As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2017
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 | ☒ | |||
Pre-Effective Amendment No. | ||||
Post-Effective Amendment No. 383 | ☒ | |||
and/or | ||||
REGISTRATION STATEMENT | ||||
UNDER | ||||
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | ☒ | |||
Amendment No. 383 | ||||
(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) |
☒ | on March 1, 2017 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 QS Global Equity Fund.
Prospectus
March 1, 2017
Share class (Symbol): A (CFIPX), C (SILLX), FI (), R (), R1 (LGQUX), I (SMYIX), IS (SMYSX), 1 (LMPEX)
QS
GLOBAL EQUITY 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 |
The fund seeks long-term capital growth. Dividend income, if any, is incidental to this objective.
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 46 under the heading Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions.
The fund no longer offers Class R1 shares for purchase by new or existing investors. Class 1 shares of the fund are not available for purchases or incoming exchanges.
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The sales charge is waived for shareholders purchasing Class A shares through accounts where LMIS 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. |
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Other expenses for Class FI, Class R, Class R1 and Class IS shares are estimated for the current fiscal year. Actual expenses may differ from estimates. |
6 |
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 fund operating expenses will not exceed 1.30% for Class A shares, 2.05% for Class C shares, 1.30% for Class FI shares, 1.55% for Class R shares, 2.25% for Class R1 shares, 0.95% for Class I shares and 0.90% 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 and total annual fund operating expenses for Class 1 shares will not exceed total annual fund operating expenses for Class A shares, each subject to recapture as described below. These arrangements cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2018 without the Board of Trustees consent. The manager is permitted to recapture amounts waived and/or reimbursed to a class during the same fiscal year if the class total annual fund 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 fund operating expenses exceeding the applicable limits described above or any other lower limit then in effect. |
2 | QS Global Equity Fund |
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 $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated |
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Your investment has a 5% return each year and the funds operating expenses remain the same |
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You reinvest all distributions and dividends without a sales charge |
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Number of years you own your shares ($) | ||||||||
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||||
Class A (with or without redemption at end of period) | 700 | 1,029 | 1,381 | 2,370 | ||||
Class C (with redemption at end of period) | 308 | 696 | 1,211 | 2,625 | ||||
Class C (without redemption at end of period) | 208 | 696 | 1,211 | 2,625 | ||||
Class FI (with or without redemption at end of period) | 132 | 448 | 786 | 1,743 | ||||
Class R (with or without redemption at end of period) | 158 | 526 | 918 | 2,017 | ||||
Class R1 (with or without redemption at end of period) | 225 | 694 | 1,189 | 2,553 | ||||
Class I (with or without redemption at end of period) | 97 | 337 | 596 | 1,337 | ||||
Class IS (with or without redemption at end of period) | 92 | 313 | 552 | 1,238 | ||||
Class 1 (with or without redemption at end of period) | 132 | 431 | 752 | 1,661 |
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 33% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal investment strategies
The fund invests primarily in the common stock of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of its assets in equity and equity-related securities. 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). As a global fund, the fund can seek investment opportunities anywhere in the world, and under normal circumstances, the fund invests in at least three countries, which may include the United States. Although the funds focus is on large capitalization securities, the fund may invest in securities of any market capitalization, including medium capitalization and small capitalization securities. The fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets, determined at the time of purchase, in emerging market issuers.
The portfolio managers will seek a broadly diversified portfolio of securities and to add value through stock selection and region, country and sector allocation. The portfolio managers use a quantitative process that assesses stocks by relative attractiveness based on a variety of measures including value, cash flow, earnings growth and sentiment. Region, country and sector allocations are based on rankings generated by the subadvisers proprietary models. The subadviser will periodically review these allocations and may adjust them based on current or anticipated market conditions or in an effort to manage risk consistent with the funds investment objective. The portfolio managers are part of a team approach to research to improve the quantitative models, and thus the models are expected to evolve over time as changes are incorporated.
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.
QS Global Equity Fund | 3 |
Principal risks contd
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. Events that have contributed to these market conditions include, but are not limited to major cybersecurity events; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; downgrading of U.S. long-term sovereign debt; declines in oil and commodity prices; dramatic changes in currency exchange rates; and public sentiment.
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 has reduced its market support activities and recently has begun raising interest rates. Certain foreign governments and central banks are implementing or discussing so-called negative interest rates (e.g., charging depositors who keep their cash at a bank) to spur economic growth. Further Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank actions, including interest rate increases or contrary actions by different governments, 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 increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, terrorism, natural disasters and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries directly affected, the value and liquidity of the funds investments may be negatively affected.
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.
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. Markets may become illiquid when, for instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers or sellers or when dealers are unwilling or unable to make a market for certain securities. As a general matter, dealers recently have been less willing to make markets for fixed income securities. 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.
Foreign investments and emerging market 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. Emerging market countries tend to have economic, political and legal systems that are less fully developed and are less stable than those of more developed countries. Less developed markets are more likely to experience problems with the clearing and settling of trades and the holding of securities by banks, agents and depositories that are less developed than those in the United States. They are often particularly sensitive to market movements because their market prices tend to reflect speculative expectations. Low trading volumes may result in a lack of liquidity and in extreme price volatility.
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.
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.
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 invest in companies with smaller market capitalizations.
4 | QS Global Equity Fund |
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.
Valuation risk. The sales price fund could receive for any particular portfolio investment may differ from the funds valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology. Investors who purchase or redeem fund shares on days when 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 securities or had used a different valuation methodology. The funds ability to value its investments may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third party service providers.
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.
QS Global Equity Fund | 5 |
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 www.leggmason.com/mutualfunds (select fund and share class), 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 (09/30/2009): 15.99 Worst Quarter (12/31/2008): (23.17)
Average annual total returns (%) | ||||||||||||
(for periods ended December 31, 2016) | ||||||||||||
Class A | 1 year | 5 years | 10 years | |||||||||
Return before taxes | 1.44 | 10.94 | 2.56 | |||||||||
Return after taxes on distributions | 1.08 | 10.55 | 2.03 | |||||||||
Return after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | 1.12 | 8.57 | 1.82 | |||||||||
Other Classes (Return before taxes only) | ||||||||||||
Class C | 5.84 | 11.42 | 2.39 | |||||||||
Class I | 8.02 | 12.63 | 3.52 | |||||||||
Class 1 | 7.65 | 12.32 | 2.41 | |||||||||
MSCI World Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 1 | 7.51 | 10.41 | 3.83 |
Prior to October 1, 2006, the fund invested at least 80% of its assets in large capitalization issuers and primarily in the common stock of foreign companies, including companies in developing countries.
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.
6 | QS Global Equity Fund |
Investment manager: Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC
Subadviser: QS Investors, LLC (QS Investors)
Portfolio managers: Stephen A. Lanzendorf, CFA, and Joseph S. Giroux. Mr. Lanzendorf (Head of the Active Equity Portfolio Management Strategy team) and Mr. Giroux (Portfolio Manager) have been portfolio managers of the fund since January 2011 and November 2013, 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 C shares are not available for purchase through LMIS Accounts. |
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Class R1 shares are closed to all new purchases and incoming exchanges. |
3 |
Class 1 shares are not available for purchases or 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.
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.
QS Global Equity Fund | 7 |
More on the funds investment strategies, investments and risks
Important Information
The fund was named QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund prior to April 1, 2016.
The fund seeks long-term capital growth. Dividend income, if any, is incidental to this objective.
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 the common stock of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of its assets in equity and equity-related securities. 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). As a global fund, the fund can seek investment opportunities anywhere in the world, and under normal circumstances, the fund invests in at least three countries, which may include the United States. Although the funds focus is on large capitalization securities, the fund may invest in securities of any market capitalization, including medium capitalization and small capitalization securities. The fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets, determined at the time of purchase, in emerging market issuers.
The portfolio managers will seek a broadly diversified portfolio of securities and to add value through stock selection and region, country and sector allocation. The portfolio managers use a quantitative process that assesses stocks by relative attractiveness based on a variety of measures including value, cash flow, earnings growth and sentiment. Region, country and sector allocations are based on rankings generated by the subadvisers proprietary models. The subadviser will periodically review these allocations and may adjust them based on current or anticipated market conditions or in an effort to manage risk consistent with the funds investment objective. The portfolio managers are part of a team approach to research to improve the quantitative models, and thus the models are expected to evolve over time as changes are incorporated.
The fund may, but is not required to, invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income obligations of foreign and U.S. issuers that are rated at least investment grade at the time of purchase (i.e., rated in the Baa or higher categories by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys), or BBB or higher by Standard & Poors, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (S&P) or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the opinion of the subadviser. If the credit quality of a bond held by the fund deteriorates below investment grade, the fund may continue to hold the bond (commonly known as a junk bond), but the portfolio managers will consider the change in rating in deciding whether to keep the security.
The fund usually invests in securities listed on securities exchanges, although it may also purchase securities which are not registered for sale to the general public, or, to a limited extent, securities that are not readily marketable.
The funds 80% investment policy may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval upon 60 days prior notice to shareholders.
The funds other 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.
Fixed income investments
Fixed income securities represent obligations of corporations, governments and other entities to repay money borrowed. Fixed income securities are commonly referred to as debt, debt obligations, bonds or notes. The issuer of the fixed income security usually pays a fixed, variable or floating rate of interest, and repays the amount borrowed, usually at the maturity of the security. Some fixed income securities, however, do not pay current interest but are sold at a discount from their face values. Other fixed income securities may make periodic payments of interest and/or principal. Some fixed income securities are partially or fully secured by collateral supporting the payment of interest and principal.
Derivatives and hedging techniques
Derivatives are financial instruments whose value depends upon, or is derived from, the value of an asset, such as one or more underlying investments, indexes or currencies. The fund may engage in derivative transactions, specifically, forward foreign currency contracts to buy or sell currencies at a future date. The fund may enter into these forward foreign currency contracts to:
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Settle transactions in securities quoted in foreign currencies |
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Attempt to protect against the economic impact of adverse changes in the value of the U.S. dollar |
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Manage cash flow |
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Lock-in the price of securities denominated in a foreign currency that it anticipates purchasing |
8 | QS Global Equity Fund |
A derivative contract will obligate or entitle the fund to deliver or receive an asset or cash payment based on the change in value of one or more underlying investments, indexes or currencies. When the fund enters into derivatives transactions, it may be required to segregate assets or enter into offsetting positions, in accordance with applicable regulations. Such segregation is not a hedging technique and will not limit the funds exposure to loss. The fund will, therefore, have investment risk with respect to both the derivative itself and the assets that have been segregated to offset the funds derivative exposure. If the segregated assets represent a large portion of the funds portfolio, this may impede portfolio management or the funds ability to meet redemption requests or other obligations.
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.
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.
Investments by other funds
The fund may be an investment option for other funds, including affiliated funds.
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 asset values or characteristics will not constitute a violation of that limitation.
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.
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.
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 invest in 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.
QS Global Equity Fund | 9 |
More on the funds investment strategies, investments and risks contd
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. As a general matter, dealers recently have been less willing to make markets for fixed income 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.
Foreign investments and emerging market 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. Emerging market countries tend to have economic, political and legal systems that are less fully developed and are less stable than those of more developed countries. They are often particularly sensitive to market movements because their market prices tend to reflect speculative expectations. Low trading volumes may result in a lack of liquidity and in extreme price volatility. Investors should be able to tolerate sudden, sometimes substantial, fluctuations in the value of their investments. Emerging market countries may have policies that restrict investment by foreigners or that prevent foreign investors from withdrawing their money at will.
Foreign custody risk. Foreign custody risk refers to the risks inherent in the process of clearing and settling trades and to the holding of securities, cash and other assets by banks, agents and depositories in securities markets that are less developed than those in the United States. Low trading volumes and volatile prices in less developed markets make trades harder to complete and settle, and governments or trade groups may compel non-U.S. agents to hold securities in designated depositories that may not be subject to independent evaluation. The laws of certain countries may place limitations on the ability to recover assets if a non-U.S. bank, agent or depository becomes insolvent or enters bankruptcy. Non-U.S. agents are held only to the standards of care of their local markets, and thus may be subject to limited or no government oversight. In general, the less developed a countrys securities market is, or the more difficult communication is with that location, the greater the likelihood of custody problems.
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.
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.
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.
10 | QS Global Equity Fund |
Derivatives risk. Derivatives involve special risks and costs and may result in losses to the fund, even when used for hedging purposes. Using derivatives can increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when market prices, interest rates, currencies, or the derivatives themselves behave in a way not anticipated by the fund, especially in abnormal market conditions. Using derivatives also can have a leveraging effect (which may increase investment losses) and increase the funds volatility, which is the degree to which the funds share price may fluctuate within a short time period. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. The other parties to certain derivatives transactions present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives also tend to involve greater liquidity
risk and they may be difficult to value. The fund may be unable to terminate or sell its derivative positions. In fact, many over-the-counter derivatives will not have liquidity beyond the counterparty to the instrument. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. The value of a derivative may fluctuate more than the underlying assets, rates, indices or other indicators to which it relates. Use of derivatives or similar instruments may have different tax consequences for the fund than an investment in the underlying security, and those differences may affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. The funds use of derivatives may also increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders. The U.S. government and foreign governments are 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 derivatives more costly, limit their availability or utility, otherwise adversely affect their performance or disrupt markets. The fund may be exposed to additional risks as a result of the additional regulations. The extent and impact of the additional regulations are not yet fully known and may not be for some time. In addition, the SEC has proposed a new rule that would change the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, such as the fund. If the proposed rule takes effect, it could limit the ability of the fund to invest in derivatives.
Risks associated with the use of derivatives are magnified to the extent that an increased portion of the funds assets are committed to derivatives in general or are invested in just one or a few types of derivatives.
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.
Credit risk. If an obligor (such as the issuer itself or a party offering credit enhancement) for a security held by the fund fails to pay, otherwise defaults, is perceived to be less creditworthy, becomes insolvent or files for bankruptcy, a securitys credit rating is downgraded or the credit quality or value of any underlying assets declines, the value of your investment in the fund could decline. If the fund enters into financial contracts (such as certain derivatives, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions), the fund will be subject to the credit risk presented by the counterparty. In addition, the fund may incur expenses in an effort to protect the funds interests or to enforce its rights. Credit risk is broadly gauged by the credit ratings of the securities in which the fund invests. However, ratings are only the opinions of the companies issuing them and are not guarantees as to quality. Securities rated in the lowest category of investment grade (Baa/BBB) may possess certain speculative characteristics. Credit risk is typically greatest for the funds high yield debt securities, which are rated below the Baa/BBB categories or unrated securities of comparable quality (junk bonds).
The fund may invest in securities which are subordinated to more senior securities of the issuer, or which represent interests in pools of such subordinated securities. The fund is more likely to suffer a credit loss on subordinated securities than on non-subordinated securities of the same issuer. If there is a default, bankruptcy or liquidation of the issuer, most subordinated securities are paid only if sufficient assets remain after payment of the issuers non-subordinated securities. In addition, any recovery of interest or principal may take more time. As a result, even a perceived decline in creditworthiness of the issuer is likely to have a greater impact on subordinated securities.
Extension risk. When interest rates rise, repayments of fixed income securities, particularly asset- and mortgage-backed securities, may occur more slowly than anticipated, extending the effective duration of these fixed income securities at below market interest rates and causing their market prices to decline more than they would have declined due to the rise in interest rates alone. This may cause the funds share price to be more volatile.
