue, the nature of the conflict of interest, etc. * |
A written record of the method used to resolve a material conflict of interest shall be maintained.
C. | Third Party Proxy Voting Firm - Conflicts of Interest |
With respect to a third party proxy voting firm described herein, the Proxy Committee will periodically review and assess such firms policies, procedures and practices with respect to the disclosure and handling of conflicts of interest.
V. | VOTING POLICY |
These are policy guidelines that can always be superseded, subject to the duty to act solely in the best interest of the beneficial owners of accounts, by the investment management professionals responsible for the account holding the shares being voted. There may be occasions when different investment teams vote differently on the same issue. A ClearBridge investment team ( e.g. , ClearBridges Social Awareness Investment team) may adopt proxy voting policies that supplement these policies and procedures. In addition, in the case of Taft-Hartley clients, ClearBridge will comply with a client direction to vote proxies in accordance with Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) PVS Proxy Voting Guidelines, which ISS represents to be fully consistent with AFL-CIO guidelines.
A. | Election of Directors |
1. | Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections. |
a. | We withhold our vote from a director nominee who: |
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attended less than 75 percent of the companys board and committee meetings without a valid excuse (illness, service to the nation/local government, work on behalf of the company); |
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were members of the companys board when such board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received approval of a majority of shares cast for the previous two consecutive years; |
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received more than 50 percent withheld votes of the shares cast at the previous board election, and the company has failed to address the issue as to why; |
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is an insider where: (1) such person serves on any of the audit, compensation or nominating committees of the companys board, (2) the companys board performs the functions typically performed by a companys audit, compensation and nominating committees, or (3) the full board is less than a majority independent (unless the director nominee is also the company CEO, in which case we will vote FOR); |
* | Especially in the case of an apparent, as opposed to actual, conflict of interest, the Proxy Committee may resolve such conflict of interest by satisfying itself that ClearBridges proposed vote on a proxy issue is in the best interest of client accounts and is not being influenced by the conflict of interest. |
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is a member of the companys audit committee, when excessive non-audit fees were paid to the auditor, or there are chronic control issues and an absence of established effective control mechanisms. |
b. | We vote for all other director nominees. |
2. | Chairman and CEO is the Same Person. |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals that would require the positions of the Chairman and CEO to be held by different persons. We would generally vote FOR such a proposal unless there are compelling reasons to vote against the proposal, including:
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Designation of a lead director |
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Majority of independent directors (supermajority) |
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All independent key committees |
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Size of the company (based on market capitalization) |
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Established governance guidelines |
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Company performance |
3. | Majority of Independent Directors |
a. | We vote for shareholder proposals that request that the board be comprised of a majority of independent directors. Generally that would require that the director have no connection to the company other than the board seat. In determining whether an independent director is truly independent (e.g. when voting on a slate of director candidates), we consider certain factors including, but not necessarily limited to, the following: whether the director or his/her company provided professional services to the company or its affiliates either currently or in the past year; whether the director has any transactional relationship with the company; whether the director is a significant customer or supplier of the company; whether the director is employed by a foundation or university that received significant grants or endowments from the company or its affiliates; and whether there are interlocking directorships. |
b. | We vote for shareholder proposals that request that the board audit, compensation and/or nominating committees include independent directors exclusively. |
4. | Stock Ownership Requirements |
We vote against shareholder proposals requiring directors to own a minimum amount of company stock in order to qualify as a director, or to remain on the board.
5. | Term of Office |
We vote against shareholder proposals to limit the tenure of independent directors.
6. | Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection |
a. | Subject to subparagraphs 2, 3, and 4 below, we vote for proposals concerning director and officer indemnification and liability protection. |
b. | We vote for proposals to limit and against proposals to eliminate entirely director and officer liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care. |
c. | We vote against indemnification proposals that would expand coverage beyond just legal expenses to acts, such as negligence, that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligations than mere carelessness. |
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d. | We vote for only those proposals that provide such expanded coverage noted in subparagraph 3 above in cases when a directors or officers legal defense was unsuccessful if: (1) the director was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company, and (2) if only the directors legal expenses would be covered. |
7. | Director Qualifications |
a. | We vote case-by-case on proposals that establish or amend director qualifications. Considerations include how reasonable the criteria are and to what degree they may preclude dissident nominees from joining the board. |
b. | We vote against shareholder proposals requiring two candidates per board seat. |
B. | Proxy Contests |
1. | Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections |
We vote on a case-by-case basis in contested elections of directors. Considerations include: chronology of events leading up to the proxy contest; qualifications of director nominees (incumbents and dissidents); for incumbents, whether the board is comprised of a majority of outside directors; whether key committees (i.e.: nominating, audit, compensation) comprise solely of independent outsiders; discussion with the respective portfolio manager(s).
2. | Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to provide full reimbursement for dissidents waging a proxy contest. Considerations include: identity of persons who will pay solicitation expenses; cost of solicitation; percentage that will be paid to proxy solicitation firms.
C. | Auditors |
1. | Ratifying Auditors |
We vote for proposals to ratify auditors, unless an auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent; or there is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the companys financial position or there is reason to believe the independent auditor has not followed the highest level of ethical conduct. Specifically, we will vote to ratify auditors if the auditors only provide the company audit services and such other audit-related and non-audit services the provision of which will not cause such auditors to lose their independence under applicable laws, rules and regulations.
2. | Financial Statements and Director and Auditor Reports |
We generally vote for management proposals seeking approval of financial accounts and reports and the discharge of management and supervisory board members, unless there is concern about the past actions of the companys auditors or directors.
3. | Remuneration of Auditors |
We vote for proposals to authorize the board or an audit committee of the board to determine the remuneration of auditors, unless there is evidence of excessive compensation relative to the size and nature of the company.
4. | Indemnification of Auditors |
We vote against proposals to indemnify auditors.
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D. | Proxy Contest Defenses |
1. | Board Structure: Staggered vs. Annual Elections |
a. | We vote against proposals to classify the board. |
b. | We vote for proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually. |
2. | Shareholder Ability to Remove Directors |
a. | We vote against proposals that provide that directors may be removed only for cause. |
b. | We vote for proposals to restore shareholder ability to remove directors with or without cause. |
c. | We vote against proposals that provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies. |
d. | We vote for proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies. |
3. | Cumulative Voting |
a. | If plurality voting is in place for uncontested director elections, we vote for proposals to permit or restore cumulative voting. |
b. | If majority voting is in place for uncontested director elections, we vote against cumulative voting. |
c. | If plurality voting is in place for uncontested director elections, and proposals to adopt both cumulative voting and majority voting are on the same slate, we vote for majority voting and against cumulative voting. |
4. | Majority Voting |
We vote for non-binding and/or binding resolutions requesting that the board amend a companys by-laws to stipulate that directors need to be elected with an affirmative majority of the votes cast, provided that it does not conflict with the state law where the company is incorporated. In addition, all resolutions need to provide for a carve-out for a plurality vote standard when there are more nominees than board seats (i.e. contested election). In addition, ClearBridge strongly encourages companies to adopt a post-election director resignation policy setting guidelines for the company to follow to promptly address situations involving holdover directors.
5. | Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings |
a. | We vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings. |
b. | We vote for proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings, taking into account a minimum ownership threshold of 10 percent (and investor ownership structure, depending on bylaws). |
6. | Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent |
a. | We vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent. |
b. | We vote for proposals to allow or make easier shareholder action by written consent. |
7. | Shareholder Ability to Alter the Size of the Board |
a. | We vote for proposals that seek to fix the size of the board. |
b. | We vote against proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board without shareholder approval. |
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8. | Advance Notice Proposals |
We vote on advance notice proposals on a case-by-case basis, giving support to those proposals which allow shareholders to submit proposals as close to the meeting date as reasonably possible and within the broadest window possible.
9. | Amendment of By-Laws |
a. | We vote against proposals giving the board exclusive authority to amend the by-laws. |
b. | We vote for proposals giving the board the ability to amend the by-laws in addition to shareholders. |
10. | Article Amendments (not otherwise covered by ClearBridge Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures). |
We review on a case-by-case basis all proposals seeking amendments to the articles of association.
We vote for article amendments if:
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shareholder rights are protected; |
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there is negligible or positive impact on shareholder value; |
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management provides adequate reasons for the amendments; and |
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the company is required to do so by law (if applicable). |
E. | Tender Offer Defenses |
1. | Poison Pills |
a. | We vote for shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification. |
b. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals to redeem a companys poison pill. Considerations include: when the plan was originally adopted; financial condition of the company; terms of the poison pill. |
c. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on management proposals to ratify a poison pill. Considerations include: sunset provision - poison pill is submitted to shareholders for ratification or rejection every 2 to 3 years; shareholder redemption feature -10% of the shares may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the rights plan. |
2. | Fair Price Provisions |
a. | We vote for fair price proposals, as long as the shareholder vote requirement embedded in the provision is no more than a majority of disinterested shares. |
b. | We vote for shareholder proposals to lower the shareholder vote requirement in existing fair price provisions. |
3. | Greenmail |
a. | We vote for proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a companys ability to make greenmail payments. |
b. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on anti-greenmail proposals when they are bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments. |
4. | Unequal Voting Rights |
a. | We vote against dual class exchange offers. |
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b. | We vote against dual class re-capitalization. |
5. | Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Amend the Charter or Bylaws |
a. | We vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve charter and bylaw amendments. |
b. | We vote for shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for charter and bylaw amendments. |
6. | Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Approve Mergers |
a. | We vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve mergers and other significant business combinations. |
b. | We vote for shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for mergers and other significant business combinations. |
7. | White Squire Placements |
We vote for shareholder proposals to require approval of blank check preferred stock issues.
F. | Miscellaneous Governance Provisions |
1. | Confidential Voting |
a. | We vote for shareholder proposals that request corporations to adopt confidential voting, use independent tabulators and use independent inspectors of election as long as the proposals include clauses for proxy contests as follows: in the case of a contested election, management is permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents do not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived. |
b. | We vote for management proposals to adopt confidential voting subject to the proviso for contested elections set forth in sub-paragraph A.1 above. |
2. | Equal Access |
We vote for shareholder proposals that would allow significant company shareholders equal access to managements proxy material in order to evaluate and propose voting recommendations on proxy proposals and director nominees, and in order to nominate their own candidates to the board.
3. | Bundled Proposals |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on bundled or conditioned proxy proposals. In the case of items that are conditioned upon each other, we examine the benefits and costs of the packaged items. In instances when the joint effect of the conditioned items is not in shareholders best interests and therefore not in the best interests of the beneficial owners of accounts, we vote against the proposals. If the combined effect is positive, we support such proposals.
4. | Shareholder Advisory Committees |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to establish a shareholder advisory committee. Considerations include: rationale and cost to the firm to form such a committee. We generally vote against such proposals if the board and key nominating committees are comprised solely of independent/outside directors.
5. | Other Business |
We vote for proposals that seek to bring forth other business matters.
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6. | Adjourn Meeting |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals that seek to adjourn a shareholder meeting in order to solicit additional votes.
7. | Lack of Information |
We vote against proposals if a company fails to provide shareholders with adequate information upon which to base their voting decision.
G. | Capital Structure |
1. | Common Stock Authorization |
a. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issue, except as described in paragraph 2 below. |
b. | Subject to paragraph 3, below we vote for the approval requesting increases in authorized shares if the company meets certain criteria: |
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Company has already issued a certain percentage (i.e. greater than 50%) of the companys allotment. |
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The proposed increase is reasonable (i.e. less than 150% of current inventory) based on an analysis of the companys historical stock management or future growth outlook of the company. |
c. | We vote on a case-by-case basis, based on the input of affected portfolio managers, if holding is greater than 1% of an account. |
2. | Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on management proposals to increase common share authorization for a stock split, provided that the split does not result in an increase of authorized but unissued shares of more than 100% after giving effect to the shares needed for the split.
3. | Reverse Stock Splits |
We vote for management proposals to implement a reverse stock split, provided that the reverse split does not result in an increase of authorized but unissued shares of more than 100% after giving effect to the shares needed for the reverse split.
4. | Blank Check Preferred Stock |
a. | We vote against proposals to create, authorize or increase the number of shares with regard to blank check preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution and other rights. |
b. | We vote for proposals to create declawed blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense). |
c. | We vote for proposals to authorize preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable. |
d. | We vote for proposals requiring a shareholder vote for blank check preferred stock issues. |
5. | Adjust Par Value of Common Stock |
We vote for management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock.
