Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc DEFA14A, filed Jun 8, 2020
Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (EMD)
THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION OF ANY VOTE OR APPROVAL. THE LEGG MASON-SPONSORED FUNDS HAVE FILED WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND HAVE MAILED TO SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENTS. THE PROXY STATEMENTS CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS AND MATTERS RELATED TO THE PROPOSALS. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENTS CAREFULLY.
Information regarding Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason Change of Control Definitive Proxy Statements for Legg Mason U.S. Funds Listed on Schedule A (the “Funds”)
June 8, 2020
Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason Transaction
Q. What is happening with Legg Mason?
A: In February 2020, Legg Mason entered into a definitive agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) with Franklin Templeton, under which Franklin Templeton will acquire Legg Mason (the “Transaction”).
The Transaction is subject to approval by Legg Mason’s shareholders and customary closing
conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals. Subject to such approvals and the
satisfaction of the other conditions, the Transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of
2020.
As part of the Transaction, Franklin Templeton will maintain the investment autonomy of the Legg Mason affiliates that manage the investments of the Funds, including Brandywine Global, Clarion Partners, ClearBridge, ClearBridge RARE, Martin Currie, QS Investors, Royce Investment Partners, and Western Asset.
Regulatory Requirements for Legg Mason Funds
Q. Why are Fund shareholders being asked to approve new management agreements and new subadvisory agreements?
A: Legg Mason is the parent company of the investment managers and the subadvisers for the Funds. Upon completion of the Transaction, the Funds’ investment managers and the subadvisers will become subsidiaries of Franklin Templeton.
The Transaction will result in what is commonly called a “change of control” of Legg Mason. This will cause the Funds’ current management agreements and subadvisory agreements to terminate. Shareholders of the Funds are being asked to approve new management agreements and new subadvisory agreement(s). If approved by shareholders, each new agreement will take effect when the manager or applicable subadviser becomes a subsidiary of Franklin Templeton.
The Transaction will not be completed unless certain conditions are met. One of these conditions is advisory clients of Legg Mason investment affiliates representing a specified percentage of Legg Mason revenue consent to the continuation of their advisory relationships at close. This includes Legg Mason Funds whose shareholders have approved new management agreements.
Information About the New Management Agreements and Subadvisory Agreements
Q. How do the new management and subadvisory agreements differ from the current
agreements?
A: The new agreements will be identical to the current agreements, except for the dates of execution,
effectiveness and termination.
Q. Will the Funds’ contractual management fee rates go up?
A: No. The sale of Legg Mason will not result in any changes to the contractual management fee rates charged to the Funds, nor will the sale cause expense waiver and reimbursement arrangements to change.
Q. Will the new management and subadvisory agreements result in any changes in the portfolio
management, investment objective or investment strategy of the Funds?
A: No. The new agreements are not expected to result in any changes to the portfolio managers of the Funds or to a Fund’s investment objective or investment strategy.
Information About Other Service Providers
Q. Will there be changes to a Fund’s custodian or other service providers as a result of the sale of Legg Mason?
A: No. There are not expected to be any changes to a Fund’s custodian or other service providers as a result of the Transaction.
Q. Will Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (LMIS) continue to serve as the principal underwriter for each Open-End Fund following the consummation of the Transaction?
A: LMIS is expected to continue to serve as the principal underwriter for each Open-End Fund following the consummation of the Transaction. LMIS also serves as a service agent of the Funds and is expected to continue to provide such services following the consummation of the Transaction.
Potential Benefits to Shareholders of the Funds as a Result of the Transaction
Q. How could the sale of Legg Mason potentially benefit shareholders of the Funds?
A: Following the sale, Legg Mason and its affiliates will be part of an organization with greater scale, broader distribution capabilities and new opportunities to grow. Approval of the new management and subadvisory agreements will provide continuity of the investment program shareholders of the Funds selected through their investment in the Funds and allow the Funds’ operations to continue uninterrupted after the sale.