Prepayment or call risk. Many fixed income securities give the issuer the option to repay or call the security prior to its maturity date. Issuers often exercise this right when interest rates fall. Accordingly, if the fund holds a fixed income security subject to prepayment or call risk, it will not benefit fully from the increase in value that other fixed income securities generally experience when interest rates fall. Upon prepayment of the security, the fund would also be forced to reinvest the proceeds at then current yields, which would be lower than the yield of the security that was paid off. In addition, if the fund purchases a fixed income security at a premium (at a price that exceeds its stated par or principal value), the fund may lose the amount of the premium paid in the event of prepayment.
Securities of other investment companies. Investments in other investment companies are subject to stock market and portfolio selection risk. In addition, if the fund acquires shares of other investment companies, shareholders may have to bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the fund and, indirectly, the expenses of the other investment companies.
QS Global Equity Fund | 11 |
More on the funds investment strategies, investments and risks contd
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. Events that have contributed to these market conditions include, but are not limited to major cybersecurity events; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; downgrading of U.S. long-term sovereign debt; declines in oil and commodity prices; dramatic changes in currency exchange rates; and public sentiment.
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 has reduced its market support activities and recently has begun raising interest rates. Certain foreign governments and central banks are implementing or discussing so-called negative interest rates (e.g., charging depositors who keep their cash at a bank) to spur economic growth. Further Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank actions, including interest rate increases or contrary actions by different governments 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 increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, terrorism, natural disasters and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries directly affected, the value and liquidity of the funds investments may be negatively affected.
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.
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 securities or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed income securities and currencies, as applicable, may 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.
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. 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.
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.
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 www.leggmason.com/mutualfunds (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.
12 | QS Global Equity Fund |
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 December 31, 2016, LMPFAs total assets under management were approximately $189.9 billion.
QS Investors, LLC (QS Investors or the subadviser) provides the day-to-day portfolio management of the fund, except for the management of a certain portion of the funds cash and short-term instruments. QS Investors has offices at 880 Third Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10022. QS Investors provides asset management services primarily for institutional accounts, such as corporate pension and profit sharing plans; endowments and foundations; investment companies (including mutual funds); and state, municipal and foreign governmental entities. As of December 31, 2016, QS Investors had assets under management of $22.8 billion.
Western Asset Management Company (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 December 31, 2016, the total assets under management of Western Asset and its supervised affiliates were approximately $420 billion.
LMPFA, QS Investors 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 December 31, 2016, Legg Masons asset management operations had aggregate assets under management of approximately $710.4 billion.
Portfolio managers
At QS Investors, all portfolios are managed on a collaborative basis using a systematic, rules-based approach. Members of the investment team may change from time to time.
Stephen A. Lanzendorf, CFA, and Joseph S. Giroux have leadership responsibility for the day-to-day management of the fund. They are responsible for the strategic oversight of the funds investments. Their focus is on portfolio structure, and they are primarily responsible for ensuring that the fund complies with its investment objective, guidelines and restrictions and QS Investors current investment strategies. Messrs. Lanzendorf and Giroux have been portfolio managers of the fund since January 2011 and November 2013, respectively.
Stephen A. Lanzendorf is the Head of the Active Equity Portfolio Management Strategy team at QS Investors. He was formerly the Deputy Chief Investment Officer and head of the Developed Markets investment team at QS Batterymarch (formerly, Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc. (Batterymarch)) from 2012 to 2014. At Batterymarch, he also served as co-head of the Developed Markets team from 2010 to 2012 and head of the US investment team from 2006 to 2010. Prior to joining Batterymarch, he spent six years as the Director of Quantitative Strategies at Independence Investments, where he also managed the equity trading desk. He was also a Portfolio Manager and Quantitative Analyst at The Colonial Group for 10 years. He has a BS and MS in Nuclear Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Joseph S. Giroux is a Portfolio Manager at QS Investors. He was formerly a Developed Markets Portfolio Manager at Batterymarch from 2012 to 2014. Prior to joining Batterymarch, he managed both US and non-US assets for 5 years at several firmsGolden Capital Management, Wells Capital Management and Evergreen Investmentsthat were affiliated with or acquired by Wells Fargo. He also served as a Portfolio Manager at TriPoint Asset Management and The Boston Company Asset Management. He has a BS in Computer Science from New England Institute of Technology.
The SAI provides information about the compensation of the portfolio managers, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and any fund shares held by the portfolio managers.
Management fee
The fund pays a management fee at an annual rate that decreases as assets increase, as follows: 0.850% of net assets up to and including $1 billion, 0.825% of net assets over $1 billion and up to and including $2 billion, 0.800% of net assets over $2 billion and up to and including $5 billion, 0.775% of net assets over $5 billion and up to and including $10 billion and 0.750% of net assets over $10 billion.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016, the fund paid LMPFA an effective management fee of 0.53% 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 April 30, 2016.
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 the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses will not exceed 1.30% for Class A shares, 2.05% for
QS Global Equity Fund | 13 |
More on fund management contd
Class C shares, 1.30% for Class FI shares, 1.55% for Class R shares, 2.25% for Class R1 shares, 0.95% for Class I shares and 0.90% for Class IS shares, subject to recapture as described below. In addition, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses for Class IS shares will not exceed the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses for Class I shares, and the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses for Class 1 shares will not exceed the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses for Class A shares, each subject to recapture as described below. These arrangements are expected to continue until December 31, 2018, 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 fund 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 fund 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 fund 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 the subadvisers, who provide services to the fund. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or third-party) beneficiaries of, those contractual arrangements.
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 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, Class IS and Class 1 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. Additional information about revenue sharing payments is available in the SAI. 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.
14 | QS Global Equity 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 LMIS 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 or distribution or service fees 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 1 shares for purchase by new or existing investors or for incoming exchanges. If you owned Class 1 shares on July 26, 2007, you may continue to hold those shares, but you may not add to your Class 1 share position except through dividend reinvestment.
Each class of shares, except Class IS and Class 1 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) |
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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:
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The front-end sales charges that apply to the purchase of Class A shares |
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The contingent deferred sales charges that apply to the redemption of Class C shares and certain Class A shares |
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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 www.leggmason.com/mutualfunds, and click on the name of the fund . 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 breakpoint information.
QS Global Equity Fund | 15 |
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 C |
No initial sales charge Contingent deferred sales charge for only 1 year 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 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 certain Institutional Investors, Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the fund and Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries Generally lower annual expenses than the other classes |
None | None | None | Class IS shares of funds sold by the distributor | |||||
Class 1 |
Closed to all purchases and incoming exchanges |
N/A | None | None | Class A shares of funds available for exchange |
1 |
Ask your Service Agent about the funds available for exchange. |
16 | QS Global Equity Fund |
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 Service Agent 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 |
Service Agent
commission as
|
||||||||||||
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 |
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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 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 |
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your spouse, and children under the age of 21 |
QS Global Equity Fund | 17 |
Sales charges contd
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:
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Shareholders investing in Class A shares through LMIS Accounts |
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Employees of Service Agents |
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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 |
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Employees of Legg Mason and its subsidiaries |
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Investors investing through certain Retirement Plans |
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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 or the fund, consult the SAI or visit the Legg Mason funds website, www.leggmason.com/mutualfunds, and click on the name of the fund. 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 breakpoint information.
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.
Class 1 shares
The fund no longer offers Class 1 shares for purchase by new or existing investors or for incoming exchanges. If you owned Class 1 shares on July 26, 2007, you may continue to hold those shares, but you may not add to your Class 1 share position except through dividend reinvestment.
18 | QS Global Equity Fund |
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:
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When you exchange shares for shares of another fund sold by the distributor |
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On shares representing reinvested distributions and dividends |
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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:
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On payments made through certain systematic withdrawal plans |
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On certain distributions from a Retirement Plan |
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For Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the fund |
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For involuntary redemptions of small account balances |
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For 12 months following the death or disability of a shareholder |
To have your contingent deferred sales charge waived, you or your Service Agent must let the fund know at the time you redeem shares that you qualify for such a waiver.
If you want to learn more about additional waivers of contingent deferred sales charges, contact your Service Agent or the fund, consult the SAI or visit the Legg Mason funds website, www.leggmason.com/mutualfunds, and click on the name of the fund. 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 breakpoint information.
QS Global Equity Fund | 19 |
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, Class I or Class IS 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, Class I or Class IS shares. Class I and Class IS 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:
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Such Retirement Plans recordkeeper offers only load-waived shares, and |
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Fund shares are held on the books of the fund through an omnibus account. |
20 | QS Global Equity Fund |
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 (either at the plan level or at the level of the financial intermediary), certain rollover IRAs and Institutional Investors, Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries and other investors authorized by LMIS. In order to purchase Class IS shares, an investor must hold its shares in one account, which is not subject to payment of recordkeeping, account servicing, networking or similar fees by the fund to any intermediary.
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.
QS Global Equity Fund | 21 |
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.
The fund may not be available for sale in certain states. Prospective investors should inquire as to whether the fund is available for sale in their state of residence.
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. The fund will accept checks from other fund families and investment companies as long as the registration name on your fund account is the same as that listed on the check.
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. |
22 | QS Global Equity Fund |
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 or Class IS 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
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 |
QS Global Equity Fund | 23 |
Exchanging shares contd
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. |
24 | QS Global Equity Fund |
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
Medallion 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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Systematic 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 $5,000 and each automatic redemption must be at least $50 per transaction per month and $150 quarterly per fund.
The following conditions apply:
Redemptions may be made monthly, 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. |
QS Global Equity Fund | 25 |
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) |
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.
Medallion signature guarantees
To be in good order, your redemption request must include a Medallion 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 |
A Medallion signature guarantee may also be required if you:
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Are making changes to the account registration after the account has been opened; and |
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Are transferring shares to an account in another Legg Mason fund with a different account registration |
When a Medallion signature guarantee is called for, the shareholder should have a Medallion signature guarantee stamped under his or her signature. You can obtain a signature guarantee from most banks, dealers, brokers, credit unions and federal savings and loan institutions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations and clearing agencies (each an Eligible Guarantor Institution), but not from a notary public. The fund and its agents reserve the right to reject any Medallion signature guarantee pursuant to written signature guarantee standards or procedures, which may be revised in the future to permit them to reject Medallion signature guarantees from Eligible Guarantor Institutions. The fund may change the signature guarantee requirements from time to time without prior notice to shareholders.
Restrictions on the availability of the fund outside the United States
The distribution of this Prospectus and the offering of shares of the fund are restricted in certain jurisdictions. This Prospectus is not an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where such offer or solicitation is unlawful, where the person making an offer or solicitation is not authorized to make it or a person receiving an offer or solicitation may not lawfully receive it or may not lawfully invest in the fund. Investors should inform themselves as to the legal requirements within their own country before investing in the fund.
26 | QS Global Equity Fund |
This Prospectus, and the offer of shares hereunder, are not directed at persons outside the United States. In particular, the fund is not intended to be marketed to prospective investors in any member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway (collectively, the European Economic Area or EEA). No notification or application has been made to the competent authority of any member state of the EEA under the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (or any applicable legislation or regulations made thereunder) to market the fund to investors in the EEA and it is not intended that any such notification or application shall be made.
U.S. citizens with addresses in the United States, and non-U.S. citizens who reside in the United States and have U.S. addresses, are permitted to establish accounts with the fund. For these purposes, the United States and U.S. include U.S. territories.
The fund generally does not permit persons who do not reside in the United States or who do not have U.S. addresses to establish accounts. Therefore, U.S. citizens residing in foreign countries, as well as non-U.S. citizens residing in foreign countries, generally will not be permitted to establish accounts with the fund.
For further information, you or your Service Agent may contact the fund at 877-721-1926 or 203-703-6002.
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 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.
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
QS Global Equity Fund | 27 |
Other things to know about transactions contd
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).
This policy does not apply to: (i) certain broker-controlled accounts established through the National Securities Clearing Corporations Networking system; (ii) qualified retirement plans (such as 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, profit sharing plans and money purchase plans); (iii) accounts with an active systematic investment plan; (iv) accounts with an active systematic withdrawal plan; (v) accounts that do not have a valid address as evidenced by mail being returned to the fund or its agents and (vi) accounts identified to us by the applicable financial intermediary or Service Agent as being fee-based accounts.
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 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
28 | QS Global Equity Fund |
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.
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.
Confirmations and account statements
If you bought shares directly from the fund, you will receive a confirmation from the fund after each transaction (except a reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions, an investment made through the Systematic Investment Plan, exchanges made through a systematic exchange plan and withdrawals made through the Systematic Withdrawal Plan). Shareholders will receive periodic account statements.
To assist you in the management of your account you may direct the funds transfer agent to send copies of your confirmations and/or periodic statements to another party whom you designate, at no charge.
QS Global Equity Fund | 29 |
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 attributable to short-term capital gains are taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions attributable to qualified dividend income received by the fund, if any, 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.
30 | QS Global Equity 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.
If the fund meets certain requirements with respect to its holdings, it may elect to pass through to shareholders foreign taxes that it pays, in which case each shareholder will include the amount of such taxes in computing gross income, but will be eligible to claim a credit or deduction for such taxes, subject to generally applicable limitations on such deductions and credits.
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.
QS Global Equity Fund | 31 |
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 scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE, normally at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time). If the NYSE closes at a time other than the scheduled closing time, the fund will calculate its net asset value as of the scheduled 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 scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE on that day to receive that days price. If the NYSE closes early on that day, you must place your order prior to the scheduled 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 (which may be reported at a different time than the time at which the funds NAV is calculated) 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. The prices of foreign equity securities typically are adjusted using a fair value model developed by an independent third party pricing service to estimate the value of those securities at the time of closing of the NYSE. 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). 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. Investments in funds other than ETFs are valued at the net asset value per share of the class of the underlying fund held by the fund as determined on each business day. |
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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 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.
32 | QS Global Equity Fund |
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 FI, Class R, Class R1 and Class IS shares because no Class FI, Class R, Class R1 and Class IS shares were outstanding for the periods shown. The returns for Class FI, Class R, Class R1 and Class IS 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 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 |
As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective January 1, 2013, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses for Class 1 shares did not exceed the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses for Class A shares. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2018 without the Board of Trustees consent. Prior to January 1, 2013, the total annual operating expenses for Class 1 shares did not exceed those of Class A shares less the 12b-1 differential of 0.25%. |
4 |
Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
QS Global Equity Fund | 33 |
Financial highlights contd
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 |
As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective August 3, 2015, the ratio of total annual fund operating 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 1.30%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2018 without the Board of Trustees consent. Prior to August 3, 2015, the expense limitation arrangement was 1.50%. |
4 |
Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
1 |
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 |
Amount represents less than $0.005 per share. |
3 |
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. |
4 |
As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective August 3, 2015, the ratio of total annual fund operating 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 2.05%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2018 without the Board of Trustees consent. Prior to August 3, 2015, the expense limitation arrangement was 2.25%. |
5 |
Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
34 | QS Global Equity 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 |
As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective August 3, 2015, the ratio of total annual fund operating 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 0.95%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2018 without the Board of Trustees consent. Prior to August 3, 2015, the expense limitation arrangement was 1.25%. |
4 |
Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
QS Global Equity Fund | 35 |
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 |
QS
Global Equity Fund
You may visit www.leggmason.com/mutualfundsliterature 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)
FD02534ST 03/17
March 1, 2017
LEGG MASON PARTNERS EQUITY TRUST
QS Global Equity Fund
Class A (CFIPX), Class C (SILLX), Class FI, Class R, Class R1 (LGQUX), Class I (SMYIX), Class 1 (LMPEX) and Class IS (SMYSX)
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 Prospectus of QS Global Equity Fund (the fund), dated March 1, 2017, 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 April 1, 2016, the fund was named QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund. Prior to June 30, 2014, the fund was named Legg Mason Batterymarch Global Equity Fund. Prior to October 5, 2009, the fund was named Legg Mason Partners Global Equity 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 Services5th 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 www.leggmason.com/mutualfundsliterature. 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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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 long-term capital growth. Dividend income, if any, is incidental to this objective.