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6. | Preemptive Rights |
a. | We vote on a case-by-case basis for shareholder proposals seeking to establish them and consider the following factors: |
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Size of the Company. |
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Characteristics of the size of the holding (holder owning more than 1% of the outstanding shares). |
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Percentage of the rights offering (rule of thumb less than 5%). |
b. | We vote on a case-by-case basis for shareholder proposals seeking the elimination of pre-emptive rights. |
7. | Debt Restructuring |
We vote on a case-by-case basis for proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt-restructuring plan. Generally, we approve proposals that facilitate debt restructuring.
8. | Share Repurchase Programs |
We vote for management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms.
9. | Dual-Class Stock |
We vote for proposals to create a new class of nonvoting or sub voting common stock if:
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It is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders |
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It is not designed to preserve the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder |
10. | Issue Stock for Use with Rights Plan |
We vote against proposals that increase authorized common stock for the explicit purpose of implementing a shareholder rights plan (poison pill).
11. | Debt Issuance Requests |
When evaluating a debt issuance request, the issuing companys present financial situation is examined. The main factor for analysis is the companys current debt-to- equity ratio, or gearing level. A high gearing level may incline markets and financial analysts to downgrade the companys bond rating, increasing its investment risk factor in the process. A gearing level up to 100 percent is considered acceptable.
We vote for debt issuances for companies when the gearing level is between zero and 100 percent.
We view on a case-by-case basis proposals where the issuance of debt will result in the gearing level being greater than 100 percent. Any proposed debt issuance is compared to industry and market standards.
12. | Financing Plans |
We generally vote for the adopting of financing plans if we believe they are in the best economic interests of shareholders.
H. | Executive and Director Compensation |
In general, we vote for executive and director compensation plans, with the view that viable compensation programs reward the creation of stockholder wealth by having high payout sensitivity to increases in shareholder value. Certain factors, however, such as repricing underwater stock options without shareholder approval, would cause us to vote against a plan. Additionally, in some cases we would vote against a plan deemed unnecessary.
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1. | OBRA-Related Compensation Proposals |
a. | Amendments that Place a Cap on Annual Grant or Amend Administrative Features |
We vote for plans that simply amend shareholder-approved plans to include administrative features or place a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
b. | Amendments to Added Performance-Based Goals |
We vote for amendments to add performance goals to existing compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
c. | Amendments to Increase Shares and Retain Tax Deductions Under OBRA |
We vote for amendments to existing plans to increase shares reserved and to qualify the plan for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m) the Internal Revenue Code.
d. | Approval of Cash or Cash-and-Stock Bonus Plans |
We vote for cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans to exempt the compensation from taxes under the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
2. | Expensing of Options |
We vote for proposals to expense stock options on financial statements.
3. | Index Stock Options |
We vote on a case by case basis with respect to proposals seeking to index stock options. Considerations include whether the issuer expenses stock options on its financial statements and whether the issuers compensation committee is comprised solely of independent directors.
4. | Shareholder Proposals to Limit Executive and Director Pay |
a. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on all shareholder proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive and director pay information. Considerations include: cost and form of disclosure. We vote for such proposals if additional disclosure is relevant to shareholders needs and would not put the company at a competitive disadvantage relative to its industry. |
b. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on all other shareholder proposals that seek to limit executive and director pay. |
We have a policy of voting to reasonably limit the level of options and other equity- based compensation arrangements available to management to reasonably limit shareholder dilution and management compensation. For options and equity-based compensation arrangements, we vote FOR proposals or amendments that would result in the available awards being less than 10% of fully diluted outstanding shares (i.e. if the combined total of shares, common share equivalents and options available to be awarded under all current and proposed compensation plans is less than 10% of fully diluted shares). In the event the available awards exceed the 10% threshold, we would also consider the % relative to the common practice of its specific industry (e.g. technology firms). Other considerations would include, without limitation, the following:
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Compensation committee comprised of independent outside directors |
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Maximum award limits |
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Repricing without shareholder approval prohibited |
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3-year average burn rate for company |
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Plan administrator has authority to accelerate the vesting of awards |
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Shares under the plan subject to performance criteria |
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5. | Golden Parachutes |
a. | We vote for shareholder proposals to have golden parachutes submitted for shareholder ratification. |
b. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on all proposals to ratify or cancel golden parachutes. Considerations include: the amount should not exceed 3 times average base salary plus guaranteed benefits; golden parachute should be less attractive than an ongoing employment opportunity with the firm. |
6. | Golden Coffins |
a. | We vote for shareholder proposals that request a company not to make any death benefit payments to senior executives estates or beneficiaries, or pay premiums in respect to any life insurance policy covering a senior executives life (golden coffin). We carve out benefits provided under a plan, policy or arrangement applicable to a broader group of employees, such as offering group universal life insurance. |
b. | We vote for shareholder proposals that request shareholder approval of survivor benefits for future agreements that, following the death of a senior executive, would obligate the company to make payments or awards not earned. |
7. | Anti Tax Gross-up Policy |
a. | We vote for proposals that ask a company to adopt a policy whereby it will not make, or promise to make, any tax gross-up payment to its senior executives, except for tax gross-ups provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or arrangement applicable to management employees of the company generally, such as relocation or expatriate tax equalization policy; we also vote for proposals that ask management to put gross-up payments to a shareholder vote. |
b. | We vote against proposals where a company will make, or promise to make, any tax gross-up payment to its senior executives without a shareholder vote, except for tax gross-ups provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or arrangement applicable to management employees of the company generally, such as relocation or expatriate tax equalization policy. |
8. | Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) |
We vote for proposals that request shareholder approval in order to implement an ESOP or to increase authorized shares for existing ESOPs, except in cases when the number of shares allocated to the ESOP isexcessive (i.e., generally greater than five percent of outstanding shares).
9. | Employee Stock Purchase Plans |
a. | We vote for qualified plans where all of the following apply: |
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The purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value |
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The offering period is 27 months or less |
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The number of shares allocated to the plan is five percent or less of outstanding shares |
If the above do not apply, we vote on a case-by-case basis.
b. | We vote for non-qualified plans where all of the following apply: |
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All employees of the company are eligible to participate (excluding 5 percent or more beneficial owners) |
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There are limits on employee contribution (ex: fixed dollar amount) |
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There is a company matching contribution with a maximum of 25 percent of an employees contribution |
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There is no discount on the stock price on purchase date (since there is a company match) |
If the above do not apply, we vote against the non-qualified employee stock purchase plan.
10. | 401(k) Employee Benefit Plans |
We vote for proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.
11. | Stock Compensation Plans |
a. | We vote for stock compensation plans which provide a dollar-for-dollar cash for stock exchange. |
b. | We vote on a case-by-case basis for stock compensation plans which do not provide a dollar-for-dollar cash for stock exchange using a quantitative model. |
12. | Directors Retirement Plans |
a. | We vote against retirement plans for non-employee directors. |
b. | We vote for shareholder proposals to eliminate retirement plans for non-employee directors. |
13. | Management Proposals to Reprice Options |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on management proposals seeking approval to reprice options. Considerations include the following:
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Historic trading patterns |
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Rationale for the repricing |
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Value-for-value exchange |
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Option vesting |
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Term of the option |
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Exercise price |
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Participation |
14. | Shareholder Proposals Recording Executive and Director Pay |
a. | We vote against shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation. |
b. | We vote against shareholder proposals requiring director fees be paid in stock only. |
c. | We vote for shareholder proposals to put option repricing to a shareholder vote. |
d. | We vote for shareholder proposals that call for a non-binding advisory vote on executive pay (say-on-pay). Company boards would adopt a policy giving shareholders the opportunity at each annual meeting to vote on an advisory resolution to ratify the compensation of the named executive officers set forth in the proxy statements summary compensation table. |
e. | We vote annual for the frequency of say-on-pay proposals rather than once every two or three years. |
f. | We vote on a case-by-case basis for all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay, taking into account company performance, pay level versus peers, pay level versus industry, and long term corporate outlook. |
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15. | Management Proposals On Executive Compensation |
a. | For non-binding advisory votes on executive officer compensation, when management and the external service provider agree, we vote for the proposal. When management and the external service provider disagree, the proposal becomes a refer item. In the case of a Refer item, the factors under consideration will include the following: |
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Company performance over the last 1-, 3- and 5-year periods on a total shareholder return basis |
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Performance metrics for short- and long-term incentive programs |
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CEO pay relative to company performance (is there a misalignment) |
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Tax gross-ups to senior executives |
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Change-in-control arrangements |
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Presence of a clawback provision, ownership guidelines, or stock holding requirements for senior executives |
b. | We vote annual for the frequency of say-on-pay proposals rather than once every two or three years. |
16. | Stock Retention / Holding Period of Equity Awards |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals asking companies to adopt policies requiring senior executives to retain all or a significant (>50 percent) portion of their shares acquired through equity compensation plans, either:
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While employed and/or for one to two years following the termination of their employment; or |
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For a substantial period following the lapse of all other vesting requirements for the award, with ratable release of a portion of the shares annually during the lock-up period |
The following factors will be taken into consideration:
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Whether the company has any holding period, retention ratio, or named executive officer ownership requirements currently in place |
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Actual stock ownership of the companys named executive officers |
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Policies aimed at mitigating risk taking by senior executives |
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Pay practices at the company that we deem problematic |
I. | State/Country of Incorporation |
1. | Voting on State Takeover Statutes |
a. | We vote for proposals to opt out of state freeze-out provisions |
b. | We vote for proposals to opt out of state disgorgement provisions. |
2. | Voting on Re-incorporation Proposals |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to change a companys state or country of incorporation. Considerations include: reasons for re-incorporation (i.e. financial, restructuring, etc); advantages/benefits for change (i.e. lower taxes); compare the differences in state/country laws governing the corporation.
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3. | Control Share Acquisition Provisions |
a. | We vote against proposals to amend the charter to include control share acquisition provisions. |
b. | We vote for proposals to opt out of control share acquisition statutes unless doing so would enable the completion of a takeover that would be detrimental to shareholders. |
c. | We vote for proposals to restore voting rights to the control shares. |
d. | We vote for proposals to opt out of control share cashout statutes. |
J. | Mergers and Corporate Restructuring |
1. | Mergers and Acquisitions |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on mergers and acquisitions. Considerations include: benefits/advantages of the combined companies (i.e. economies of scale, operating synergies, increase in market power/share, etc ); offer price (premium or discount); change in the capital structure; impact on shareholder rights.
2. | Corporate Restructuring |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on corporate restructuring proposals involving minority squeeze outs and leveraged buyouts. Considerations include: offer price, other alternatives/offers considered and review of fairness opinions.
3. | Spin-offs |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on spin-offs. Considerations include the tax and regulatory advantages, planned use of sale proceeds, market focus, and managerial incentives.
4. | Asset Sales |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on asset sales. Considerations include the impact on the balance sheet/working capital, value received for the asset, and potential elimination of diseconomies.
5. | Liquidations |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on liquidations after reviewing managements efforts to pursue other alternatives, appraisal value of assets, and the compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation.
6. | Appraisal Rights |
We vote for proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with, rights of appraisal.
7. | Changing Corporate Name |
We vote for proposals to change the corporate name, unless the proposed name change bears a negative connotation.
8. | Conversion of Securities |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals regarding conversion of securities. Considerations include the dilution to existing shareholders, the conversion price relative to market value, financial issues, control issues, termination penalties, and conflicts of interest.
9. | Stakeholder Provisions |
We vote against proposals that ask the board to consider non-shareholder constituencies or other non-financial effects when evaluating a merger or business combination.