Additional Information About the Current Agreements and the New Agreements
Q. What happens if new management and new subadvisory agreements are not approved for a Fund?
A: The Board of each Fund has approved interim management and subadvisory agreements to provide for maximum flexibility for each Fund’s future. The terms of the interim agreements are identical to those of the current agreements except for term and escrow provisions required by applicable law. If shareholders of a Fund do not approve a new management agreement, or a new subadvisory agreement or agreements, and the sale of Legg Mason to Franklin Templeton occurs, the Fund’s current agreements will terminate, and the manager or subadviser will not be able to provide services to the Fund. If this should happen, the Board of the Fund will implement the interim management or subadvisory agreements for a period of no more than 150 days in order to determine appropriate action, which could include continuing to solicit approval of new management or subadvisory agreements.
Q. What will happen if the Transaction is not consummated?
A: If the Transaction is not consummated, the investment manager and subadviser(s) to each Fund will continue to serve their respective Funds pursuant to the terms of the current management and subadvisory agreements.
Information About the Shareholder Proxy Process
Q. How does each Fund’s Board of Trustees/Directors recommend that shareholders vote?
A: After careful consideration, each Fund’s Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR each proposal applicable to their Fund.
Q. How can shareholders vote their shares?
A: Shareholders can vote their shares in one of four ways:
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By telephone: Call the toll-free number printed on the proxy card(s) that was mailed to them and follow the instructions. |
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By Internet: Access the website address printed on the proxy card(s) that was mailed to them and follow the directions on the website. |
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By mail: Complete, sign and date the proxy card(s) that was mailed to them and return in the self-addressed, postage-paid envelope. |
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At the meeting: Shareholders can vote their shares at the meeting scheduled on the date and time noted in the proxy statement and on the proxy card(s) mailed to them. |
Q. When and where are the shareholder meetings scheduled to be held?
A: Except as noted below, the special meeting of shareholders for each Fund listed in Schedule A, is scheduled to be held at the offices of Legg Mason at 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York 10019. The date and time of each meeting is included in their Fund’s proxy statement and on the proxy card(s) mailed to them.
However, as we are concerned about shareholders’ health and safety during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we intend to monitor the recommendations of public health officials and governmental restrictions as the situation continues to evolve. If we decide to hold the meeting at a different time, in a different location, or partially or entirely by means of remote communication (i.e., a virtual meeting), we will announce any such updates by means of a press release posted on our website (http://www.leggmason.com/virtualproxyfundsmeeting).
We encourage shareholders to check the website beforehand if they plan to attend the meeting. An announcement of any change will also be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission via its EDGAR system.
UPDATES:
On June 8, 2020, press releases for the Funds listed below were issued to announce an adjournment of each Fund’s special meeting of shareholders. Each Fund’s special meeting of shareholders, originally scheduled to be held on June 5, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time), has been adjourned to July 6, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). As previously announced, each Fund’s special meeting of shareholders will be accessible solely by means of remote communication.
ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. (NYSE: CEM)
ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE: EMO)
ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE: CTR)
LMP Capital and Income Fund Inc. (NYSE: SCD)
Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE: GDO)
Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE: HYI)
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. (NYSE: IGI)
The press releases can be found at http://www.leggmason.com/virtualproxyfundsmeeting.
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On June 4, 2020, press releases for the Funds listed below were issued to announce a postponement of each Fund’s special meeting of shareholders. Each Fund’s special meeting of shareholders, originally scheduled to be held on June 5, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time), has been postponed to the date and time noted below. As previously announced, each Fund’s special meeting of shareholders will be accessible solely by means of remote communication.
New Meeting Date: June 16, 2020 at 10 a.m. (Eastern Time)
BrandywineGLOBAL— Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. (BWG)
New Meeting Date: July 6, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time):
Western Asset Corporate Loan Fund Inc. (TLI)
Western Asset Global High Income Fund Inc. (EHI)
Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (HIX)
Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (HIO)
Western Asset Variable Rate Strategic Fund Inc. (GFY)
New Meeting Date and Time: July 6, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time):
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. (MMU)
Western Asset Middle Market Debt Fund Inc. (XWAMX)
Western Asset Middle Market Income Fund Inc. (XWMFX)
Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund Inc. (DMO)
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. (MTT)
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. (MHF)
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (MNP)
The press releases can be found at http://www.leggmason.com/virtualproxyfundsmeeting.