The fund invests primarily in the common stock of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of its assets in equity and equity-related securities. 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). As a global fund, the fund can seek investment opportunities anywhere in the world, and under normal circumstances, the fund invests in at least three countries, which may include the United States. Although the funds focus is on large capitalization securities, the fund may invest in securities of any market capitalization, including medium capitalization and small capitalization securities. The fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets, determined at the time of purchase, in emerging market issuers.
The portfolio managers will seek a broadly diversified portfolio of securities and to add value through stock selection and region, country and sector allocation. The portfolio managers use a quantitative process that assesses stocks by relative attractiveness based on a variety of measures including value, cash flow, earnings growth and sentiment. Region, country and sector allocations are based on rankings generated by the subadvisers proprietary models. The subadviser will periodically review these allocations and may adjust them based on current or anticipated market conditions or in an effort to manage risk consistent with the funds investment objective. The portfolio managers are part of a team approach to research to improve the quantitative models, and thus the models are expected to evolve over time as changes are incorporated.
The fund may, but is not required to, invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income obligations of foreign and U.S. issuers that are rated at least investment grade at the time of purchase (i.e., rated in the Baa or higher categories by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys), or BBB or higher by Standard & Poors, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (S&P) or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the opinion of the subadviser. If the credit quality of a bond held by the fund deteriorates below investment grade, the fund may continue to hold the bond (commonly known as a junk bond), but the portfolio managers will consider the change in rating in deciding whether to keep the security.
The fund usually invests in securities listed on securities exchanges, although it may also purchase securities which are not registered for sale to the general public, or, to a limited extent, securities that are not readily marketable.
The funds 80% investment policy may be changed by the Board of Trustees (the Board) upon 60 days prior notice to shareholders.
There is no guarantee that the fund will achieve its investment objective.
1
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.
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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (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.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of fund securities with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment and have the characteristics of borrowings. Since the proceeds of borrowings under reverse repurchase agreements are invested, this would introduce the speculative factor known as leverage. The securities purchased with the funds obtained from the agreement and securities collateralizing the agreement will have maturity dates no later than the repayment date. Generally the effect of such a transaction is that the fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while in many cases it will be able to keep some of the interest income associated with those securities. Such transactions are advantageous only if the fund has an opportunity to earn a greater rate of interest on the cash derived from the transaction than the interest cost of obtaining that cash. Opportunities to realize earnings from the use of the proceeds equal to or greater than the interest required to be paid may not always be available, and the fund intends to use the reverse repurchase technique only when the subadviser or Western Asset, as applicable, believes it will be advantageous to the fund. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may exaggerate any interim increase or decrease in the value of the funds assets. The funds custodian bank will maintain a separate account for the fund with securities having a value equal to or greater than such commitment of the fund.
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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 mutual funds or unit investment trusts that are traded on a stock exchange, called exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 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.
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. Shares can trade at either a premium or discount to net asset value. However, the portfolios held by index-based ETFs are publicly disclosed on each trading day and an approximation of actual net asset value is disseminated throughout the trading day. Because of this transparency, the trading prices of index-based ETFs tend to closely track the actual net asset value 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 net asset values.
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 net asset value could increase while the fund holds the shares.
Money Market Instruments. The fund may invest in money market instruments, including money market funds managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, 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 temporary defensive purposes or when opportunities for capital growth do not appear attractive, in short-term corporate and government money market instruments. Money market instruments in which the fund may invest include: U.S. government securities; certificates of deposit (CDs), time deposits (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.
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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 extent and impact of the regulations are not yet fully known and may not be 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 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.
Fixed Income Securities. The fund may invest in investment grade bonds, rated at the time of purchase in the four highest ratings categories by a nationally recognized securities rating organization (NRSRO), such as those rated Aaa, Aa, A and Baa by Moodys or AAA, AA, A and BBB by S&P. Obligations rated in the lowest of the top four rating categories (such as Baa by Moodys or BBB by S&P) offer a higher current yield than that
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provided by higher grade issues, but also involve greater risks. They may have speculative characteristics and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments, including a greater possibility of default or bankruptcy of the issuer, than is the case with higher grade bonds. The prices of debt securities fluctuate in response to perceptions of the issuers creditworthiness and also tend to vary inversely with market interest rates. The value of such securities is likely to decline in times of rising interest rates. Conversely, when rates fall, the value of these investments is likely to rise. The longer the time to maturity the greater are variations in value. The ratings of Moodys and S&P represent the opinions of those agencies. Such ratings are relative and subjective, and are not absolute standards of quality. A description of the ratings used by Moodys and S&P is set forth in Appendix A.
Subsequent to its purchase by the fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by the fund. In addition, it is possible that Moodys, S&P and other NRSROs might not timely change their ratings of a particular issue to reflect subsequent events. None of these events will require the sale of the securities by the fund, although the subadviser will consider these events in determining whether the fund should continue to hold the securities.
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) 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 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.
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To the extent required by applicable law and SEC guidance, no securities for which there is not a readily available market will be acquired by the fund if such acquisition would cause the aggregate value of illiquid securities to exceed 15% of the funds net assets.
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 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.
Warrants and Rights. Warrants and stock purchase rights are securities permitting, but not obligating, their holder to purchase other securities, normally the issuers common stock. Stock purchase rights are frequently issued as a dividend to a companys stockholders and represent the right to purchase a fixed number of shares at a fixed or formula price. The price may reflect a discount to the market price. Warrants are generally sold by a company or issuer together with fixed income securities and represent the right to a fixed number of shares of common stock or other securities at a fixed or formula price. The exercise price is normally higher than the market price at the time the company sells the warrant.
Warrants and stock purchase rights do not carry with them the right to receive dividends on or to vote the securities that they entitle their holders to purchase. They also do not entitle the holder to share in the assets of the company in liquidation. The rights to purchase common stock or other securities conferred by a warrant or stock purchase right can only be exercised on specific dates or for a specific period. Trading in these instruments is affected both by the relationship of the exercise price to the current market price of the common stock or other securities and also by the period remaining until the right or warrant expires. An investment in warrants and stock purchase rights may be considered more speculative than other types of equity investments. A warrant or stock purchase right expires worthless if it is not exercised on or prior to its expiration date.
Foreign Securities. The fund may invest a substantial amount of its net assets (at the time of investment) in foreign securities. The fund may invest in foreign issuers, either directly or through 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
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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 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 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.
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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.
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.
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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 may also 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.
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.
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.
Foreign Currency Exchange Transactions. Because the fund may buy and sell securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and receive interest, dividends and sale proceeds in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, the fund may, but is not obligated to, enter into currency exchange transactions to convert U.S. currency to foreign currency and foreign currency to U.S. currency, as well as convert foreign currency to other foreign currencies. The fund either enters into these transactions on a spot ( i.e ., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or uses forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. The fund may also, but is not obligated to, enter into foreign currency hedging transactions in an attempt to protect the value of the assets of the fund as measured in U.S. dollars from unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates and control regulations. (Although the funds assets are valued daily in U.S. dollars, the fund does not intend to convert its holdings of other currencies into U.S. dollars on a daily basis.) The fund does not currently intend to speculate in currency exchange rates or forward contracts.
The fund may convert currency on a spot basis from time to time and investors should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although currency exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the spread) between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a currency at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.
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Investing in ADRs and other depositary receipts presents many of the same risks regarding currency exchange rates as investing directly in securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Because the securities underlying these receipts are traded primarily in non-U.S. currencies, changes in currency exchange rates will affect the value of these receipts. For example, a decline in the U.S. dollar value of another currency in which securities are primarily traded will reduce the U.S. dollar value of such securities, even if their value in the other non-U.S. currency remains constant, and thus will reduce the value of the receipts covering such securities. The fund may employ any of the above described foreign currency hedging techniques to protect the value of its assets invested in depositary receipts.
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, voters in the United Kingdom have approved withdrawal from the European Union. Other countries may seek to withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the euro, the common currency of the European Union. A number of countries in Europe have suffered terror attacks, and additional attacks may occur in the future. Ukraine has experienced ongoing military conflict; this conflict may expand and military conflicts could potentially occur elsewhere in Europe. Europe has also been struggling with mass migration from the Middle East and Africa. The ultimate effects of these events and other socio-political or geopolitical issues are not known but could profoundly affect global economies and markets. 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 invest in certain derivative instruments (also called Financial Instruments). 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 and foreign governments are 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 derivatives more costly, limit their availability or utility, otherwise adversely affect their performance or disrupt markets.
In December 2015, the SEC, proposed a new rule that would change the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, such as the fund. If the proposed rule is adopted and goes into effect, it could limit the ability of the fund to invest or remain invested in derivatives.
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.
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 |
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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, swaps, forward contracts, and certain options on foreign currencies, are entered into directly by the counterparties or through financial institutions acting as market makers (OTC derivatives), rather than being traded on |
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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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Financial Instruments involving currency are subject to additional risks. Currency related transactions may be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages, and manipulations. Exchange rates may be influenced by factors extrinsic to a countrys economy. Also, there is no systematic reporting of last sale information with respect to foreign currencies. As a result, the information on which trading in currency derivatives is based may not be as complete as, and may be delayed beyond, comparable data for other transactions. |
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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.
Forward Currency Contracts. A forward currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract, agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. Because these contracts are traded in the interbank market and not on organized commodities or securities exchanges, these contracts operate in a manner distinct from exchange-traded instruments and their use involves certain risks. A forward currency contract generally has no deposit requirement and no fees or commissions are charged at any stage for trades.
Forward currency contracts may involve the purchase or sale of a foreign currency against the U.S. dollar or may involve two foreign currencies. The fund may enter into forward currency contracts either with respect to specific transactions or with respect to its portfolio positions. For example, when the subadviser anticipates making a purchase or sale of a security, it may enter into a forward currency contract in order to set the rate (either relative to the U.S. dollar or another currency) at which the currency exchange transaction related to the purchase or sale will be made (transaction hedging). Further, when the subadviser believes that a particular currency may decline compared to the U.S. dollar or another currency, the fund may enter into a forward currency contract to sell the currency the subadviser expects to decline in an amount approximating the value of some or all of the funds securities denominated in that currency. When the subadviser believes that one currency may decline against a currency in which some or all of the portfolio securities held by the fund are denominated, it may enter into a forward currency contract to buy the currency expected to appreciate for a fixed amount
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(position hedging). In this situation, the fund may, in the alternative, enter into a forward currency contract to sell a different currency for a fixed amount of the currency expected to decline where the subadviser believes that the value of the currency to be sold pursuant to the forward currency contract will fall whenever there is a decline in the value of the currency in which portfolio securities of the fund are denominated (cross-hedging). The funds custodian places cash or other liquid assets in a separate account of the fund having a value equal to the aggregate amount of the funds commitments under forward currency contracts entered into with respect to position hedges and cross-hedges. If the value of the securities placed in a separate account declines, additional cash or securities are placed in the account on a daily basis so that the value of the account will equal the amount of the funds commitments with respect to such contracts.
The projection of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain. Under normal circumstances, consideration of the prospect for currency parities will be incorporated in the investment decisions made with regard to overall diversification strategies. However, the fund believes that it is important to have the flexibility to enter into such forward currency contracts when it determines that its best interests will be served.
The fund generally would not enter into a forward currency contract with a term greater than one year. At the maturity of a forward currency contract, the fund will either sell the security and make delivery of the non-U.S. currency, or retain the security and terminate its contractual obligation to deliver the non-U.S. currency by purchasing an offsetting contract with the same currency trader obligating it to purchase, on the same maturity date, the same amount of the non-U.S. currency. If the fund retains the security and engages in an offsetting transaction, the fund will incur a gain or a loss (as described below) to the extent that there has been movement in forward currency contract prices. If the fund engages in an offsetting transaction, it may subsequently enter into a new forward currency contract to sell the non-U.S. currency. Should forward prices decline during the period between the date the fund enters into a forward currency contract for the sale of the non-U.S. currency and the date it enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase of such currency, the fund will realize a gain to the extent the selling price of the currency exceeds the purchase price of the currency. Should forward prices increase, the fund will suffer a loss to the extent that the purchase price of the currency exceeds the selling price of the currency.
It is impossible to forecast with precision the market value of fund securities at the expiration of the contract. Accordingly, it may be necessary for the fund to purchase additional non-U.S. currency on the spot market if the market value of the security is less than the amount of non-U.S. currency the fund is obligated to deliver and if a decision is made to sell the security and make delivery of such currency. Conversely, it may be necessary to sell on the spot market some of the non-U.S. currency received upon the sale of the security if its market value exceeds the amount of such currency the fund is obligated to deliver.
Short Sales Against the Box. In a short sale, the fund sells a borrowed security and has a corresponding obligation to the lender to return the identical security. The fund, in accordance with applicable investment restrictions, may engage in short sales only if at the time of the short sale it owns or has the right to obtain, at no additional cost, an equal amount of the security being sold short. This investment technique is known as a short sale against the box.
In a short sale, the seller does not immediately deliver the securities sold and is said to have a short position in those securities until delivery occurs. If the fund engages in a short sale, the collateral for the short position is maintained for the fund by the custodian or qualified sub-custodian. While the short sale is open, an amount of securities equal in kind and amount to the securities sold short or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such equivalent securities is maintained in a segregated account for the fund. These securities constitute the funds long position.
The fund does not engage in short sales against the box for investment purposes. The fund may, however, make a short sale against the box as a hedge, when it believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a security owned by the fund (or a security convertible or exchangeable for such security).
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In such case, any future losses in the funds long position should be reduced by a gain in the short position. Conversely, any gain in the long position should be reduced by a loss in the short position. The extent to which such gains or losses are reduced depends upon the amount of the security sold short relative to the amount the fund owns. There are certain additional transaction costs associated with short sales against the box, but the fund endeavors to offset these costs with the income from the investment of the cash proceeds of short sales.
The subadviser does not expect that more than 40% of the funds total assets would be involved in short sales against the box. The subadviser does not currently intend to engage in such sales.
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.
When-Issued Securities. The fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or on a forward delivery basis, meaning that delivery of the securities occurs beyond customary settlement times. In general, the fund does not pay for the securities until received and does not start earning interest until the contractual settlement date. It is expected that, under normal circumstances, the fund would take delivery of such securities, but the fund may sell them before the settlement date. When the fund commits to purchase a security on a when-issued or on a forward delivery basis, it sets up procedures consistent with SEC policies. Since those policies currently require that an amount of the funds assets equal to the amount of the purchase be held aside or segregated to be used to pay for the commitment, the fund expects always to have cash or liquid assets sufficient to cover any commitments or to limit any potential risk. However, even though the fund does not intend to make such purchases for speculative purposes and intends to adhere to the provisions of SEC policies, purchases of securities on such bases may involve more risk than other types of purchases. The when-issued securities are subject to market fluctuation and no interest accrues on the security to the purchaser during this period. The payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on the securities are each fixed at the time the purchaser enters into the commitment. Purchasing obligations on a when-issued basis is a form of leveraging and can involve a risk that the yields available in the market when the delivery takes place may actually be higher
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than those obtained in the transaction itself. In that case, there could be an unrealized loss at the time of delivery. An increase in the percentage of the funds assets committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued basis may increase the volatility of its net asset value.