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K. | Social and Environmental Issues |
1. | In general we vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder social and environmental proposals, on the basis that their impact on share value may be difficult to quantify. In most cases, however, we vote for disclosure reports that seek additional information, particularly when it appears the company has not adequately addressed shareholders social and environmental concerns. In determining our vote on shareholder social and environmental proposals, we also analyze the following factors: |
a. | whether adoption of the proposal would have either a positive or negative impact on the companys short-term or long-term share value; |
b. | the percentage of sales, assets and earnings affected; |
c. | the degree to which the companys stated position on the issues could affect its reputation or sales, or leave it vulnerable to boycott or selective purchasing; |
d. | whether the issues presented should be dealt with through government or company-specific action; |
e. | whether the company has already responded in some appropriate manner to the request embodied in a proposal; |
f. | whether the companys analysis and voting recommendation to shareholders is persuasive; |
g. | what other companies have done in response to the issue; |
h. | whether the proposal itself is well framed and reasonable; |
i. | whether implementation of the proposal would achieve the objectives sought in the proposal; and |
j. | whether the subject of the proposal is best left to the discretion of the board. |
2. | Among the social and environmental issues to which we apply this analysis are the following: |
a. | Energy Efficiency and Resource Utilization |
b. | Environmental Impact and Climate Change |
c. | Human Rights and Impact on Communities of Corporate Activities |
d. | Equal Employment Opportunity and Non Discrimination |
e. | ILO Standards and Child/Slave Labor |
f. | Product Integrity and Marketing |
g. | Sustainability Reporting |
h. | Board Representation |
i. | Animal Welfare |
L. | Miscellaneous |
1. | Charitable Contributions |
We vote against proposals to eliminate, direct or otherwise restrict charitable contributions.
2. | Political Contributions |
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In general, we vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals pertaining to political contributions. In determining our vote on political contribution proposals we consider, among other things, the following:
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Does the company have a political contributions policy publicly available |
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How extensive is the disclosure on these documents |
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What oversight mechanisms the company has in place for approving/reviewing political contributions and expenditures |
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Does the company provide information on its trade association expenditures |
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Total amount of political expenditure by the company in recent history |
3. | Operational Items |
a. | We vote against proposals to provide management with the authority to adjourn an annual or special meeting absent compelling reasons to support the proposal. |
b. | We vote against proposals to reduce quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding unless there are compelling reasons to support the proposal. |
c. | We vote for by-law or charter changes that are of a housekeeping nature (updates or corrections). |
d. | We vote for management proposals to change the date/time/location of the annual meeting unless the proposed change is unreasonable. |
e. | We vote against shareholder proposals to change the date/time/location of the annual meeting unless the current scheduling or location is unreasonable. |
f. | We vote against proposals to approve other business when it appears as voting item. |
4. | Routine Agenda Items |
In some markets, shareholders are routinely asked to approve:
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the opening of the shareholder meeting |
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that the meeting has been convened under local regulatory requirements |
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the presence of a quorum |
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the agenda for the shareholder meeting |
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the election of the chair of the meeting |
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regulatory filings |
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the allowance of questions |
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the publication of minutes |
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the closing of the shareholder meeting |
We generally vote for these and similar routine management proposals.
5. | Allocation of Income and Dividends |
We generally vote for management proposals concerning allocation of income and the distribution of dividends, unless the amount of the distribution is consistently and unusually small or large.
6. | Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternatives |
a. | We vote for most stock (scrip) dividend proposals. |
b. | We vote against proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value. |
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ClearBridge has determined that registered investment companies, particularly closed end investment companies, raise special policy issues making specific voting guidelines frequently inapplicable. To the extent that ClearBridge has proxy voting authority with respect to shares of registered investment companies, ClearBridge shall vote such shares in the best interest of client accounts and subject to the general fiduciary principles set forth herein without regard to the specific voting guidelines set forth in Section V. A. through L.
The voting policy guidelines set forth in Section V may be changed from time to time by ClearBridge in its sole discretion.
VI. | OTHER CONSIDERATIONS |
In certain situations, ClearBridge may determine not to vote proxies on behalf of a client because ClearBridge believes that the expected benefit to the client of voting shares is outweighed by countervailing considerations. Examples of situations in which ClearBridge may determine not to vote proxies on behalf of a client include:
A. | Share Blocking |
Proxy voting in certain countries requires share blocking. This means that shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting (e.g. one week) with a designated depositary. During the blocking period, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares have been returned to client accounts by the designated depositary. In deciding whether to vote shares subject to share blocking, ClearBridge will consider and weigh, based on the particular facts and circumstances, the expected benefit to clients of voting in relation to the detriment to clients of not being able to sell such shares during the applicable period.
B. | Securities on Loan |
Certain clients of ClearBridge, such as an institutional client or a mutual fund for which ClearBridge acts as a sub-adviser, may engage in securities lending with respect to the securities in their accounts. ClearBridge typically does not direct or oversee such securities lending activities. To the extent feasible and practical under the circumstances, ClearBridge will request that the client recall shares that are on loan so that such shares can be voted if ClearBridge believes that the expected benefit to the client of voting such shares outweighs the detriment to the client of recalling such shares ( e.g. , foregone income). The ability to timely recall shares for proxy voting purposes typically is not entirely within the control of ClearBridge and requires the cooperation of the client and its other service providers. Under certain circumstances, the recall of shares in time for such shares to be voted may not be possible due to applicable proxy voting record dates and administrative considerations.
VII. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING |
ClearBridge employees may not disclose to others outside of ClearBridge (including employees of other Legg Mason business units) how ClearBridge intends to vote a proxy absent prior approval from ClearBridges General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer, except that a ClearBridge investment professional may disclose to a third party (other than an employee of another Legg Mason business unit) how s/he intends to vote without obtaining prior approval from ClearBridges General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer if (1) the disclosure is intended to facilitate a discussion of publicly available information by ClearBridge personnel with a representative of a company whose securities are the subject of the proxy, (2) the companys market capitalization exceeds $1 billion and (3) ClearBridge has voting power with respect to less than 5% of the outstanding common stock of the company.
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If a ClearBridge employee receives a request to disclose ClearBridges proxy voting intentions to, or is otherwise contacted by, another person outside of ClearBridge (including an employee of another Legg Mason business unit) in connection with an upcoming proxy voting matter, he/she should immediately notify ClearBridges General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer.
If a portfolio manager wants to take a public stance with regards to a proxy, s/he must consult with ClearBridges General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer before making or issuing a public statement.
VIII. | RECORDKEEPING AND OVERSIGHT |
ClearBridge shall maintain the following records relating to proxy voting:
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a copy of these policies and procedures; |
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a copy of each proxy form (as voted); |
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a copy of each proxy solicitation (including proxy statements) and related materials with regard to each vote; |
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documentation relating to the identification and resolution of conflicts of interest; |
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any documents created by ClearBridge that were material to a proxy voting decision or that memorialized the basis for that decision; and |
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a copy of each written client request for information on how ClearBridge voted proxies on behalf of the client, and a copy of any written response by ClearBridge to any (written or oral) client request for information on how ClearBridge voted proxies on behalf of the requesting client. |
Such records shall be maintained and preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than six years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, the first two years in an appropriate office of the ClearBridge adviser.
To the extent that ClearBridge is authorized to vote proxies for a United States Registered Investment Company, ClearBridge shall maintain such records as are necessary to allow such fund to comply with its recordkeeping, reporting and disclosure obligations under applicable laws, rules and regulations.
In lieu of keeping copies of proxy statements, ClearBridge may rely on proxy statements filed on the EDGAR system as well as on third party records of proxy statements and votes cast if the third party provides an undertaking to provide the documents promptly upon request.
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PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. | Exhibits |
Unless otherwise noted, all references are to the Registrants initial registration statement on Form N-1A (the Registration Statement) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on October 21, 1991 (File Nos. 33-43446 and 811-06444).
(a) (1) The Registrants Declaration of Trust dated as of October 2, 2006 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 as filed with the SEC on April 16, 2007 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 70).
(2) The Registrants Declaration of Trust dated as of October 2, 2006 as amended and restated as of August 18, 2011 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 213 as filed with the SEC on August 22, 2011 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 213).
(3) Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interests in the Trust effective as of February 8, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70.
(4) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interests in the Trust effective as of August 9, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 as filed with the SEC on August 24, 2007 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 72).
(5) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of August 9, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 72.
(6) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interests in the Trust and Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of November 8, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 as filed with the SEC on November 30, 2007 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 76).
(7) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interests in the Trust effective as of February 7, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 as filed with the SEC on February 15, 2008 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 87).
(8) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of February 7, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 87.
(9) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interests in the Trust effective as of May 8, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 as filed with the SEC on June 3, 2008 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 109).
(10) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of May 8, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 109.
(11) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interests in the Trust effective as of June 6, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 110 as filed with the SEC on June 6, 2008 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 110).
(12) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of June 6, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 110.
(13) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interests in the Trust effective as of January 28, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 133 as filed with the SEC on January 28, 2009 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 133).
(14) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of January 28, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 133.
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(15) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of February 26, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 as filed with the SEC on February 27, 2009 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 137).
(16) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of February 26, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 146 as filed with the SEC on June 25, 2009 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 146).
(17) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interests in the Trust effective as of August 5, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 150 as filed with the SEC on November 6, 2009 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 150).
(18) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of August 5, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 150.
(19) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest in the Trust effective as of December 7, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 as filed with the SEC on February 16, 2010 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 159).
(20) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of December 7, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 159.
(21) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest in the Trust effective as of February 4, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 162 as filed with the SEC on March 15, 2010 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 162).
(22) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of February 4, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 162.
(23) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest in the Trust effective as of May 6, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 as filed with the SEC on June 4, 2010 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 171).
(24) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of May 6, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 171.
(25) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interests in the Trust effective as of May 6, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172 as filed with the SEC on June 16, 2010 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 172).
(26) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of May 6, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172.
(27) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest in the Trust effective as of June 15, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 173 as filed with the SEC on July 28, 2010 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 173).
(28) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of June 15, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 173.
(29) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest in the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 179 as filed with the SEC on December 29, 2010 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 179).
(30) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of November 4, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(bb) to the Registration Statement on Form N-14 of Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust as filed with the SEC on November 19, 2010.
(31) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest in the Trust effective as of January 17, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 218 as filed with the SEC on January 25, 2012 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 218).
(32) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of January 17, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 218.
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(33) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest in the Trust effective as of April 13, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 230 as filed with the SEC on April 13, 2012 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 230).
(34) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of April 13, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 230.
(35) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of August 1, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 243 as filed with the SEC on August 23, 2012.
(36) Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest in the Trust effective as of September 12, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 246 as filed with the SEC on September 12, 2012 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 246).
(37) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of September 12, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 246.
(38) Amended and Restated Designation of Series effective as of October 1, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 as filed with the SEC on November 30, 2012 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 249).
(39) Amended and Restated Designation of Series dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249.
(40) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249.
(41) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes dated January 1, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 255 as filed with the SEC on December 12, 2012.
(42) Amended and Restated Designation of Series dated February 6, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 269 as filed with the SEC on May 10, 2013 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 269).
(43) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes dated February 6, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 269.
(44) Amended and Restated Designation of Series dated May 2, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 269.
(45) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes dated May 2, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 269.
(46) Amended and Restated Designation of Series dated August 1, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 as filed with the SEC on August 1, 2013 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 282).
(47) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes dated August 1, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282.
(48) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes dated August 15, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 285 as filed with the SEC on August 15, 2013.
(49) Amended and Restated Designation of Series dated August 19, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 as filed with the SEC on October 11, 2013 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 288).
(50) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes dated August 19, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288.
(51) Amended and Restated Designation of Series dated October 1, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288.
(52) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes dated October 1, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288.
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(53) Amended and Restated Designation of Series dated May 1, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 315 as filed with the SEC on December 15, 2014 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 315).
(54) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes dated May 1, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 315.
(55) Amended and Restated Designation of Series dated February 3, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 320 as filed with the SEC on February 5, 2015 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 320).
(56) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes dated February 3, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 320.
(57) Amended and Restated Designation of Series dated February 18, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 333 as filed with the SEC on March 20, 2015 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 333).
(58) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes dated February 18, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 333.
(b) (1) The Registrants By-Laws dated October 4, 2006 are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70.
(2) The Registrants By-Laws dated October 4, 2006 as amended and restated as of August 18, 2011 are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 213.
(c) Instruments defining rights of security holders with respect to Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust are contained in the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, as amended and restated, which are incorporated by reference to Exhibits (a) and (b) of Item 28 of Part C herein.
(d) (1) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund, and Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 as filed with the SEC on December 14, 2007 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 78).
(2) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Tactical Dividend Income Fund, and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(3) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge All Cap Value Fund, and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(4) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge International Value Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International All Cap Opportunity Fund), and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(5) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Small Cap Value Fund, and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(6) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Appreciation Fund, and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(7) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge Equity Income Fund), and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(8) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund, and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 as filed with the SEC on August 27, 2007 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 73).