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On May 27, 2020, a press release was issued for Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Inc. (PAI) announcing that due to the public health impact of COVID-19, the location of the Fund’s special meeting of shareholders will be held in a virtual format only. The Fund’s special meeting of shareholders will be accessible solely by means of remote communication. As previously announced, the meeting will be held on June 12, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). Information about how a shareholder may attend the Fund’s meeting is contained in the press release. The press release can be found at http://www.leggmason.com/virtualproxyfundsmeeting.
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On May 22, 2020, press releases were issued for the closed-end Funds listed in Schedule A – Proxy Statement 4 announcing that due to the public health impact of COVID-19, the location of these Funds’ special meetings of shareholders will be held in a virtual meeting format only. Each of these special meetings of shareholders will be accessible solely by means of remote communication. As previously announced, the meetings will be held on June 5, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). Information about how a shareholder may attend their Fund’s meeting is contained in the press releases. The press releases can be found at http://www.leggmason.com/virtualproxyfundsmeeting.
Q: Why might a shareholder receive more than one proxy card?
A: If a shareholder owns shares in more than one Fund as of the Record Date, they may receive more than one proxy card. Even if a shareholder plans to attend the meeting, the proxy statement asks that they please sign, date and return EACH proxy card they received. If they provide voting instructions by telephone or over the Internet, shareholders are asked to please vote on the proposals with respect to EACH Fund they own.
Certain closed-end funds have investors that have sent solicitations in opposition to the proposals to approve new management and subadvisory agreements. These closed-end funds request that shareholders not sign or return or vote on any color proxy cards other than the WHITE proxy card that was mailed to shareholders with the proxy statement.
Q. Who can shareholders call if they have questions?
A: They may call the proxy solicitor, Computershare, regardless of whether they hold shares directly with a particular fund or through their brokerage account, at 866-963-5819.
Q. What can shareholders do if they have lost their proxy card(s)?
A: Shareholders who have lost their proxy cards may call the proxy solicitor, Computershare, for assistance at 866-963-5819.
Q. Are the Funds paying for the proxy statements?
A: No. All costs of the proxy and the shareholder meetings, including proxy solicitation costs, legal fees and the costs of printing and mailing the proxy statements, will be borne by Legg Mason.
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Please see Schedule A for a list of proxy statements, record dates and scheduled shareholder meeting dates.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on the dates specified in Schedule A with respect to each fund are entitled to vote at the meetings.
Schedule A
Proxy Statement 1
Record date for all funds: April 1, 2020
Shareholder meeting date and time for all funds: Scheduled for July 14, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern time)
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Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund ClearBridge All Cap Value ClearBridge Appreciation Fund ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund ClearBridge International Small Cap Fund ClearBridge International Value Fund ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund ClearBridge Large Cap Value Fund ClearBridge Mid Cap Fund ClearBridge Mid Cap Growth Fund ClearBridge Select Fund ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund ClearBridge Small Cap Value Fund ClearBridge Sustainability Leaders Fund ClearBridge Tactical Dividend Income Fund QS Conservative Growth Fund QS Defensive Growth Fund QS Global Dividend Fund QS Global Equity Fund QS Growth Fund QS Moderate Growth Fund QS S&P 500 Index Fund QS U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund
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Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust
ClearBridge Variable Aggressive Growth Portfolio ClearBridge Variable Appreciation Portfolio ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio ClearBridge Variable Large Cap Growth Portfolio ClearBridge Variable Large Cap Value Portfolio ClearBridge Variable Mid Cap Portfolio ClearBridge Variable Small Cap Growth Portfolio QS Legg Mason Dynamic Multi-Strategy VIT Portfolio QS Variable Conservative Growth QS Variable Growth QS Variable Moderate Growth
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Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust
ClearBridge All Cap Growth ETF ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG ETF ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG ETF Legg Mason Global Infrastructure ETF Legg Mason International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF Legg Mason Small-Cap Quality Value ETF Western Asset Short Duration Income ETF Western Asset Total Return ETF
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Proxy Statement 2
Record date for all funds: April 15, 2020
Shareholder meeting dates and times:
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All funds except Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Inc. and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund: Scheduled for July 14, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern time) |
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Western Asset Premier Bond Fund: Scheduled for July 14, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) |
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Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Inc.: Scheduled for June 12, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) |
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Legg Mason Partners Income Trust
Western Asset Adjustable Rate Income Fund (to be renamed WesternAsset Ultra-Short Income Fund on or about April 22, 2020) Western Asset California Municipals Fund Western Asset Corporate Bond Fund Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Western Asset Global High Yield Bond Fund Western Asset Income Fund Western Asset Intermediate Maturity California Municipals Fund Western Asset Intermediate Maturity New York Municipals Fund Western Asset Intermediate-Term Municipals Fund Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Western Asset Massachusetts Municipals Fund Western Asset Mortgage Total Return Fund Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Western Asset New Jersey Municipals Fund Western Asset New York Municipals Fund Western Asset Oregon Municipals Fund Western Asset Pennsylvania Municipals Fund Western Asset Short Duration High Income Fund Western Asset Short Duration Municipal Income Fund Western Asset Short-Term Bond Fund |
Western Asset Funds, Inc.