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.
Defensive Investing. During periods of unusual economic or market conditions or for temporary defensive purposes or liquidity, the fund may invest without limit in cash and in U.S. dollar-denominated high quality money market and short-term instruments. These investments may result in a lower yield than would be available from investments in a lower quality or longer term.
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 the 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 or 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
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and/or their 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.
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.
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, the subadvisers, other service providers to the fund or its shareholders (including, but not limited to, fund accountants, custodians, sub-custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses to both the fund and its shareholders, interference with the funds ability to calculate its net asset value, 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 the 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.
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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 asset values or characteristics 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.
(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
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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 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
19
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 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 ETFs 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.
20
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 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 October 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, the funds portfolio turnover rates were as follows:
2016 (%) |
2015 (%) | |||
33 |
31 |
21
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, 11th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. Information pertaining to the Trustees and officers of the fund is set forth below.
Name and
|
Position(s)
with Trust |
Term
of
Office* and Length of Time Served** |
Principal Occupation(s)
|
Number of
Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee |
Other
Board
Past 5 Years |
|||||||
Independent Trustees#: |
|
|||||||||||
Paul R. Ades Born 1940 |
Trustee | Since 1983 | Paul R. Ades, PLLC (law firm) (since 2000) | 48 | None | |||||||
Andrew L. Breech Born 1952 |
Trustee | Since 1991 | President, Dealer Operating Control Service, Inc. (automotive retail management) (since 1985) | 48 | 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) | 48 | 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) | 48 | None | |||||||
Frank G. Hubbard Born 1937 |
Trustee | Since 1993 | President, Fealds, Inc. (business development) (since 2016); formerly, President, Avatar International Inc. (business development) (1998 to 2015) | 48 | None |
22
Name and
|
Position(s)
with Trust |
Term
of
Office* and Length of Time Served** |
Principal Occupation(s)
|
Number of
Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee |
Other
Board
Past 5 Years |
|||||||
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) | 48 | None | |||||||
Jerome H. Miller Born 1938 |
Trustee | Since 1995 | Retired | 48 | 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) | 48 | None | |||||||
John J. Murphy Born 1944 |
Trustee | Since 2002 | Founder and Senior Principal, Murphy Capital Management (investment management) (since 1983) | 48 | Trustee, UBS Funds (24 funds) (since 2008); Trustee, Consulting Group Capital Markets Funds (10 funds) (since 2002); Director, Fort Dearborn Income Securities, Inc. (since 2013); formerly, Director, Nicholas Applegate Institutional Funds (12 funds) (2005 to 2010) | |||||||
Thomas F. Schlafly Born 1948 |
Trustee | Since 1983 | Chairman, The Saint Louis Brewery, LLC (brewery) (since 2012); formerly, President, The Saint Louis Brewery, Inc. (1989 to 2012); Partner, Thompson Coburn LLP (law firm) (since 2009) | 48 |
Director, Citizens National Bank of Greater St. Louis (since 2006) |
23
Name and
|
Position(s)
with Trust |
Term
of
Office* and Length of Time Served** |
Principal Occupation(s)
|
Number of
Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee |
Other
Board
Past 5 Years |
|||||||
Interested Trustee and Officer: |
|
|||||||||||
Jane Trust, CFA Born 1962 |
Trustee,
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Since
2015 |
Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (Legg Mason & Co.) (since 2016); Officer and/or Trustee/Director of 156 funds associated with LMPFA or its affiliates (since 2015); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMPFA (since 2015); formerly, Senior Vice President of LMPFA (2015); Director of ClearBridge, LLC (formerly, Legg Mason Capital Management, LLC) (2007 to 2014); Managing Director of Legg Mason Investment Counsel & Trust Co. (2000 to 2007) | 149 | None |
# | 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. |
| 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. |
Name, Year of
|
Position(s) with Trust |
Term of Office*
|
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) |
24
Name, Year of
|
Position(s) with Trust |
Term of Office*
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
|||
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); AML Consultant, Rabobank Netherlands (2009); 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); Assistant Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2011); formerly, Associate Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (2011 to 2013); 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 (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) |
25
Name, Year of
|
Position(s) with Trust |
Term of Office*
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
|||
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); 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); 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.
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. 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
26
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 non-executive Chairman 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 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
27
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.
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
28
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 5 times during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016. 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 October 31, 2016.
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, 2016.
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 |
None | Over 100,000 | ||||||
Andrew L. Breech |
None | Over 100,000 | ||||||
Dwight B. Crane |
None | Over 100,000 | ||||||
Althea L. Duersten |
None | Over 100,000 | ||||||
Frank G. Hubbard |
None | Over 100,000 | ||||||
Howard J. Johnson |
None | Over 100,000 | ||||||
Jerome H. Miller |
None | Over 100,000 | ||||||
Ken Miller |
None | Over 100,000 | ||||||
John J. Murphy |
None | Over 100,000 | ||||||
Thomas F. Schlafly |
None | Over 100,000 | ||||||
Interested Trustee |
||||||||
Jane Trust |
None | Over 100,000 |
As of December 31, 2016, 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 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
29
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 ( 1 ) ($) |
Total Pension or
Retirement Benefits Paid as Part of Fund Expenses ( 1)(2 ) ($) |
Total
Compensation from Fund Complex Paid to Trustee (3) ($) |
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee ( 3 ) |
||||||||||||
Independent Trustees: |
||||||||||||||||
Paul R. Ades |
968 | None | 300,000 | 46 | ||||||||||||
Andrew L. Breech |
984 | None | 305,000 | 46 | ||||||||||||
Dwight B. Crane |
1,025 | None | 317,500 | 46 | ||||||||||||
Althea L. Duersten |
976 | None | 302,500 | 46 | ||||||||||||
Frank G. Hubbard |
944 | None | 292,500 | 46 | ||||||||||||
Howard J. Johnson |
1,081 | None | 335,000 | 46 | ||||||||||||
Jerome H. Miller |
984 | None | 305,000 | 46 | ||||||||||||
Ken Miller |
976 | None | 302,500 | 46 | ||||||||||||
John J. Murphy |
968 | None | 300,000 | 46 | ||||||||||||
Thomas F. Schlafly |
936 | None | 290,000 | 46 | ||||||||||||
Interested Trustee: |
||||||||||||||||
Jane Trust ( 4) |
None | None | None | 152 |
(1) | Information is for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016. |
(2) | Pursuant to prior retirement plans, the fund made no payments to former Trustees for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016. |
(3) | Information is for the calendar year ended December 31, 2016. |
(4) | Ms. Trust is not compensated for her services as a Trustee because of her affiliations with the manager. |
As of January 31, 2017, 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 January 31, 2017, 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 |
61.40 | ||
C |
MORGAN STANLEY & CO INC ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS OPERATIONS HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER PLAZA TWO 2ND FLOOR JERSEY CITY NJ 07311 |
27.06 |
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Class |
Name and Address |
Percent of Ownership (%) | ||
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 |
36.41 | ||
I |
MORGAN STANLEY & CO INC ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS OPERATIONS HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER PLAZA TWO 2ND FLOOR JERSEY CITY NJ 07311 |
31.47 | ||
I |
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS ATTN: FUND ADMINISTRATION 4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 3RD FLOOR JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484 |
7.69 | ||
I |
GREAT-WEST TRUST COMPANY LLC TTEE F EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CLIENTS 401K 8515 E ORCHARD RD 2T2 GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111 |
6.32 | ||
I |
PERSHING LLC 1 PERSHING PLZ JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0001 |
5.11 | ||
1 |
BNY MELLON INVESTMENT SERVICING (US) INC FBO PRIMERICA FINANCIAL SERVICES 760 MOORE RD KING OF PRUSSIA PA 19406-1212 |
100.00 |
On January 31, 2017, to the Trusts knowledge, the following persons owned of record or beneficially 25% or more of the outstanding shares of the fund as set forth below. Shareholders who beneficially own 25% or more of the outstanding shares of the fund or who are otherwise deemed to control the fund may be able to determine or significantly influence the outcome of matters submitted to a vote of the funds shareholders.
Name and Address |
Percent of Fund Held (%) | |
BNY MELLON INVESTMENT SERVICING (US) INC FBO PRIMERICA FINANCIAL SERVICES 760 MOORE RD KING OF PRUSSIA PA 19406-1212 |
55.76% |
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. 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.
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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.
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 |
0.850 | |||
Next $1 billion |
0.825 | |||
Next $3 billion |
0.800 | |||
Next $5 billion |
0.775 | |||
Over $10 billion |
0.750 |
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2016, October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, the fund paid management fees to LMPFA as follows:
For the fiscal year ended October 31 |
Gross Management Fees ($) |
Management Fees
Waived/Expenses Reimbursed ($) |
Net Management Fees
(After Waivers/Expense Reimbursements) ($) |
|||||||||
2016 |
1,187,961 | (442,846 | ) | 745,115 | ||||||||
2015 |
1,202,160 | (285,430 | ) | 916,730 | ||||||||
2014 |
1,156,870 | (360,292 | ) | 796,578 |
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Any expense limitation arrangements in place during the funds past three fiscal years can be found in the funds Prospectus in effect (as amended or supplemented from time to time) for such year.
Subadvisory Arrangements
QS Investors, LLC (QS Investors or the subadviser) provides the day-to-day portfolio management of the fund, except for the management of a certain portion of the funds cash and short-term instruments. QS Investors has offices at 880 Third Avenue, 7 th Floor, New York, New York 10022. QS Investors provides asset management services primarily for institutional accounts, such as corporate pension and profit sharing plans; endowments and foundations; investment companies (including mutual funds); and state, municipal and foreign governmental entities. Prior to April 1, 2016, QS Batterymarch Financial Management Inc. (QS Batterymarch) served as the funds subadviser. QS Batterymarch and QS Legg Mason Global Asset Allocation, LLC were combined with QS Investors as of April 1, 2016, at which point QS Investors became the subadviser pursuant to a novation of the subadvisory agreement.
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.
QS Investors 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 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 October 31, 2016.
33
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.
Type of Account |
Number of
Accounts Managed |
Total Assets
Managed ($) |
Number of Accounts
Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based |
Assets Managed for
which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based ($) |
||||||||||||||
Stephen A. Lanzendorf, CFA |
Registered
investment companies |
15 | 4,347,113,378 | None | None | |||||||||||||
Other pooled
investment vehicles |
5 | 209,660,404 | None | None | ||||||||||||||
Other accounts | 28 | 2,899,896,564 | 4 | 89,233,197 | ||||||||||||||
Joseph S. Giroux |
Registered
investment companies |
6 | 974,106,679 | None | None | |||||||||||||
Other pooled
investment vehicles |
2 | 115,532,775 | None | None | ||||||||||||||
Other accounts | 2 | 6,062,743 | None | None |
Portfolio Manager Compensation Structure
Compensation for all investment professionals includes a combination of base salary and annual discretionary bonus as well as a generous benefits package made available to all employees on a non-discretionary basis. Specifically, the compensation package includes:
|
Competitive base salaries; |
|
Individual discretionary bonuses based on the investment professionals added value to the products for which they are responsible. Bonuses are not directly tied to peer group and/or relative performance to any benchmark. The qualitative analysis of a portfolio managers individual performance is based on, among other things, the results of an annual management and internal peer review process, and managements assessment of a portfolio manager contributions to the investment team, the investment process and overall performance (distinct from fund and other account performance). Other factors taken into consideration include the individuals contributions to model and investment process research, risk management, client service and new business development; and |
|
Corporate profit sharing. |
Certain investment professionals may also have longer-term incentive packages that are tied to the success of the organization.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
QS Investors maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to detect and minimize potential conflicts of interest inherent in circumstances when a portfolio manager has day-to-day portfolio management
34
responsibilities for multiple portfolios. Nevertheless, no set of policies and procedures can possibly anticipate or relieve all potential conflicts of interest. These conflicts may be real, potential, or perceived; certain of these conflicts are described in detail below.
Allocation of Limited Investment Opportunities. If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity (including initial public offerings) that may be suitable for multiple funds and/or accounts, the investment opportunity may be allocated among these several funds or accounts, which may limit a clients ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity, due to liquidity constraints or other factors.
QS Investors has adopted trade allocation procedures designed to ensure that allocations of limited investment opportunities are conducted in a fair and equitable manner between client accounts. Nevertheless, investment opportunities may be allocated differently among client accounts due to the particular characteristics of an account, such as the size of the account, cash position, investment guidelines and restrictions or its sector/country/region exposure or other risk controls, or market restrictions.
Similar Investment Strategies. QS Investors and its portfolio management team may manage multiple portfolios with similar investment strategies. Investment decisions for each portfolio are generally made based on each portfolios investment objectives and guidelines, cash availability, and current holdings. Purchases or sales of securities for the portfolios may be appropriate for other portfolios with like objectives and may be bought or sold in different amounts and at different times in multiple portfolios. In these cases, transactions are allocated to portfolios in a manner believed fair and equitable across client account portfolios by QS Investors methodology. Purchase and sale orders for a portfolio may be combined with those of other portfolios in the interest of achieving the most favorable net results for all clients.
Different Investment Strategies. QS Investors may manage long-short strategies alongside long-only strategies. As such, the potential exists for short sales of securities in certain portfolios while the same security is held long in one or more other portfolios. In an attempt to mitigate the inherent risks of simultaneous management of long-short and long-only strategies, QS Investors has established and implemented procedures to promote fair and equitable treatment of all portfolios. The procedures include monitoring and surveillance, supervisory reviews, and compliance oversight of short sale activity.
Differences in Financial Incentives. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to a portfolio manager or an investment adviser differ among the funds and/or accounts under management. For example, when the structure of an investment advisers management fee differs among the funds and/or accounts under its management (such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), a portfolio manager might be motivated to favor certain funds and/or accounts over others. Performance-based fees could also create an incentive for an investment adviser to make investments that are riskier or more speculative. In addition, a portfolio manager might be motivated to favor funds and/or accounts in which he or she or the investment adviser and/or its affiliates have a financial interest. Similarly, the desire to maintain or raise assets under management or to enhance the portfolio managers performance record in a particular investment strategy or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence a portfolio manager to lend preferential treatment to those funds and/or accounts that could most significantly benefit the portfolio manager.
In multi-asset strategies where QS Investors is responsible for asset allocation and has the discretionary authority to direct assets to funds or accounts managed by QS Investors, affiliated managers and/or unaffiliated managers, QS Investors may have financial or other incentives to advise that client assets be directed to funds or accounts managed by QS Investors instead of funds or accounts managed by affiliated managers or unaffiliated managers, or to advise that client assets be directed to funds or accounts managed by affiliated managers instead of unaffiliated managers.
35
QS Investors has established and implemented various policies and procedures to promote fair and equitable treatment and to manage these and other potential conflicts that may arise from differences in financial incentives. For example, in regard to the management of portfolios with performance-based fees, performance in portfolios with like strategies is regularly reviewed by management. In regard to conflicts associated with fund/manager selection, QS Investors employs an asset allocation process that is primarily quantitative, and certain investment decisions that could be deemed to result in conflicts of interest (e.g., initial allocations or substantial increases in allocations to funds or accounts managed by QS Investors) are subject to review and pre-approval by certain management and compliance personnel.