(9) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Large Cap Value Fund, and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
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(10) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(11) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS Legg Mason Defensive Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 30%), and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(12) Form of Amended Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS Legg Mason Defensive Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 30%), and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 as filed with the SEC on April 4, 2008 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 95).
(13) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS Legg Mason Conservative Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 50%), and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(14) Form of Amended Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS Legg Mason Conservative Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 50%), and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95.
(15) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS Legg Mason Moderate Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 70%), and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(16) Form of Amended Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS Legg Mason Moderate Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 70%), and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95.
(17) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS Legg Mason Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 85%), and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(18) Form of Amended Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS Legg Mason Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 85%), and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95.
(19) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Mid Cap Core Fund, and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(20) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS Batterymarch S&P 500 Index Fund, and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(21) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund, and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(22) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS Batterymarch U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 87.
(23) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Permal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Tactical Allocation Fund), and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 as filed with the SEC on April 9, 2009 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 141).
(24) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Mid Cap Growth Fund, and LMPFA, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 177 as filed with the SEC on August 31, 2010 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 177).
(25) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge International Small Cap Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International Small Cap Opportunity Fund), and LMPFA, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 178 as filed with the SEC on September 29, 2010 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 178).
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(26) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS Legg Mason Dynamic Multi-Strategy Fund, and LMPFA, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 as filed with the SEC on June 25, 2012 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 238).
(27) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Select Fund, and LMPFA, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249.
(28) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS Batterymarch International Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility International Dividend Fund), and LMPFA, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 259 as filed with the SEC on February 25, 2013 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 259).
(29) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS Batterymarch Global Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility Global Dividend Fund), and LMPFA, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 as filed with the SEC on February 25, 2013 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 260).
(30) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Energy MLP & Infrastructure Fund, and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282.
(31) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Permal Alternative Select Fund, and Permal Asset Management LLC (Permal) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292 as filed with the SEC on January 10, 2014 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 292).
(32) Form of Schedule A to the Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund, and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 293 as filed with the SEC on January 24, 2014.
(33) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Sustainability Leaders Fund, and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 332 as filed with the SEC on March 13, 2015 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 332).
(34) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge Investments, LLC (ClearBridge), with respect to ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(35) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, with respect to ClearBridge Tactical Dividend Income Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(36) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, with respect to ClearBridge All Cap Value Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(37) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, with respect to ClearBridge Small Cap Value Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(38) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, with respect to ClearBridge Appreciation Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(39) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, with respect to ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge Equity Income Fund), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(40) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc. (QS Batterymarch) (formerly known as Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc.), with respect to QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73.
(41) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, with respect to ClearBridge Large Cap Value Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
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(42) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, with respect to ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(43) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS Legg Mason Global Asset Allocation, LLC (QS LMGAA) (formerly known as Legg Mason Global Asset Allocation, LLC), with respect to QS Legg Mason Defensive Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 30%), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 as filed with the SEC on November 1, 2007 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 74).
(44) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS LMGAA, with respect to QS Legg Mason Conservative Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 50%), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74.
(45) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS LMGAA, with respect to QS Legg Mason Moderate Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 70%), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74.
(46) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS LMGAA, with respect to QS Legg Mason Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 85%), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74.
(47) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, with respect to ClearBridge Mid Cap Core Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(48) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS Batterymarch, with respect to QS Batterymarch S&P 500 Index Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(49) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, with respect to ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(50) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS Batterymarch, with respect to QS Batterymarch U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 87.
(51) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and Global Currents Investment Management, LLC (GCIM) (now merged into ClearBridge), with respect to ClearBridge International Value Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International All Cap Opportunity Fund), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 as filed with the SEC on November 26, 2008.
(52) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and Permal, with respect to Permal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Tactical Allocation Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141.
(53) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS LMGAA, with respect to Permal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Tactical Allocation Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141.
(54) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, with respect to ClearBridge Mid Cap Growth Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 177.
(55) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and GCIM (now merged into ClearBridge), with respect to ClearBridge International Small Cap Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International Small Cap Opportunity Fund), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 178.
(56) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and Western Asset Management Company (WAM), regarding QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund, dated February 2, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215 as filed with the SEC on December 16, 2011 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 215).
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(57) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS Batterymarch U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, dated February 2, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(58) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS Batterymarch S&P 500 Index Fund, dated November 4, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(59) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund, dated November 4, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(60) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge Appreciation Fund, dated February 2, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(61) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge Tactical Dividend Income Fund, dated February 2, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(62) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge Equity Income Fund), dated February 2, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(63) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge All Cap Value Fund, dated November 4, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(64) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund, dated February 2, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(65) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge Large Cap Value Fund, dated February 2, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(66) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge Mid Cap Core Fund, dated February 2, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(67) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge Mid Cap Growth Fund, dated February 2, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(68) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund, dated February 2, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(69) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge Small Cap Value Fund, dated November 4, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(70) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge International Value Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International All Cap Opportunity Fund), dated February 2, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(71) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge International Small Cap Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International Small Cap Opportunity Fund), dated May 5, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(72) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS Legg Mason Conservative Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 50%), dated May 5, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
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(73) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS Legg Mason Moderate Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 70%), dated May 5, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(74) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS Legg Mason Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 85%), dated May 5, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(75) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding Permal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Tactical Allocation Fund), dated February 2, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(76) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS Legg Mason Dynamic Multi-Strategy Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238.
(77) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS LMGAA, regarding QS Legg Mason Dynamic Multi-Strategy Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238.
(78) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge Select Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249.
(79) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, regarding ClearBridge Select Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249.
(80) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS Batterymarch International Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility International Dividend Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 259.
(81) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS Batterymarch, regarding QS Batterymarch International Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility International Dividend Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 259.
(82) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS Batterymarch Global Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility Global Dividend Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 260.
(83) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS Batterymarch, regarding QS Batterymarch Global Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility Global Dividend Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 260.
(84) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge Energy MLP & Infrastructure Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282.
(85) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, regarding ClearBridge Energy MLP & Infrastructure Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282.
(86) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS Batterymarch, regarding QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund, dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272 as filed with the SEC on May 21, 2013 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 272).
(87) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS Batterymarch, regarding QS Batterymarch S&P 500 Index Fund, dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(88) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS Batterymarch, regarding QS Batterymarch U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
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(89) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, regarding ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund, dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(90) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, regarding ClearBridge Appreciation Fund, dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(91) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, regarding ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge Equity Income Fund), dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(92) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, regarding ClearBridge All Cap Value Fund, dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(93) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, regarding ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund, dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(94) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, regarding ClearBridge Large Cap Value Fund, dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(95) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, regarding ClearBridge Mid Cap Core Fund, dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(96) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, regarding ClearBridge Mid Cap Growth Fund, dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(97) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, regarding ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund, dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(98) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, regarding ClearBridge Small Cap Value Fund, dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(99) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, regarding ClearBridge Tactical Dividend Income Fund, dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(100) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and GCIM (now merged into ClearBridge), regarding ClearBridge International Value Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International All Cap Opportunity Fund), dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(101) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and GCIM (now merged into ClearBridge), regarding ClearBridge International Small Cap Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International Small Cap Opportunity Fund), dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(102) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and Permal, regarding Permal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Tactical Allocation Fund), dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(103) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between Permal and Apex Capital, LLC, with respect to Permal Alternative Select Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
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(104) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between Permal and River Canyon Fund Management LLC, with respect to Permal Alternative Select Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(105) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between Permal and TT International, with respect to Permal Alternative Select Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(106) Form of Trading Agreement between BH-DG Systematic Trading LLP, with respect to Permal Alternative Select Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(107) Form of Administration Agreement between the Registrant and LMPFA, with respect to Permal Alternative Select Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(108) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between the Registrant and Permal, with respect to Permal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Tactical Allocation Fund), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 312 filed with the SEC on July 15, 2014 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 312).
(109) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between Permal and Atlantic Investment Management, Inc., with respect to Permal Alternative Select Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 315.
(110) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge with respect to ClearBridge Sustainability Leaders Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 332.
(111) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM with respect to ClearBridge Sustainability Leaders Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 332.
(e) (1) Form of Distribution Agreement with Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (LMIS) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 128, as filed with the SEC on December 15, 2008.
(2) Form of Distribution Agreement with LMIS, with respect to Legg Mason Permal Tactical Allocation Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141.
(3) Form of Distribution Agreement with LMIS, with respect to Legg Mason ClearBridge Mid Cap Growth Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 177.
(4) Form of Distribution Agreement with LMIS, with respect to ClearBridge International Small Cap Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International Small Cap Opportunity Fund), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 178.
(5) Form of Distribution Agreement with LMIS dated August 5, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 218.
(6) Appendix A, amended and restated as of May 2, 2013, to the Distribution Agreement with LMIS is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 280 as filed with the SEC on July 23, 2013 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 280).
(7) Appendix A, amended and restated as of August 1, 2013, to the Distribution Agreement with LMIS is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282.
(8) Appendix A, amended and restated as of November 6, 2013, to the Distribution Agreement with LMIS is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(9) Appendix A, amended and restated as of June 30, 2014, to the Distribution Agreement with LMIS is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 315.
(10) Appendix A to the Distribution Agreement, amended and restated as of March 31, 2015, with LMIS is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 336 as filed with the SEC on April 9, 2015 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 336).
(11) Appendix A to the Distribution Agreement, amended and restated as of June 1, 2015, with LMIS is filed herewith.
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(f) (1) Emeritus Retirement Plan relating to certain funds, established effective as of January 1, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 as filed with the SEC on December 5, 2006 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 60).
(2) Amended and Restated Trustee Retirement Plan relating to certain funds dated as of January 1, 2005 (the General Retirement Plan), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 as filed with the SEC on January 8, 2007 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 61).
(3) Legg Mason Investment Series (f/k/a Smith Barney Investment Series) Amended and Restated Trustees Retirement Plan dated as of January 1, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 61.
(4) Amendment to the General Retirement Plan and the Legg Mason Partners Investment Series Amended and Restated Trustees Retirement Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 61.
(5) Amended and Restated Emeritus Retirement Plan relating to certain funds, established effective as of January 1, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 61.
(g) (1) Custodian Services Agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street), dated October 5, 2012, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249.
(2) Fund Accounting Services Agreement with State Street, dated October 5, 2012, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249.
(3) Letter Agreement amending the Custodian Services Agreement and Fund Accounting Services Agreement with State Street, effective as of November 30, 2012, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249.
(4) Form of Letter Agreement amending the Custodian Services Agreement and Fund Accounting Services Agreement with State Street is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 259.
(5) Form of Letter Agreement amending the Custodian Services Agreement and Fund Accounting Services Agreement with State Street is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282.
(6) Form of Letter Agreement amending the Custodian Services Agreement and Fund Accounting Services Agreement with State Street is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(7) Form of Letter Agreement amending the Custodian Services Agreement and Fund Accounting Services Agreement with State Street is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 315.
(8) Form of Letter Agreement amending the Custodian Services Agreement and Fund Accounting Services Agreement with State Street is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 336.
(h) (1) Transfer Agency and Services Agreement, dated December 19, 2013, between the Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (BNY) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 315.
(2) Schedule A to the Transfer Agency and Services Agreement between the Registrant and BNY is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 336.
(3) Amendment No. 1 to Transfer Agency and Services Agreement, dated September 1, 2014, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 325 as filed with the SEC on February 19, 2015 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 325).
(4) Form of License Agreement between the Registrant and Legg Mason Properties, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 as filed with the SEC on April 28, 2006 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 58).
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(5) License Agreement between the Registrant and Citigroup Inc. dated December 1, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 58.
(6) Form of Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60.
(7) Form of Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Agreement with respect to QS Legg Mason Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 85%), QS Legg Mason Moderate Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 70%, QS Legg Mason Conservative Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 50%), and QS Legg Mason Defensive Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 30%) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95.
(8) Form of Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Agreement, with respect to Permal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Tactical Allocation Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141.
(9) Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 filed on April 26, 2011.
(10) Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees with respect to QS Legg Mason Dynamic Multi-Strategy Fund are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238.
(11) Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees with respect to ClearBridge Select Fund are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249.
(12) Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 259.
(13) Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees with respect to ClearBridge Energy MLP & Infrastructure Fund are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282.
(14) Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees with respect to Permal Alternative Select Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(15) Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 298 as filed with the SEC on February 20, 2014 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 298).
(16) Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 325.
(i) (1) Opinion of Counsel regarding legality of shares being registered is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 filed on December 6, 1991 (Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1).