Western Asset Core Bond Fund Western Asset Core Plus Bond Fund Western Asset High Yield Fund Western Asset Inflation Indexed Plus Bond Fund Western Asset Intermediate Bond Fund Western Asset Macro Opportunities Fund Western Asset Total Return Unconstrained Fund
Legg Mason Partners Institutional Trust
Western Asset Institutional Government Reserves Western Asset Institutional Liquid Reserves Western Asset Institutional U.S. Treasury Obligations Money Market Fund Western Asset Institutional U.S. Treasury Reserves Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves Western Asset Premier Institutional Liquid Reserves Western Asset Premier Institutional U.S. Treasury Reserves Western Asset Select Tax Free Reserves Western Asset SMASh Series C Fund Western Asset SMASh Series EC Fund Western Asset SMASh Series M Fund Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund
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Legg Mason Partners Money Market Trust
Western Asset Government Reserves Western Asset New York Tax Free Money Market Fund Western Asset Prime Obligations Money Market Fund Western Asset Tax Free Reserves Western Asset U.S. Treasury Reserves
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Legg Mason Partners Premium Money Market Trust
Western Asset Premium Liquid Reserves Western Asset Premium U.S. Treasury Reserves |
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Master Portfolio Trust
Government Portfolio Liquid Reserves Portfolio Tax Free Reserves Portfolio U.S. Treasury Obligations Portfolio U.S. Treasury Reserves Portfolio
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Legg Mason Partners Variable Income Trust
Western Asset Core Plus VIT Portfolio Western Asset Variable Global High Yield Bond Portfolio |
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Closed-End Funds
Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Inc.
Western Asset Premier Bond Fund
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Proxy Statement 3
Record date for all funds: April 1, 2020
Shareholder meeting date and time for all funds: Scheduled for July 14, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern time)
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Legg Mason Global Asset Management Trust
BrandywineGLOBAL — Alternative Credit Fund BrandywineGLOBAL — Diversified US Large Cap Value Fund BrandywineGLOBAL — Dynamic US Large Cap Value Fund BrandywineGLOBAL — Global Flexible Income Fund BrandywineGLOBAL — Global High Yield Fund BrandywineGLOBAL — Global Opportunities Bond Fund BrandywineGLOBAL — Global Opportunities Bond Fund (USD Hedged) BrandywineGLOBAL — Global Unconstrained Bond Fund BrandywineGLOBAL — International Opportunities Bond Fund ClearBridge International Growth Fund ClearBridge Global Infrastructure Income Fund ClearBridge Small Cap Fund ClearBridge Value Trust Martin Currie Emerging Markets Fund Martin Currie International Unconstrained Equity Fund Martin Currie SMASh Series EM Fund QS Global Market Neutral Fund QS International Equity Fund QS Strategic Real Return Fund QS U.S. Small Capitalization Equity Fund |
Proxy Statement 4
Record date for all funds: March 9, 2020
Shareholder meeting date and time for all funds: Scheduled for June 5, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time)
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BrandywineGLOBAL— Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc. ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund Inc. ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Total Return Fund Inc. LMP Capital and Income Fund Inc. Western Asset Corporate Loan Fund Inc. Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. Western Asset Global High Income Fund Inc. Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. Western Asset Middle Market Debt Fund Inc. Western Asset Middle Market Income Fund Inc. Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund Inc. Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. Western Asset Variable Rate Strategic Fund Inc. |
Proxy Statement 5
Record date for both funds: May 22, 2020
Shareholder meeting date and time for all funds: Scheduled for July 14, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time)
Western Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund
Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund
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