Personal Holdings and Transactions. Investment professionals employed by QS Investors may manage personal accounts in which they have a fiduciary interest with holdings similar to those of client accounts. QS Investors also allows its employees to trade in securities that it recommends to advisory clients. QS Investors purchasing, holding or selling the same or similar securities for client account portfolios and the actions taken by such individuals on a personal basis may differ from, or be inconsistent with, the nature and timing of advice or actions taken by QS Investors for its client accounts. QS Investors and its employees may also invest in mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles that are managed by QS Investors. This may result in a potential conflict of interest since QS Investors employees have knowledge of such funds investment holdings, which is non-public information. QS Investors has implemented a Code of Ethics which is designed to address and mitigate the possibility that these professionals could place their own interests ahead of those of clients. The Code of Ethics addresses this potential conflict of interest by imposing pre-clearance and reporting requirements, blackout periods, supervisory oversight, and other measures designed to reduce conflict.
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 October 31, 2016.
Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range of
Ownership of Securities ($) |
|||
Stephen A. Lanzendorf, CFA |
None | |||
Joseph S. Giroux |
None |
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.
36
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.
In order to implement an expense limitation, the manager will, as necessary, waive management fees or reimburse operating expenses. However, the manager is permitted to recapture amounts waived or reimbursed to a class during the same fiscal year if the class total annual fund operating expenses have fallen to a level below the class expense limitation. 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 fund operating expenses exceeding such expense limitation or any other lower limit then in effect.
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. Associated
37
persons 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 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. LMIS, LMPFA or their affiliates consider revenue sharing arrangements based on a variety of factors and services to be provided.
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
38
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.
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. 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.
As of December 31, 2016, LMIS, LMPFA or their affiliates made revenue sharing payments to the financial intermediaries listed below (or their affiliates or successors). It is possible that each intermediary listed is not receiving payments with respect to each fund in the Legg Mason fund complex. This list of intermediaries will change over time, and any additions, modifications or deletions thereto that have occurred since December 31, 2016 are not reflected.
Acadia Life Limited
Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
Allstate Life Insurance Company
Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York
AIG Advisor Group, Inc.
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Commonwealth Equity Services, LLP d/b/a Commonwealth Financial Network
Delaware Life Insurance Company (F/K/A Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.))
First MetLife Investors Insurance Company
Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company
39
Genworth Life Insurance Company of New York
Goldman Sachs & Co.
The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc.
H.D. Vest Investment Securities, Inc.
Hantz Financial Services, Inc.
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
Jefferson National Life Insurance Company
JP Morgan Securities LLC
The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company
Lincoln Benefit Life Company
Lincoln Retirement Services Company LLC
Lincoln Variable Insurance Products Trust
Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York
LPL Financial LLC
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
MetLife Insurance Company USA
MetLife Investors USA Insurance Company
Midland National Insurance Company
Minnesota Life Insurance Company
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
National Security Life and Annuity Company
Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.
The Ohio National Life Assurance Corporation
The Ohio National Life Insurance Company
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
Pacific Life Insurance Company
Pacific Life & Annuity Company
PFS Investments, Inc.
Principal Securities, Inc.
Protective Life Insurance Company
Raymond James and Associates, Inc.
Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.
Security Benefit Life Insurance Company
UBS Financial Services, Inc.
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
Voya Financial Partners, LLC
Voya Insurance and Annuity Company
Voya Retirement Advisors, LLC
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
Winterbotham Trust Company Limited
LMIS, LMPFA or their affiliates may also pay fees, from their own assets, to financial intermediaries for providing other distribution-related services as well as recordkeeping, administrative, subaccounting, and networking services (or portions thereof), and other shareholder or administrative services in connection with investments in the funds. These payments may be considered revenue sharing payments. The financial intermediaries receiving such payments may not be listed above.
You should assume that your financial intermediary receives revenue sharing payments and/or other compensation described in this SAI. Please contact your financial intermediary for details about any payments it
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(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 October 31 |
Total Commissions ($) |
Amounts Retained by
LMIS ($) |
||||||
2016 |
183,072 | 27,740 | ||||||
2015 |
184,202 | 28,268 | ||||||
2014 |
158,879 | 24,000 |
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges
The aggregate dollar amounts of contingent deferred sales charges on Class A and Class C shares received and retained by the distributor were as follows:
Class A Shares
For the fiscal year ended October 31 |
Amounts Retained by
LMIS ($) |
|||
2016 |
99 | |||
2015 |
35 | |||
2014 |
312 |
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Class C Shares
For the fiscal year ended October 31 |
Amounts Retained by
LMIS ($) |
|||
2016 |
24 | |||
2015 |
1 | |||
2014 |
388 |
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 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 2341 or any successor rule, in each case as amended or interpreted by FINRA.
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).
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The following service and distribution fees were incurred by the fund pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan in effect during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016:
Class |
Service and Distribution
Fees Incurred ($) |
|||
Class A |
311,202 | |||
Class C |
88,571 |
No information is presented for Class FI, Class R, and Class R1 shares because no shares of those classes were outstanding during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016, 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.
Class |
Third Party
Fees ($) |
Financial
Consultant Compensation (Amortized) ($) |
Marketing ($) | Printing ($) |
Total
Current Expenses ($) |
|||||||||||||||
Class A |
310,879 | | 65,037 | 1,878 | 377,794 | |||||||||||||||
Class C |
57,943 | 25,722 | 11,481 | 174 | 95,321 |
No information is presented for Class FI, Class R and Class R1 shares because no shares of those classes were outstanding during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016.
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.
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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 each has adopted a code of ethics that permits its 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 of ethics 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 fund, 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.
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 B 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 www.leggmason.com/mutualfunds (click on the name of the fund) and (3) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
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.
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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 scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE on any day the fund calculates its net asset value are priced according to the net asset value determined on that day (the trade date). Orders received by a Service Agent prior to the scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE on any day the fund calculates its net asset value are priced according to the net asset value 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 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.
Class 1 Shares. Effective July 27, 2007, the funds Class 1 shares were closed to all purchases and incoming exchanges. Investors owning Class 1 shares on that date may continue to maintain their then-current Class 1 shares, but are no longer permitted to add to their Class 1 positions (excluding reinvestments of dividends and distributions).
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.
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.
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Class A Shares. Class A shares are sold to investors at the public offering price, which is the net asset value 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 (except for purchases made through LMIS Accounts), you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00%.
The contingent deferred sales charge is waived in the same circumstances in which the contingent deferred sales charge applicable to Class 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 at net asset value 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 net asset value 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 net asset value 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;
(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;
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(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;
(i) purchases of Class A shares by shareholders investing through LMIS Accounts;
(j) investors investing through certain retirement plans; and
(k) investors who rollover fund shares from a qualified retirement plan into an individual retirement account administered on the same retirement plan platform.
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 net asset value prior to November 20, 2006, are permitted to purchase additional Class A shares at net asset value. 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 net asset value.
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 |
(5) $500,000 | |||
(2) $50,000 |
(6) $750,000 | |||
(3) $100,000 |
(7) $1,000,000 | |||
(4) $250,000 |
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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 C shares and (b) 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 net asset value 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 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) systematic withdrawals in amounts equal to or less than 2.00% of the shareholders account balance at the time the withdrawals commence, up to a maximum of 12.00% in one year (see Systematic Withdrawal Plan);
49
(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 individual retirement accounts (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; (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 and (i) Class A shares held through LMIS Accounts.
The contingent deferred sales charge is waived on new 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 distributed by LMIS may, under certain circumstances, reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds within 60 days in a fund distributed by LMIS and receive pro rata credit for any contingent deferred sales charge imposed on the prior redemption.
To have a contingent deferred sales charge waived, you or your Service Agent must let the fund know at the time you redeem shares that you qualify for such a waiver. Contingent deferred sales charge waivers will be granted subject to confirmation by LMIS 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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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 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 net asset value 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 net asset value of a share of the fund as of October 31, 2016:
Class A (based on a net asset value of $13.71 and a maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%) |
$ | 14.55 |
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 net asset value is not reasonably practicable or (c) for such other periods as the SEC by order may permit for protection of the funds shareholders.
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.
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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.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
The Systematic Withdrawal Plan is available to those shareholders who own shares directly with the fund, excluding those shares held in Coverdell education savings accounts (Coverdell ESAs). You should contact your Service Agent to determine if it offers a similar service.
Class A and Class C Shareholders. Class A and Class C shareholders having an account with a balance of $5,000 or more may elect to make withdrawals of a minimum of $50 on a monthly basis. There are two ways to receive payment of proceeds of redemptions made through the Systematic Withdrawal Plan: (1) Check mailed by the funds transfer agentfund shares will be redeemed on the 25th of each month or the next business day and a check for the proceeds will be mailed within three business days; or (2) ACH to checking or savings accountredemptions 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. You may change the monthly amount to be paid to you without charge by notifying the fund. You may terminate the Systematic Withdrawal Plan at any time, without charge or penalty, by contacting the fund. The fund, its transfer agent, and LMIS reserve the right to modify or terminate the Systematic Withdrawal Plan at any time. See Waivers of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, above, for information about application of the contingent deferred sales charge to withdrawals under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan.
Class FI, Class I and Class IS Shareholders. Certain shareholders of the funds Class FI, Class I and Class IS shares with an initial net asset value of $1,000,000 or more, or certain other shareholders authorized by LMIS, 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 accountredemptions 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 to change or discontinue the Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be made at the funds website, www.leggmason.com/mutualfunds, by calling the fund at 1-877-721-1926, or by writing to the fund or a Service Agent. 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.
In General. The amounts paid to you each month are obtained by redeeming sufficient shares from your account to provide the withdrawal amount that you have specified.
Redemptions will be made at the net asset value per share, determined as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the day corresponding to the redemption option designated by the investor, less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge. If the NYSE is not open for business on that day, the shares will be redeemed at the per share net asset value determined as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE on the next day the NYSE is open, less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
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Withdrawal payments are treated as a sale of shares rather than as a dividend or other distribution. A payment is taxable to the extent that the total amount of the payment exceeds the tax basis in the shares deemed sold. Other taxes or tax-related consequences may apply, and you should consult your tax advisor before establishing a Systematic Withdrawal Plan. If the periodic withdrawals exceed reinvested dividends and other distributions, the amount of your original investment may be correspondingly reduced.
Ordinarily, you should not purchase additional shares of the fund if you maintain a Systematic Withdrawal Plan because there are tax disadvantages associated with such purchases and withdrawals.
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 net asset value, and the proceeds are immediately invested in shares of the fund being acquired at that funds then current net asset value. 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 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.
Class 1 Exchanges . Class 1 shareholders who wish to exchange all or a portion of their shares may exchange Class 1 shares for Class A shares of certain funds available for exchange. Ask your Service Agent about the funds available for exchange.
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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.
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 net asset value but the purchase order would be effective only at the net asset value 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 net asset value 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.
The 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 fund 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. Other taxes or tax-related consequences may apply, and you should consult your tax adviser before requesting an exchange.
The net asset value 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 net asset value 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
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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.
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 October 31, 2016, the fund did not direct any amounts to brokerage transactions related to research services and did not pay any brokerage commissions related to research services.
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.
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Aggregate Brokerage Commissions Paid
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2016, October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, the fund paid aggregate brokerage commissions as set forth in the table below.
Fiscal Year ended October 31 |
Aggregate Brokerage
Commissions Paid ($) |
|||
2016 |
31,830 | |||
2015 |
32,078 | |||
2014 |
49,719 |
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2016, October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, the fund did not pay any brokerage commissions to LMIS or its affiliates.
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 October 31, 2016, the fund held the following securities issued by its regular broker/dealers:
Issuer |
Type of Security
Owned
D=Debt E=Equity |
Market Value ($) (000s) | ||||||
BANK OF AMERICA CORP. |
E | 1,977 | ||||||
JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. |
E | 1,067 |
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
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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: www.leggmason.com/mutualfunds (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.
Set forth below is a list, as of December 31, 2016, 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 Dissemination |
||
1919 Investment Counsel, LLC |
Daily | None | ||
Best Alternative Outsourcing Services LLP |
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 |
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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 Dissemination |
||
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 | ||
RBC Investor and Treasury Services |
Daily | None | ||
S&P (Rating Agency) |
Weekly Tuesday Night | 1 Business Day | ||
SunTrust |
Weekly and Month End | None |
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.
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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.
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
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of April 16, 2007, the fund was redomiciled as 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 series of Legg Mason Partners Trust II, a Massachusetts business trust.
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.
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 non-assessable. 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.
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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. 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
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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.
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,
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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 October 31, 2016, the unused capital loss carryforward of the fund was $44,980,922. For federal income tax purposes, this amount is available to be applied against the funds future realized capital gains that are realized prior to the expiration of the carryforward, if any. The fund had the following net capital loss carryforward remaining:
Amount of Capital Loss Carryforward that Expires ($) |
Amount of
Capital Loss Carryforward that Does Not Expire ($) |
|||||
10/31/2017 |
44,980,922 | None |
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 capital loss carryforwards, 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.
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
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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 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.
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In certain situations, the fund may, for a taxable year, defer all or a portion of its capital losses realized after October (or if there is no net capital loss, then any net long-term or short-term capital loss) 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 such as the 90% gross income requirement 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.
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, and under proposed IRS regulations such included income would be non-qualifying for pre-qualifying income purposes unless distributed to the fund in the same year.
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
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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 $418,000 ($471,000 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 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
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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-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.
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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 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
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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.
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
69
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.
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 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 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. 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.
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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 October 31, 2016, Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2016, Statements of Changes in Net Assets for each of the years in the two-year period ended October 31, 2016, Financial Highlights for each of the years in the five-year period ended October 31, 2016, 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 December 22, 2016; Accession Number 0001193125-16-801657).
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DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
The ratings of Moodys Investors Service, Inc., S&Ps Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings represent their opinions as to the quality of various debt obligations. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, debt obligations with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while debt obligations of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield. As described by the rating agencies, ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuances. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no obligation to do so.
Moodys Investors Service, Inc. Global Rating Scales
Ratings assigned on Moodys global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default. Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default. 1 , 2
Moodys differentiates structured finance ratings from fundamental ratings (i.e., ratings on nonfinancial corporate, financial institution, and public sector entities) on the global long-term scale by adding (sf) to all structured finance ratings. 3 The addition of (sf) to structured finance ratings should eliminate any presumption that such ratings and fundamental ratings at the same letter grade level will behave the same. The (sf) indicator for structured finance security ratings indicates that otherwise similarly rated structured finance and fundamental securities may have different risk characteristics. Through its current methodologies, however, Moodys aspires to achieve broad expected equivalence in structured finance and fundamental rating performance when measured over a long period of time.
Description of Moodys Investors Service, Inc.s Global Long-Term Obligation Ratings:
Aaa Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.
Aa Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
1 | For certain structured finance, preferred stock and hybrid securities in which payment default events are either not defined or do not match investors expectations for timely payment, long-term and short-term ratings reflect the likelihood of impairment and financial loss in the event of impairment. |
2 | Supranational institutions and central banks that hold sovereign debt or extend sovereign loans, such as the IMF or the European Central Bank, may not always be treated similarly to other investors and lenders with similar credit exposures. Long-term and short-term ratings assigned to obligations held by both supranational institutions and central banks, as well as other investors, reflect only the credit risks faced by other investors unless specifically noted otherwise. |
3 | Like other global scale ratings, (sf) ratings reflect both the likelihood of a default and the expected loss suffered in the event of default. Ratings are assigned based on a rating committees assessment of a securitys expected loss rate (default probability multiplied by expected loss severity), and may be subject to the constraint that the final expected loss rating assigned would not be more than a certain number of notches, typically three to five notches, above the rating that would be assigned based on an assessment of default probability alone. The magnitude of this constraint may vary with the level of the rating, the seasoning of the transaction, and the uncertainty around the assessments of expected loss and probability of default. |
A-1
A Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Note: Moodys appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a (hyb) indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.