(2) Legal Counsels consent is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 as filed with the SEC on March 30, 1999 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 24).
(3) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70.
(4) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding legality of Class FI and Class R shares of QS Legg Mason Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 85%), QS Legg Mason Moderate Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 70%, QS Legg Mason Conservative Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 50%), and QS Legg Mason Defensive Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 30%) is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 filed on November 19, 2007 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 75).
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(5) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding legality of Class FI and Class R shares of QS Legg Mason Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 85%), QS Legg Mason Moderate Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 70%, QS Legg Mason Conservative Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 50%), and QS Legg Mason Defensive Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 30%) is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 75.
(6) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding legality of Class FI and Class R Shares of ClearBridge All Cap Value Fund and ClearBridge Small Cap Value Fund is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 76.
(7) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding legality of Class FI and Class R Shares of ClearBridge All Cap Value Fund and ClearBridge Small Cap Value Fund is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 76.
(8) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding legality of Class FI and Class R shares of ClearBridge Tactical Dividend Income Fund and ClearBridge International Value Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International All Cap Opportunity Fund) is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(9) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding legality of Class FI and Class R shares of ClearBridge Tactical Dividend Income Fund and ClearBridge International Value Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International All Cap Opportunity Fund) is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(10) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding legality of Class FI and Class R shares of ClearBridge Mid Cap Core Fund is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 as filed with the SEC on December 28, 2007 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 79).
(11) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding legality of Class FI and Class R shares of ClearBridge Mid Cap Core Fund is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 79.
(12) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding legality of Class FI and Class R shares of QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 as filed with the SEC on February 5, 2008 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 82).
(13) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding legality of Class FI and Class R shares of QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 82.
(14) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding the legality of Class A, C, FI, R, I and IS shares of QS Batterymarch U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 87.
(15) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of Class A, C, FI, R, I and IS shares of QS Batterymarch U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 87.
(16) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding legality of Class IS shares of ClearBridge Appreciation Fund, Class FI and Class R Shares of ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge Equity Income Fund), Class FI, Class R and Class IS shares of ClearBridge Large Cap Value Fund, and Class IS shares of ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 90 is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 90 as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2008 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 90).
(17) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding legality of Class IS shares of ClearBridge Appreciation Fund, Class FI and Class R Shares of ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge Equity Income Fund), Class FI, Class R and Class IS shares of ClearBridge Large Cap Value Fund and Class IS shares of ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 90.
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(18) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding legality of Class IS Shares of ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund, ClearBridge All Cap Value Fund, ClearBridge International Value Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International All Cap Opportunity Fund), ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund and ClearBridge Mid Cap Core Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 as filed with the SEC on May 5, 2008 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 103).
(19) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding legality of Class IS Shares of ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund, ClearBridge All Cap Value Fund, ClearBridge International Value Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International All Cap Opportunity Fund), ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund and ClearBridge Mid Cap Core Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 103.
(20) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding the legality of Class R1 shares of ClearBridge Appreciation Fund, ClearBridge Large Cap Value Fund, QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund and ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137.
(21) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of Class R1 shares of ClearBridge Appreciation Fund, ClearBridge Large Cap Value Fund, QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund and ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137.
(22) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding legality of Class A, Class C, Class I, Class FI, Class R and Class IS shares of Permal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Tactical Allocation Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141.
(23) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding legality of Class A, Class C, Class I, Class FI, Class R and Class IS shares of Permal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Tactical Allocation Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141.
(24) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding legality of Class R1 Shares of ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 149 as filed with the SEC on October 30, 2009 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 149).
(25) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding legality of Class R1 Shares of ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 149.
(26) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding the legality of Class R1 shares of ClearBridge All Cap Value Fund and ClearBridge Small Cap Value Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 150.
(27) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of Class R1 shares of ClearBridge All Cap Value Fund and ClearBridge Small Cap Value Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-effective Amendment No. 150.
(28) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding the legality of Class R1 shares of ClearBridge Tactical Dividend Income Fund, ClearBridge International Value Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International All Cap Opportunity Fund) and ClearBridge Mid Cap Core Fund is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 153 as filed with the SEC on November 24, 2009 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 153).
(29) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of Class R1 shares of ClearBridge Tactical Dividend Income Fund, ClearBridge International Value Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International All Cap Opportunity Fund) and ClearBridge Mid Cap Core Fund is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 153.
(30) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding the legality of Class R1 shares of ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund and QS Batterymarch U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 155 as filed with the SEC on January 6, 2010 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 155).
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(31) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of Class R1 shares of ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund and QS Batterymarch U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 155.
(32) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding legality of Class IS shares and Class R1 shares of ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge Equity Income Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 159.
(33) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding legality of Class IS shares and Class R1 shares of ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge Equity Income Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 159.
(34) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding legality of Class R1 shares of QS Legg Mason Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 85%), QS Legg Mason Moderate Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 70%, QS Legg Mason Conservative Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 50%), and QS Legg Mason Defensive Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 30%) is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 162.
(35) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of Class A, Class C, Class FI, Class R, Class R1, Class I and Class IS shares of ClearBridge Mid Cap Growth Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 171.
(36) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of shares of Class A, Class C, Class FI, Class R, Class R1, Class I and Class IS shares of ClearBridge International Small Cap Fund (formerly known as ClearBridge International Small Cap Opportunity Fund and previous thereto Legg Mason Global Currents International Small Cap Opportunity Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172.
(37) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of shares of Class A, Class C, Class FI, Class R, Class I and Class IS shares of QS Legg Mason Dynamic Multi-Strategy Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 230.
(38) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of shares of Class A, Class C, Class FI, Class R, Class I and Class IS shares of ClearBridge Select Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 246.
(39) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of shares of Class A, Class C, Class FI, Class R, Class I and Class IS shares of QS Batterymarch International Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility International Dividend Fund) and QS Batterymarch Global Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility Global Dividend Fund) incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 251 as filed with the SEC on December 12, 2012.
(40) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding legality of Class IS shares of ClearBridge Small Cap Value Fund and ClearBridge Tactical Dividend Income Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 265 as filed with the SEC on March 21, 2013.
(41) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding legality of Class 1 shares of ClearBridge Large Cap Value Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 269.
(42) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of shares of Class A, Class C, Class FI, Class R, Class I and Class IS shares of ClearBridge Energy MLP & Infrastructure Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 271 as filed with the SEC on May 16, 2013.
(43) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of shares of Class A, Class C, Class FI, Class R, Class I and Class IS shares of Permal Alternative Select Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288.
(44) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of Class A2 shares of QS Batterymarch Global Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility Global Dividend Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 320.
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(45) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of Class A, Class A2, Class C, Class FI, Class R, Class I and Class IS shares of ClearBridge Sustainability Leaders Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 332.
(j) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is filed herewith.
(k) Not Applicable.
(l) Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and Shearson Lehman Brothers Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1.
(m) (1) Amended Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan relating to Class A, B, C, FI, R and I Shares is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74.
(2) Amended Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan relating to Class A, B, C, FI, R and I Shares is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 as filed with the SEC on January 29, 2008.
(3) Amended Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan relating to Class A, B, C, FI, R, I and IS Shares dated as of February 7, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 as filed with the SEC on February 15, 2008.
(4) Amended Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan relating to Class A, B, C, FI, R, I and IS Shares dated as of August 7, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 119 as filed with the SEC on August 28, 2008 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 119).
(5) Amended Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan relating to Class R1 Shares dated as of February 26, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137.
(6) Amended Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan relating to Class R1 Shares dated as of February 26, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 146.
(7) Amended Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan dated as of December 7, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 159.
(8) Amended Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan dated as of February 4, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 162.
(9) Amended Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan dated as of August 5, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 177.
(10) Appendix A, amended and restated as of May 2, 2013 to the Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 280.
(11) Appendix A, amended and restated as of August 1, 2013 to the Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282.
(12) Appendix A, amended and restated as of November 6, 2013 to the Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(13) Appendix A, amended and restated as of June 30, 2014 to the Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 315.
(14) Appendix A, amended and restated as of March 31, 2015 to the Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 336.
(15) Appendix A, amended and restated as of June 1, 2015 to the Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan is filed herewith.
(n) (1) Rule 18f-3(d) Multiple Class Plan of the Registrant pursuant to Rule 18f-3 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 76.
(o) (1) Power of Attorney, dated November 3, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
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(2) Power of Attorney, dated January 31, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 220 as filed with the SEC on February 22, 2012.
(3) Power of Attorney, dated February 6, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 257.
(4) Power of Attorney, dated May 2, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 280.
(5) Power of Attorney, dated February 4, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 298.
(6) Power of Attorney, effective as of April 1, 2014, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 304 as filed with the SEC on April 21, 2014.
(7) Power of Attorney, dated February 3, 2015, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 323 as filed with the SEC on February 13, 2015 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 323).
(8) Powers of Attorney, dated June 1, 2015, are filed herewith.
(p) (1) Code of Ethics of the Independent Trustees of the Registrant is filed herewith. All Access Persons of each fund are subject to a code of ethics meeting the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. All Access Persons of the funds other than the Independent Trustees of the Registrant are subject to the provisions of other codes of ethics that have been adopted by LMPFA, LMIS, QS and Western Asset (see exhibits (p)(2), (p)(3), and (p)(4)) and approved by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant in accordance with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act.
(2) Code of Ethics of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (adopted by LMPFA, LMIS and QS LMGAA) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(3) Code of Ethics of QS Batterymarch dated February 1, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 61.
(4) Code of Ethics of Permal is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 312.
(5) Code of Ethics of ClearBridge is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 148 as filed with the SEC on August 26, 2009.
(6) Code of Ethics of Apex Capital, LLC (Apex) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(7) Code of Ethics of River Canyon Fund Management LLC (River Canyon) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(8) Code of Ethics of TT International (TT International) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(9) Code of Ethics of WAM is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 298.
(10) Code of Ethics of Atlantic Investment Management, Inc. (Atlantic) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 315.
Item 29. | Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant |
Permal Alternative Core Fund, a series of the Trust, wholly owns and controls the Alternative Core Fund Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company. Permal Alternative Core Fund and Alternative Core Fund Ltd. file their financial statements on a consolidated basis.
- 19 -
Permal Alternative Select Fund, a series of the Trust, wholly owns and controls the Alternative Select Fund Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company. Permal Alternative Select Fund and Alternative Select Fund Ltd. file their financial statements on a consolidated basis.
Item 30. | Indemnification |
Article IX of the Registrants Declaration of Trust addresses the limitation of liability and indemnification of the Registrants Trustees, officers and others. Section 9.2(a) of the Declaration of Trust provides that no current or former Trustee, officer, or employee of the Registrant will be subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any person, other than the Registrant or its shareholders, in connection with the affairs of the Registrant. Further, Section 9.2(b) of the Declaration of Trust provides that, subject to applicable federal law, no current or former Trustee or officer of the Registrant will be liable to the Registrant or to any shareholder for money damages except:
| to the extent that it is proved that the person actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property, or services, or |
| to the extent that a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the person is entered in a proceeding based on a finding in the proceeding that the persons action, or failure to act, was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding. |
Section 9.5 of the Declaration of Trust states that, subject to certain exceptions and limitations expressed in the Declaration of Trust, each current and former Trustee, officer, or employee of the Registrant, including persons who serve at the request of the Registrant as directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents or independent contractors of another organization in which the Registrant has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (each, a Covered Person), be indemnified by the Registrant to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being (or having served) in such position and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof. Section 9.5 of the Declaration of Trust further provides that no indemnification shall be provided to the extent such indemnification is prohibited by applicable federal law. The Declaration of Trust also sets forth provisions outlining presumptions that may be made relating to a persons standard of conduct and when expenses may be advanced.
In addition to the foregoing, the Registrant has entered into an Indemnification Agreement with each of its Trustees that provides for indemnification consistent with the principles described above. These Indemnification Agreements set forth certain procedural aspects with respect to indemnification, including the advancement of expenses, and presumptions relating to the determination of whether the standard of conduct required for indemnification has been met, as well as remedies for the indemnitee in the event that, among other things, determinations as to entitlement to indemnification, advancement of expenses and indemnity payments are not made in accordance with the procedures specified therein.