By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.
Description of Moodys Investors Service, Inc.s Global Short-Term Obligation Ratings:
P-1 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
NP Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
Description of Moodys Investors Service, Inc.s US Municipal Ratings:
U.S. Municipal Short-Term Obligation Ratings:
While the global short-term prime rating scale is applied to US municipal tax-exempt commercial paper, these programs are typically backed by external letters of credit or liquidity facilities and their short-term prime ratings usually map to the long-term rating of the enhancing bank or financial institution and not to the municipalitys rating. Other short-term municipal obligations, which generally have different funding sources for repayment, are rated using two additional short-term rating scales (i.e., the MIG and VMIG scales discussed below).
A-2
The Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) scale is used to rate US municipal bond anticipation notes of up to three years maturity. Municipal notes rated on the MIG scale may be secured by either pledged revenues or proceeds of a take-out financing received prior to note maturity. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation, and the issuers long-term rating is only one consideration in assigning the MIG rating. MIG ratings are divided into three levelsMIG 1 through MIG 3while speculative grade short-term obligations are designated SG.
MIG 1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG -This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
U.S. Municipal Demand Obligation Ratings:
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned: a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moodys evaluation of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moodys evaluation of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (demand feature). The second element uses a rating from a variation of the MIG scale called the Variable Municipal Investment Grade (VMIG) scale. VMIG ratings of demand obligations with unconditional liquidity support are mapped from the short-term debt rating (or counterparty assessment) of the support provider, or the underlying obligor in the absence of third party liquidity support, with VMIG 1 corresponding to P-1, VMIG 2 to P-2, VMIG 3 to P-3 and SG to not prime. For example, the VMIG rating for an industrial revenue bond with Company XYZ as the underlying obligor would normally have the same numerical modifier as Company XYZs prime rating. Transitions of VMIG ratings of demand obligations with conditional liquidity support, as shown in the diagram below, differ from transitions on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuers long-term rating drops below investment grade.
VMIG 1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
SG -This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
A-3
Description of S&Ps Global Ratings Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings:
Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P Global Ratings analysis of the following considerations: (1) the likelihood of paymentthe capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on a financial obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation; (2) the nature and provisions of the financial obligation, and the promise we impute; and (3) the protection afforded by, and relative position of, the financial obligation in the event of a bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors rights.
Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)
AAA An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
A An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB, B, CCC, CC, and C Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligors capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The CC rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
A-4
C An obligation rated C is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher.
D An obligation rated D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligations rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
NR: This indicates that no rating has been requested, or that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P Global Ratings does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
Description of S&P Global Ratings Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings:
Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity date of no more than 365 daysincluding commercial paper.
A-1 A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2 A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3 A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
C A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D A short-term obligation rated D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligations rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
A-5
Description of S&P Global Ratings Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings Definitions:
An S&P Global Ratings U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P Global Ratings opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P Global Ratings analysis will review the following considerations: (1) amortization schedulethe larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and (2) source of paymentthe more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.
Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
Description of S&P Global Ratings Dual Ratings:
Dual ratings may be assigned to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating symbol (for example, AAA/A-1+ or A-1+/A-1). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short-term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example, SP-1+/A-1+).
Description of S&P Global Ratings Active Qualifiers (Currently applied and/or outstanding)
S&P Global Ratings uses the following qualifiers that limit the scope of a rating. The structure of the transaction can require the use of a qualifier such as a p qualifier, which indicates the rating addressed the principal portion of the obligation only. A qualifier appears as a suffix and is part of the rating.
Federal deposit insurance limit: L qualifier. Ratings qualified with L apply only to amounts invested up to federal deposit insurance limits.
Principal: p qualifier. This suffix is used for issues in which the credit factors, the terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of principal are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of interest on the obligation. The p suffix indicates that the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only and that the interest is not rated.
Preliminary Ratings: prelim qualifier. Preliminary ratings, with the prelim suffix, may be assigned to obligors or obligations, including financial programs, in the circumstances described below. Assignment of a final rating is conditional on the receipt by S&P Global Ratings of appropriate documentation. S&P Global Ratings reserves the right not to issue a final rating. Moreover, if a final rating is issued, it may differ from the preliminary rating. (1) Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations, most commonly structured and project finance issues, pending receipt of final documentation and legal opinions. (2) Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations that will likely be issued upon the obligors emergence from bankruptcy or similar reorganization, based on late-stage reorganization plans, documentation and discussions with the obligor.
A-6
Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligors. These ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the reorganized or post-bankruptcy issuer as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s). (4) Preliminary ratings may be assigned to entities that are being formed or that are in the process of being independently established when, in S&P Global Ratings opinion, documentation is close to final. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligations of these entities. (5) Preliminary ratings may be assigned when a previously unrated entity is undergoing a well-formulated restructuring, recapitalization, significant financing or other transformative event, generally at the point that investor or lender commitments are invited. The preliminary rating may be assigned to the entity and to its proposed obligation(s). These preliminary ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the obligor, as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s), assuming successful completion of the transformative event. Should the transformative event not occur, S&P Global Ratings would likely withdraw these preliminary ratings. (6) A preliminary recovery rating may be assigned to an obligation that has a preliminary issue credit rating.
Termination Structures: t qualifier. This symbol indicates termination structures that are designed to honor their contracts to full maturity or, should certain events occur, to terminate and cash settle all their contracts before their final maturity date.
Counterparty Instrument Rating: cir qualifier. This symbol indicates a Counterparty Instrument Rating (CIR), which is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an issuer in a securitization structure with respect to a specific financial obligation to a counterparty (including interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and liquidity facilities). The CIR is determined on an ultimate payment basis; these opinions do not take into account timeliness of payment.
Description of Fitch Ratings Corporate Finance Long-Term Obligation Ratings:
Ratings of individual securities or financial obligations of a corporate issuer address relative vulnerability to default on an ordinal scale. In addition, for financial obligations in corporate finance, a measure of recovery given default on that liability is also included in the rating assessment. This notably applies to covered bonds ratings, which incorporate both an indication of the probability of default and of the recovery given a default of this debt instrument.
The relationship between issuer scale and obligation scale assumes an historical average recovery of between 30%-50% on the senior, unsecured obligations of an issuer. As a result, individual obligations of entities, such as corporations, are assigned ratings higher, lower, or the same as that entitys issuer rating or IDR. At the lower end of the ratings scale, Fitch Ratings now additionally publishes explicit Recovery Ratings in many cases to complement issuer and obligation ratings.
AAA: Highest credit quality . AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA: Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A: High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB: Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
A-7
BB: Speculative. BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.
B: Highly speculative. B ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.
CCC: Substantial credit risk. CCC ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present.
CC: Very high levels of credit risk. CC ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk.
C: Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. C indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.
Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned RD or D ratings, but are instead rated in the B to C rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. This approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.
Note: The modifiers + or - may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA obligation rating category, or to corporate finance obligation ratings in the categories below CCC.
The subscript emr is appended to a rating to denote embedded market risk which is beyond the scope of the rating. The designation is intended to make clear that the rating solely addresses the counterparty risk of the issuing bank. It is not meant to indicate any limitation in the analysis of the counterparty risk, which in all other respects follows published Fitch criteria for analyzing the issuing financial institution. Fitch does not rate these instruments where the principal is to any degree subject to market risk.
Description of Fitch Ratings Structured, Project Finance Long-Term Obligation Ratings:
Ratings of structured and project finance obligations on the long-term scale, including the financial obligations of sovereigns, consider the obligations relative vulnerability to default. These ratings are typically assigned to an individual security or tranche in a transaction and not to an issuer.
AAA: Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA: Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A: High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB: Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
BB: Speculative. BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time.
B: Highly speculative. B ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.
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CCC: Substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility.
CC: Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.
C: Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default appears imminent or inevitable.
D: Default. Indicates a default. Default generally is defined as one of the following: (1) failure to make payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of the rated obligation; (2) bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of the business of an issuer/obligor; or (3) distressed exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation to avoid a probable payment default.
Structured Finance Defaults: Imminent default, categorized under C, typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.
Additionally, in structured finance transactions, where analysis indicates that an instrument is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full in accordance with the terms of the obligations documentation during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default in accordance with the terms of the documentation is imminent, the obligation will typically be rated in the C category.
Structured Finance Write-downs: Where an instrument has experienced an involuntary and, in the agencys opinion, irreversible write-down of principal (i.e. other than through amortization, and resulting in a loss to the investor), a credit rating of D will be assigned to the instrument. Where the agency believes the write-down may prove to be temporary (and the loss may be written up again in future if and when performance improves), then a credit rating of C will typically be assigned. Should the write-down then later be reversed, the credit rating will be raised to an appropriate level for that instrument. Should the write-down later be deemed as irreversible, the credit rating will be lowered to D.
Notes : In the case of structured and project finance, while the ratings do not address the loss severity given default of the rated liability, loss severity assumptions on the underlying assets are nonetheless typically included as part of the analysis. Loss severity assumptions are used to derive pool cash flows available to service the rated liability.
The suffix sf denotes an issue that is a structured finance transaction. For an explanation of how Fitch determines structured finance ratings, please see our criteria available at fitchratings.com.
The modifiers + or - may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA Long-Term Rating category, or categories below B.
Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (EETCs) are corporate-structured hybrid debt securities that airlines typically use to finance aircraft equipment. Due to the hybrid characteristics of these bonds, Fitchs rating approach incorporates elements of both the structured finance and corporate rating methodologies. Although rated as asset-backed securities, unlike other structured finance ratings, EETC ratings involve a measure of recovery given default akin to ratings of financial obligations in corporate finance, as described above.
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Description of Fitch Ratings Corporate, Public and Structured Finance Short-Term Obligation Ratings:
A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as short term based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.
F1: Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added + to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2: Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
F3: Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
B: Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C: High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.
RD: Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.
D: Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.
Fitch Rating Watches and Rating Outlooks
Fitch takes certain actions in relation to its ratings. These actions can indicate a change in the relative credit quality of the rated entity or a relative change in servicing quality. In addition, actions regarding Outlooks or Watches provide an indication of a potential rating change, or other events (Data Actions) and indicate the likely direction of the rating.
Rating Watch: Rating Watches indicate that there is a heightened probability of a rating change and the likely direction of such a change. These are designated as Positive, indicating a potential upgrade, Negative, for a potential downgrade, or Evolving, if ratings may be raised, lowered or affirmed. However, ratings that are not on Rating Watch can be raised or lowered without being placed on Rating Watch first, if circumstances warrant such an action.
A Rating Watch is typically event-driven and, as such, it is generally resolved over a relatively short period. The event driving the Watch may be either anticipated or have already occurred, but in both cases, the exact rating implications remain undetermined. The Watch period is typically used to gather further information and/or subject the information to further analysis. Additionally, a Watch may be used where the rating implications are already clear, but where a triggering event (e.g. shareholder or regulatory approval) exists. The Watch will typically extend to cover the period until the triggering event is resolved or its outcome is predictable with a high enough degree of certainty to permit resolution of the Watch.
Rating Watches can be employed by all analytical groups and are applied to the ratings of individual entities and/or individual instruments. At the lowest categories of speculative grade (CCC, CC and C) the high volatility of credit profiles may imply that almost all ratings should carry a Watch. Watches are nonetheless only applied selectively in these categories, where a committee decides that particular events or threats are best communicated by the addition of the Watch designation.
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Rating Outlook: Ratings Outlooks indicate the direction a rating is likely to move over a one- to two-year period. They reflect financial or other trends that have not yet reached the level that would trigger a rating action, but which may do so if such trends continue. The majority of Outlooks are generally Stable, which is consistent with the historical migration experience of ratings over a one- to two-year period. Positive or Negative rating Outlooks do not imply that a rating change is inevitable and, similarly, ratings with Stable Outlooks can be raised or lowered without a prior revision to the Outlook, if circumstances warrant such an action. Occasionally, where the fundamental trend has strong, conflicting elements of both positive and negative, the Rating Outlook may be described as Evolving.
Outlooks are currently applied on the long-term scale to issuer ratings in corporate finance (including sovereigns, industrials, utilities, financial institutions and insurance companies) and public finance outside the U.S.; to issue ratings in public finance in the U.S.; to certain issues in project finance; to Insurer Financial Strength Ratings; to issuer and/or issue ratings in a number of National Rating scales; and to the ratings of structured finance transactions and covered bonds. Outlooks are not applied to ratings assigned on the short-term scale and are applied selectively to ratings in the CCC, CC and C categories. Defaulted ratings typically do not carry an Outlook.
Deciding When to Assign Rating Watch or Outlook
Timing is informative but not critical to the choice of a Watch rather than an Outlook. A discrete event that is largely clear and the terms of which are defined, but which will not happen for more than six monthssuch as a lengthy regulatory approval processwould nonetheless likely see ratings placed on Watch rather than a revision to the Outlook.
An Outlook revision may, however, be deemed more appropriate where a series of potential event risks has been identified, none of which individually warrants a Watch but which cumulatively indicate heightened probability of a rating change over the following one to two years.
A revision to the Outlook may also be appropriate where a specific event has been identified, but where the conditions and implications of that event are largely unclear and subject to high execution risk over an extended periodfor example a proposed, but politically controversial, privatization.
Expected Ratings: Where a rating is referred to as expected, alternatively referred to as expects to rate or suffixed as (EXP), this indicates that a full rating has been assigned based upon the agencys expectations regarding final documentation, typically based upon a review of the final draft documentation provided by the issuer. If such final documentation is received and is as expected, the expected rating will typically be converted to a final rating. Fitch may also employ expects to rate language for new issuers (currently unrated) for ratings that are assigned in the course of a restructuring, refinancing or corporate reorganization. The expects to rate will reflect and refer to the rating level expected following the conclusion of the proposed operation (debt issuance, restructure, or merger). While expected ratings typically convert to final ratings within a short time, determined by timing of transaction closure, in the period between assignment of an expected rating and a final rating, expected ratings may be raised, lowered or placed on Rating Watch or withdrawn, as with final ratings.
Private Ratings: Fitch Ratings also prepares a limited number of private ratings, for example for entities with no publicly traded debt, or where the rating is required for internal benchmarking or regulatory purposes. These ratings are generally provided directly to the rated entity, which is then responsible for ensuring that any party to whom it discloses the private rating is updated when any change in the rating occurs.
Private ratings undergo the same analysis, committee process and surveillance as published ratings, unless otherwise disclosed as point-in-time in nature.
Program Ratings: Program ratings assigned to corporate and public finance note issuance programs (e.g. medium-term note programs) relate only to standard issues made under the program concerned; it should not be assumed that these ratings apply to every issue made under the program.
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Interest-Only Ratings: Interest-only ratings are assigned to interest strips. These ratings do not address the possibility that a security holder might fail to recover some or all of its initial investment due to voluntary or involuntary principal repayments.
Principal-Only Ratings: Principal-only ratings address the likelihood that a security holder will receive its initial principal investment either before or by the scheduled maturity date.