The Trustees and officers of the Registrant and the personnel of the Registrants manager are insured under an errors and omissions liability insurance policy. The Registrant and its officers are also insured under the fidelity bond required by Rule 17g-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), may be provided to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant, pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding or payment pursuant to any insurance policy) is asserted against the Registrant by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is prohibited as against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
- 20 -
Under the Distribution Agreement, the Registrant agrees to indemnify LMIS, its officers, directors and employees and any person who controls LMIS within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which LMIS, its officers, directors and employees or any such controlling person may incur, under the 1933 Act or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon any alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registrants Registration Statement or arising out of or based upon any alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the Registration Statement not misleading, provided that in no event shall anything contained in the Distribution Agreement be construed so as to protect LMIS or such other parties against any liability to the Registrant or its shareholders to which LMIS or such other parties would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of their duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of their obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement.
The Registrants Management Agreements and Subadvisory Agreements generally provide that the manager or subadviser, as applicable, assumes no responsibility under the Agreements other than to render the services called for under the Agreements in good faith. The Management Agreements and Subadvisory Agreements generally further provide that the manager or the subadviser, as applicable, shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law, or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of securities transactions for the fund, provided that nothing in the Agreements protect the manager or the subadviser, as applicable, against any liability to a fund to which the manager or subadviser, as applicable, would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Agreements. With respect to Permal Alternative Select Fund, the manager and subadvisers have agreed to cross-indemnification for certain acts or omissions except for gross negligence and other exceptions.
Item 31. | Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser |
Investment AdviserLegg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA)
LMPFA was formed in 2006 under the laws of the State of Delaware as a limited liability company. LMPFA is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc. (Legg Mason).
LMPFA is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act). The list required by this Item 31 of officers and directors of LMPFA together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years, is incorporated by reference to Schedules A and D of Form ADV filed by LMPFA pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC File No. 801-66785).
Investment Adviser and SubadviserPermal Asset Management LLC (Permal)
Permal was formed in June 2002 under the laws of the State of Delaware as a corporation and is a Delaware limited liability company. Permal is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. Permal is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act.
The following table notes the officers and directors of Permal, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years.
Name |
Position at Permal |
Other Positions Held |
||
Isaac R. Souede | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman | None | ||
James R. Hodge | President, Chief Investment Officer and Director | None | ||
Robert Kaplan | Executive Vice President | None | ||
Judy Tchou | Executive Vice President | None | ||
Karen Hager | Chief Compliance Officer | None | ||
Claude Janssen | Director | None | ||
Peter Mercer | Director | None | ||
Elliot I. Tannenbaum | Director | None |
- 21 -
SubadviserApex Capital, LLC (Apex)
Apex was formed under the laws of the State of California as a limited liability company. Apex is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. The list required by this Item 31 of officers and directors of Apex, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years, is incorporated by reference to Schedules A and D of Form ADV filed by Apex pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC File No. 801-71380).
Subadviser Atlantic Investment Management, Inc. (Atlantic)
Atlantic was formed under the laws of the Delaware as a corporation. Atlantic is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act.
The following table notes the officers and directors of Atlantic, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years.
Name |
Position at Atlantic |
Other Positions Held |
||
Bruce Stewart Berger | Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer | None | ||
Alexander J. Roepers | President and Chief Investment Officer | None |
SubadviserQS Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc. (QS Batterymarch)
QS Batterymarch was organized under the laws of the State of Maryland as a corporation. QS Batterymarch is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. QS Batterymarch is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act.
The following table notes the officers and directors of QS Batterymarch, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years.
Name |
Position at QS Batterymarch |
Other Positions Held |
||
Janet C. Campagna | Director and Chief Executive Officer | Chief Executive Officer of QS Investors, LLC | ||
John D. Kennedy | Director | None | ||
Joseph P. LaRocque | Director | Director at: Legg Mason Asset Management Hong Kong Limited, Legg Mason Asset Management Australia Limited, Legg Mason Asset Management Singapore Pte. Limited, Legg Mason Canada Inc., Legg Mason International Equities (Hong Kong) Limited, Legg Mason Investments (Ireland) Limited, Legg Mason Investments (Luxembourg) S.A., Legg Mason Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych Spolka Akcyjna, Legg Mason Canada Holdings Ltd., Brandywine Global Investment Management (Europe) Limited, Brandywine Global Investment Management (Asia) Pte. Ltd., Legg Mason Investment |
- 22 -
Counsel & Trust Company, N.A., Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc., Legg Mason Global Asset Allocation, LLC, Legg Mason Investment Counsel, LLC, Legg Mason Investment Funds Limited, Legg Mason Investments (Europe) Limited, and Western Asset Management Company Ltd. | ||||
Jeffrey A. Nattans | Director | See below under ClearBridge | ||
James H. Norman | Director and President | President of QS Investors, LLC | ||
Daniel J. Holman | Chief Operating Officer | Chief Operating Officer of QS Investors, LLC | ||
Steven R. Ducker | Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary | Chief Compliance Officer of QS Investors, LLC | ||
Thomas G. Rose | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | Chief Financial Officer of QS Investors, LLC |
SubadviserClearBridge Investments, LLC (ClearBridge)
ClearBridge was organized under the laws of the State of Delaware as a limited liability company. ClearBridge is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. ClearBridge is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act.
The following table notes the officers and directors of ClearBridge, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years.
Name |
Position at ClearBridge |
Other Positions Held |
||
Terrence J. Murphy | Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer, and Director | Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group, LLC Chief Executive Officer; Legg Mason Capital Management, LLC Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer and Director | ||
Barbara Brooke Manning | General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer | Legg Mason Capital Management, LLC General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer | ||
Harry D. Cohen | Co-Chief Investment Officer | Legg Mason Capital Management, LLC Co-Chief Investment Officer | ||
Scott K. Glasser | Co-Chief Investment Officer | Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group, LLC Chief Financial Officer; Legg Mason Capital Management, LLC - Co-Chief Investment Officer | ||
Cynthia K. List | Chief Financial Officer | Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group, LLC Chief Compliance Officer; Legg Mason Capital Management, LLC - Chief Financial Officer | ||
Peter H. Nachtwey | Director | Legg Mason & Co., LLC Director; The Baltimore Company Director; Legg Mason International Equities Limited Director; QS Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc Director; BMML, Inc. Director; Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC Director; ClearBridge Investments, LLC Director; ClearBridge Asset Management, Inc. Director; ClearBridge, LLC Director; Legg Mason Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc. Director; QS Legg Mason Global Asset Allocation, LLC Director; Legg Mason Investment Counsel, LLC Director; Legg Mason Political Action Committee (PAC) Member; Legg Mason International Holdings, LLC |
- 23 -
Director; Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC Director; Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group, LLC Director; Legg Mason Real Estate Securities Advisors, Inc. Director; Legg Mason Realty Group, Inc. Director; Legg Mason Realty Partners, Inc. Director; Legg Mason Tower, Inc. Director; LM BAM, Inc. Director; LM Capital Support V, LLC Director; Legg Mason Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych Spolka Akcyjna Director; PCM Holdings I, LLC Director; PCM Holdings II, LLC Director; Legg Mason Funding Ltd. Director; Royce & Associates, LLC Director; Gray Seifert & Company, LLC Director; LM Asset Services, LLC Director; The Baltimore Company Officer-President; BMML, Inc. Officer- President; Gray Seifert & Company, LLC Officer- President; Legg Mason & Co., LLC Officer- President; Legg Mason Charitable Foundation, Inc. Officer-Vice President and Treasurer; Legg Mason Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc. Officer-President; Legg Mason Political Action Committee (PAC) Officer-Chairman; Legg Mason Real Estate Securities Advisors, Inc. Officer-President; Legg Mason Realty Group, Inc. Officer-President; Legg Mason Realty Partners, Inc. Officer-President; Legg Mason Tower, Inc. Officer-President; LM BAM, Inc. Officer-President; LM Capital Support V, LLC Officer-President | ||||
Jeffrey A. Nattans | Director | ClearBridge, LLC Director; Legg Mason Investment Counsel, LLC Director; Legg Mason Investment Counsel & Trust Company, N.A. Director; LMOBC, Inc. Director; PCM Holdings I, LLC Director; PCM Holdings II, LLC Director; Royce & Associates, LLC Director; Western Asset Management Company Director; Permal Group Limited Director; Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group, LLC Director; LMOBC, Inc. Officer-President |
SubadviserQS Legg Mason Global Asset Allocation, LLC (QS LMGAA)
QS LMGAA is organized under the laws of the State of Delaware as a limited liability company. QS LMGAA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. QS LMGAA is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act.
The following table notes the officers and directors of QS LMGAA, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years.
Name |
Position at QS LMGAA |
Other Positions Held |
||
Janet C. Campagna | Director and Chief Executive Officer | Chief Executive Officer of QS Investors, LLC | ||
John Kenney | Director | None | ||
Jeffrey A. Nattans | Director | See above under ClearBridge | ||
James H. Norman | Director and President | President of QS Investors, LLC |
- 24 -
Joseph LaRocque | Director | See above under QS Batterymarch | ||
Daniel J. Holman | Chief Operating Officer | Chief Operating Officer of QS Investors, LLC | ||
Steven R. Ducker | Chief Compliance Officer | Chief Compliance Officer of QS Investors, LLC | ||
Thomas G. Rose | Chief Financial Officer | Chief Financial Officer of QS Investors, LLC |
Subadviser River Canyon Fund Management LLC (River Canyon)
River Canyon was formed under the laws of the Delaware as a limited liability corporation. River Canyon is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act.
The following table notes the officers and directors of River Canyon, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years.
Name |
Position at River Canyon |
Other Positions Held |
||
Canyon Capital Advisors LLC | Sole Member | None | ||
Mitchell R. Julis | Managing Partner | None | ||
Joshua S. Friedman | Managing Partner | None | ||
John P. Plaga | Chief Financial Officer | None | ||
Douglas A. Anderson | Chief Compliance Officer | None | ||
Jonathan M. Kaplan | General Counsel | None |
Subadviser TT International (TT International)
TT International was formed under the laws of the United Kingdom as a partnership. TT International is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. The list required by this Item 31 of officers and directors of TT International, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years, is incorporated by reference to Schedules A and D of Form ADV filed by TT International pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC File No. 801-45435).
SubadviserWestern Asset Management Company (WAM)
WAM is organized as under the laws of the State of California as a corporation. WAM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. WAM is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Advisers Act.
The following table notes the officers and directors of WAM, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years.
Name |
Position at WAM |
Other Positions Held |
||
James W. Hirschmann III | Chief Executive Officer, President and Director | None | ||
Bruce D. Alberts | Chief Financial Officer | None | ||
Brett B. Canon | Director of Risk Management and Operations | None | ||
James J. Flick | Director of Global Client Services and Marketing | None | ||
Gavin L. James | Director of Portfolio Operations | None | ||
Charles A. Ruys de Perez | Secretary, General Counsel and Head of Legal and Compliance | Western Asset Management Company LimitedDirector; Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd.Director; Western Asset Management Company Ltd.Director; Western |
- 25 -
Asset Management Company Pty. Ltd.Director; Western Asset Holdings (Australia) Pty. Ltd.Director | ||||
Jeffrey A. Nattans | Director | See above under ClearBridge | ||
F. Barry Bilson | Director | None | ||
Daniel E. Giddings | Assistant Secretary | None |
Item 32. | Principal Underwriter |
(a) LMIS, the distributor of the Registrant, is a distributor of funds that are series of the following registrants: Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust, Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust, Legg Mason Partners Income Trust, Legg Mason Partners Variable Income Trust, Legg Mason Partners Institutional Trust, Legg Mason Partners Money Market Trust, Legg Mason Partners Premium Money Market Trust, Legg Mason Global Asset Management Trust, Legg Mason Investment Trust, Legg Mason Tax-Free Income Fund, Western Asset Funds, Inc.
LMIS is the placement agent for funds that are series of Master Portfolio Trust.
(b) The information required by this Item 32 with respect to each director and officer of LMIS is listed below:
Name and Principal Business Address* |
Position and Offices with Underwriter LMIS |
Positions and Offices with Registrant |
||
Frances Cashman | Manager and Co-Managing Director | None | ||
Jeffrey Masom | Manager and Co-Managing Director | None | ||
Matthew Schiffman 100 First Stamford Pl. Stamford, CT 06902-6732 |
Manager and Co-Managing Director | None | ||
Jason Bennett | Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Financial Reporting Officer | None | ||
Kenneth D. Cieprisz 620 8 th Avenue, 49 th Floor New York, NY 10018 |
Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer | None | ||
Elisabeth F. Craig | Secretary | None | ||
Vicki Schmelzer | Assistant Secretary | None | ||
Susan Kerr 100 First Stamford Pl. Stamford, CT 06902 |
AML Compliance Officer | None |
* | All addresses are 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, unless otherwise indicated. |
(c) Not applicable.