Rate of Return Ratings: Ratings also may be assigned to gauge the likelihood of an investor receiving a certain predetermined internal rate of return without regard to the precise timing of any cash flows.
Matured/Paid-In-Full: a. MaturedThis action is used when an issue has reached the end of its repayment term and rating coverage is discontinued. Denoted as NR. b. Paid-In-FullThis action indicates that the issue has been paid in full. As the issue no longer exists, it is therefore no longer rated. Denoted as PIF.
A designation of Not Rated or NR is used to denote securities not rated by Fitch where Fitch has rated some, but not all, securities comprising an issuance capital structure.
Withdrawn: The rating has been withdrawn and the issue or issuer is no longer rated by Fitch Ratings. Indicated in rating databases with the symbol WD.
Unenhanced Ratings: Unenhanced ratings reflect the underlying creditworthiness of financial instruments absent any credit enhancement that may be provided through bond insurance, financial guarantees, dedicated letters of credit, liquidity facilities, or intercept mechanisms.
In some cases, Fitch may choose to assign an unenhanced rating along with credit rating based on enhancement. The unenhanced rating indicates the creditworthiness of the financial instrument without considering any benefit of such enhancement. Financial obligations may be enhanced by a guarantee instrument provided by a rated third party.
Non-Credit Rating Scales: In addition, Fitch Ratings provides specialist ratings on other topics. Operational risk ratings are assigned to servicers of commercial and residential mortgages and other asset types.
Asset manager ratings opine on the relative operational and financial capabilities of asset managers, trustees and others. Fund Credit and/or Volatility Ratings are assigned to funds or local government investment pools portfolio. Many of these ratings are offered internationally and in some cases on a national basis applying appropriate ratings modifiers and identifiers.
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QS Investors, LLC Proxy Voting Policy
Introduction
QS Investors, LLC (QS Investors) has adopted and implemented policies and procedures, which it believes are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best economic interest of its clients and in accordance with its fiduciary duties and applicable regulations. This Policy shall apply to all accounts managed by QS Investors. In addition, QS Investors Proxy Policy reflects the fiduciary standards and responsibilities for ERISA accounts managed by QS Investors.
Responsibilities
Proxy votes are the property of QS Investors advisory clients. 4 As such, QS Investors authority and responsibility to vote such proxies depends upon its contractual relationships with its clients. QS Investors has delegated responsibility for effecting its advisory clients proxy votes to Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), an independent third-party proxy voting specialist. ISS votes QS Investors advisory clients proxies in accordance with their (ISSs) proxy guidelines or, in extremely limited circumstances, QS Investors specific instructions. Where a client has given specific instructions as to how a proxy should be voted, QS Investors will notify and direct ISS to carry out those instructions. Where no specific instruction exists, QS Investors will follow the procedures set forth in this document and vote such proxies in accordance with ISSs guidelines. Certain Taft-Hartley clients may direct QS Investors to have ISS vote their proxies in accordance with ISSs (or other specific) Taft Hartley voting Guidelines.
Alternatively, clients may elect to retain proxy voting authority and responsibility. These and other proxy-related instructions must be outlined in the investment management agreement or other contractual arrangements with each client.
Clients may in certain instances contract with their custodial agent and notify QS Investors that they wish to engage in securities lending transactions. QS Investors will not vote proxies relating to securities in client accounts that are on loan. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the custodian to deduct the number of shares that are on loan to ensure they are not voted by multiple parties.
Policies
Proxy voting activities are conducted in the best economic interest of clients.
QS Investors works with ISS to ensure that all proxies are voted in accordance with what we believe to be the best economic interest of QS Investors clients. In addition to proxy voting services provided by ISS, QS Investors has also contracted with ISS to provide proxy advisory services. These services include research and other activities designed to gain insight into ballot decisions and make informed voting recommendations consistent with our fiduciary duty to our clients. ISS has developed and maintains Proxy Voting Guidelines (the Guidelines) consisting of standard voting positions on a comprehensive list of common proxy voting matters. ISS updates these Guidelines based on consideration of current corporate governance principles, industry standards, client feedback, and a number of other relevant factors. Changes to these Guidelines are communicated to QS Investors upon implementation.
While ISS has been instructed to vote our clients proxies in accordance with the Guidelines, QS Investors and our clients retain the right to instruct ISS to vote differently.
4 | For purposes of these Policies and Procedures, clients refers to persons or entities: for which QS serves as investment adviser or sub-adviser; for which QS votes proxies; and that have an economic or beneficial ownership interest in the portfolio securities of issuers soliciting such proxies. |
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Underlying Funds
Certain QS Investors client accounts, including clients that are Funds of Funds, invest in underlying investment funds, including U.S. registered investment companies (Underlying Funds). Proxy voting with respect to shares, units or interests in Underlying Funds present diverse and complex policy issues that make the establishment of standard proxy voting guidelines impractical. To the extent that QS Investors has proxy voting authority with respect to shares, units or interests in Underlying Funds, QS Investors shall vote such shares, units or interests in the best interest of client accounts and subject to the general fiduciary principles set forth above rather than in accordance with the Guidelines.
QS Investors proxy voting authority on behalf of client accounts (including a Fund of Funds) with respect to shares, units or interests in Underlying Funds is subject to the provisions below in Proxy Voting of Underlying Funds
Manager of Manager Arrangements
QS Investors advises certain client accounts that are structured as Manager of Managers arrangements in which various segments of the accounts are individually managed by a number of underlying investment advisers (Underlying Managers). In such arrangements, QS Investors generally does not exercise any proxy voting authority with respect to securities held in the clients account. Proxy voting authority in such arrangements is typically assigned to the Underlying Managers.
Management Oversight
Management is responsible for overseeing QS Investors proxy voting activities, including reviewing and monitoring the Guidelines that provide how ISS will generally vote proxies on behalf of QS Investors clients no less frequently than annually. Compliance is responsible for coordinating with ISS to administer the proxy voting process and overseeing ISSs proxy responsibilities. Compliance monitors voting activity to ensure that votes are cast in accordance with the Guidelines or client-specific guidelines and/or any applicable regulatory requirements.
Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record
Copies of this Policy, as it may be updated from time to time, are made available to clients as required by law and otherwise at QS Investors discretion. Clients may also obtain information on how their proxies were voted by QS Investors as required by law and otherwise at QS Investors discretion; however, QS Investors must not selectively disclose its investment company clients proxy voting records. The Firm will make proxy voting reports available to advisory clients upon request.
ISSs current Guidelines, summaries, amendments, and other pertinent information can be accessed by visiting their website at the following address: http://www.issgovernance.com/policy.
Procedures
Proxy Voting Guidelines
QS Investors will review ISSs Guidelines as necessary to support the best economic interests of QS Investors clients but generally no less frequently than annually. The Firm will choose to re-adopt or amend portions of or the entirety of the Guidelines, whether as a result of the annual review or otherwise, taking solely into account the best economic interests of QS Investors clients. Before re-adopting or amending the Guidelines, Compliance, in consultation with Management, will thoroughly review and evaluate the proposed change(s) and rationale to evaluate potential conflicts with client or employee interests. Rationale for any decisions not to re-adopt ISSs Guidelines will be fully documented.
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Proxy Voting of Underlying Funds
Proxy Voting of Affiliated Funds
With respect to proxy voting for a client account (including a Fund of Funds) investing in shares, units or interests of Underlying Funds advised by QS Investors or an affiliate of QS Investors (including ETFs, open-end mutual funds and closed-end investment companies), proxies relating to any of such affiliated Underlying Funds generally will be voted in accordance with an echo voting procedure under which such proxies are voted in the same proportion as the votes from other shareholders of such affiliated Underlying Fund. QS Investors may vote such proxies in accordance with other voting procedures approved by Management and Compliance, provided such procedures comply with applicable law and/or regulatory requirements.
Proxy Voting of Unaffiliated Funds
With respect to proxy voting for a client account (including a Fund of Funds) investing in shares, units or interests of an Underlying Fund advised by an adviser which is unaffiliated with QS Investors (including ETFs, open-end mutual funds and closed-end investment companies), QS Investors will vote such proxies in accordance with the general fiduciary principles set forth above; provided that QS Investors: (i) will vote proxies relating to shares of ETFs in accordance with an echo voting procedure to the extent required by QS Investors Procedures Relating to Compliance with ETF Exemptive Orders under Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and (ii) will vote proxies relating to shares of open-end mutual funds and closed-end investment companies in accordance with an echo voting procedure to the extent required in order to comply with Section 12(d)(1) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and rules thereunder. Voting procedures are intended to be in the best interest of client accounts and subject to the general fiduciary principles set forth above, and such procedures are subject to review by Management and Compliance.
Specific proxy voting decisions made by Management
Proxy proposals (i) that are not covered by specific client instructions or the Guidelines; or (ii) that, according to the Guidelines, should be evaluated and voted on a case-by-case basis will be referred to Management and Portfolio Management for review and to provide a voting instruction.
Certain proxy votes may not be cast
In extremely limited cases, QS Investors may determine that it is in the best economic interests of its clients not to vote certain proxies. QS Investors will abstain from voting if:
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Neither the Guidelines nor specific client instructions cover an issue; |
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ISS does not make a recommendation on the issue; and |
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QS Investors cannot make a good faith determination as to what would be in the clients best interest (e.g., material conflict cannot be mitigated). |
In other cases, it may not be possible to vote certain proxies, despite good faith efforts to do so. Examples may include:
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Proxy ballot was not received from the custodian; |
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Meeting notice was not received with adequate time for processing; or |
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Legal restrictions, including share blocking, that may restrict liquidity or otherwise limit trading. |
ISS will coordinate with Compliance regarding any specific proxies and any categories of proxies that will not or cannot be voted. The reasons for not voting any proxy shall be documented.
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Conflict of Interest Procedures
QS Investors seeks to mitigate conflicts inherent in proxy voting and maintain independence by partnering with ISS for voting and administration of all client ballots. These conflicts may include:
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The issuer is a client of QS Investors; |
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The issuer is a material business partner of QS Investors; or |
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An employee, or an immediate family member of an employee, of QS Investors serves as an officer or director of the issuer. |
QS Investors believes that this Policy and our reliance on ISS for independent proxy decision-making reasonably ensure that these and other potential material conflicts are minimized, consistent with our fiduciary duty. Accordingly, proxies that will be voted in accordance with the Guidelines or in accordance with specific client instructions are not subject to the conflicts of interest procedures described below for items that are referred to QS Investors by ISS.
As a general matter, QS Investors takes the position that relationships between a non-QS Investors Legg Mason business unit and an issuer do not present a conflict of interest for QS Investors in voting proxies with respect to such issuer because QS Investors operates as an independent business unit from other Legg Mason business units and because of the existence of informational barriers between QS Investors and such business units.
Procedures to Address Conflicts of Interest and Improper Influence
Note: This section addresses the limited circumstances in which items that are referred to QS Investors by ISS.
Overriding Principle: ISS will vote all proxies in accordance with the Guidelines. In the limited circumstances where ISS refers items to QS Investors for input or a voting decision, QS Investors will vote those proxies in accordance with what it, in good faith, determines to be the best economic interests of QS Investors clients. 5
Independence : Compensation for all employees, particularly those with the ability to influence proxy voting in these limited circumstances, cannot be based upon their contribution to any business activity outside of QS Investors without prior approval from Management. Furthermore, they may not discuss proxy votes with any person outside of QS Investors (and within QS Investors only on a need to know basis).
Conflict Review Procedures: For items that are referred to QS Investors from ISS, Compliance will monitor for potential material conflicts of interest in connection with proxy proposals. Promptly upon a determination that a conflict exists in connection with a proxy proposal, the vote shall be escalated to Management. Management will collect and review any information deemed reasonably appropriate to evaluate, in its reasonable judgment, if QS Investors or any person participating in the proxy voting process has, or has the appearance of, a material conflict of interest. For the purposes of this policy, a conflict of interest shall be considered material to the extent that a reasonable person could expect the conflict to influence, or appear to influence, QS Investors decision on the particular vote at issue.
The information considered may include without limitation information regarding (i) client relationships; (ii) any relevant personal conflict known or brought to their attention; (iii) and any communications with members of the Firm and any person or entity outside of the organization that identifies itself as a QS Investors advisory client regarding the vote at issue.
5 | Any contact from external parties interested in a particular vote that attempts to exert improper pressure or influence shall be reported to Compliance |
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If notified that QS Investors has a material conflict of interest, the Firm will obtain instructions as to how the proxies should be voted, if time permits, from the affected clients, if notified that certain individuals should be recused from the proxy vote at issue, QS Investors shall do so in accordance with the procedures set forth below.
Note: Any QS Investors employee who becomes aware of a potential material conflict of interest in respect of any proxy vote to be made on behalf of clients shall notify Management and Compliance to evaluate such conflict and determine a recommended course of action.
At the beginning of any discussion regarding how to vote any proxy, Compliance will inquire as to whether any employee or any person participating in the proxy voting process has a personal conflict of interest or has actual knowledge of an actual or apparent conflict that has not been reported to Management and/or Compliance.
Compliance also will inquire of these same parties whether they have actual knowledge regarding whether any director, officer or employee outside of QS Investors that identifies itself as a QS Investors advisory client, has: (i) requested that QS Investors vote a particular proxy in a certain manner; (ii) attempted to influence QS Investors in connection with proxy voting activities; or (iii) otherwise communicated with the Firm regarding the particular proxy vote at issue, and which incident has not yet been reported to management and/or Compliance.
Investors should seek instructions as to how to vote the proxy at issue if time permits, from the effected clients. These inquiries and discussions will be properly documented.
Duty to Report: Any QS Investors employee that is aware of any actual or apparent conflict of interest relevant to, or any attempt by any person outside of organization or any entity that identifies itself as a QS Investors advisory client to influence, how QS Investors votes its proxies has a duty to disclose the existence of the situation to their manager and the details of the matter to the Compliance. In the case of any person participating in the deliberations on a specific vote, such disclosure should be made before engaging in any activities or participating in any discussion pertaining to that vote.
Recusal of Members: Compliance will recuse any employee from participating in a specific proxy vote referred to QS Investors if he/she (i) is personally involved in a material conflict of interest; or (ii) as determined by Management and Compliance, has actual knowledge of a circumstance or fact that could affect their independent judgment, in respect of such vote. Management will also exclude from consideration the views of any person (whether requested or volunteered) if Management knows, or if Compliance has determined that such other person has a material conflict of interest with respect to the particular proxy, or has attempted to influence the vote in any manner prohibited by these policies.
Other Procedures That Limit Conflicts of Interest
QS Investors has adopted a number of policies, procedures and internal controls that are designed to avoid various conflicts of interest, including those that may arise in connection with proxy voting, including but not limited to the Confidential Information Policy and the Code of Ethics. The Firm expects that these policies, procedures and internal controls will greatly reduce the chance that the Firm (or, its employees) would be involved in, aware of or influenced by, an actual or apparent conflict of interest.
Recordkeeping
QS Investors will retain records of client requests for proxy voting information and any written responses thereto provided by QS Investors and will retain any documents the Firm or Compliance prepared that were material to making a voting decision or that memorialized the basis for a proxy voting decision.
Investors also will create and maintain appropriate records documenting its compliance with this Policy, including records of its deliberations and decisions regarding conflicts of interest and their resolution.
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With respect to QS Investors investment company clients, ISS will create and maintain such records as are necessary to allow such investment company clients to comply with their recordkeeping, reporting and disclosure obligations under applicable law.