- 26 -
Item 33. | Location of Accounts and Records |
With respect to the Registrant:
(1) Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
With respect to the Registrants Investment Managers:
(2) Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
(3) Apex Capital, LLC
25 Orinda Way
Suite 300
Orinda, CA 94653
(4) Atlantic Investment Management, Inc.
666 Fifth Avenue
34 th Floor
New York, NY 10103
(5) QS Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc.
John Hancock Tower
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116
(6) ClearBridge Investments, LLC
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
(7) QS Legg Mason Global Asset Allocation, LLC
880 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(8) Permal Asset Management LLC
900 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(9) River Canyon Fund Management LLC
2000 Avenue of the Stars, 11 th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(10) TT International
Moor House
Level 13
120 London Wall
London EC2Y 5ET
United Kingdom
- 27 -
(11) c/o Western Asset Management Company
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10018
(12) BH-DG Systematic Trading LLP
3 rd Floor
10 Grosvenor Street
London W1K 4QB
United Kingdom
With respect to the Registrants Custodian:
(13) State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
With respect to the Registrants Transfer Agent:
(14) BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
301 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DC 19809
With respect to the Registrants Distributor:
(15) Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC
100 International Drive
Baltimore, MD 21202
Item 34. | Management Services |
Not applicable.
Item 35. | Undertakings |
Not applicable.
- 28 -
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant, LEGG MASON PARTNERS EQUITY TRUST, hereby certifies that it meets all the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland on this 18 th day of December 2015.
LEGG MASON PARTNERS EQUITY TRUST , on behalf of ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund.
By: |
/s/ Jane Trust |
|
Jane Trust | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
WITNESS our hands on the date set forth below.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated below on December 18, 2015.
Signature |
Title |
|
/s/ Jane Trust |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee | |
Jane Trust | ||
/s/ Richard F. Sennett |
Principal Financial Officer | |
Richard F. Sennett | ||
Paul R. Ades* |
Trustee | |
Paul R. Ades | ||
Andrew L. Breech* |
Trustee | |
Andrew L. Breech | ||
Dwight B. Crane* |
Trustee | |
Dwight B. Crane | ||
Althea L. Duersten* |
Trustee | |
Althea L. Duersten | ||
Frank G. Hubbard* |
Trustee | |
Frank G. Hubbard | ||
Howard J. Johnson* |
Trustee | |
Howard J. Johnson | ||
Jerome H. Miller* |
Trustee | |
Jerome H. Miller | ||
Ken Miller* |
Trustee | |
Ken Miller | ||
John J. Murphy* |
Trustee | |
John J. Murphy | ||
Thomas F. Schlafly* |
Trustee | |
Thomas F. Schlafly |
By: |
/s/ Jane Trust |
|
Jane Trust, as Agent |
- 29 -
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Index No. |
Description of Exhibit |
|
(e)(11) | Appendix A to the Distribution Agreement | |
(j) | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | |
(m)(15) | Appendix A, amended and restated as of June 1, 2015 to the Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan | |
(o)(8) | Powers of Attorney | |
(p)(1) | Code of Ethics of the Independent Trustees of the Registrant |
- 30 -
Exhibit(e)(11)
Appendix A
Amended and Restated as of June 1, 2015
Name of Fund |
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund |
ClearBridge All Cap Value Fund |
ClearBridge Appreciation Fund |
ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund |
ClearBridge Energy MLP & Infrastructure Fund |
ClearBridge International Small Cap Fund |
ClearBridge International Value Fund |
ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund |
ClearBridge Large Cap Value Fund |
ClearBridge Mid Cap Core Fund |
ClearBridge Mid Cap Growth Fund |
ClearBridge Select Fund |
ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund |
ClearBridge Small Cap Value Fund |
ClearBridge Sustainability Leaders Fund |
ClearBridge Tactical Dividend Income Fund |
Permal Alternative Core Fund |
Permal Alternative Select Fund |
QS Batterymarch Global Dividend Fund |
QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund |
QS Batterymarch International Dividend Fund |
QS Batterymarch S&P 500 Index Fund |
Name of Fund |
QS Batterymarch U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund |
QS Legg Mason Conservative Growth Fund |
QS Legg Mason Defensive Growth Fund |
QS Legg Mason Dynamic Multi-Strategy Fund |
QS Legg Mason Growth Fund |
QS Legg Mason Moderate Growth Fund |
- 2 -
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Trustees
Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust
We consent to the use of our reports dated October 15, 2015 with respect to the financial statements of ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund, a series of the Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust, as of August 31, 2015, incorporated herein by reference and to the references to our firm under the headings Financial Highlights in the Prospectus and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in the Statement of Additional Information of Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust.
New York, New York
December 15, 2015
Exhibit(m)(15)
APPENDIX A
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AND DISTRIBUTION PLAN
AMENDED AND RESTATED JUNE 1, 2015
Name of Fund |
Name of Class |
Aggregate Service
Fee 1 (%) |
||||
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund | Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class B | 1.00 | |||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
ClearBridge All Cap Value Fund | Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class B | 1.00 | |||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
ClearBridge Appreciation Fund | Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class B | 1.00 | |||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None |
1 | Expressed as an annual rate of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to that Class |
Name of Fund |
Name of Class |
Aggregate Service
Fee 1 (%) |
||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund | Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class B | 0.75 | |||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
Class 1 | None | |||||
ClearBridge Energy MLP & Infrastructure Fund | Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
ClearBridge International Small Cap Fund | Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 |
- 2 -
Name of Fund |
Name of Class |
Aggregate Service
Fee 1 (%) |
||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
Class A2 | 0.25 | |||||
ClearBridge International Value Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class B | 1.00 | |||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class O | None | |||||
ClearBridge Large Cap Value Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 |
- 3 -
Name of Fund |
Name of Class |
Aggregate Service
Fee 1 (%) |
||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class A2 | 0.25 | |||||
Class 1 | None | |||||
ClearBridge Mid Cap Core Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class B | 1.00 | |||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class 1 | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
ClearBridge Mid Cap Growth Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
Class A2 | 0.25 | |||||
ClearBridge Select Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class C | 1.00 |
- 4 -
Name of Fund |
Name of Class |
Aggregate Service
Fee 1 (%) |
||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class B | 1.00 | |||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class 1 | None | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
ClearBridge Small Cap Value Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class B | 1.00 | |||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
ClearBridge Sustainability Leaders Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class A2 | 0.25 |
- 5 -
Name of Fund |
Name of Class |
Aggregate Service
Fee 1 (%) |
||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
ClearBridge Tactical Dividend Income Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class A2 | 0.25 | |||||
Permal Alternative Core Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
Permal Alternative Select Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None |
- 6 -
Name of Fund |
Name of Class |
Aggregate Service
Fee 1 (%) |
||||
QS Batterymarch Global Dividend Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class A2 | 0.25 | |||||
QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class 1 | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
QS Batterymarch International Dividend Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class A2 | 0.25 |
- 7 -
Name of Fund |
Name of Class |
Aggregate Service
Fee 1 (%) |
||||
QS Batterymarch S&P 500 Index Fund |
Class A | 0.20 | ||||
Class D | None | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
QS Batterymarch U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
QS Legg Mason Conservative Growth Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class B | 1.00 | |||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
QS Legg Mason Defensive Growth Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class B | 0.75 |
- 8 -
Name of Fund |
Name of Class |
Aggregate Service
Fee 1 (%) |
||||
Class C1 | 0.70 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
QS Legg Mason Dynamic Multi-Strategy Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
QS Legg Mason Growth Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class B | 1.00 | |||||
Class C | 1.00 | |||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 | |||||
QS Legg Mason Moderate Growth Fund |
Class A | 0.25 | ||||
Class B | 1.00 | |||||
Class C | 1.00 |
- 9 -
Name of Fund |
Name of Class |
Aggregate Service
Fee 1 (%) |
||||
Class I | None | |||||
Class R | 0.50 | |||||
Class FI | 0.25 | |||||
Class IS | None | |||||
Class R1 | 1.00 |
- 10 -
Exhibit(o)(8)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned, Jane E. Trust (the Principal) hereby constitutes and appoints each of Richard F. Sennett, Robert I. Frenkel, Thomas C. Mandia, Rosemary D. Emmens, Barbara J. Allen, Yi Chia Kuo, Susan Lively and Robert M. Nelson (each, an Agent and collectively, the Agents), as her true and lawful representative and attorney-in-fact, in her name, place and stead, with full power and authority of substitution and resubstitution, to do separately or jointly any and all acts and to execute any and all instruments which said Agents, or any of them, may deem necessary or advisable or which may be required to enable Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust (the Trust) to comply with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (collectively, the Acts), and any rules, regulations or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the filing and effectiveness of any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Trusts Registration Statement (Securities Act file No. 033-43446), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power and authority to sign in the name and on behalf of the Principal as a Trustee and/or officer of the Trust, any and all such amendments and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Acts, and any other instruments or documents related thereto, and the Principal does hereby ratify and confirm all that the Agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
All past acts of the Agents in furtherance of the foregoing are hereby ratified and confirmed.
This Power of Attorney shall not be revoked or terminated by any subsequent power of attorney. This Power of Attorney is not intended to revoke or terminate any prior powers of attorney. The Principal hereby represents and warrants to each Agent and agrees that, so long as the Principal remains a Trustee and/or officer of the Trust, the Principal shall not enter into any subsequent power of attorney that has the effect of revoking or terminating this Power of Attorney without providing written advance notice to the Agents. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any provision of this Power of Attorney is invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Power of Attorney.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been duly executed by the following person in the capacity and as of the date indicated.
Principal | Date | |||||
/s/ Jane E. Trust |
June 1, 2015 | |||||
Jane E. Trust |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below (each, a Principal, and collectively, the Principals) hereby constitutes and appoints each of Jane E. Trust, Richard F. Sennett, Robert I. Frenkel, Thomas C. Mandia, Rosemary D. Emmens, Barbara J. Allen, Yi Chia Kuo, Susan Lively and Robert M. Nelson (each, and Agent and collectively, the Agents), as his or her true and lawful representative and attorney-in-fact, in his or name, place and stead, with full power and authority of substitution and resubstitution, to do separately or jointly any and all acts and to execute any and all instruments which said Agents, or any of them, may deem necessary or advisable or which may be required to enable Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust (the Trust) to comply with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (collectively, the Acts), and any rules, regulations or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the filing and effectiveness of any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Trusts Registration Statement (Securities Act file No. 033-43446), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power and authority to sign in the name and on behalf of the Principals as a Trustee of the Trust, any and all such amendments and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Acts, and any other instruments or documents related thereto, and each Principal does hereby ratify and confirm all that the Agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
All past acts of the Agents in furtherance of the foregoing are hereby ratified and confirmed.
This Power of Attorney may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but which taken together shall constitute one instrument.
This Power of Attorney shall not be revoked or terminated by any subsequent power of attorney. This Power of Attorney is not intended to revoke or terminate any prior powers of attorney. Each Principal hereby represents and warrants to each Agent and agrees that, so long as the Principal remains a Trustee of the Trust, the Principal shall not enter into any subsequent power of attorney that has the effect of revoking or terminating this Power of Attorney without providing written advance notice to the Agents. Revocation of this Power of Attorney by a Principal will not have the effect of a revocation of this Power of Attorney by any other Principal. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any provision of this Power of Attorney is invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Power of Attorney.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
- 2 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been duly executed by the following persons in the capacities and as of the date(s) indicated.