QS Investors will also maintain the following records relating to proxy voting:
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The name of the issuer of the portfolio security; |
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The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security (if symbol is available through reasonably practicable means); |
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The Council on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures number for the portfolio security (if the number is available through reasonably practicable means); |
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The shareholder meeting date; |
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A copy of each proxy statement received by QS Investors; |
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A brief identification of the matter voted on; |
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Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder; |
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Whether QS Investors cast its vote on the matter; |
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How QS Investors cast its vote (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of directors); and |
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Whether QS Investors cast its vote for or against management. |
In lieu of keeping copies of proxy statements, QS Investors may rely on proxy statements filed on the EDGAR system. QS Investors also may rely on third party records of proxy statements and votes cast by QS Investors if the third party provides an undertaking to QS Investors to provide such records 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.
(59) Amended and Restated Designation of Series dated February 2, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 354 as filed with the SEC on February 24, 2016 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 354).
(60) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes dated February 2, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 354.
(61) Amended and Restated Designation of Series dated March 3, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 363 as filed with the SEC on March 21, 2016 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 363).
(62) Amended and Restated Designation of Classes dated March 3, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 363.
(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.
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(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 Global Equity Fund (formerly known as 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.
(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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 S&P 500 Index Fund (formerly known as 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.
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(22) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of QS U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund (formerly known as 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 EnTrustPermal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Core Fund and 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).
(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 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 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 EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Select Fund), and Permal Asset Management LLC 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 Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Select Fund), and EnTrustPermal Management LLC (EnTrustPermal) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 371 as filed with the SEC on May 24, 2016 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 371).
(33) 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.
(34) 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).
(35) Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of ClearBridge Global Health Care Innovations Fund, and LMPFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 364 as filed with the SEC on March 28, 2016 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 364).
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(36) 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.
(37) 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.
(38) 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.
(39) 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.
(40) 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.
(41) 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.
(42) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc. (QS Batterymarch) (now merged into QS Investors, LLC (QS)) with respect to QS Global Equity Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73.
(43) 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.
(44) 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.
(45) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS Legg Mason Global Asset Allocation, LLC (QS LMGAA) (now merged into QS), with respect to QS 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).
(46) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS, with respect to QS Conservative Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 50%), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74.
(47) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS, with respect to QS Moderate Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 70%), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74.
(48) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS, with respect to QS Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 85%), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74.
(49) 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.
(50) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS, with respect to QS S&P 500 Index Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch S&P 500 Index Fund), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78.
(51) 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.
(52) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS, with respect to QS U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 87.
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(53) 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.
(54) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and EnTrustPermal, with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Core Fund and Permal Tactical Allocation Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141.
(55) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS, with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Core Fund and Permal Tactical Allocation Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141.
(56) 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.
(57) 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.
(58) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and Western Asset Management Company (WAM), regarding QS Global Equity Fund (formerly known as 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).
(59) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund), dated February 2, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(60) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS S&P 500 Index Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch S&P 500 Index Fund), dated November 4, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(61) 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.
(62) 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.
(63) 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.
(64) 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.
(65) 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.
(66) 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.
(67) 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.
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(68) 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.
(69) 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.
(70) 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.
(71) 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.
(72) 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.
(73) 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.
(74) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS 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.
(75) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS 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.
(76) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS 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.
(77) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding EnTrustPermal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Core Fund and Permal Tactical Allocation Fund), dated February 2, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(78) 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.
(79) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS, regarding QS Legg Mason Dynamic Multi-Strategy Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238.
(80) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding ClearBridge Select Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249.
(81) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge, regarding ClearBridge Select Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249.
(82) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS International Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility International Dividend Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 259.
(83) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS, regarding QS International Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility International Dividend Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 259.
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(84) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM, regarding QS Global Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility Global Dividend Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 260.
(85) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS, regarding QS Global Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility Global Dividend Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 260.
(86) 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.
(87) 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.
(88) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS, regarding QS Global Equity Fund (formerly known as 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).
(89) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and QS, regarding QS S&P 500 Index Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch S&P 500 Index 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 QS, regarding QS U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch U.S. Large Cap Equity 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 Aggressive Growth 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 Appreciation 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 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.
(94) 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.
(95) 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.
(96) 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.
(97) 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.
(98) 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.
(99) 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.
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(100) 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.
(101) 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.
(102) 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.
(103) 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.
(104) Schedule A to Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and EnTrustPermal, regarding EnTrustPermal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Core Fund and Permal Tactical Allocation Fund), dated November 28, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 272.
(105) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between EnTrustPermal and River Canyon Fund Management LLC, with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Select Fund) , is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(106) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between EnTrustPermal and TT International, with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Select Fund) , is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(107) Form of Trading Agreement between EnTrustPermal and BH-DG Systematic Trading LLP, with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Select Fund) , is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(108) Form of Administration Agreement between the Registrant and LMPFA, with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Select Fund), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(109) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between the Registrant and EnTrustPermal, with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Core Fund and 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).
(110) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between EnTrustPermal and Atlantic Investment Management, Inc., with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Select Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 315.
(111) 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.
(112) 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.
(113) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between EnTrustPermal and First Quadrant, L.P., with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Select Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 354.
(114) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between EnTrustPermal and Electron Capital Partners, LLC, with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Select Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 363.
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(115) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge with respect to ClearBridge Global Health Care Innovations Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 364.
(116) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and WAM with respect to ClearBridge Global Health Care Innovations Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 364.
(117) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and EnTrustPermal with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Core Fund and Permal Tactical Allocation Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 371.
(118) Form of Trading Agreement between EnTrustPermal and BH-DG Systematic Trading LLP, with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Select Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 371.
(119) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between EnTrustPermal and Atlantic Investment Management, Inc. with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Select Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 371.
(120) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between EnTrustPermal and First Quadrant, L.P. with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Select Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 371.
(121) Form of Subadvisory Agreement between EnTrustPermal and Electron Capital Partners, LLC with respect to EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Select Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 371.
(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 EnTrustPermal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Core Fund and 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 ClearBridge Mid Cap Growth Fund (formerly known as 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, amended and restated as of March 31, 2015, to the Distribution Agreement 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).
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(11) Appendix A, amended and restated as of June 1, 2015, to the Distribution Agreement with LMIS is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 347 as filed with the SEC on December 18, 2015 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 347).
(12) Appendix A, amended and restated as of April 1, 2016, to the Distribution Agreement with LMIS is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 364.
(13) Appendix A, amended and restated as of July 22, 2016, to the Distribution Agreement with LMIS is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 373 as filed with the SEC on December 15, 2016 (Post-Effective Amendment No. 373).
(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.
(9) 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. 364.
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(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).
(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 Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 85%), QS Moderate Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 70%, QS Conservative Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 50%), and QS 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 EnTrustPermal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Core Fund and 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 Dynamic Multi-Strategy Fund (formerly known as 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 EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as 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.
(17) Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees with respect to ClearBridge Global Health Care Innovations Fund are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 364.
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(18) Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 367 as filed with the SEC on April 20, 2016.
(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 Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 85%), QS Moderate Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 70%, QS Conservative Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 50%), and QS 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).
(5) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding legality of Class FI and Class R shares of QS Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 85%), QS Moderate Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 70%, QS Conservative Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 50%), and QS 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 Fund (formerly known as 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 Fund (formerly known as 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 Global Equity Fund (formerly known as 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 Global Equity Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund) is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 82.
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(14) Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regarding the legality of Class A, C, FI, R, I and IS shares of QS U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund (formerly known as 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 U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund (formerly known as 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.
(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 Fund (formerly known as 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 Global Equity Fund (formerly known as 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 Global Equity Fund (formerly known as 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 EnTrustPermal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Core Fund and 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 EnTrustPermal Alternative Core Fund (formerly known as Permal Alternative Core Fund and 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.
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(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 Fund (formerly known as 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 Fund (formerly known as 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 U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund (formerly known as 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).
(31) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of Class R1 shares of ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund and QS U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund (formerly known as 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 Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 85%), QS Moderate Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 70%, QS Conservative Growth Fund (formerly known as QS Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 50%), and QS 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 Dynamic Multi-Strategy Fund (formerly known as 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.
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(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 International Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility International Dividend Fund) and QS 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 EnTrustPermal Alternative Select Fund (formerly known as 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 Global Dividend Fund (formerly known as QS Batterymarch Managed Volatility Global Dividend Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 320.
(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.
(46) 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 Global Health Care Innovations Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 364.
(47) Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of Class IS shares of QS Global Equity Fund is filed herewith.
(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.
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(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 incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 347.
(16) Appendix A, amended and restated as of April 1, 2016, to the Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 364.
(17) Appendix A, amended and restated as of July 22, 2016, to the Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 373.
(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.
(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 incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 347.
(9) Powers of Attorney, dated February 2, 2016, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 354.
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(p) (1) Code of Ethics of the Independent Trustees of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 347. 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 and the subadvisers 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 and LMIS) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 215.
(3) Code of Ethics of EnTrustPermal is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 312.
(4) 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.
(5) Code of Ethics of River Canyon Fund Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(6) Code of Ethics of TT International is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 292.
(7) Code of Ethics of WAM is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 298.
(8) Code of Ethics of Atlantic Investment Management, Inc. (Atlantic) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 315.
(9) Code of Ethics of QS Investors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 354.
(10) Code of Ethics of First Quadrant, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 363.
(11) Code of Ethics of Electron Capital Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 363.
Item 29. | Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant |
EnTrustPermal 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. EnTrustPermal Alternative Core Fund and Alternative Core Fund Ltd. file their financial statements on a consolidated basis.
EnTrustPermal 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. EnTrustPermal 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 |
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| 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.
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
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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 EnTrustPermal 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 SubadviserEnTrustPermal Management LLC (EnTrustPermal)
EnTrustPermal (formerly known as Permal Asset Management LLC) was formed in June 2002 under the laws of the State of Delaware as a corporation and is a Delaware limited liability company. EnTrustPermal is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act.
The following table notes the officers and directors of EnTrustPermal, 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 EnTrustPermal | Other Positions Held | ||
Gregg S. Hymowitz | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | None | ||
Omar Kodmani | Director | None | ||
Robert Kaplan | Director | None | ||
Francois Becquaert | Director | None | ||
Bruce Kahne | General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer | None | ||
Pericles Castillo | Treasurer and Controller | None | ||
Tara McCarthy | Corporate Secretary | None |
SubadviserElectron Capital Partners, LLC (Electron)
Electron was formed under the laws of the State of Delaware as a limited liability company. Electron is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. The list required by this Item 31 of officers and directors of Electron, 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 Electron pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC File No. 801-79395).
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.
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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 |
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 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 |
- 23 -
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 Investors, LLC (QS Investors)
QS Investors was formed in 1999 under the laws of the State of Delaware as a limited liability company. QS Investors became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason in 2014. QS Investors is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Advisers Act.
For information as to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of each of the officers and directors of QS Investors, reference is made to the current Form ADV of QS Investors filed under the Advisers Act, incorporated herein by reference and the file number of which is as follows:
QS Investors, LLC
File No. 801-70974
CRD No. 152688
Subadviser First Quadrant, L.P. (First Quadrant)
First Quadrant was formed under the laws of the State of Delaware as a limited partnership. First Quadrant is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. The list required by this Item 31 of officers and directors of First Quadrant, 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 First Quadrant pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC File No. 801-51748).
- 24 -
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 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 ETF 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
|
Positions and Offices
|
||
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 |
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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.
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) Electron Capital Partners, LLC
599 Lexington Avenue
38 th Floor
New York, NY 10022
(4) First Quadrant, L.P.
800 East Colorado Blvd
Suite 900
Pasadena, CA 91101
(5) Atlantic Investment Management, Inc.
666 Fifth Avenue
34 th Floor
New York, NY 10103
- 26 -
(6) ClearBridge Investments, LLC
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
(7) QS Investors, LLC
880 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(8) EnTrustPermal Management LLC
900 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(9) c/o Western Asset Management Company
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10018
(10) BH-DG Systematic Trading LLP
3 rd Floor
10 Grosvenor Street
London W1K 4QB
United Kingdom
With respect to the Registrants Custodian:
(11) State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
With respect to the Registrants Transfer Agent:
(12) BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
301 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DC 19809
With respect to the Registrants Distributor:
(13) Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC
100 International Drive
Baltimore, MD 21202
Item 34. | Management Services |
Not applicable.
Item 35. | Undertakings |
Not applicable.
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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 17 th day of February 2017.
LEGG MASON PARTNERS EQUITY TRUST , on behalf of QS Global Equity 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 February 17, 2017.
Signature |
Title |
|
/s/ Jane Trust Jane Trust |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee | |
/s/ Richard F. Sennett Richard F. Sennett |
Principal Financial Officer | |
Paul R. Ades* Paul R. Ades |
Trustee | |
Andrew L. Breech* Andrew L. Breech |
Trustee | |
Dwight B. Crane* Dwight B. Crane |
Trustee | |
Althea L. Duersten* Althea L. Duersten |
Trustee | |
Frank G. Hubbard* Frank G. Hubbard |
Trustee | |
Howard J. Johnson* Howard J. Johnson |
Trustee | |
Jerome H. Miller* Jerome H. Miller |
Trustee | |
Ken Miller* Ken Miller |
Trustee | |
John J. Murphy* John J. Murphy |
Trustee |
- 28 -
Thomas F. Schlafly* Thomas F. Schlafly |
Trustee |
By: |
/s/ Jane Trust |
|
Jane Trust, as Agent |
- 29 -
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Index No. |
Description of Exhibit |
|
(i)(47) | Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of Class IS shares | |
(j) | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
[LETTERHEAD OF VENABLE LLP]
February 17, 2017
Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust
620 Eighth Avenue, 49 th Floor
New York, New York 10018
Re: | Registration Statement on Form N-1A: |
1933 Act File No. 033-43446 |
1940 Act File No. 811-06444 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have served as Maryland counsel to Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust, a Maryland statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company (the Trust), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law arising out of the registration and issuance of an indefinite number of shares (the Shares) of beneficial interest, par value $.00001 per share, classified and designated as Class IS of QS Global Equity Fund, a series of the Trust (the Fund), covered by the above-referenced Registration Statement, and all amendments thereto (the Registration Statement), filed by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), and the 1940 Act.
In connection with our representation of the Trust, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as the Documents):
1. The Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information with respect to the Fund, which form part of the Registration Statement, substantially in the form transmitted to the Commission under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act;
2. The Certificate of Trust of the Trust, certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the SDAT);
3. The Declaration of Trust of the Trust, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Trust;
4. The Bylaws of the Trust, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Trust;
Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust
February 17, 2017
Page 2
5. A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Trust, dated as of a recent date;
6. Resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Resolutions), or a duly authorized committee thereof, relating to the authorization of the sale and issuance of the Shares in a continuous public offering, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Trust;
7. A certificate executed by an officer of the Trust, dated as of the date hereof; and
8. Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.
In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:
1. Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.
2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Trust) is duly authorized to do so.
3. Each of the parties (other than the Trust) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such partys obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms.
4. All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.
Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust
February 17, 2017
Page 3
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:
1. The Trust is a statutory trust duly formed and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT.
2. The issuance of the Shares has been duly authorized and, when and if issued and delivered against payment of net asset value therefor in accordance with the Resolutions and the Registration Statement, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
The foregoing opinion is limited to the substantive laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to compliance with federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or the 1940 Act.
The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.
This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Venable LLP
Exhibit (j)
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 December 16, 2016 with respect to the financial statements of QS Global Equity Fund (formerly, QS Batterymarch Global Equity Fund), a series of the Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust, as of October 31, 2016, 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.
New York, New York
February 16, 2017