/s/ Jane E. Trust |
Trustee | June 1, 2015 | ||
Jane E. Trust | ||||
/s/ Paul R. Ades |
Trustee | June 1, 2015 | ||
Paul R. Ades | ||||
/s/ Andrew L. Breech |
Trustee | June 1, 2015 | ||
Andrew L. Breech | ||||
/s/ Dwight B. Crane |
Trustee | June 1, 2015 | ||
Dwight B. Crane | ||||
/s/ Althea Duersten |
Trustee | June 1, 2015 | ||
Althea Duersten | ||||
/s/ Frank Hubbard |
Trustee | June 1, 2015 | ||
Frank Hubbard | ||||
/s/ Howard Johnson |
Trustee | June 1, 2015 | ||
Howard Johnson | ||||
/s/ Jerome H. Miller |
Trustee | June 1, 2015 | ||
Jerome H. Miller | ||||
/s/ Kenneth Miller |
Trustee | June 1, 2015 | ||
Kenneth Miller | ||||
/s/ John Murphy |
Trustee | June 1, 2015 | ||
John Murphy | ||||
/s/ Thomas F. Schlafly |
Trustee | June 1, 2015 | ||
Thomas F. Schlafly |
- 3 -
Exhibit(p)(1)
Code of Ethics for Independent Directors/Trustees
I. | General Provisions |
A. | Individuals Covered by the Code |
B. | Personal Securities Transactions |
C. | Securities Transactions in the Funds |
II. | Reporting Requirements |
A. | Initial and Annual Acknowledgement |
B. | Transactions in Reportable Securities |
III. | Compliance with the Code |
A. | Investigating Violations of the Code |
B. | Remedies |
C. | Annual Reports |
D. | Record Retention Requirements |
E. | Amendments |
IV. | Definitions |
A. | General Defined Terms |
B. | Terms Defining the Scope of a Beneficial Interest |
C. | Terms Defining the Scope of a Reportable Securities Transaction |
Appendix A - Acknowledgement of Receipt of the Funds Code of Ethics
Appendix B - Quarterly Transaction Report
I. | General Provisions |
A. | Individuals Covered |
It is the Funds policy that all Access Persons of each Fund shall be subject to a written code of ethics meeting requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This Code applies only to the Independent Fund Directors/Trustees of a Fund. All other Access Persons of the Fund are subject to the provisions of other codes of ethics that have been adopted by the Fund Advisers or the Principal Underwriter to the Funds and approved by the Fund Board in accordance with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act.
B. | Personal Securities Transactions |
In connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by an Independent Fund Director of a Security Held or to be Acquired by a Fund, Independent Fund Directors/Trustees are prohibited from:
1. | employing any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Fund; |
2. | making any untrue statement of a material fact to the Fund or omitting to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made to the Fund, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; |
3. | engaging in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on the Fund; or |
4. | engaging in any manipulative practice with respect to the Fund. |
C. | Securities Transactions in Funds |
An Independent Fund Director shall comply with the frequent trading policy of the Fund, as the same may be amended from time to time.
II. | Reporting Requirements |
A. | Initial and Annual Acknowledgement |
Within ten (10) days of being designated an Independent Fund Director, and thereafter on an annual basis, each Independent Fund Director must execute the attached form of Acknowledgement of Receipt of the Funds Code of Ethics (Appendix A), including the acknowledgement that he or she has read the Code and understands that it applies to him or her.
1
B. | Transactions in Reportable Securities |
1. | Transaction Reporting Requirements. No later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, each Independent Fund Director must report to the Fund CCO any Securities Transaction executed during such calendar quarter in a Reportable Security (or Equivalent Security) in which such Independent Fund Director had a Beneficial Interest if the Independent Fund Director knew, or in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her duty as an Independent Fund Director of the Fund should have known, that during the 15-day period immediately before or after the date of such Securities Transaction, (i) the Fund purchased or sold such Reportable Security, or (ii) the Fund or its Fund Adviser considered purchasing or selling such Reportable Security. |
Note: For purposes of these reporting requirements, Securities Transaction includes transactions in futures and options on futures.
The report shall contain the information designated in Appendix B.
2. | Disclaimers. Any report of a Securities Transaction pursuant to this Section II. B for the benefit of a person other than the Independent Fund Director may contain a statement that the report should not be construed as an admission by the Independent Fund Director that he or she has any direct or indirect Beneficial Interest in the Security to which the report relates. |
3. | Confidentiality . All information supplied by an Independent Fund Director pursuant to the Code shall be kept in strict confidence, except that such information may be made available to the Funds Board, the Funds CCO, and the Legg Mason Compliance Department. Such information may also be made available to the Securities and Exchange Commission or such other regulatory authority, to the extent required by law, regulation, or this Code. |
III. | Compliance with the Code |
A. | Investigating Violations of the Code |
The CCO of a Fund is responsible for investigating any suspected violation of the Code by an Independent Fund Director and shall report the results of each investigation to the Fund Board and the Legg Mason Compliance Department, provided that the Fund Board may determine to appoint counsel to investigate any matter at the Funds expense and report to it, the Fund CCO, and the Legg Mason Compliance Department regarding such matter. The Fund Board is responsible for reviewing the results of any investigation of any reported or suspected violation of the Code by an Independent Fund Director. Any violation of the Code by an
2
Independent Fund Director of a Fund will be reported to the Fund Board by such Funds CCO not later than the next quarterly meeting after the violation occurs.
B. | Remedies |
1. | Sanctions : If the Fund Board determines that an Independent Fund Director has committed a violation of the Code, the Fund Board may impose such sanctions and take such other actions as it deems appropriate, including, among other things, a verbal warning, a letter of caution or warning, fine, civil referral to the Securities and Exchange Commission, or criminal referral. The Fund Board may also require the Independent Fund Director to reverse the transaction in question and forfeit any profit or absorb any loss associated or derived as a result of such reversal. The amount of profit shall be calculated by the Fund Board. The Independent Fund Director shall not participate in the Fund Boards determination of any remedies to be imposed in connection with his or her violation of the Code. |
2. | Sole Authority : The Fund Board has sole authority to determine the remedy for any violation of the Code by an Independent Fund Director, including appropriate disposition of any monies forfeited pursuant to this provision. |
C. | Annual Reports |
At least on an annual basis, the CCO shall provide the Board with: (i) a written report that describes issues that arose under this Code since the prior report, including, but not limited to, information relating to material violations of this Code and any actions taken; and (ii) a certification that the Funds have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent the Independent Fund Directors from violating this Code.
D. | Record Retention Requirements |
The CCO shall maintain the following records at the Funds principal place of business and shall make these records available to the Securities and Exchange Commission at any time and from time to time for reasonable periodic, special or other examination:
| A copy of this Code that is currently in effect, or at any time within the past five years was in effect, must be maintained in an easily accessible place; |
| A record of any violation of this Code and any action taken as a result of a violation must be maintained in an easily accessible place for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurs; |
3
| A copy of each report made by an Independent Fund Director under this Code and any report made under Section III.C. above must be maintained for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the report is made, the first two years in an easily accessible place; |
| A record of all Independent Fund Directors, currently or within the past five years, who are subject to this Code, and of individual(s) who are responsible for reviewing reports made under this Code, must be maintained in an easily accessible place. |
E. | Amendments |
Any amendment of the Code shall be submitted to the Fund Board for approval in accordance with Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act. Any material amendment of the Code shall become effective as to the Independent Fund Directors/Trustees of a Fund only when the Fund Board has approved the amendment in accordance with Rule 17j-1 or at such earlier date as may be required to comply with applicable law or regulation.
IV. | Definitions |
When used in the Code, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
A. | General Defined Terms |
Access Person means any individual that should be treated as an access person to the Funds, as such term is defined in Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act, and includes, without limitation, the Independent Fund Directors/Trustees.
CCO means the Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds.
Code means this Code of Ethics, as amended.
Fund Adviser means any Legg Mason entity that serves as a manager, adviser or Sub-Adviser to a Legg Mason Partners Fund.
Fund Board means the Board of Directors/Trustees of a Fund.
Independent Fund Director means a director or trustee of a Fund who is not an interested person of a Fund, a Fund Adviser or the principal underwriter of a Fund as defined in Section 2(a) (19) of the Investment Company Act.
4
Investment Company Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Legg Mason Compliance Department means the Compliance Department of Legg Mason, Inc.
Legg Mason Fund and Fund mean an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act (or a portfolio or series thereof, as the case may be) that is part of the Legg Mason Family of Funds and such other investment companies as shall have adopted this Code by action of their respective board of Directors/Trustees in accordance with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act.
Principal Underwriter means Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC.
B. | Terms Defining the Scope of a Beneficial Interest |
Beneficial Interest means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, to profit, or share in any profit derived from, a transaction in the subject Securities.
An Independent Fund Director is deemed to have a Beneficial Interest in the following:
1. | any Security owned individually by the Independent Fund Director; |
2. | any Security owned jointly by the Independent Fund Director with others (for example, joint accounts, spousal accounts, partnerships, trusts and controlling interests in corporations); and |
3. | any Security in which a member of the Independent Fund Directors Immediate Family has a Beneficial Interest if: |
a) | the Security is held in an account over which the Independent Fund Director has decision making authority (for example, the Independent Fund Director acts as trustee, executor, or guardian); or |
b) | the Security is held in an account for which the Independent Fund Director acts as a broker or investment adviser representative. |
An Independent Fund Director is presumed to have a Beneficial Interest in the following:
4. |
any Security in which a member of the Independent Fund Directors Immediate Family has a Beneficial Interest if the Immediate Family |
5
member resides in the same household as the Independent Fund Director. This presumption may be rebutted if the Independent Fund Director provides the Fund CCO with satisfactory assurances that the Independent Fund Director does not have an ownership interest, individual or joint, in the Security and exercises no influence or control over investment decisions made regarding the Security. The presumption will not be deemed rebutted unless and until the Fund CCO approves the petition in writing. |
Any uncertainty as to whether an Independent Fund Director has a
Beneficial Interest in a Security should be brought to the attention of the Fund CCO for resolution. An Independent Fund Director may appeal any such resolution to the full Board, the decision of which shall be final. Such questions will be resolved
in accordance with, and this definition shall be interpreted in accordance with, the definition of beneficial owner found in
Rules 16a-1(a) (2) and (5) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Immediate Family of an Independent Fund Director means any of the following persons:
child | grandparent | son-in-law | ||
stepchild | spouse | daughter-in-law | ||
grandchild | sibling | brother-in-law | ||
parent | mother-in-law | sister-in-law | ||
stepparent | father-in-law |
Immediate Family includes adoptive relationships and other relationships (whether or not recognized by law) that the Fund CCO determines could lead to the possible conflicts of interest, diversions of corporate opportunity, or appearances of impropriety which this Code is intended to prevent.
C. | Terms Defining the Scope of a Reportable Securities Transaction |
Reportable Security means any Security other than (1) direct obligations of the Government of the United States; (2) bankers acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; and (3) shares issued by open-end Funds (other than the Funds and exchange-traded funds).
Securities Transaction means a purchase or sale of a Reportable Security in which an Independent Fund Director acquires or has a Beneficial Interest.
6
Security includes stock, notes, bonds, debentures, and other evidences of indebtedness (including loan participations and assignments), limited partnership interests, investment contracts, closed-end investment companies, and all derivative instruments of the foregoing, such as options and warrants. Security does not include futures or options on futures, but the purchase and sale of such instruments are nevertheless subject to the reporting requirements of the Code.
Security Held or to be Acquired by a Fund means (A) any Reportable Security which, within the most recent 15 days, (i) is or has been held by a Fund, or (ii) is being or has been considered by the Fund or its Fund Adviser for purchase by the Fund, or (B) any option to purchase or sell, and any Security convertible into or exchangeable for, a Reportable Security described above in clause (A) of this definition.
7
Appendix A
Acknowledgement of Receipt of the Fund Code of Ethics
I acknowledge that I have received the [ ] Fund Code of Ethics, dated , ,20 (the Code), and represent that:
1. | I have read the Code and I understand that it applies to me and to all Securities in which I have or acquire any Beneficial Interest. I have read the definition of Beneficial Interest and understand that I may be deemed to have a Beneficial Interest in Securities owned by members of my Immediate Family and that Securities Transactions affected by members of my Immediate Family may therefore be subject to the Code. |
2. | I will report all Securities Transactions required to be reported under Section II of the Code in which I have or acquire a Beneficial Interest. |
3. | I will comply with applicable provisions of the Code in all respects. |
Directors/Trustees Signature |
Name (Print)
|
||
Date |
A-1
Appendix B
Quarterly Transaction Report
Quarterly transaction reports must include the following information:
| the date of the transaction, the title, and as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), number of shares, and principal amount of each reportable security involved; |
| the nature of the transaction (i.e.- purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition); |
| the price at which the transaction was effected; |
| the name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and |
| the date you submit the report. |
With respect to any account established by an Independent Fund Director in which any securities were held during the quarter for his or her direct or indirect benefit, the quarterly transaction report must also include the following account information:
| the name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom you have established an account; |
| the date the account was established; and |
| the date you submit the report. |
B-1